Universal remote control reviews

03.Product profiles

Logitech Harmony 1000i

Price: $699

Good points

• Comes with computer software for easy set-up and macro creation.
• Supplied with docking cradle and rechargeable battery.
• Requires almost no learning from original remotes.
• Allows for pauses in macros.

Bad points

• Requires a computer and internet connection for set-up.
• Unusual tablet shape makes one-handed operation difficult.
• Glossy finish on the hard keys make the labels difficult to read.
• Some on-screen buttons near the edges are difficult to press.

Logitech Harmony 525

Price: $100

Good points

• Relatively light.
• Supplied with computer software for easy set-up and macro creation.
• Didn’t require much learning from original remotes.
• Allows for pauses in macros.

Bad points

• Requires a computer and internet connection for set-up.
• Small screen.
• Has some very small keys and hard-to-read labels.

Logitech Harmony 785

Price: $300

Good points

• Relatively light.
• Supplied with computer software for easy set-up and macro creation.
• Supplied with docking cradle and rechargeable battery.
• Didn’t require much learning from original remotes.
• Allows for pauses in macros.

Bad points

• Requires a computer and internet connection for set-up.
• Small screen.
• Has some very small keys and hard-to-read labels.

One For All Kameleon 6

Price: $200

Good points

• Can recharge batteries in remote if you purchase charger and batteries, available separately.
• 'Magnetic coupling' feature allows remote’s code list to be updated via computer speakers or telephone receiver.
• Didn’t require much learning from original remotes.

Bad points

• Very long with buttons near the extremities.
• Easy to hit one of the navigation buttons instead of OK.
• Programming requires you to press a 'magic hat' button and wait for a rabbit to appear, but your finger on the button obscures the rabbit.
• Learning requires the remotes to be placed head-to-head, so one remote is upside-down.
• The maximum backlight level is not very bright.

Philips Prestigo SRU9600

Price: $299

Good points

• Allows for pauses in macros.

Bad points

• Relatively heavy.
• Very long.
• Learning requires the remotes to be placed head-to-head so one remote is upside-down.
• The maximum screen brightness is not very bright.
• Required a lot of learning from original remotes.

Philips SRU9400

Price: $249

Good points

• Nothing to mention.

Bad points

• Device indicators are very difficult to see unless the room is dark.
• Learning requires the remotes to be placed head-to-head so one remote is upside-down.
• Required a lot of learning from original remotes.

One For All Kameleon 4

Price: $150

Good points

• Can recharge batteries in remote if you purchase charger and batteries, available separately.

Bad points

• Very long with buttons near the extremities.
• Easy to hit one of the navigation buttons instead of OK.
• Programming requires you to press a 'magic hat' button and wait for a rabbit to appear, but your finger on the button obscures the rabbit.
• Learning requires the remotes to be placed head-to-head so one remote is upside-down.

Sunwave SRC-3200

Price: $269

Good points

• You can select a different backlight colour for each device.
• Allows for pauses in macros.

Bad points

• Relatively heavy.
• Some keys are small.
• Long with buttons near the extremities.
• Learning requires the remotes to be placed head-to-head so that one remote is upside-down.
• Some of the manual is poorly translated and difficult to follow.
• Required a lot of learning from original remotes.
• No dedicated macro buttons. Macros are located on a button belonging to a particular device and will overwrite an existing key function.

Marmitek EasyTouch35

Price: $89

Good points

• Relatively light.
• Allows for pauses in macros.

Bad points

• The hard keys have a glossy finish that makes the labels difficult to read.
• Some buttons have small icons with no text.
• Required a lot of learning from original remotes.

Remotec iRemote 500

Price: $99

Good points

• Allows for pauses in macros.

Bad points

• Most on-screen labels are small.
• Macro programming is difficult, even while following instructions in the manual — we found it to be hit-and-miss.
• Learning requires the remotes to be placed head-to-head so that one remote is upside-down.
• Required a lot of learning from original remotes.

Sunwave SRC-1600

Price: $89

Good points

• Allows for pauses in macros.

Bad points

• Required a lot of learning from original remotes.
• No dedicated macro buttons. Macros are located on a button belonging to a particular device and will overwrite an existing key function.

Sunwave SRC-3060

Price: $149

Good points

• Large screen.
• Allows for pauses in macros.

Bad points

• Relatively heavy.
• Relatively wide.
• Page buttons are too small — it’s too easy to accidentally select a different device when you want to go to another page.
• Some labels are tiny.
• Required a lot of learning from original remotes.
• No dedicated macro buttons. Macros are located on a button belonging to a particular device and will overwrite an existing key function.

One For All Kameleon 3

Price: $100

Good points

• Relatively light.

Bad points

• Hard keys have very poor labels that are difficult to read.
• The touchscreen needs a very firm touch.
• Programming requires you to press a 'magic hat' button and wait for a rabbit to appear, but your finger on the button obscures the rabbit.
• Learning requires the remotes to be placed head-to-head so that one remote is upside-down.
• The maximum backlight level is not very bright.
• Required a lot of learning from original remotes.

Sunwave SRC-3820

Price: $159

Good points

• Allows for pauses in macros.

Bad points

• The device buttons are small with small labels.
• Long with buttons near the extremities.
• Required a lot of learning from original remotes.
• No dedicated macro buttons. Macros are located on a button belonging to a particular device and will overwrite an existing key function.

Avico ARC8850

Price: $150

Good points

• Large screen.

Bad points

• Relatively heavy.
• Relatively wide.
• Screen is very sensitive to viewing angle.
• Some on-screen labels are difficult to read.
• Manual is poorly translated and difficult to follow.
• Required a lot of learning from original remotes.
• No dedicated macro buttons. Macros are located on a button belonging to a particular device and will overwrite an existing key function.
• Failed to work at all after our drop test.