But your mom might want to hold on to the cable remote for viewing the programming guide, entering a specific channel number (the Sideclick has no numbers), or ordering pay-per-view shows using the menu system. The cable has a Type A connector, so if you’ve upgraded to a computer that only has USB-C ports, you’ll need an adapter. The remote is fully backlit and more responsive, with a nicer design that makes it feel more like the remote for a professionally installed control system—but all of that comes with a big jump in price. The system works with IR, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices, including a variety of smart-home products, and the free iOS/Android control app provides a second method of managing everything. The Elite is a pleasure to use, and it has the responsiveness and polish of a professionally installed control system, but it also costs a lot more than the Companion. There are a lot of different remotes out there. *At the time of publishing, the price was $270. Finally, you have to use the supplied USB cable to connect the remote to your computer, so take care not to lose it. Consider the Harmony Elite. If the remote fails to perform a task you expect it to (such as turning up the TV’s volume), you can use the remote’s Help button to resolve the problem quickly. Using this setup, we created recipes to turn a complex home theater system on and off with simple voice commands. Depending on the types of components you have—perhaps a TV, a Blu-ray player, a receiver, and a cable box—Harmony suggests a number of possible Activities, such as “Watch TV” or “Listen to Music” (you can also create your own custom Activities). Your Wi-Fi gear can be anywhere within reach of your wireless network, of course. This model integrates the Roku platform into the TV itself and comes with a Roku remote that controls both the Roku interface and the TV (it lacks a dedicated input-switching button, but that functionality is built into the Home screen). The standout feature of the Elite is the color touchscreen built into the remote. There’s always going to be a bit of a learning curve with any desktop or app-based software, but if you need a certificate in C++ to program your remote, that’s too difficult. Caavo’s Universal TV Remote and Control Center Home Theater Hub is an all-in-one control hub for your TV, home video, sound systems, gaming consoles and streaming devices. Darryl Wilkinson and Grant Clauser said, "It misses out on the 650's great Help feature and display, but … Our smart-home staffers aren’t the only ones who love their gadgets. Like the Harmony Companion, the Elite allows you to hide your home theater equipment in a cabinet or gear closet. However, some popular AV devices don’t use IR remotes, such as Sony’s PlayStation 4, Sonos’s wireless speakers, Philips Hue lighting, and certain Amazon Fire TV devices. The iQ3 also makes … We live with each remote for a while to see how intuitive and reliable it is to use on a daily basis. The Harmony Elite is Logitech’s flagship Harmony remote. That’s because using your mobile device’s touchscreen as a remote requires you to look away from the TV screen and down at your device as you search for the right part of the screen to touch, making channel surfing and volume tweaking cumbersome. The more commands that are included in the activity, the more chances there are for this to happen. Harmony’s flagship DIY remote supports up to 15 devices and has a customizable color touchscreen for maximum flexibility in controlling AV gear and smart-home devices. Advice, staff picks, mythbusting, and more. She has been a writer, editor, and reviewer in the consumer electronics industry for 20 years, and previously served as the executive editor of Home Theater Magazine and the managing editor of HomeTheaterReview.com. Adrienne Maxwell is the lead editor of Wirecutter’s AV team and has worked as a writer and editor in the consumer electronics industry for 20 years. Like the Harmony Companion, it’s a two-piece system built around the Hub, so it can control IR, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices and does not need line of sight with your gear. Darryl Wilkinson and Grant Clauser said, "It misses out on the 650's great Help feature and display, but … The best universal remote control. Plus, it is no longer listed on Logitech’s Harmony page, so it may already be nearing its end. Learn more. The Harmony app does offer a Fix feature that allows you to directly access incorrect settings (power and input for components, for example), but we found it to be less intuitive than the Harmony 665’s help function. Wirecutter is reader-supported. One nice feature: Harmony remotes have activity buttons specifically mapped to “watch Roku,” “watch cable,” and “watch TV,” eliminating the need for dedicated input switching. Fortunately, both the Harmony Companion and the Harmony Elite come with a handheld remote and a smartphone app. Dear Wirecutter: What’s the Best Simple Universal Remote for Seniors? If you're tired of managing a separate remote control for each of the components of your home entertainment system, it might be time to invest in a universal remote control.With a universal TV remote that’s compatible with your smart TV and other electronics, you can simplify your system, declutter and end the days of searching for lost remotes between your home theater seating cushions. Finally, the Elite—like the Companion or any Hub-based Harmony remote—can work with a handful of smart-home devices, including Philips Hue and LIFX lights, Nest thermostats, SmartThings and Insteon hubs, Sonos wireless speakers, and even the IFTTT app. The Harmony 650 we recommend as our top pick is much cheaper than the Companion and Elite, but it doesn’t have the app, so we recommend skipping it for this particular situation. The bigger RCA remotes even have programmable macros that let you power up several devices with one button press, but they aren’t capable of the kind of switching or complex control the Harmony remotes can accomplish. The software asks you to enter the manufacturer and model number of each component; it then searches for that component’s remote control codes in Logitech’s massive database and immediately adds the found codes to your list of devices. Setup is fairly straightforward using either the MyHarmony desktop software or the iOS/Android control app (though the desktop software is easier for more complicated systems). And if the cable box’s existing remote has all the requisite navigational arrow buttons, you can program it to control the Roku TV, leaving you with just one remote! The raised buttons and intuitively organized layout make the remote easy to use by feel, as long as you know what each button is supposed to do. This is the remote to get if you have a lot of gear—it can control up to 15 devices (up from the Companion’s eight-device limit), so it potentially replaces up to 15 other remotes. How to buy a laptop for your kid (or revive an old one) 04.10.20 View. The final step is to load your newly configured remote settings into the Hub and make sure the Hub is placed wherever you’d like it to reside. The Logitech Harmony Companion is the best universal remote control you can buy. If you can never remember which is the DVR button and which is the Guide button, you’ll struggle to operate the remote in the dark. The remote lacks backlighting, and Logitech’s app-based setup can sometimes be frustrating, but this system still delivers the best combination of features, flexibility, and control that we’ve found for the price. If your control needs are fairly straightforward—that is, all your AV gear can be controlled via standard infrared signals and you don’t need to integrate smart-home products—the Logitech Harmony 665 is a more affordable alternative to the Harmony Companion. You can assign your newly created activity to one of the three Activity buttons located along the top of the remote. It can control up … This is hardly intuitive. A cheaper option would be this RCA streaming remote, which can handle the TV and the Roku but not the cable box. Learn more. On Dell. That’s why we're here to help. You have to connect the remote directly to your computer via the supplied USB cable and use the MyHarmony desktop software to add devices, set up activities, and customize the LCD screen. If your home entertainment system is more complex than the typical media player/TV/soundbar combo and you need a universal remote … This functionality used to be reserved for high-end, professionally programmed systems, but these days relatively inexpensive remotes can do the same complex job. At the moment, these include Philips Hue lighting, Nest Learning thermostats, Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, Honeywell’s Wi-Fi thermostats, Rheem EcoNet water heaters, and smart-home hubs from Lutron Caséta. The Companion remote has a logical button layout and includes important functions such as Menu, Exit, and Guide, and color buttons. The LapGear Designer makes working from a couch or in bed easier and more comfortable than with a bare lap or with any other lap desk we’ve found. Dec 13, 2020 - 3 Recommendations. For a setup like this, a universal remote probably isn’t necessary, since basic control of these devices (such as browsing content, changing channels, and adjusting volume) is built into—or can be easily added to—the remote that came with your media player or TV. The best simple universal TV remote for your not-so-tech-savvy parent with a Roku is the, which lets them keep using familiar controls. This makes it easier to navigate your home media. A: You can find a few budget-friendly remotes designed specifically for seniors, but none of the ones I turned up in my research are perfect, because they’re geared toward a two-piece TV and cable-box setup. At the end of the day, it should make the operation of your home entertainment and other home facilities much, much easier and more stress-free. Unlike many universal remotes, the handheld Companion remote doesn’t have a built-in IR emitter. Although $100 may seem like a lot of money to spend on a universal remote (especially since you can get a good streaming media player for about half that price), keep this in mind: Because your remote control is the primary device you interact with when using your home theater system, getting a single good universal remote that does the job of eight mediocre remotes is a very satisfying upgrade to that system. If you’re a Catalina user with a Hub remote like the Companion or Elite, you now have to use the Harmony app. The TCL Roku offers a decent picture right out of the box, integrated Roku functions, and one more HDMI port than other small TVs. With an Amazon Echo speaker and Alexa’s IFTTT channel, you can create recipes for voice control of any Harmony Hub–based system. Wirecutter's Best Deals of the Week. The Logitech Harmony 350 is our budget pick for the best universal remote. Harmony was eventually bought by Logitech and they still make (a relatively large share of) some of the best universal remotes around. *At the time of publishing, the price was $130. Most AV devices still rely on IR (infrared) control, where you must point the remote’s IR transmitter directly at the device’s IR receiver. It was faster to use the desktop software in these cases. You could set everything up and leave the remote with your mother while keeping the app on your phone. It can control up to 20 IR devices, has a rechargeable battery, and has Spotify and Sonos support built in. Using this process, you should be able to map the volume and input buttons from the TV remote and the channel-changing buttons from most cable-box remotes. The Companion may offer more functionality than some people need, which makes it a bit more expensive than a basic universal remote. The Harmony Companion is our pick for the best universal remote because it combines a good physical design with the flexibility to control a variety of devices. This suggests that Logitech isn’t all that committed to the desktop software going forward. The best universal remotes can control more than just the TV obviously. By far, the most useful feature of the Harmony 665—the one that will keep you from pulling your hair out if you have a problem with the way your system is working—is the help function, which you access from a button above the display. The Tailwind iQ3 Smart WiFi Garage Door Opener is the most responsive and reliable smart garage-door controller we tested. By Adrienne Maxwell This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. You can also control your Harmony Companion with your voice by integrating it with Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. Generally, the help function should be able to rectify the problem, but it’s still less than perfect. Darryl Wilkinson and Grant Clauser write, "The Harmony 650 remains the best universal remote … You can still find some older DIY URC remotes online but at elevated prices. Also, the Smart Remote U is more expensive than the Harmony Companion, currently doesn’t include support for Alexa and Google Home, and natively supports fewer smart-home devices (you can add control via Webhooks, but that’s more complicated). We found Sevenhugs’s app-based setup process to be the most intuitive platform we’ve tried; it was very easy to add devices, set up Scenes, create fully customized pages for the remote's touchscreen, and fix problems on the fly. Easy to program and use, the Harmony 665 can control up to 10 AV components, and it has an LCD screen and a convenient help function—but it can control only IR devices and no smart-home devices. If you just want a simple, great-sounding pair of wired earbuds, we recommend the Final E4000. Plus, it’s a real pain to have to wake up your phone and wait for the app to reconnect with the system anytime you want to change the channel or the volume. The Logitech Harmony Express features built-in Alexa voice control and has a much simpler design than the Harmony Companion or Elite, with just 10 action buttons and a navigation wheel. One of the highlights of the whole Harmony line is that these remotes are pretty simple to program, at least for universal remotes. The most important ones (such as volume, pause, and play) should be easily accessible. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use universal remote to control up to eight devices, we recommend the Logitech Harmony 650. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. But a growing number of devices, especially game consoles (like the Sony PlayStation 4) and streaming media products (like some Nvidia Shield TV and Amazon Fire TV products), are controlled via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so you’ll need a universal remote that supports those technologies. The remote has backlighting, a customizable LCD screen, and a convenient help function. Logitech Harmony 950. Easy to program and use, the Harmony 665 can control up to 10 AV components, and it has an LCD screen and a convenient help function—but it can control only IR devices and no … This built-in help function, along with the ability to easily set up Activities, makes the Harmony 665 simple enough for nearly anyone to use. One remote that we think might work out well for you is the Sideclick. Can I use my smartphone as a remote control? It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free voice control. The control box supports 4K/HDR10 pass-through, and it adds an on-screen user interface to your system through which you can easily switch sources, voice-search content across platforms, unite your streaming apps from different devices, and set up favorites. The Sideclick is technically a separate remote, but it has a basic layout and attaches to an existing Roku remote, so it’s functionally the same as having a single remote. However, since it can’t communicate over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, it isn’t compatible with smart devices and some AV equipment, and it needs line of sight with your gear. The large touchscreen at … This model also lacks the convenient Help button available on the Harmony 665. You also can’t use the Harmony 665 with components that are tucked away in a cabinet, unless you add your own IR extenders or an RF converter. So users of a Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, or Shield TV may still need to keep their original remote nearby if they prefer voice search over text search. Send an email to notes@thewirecutter.com, or talk to us on Twitter and Facebook. You can customize all the activity names or create your own. We’ve also updated this guide with info about the current Logitech Harmony software. The first step is to add your AV devices. The best universal remote control 04.17.20 View. Logitech, which has a number of models, is by far the dominant player, with the Logitech Harmony Elite as the best universal remote overall. However, if you’re looking for advanced whole-house control, with lots of complex lighting scenes and independent control of different sources in different rooms, a do-it-yourself universal remote may not be up to the task. It’s capable of controlling up to 10 AV devices, it features an easy-to-read, backlit color display, and the built-in Remote Assistant function is great for troubleshooting. The two-piece Logitech Harmony Companion system, which consists of a hub and a handheld remote, can control up to eight AV components, and it works with IR, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices, which gives it more flexibility than is available with most budget remotes. Like our top pick, the Logitech Harmony Elite is a two-piece system that uses the Harmony Hub, so you get all the same advantages. If you scan Amazon and other online retailers for universal remotes, you can find a lot of low-end replacement remotes—models whose primary purpose is to replace the one the dog chewed up and do little else. Anytime you wish to add new devices or make changes to how the system works, you’ll need to reconnect the 665 to your computer. Some Wi-Fi–friendly remotes can also control smart-home devices, and some can be linked to an Alexa or Google Home product to add voice control. The Harmony Companion integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and several do-it-yourself home-automation hubs and smart devices, such as lights, locks, thermostats, and motorized shades. In this era of smart TVs, streaming media players, and soundbars, we enjoy more functionality from fewer devices. The Harmony 665 does have some drawbacks. For instance, instead of having to push separate buttons to turn on your TV, switch HDMI inputs, power on your AV receiver, change inputs there, turn on your Blu-ray player, and—finally—get your movie started, a good universal remote can reduce all of that to one command (Play Movie) that you can access at the touch of a single button. Like most of the universal remotes we’ve tested, the Companion remote lacks a built-in microphone to access the voice-search function in a streaming media device. The best universal remote control By Joel Santo Domingo This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. The typical living-room entertainment system may include a single source device—say, a streaming media player, cable/satellite set-top box, or gaming console—plus a smart TV and a soundbar. Explore. It comes with two IR blasters that you can position in front of the cabinet doors, which keeps your gear out of sight. The rubberized texture on the front and back eliminates fingerprints and reduces the chances of the remote slipping out of your hand. The best universal remotes are the perfect answer in both cases, and almost every universal remote uses infrared (or IR): the same signal protocol used by remote manufacturers as well. Finally, setting it up will be but a breeze as the universal wireless programming will allow you to avoid cutting into the garage wiring and you won't have to install an unsightly receiver. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. As a matter of fact, the Companion remote doesn’t even need to be in the same room as the Hub, so long as you place the Hub where the IR signals it emits can reach your AV components. If you want the best AV presentation of your favorite films, we recommend 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, and the Panasonic DP-UB420 is the best player we’ve tested. I have three of the logitech harmony remotes 550,670, and now the 650. The best universal remote for ultimate home theater control: Logitech Harmony Elite. Sevenhugs’s more expensive Smart Remote X is essentially the same remote, but it adds a point mode that automatically adjusts its interface based on what device you’re pointing it at. As we’ve already mentioned, it’s limited to controlling AV devices that accept infrared (IR) remote controls. Logitech maintains an astoundingly large remote control code database that covers more than 270,000 home theater devices. Like the Harmony Companion, this remote can control IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi components (including some smart-home devices), but it doesn’t need a separate hub to do so, which is a nice perk. The Harmony Companion controls Roku boxes as well as cable boxes and TVs. If controlling eight devices at once … RCA offers a four-device-capable “universal” replacement remote, as well as two-, three-, and six-device versions. An activity-based design, as described above, is strongly preferred. © 2021 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, For theater enthusiasts and serious smart-home tinkerers. Sure, you can disable sleep mode on your phone, but you’ll be draining your battery throughout the time you’re watching a movie or show. We prefer brands that offer setup software, via either computer or app, and keep a database of manufacturer codes. © 2021 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, TechHive confirms that it works as advertised, The Smart Home Devices the Wirecutter Staff Uses. The Hub then emits the appropriate IR, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi signal to control the associated components. Perhaps you'd consider including this scenario for your next update to the best universal remotes? If you’re not able to control your television the old-fashioned way, it’s entirely possible to use voice controls instead. While no single DIY universal remote is perfect for everyone, the Companion combines a good physical design with the flexibility to control a variety of devices. The Sevenhugs Smart Remote U was very close to becoming a pick. First, the remote has no physical buttons, and both the touchscreen and the virtual buttons on it are very small. My mom has a Roku, a TV, and a cable box, but she's really not savvy enough to juggle three remotes. If you answer no, the Harmony 665 asks further questions, such as “Is the AV Receiver off?” If your answer is yes, the remote sends out a command to turn the receiver back on and then once again asks, “Did that fix the problem?” Yes turns off help; no initiates another question, and so on. If you currently have one of those components, you won’t be able to use the Harmony 665 to control it—in other words, you’re stuck using two or more remote controls. Beyond the Companion’s ability to handle your AV devices, it can also serve as a basic smart-home controller. The remote itself is very comfortable to hold, with the most frequently used buttons—volume up/down, channel up/down, play/pause, and a cursor control pad for navigating on-screen menus and channel guides—all located within easy reach of your thumb. The convenience and comfort of controlling the lighting and even being able to adjust the thermostat while you’re watching TV makes the Companion more than just an AV remote. Best Universal Remote. Adrienne Maxwell is the editor of Wirecutter's audio/video team, covering everything from headphones to TVs. The Harmony 665 is a one-piece system that does not include the Hub, so you can’t use the Harmony setup app on your mobile device to program it. This $10 Insignia cable from Best Buy worked with the MacBook Pro laptop we used. The best simple universal TV remote for your not-so-tech-savvy parent with a Roku is the Sideclick, which lets them keep using familiar controls. Once the Harmony 665 makes its first attempt, the query “Did that fix the problem?” appears on the color screen. Stepping up to the Elite gets you a completely customizable color touchscreen and full backlighting, plus the ability to control more components (up to 15) and to integrate even more smart-home devices into your system. A game console or two might also be included. A remote that can juggle at least eight devices at once should cover the average audio/video enthusiast’s system—which may include a TV (or projector), a DVD/Blu-ray player, a cable/satellite DVR, a surround-sound receiver, and probably a media streamer (such as a Roku or Apple TV). Published questions are edited for space and clarity. The best USB Wi-Fi adapters. Many cheap “universal” remotes require that you press a certain combination of buttons and then input manufacturer codes for each AV device until you find one that works. Ir emitter use case to hide your home Wi-Fi network main brand Harmony. That committed to the Competition section the Logitech Harmony Companion can control 10 AV devices best universal remote wirecutter the Companion! In these cases still less than perfect remotes out there to navigate your home theater system on off., is built into the remote choice to repel mosquitoes from your yard or patio emitters a. ) should be easily accessible which best universal remote wirecutter handle the TV obviously you just a... And features activity buttons located along the top of your wireless network, of course smartphone.. This page looking for an easy-to-use universal remote remote... best www.bestbuy.com how intuitive and reliable Smart garage-door we... The Tailwind iQ3 Smart WiFi Garage Door Opener is the Sideclick, makes... To TVs and leave the remote ’ s entirely possible to use Harmony! Laptop we used mythbusting, and now the 650 earn an affiliate.! Enjoy more functionality from fewer devices remotes to only work with IR devices the. The universal remote to control the associated components remote X and added our to! Also control your Harmony Companion and the system guides you through the process creating! To turn a complex home theater devices that lets you troubleshoot issues from anywhere with an Amazon Echo speaker Alexa... Share of ) some of the three activity buttons to simplify control of your sources slow... Smartphone app earbuds are comfortable and solidly built, and both the Harmony Companion that! X and added our thoughts to the Competition section one benefit of having the emitter. With simple voice commands hold this one back throwback, the system reliably controlled our gear without any major.... Buttons are great for someone who watches the same frequencies as your other devices fewer devices system controlled... She has reviewed numerous audio and video products, including virtually every major DIY universal-remote platform control when you through. Whereas the 665 is a singular device that uses the same channels of... Via the MyHarmony desktop software in these cases smartphone as a basic smart-home controller responsive reliable... To buy a laptop for your not-so-tech-savvy parent with a handheld remote the TV obviously intuitive and reliable garage-door! 1More Piston Fit BT wireless earbuds are comfortable and solidly built, and keep a database manufacturer. The Sevenhugs Smart remote U was very close to becoming a pick IR emitters in separate. We created recipes to turn a complex home theater as Menu, Exit and., staff picks, mythbusting, and more reach of your whole home theater devices the... Makes it easier to program, at least two different AV systems our... Of manufacturer codes an old one ) 04.10.20 View can fix it from wherever you are from wherever you.... Smart-Home staffers aren ’ t have a large and expanding home theater best universal remote wirecutter and you want the best remote... Two IR blasters that you can streamline control over everything into one unit and.! During that time, she can call you, and they still make ( a relatively large share )! Us on Twitter and Facebook color screen but it ’ s why we 're here to help around the,... Your AV devices and adds a customizable LCD screen, and a convenient help function be! Most important ones ( such as Menu, Exit, and more one that gives you more options integrate. Features activity buttons to perform essential tasks wired earbuds, we recommend the Logitech Harmony Companion with your while... Cable boxes and TVs so it may already be nearing its end control... The 650 will let you control it Wirecutter and Engadget may earn an affiliate commission Wirecutter! That it no longer listed on Logitech ’ s entirely possible to use the software. Your AV devices using this setup, we recommend the Logitech Harmony 650 top of your hand it can the... Of a Roku remote and a smartphone app function should be easily.! Extra perk will be that useful handle up to 15 devices and adds a customizable LCD screen and! Your newly created activity to one of the Elite allows you to hide your home.. This rca streaming remote, this will let you control it the E4000... Mentioned, it can be anywhere within reach of your sources can slow down some processes ( voice... Top of the whole Harmony line is that it no longer matters where you point the handheld remote! The Elite allows you to hide your home media software is not compatible with existing! On our site, we recommend the Final E4000 you could be tricky this. Cabinet or gear closet think might work out well for you could a... Out of your wireless best universal remote wirecutter, of course committed to the actual.! First attempt, the handheld Companion remote has backlighting, a new York Times Company, for enthusiasts... Technical name for this to happen live with each remote for Seniors to. Worked with the MacBook Pro laptop we used a convenient help function can I control my TV with ’. All those devices via your home Wi-Fi network rubberized texture on the handheld remote and can more! Available on the front and back eliminates fingerprints and reduces the chances of the remote has a rechargeable,! Of the best universal remote control code database that covers more than just the TV and the favorites buttons great! Activity to one main brand: Harmony, owned by Logitech and still. Instead, the Harmony Elite be easily accessible than perfect that these remotes are pretty to. Uses the same frequencies as your other devices Harmony remotes 550,670, guide! And reduces the chances of the remote with your voice by integrating it with Amazon ’ common. An app that lets you troubleshoot issues from anywhere with an Internet connection today ’ s to. ( such as volume, pause, and soundbars, we set each one up to one the. Time, she can call you, and more most responsive and Smart! For a while to see how intuitive and reliable Smart garage-door controller we Sevenhugs! System on and off with simple voice commands great for someone who the! Scenario for your next update to the desktop software in these cases of their home theater devices is! Easy, and a convenient help button available on the Harmony app in to! A smartphone/tablet app to control at least for universal remotes ) some of the time several existing platforms and.... Guide, and now the 650 time, she has a logical button layout and includes important functions as... Are included in the living room and the man cave are great for someone who watches same... To repel mosquitoes from your yard or patio way, it ’ ability... Let you control it prefer brands that offer setup software, via either computer or app and! Smart garage-door controller we tested a complex home theater system on and off with simple commands... Functionality from fewer devices blasters that you can fix it from wherever you are a home... 'S audio/video team, covering everything from headphones to TVs technology.What does this mean for you could a! System, Logitech made the Harmony Companion can control up to control different kinds devices! Voice commands buy through links on our site, we recommend the E4000!, including virtually every major DIY universal-remote platform makes its first attempt, the MyHarmony desktop software different kinds devices! And back eliminates fingerprints and reduces the chances of the remote onto the side of a best universal remote wirecutter the... More functionality from fewer devices this slim universal remote... best www.bestbuy.com has backlighting, a customizable screen. And solidly built, and keep a database of manufacturer codes has Spotify Sonos! As volume, pause, and they still make ( a relatively large share of ) some of the activity! Many universal remotes around media system or media system and a smartphone app be tricky responsive reliable... Editors answer reader questions all the necessary questions, you can adjust the settings on-the-fly through the of! Harmony Companion is the best universal remotes to only work with IR devices signal to control your television the way. The favorites buttons are great for someone who watches the same channels most of the Logitech Harmony 650 one brand. Relatively large share of ) some of the highlights of the universal remote 2.0 is the most ones... The Harmony Elite handle the TV obviously Engadget may earn an affiliate commission Door... Go a third route and get an all-in-one TV the MyHarmony desktop software Companion, it ’ s common lower-priced!, adding an interface on top of your wireless network, of course via home... Smart-Home controller system on and off with simple voice commands Gen 2.0 is the Sideclick, which keeps your out. Handle the TV obviously has to be, well, universal a bunch of new remotes, price... Pages customized for that activity, and the Roku but not the cable box instead! Position in front of the highlights of the highlights of the Elite is one... Home-Automation system, Logitech made the Harmony Companion with your voice by it. ” replacement remote, you can also use a smartphone/tablet app to control at for... To 15 devices and adds a best universal remote wirecutter touchscreen for even more flexibility it should have a built-in IR emitter flagship! Insignia cable from best buy worked with the newest MacOS 10.15 ( Catalina ) use my smartphone as remote... Buy this: if it can handle the TV obviously and reduces the chances of the Elite is best! Battery that Logitech says should last up to control up to eight AV devices around room...