10 Best Smart Home Universal Remote Controls 2025 in the United States

The SofaBaton X1S is a versatile universal remote designed to manage up to 60 devices, including TVs, sound systems, and Blu-ray players, which suits users with multiple home entertainment gadgets. It stands out with a huge compatibility list, supporting over 6,000 brands and half a million device models, plus continuous updates to keep pace with new technology. Connectivity options are strong, covering infrared, Bluetooth, and WiFi for select brands like Roku and Philips Hue, offering flexible control from anywhere in the room thanks to its powerful hub with dual IR blasters. Voice control through Alexa and Google Assistant adds hands-free convenience, making it easy to start activities with simple commands.

Customization is a key strength here; you can program one-click activities that trigger multiple devices at once, and add custom buttons or macros for quicker access to favorite functions. The remote itself is thoughtfully designed with a comfortable grip, backlit buttons for low-light use, and a raise-to-wake screen that lights up when you pick it up. Battery life is impressive, lasting about 45 days on a single charge, reducing the hassle of frequent replacements. The companion app enhances the experience by allowing device pairing, remote locating via sound, and integration with smart home apps like IFTTT for additional automation.

While WiFi control is currently limited to just a few brands, and some users may find the initial setup of complex activities a bit challenging if they are not tech-inclined, the remote supports many devices with the option to manually request additions to the database. The SofaBaton X1S is ideal for users seeking a powerful, customizable all-in-one remote that combines modern smart features with strong compatibility and easy voice commands, particularly useful for simplifying control of multiple entertainment devices in one compact unit.

This replacement voice remote is designed specifically for various Samsung TV models, making it an excellent choice if you need a direct substitute for your Samsung smart TV remote. It supports voice control, which simplifies searching and navigating your TV without fiddling with buttons, adding convenience. Pairing the remote is straightforward, with a simple button press process and on-screen confirmation.

The remote offers reliable connectivity up to 40 feet and is tested for durability with over 130,000 button clicks, suggesting good build quality. It includes three shortcut buttons for quick access to favorite apps, enhancing ease of use. The remote runs on two included AA batteries, which typically provide decent battery life and are easy to replace.

Since this remote is made specifically for Samsung TVs, it lacks broad compatibility with other brands or devices, limiting its use as a universal remote for a smart home setup involving multiple device types. If your priority is a simple, reliable voice-enabled remote just for your Samsung TV, this product fits well. However, for more versatile or multi-device smart home control, you might want to consider other universal remotes with broader compatibility and app features.

The Logitech Harmony 650 Infrared All-in-One Remote Control is designed to simplify your living room by consolidating up to five remotes into one. It's highly compatible with over 5000 brands, making it likely that it will work with your current and future devices. The remote features a bright color screen that displays your favorite-channel icons and commands for easier navigation, and it has one-click activity buttons that automatically switch the appropriate devices to the correct settings, which is very convenient for everyday use.

Setup is straightforward with online PC assistance, and live customer support is available if needed. The remote is also lightweight, which makes it comfortable to handle for extended periods. However, there are some downsides. The Harmony 650 uses infrared connectivity, which means it needs a direct line of sight to the devices it controls, potentially limiting its range and versatility. Battery life is powered by a single lithium polymer battery, and while it is included, some users may find the need to replace it periodically inconvenient.

The remote does not support voice control, lacking the hands-free convenience offered by newer models. Additionally, customization is somewhat limited compared to more advanced remotes since it can only handle up to five devices and does not offer app integration, which could be a dealbreaker for users looking for more advanced smart-home features. The Logitech Harmony 650 is best suited for users who need a reliable, easy-to-use remote to manage a modest number of devices, without the need for voice control or extensive customization options.