In the age of streaming, finding the perfect universal remote control can be a big hassle. Both Roku and Fire TV remote have the added feature of being able to control your televisions power and volume, but what if you have other accessories you need to control.

What’s a Universal Remote Control?

A Universal remote is a remote control that is specifically designed to work with multiple devices. Some are more fancy and costly than others. But for the most part they simply reduced the amount of controllers you need.

Type of Universal Remote Controls

There are 4 main types of remote controllers. IR, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Radio frequency.

• IR or infrared remotes require a clear line of sight. This means the remote has to be pointed directly or in the general area of the device it’s trying to communicate with and nothing can be between the two.
• Bluetooth remotes unlike IR don’t require a clear line of sight. Amazon Fire Sticks use this feature. Bluetooth remotes tend to be laggy and prone to outside interference.
• Wi-Fi and Radio Frequency remotes are similar to Bluetooth remotes but with a broader range and are more reliable. These work well through walls and entertainment system cabinetry.

GE Pro Universal Remote Control

I’ve reviewed this remote on my Youtube channel and it seems to be extremely popular. It has a 4.4 star rating with over 4,200 reviews. The pros of this remote is that it’s extremely easy to set up and you can program it to control up to 4 different audio and video devices. I loved the design, the bulge in the back allows it to fit smug in your hand. The battery life is hat you expect from a basic remote. (6-10 months) with cheap dollar store batteries.

One con is that this is IR only. So this will not work for Amazon Fire sticks or most Roku devices. It will work with your Roku Ultra as it works with both IR and Wi-fi remotes. Also if your A/V receiver is inside a cabinet it wont work unless you open the doors for a clear line of sight. Another small con is that there is no voice control feature with this remote. You’ll have to manually search content.

SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote Control

The SofaBaton U1 remotes works with both IR and Bluetooth devices. So it’ll work with your Amazon Fire Stick. What you’ll love most about this remote is the on-screen display for selecting a device to control. This remote works with over 6,000 brands and can be programmed to control up to 15 devices at once. It can only be programmed through the SofaBaton app which pretty much does all the work for you. After you’ve programmed your devices you wont really need the app anymore.

The only con is that it has no voice command features. Those who reviewed it on Amazon have stated connectivity issues and having to constantly reprogram it. Others claimed that the bluetooth was shotty but I’ve yet to experience any of those issues and I use this remote for every room and every device in my house. Sound bars, Fire stick, Roku Ultra, 2 televisions and a remote controlled fan.

SofaBaton recently announced the upcoming Sofabaton X1 remote that will support voice commands, extended IR capabilities and a remote finder function. Check it out Here!