Finding the best universal remotes can be difficult. There are so many, varying in quality, price, and features. Yet, a universal remote is essential these days, as the alternative is juggling multiple remotes for the TV, cable box, soundbar, game consoles, and all the other devices.
As technology and consumer electronics continue to progress, there are more and more devices being used in daily life, and more devices mean more remotes. An excellent universal remote will consolidate your collection of remotes into a single tool.
When shopping for a universal remote you want to ensure it can connect to all the devices in the space you plan to use. We generally prefer remotes that feature a rechargeable internal battery to minimize the possibility of e-waste. Some universal remotes also have smart home controls and voice search so that you can look for shows, movies, and more across multiple streaming services.
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These are the best universal remotes in 2023:
5. GE Universal Remote, $10
GE Universal Remote is easy to use and can connect four devices simultaneously. Suppose you want to consolidate remotes and don’t need customizable buttons, touchscreens, voice controls, or any of the other features we’ve highlighted in our other picks. In that case, you’re looking for the GE Universal Remote. The best affordable price is costing at $10 for this remote. It isn’t unique, but it gets the job done and is very cheap. There’s nothing wrong with paying a little when that’s all you need.
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4. Apple TV Siri Remote, $54+
Apple TV Siri Remote has improved the 2nd generation remote that includes a mute button. Of course, you can also use the Apple TV Siri Remote for system-level TV functions like power and volume. For people with basic setups, that’s all the “universal control” you need. It only costs $54+. Some might say it’s expensive just for a remote or affordable compared to the Harmony Elite.
3. One for All Smart Control 8, $49+
One for All Smart Control 8 can control up to eight devices and work with everything from a TV to a blue-ray player. A favorite buyer feature is a remote finder which lets you use a companion app on your smartphone to make the remote emit a noise so you can track it down. The downside is that it doesn’t work with Bluetooth devices, so consider that when purchasing. It isn’t expensive, only cost $49+.
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2. SofaBaton U1, $49+
SofaBaton U1 can connect to over 350,000 devices from 6,000 brands. The cool thing is that the database will update as new devices emerge. You won’t have to worry about whether the latest device will match. The screen directly displays the status and is convenient for switching different devices. The motion-activated feature can automatically adjust the remote-control brightness and save energy to gain extended battery life. You can assign buttons to perform specific actions and even create shortcuts to launch activities. The downside is that it can’t control Wi-Fi-based devices. The best part is that it’s affordable and costs $49+.
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1. Logitech Harmony Elite, $597+
Logitech Harmony Elite was discontinued in 2021 but remains the best universal remote. It features a small touchscreen that makes navigating a potentially dizzying array of devices easy to follow. You can buy it on eBay as used or amazon but finding it for a reasonable price isn’t easy; they are most likely refurbished, and if someone is selling it for brand new, it will most likely be at a high price. Depending on the seller, the remote can be between $133-$600 refurbished or maybe new.
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