What is the best universal remote?

The best universal remotes on the market balance device compatibility, macro capabilities, and budget to eliminate coffee table clutter. Since the industry-standard Logitech Harmony line has been officially discontinued, modern options range from basic infrared clickers to advanced, app-driven smart home hubs.

The top options across different price points include:

• Best Overall : An exceptional midpoint between budget clickers and high-end hub controllers that can manage up to 15 separate devices.

• Standout Features : Includes fully backlit keys, an OLED scrolling display for navigating inputs, and macro programming via a dedicated smartphone app.

• Best Premium / Power User : The spiritual successor to the Logitech Harmony Elite, ideal for intricate home theater systems.

• Standout Features : Supports up to 60 devices using an external smart hub that communicates via IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi . Features a color touchscreen, rechargeable zinc-alloy body, and one-touch "Activities" (e.g., hitting "Watch Movie" powers on your projector, AV receiver, and streaming box simultaneously). [1][2][3][4][5][6]

• Best Mid-Range : A highly capable, future-proof remote that comfortably links with up to 8 devices.

• Standout Features : Includes pre-programmed activity keys to map entire audio/video flows and features direct one-press shortcuts for popular platforms like Netflix and YouTube.[1]

• Best Budget Option : A simple, dependable, and pocket-friendly clicker designed for basic line-of-sight media centers.

• Standout Features : Consolidates up to 6 devices with full button backlighting. It is pre-programmed for immediate plug-and-play use with Samsung TVs and Roku streaming boxes.[1]

Key Comparisons

To give you the most accurate recommendation, could you tell me:

• What specific devices (TV, soundbar, streaming stick, gaming console, etc.) do you need to control?
• Are any of your media components hidden away inside a closed cabinet or closet?
• What is your general budget for a replacement remote?

If you mean one remote to control your TV, streaming box, soundbar/AV receiver, and other home-theater gear, my top pick in 2026 is the SofaBaton X1S.

• SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote with Hub - $270.99 (newegg.com)

🏆 Best overall: SofaBaton X1S

It’s the closest current replacement for the discontinued Logitech Harmony concept. It can control up to 60 devices, supports IR/Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, and lets you create activities such as “Watch TV” that turn on the right devices and select the appropriate inputs automatically.

Why I’d choose it:

• Controls a large, complicated home-theater setup
• Hub lets you control equipment hidden inside cabinets
• One-touch activities/macros
• Backlit remote with rechargeable battery
• Alexa and Google Assistant support
• Much more capable than inexpensive IR-only remotes

The downside is that it's overkill for a simple TV + soundbar setup, and programming takes some learning. Independent testing currently rates the less-expensive SofaBaton U2 as the better choice for most ordinary setups, while the X1S is better for power users.

💰 Best value: SofaBaton U2

If you have something like TV + Roku/Apple TV + soundbar + cable box, I'd seriously consider the U2 instead. It handles up to 15 devices, has programmable buttons and macros, and is substantially simpler and cheaper.

💵 Best cheap option

If you just need to combine a TV, cable box, Blu-ray player, and/or soundbar, a GE 4-device universal remote is hard to beat for roughly $10. It won't give you the sophisticated “activity” automation of SofaBaton, but it does the basic job very well.

• GE 4-Device Universal Remote - $9.88 (Walmart)

My recommendation: If you tell me what devices you want the remote to control (TV brand/model, Roku/Apple TV/Fire TV, soundbar/receiver, cable box, Blu-ray, etc.), I can tell you exactly which remote I'd buy for your setup.

The "best" universal remote depends entirely on how complex your home theater setup is and what you want to spend. Since Logitech officially discontinued its legendary Harmony line, the universal remote landscape has shifted.

The top options on the market are categorized by what they do best:

1. Best Overall & Smart Home Integration: SofaBaton X2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Best for: Multi-device entertainment centers, macro "activities" (e.g., one button turns on the TV, soundbar, and streaming box), and modern smart home setups.
• Why it’s great: Building on the older X1/X1S series, the SofaBaton X2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. features a premium aluminum build, an intuitive LCD touchscreen, backlit physical buttons, and a convenient charging dock. It uses a wireless hub for 360-degree/out-of-sight control (IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi) and supports custom macro activities so you aren’t juggling inputs.

2. Best Budget / Line-of-Sight Remote: SofaBaton U2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (or U3)

• Best for: Controlling up to 10–15 traditional devices without spending a fortune or setting up a complex wireless hub.
• Why it’s great: It uses a small OLED scroll screen to let you jump between devices. It relies primarily on Infrared (IR), so you do need a line of sight, but it's an affordable, straightforward hardware replacement for a pile of old remotes.

3. Best Traditional / No-Hub Budget Remotes: GE 4-Device Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or Philips 6-Device Backlit Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Best for: Basic setups (TV + Soundbar + Cable Box + Roku) on a tight budget.
• Why they're great: Costing around $10 to $25, options like the GE 4-Device Universal Remote Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or [Philips 6-Device Backlit Remote Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.bestbuy.com/product/philips-6-device-backlit-universal-remote-control-brushed-electric-blue/J73JSV87XK/sku/6463736?utm_source=feed) require zero app setup—just punch in the device code or use auto-code search. Look for backlit versions if you watch movies in the dark.[1][2][3]

4. Best Luxury / Professional Custom Install: Control4 Halo Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Best for: High-end custom smart homes with professional automation systems.
• Why it’s great: At well over $500, the Control4 Halo Remote Go to product viewer dialog for this item. features a gorgeous color screen, hard backlit buttons, dynamic voice control (supporting Siri for Apple TV), and robust Wi-Fi connectivity. It requires professional or semi-advanced integration, but it is the gold standard for luxury media rooms.[1]

Could you tell me how many devices you need to control and whether you use a streaming stick (like Roku or Fire TV) or an AV receiver? I can give you a precise recommendation.

If you mean a true universal remote for a whole home-theater setup, my top pick right now is the SofaBaton X1S.

• SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote with Hub - $287.99 (newegg.com)

🏆 Best overall: SofaBaton X1S

It’s the closest current replacement for the discontinued Logitech Harmony concept. It can control up to 60 devices using IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, and lets you create one-touch activities such as “Watch TV” or “Watch Movie.”

It's particularly good if you have:

• TV + soundbar/AV receiver + Apple TV/Roku/Fire TV
• Several devices hidden inside a cabinet
• A desire to replace 3–6 remotes with one
• Different device combinations that you want to activate with one button

🥇 If money is no object: SofaBaton X2

• SofaBaton X2 Universal Remote with Touchscreen - $505.99 (newegg.com)

The X2 is the more premium option, with a color touchscreen and broader smart-home/home-theater capabilities. Current comparisons generally put it above the X1S for complicated setups involving projectors, AV receivers, and Home Assistant.

💰 If you just want an inexpensive universal remote

For a simple TV + cable box + soundbar setup, you don't need to spend $180.

• GE 4-Device Backlit Rechargeable Universal Remote - $21.33 (Walmart)
• One For All URC3680 8-Device Universal Remote - $34.99 (Walmart)
• onn 6-Device Universal Remote - $16.42 (Walmart)

My recommendation: If you tell me what devices you want to control (TV brand, Roku/Apple TV/Fire TV, soundbar/receiver, cable box, Blu-ray, etc.), I can tell you exactly which remote I'd buy for your setup.

If you mean a universal remote for a TV + streaming device + soundbar/AV receiver, my top pick in 2026 is the SofaBaton X1S.

• SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote - $262.99 (newegg.com)

My picks

• 🏆 Best overall: SofaBaton X1S — controls up to 60 devices and combines IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi through its hub. It also supports one-touch activities, so you can have a single button turn on the TV, receiver, and streaming device and select the correct input.

• 💰 Best value: SofaBaton U2 — around $70–$80, controls up to 15 devices, has a physical scroll wheel/OLED display, and programmable macros. Independent testing currently rates it the best overall value/performance among conventional universal remotes.

• 🔥 Best for a serious home theater: SofaBaton X2 — worth considering if you have a projector, AVR, lots of equipment, or Home Assistant integration.

• 💵 Best cheap/simple option: GE 4-Device — roughly $10–$15 and extremely easy to program, but it's much less capable than the SofaBaton models.

• SofaBaton X1S - $262.99 (newegg.com)

• SofaBaton X2 - $505.99 (newegg.com)

• onn. 6-Device Universal Remote - $16.42 (Walmart)

• One for All 8-Device Universal Remote - $34.99 (Best Buy)

One caveat: if you have a Roku Streaming Stick, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Sonos, or a specific AVR, compatibility can change the recommendation substantially.

If you tell me what devices you want the remote to control (TV brand, cable box, Roku/Apple TV/Fire TV, soundbar/receiver, Blu-ray, etc.), I can tell you exactly which universal remote I'd buy.

The overall best universal remote is the SofaBaton U2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. , which is the top recommendation from Wirecutter and CNET for its balance of power, customizability, and affordable price. Ever since Logitech discontinued its popular Harmony line, SofaBaton has become the go-to brand for home theater enthusiasts.

Depending on your specific budget and how many smart home or Bluetooth devices you need to control, the best universal remotes fall into distinct categories.

Top Universal Remotes Compared

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• Best Overall Value : Ideal for replacing up to 15 standard infrared (IR) and Bluetooth devices without an expensive hub.
• Standout Features : Features a small OLED display and scroll wheel for quick device switching. Supports custom macros (e.g., turning on your TV and soundbar with one click).
• Considerations : Setup requires using a smartphone companion app, which can take a bit of patience.

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• Best Premium Smart Remote : Designed for complex entertainment centers and hidden cabinet gear.
• Standout Features : Employs an included wireless hub that blasts IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi signals up to 60 devices. Adds smart assistant integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Considerations : Significantly more expensive than the U2. Power users can also look at the even newer touchscreen upgrade, the SofaBaton X2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item..

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• Best Budget Option : Best for simple, traditional IR home setups under $30.
• Standout Features : Features fully backlit buttons for movie nights and quick-access hotkeys for popular streaming apps. It is preprogrammed out-of-the-box for Roku and Samsung TVs.
• Considerations : Cannot control modern RF/Bluetooth-only streaming sticks like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Apple TV.[1]

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• Best for Smart Homes : A unique option for users who want to control appliances alongside entertainment devices.
• Standout Features : Integrates with Matter smart home standards via a SwitchBot Hub. It can control air conditioners, smart lights, and projectors.[1]

What Community Reviewers Say

Reviewers emphasize looking at your streaming device before choosing a remote:

“The Philips SRP2024A/27 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a straightforward universal remote built for home setups centered around Amazon Fire TV or Roku streaming devices... It can control up to four traditional IR devices”

If you want a highly customized, robust system without a hardware remote, users also frequently look into custom hobbyist builds:

“Home Assistant and your phone.”

To give you the most accurate recommendation, could you tell me:

• What specific devices (TV brand, soundbar, gaming console, etc.) do you need to control?
• What streaming box do you use (e.g., Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV)?
• Do you need to control components hidden inside a closed cabinet?

The best universal remote depends on how complicated your setup is, but for most home theaters today, these are the top picks:

Best overall: SofaBaton X1S

Best for: TV + soundbar/receiver + streaming box + game console setups

• Controls many devices through IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi
• Supports “Activities” (one button can turn on the TV, receiver, and switch inputs)
• Closest modern replacement for the discontinued Logitech Harmony line
• Has a learning curve during setup

Pick this if: you want one remote to replace a pile of remotes.

Best premium option: SofaBaton X2

Best for: serious home theaters

• Touchscreen interface
• Hub-based control
• Better suited for complex rooms with projectors, receivers, smart-home gear, etc.

Pick this if: you miss the old Logitech Harmony Elite experience and want the closest high-end replacement.

Best simple/budget choice: SofaBaton U2

Best for: normal living rooms

• Easier than hub systems
• Good device compatibility
• Handles TV, cable/satellite box, soundbar, Blu-ray, and streaming devices

Best cheap “just make my TV work” option

GE 4-Device Universal Remote 48844

• Inexpensive
• Easy setup
• Good for basic TV + streaming + soundbar combinations

My recommendation:

• Most people: SofaBaton X1S
• Home theater enthusiasts: SofaBaton X2
• Simple TV setup: SofaBaton U2 or GE 4-Device
• Apple TV-heavy households: consider a remote designed around Apple TV controls rather than a full universal system

If you tell me your devices (TV brand, soundbar/receiver, cable box, Apple TV/Roku/Fire TV, game consoles), I can recommend the best match.

Since the discontinuation of the iconic Logitech Harmony line, the "best" universal remote depends heavily on whether you want an advanced smart home hub that controls everything with macro activities, or just a simple clicker to replace a lost TV and soundbar remote.

The top options on the market fall into distinct categories:

Add to listSofaBaton X1S (Best Smart/Advanced Remote)

• Overview: Currently the closest true successor to Logitech Harmony. It features an ergonomic design, a crisp OLED scroll-wheel screen, and a companion wireless hub that uses IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi to control up to 60 devices.
• Standout Feature: One-touch "Activities" (e.g., pressing "Watch Movie" turns on your TV, fires up the soundbar, and switches to the correct HDMI input).
• Best for: Complex home theaters with hidden components (using the included IR blasters inside cabinets).[1][2]

Add to listPhilips 4-Device Backlit Universal Remote (Best Budget / Traditional Remote)

• Overview: A classic click-and-control infrared remote that doesn’t require a smartphone app or a Wi-Fi hub to set up.
• Standout Feature: Fully backlit keypad for movie nights and preprogrammed compatibility out-of-the-box for major brands like Samsung and Roku.
• Best for: People who want to ditch 2 to 4 basic remotes (TV, soundbar, streaming box, DVD player) without spending over $25.[1]

Add to listRCA 3-Device Backlit Universal Remote (Best Ultra-Budget Option)

• Overview: A slim, simple, and inexpensive infrared remote that handles up to three devices.
• Standout Feature: Dedicated shortcut buttons for popular streaming services like Roku and Apple TV.
• Best for: A quick, painless replacement for a broken bedroom or guest room TV remote.[1]

If you want to narrow this down, tell me:

• How many devices do you need to control?
• Do you need one-touch macros (like turning everything on with a single button)?
• Are any of your components hidden inside a media cabinet?

Since Logitech discontinued the legendary Harmony series, the "best" universal remote depends heavily on whether you want a high-end smart home hub setup or a simple, reliable clicker for standard gear.

The top choices broken down by category include:

SofaBaton X1S / X2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (Best Overall Smart/Hub-Based Remote)

• Details: This is the closest true successor to Logitech Harmony. It uses an inclusive wireless hub (supporting IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi) to control up to 60+ devices. It features a scroll wheel, an OLED/touch screen display, lift-to-wake capability, and macro support for one-touch activities (e.g., pressing "Watch Movie" turns on the TV, soundbar, and streaming box simultaneously). You can check listings like the SofaBaton X1S on Newegg.[1][2][3]

Philips 4-Device or 6-Device Backlit Universal Remote (Best Budget / Traditional Remote)

• Details: If you don't care about smartphone apps, Wi-Fi integration, or complex macro hubs, this is the gold standard for basic setups. It is inexpensive (around $25), features full button backlighting for dark rooms, works out-of-the-box with major brands like Samsung and Roku, and lets you control basic volume/inputs across multiple standard infrared components . Available at retailers like Best Buy.[1][2]

Control4 / RTI / URC

Control4 / RTI / URC (Best Professional Custom Install)

• Details: If budget is no object and you want a flawless, professionally integrated smart home ecosystem where a handheld touchscreen controls your audio, video, lighting, and shades, custom-programmed remotes from brands like Universal Remote Control (URC) installed by a pro are the ultimate luxury route.

To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• What devices do you need to control (TV, soundbar, streaming boxes, game consoles)?
• Do you prefer a traditional button clicker or a smart touchscreen remote with activities/macros?

If you mean a true universal remote for a home-theater setup, my top pick in 2026 is the SofaBaton X1S.

• SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote with Hub - $298.99 (newegg.com)

🏆 Best overall: SofaBaton X1S

It’s the closest current replacement for the discontinued Logitech Harmony line. It can control up to 60 devices, including TVs, receivers, soundbars, streaming boxes, Blu-ray players, and projectors, using IR, Bluetooth and some Wi-Fi control.

Why I recommend it:

• One-button Activities such as “Watch TV” that turn on the right equipment and select inputs.
• Controls up to 60 devices.
• Rechargeable remote with backlit controls.
• Hub means you don't need line-of-sight to every component.
• Broad compatibility: SofaBaton says its database covers 6,000+ brands and 500,000 devices.
• Setup is substantially easier than older SofaBaton models, according to testing.

Downside: It's expensive, and the app/setup is more complicated than a basic universal remote. Its smart-home capabilities are also relatively limited.

💰 Best value: SofaBaton U2

If you have a fairly conventional setup—say TV + cable box + soundbar + Roku/Apple TV—I'd actually consider the SofaBaton U2 instead. Independent testing named it the top pick among universal remotes, with support for up to 15 devices and reliable macros.

💵 Best cheap option

If you simply need one remote to replace 2–4 ordinary remotes, you don't need to spend $150–$200.

• GE 4-Device Universal TV Remote - $9.88 (Walmart)

The GE 4-device is around $10 and handles TVs, streaming players, cable/satellite boxes, Blu-ray/DVD players and soundbars. It's a much better choice if you don't need sophisticated activities or a hub.

My quick recommendation:

• Serious home theater / Harmony replacement: SofaBaton X1S
• Most people: SofaBaton U2
• Cheap and simple: GE 4-Device
• Projector + AVR + lots of equipment: I'd look at the higher-end SofaBaton X2 rather than the X1S. SofaBaton itself positions the X2 for more complex setups.

If you tell me what devices you want to control (TV brand, cable box, soundbar/receiver, Roku/Apple TV/Fire TV, etc.), I can tell you exactly which remote I'd buy for your setup.