02.Results
The following models scored the best results in our test
| What to buy |
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| Brand |
Price |
| Logitech Harmony 1000i |
$699 |
| Logitech Harmony 785 |
$300 |
| Logitech Harmony 525 |
$100 |
| One For All Kameleon 6 URC 8206 |
$200 |
| Philips Prestigo SRU9600 |
$299 | |
All the Logitech models are easy to use, as long as you have a computer and internet connection for the initial set-up. The Harmony 525 is good value, if you’re not concerned about a lack of a base station and slightly smaller monochrome screen.
The One For All Kameleon 6 and Philips Prestigo can’t control as many devices as the Logitechs and are a little harder to use, but neither require a computer to set up. The Kameleon 6 doesn’t allow pauses in macros, which could be a problem with some devices. The Philips has to be placed head-to-head when learning, requiring one remote to be upside-down, complicating an already tedious process.
About the rest
All except the One For All Kameleon 4 URC 8204 required a lot of learning from the original remotes in our test device list. It is very similar to the One For All Kameleon 6 URC 8206, in our 'What to buy' list, except the Kameleon 4 can only control four devices and lacks the ability to have its code list updated via sound codes from a computer or phone.
Size, weight or awkward buttons are a problem with most of the other remotes in this test.
The Avico was the only one to fail our drop test (on the second drop). None of the rest suffered any major damage, although some had to be reset by removing and replacing the batteries.
All except the Avico and Marmitek Easytouch35 have to be placed head-to-head when learning.
The Avico, Kameleon 3 and Sunwaves have no dedicated macro buttons. Macros are located on a button belonging to a particular device and will overwrite an existing key’s function.
Ease of use
The Logitech Harmony 1000i is the only universal remote to get a very good ease-of-use score. It has a colour LCD touch screen and physical buttons for common functions such as volume, channel up/down, and menu navigation. It’s expensive and an unusual shape for a remote control (see Profiles - the best), but comes with a dock.
The Logitech Harmony 525, Logitech Harmony 785, One For All Kameleon 6 and Philips Prestigo SRU9600 all get good ease-of-use scores. The Logitech's scores were reduced because of their small buttons and labels, as well as their small screens.
Some remotes are uncomfortable to hold and operate due to their size or shape. The One For All Kameleon 6 and Philips Prestigo have a large screen which makes reading them easy, but both are very long. The One For All Kameleon 4 is also very long and the Avico ARC8850 and Sunwave SRC-3060 are very wide.