Once a living room has a TV, a soundbar, a streaming box, and maybe a game console, juggling four separate remotes gets old fast. A good universal remote collapses all of that into one device using some mix of infrared (IR), Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi control. Here are the universal remotes that 2025 reviewers point to most often, across both premium and budget tiers.
SofaBaton X2
Tom’s Guide’s current top pick, the SofaBaton X2 has a premium aluminum body with a color touchscreen and supports up to 50 devices across Bluetooth, IR, Wi-Fi, and RF433/RF315 protocols, making it flexible enough to control almost any modern TV, soundbar, or streaming device in one unit.
SofaBaton U2
A frequent “best overall” pick across multiple outlets, the SofaBaton U2 controls up to 15 IR and Bluetooth devices and draws from a database covering more than 6,000 brands and 500,000 devices, which keeps setup largely automatic rather than requiring manual code entry.
SofaBaton X1S
Positioned as the value-friendly alternative in the same lineup, the X1S pairs with a companion app and hub, supports the same massive device database as the U2, and can control up to 60 devices through IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
GE UltraPro Backlit Universal Remote
A budget-friendly pick for households that just need to replace a handful of basic remotes, the GE UltraPro controls up to 4 devices and includes backlit buttons, which reviewers call out as a nice touch for use in a dark room.
Philips SRP2024A/27
Another budget-tier option highlighted by TechGearLab, the Philips SRP2024 covers the core basics of universal remote control without the smart-hub features or touchscreen of pricier models, making it a reasonable pick for simple, small setups.
Before buying, count exactly how many devices you need to control and whether any of them use Bluetooth-only remotes (common on newer streaming boxes), since a purely IR-based budget remote will not be able to control those.
Logitech Harmony Express
Though Logitech has wound down parts of its Harmony lineup, remaining Harmony Express units are still frequently recommended in used and clearance listings for their built-in Alexa voice control and polished activity-based automation, letting one button press turn on a TV, soundbar, and streaming box together in the correct input order.
Caavo Control Center
The Caavo Control Center takes a different approach from a handheld remote, acting as an HDMI pass-through hub that sits between your devices and TV, using voice control and a single universal remote to switch inputs and launch content across every connected device without needing to remember which HDMI port anything is plugged into.
Frequently asked questions
Will a universal remote work with a smart TV’s voice assistant?
Most premium universal remotes, including the SofaBaton X2, include a built-in microphone or companion app that passes voice commands through to the TV’s existing voice assistant, so you generally keep voice search and smart home control rather than losing it when switching away from the TV’s original remote.
What is the difference between IR, Bluetooth, and RF remote control?
IR (infrared) needs a direct line of sight to the device and is the oldest, most universal standard; Bluetooth does not need line of sight and is common on newer streaming devices and soundbars; RF (radio frequency) can control devices through walls or cabinet doors, which matters if your gear sits inside a closed media cabinet.
How many devices does a typical household actually need one remote to control?
Most living rooms land between three and five devices — a TV, soundbar, streaming box, and sometimes a game console or cable box — which is why mid-tier remotes supporting up to 15 devices, like the SofaBaton U2, cover the vast majority of households without needing a premium 50-device remote.
Do universal remotes need a hub, or do they work standalone?
It depends on the model — handheld remotes like the SofaBaton U2 and X2 work standalone using built-in IR and Bluetooth transmitters, while hub-based systems like the Caavo Control Center or older Logitech Harmony models rely on a separate base station plugged in near the TV to relay commands, which adds setup steps but can reach devices tucked inside a cabinet more reliably.
What happens if a universal remote’s device database does not include my specific soundbar or TV model?
Most modern universal remotes, including the SofaBaton line, support manual IR code learning as a fallback — pointing the original remote at the universal remote and teaching it each button individually — so even an obscure or older device without a pre-loaded profile can usually still be added, just with a few extra minutes of manual setup.
Will a universal remote slow down or interfere with how fast my devices respond?
No — a properly set up universal remote sends the same IR, Bluetooth, or RF signal the original remote would have sent, just routed through one physical device, so response time should feel identical; any lag reported with universal remotes usually traces back to a Wi-Fi-connected hub app taking a moment to wake up, not the remote signal itself.
Can a universal remote control devices in a different room?
IR-based control cannot, since it needs direct line of sight, but Wi-Fi or RF-based systems like the Caavo Control Center or higher-end SofaBaton models can relay commands to a receiver placed in another room, which is useful for whole-home audio setups or a media closet tucked away from the main living space.
Write Your Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!