Best Universal TV Remotes 2026
The best universal TV remotes replace a pile of controllers with one that runs the TV, the sound system, and the media player. In our comparison of five leading remotes, the right pick depends on how many devices you own and whether you need simple infrared control or a hub-based system with app setup.
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Key Takeaways
- Infrared-only remotes control IR devices only — they cannot control Bluetooth streaming sticks or voice assistants.
- Hub-based remotes add app setup and broader device support at a higher cost.
- Simple remotes suit one TV plus one or two devices; complex setups need a hub remote.
- Check your devices’ control type (IR or Bluetooth) before buying.
- Note: this is the weakest topic in the plan by search volume — chosen for completeness.
Top 3 Picks
- Best hub remote: SofaBaton X1S — hub-based control with app setup for complex living rooms.
- Best simple remote: SofaBaton U2 — a straightforward universal remote with broad device support.
- Best budget remote: GE 4-Device Universal Remote — cheap, simple infrared control for basic setups.
1. SofaBaton X1S
SofaBaton X1S
In our comparison, the SofaBaton X1S is the remote for complex living rooms. A hub relays commands to devices hidden in cabinets, and app-based setup walks through adding TVs,…
In our comparison, the SofaBaton X1S is the remote for complex living rooms. A hub relays commands to devices hidden in cabinets, and app-based setup walks through adding TVs, sound systems, and players. It supports infrared devices plus Bluetooth devices where supported, and activities can switch several devices with one press.
The hub adds cost and setup time, and the system depends on the app for configuration. For a living room with many devices or gear hidden away, though, the hub design solves problems simple remotes cannot.
Pros:
- Hub controls hidden devices
- App-guided setup
- Supports IR plus Bluetooth where supported
- One-press activities for several devices
- Broad device database
Cons:
- Hub adds cost
- Setup takes longer than simple remotes
- Depends on app for configuration
- Hub needs power and placement
- Overkill for a single TV
2. SofaBaton U2
In our comparison, the SofaBaton U2 is the straightforward universal remote for most living rooms. It controls infrared devices and Bluetooth devices where supported, with app-assisted setup that is simpler than a hub system. The button layout is clear, and the remote feels solid in the hand.
Without a hub, it needs line of sight to infrared devices, so cabinet-hidden gear stays a problem. Streaming-stick control depends on the stick’s control type — check compatibility for your exact devices before buying.
Pros:
- Straightforward universal control
- App-assisted setup
- Clear button layout
- Solid hand feel
- Good for TV plus a few devices
Cons:
- Needs line of sight for infrared
- No hub for hidden devices
- Streaming-stick support varies by device
- Setup still needs the app
- No voice control on this model
3. GE 4-Device Universal Remote
In our comparison, the GE 4-Device Universal Remote is the budget pick for basic setups. It controls up to four infrared devices — typically a TV, a sound system, and a player or two — with simple code-based setup and large, readable buttons. For a bedroom or a second TV, it is all most people need.
This is an infrared-only remote: it cannot control Bluetooth devices, it has no voice control, and it cannot control streaming sticks that rely on Bluetooth. Within those limits, it is simple, cheap, and reliable.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Simple code-based setup
- Large, readable buttons
- Controls up to four IR devices
- No app or hub needed
Cons:
- Infrared only — no Bluetooth
- No voice control
- Cannot control Bluetooth streaming sticks
- Limited to four devices
- Basic design and feel
4. RCA 3-Device Universal Remote
In our comparison, the RCA 3-Device Universal Remote is the simplest pick of all. It controls up to three infrared devices with a basic, no-fuss layout that anyone can learn in minutes. Setup uses device codes, and there is no app, no hub, and no account to manage.
Like the GE, it is infrared-only: no Bluetooth, no voice control, and no control of Bluetooth streaming sticks. For a single TV plus a soundbar or player, that simplicity is exactly right.
Pros:
- Simplest setup here
- No app, hub, or account
- Easy layout for anyone
- Very affordable
- Good for single-TV setups
Cons:
- Infrared only — no Bluetooth
- No voice control
- Cannot control Bluetooth streaming sticks
- Limited to three devices
- Basic build quality
5. One For All Smart Control 8
In our comparison, the One For All Smart Control 8 is the infrared remote for larger basic setups. It controls up to eight infrared devices, with a learning function that can copy commands from an original remote. The layout groups devices clearly, and setup uses codes or learning.
It remains an infrared-only remote: no Bluetooth, no voice control, and no control of streaming sticks that need Bluetooth. For a living room full of infrared gear, though, eight-device support at a modest cost is genuinely useful.
Pros:
- Controls up to eight IR devices
- Learning function copies original remotes
- Clear device grouping
- No app or hub needed
- Modest cost for its capacity
Cons:
- Infrared only — no Bluetooth
- No voice control
- Cannot control Bluetooth streaming sticks
- Needs line of sight
- Learning setup takes patience
Comparison Table
| Product | Control type | Devices | Setup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SofaBaton X1S | IR + Bluetooth via hub | Many | App + hub | Complex living rooms |
| SofaBaton U2 | IR + Bluetooth where supported | Several | App-assisted | Most living rooms |
| GE 4-Device Universal Remote | Infrared only | Up to 4 | Codes | Budget basic setups |
| RCA 3-Device Universal Remote | Infrared only | Up to 3 | Codes | Single-TV setups |
| One For All Smart Control 8 | Infrared only | Up to 8 | Codes or learning | Many IR devices |
How to Choose
List your devices and their control type first. Infrared devices work with any remote here; Bluetooth streaming sticks need a remote that supports Bluetooth for that device.
Count devices honestly. A three-device remote cannot run a five-device room, and an eight-device remote is wasted on a single TV.
Decide hub or no hub. Hubs control hidden gear and run activities, but cost more and need app setup. Simple remotes are cheaper and need line of sight.
Never assume voice or streaming-stick control: infrared-only remotes cannot offer them. If you need those, buy a remote that explicitly supports them for your devices.
FAQs
Will a universal remote control my streaming stick?
Only if the remote supports your stick’s control type. Infrared-only remotes cannot control Bluetooth streaming sticks. Check your stick and the remote’s compatibility before buying.
What is the difference between infrared and Bluetooth remotes?
Infrared needs line of sight to the device; Bluetooth does not, but both devices must support it. Hub remotes can relay infrared to hidden devices.
Do universal remotes have voice control?
Some hub and smart remotes do, but the infrared-only models here do not. If voice control matters, check the exact model’s features.
How do I set up a universal remote?
Simple remotes use device codes entered on the remote. Hub remotes and app-assisted remotes use a phone app to add devices and activities.
Can one remote really replace all my remotes?
For infrared devices, yes in most cases. For Bluetooth devices and voice features, only remotes that explicitly support those control types will replace the original remote fully.
Conclusion
Pick the SofaBaton X1S for a complex living room with hidden gear, the SofaBaton U2 for a straightforward multi-device setup, and the GE 4-Device for a cheap basic remote. The RCA suits a single TV, and the One For All Smart Control 8 handles many infrared devices. Check control types first — an infrared-only remote will never control a Bluetooth streaming stick, no matter how good it is otherwise.
