If your coffee table resembles a battleground of remotes—each controlling a different device—you’re not alone. Between the TV, soundbar, streaming box, and Blu-ray player, it’s easy to feel like you need a degree just to watch your favorite show. Thankfully, a universal remote can bring much-needed order to the chaos. After rigorous hands-on testing, we’ve identified the top contenders and crowned the Logitech Harmony Companion (available at Walmart for $205.71) as the best overall choice. This remote masterfully balances smart home compatibility, multi-device support, and a user-friendly interface, making it ideal for both tech-savvy users and casual viewers. For those looking to spend less, we also tested a selection of more affordable remotes that, while lacking full smart home integration, still deliver reliable control over TVs, Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and basic sound systems—perfect for streamlining your setup without emptying your wallet.
Logitech Harmony Companion
The Logitech Harmony Companion earns its place as the top universal remote thanks to its unique fusion of smart home integration, multi-device compatibility, and thoughtful design—all anchored by a powerful app-based customization system. At the heart of this setup is the Harmony Hub, a discreet puck-shaped controller that operates via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IR, with the help of two mini IR blasters to expand its reach across your entertainment center. The Harmony app, compatible with smartphones, tablets, and computers, acts as your command center—allowing you to program up to eight devices into personalized “Activities” that can control multiple systems in a single tap (e.g., launch Netflix, dim your lights, and power your soundbar simultaneously). The system also supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, adding voice control to the mix.
While the initial setup can feel intricate and time-consuming—requiring a fair amount of interaction with the app—the result is a near-seamless ecosystem that centralizes your tech into a single, intuitive interface. Though priced above basic remotes, the Harmony Companion delivers unmatched versatility and convenience, making it a premium investment for users with complex home theater or smart home setups.
Logitech Harmony Elite
For those willing to invest in a truly elevated experience, the Logitech Harmony Elite represents the pinnacle of universal remote technology—offering all the advanced functionality of the Harmony Companion, but with enhanced hardware, increased device capacity, and the kind of polish that justifies its premium price tag. In tandem with the Harmony Hub, the Elite can command up to 15 devices (compared to the Companion’s eight), ranging from traditional A/V gear to a vast array of smart home appliances, all while supporting Alexa integration for seamless voice control.
The most striking upgrade is the full-color touchscreen that crowns the Elite remote, streamlining daily use and removing the need to reach for the Harmony app when configuring activities or switching devices. Instead of a replaceable coin cell battery, the Elite features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and comes with a charging dock, making it a sleeker, all-in-one solution. While its build is solid and the buttons are responsive, the ergonomics may feel less intuitive compared to the more minimalist Companion. Ultimately, we recommend the Harmony Companion for most users due to its lower price and essential functionality, but for home theater aficionados or smart home power users who demand maximum control and convenience, the Elite stands alone as the most feature-rich and future-proof universal remote on the market.
Caavo Control Center + Universal Remote
Once plugged in, Caavo automatically recognizes these devices and pairs them with its streamlined, modern-looking remote, which feels durable and offers a clean, user-friendly layout. The system supports 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos, ensuring high-end compatibility. What truly sets Caavo apart is its software, which not only controls devices but also organizes apps and content across platforms. For example, if you watch Netflix on a Roku but own digital movies on Apple TV, Caavo lets you access both from one interface—assuming you’ve linked your apps and devices.
It even includes voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant. However, this powerful functionality comes with complexity: setup can be time-consuming, especially when syncing devices, apps, and smart home features. The remote works best when your TV defaults to the Caavo HDMI input, but if your TV always boots to a native home screen, you’ll need to manually switch inputs to use Caavo’s features. Another limitation is that the system doesn’t integrate with built-in smart TV apps, since it only operates through HDMI inputs.
While Caavo’s search feature generally works well, it tends to prioritize rental content over locally stored media, and despite solid voice recognition, some may find this frustrating. Also worth noting is that full access to Caavo’s features requires either a one-time lifetime fee or a recurring subscription ($2/month or $19.99/year). All in all, the Caavo Control Center is ideal for advanced users with several external devices and a desire to simplify and centralize control—but its high setup demands and paid service model make it a less-than-perfect fit for more casual users. It promises media simplicity, but achieving that simplicity requires effort.
GE 33709
There’s no WiFi, Bluetooth, or smart integration to be found here. Powered by two AAA batteries, the GE 33709 is a solid option for its intended purpose: controlling up to four devices, provided they use IR. Setup is relatively straightforward, though it requires manually entering codes from a master list included in the packaging. There’s no on-screen assistance or display, so familiarity with the button layout helps during the process.
The remote itself is thin and unassuming—simple enough to blend in with most living room setups—and while the soft-clicking buttons offer reassuring tactile feedback, the complete lack of illumination or glow-in-the-dark features is a noticeable drawback, especially in dim environments. Still, for a basic remote, this shortcoming is forgivable. The GE 33709 may not offer the smart features or expansive controls of more expensive models, but its affordability, simplicity, and reliability make it a compelling choice for users who don’t want (or need) voice assistants, apps, or smart home connectivity—just a functional, dependable remote for everyday devices.
RCA RCRN04GBE
The RCA RCRN04GBE is a traditional, budget-friendly universal remote designed for controlling up to four AV devices that use IR signals, such as DVD/Blu-ray players, cable or satellite boxes, and TVs. It runs on two AAA batteries and requires referencing a manufacturer code list for programming, which is fairly straightforward for anyone familiar with basic remote setup. However, in terms of design and usability, this remote fell short across the board. Its bulky, tall build feels awkward in hand, and the buttons are inconsistent.
That said, it does include a soft backlight feature, which is a helpful bonus for dim environments, though the light itself is faint. Despite its low price point, the RCRN04GBE is the weakest performer among the entry-level remotes we tested, and we recommend the GE 33709 instead for those looking for a simple, reliable universal remote without the frustrations of poor design.
How We Tested
To evaluate universal remote controls, we utilized our home theater lab, which provided a rotating lineup of TVs and media devices for a comprehensive test environment. Our first priority was assessing ease of setup—determining whether the initial configuration process was straightforward enough for the average user, regardless of tech experience. From there, we examined each remote’s ability to control devices as promised, judging performance within the scope of each model’s intended functionality. Entry-level remotes weren’t penalized for lacking smart features, but were judged on how well they handled basic tasks. Lastly, we took a close look at build quality, responsiveness of buttons, and overall durability to gauge how each remote might hold up to everyday use.
Programming a universal remote is generally simple, but it can vary slightly depending on the model. Always keep the instruction manual, as it typically contains essential code lists for pairing the remote with your devices. For traditional remotes, you’ll need to input specific codes for each device based on the manufacturer. Newer, more advanced remotes like the Caavo Control Center and Logitech Harmony series offer a more intuitive, though longer, setup process that guides you through the pairing and customization steps.