Universal Remotes: Reviews

Updated November 2008

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Best universal remote control

*Est. $200 Compare Prices

Experts praise the Harmony One's excellent setup software, touchscreen color LCD and a revamped design that testers find more comfortable and intuitive than previous models. The Harmony One remote control has sculpted… backlit buttons and comes with a charging station for its lithium-ion battery. A web-based setup wizard makes programming easy, letting the Harmony One control up to 15 devices with one-touch ease. Web-based updates ensure that the remote will keep up with the latest AV equipment. Although it's the best, the Logitech Harmony One is overkill if you just want to control a TV and one or two components.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNet.com: David Carnoy covers all facets of the Harmony One in this review, distilling the most important points into a pro-and-con list at ...

Audioholics.com: In this incredibly thorough review, Clint DeBoer covers every aspect of the Harmony One in detail, from its ergonomics to its ...

PCMag.com: P.J. Jacobowitz tests the Harmony One and compares it to the Harmony 880. A rating makes it possible to compare the Harmony One ...

PC World: PC World reviewer Becky Waring tests the Harmony One and gives it a top rating despite some setup issues. Though it is not ...

The New York Times: The Logitech Harmony One is one of six less expensive remotes that can compete with the $800 Philips Pronto TSU9600. Eric A. Taub ...

Sound & Vision Magazine: John Sciacca is most impressed with the Harmony One's ergonomics, covering that aspect at length, and comparing it to the Harmony ...

Amazon.com: Owner reviews can reveal important usability problems that don't show up in short-term professional testing. Though the quality ...

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eBay

for $176.99

Abt Electronics & Applian

for $216.60

Vanns.com

for $199.97

Best value remote control

Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360

*Est. $78 Compare Prices

While it lacks the touchscreen and slick ergonomics of the Harmony One, experts say that the Harmony for Xbox 360 is the best value on the market -- even for users who don't own an Xbox 360. This activity-based remote can… control lots of gear with just a single button push, and the web-based set-up wizard greatly simplifies programming. The Harmony for Xbox 360 can control 12 components (including TiVo and other DVRs), which reviewers say is plenty for any home theater. If you only need to control three or four components, however, you can spend less.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNet.com: Reviewer David Rudden discusses ergonomics, features and programmability of the Logitech Harmony for Xbox in this report. A ...

Techgage.com: This ultra-thorough report covers everything from what the packaging is like to what each button does. Each area is illustrated ...

ExtremeTech.com: The Harmony for Xbox 360 makes the 2005 "Geek Gift Guide" here. The one-page write-up points out the remote's "naughty" and ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports hasn't tested universal remotes, but it offers a helpful buying guide that recommends several models.

Smart Computing: This buying guide explains what features to look for in a universal remote. Author Joanna Safford recommends three different ...

Amazon.com: More than 140 readers have posted their impressions of the Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 here. Most ...

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Universal remote for simple setups

Sony RM-VL600

*Est. $25 Compare Prices

Experts and users say that the Sony RM-VL600 is more capable than other remote controls in its price class. It can control up to eight devices (most budget remotes can handle only four). It can "learn" commands from your… components' original remotes, and you can program up to four macros, each of which will execute a series of commands with just one button press. But unlike the remotes above, you can't get firmware updates for new features or devices, nor is there a wizard to simplify set-up. The Sony RM-VL600 also lacks some convenient extras -- like a backlit keypad -- that you'll find on more expensive remotes.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

RemoteCentral.com: Daniel Tonks' lengthy review of the Sony RM-VL600 remote control is packed with details that shoppers will really want to know. ...

The New York Times: The Sony RM-VL600 is one of several remotes recommended here. While reviewer Eric A. Taub tests the remote control, the ...

Amazon.com: The Sony RM-VL600 earns a rating of 4.5 of five stars following more than 185 owner-written reviews here. Although not expert, ...

Epinions.com: Among user-review sites, Epinions trails in terms of numbers of user reviews. However, some comments are a little meatier than ...

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OneCall

for $19.99

Abt Electronics & Applian

for $18.05

Amazon

for $19.35

Luxury universal remote

Philips Pronto TSU9600

*Est. $860 Compare Prices

According to reviews, this Philips remote control sets the benchmark for features on universal remotes. It features a 3.7-inch color LCD touchscreen. Built-in Wi-Fi helps users control Escient media managers and Lutron… lighting systems. The Pronto TSU9600 can control components in multiple rooms in a house. However, programming it may require a professional and the price tag makes the TSU9600 only a serious consideration for the highest-end home-theater systems.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity: This review of the Philips Pronto TSU9600 explores every aspect of the remote. The review does not test the Pronto directly ...

The New York Times: Reviewer Eric A. Taub benchmarks six less expensive options against the Philips Pronto TSU9600. Like the other remote controls ...

Gizmodo: Gizmodo's Travis Hudson examines the Philips Pronto TSU9600 at a trade show. Although his experience with the remote is limited, ...

Amazon.com: The pricey Philips Pronto TSU9600 doesn't attract as many user reviews as more affordable remote controls (just four when we ...

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Logitech Harmony 1000 *Est. $318

6 picks by top review sites.

Logitech Harmony 880 *Est. $137

5 picks by top review sites.

Logitech Harmony 890 *Est. $275

4 picks by top review sites.

Logitech Harmony 670 *Est. $100

3 picks by top review sites.

Logitech Harmony 550 *Est. $77

3 picks by top review sites.

Monster AVL 300 Home Theater and Lighting Controller *Est. $245

2 picks by top review sites.

Philips Prestigo SRU8015 *Est. $87

2 picks by top review sites.


	Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote (Silver) from Amazon.com New: $283.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control (Black) from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Logitech Harmony 670 Universal Remote from Amazon.com New: $105.74 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote from Amazon.com New: $104.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	MONSTER MCC AVL300-S Home Theater & Lighting Controller 300 With Omnilink from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Philips SRU8015/37 Prestigo 15 Device Universal Remote from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Universal Remotes: Reviews

Best universal remote control

Best value remote control

Universal remote for simple setups

Luxury universal remote

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