If your living room is your main cinema set-up and you're a big fan of electronics, chances are you've got a handful of different remotes living somewhere around the room.
It's not a problem, until you want to switch from one device to the next and realise that specific remote is nowhere to be seen.
When you’re tired of juggling multiple remotes for your TV, gaming console, sound system and other devices, you might want to consider getting a universal remote: a device that can control multiple electronic gadgets with one click.
The most important thing to check is whether the universal remote is compatible with all your gadgets. You don’t want to buy a remote that can’t control your smart TV or your Xbox. Some universal remotes have a database of codes that can be used to pair with different brands and models of devices.
Others use infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) signals to communicate with your devices. You can also find some universal remotes that work with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.
The functionality of the universal remote depends on how many features and settings you want to access. Some remotes have basic functions like power, volume, channel and menu. Others have more advanced functions like macros, learning and customisation.
Macros allow you to create sequences of commands that can be executed with one button. Learning allows you to copy commands from your original remotes to the universal remote. Customisation allows you to adjust the layout, icons and labels of the buttons according to your preferences.
We've rounded up all of the best universal remotes.
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Inteset 4-in-1 Universal Backlit IR Learning Remote
The Inteset 4-in-1 Universal Backlit IR Learning Remote is a versatile, user-friendly option that can control up to four different audio/video components. Whether you want to watch your favourite streaming service, play games on your Xbox, listen to music on your Apple TV or enjoy your home theatre system, this is a remote that can do it all. It comes pre-programmed with codes for popular streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku, Xbox One and Kodi.
You can easily switch between them with the dedicated device buttons. If you have other devices that are not in the database, you can use the learning function to teach the remote their commands. It also supports macro programming, which allows you to assign up to 15 commands to a single button.
Buy now £45.90, Amazon
One For All URC1210 Contour Universal TV Remote Control
There's one brand that always comes out on top when it comes to universal remotes and that's One For All - and the brand's URC1210 Contour Universal TV Remote Control is one of the best budget friendly options around.
It can control any type of TV, like LED, LCD, Plasma, OLED or QLED and works with over 700 brands of TV. Better yet, it has a simple setup process that just requires you to enter a four-digit code for your TV brand, or use the code search method to find the code automatically. It also has a learning feature that allows you to copy any function from your original remote control.
Buy now £10.94, Argos
Alexa Voice Remote Pro with remote finder
The Alexa Voice Remote Pro comes complete with remote finder, which streamlines your viewing experience even more. Widely considered one of the best universal remotes, it offers many features and benefits that make it easy and convenient to control your Fire TV device and other compatible devices.
One of the most underrated features? It has a remote finder feature that helps you locate your remote with a voice command. It also has two customizable buttons that allow you create your own shortcuts to frequently-played channels, apps or any Alexa commands. So, you could program one button to launch Netflix and another to play your favourite playlist on Spotify.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
Logitech Harmony Elite Enhanced Universal Remote
Looking for something a little more hi-tech than your usual universal remote? This Logitech Harmony Elite Enhanced Universal Remote might be just the solution. With this remote, you can control up to 15 devices at once, including your TV, soundbar, streaming stick, game console, Blu-ray player and more.
You can also integrate it with your smart home devices including lights, thermostats, locks and cameras. Its 2.4-inch LCD touchscreen allows easy access to your favourite channels, activities and devices, too.
Buy now £638.00, Amazon
Amazon Fire TV Cube
Sure, it's not a remote in the traditional sense. But this Amazon Fire TV Cube does the same job - just in a sleeker, more stylish manner. The Amazon Fire TV Cube is one of the best universal remotes because it lets you control your compatible TV, soundbar and receivers with your voice, even from across the room.
You can also connect other entertainment devices, like your cable box, game console or webcam, to the Fire TV Cube and seamlessly navigate between them with Alexa commands, complete with top quality audio and a smart home hub included for extra benefits.
Buy now £109.99, Amazon
One For All Essence 4 Universal Remote Control
This One For All Essence 4 Universal Remote Control is another top choice from the popular brand and comes with a few extra features compared to its cheaper model.
Use its SimpleSet option to program the remote for the most popular brands of TVs, set-top boxes, DVD players and audio devices with just one digit. Or, you can also manually enter codes or use the search mode to find the right code for your device.
If the remote doesn't have a specific function for your device, you can use its learning feature to copy it from your original remote.
Buy now £15.74, Amazon
One For All URC7935 Universal Streaming Remote Control
Looking for the best of the best without spending a fortune on a universal remote? This One For All URC7935 Universal Streaming Remote Control can operate your TV and sound bar, and you can use the rest for your streamer box. And, with its four shortcut keys, you're never far away from your favourite streaming apps.
The remote has a colour ring that shows you which device you're controlling and you can customise the colours. There are also backlit keys: great when you've dimmed the lights to watch your favourite show.
Buy now £23.99, Currys
Hama Universal 10m 8-in-1 Remote Control
This budget-friendly Hama Universal 10m 8-in-1 Remote Control takes the stress out of searching for multiple remotes without setting you back more than a tenner.
An ideal replacement for defective or lost input devices, it supports direct code input and manual or automatic code search with a range of up to 10 metres. Its eight-in-one fuction means you can use this device for pretty much all of the screens in the house, if need be.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote Control
The SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote Control is another popular choice in the universal remote market and it's easy to see why. Highly compatible with a range of devices, it's an ideal solution for managing all your home entertainment systems.
With the ability to control up to 15 devices, you can easily switch between your TV, cable box, soundbar and other devices without having to juggle multiple remotes. It also offers the option to create macro keys, which allows you to program multiple commands into a single button. If you're looking for something simple yet effective, this might be the best option for you.
Buy now, Amazon
Caltecx Universal Remote Control
You can't really get much more affordable than this Caltecx Universal Remote Control, which comes in at less than the price of a meal deal.
While it's more limited than others with a higher price tag, it works with all Samsung TVs, making it versatile for plenty of households who prefer to stay close to one brand. Designed to be simple and user-friendly, it doesn't require any kind of head scratching to set up and can pair with your Samsung TV pretty much effortlessly.
Buy now £3.49, Amazon
Verdict
This Inteset 4-in-1 Universal Backlit IR Learning Remote connects seamlessly across a huge number of devices, making it a top choice for all kinds of busy, tech-filled households
