Universal Streaming Remotes: What's Actually Worth Buying

Most households end up with a small pile of remotes — one for the TV, one for the soundbar, one for the streaming device. Universal streaming remotes aim to consolidate that pile. This review focuses on what actually matters when choosing one, rather than a specific product recommendation.

Connection type: infrared vs. Bluetooth

The biggest functional difference between remotes is the connection method.

Infrared (IR) remotes require a direct line of sight to the device, similar to a traditional TV remote. They're simple and battery-efficient but stop working if anything blocks the signal path.

Bluetooth remotes don't require line of sight, which means they work even if the streaming device is tucked behind a TV or inside a cabinet. Most modern streaming device remotes use Bluetooth for this reason.

If you're buying a universal remote to replace multiple devices, confirm it supports both, since your TV or soundbar may still rely on IR.

Button layout and backlighting

A cluttered button layout undermines the entire point of a universal remote. Look for:

• A minimal set of clearly labeled buttons
• Dedicated app-launch buttons for your most-used services
• Backlighting, which matters more than it sounds like in a dark room

Backlit buttons are a small detail, but they meaningfully reduce the "fumbling in the dark" experience that dedicated streaming remotes are otherwise prone to.

Voice control accuracy

Nearly every streaming remote now includes a microphone for voice search. Quality varies more than expected:

• Better remotes handle natural phrasing ("something funny with Tom Hanks") reasonably well
• Weaker implementations require exact titles or simple keyword searches
• Background noise handling also varies significantly between models

If voice search is a feature you'll actually use daily, it's worth testing before committing, since return policies vary by retailer.

Battery life and charging

Battery-powered remotes (AA or AAA) are simple to maintain — swap batteries when needed, no charging cables to misplace. Rechargeable remotes reduce battery waste but require you to remember to charge them, and a dead universal remote is more disruptive than a dead single-device remote.

Programming and setup

Most universal remotes use either a code-entry system or automatic device detection during setup. Automatic detection is generally faster and less error-prone, but code-entry systems tend to support a wider range of older or less common devices.

Is a universal remote worth it?

A universal remote is worth considering if:

• You regularly juggle two or more remotes to start a viewing session
• Household members other than you struggle with multiple remotes
• You want voice search across your TV and streaming apps in one place

It's less compelling if your current setup already consolidates control through a single smart TV remote with adequate app integration — see our smart TV app setup tutorial for getting the most out of that built-in option first.