Best Bluetooth Universal Remotes: Control Your Entertainment

Best Bluetooth Universal Remotes: Control Your Entertainment

Tired of juggling multiple remotes for your home entertainment system? A quality bluetooth universal remote control can simplify your life, consolidating control of your TV, soundbar, streaming devices, and more into a single, intuitive device.

But with so many options available, finding the best bluetooth universal remote controls can be overwhelming. Choosing the right remote means striking a balance between features, compatibility, and value.

This article aims to guide you through the options, highlighting key considerations and helping you identify the best bluetooth universal remote controls to meet your specific needs. We’ll explore the features that truly matter, helping you make an informed decision and reclaim your living room harmony.

Top 5 Bluetooth Universal Remote Controls Compared

SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote with Backlit Button

SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote with Backlit Button

  • Batteries included, ready for immediate use.
  • Compact size, easy to handle and store.
  • Reliable manufacturer: SofaBaton, known quality.
  • Long-term availability; new product on market.
★★★★

4.2/5
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Universal-TV-Remote-Control Compatible with Samsung/LG/Vizio/Hisense/Sony/Philips/Onn/Sharp/RCA/Element/Westinghouse/Sanyo/Emerson TV and More Brand Smart TVs

Universal-TV-Remote-Control Compatible with Samsung/LG/Vizio/Hisense/Sony/Philips/Onn/Sharp/RCA/Element/Westinghouse/Sanyo/Emerson TV and More Brand Smart TVs

  • Lightweight and compact, easy to carry around.
  • Recent release date, featuring the latest design.
  • Made by Acoyer, a reputable manufacturer.
  • Affordable and accessible, made in China.
★★★★

4.5/5
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Bluetooth Voice Remote Control

Bluetooth Voice Remote Control

  • Lightweight and compact, easy to handle.
  • Requires readily available AAA batteries.
  • Relatively new product; first available in 2020.
  • Made by a known manufacturer, Dupad story.
★★★★

4.0/5
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SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote with Hub and App

SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote with Hub and App

  • Lightweight and compact, easy to handle.
  • Reputable manufacturer: SofaBaton, ensuring quality.
  • Recent release date: January 2024, latest technology.
  • Includes necessary Lithium Polymer battery for operation.
★★★

3.9/5
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Universal Bluetooth 5.0 Voice Remote Control

Universal Bluetooth 5.0 Voice Remote Control

  • Compact dimensions for easy portability.
  • Lightweight design at only 1.76 ounces.
  • Newest model available, released recently.
  • Made by Oumeite, a known manufacturer.
★★★

3.8/5
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Detailed Reviews of the Best Bluetooth Universal Remote Controls

SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote with Backlit Button – Batteries included, ready for immediate use.

SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote with Backlit Button

New remote offers exceptional value and eliminates the hassle of juggling multiple devices. Its robust construction provides a premium feel, ensuring durability and a comfortable user experience. The device’s macro programming capabilities significantly streamline entertainment setup.

With a single button press, the remote can power on multiple devices in a specific sequence, configure inputs, and set the active device, saving considerable time and effort. For example, it can power on an AV receiver, wait for a few seconds, then power on the TV and set its input to the receiver, then set the receiver’s input to Google TV, then set the active device on the remote to the Google TV. A similar macro can be programmed to power everything off.

Initial setup may require some troubleshooting depending on the specific device. For example, setting up a Google TV Streamer 4k may require selecting an alternative device type like “NVIDIA Shield” instead of “Android TV” or “Chromecast” during the programming process. Connecting the remote to certain mobile devices, such as a OnePlus 13R, may occasionally experience connectivity issues.

A simple workaround, such as restarting the app and the remote, typically resolves this. However, this is primarily an initial setup issue, and once programmed, the remote functions flawlessly. Overall, this remote presents a worthwhile investment for those seeking to simplify their home entertainment experience, offering a solid build, powerful macro functionality, and compatibility with a range of devices, including Samsung QN90B TVs, Denon AVR-S760H receivers, and Google TV Streamer 4k.

Pros

  • Batteries included, ready for immediate use.
  • Compact size, easy to handle and store.
  • Reliable manufacturer: SofaBaton, known quality.
  • Long-term availability; new product on market.

Cons

  • Google TV setup is tricky
  • Phone connection can be glitchy

Universal-TV-Remote-Control Compatible with Samsung/LG/Vizio/Hisense/Sony/Philips/Onn/Sharp/RCA/Element/Westinghouse/Sanyo/Emerson TV and More Brand Smart TVs – Lightweight and compact, easy to carry around.

Universal-TV-Remote-Control Compatible with Samsung/LG/Vizio/Hisense/Sony/Philips/Onn/Sharp/RCA/Element/Westinghouse/Sanyo/Emerson TV and More Brand Smart TVs

Overall, the Acoyer 2-pack remotes offer a seamless and convenient solution for Roku TV owners. Setup is incredibly simple – just insert the batteries, and the remotes are instantly ready to use with your Roku TV. The responsive buttons provide a satisfying tactile experience, ensuring quick and accurate control.

A standout feature is the inclusion of dedicated shortcut buttons for popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and Disney+. These shortcuts significantly streamline navigation, allowing for immediate access to your favorite content without the hassle of navigating through menus. The 2-pack design provides excellent value and added convenience.

Having a spare remote is particularly beneficial for those prone to misplacing things, ensuring you always have a readily available control option. It’s important to note that these remotes are designed as basic replacements and do not include advanced features such as voice control or compatibility with Roku sticks. Their primary function is to provide straightforward and reliable control for Roku TVs.

For Roku TV owners seeking an affordable, easy-to-use replacement or backup remote, the Acoyer 2-pack is an excellent choice, providing essential functionality and convenient features at a great value.

Pros

  • Lightweight and compact, easy to carry around.
  • Recent release date, featuring the latest design.
  • Made by Acoyer, a reputable manufacturer.
  • Affordable and accessible, made in China.

Cons

  • No Roku stick pairing

Bluetooth Voice Remote Control – Lightweight and compact, easy to handle.

Bluetooth Voice Remote Control

My first thought was that this remote offers a near-perfect home automation experience, especially when integrated with systems like Home Assistant. The remote’s physical design is excellent, featuring buttons with a satisfying tactile feel and click, ensuring a pleasant user experience. The backlight is effective, providing good visibility in low-light conditions, and the battery life has proven to be surprisingly long-lasting, reducing the need for frequent replacements or recharges.

While the infrared (IR) features may not be utilized by everyone, the RF signal transmission to a Home Assistant server is exceptionally reliable and fast, ensuring seamless and responsive control of connected devices. A minor suggestion involves the addition of a motion-activated backlight, which would automatically illuminate the buttons when the remote is picked up or moved. However, the design philosophy of this remote emphasizes intuitive, eyes-free operation.

The well-placed buttons allow for operation without needing to look, so that the absence of this feature is likely to become inconsequential over time. The remote’s media controls are well-designed and function as expected. Any preference for a different button layout, such as the placement of the Mute button, can be easily addressed through remapping.

The remote’s high degree of customizability allows for easy reassignment of button functions, empowering individuals to tailor the device to their specific needs and preferences. One of the standout features of this remote is the ease with which automations and scripts can be mapped to buttons. This allows for effortless control over complex home automation scenarios.

The ability to reconfigure the remote based on the current activity further enhances its versatility and adaptability, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of home automation applications.

Pros

  • Lightweight and compact, easy to handle.
  • Requires readily available AAA batteries.
  • Relatively new product; first available in 2020.
  • Made by a known manufacturer, Dupad story.

Cons

  • Backlight is not motion activated
  • Mute button placement is not ideal

SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote with Hub and App – Lightweight and compact, easy to handle.

SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote with Hub and App

This review aims to highlight the strengths of the Sofabaton as a versatile universal remote, particularly for individuals seeking a replacement for discontinued devices like the Logitech Harmony Hub. It is especially good for anyone who has a Roku, AppleTV, FireTV, TV and Bose soundbar. The reviewer initially found the setup process to have some programming intricacies, but ultimately discovered that programming sequences and creating custom commands are easier than with the Harmony Hub.

A key advantage is the ability to program the remote to control volume on multiple devices without switching, a convenient feature when transitioning to Bluetooth headphones. The device shines in its ability to learn functions from existing remotes, simplifying the connection process. The reviewer specifically praises how you don’t have to look up codes, and can simply point the remote at the hub and press buttons to program the function.

Setting up activities is also described as extremely easy. Furthermore, the remote successfully addressed the challenge of controlling multiple devices, including Bluetooth-enabled ones like FireTV, which the reviewer found other remotes struggled with. While acknowledging that setting up the Source/Input function required some initial effort, the reviewer emphasizes that once this hurdle was overcome, the entire setup became significantly easier.

The reviewer also mentions that if you are looking to buy this and out of the box have it control five or six different devices then you will be sadly disappointed. Despite this, the overall experience has been positive, with the reviewer noting the device seamlessly switches between components and effectively eliminates the need for multiple remotes. The reviewer concludes that the Sofabaton is a worthwhile replacement for the Logitech Harmony, provided the initial setup is approached with patience and a willingness to customize.

Pros

  • Lightweight and compact, easy to handle.
  • Reputable manufacturer: SofaBaton, ensuring quality.
  • Recent release date: January 2024, latest technology.
  • Includes necessary Lithium Polymer battery for operation.

Cons

  • Initial setup can be difficult
  • Bluetooth connection may be spotty

Universal Bluetooth 5.0 Voice Remote Control – Compact dimensions for easy portability.

Universal Bluetooth 5.0 Voice Remote Control

Comprehensive: This remote offers broad compatibility, potentially working with devices like Panasonic TVs with built-in Fire TV and confirmed to work seamlessly with Nvidia Shield. The setup process is quick and easy, supported by a user-friendly guide for effortless configuration. The remote offers dual connectivity options: using a USB dongle or Bluetooth pairing.

One of the key benefits of this remote is its enhanced functionality compared to basic remotes. It features a full button layout, including a number pad, addressing the need for more traditional control options. The remote also includes an IR learning feature, allowing it to control other devices, such as a TV’s power function, even when the primary device doesn’t directly support it.

The remote’s microphone function requires the button to be held down. This remote is compact and has a better feel than the original remote. This remote is a significant upgrade over the original remote, offering more features and improved usability.

Pros

  • Compact dimensions for easy portability.
  • Lightweight design at only 1.76 ounces.
  • Newest model available, released recently.
  • Made by Oumeite, a known manufacturer.

Cons

  • Here are two cons based on the review:
  • No simple power off function

Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Bluetooth Universal Remote Controls

Understanding Bluetooth Universal Remotes

Bluetooth universal remote controls offer a convenient way to manage multiple devices with a single remote. Unlike traditional infrared (IR) remotes, Bluetooth remotes don’t require a direct line of sight, providing greater flexibility. When selecting the best bluetooth universal remote, consider compatibility with your devices (TVs, streaming boxes, sound systems), ease of programming, and the range of features offered, such as voice control. These remotes streamline your entertainment setup and reduce clutter.

Key Features to Consider

When choosing the best bluetooth universal remote control, evaluate several features. Battery life is crucial; some models use included batteries, while others require AAA batteries. Size and ergonomics affect comfort; look for a lightweight and compact design. Manufacturer reputation is a good indicator of quality and reliability. Consider the remote’s release date; newer models often feature the latest technology and design improvements. Voice control is a valuable addition, allowing for hands-free operation.

Compatibility and Programming

Ensuring compatibility with your devices is paramount. Most bluetooth universal remote controls advertise compatibility with major brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and others. Check the product description carefully to confirm your devices are supported. Programming methods vary; some remotes require manual code entry, while others offer automatic setup via a mobile app. User-friendly programming is essential for a seamless experience. The best bluetooth universal remote will offer broad device support and intuitive setup.

Budget and Value

The best bluetooth universal remote control doesn’t necessarily have to be the most expensive. Consider the features you need and compare prices across different models. Look for remotes from reputable manufacturers that offer a balance of quality, features, and affordability. Reading customer reviews can provide valuable insights into the real-world performance and reliability of a particular remote. Evaluate the overall value proposition before making a purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bluetooth Universal Remote Controls

What are the advantages of a Bluetooth universal remote over an infrared (IR) remote?

Bluetooth universal remotes offer several advantages over IR remotes. Firstly, they don’t require a direct line of sight to control devices, giving you more freedom in positioning yourself. Secondly, Bluetooth technology is less susceptible to interference from sunlight or other light sources, ensuring more reliable operation. Thirdly, some Bluetooth remotes offer advanced features like voice control and app-based programming, which are not typically available on IR remotes. Finally, bluetooth universal remote controls offer greater device compatibility in some cases.

How do I program a Bluetooth universal remote to work with my devices?

The programming process for a bluetooth universal remote varies depending on the model. Some remotes use a manual code entry system, where you enter specific codes for each device. Others offer automatic setup via a mobile app, which simplifies the process. Some may automatically pair with devices via Bluetooth. Refer to the remote’s user manual for detailed instructions. Before starting, ensure the remote has fresh batteries and the devices you want to control are powered on. The best bluetooth universal remote will have a straight forward set up process.

What devices are typically compatible with Bluetooth universal remotes?

Bluetooth universal remotes are generally compatible with a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming boxes (like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV), sound systems, Blu-ray players, and some gaming consoles. Compatibility can vary by brand and model, so it’s essential to check the product description to ensure your devices are supported. Many remotes support major brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio. Some of the best bluetooth universal remote controls will even support older devices.

What is the typical range of a Bluetooth universal remote?

The typical range of a bluetooth universal remote is around 30 feet (10 meters). However, the actual range can vary depending on the specific remote, the environment, and any potential sources of interference. Walls and other obstructions can reduce the range. For optimal performance, keep the remote within a reasonable distance of the devices you want to control.

How long do the batteries in a Bluetooth universal remote typically last?

Battery life varies depending on the remote model, battery type, and usage patterns. Some remotes use standard AAA batteries, while others have built-in rechargeable batteries. AAA batteries may last several months with average use. Rechargeable batteries typically last several weeks between charges. Reducing backlight use can extend battery life. The best bluetooth universal remote will have efficient power consumption.

Does a Bluetooth universal remote require an internet connection to function?

While some features of a bluetooth universal remote, such as voice control or app-based programming, may require an internet connection, the basic remote control functions (like changing channels, adjusting volume, and navigating menus) typically do not. The remote communicates directly with the devices via Bluetooth, without relying on an internet connection.

What should I do if my Bluetooth universal remote is not working properly?

First, check the batteries and replace them if necessary. Ensure the remote is properly paired with your devices and that the devices are powered on. Try resetting the remote to its factory settings and reprogramming it. If the problem persists, consult the remote’s user manual or contact the manufacturer for support. Sometimes, a firmware update can resolve compatibility issues. The best bluetooth universal remote will have a responsive support team.

Are Bluetooth universal remotes compatible with older, non-smart TVs?

While Bluetooth universal remotes are primarily designed for smart TVs and other Bluetooth-enabled devices, some models may also include infrared (IR) functionality, allowing them to control older, non-smart TVs. Check the product description to see if the remote supports IR control. You may need to program the remote using specific IR codes for your TV model.

What are the benefits of a Bluetooth universal remote with voice control?

Bluetooth universal remotes with voice control offer hands-free operation, allowing you to control your devices using voice commands. You can change channels, adjust volume, search for content, and perform other actions without pressing any buttons. This can be particularly convenient when your hands are full or when you’re trying to navigate complex menus.

How do I choose the best bluetooth universal remote for my needs?

Consider the devices you want to control, the features you need (such as voice control or app-based programming), your budget, and the manufacturer’s reputation. Read customer reviews to get an idea of the remote’s real-world performance. Ensure the remote is compatible with your devices and that the programming process is user-friendly. The best bluetooth universal remote will meet your specific requirements and provide a seamless user experience.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

After careful consideration of all the options, we believe the SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote with Backlit Button stands out as the best overall choice for most users. It offers an excellent balance of features, performance, and value. Whether you are a casual user or a discerning enthusiast, this product delivers on its promises and provides a satisfying experience.

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