EmailBest Reviewed
Universal Remotes
- Best universal remote control Logitech Harmony One *Est. $200
- Budget universal remote control Universal Remote Control (URC) Digital R50 *Est. $90
- Basic universal remote control Universal Remote Control (URC) R6 *Est. $20
- Tablet-style universal remote control Logitech Harmony 1100 *Est. $350
- Universal remote with radio frequency Logitech Harmony 900 *Est. $360
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Best universal remote control
- Touch-screen controls
- Comfortable to use
- Web-guided setup
- Rechargeable
- Expensive
- No RF capability
- Finish shows fingerprints and smudges
- Setup isn't always intuitive or easy
Reviewers overwhelmingly agree that the Logitech Harmony One is a fantastic universal remote overall, even though testers do find a few flaws. The Harmony One improves upon other Harmony remote controls (which were already top-rated) by adding touch-screen controls. It can control up to 15 components and uses a web-based setup process. The Harmony One also has an improved design that testers say is incredibly comfortable to use. The Harmony One is infrared (IR) only, which is fine for controlling audio-video (AV) components in the same room. However, if you also want to control components in another room or in a closet or closed cabinet, you'll have to spend more. The newly released Logitech Harmony 900 (*Est. $360) has a very similar design, but some reviewers say this new remote is even better than the Harmony One. The Logitech Harmony 900 uses both infrared and radio frequency signals, so it can communicate with AV devices in other rooms or behind cabinet doors.
CNET and Audioholics.com both provide detailed, thorough, test-based reviews of the Harmony One, covering every aspect of the remote. Expert reviews at PCMag.com and PC World are briefer, but they also post user reviews. Write-ups at The New York Times and Sound & Vision magazine are also useful and based on testing. Finally, Amazon.com has lots of user reviews.
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Our Sources
1. CNET
David Carnoy covers all facets of the Harmony One in this review, distilling the most important points into a pro-and-con list at the top. Carnoy draws some comparisons between the Harmony One and previous Harmony remotes. Several user reviews are also posted.
Review: Logitech Harmony One, David Carnoy, Feb. 21, 2008
In this incredibly thorough review, Clint DeBoer covers every aspect of the Harmony One in detail, from its ergonomics to its ease of programming. He provides ratings in eight areas, including features, value and more.
Review: Logitech Harmony One Remote Control Review, Clint DeBoer, Sept. 21, 2008
PJ Jacobowitz tests the Harmony One and compares it to the Harmony 880. A rating makes it possible to compare the Harmony One to other remotes the magazine has tested. The Harmony One earns an Editors' Choice award.
Review: Logitech Harmony One, PJ Jacobowitz, Jan. 5, 2008
PC World reviewer Becky Waring tests the Harmony One and gives it a top rating despite some setup issues. Though it is not compared directly to other remotes, the rating helps readers see where the Harmony One stands relative to other remotes. A few user reviews are also posted here.
Review: Logitech Harmony One, Becky Waring, Feb. 27, 2008
5. Good HousekeepingDetails/Subscribe
The Logitech Harmony One is the clear winner in this test of 12 universal remotes. While editors acknowledge its expense, they say the price is definitely worth it for large home theaters.
Review: Best Universal Remote Controls, Editors of Good Housekeeping
The Logitech Harmony One is one of six less expensive remotes that can compete with the $800 Philips Pronto TSU9600. Eric A. Taub tests each of the remote controls and devotes a few paragraphs to each one's pros and cons.
Review: Tired of Juggling Remotes? Take Control With a Universal, Eric A. Taub, March 27, 2008
7. Sound & Vision MagazineDetails/Subscribe
John Sciacca is most impressed with the Harmony One's ergonomics, covering that aspect at length, and comparing it to the Harmony 880 in this report. Sciacca also talks about the Harmony One's programmability.
Review: Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote Control, John Sciacca, April 2008
8. Wired.com
Mathew Honan gives the Logitech Harmony One a high rating in this brief review. Honan likes the touch screen and easy setup, but regrets the lack of radio frequency functionality.
Review: Logitech Harmony One, Mathew Honan, Oct. 8, 2008
9. Amazon.com
Nearly 800 owners give the Logitech Harmony One extremely high ratings on Amazon.com. Reviewers say the design is much improved over previous Harmony remotes, and most are able to program the remote easily.
Review: Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote, Contributors to Amazon.com
Universal Remotes Runners Up:
4 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Amazon.com, The New York Times…
2 picks by top review sites.
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