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Fed up with switching between the different remotes for each of the various devices that make up your home entertainment system? Or perhaps you just need a replacement for an old remote with a volume button that gets stuck every time you press it. A universal remote is the answer to all of your problems!
As with anything technological, finding the right option for your setup can be a difficult task. Luckily, we’re here to help you work out what to look for in a universal remote. Whether you'd prefer to go for something cheap and cheerful with infrared learning or a hi-tech Bluetooth gadget that you can operate by downloading an app, we'll take you through the best universal remotes that sites like Amazon and Argos have to offer.
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Table of Contents
While a universal remote should work with the vast majority of TVs made in the last decade, it’s almost impossible for a remote to be truly universal - so it’s always worth checking that your TV or device is compatible. Usually, checking that your brand is compatible will be enough, but those with older TVs might want to double-check the model as well.
When it comes to other devices, such as Blu-ray players, DVD players, or stereos, the same rules apply. There are a few exceptions, such as certain smart devices that are controlled in a different way, but most named brand electronics with an IR sensor should be covered!
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We mentioned that most universal remotes work via IR, but many modern options also have Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity to make them compatible with the many smart home devices on the market today. Fans of home automation will want to invest in a remote compatible with your system of choice; these include Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple Home.
If you’re wanting to use your remote in conjunction with an Amazon Fire Stick, or an automated light or heating system, there are many options available. They are considerably more expensive than a simple IR remote, but are often far simpler to set up. Plus, being able to control everything in your home from one remote is fantastic!
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The selling point of a universal remote is that it makes using your telly or home entertainment system incredibly easy! Imagine you’re sitting at home and want to watch a film that you've bought on Blu-ray - usually, you'll need to press one button to turn your TV on and another to switch it to the right HDMI channel. Then, you need to turn on the Blu-ray player with a different remote, and your sound system with another control.
Instead of pressing four different buttons on three remotes, the best universal remotes will allow you to program inputs into a single setting through the use of macro buttons. If you add smart home connectivity on top of that, you’ll be able to dim the lights too without having to get up off the sofa!
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There are many different ways to sync your new universal remote up to your device, but the easiest option is to use an in-built IR learning function. You simply line up your old remote with the universal remote, making sure they're both pointing at each other, and press the button on your old remote followed by the corresponding button on the new one. Then, you repeat this with each button until you've covered them all.
If that's a little too time-consuming, some remotes will have a scanning function that automatically syncs to your devices, while others have companion apps that allow you to manage everything from your smartphone. Some cheaper devices will require you to input different codes. Again, this is a time-consuming option but thankfully you can usually find an up-to-date list of compatible codes online.
Due to how they work, universal remotes will have a maximum number of devices they can operate at any one time. If you're just looking to replace an old broken TV remote, it isn't important to have a high number as you'll only be operating a couple of devices.
When dealing with home entertainment systems, however, you may want a remote that can operate a larger number of devices. Many premium options aimed at this market will be designed to work with up to 15 devices at any one time, which should be enough for even the most technologically advanced homes.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | One for All Contour TV | £11.49 Low Mid | Simple, Speedy to Sync, and Affordable | ||
2 | SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote | £84.46 High Mid | Utilises an OLED Screen for a Simple Set-Up | ||
3 | Inteset 4-in-1 Universal IR Learning Remote | £28.95 High Mid | The Best Option for Streaming Services | ||
4 | Logitech Harmony Elite | £359.67 High | An Incredible Remote for Smart Homes | ||
5 | One for All Essence 4 Universal Remote Control | £17.99 Mid | Easy to Set Up, With a Combi-Control Button | ||
6 | Hama Universal 8 in 1 Remote Control | £9.99 Low Mid | Cheap and Can Control Multiple Devices at Once | ||
7 | GE 4-Device Universal Remote Control|34457 | £14.94 Mid | Versatile, but Will Require You to Look up Codes Online | ||
8 | Memo24 Big Button TV Universal Remote | £12.95 Mid | Big Buttons Make Using This Remote Stress-Free | ||
9 | Doro HandleEasy 321rc Universal Infrared Remote Control | £14.99 Mid | An Excellent Ergonomic Option for Elderly Consumers | ||
10 | BCE Universal Remote Control for Samsung TV | £6.15 Low | A Perfect Replacement for the UK's Most Popular Brand |
With all the talk of macro functionality, the number of devices you can sync up to at any one time, and Bluetooth or WiFi compatibility, it's easy to lose sight of the main reason many people are looking to buy a universal remote - to make life easier!
Our number 1 pick is an affordable replacement for lost or broken remotes. Just unpack the One for All Contour TV remote, point it at your TV, press one button to sync, and you're all set. Simple, convenient, and budget-friendly!
If you're looking to spend a little more on a hi-tech remote without breaking the bank, the SofaBaton U1 is an incredible piece of kit. It's not too expensive but still offers plenty of valuable functions that you won't find on cheaper remotes.
The OLED screen makes it crystal clear to see the status of your connected devices, and it's easy to navigate thanks to the scroll wheel. It also features brilliant macro functionality with an included timer, and the companion app makes synchronizing your devices a breeze.
This offering from Inteset is a great choice for those of you who regularly use streaming services, as it's pre-programmed to work with Apple TV, Xbox, Windows Media Centre, Amazon Fire, and many more platforms!
The macro functionality of this remote is also a step above many others, allowing you to program up to 15 commands. If you spend a lot of time streaming TV shows or movies and love the idea of tailoring your remote to your personal preferences, this is the product for you!
The Logitech Harmony Elite is the pinnacle of universal remote technology and a must-have for those with an automated home setup, as it allows you to control absolutely everything in your home from one remote.
The included hub lets you hook up your home entertainment system via WiFi and customise different inputs into a single click of the touchscreen. Why isn't it our number 1 pick? Well, Logitech are sadly discontinuing the line - so pick it up while you can before it disappears forever!
Since their products are compatible with all the major brands, One for All are something of a leading brand in the world of universal remotes. This model is easy to set up thanks to the inbuilt IR learning, and it's compatible with up to four devices at the same time.
What we particularly like about the Essence 4 is the inclusion of a combi-control button that allows you to choose which devices are being transmitted to at any one time. While not a traditional macro button, it can turn on and operate multiple devices at once - perfect for watching Blu-ray movies in your home cinema!
There's a lot to love about this offering from Hama and the features included at such a low price point are impressive - it works on 8 devices simultaneously and has a macro button, allowing you to power on two devices at once.
The main downside of this remote is that it's fiddly to set up, requiring you to either put in four-digit codes (depending on the brand) or set it to automatically search through a code list until it gets a response. This method of synchronization can take a long time so won't be ideal for those who want to set it up quickly.
This GE universal remote is a bit tricky to review because there's a lot to like about it, but whether it's right for you will depend on which devices you have in your home - although it works with most major brands, the list of compatible devices is too large to list here!
On the one hand, this is great as it means the remote can work with devices made by different manufacturers. Unfortunately though, as it requires code entry, there's no guarantee that you'll find the model of TV that you're looking for. You'll have to check the code list online and then input it to synchronize, which isn't the best way to set up in our opinion.
As with the previous remote on our list, this slightly cheaper product is designed for those with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other cognitive impairments. Modern remote controls with lots of small buttons can be extremely frustrating to those with mental and physical issues, so this is a handy solution!
With seven large programable buttons, this remote is simple to use once set up correctly, and there's no danger of accidentally changing your TV's settings. You may need to check the instructions online in order to sync it up correctly for an elderly relative though.
This entry on our list is a little different from what you may typically expect when shopping for a universal remote, as it's aimed at those with limited dexterity in their hands and specifically designed for people with dementia.
The Doro HandleEasy features an ergonomic design as well as the ability to learn functions from any other remote via IR. The limited number of buttons is intended to make things easier for elderly consumers, but also means that this remote won't be suitable for those with lots of devices to control.
Over 15 million British households own a Samsung TV, making them the most popular television manufacturer here in the UK. With this in mind, we thought we'd start off our list with a simple replacement for an old, broken, or lost Samsung remote.
There's no setup required, meaning there are no complicated codes to put in - just add the batteries and it's ready to go! Unfortunately though, this isn't an official Samsung product and it obviously isn't suitable for other brands of television.
Written and researched by David Sexton
No. 1: One for All|Contour TV
No. 2: SofaBaton|U1 Universal Remote
No. 3: Inteset|4-in-1 Universal IR Learning Remote
No. 4: Logitech|Harmony Elite
No. 5: One for All|Essence 4 Universal Remote Control
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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