Best Universal Remote

TL;DR

If you want the closest thing to “one button runs everything,” prioritize a hub-based universal remote that can reliably handle multi-step activities (power, inputs, and volume routing). The catch is that compatibility and long-term software support matter just as much as the hardware — so confirm your exact TV/AVR/streamer models before you buy, and be realistic about end-of-life ecosystems.

Top Recommended Home Theater Accessories

Top Pick: Best Overall Home Theater Accessories

logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control (915-000256) (Renewed)

Best for: A typical living-room setup (TV + AVR/soundbar + streaming box) where you want “Watch TV” / “Watch Apple TV” style activities that set power and inputs correctly from the couch.

The Good

• Best-in-class “activity” concept: one button can power on the right devices, switch TV/AVR inputs, and route volume to the correct device (great when multiple family members use the system).
• Hub-based control is ideal if your AVR/cable box is inside a cabinet or equipment rack (line-of-sight problems are one of the top reasons IR-only universals feel flaky).
• Flexible macro editing: you can typically add steps and delays for finicky gear that needs a second to wake up before it accepts input commands.
• Strong legacy device database and a workflow many home-theater owners already know — helpful if you’re replacing an older Harmony and don’t want to re-learn a new ecosystem.

The Bad

• It’s a discontinued ecosystem, so you’re buying renewed/used hardware — that can mean inconsistent condition and uncertain long-term support.
• Viewer feedback includes reliability complaints around hub syncing and stability during setup.
• Even when everything is supported, HDMI-CEC can fight your activities if devices “helpfully” change inputs behind your back.

Our Take: If you can accept the end-of-life tradeoffs and you want the most polished activities-based experience for a multi-device theater corner (especially with gear behind doors), the Harmony Elite is still the benchmark — just buy renewed with your eyes open and test your full activity chain immediately.

Amazon Renewed Logitech Harmony Companion Remote Control

Best for: A straightforward TV + AVR/soundbar + streamer setup where you want hub-based “activities,” but prefer simpler buttons (and don’t need the most premium touchscreen-style remote experience).

The Good

• Hub-based design helps when equipment is tucked in a cabinet, on a side shelf, or in a low console where IR line-of-sight isn’t reliable from your seating position.
• Activities can reduce daily friction: instead of juggling multiple remotes, you can map “Watch TV” / “Watch a streamer” to consistent starting states.
• Can be an easier transition for existing Harmony households that already know the app flow and just need a replacement remote/hub.
• Once configured, user reports often describe it as simple day-to-day — fewer buttons than a complicated universal, but still more “system control” than a TV remote.

The Bad

• Renewed product risk: buyer reviews include reports of incomplete shipments (for example, missing the remote).
• Some owners report duplicate commands (like a double-press effect), which can be especially annoying for input switching or menu navigation.
• Like other consumer universals, it can struggle if your devices don’t offer discrete input commands (input up/down cycling makes macros fragile).

Our Take: If you specifically want a hub to control hidden gear and you value simple physical buttons over a premium remote feel, the Harmony Companion can be a good fit — but renewed fulfillment quality is the risk you need to plan around.

SofaBaton U2

Best for: People trying to avoid discontinued universal-remote ecosystems who mainly want a practical replacement remote for common home theater devices in a single room (like a TV + soundbar + Blu-ray player) from a current, actively sold product line.

The Good

• A commonly discussed path for buyers who want “Harmony-like” universal remote ideas without buying into an end-of-life platform.
• Direct-to-consumer availability can be a plus if you’re tired of hunting renewed stock and inconsistent listing quality.
• Good fit for “normal” living-room control where you mostly care about power, volume, and input selection rather than deep smart-home integrations.

The Bad

• We don’t have strong, model-specific buyer-review depth for this exact remote in the data provided, so we’d verify return policy and compatibility carefully.
• Pricing is not consistently published in the provided listing data, so you’ll want to comparison shop and confirm total cost before committing.

Our Take: If your main goal is to get a currently sold universal remote from a brand that’s positioned as a Harmony replacement — and your setup doesn’t depend on a very specific streamer control method — the U2 is worth a look, but confirm device compatibility before you build your whole room around it.

Other Notable Alternatives Worth Considering

• SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote with Backlight — This version shows up in retailer category listings and may be worth comparing if you’re shopping the U2 line; it’s listed based on retailer data, and we haven’t independently verified specific performance for this exact listing.

FAQ

What’s the difference between IR-only, hub-based IR blasters, Bluetooth, and IP control?

IR-only remotes need line-of-sight to each device’s IR window. Hub-based systems place a hub near the gear and use IR blasters/emitters so you can control devices inside cabinets. Bluetooth and IP (network) control matter for many modern streamers, because some models don’t accept full navigation control over IR; that’s why the control method can decide whether a “universal” remote is truly universal in your room.

Do I still need a universal remote if my TV has HDMI-CEC?

Sometimes you don’t — but HDMI-CEC can be inconsistent across brands and can cause unexpected input switching when multiple devices are involved. If you mainly want reliable, repeatable “end states” (TV on the correct HDMI input, AVR on the right source, volume routed properly), an activities-based universal remote often behaves more predictably than CEC alone. For background on how CEC is intended to work, see the HDMI Forum / HDMI-CEC documentation.

What are activities or macros, and why do they matter so much?

An activity (often called a macro) is a multi-step command sequence, like: turn on TV, turn on AVR, switch TV to HDMI 2, switch AVR to “Media Player,” and set volume control to the AVR. In practice, this is the main reason people buy a universal remote — it reduces “which remote do I need?” and prevents input confusion, especially for households with a TV + AVR + multiple sources.

How long does universal remote setup take, and what usually goes wrong?

Plan for at least an hour for a multi-device setup, and longer if you’re building multiple activities and fine-tuning delays. Common problems include missing device codes, inputs that only cycle (no discrete input commands), and HDMI-CEC conflicts where devices change state behind the remote’s back. A CEDIA-certified home theater installer will usually start by mapping sources-to-inputs on paper first, then program activities to match those exact end states.

Are discontinued universal remotes like Logitech Harmony still worth buying?

They can be, because the Harmony ecosystem is mature and the activities approach is still one of the smoothest “press once and everything’s correct” experiences. The downside is you’re buying discontinued hardware (often renewed/used) with uncertain long-term app/server support, so you should be comfortable troubleshooting and you should test every device and activity immediately while returns are still easy. For broader context on the post-Harmony landscape, see Wirecutter’s universal remote guide.

Will an IR-only universal remote control Apple TV, Roku, or Fire TV?

It depends on the exact model and generation. Some streaming boxes accept IR for basic navigation, while others rely heavily on Bluetooth (and some features like voice search can be limited without the original remote). If your streaming box is the “heart” of your system, confirm whether it supports IR at all, or whether your universal remote supports Bluetooth/IP control for that specific streamer profile.

Can one universal remote control multiple TVs in the same room?

It’s possible, but consumer IR control can get messy if two displays respond to the same commands (especially with identical TV models). For a projector + TV combo or a multi-display sports setup, you’ll want strong activity support, careful device addressing, and ideally a control approach that reduces accidental cross-talk. In the most complex multi-zone rooms, this is where people often move toward professionally designed control systems rather than a single off-the-shelf remote.

Bottom Line

For most home theater owners who want reliable “activities” that handle power and input switching across a TV, AVR, and sources, the Logitech Harmony Elite (Renewed) is still the closest thing to the classic universal-remote experience. Just go in knowing it’s an end-of-life ecosystem and renewed quality varies — then confirm your device compatibility and test your activities early so you can keep (or return) with confidence.

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