It’s no secret that Roku is among the most popular streaming devices on Amazon, compared to its peers like FireStick, ChromeCast, Android TV, and Apple TV. And while watching your favorite content on Roku is fun, you know what’s not fun? Juggling between remotes to control your Roku, TV, and other smart home devices around you. Thankfully, a universal remote for Roku should help you solve that problem.
Universal Remotes for Roku
While there are ways to use Roku without a remote too, choosing a universal Roku remote has its own advantages. One of them is automating mundane tasks such as turning on your Roku, TV, soundbar, etc., and changing them to the right settings – all of this with a single button press.
Whether you’ve lost your Roku remote or just want a universal remote for convenience, we have a list of the 5 best universal remotes for Roku out there.
1. Logitech Harmony Elite
When it comes to universal remotes, Logitech is the best in the business. And Harmony Elite is no exception. It features a 2.5-inch full-color touchscreen which provides one-touch navigation to the bulk of the system’s functions and settings. Plus, the included Harmony hub offers long-range reach to control your devices even when they’re behind closed cabinets. What’s more, everyone in your home can control this remote via the Harmony app which is available for both iOS and Android.
Logitech Harmony Elite offers support for over 270,000 devices from 6,000+ brands. That will cover most of your TVs, cable box, Apple TV, Roku, Philips Hue lights, and more. And the remote is capable of handling up to 15 devices at a time.
At this price point, there’s hardly any competition for Logitech Harmony Elite. And if you want a no-fuss experience, then this is the one you should pick.
2. Sofabaton U1
If you liked all the premium features of Logitech Harmony Elite but found it pricey, then take a look at the Sofabaton U1. The universal Roku remote is compatible with more than 500,000 devices from 6000+ brands and supports up to 15 devices at a time. Plus, the setup is rather simple with its official app. Just activate either of its three connection modes (IR learning mode, Bluetooth, or IR matching) on the app and easily connect with your devices.
There’s also an OLED screen and scroll wheel at the top to switch between devices effortlessly. And thanks to its macro button, users can perform multiple actions with a single push of a button.
However, our only gripe is that the remote isn’t backlit. But at this price point, it’s a small trade-off. At around $50, it has most of the features found only in high-end universal remotes but at a fraction of the cost.
3. Sideclick Universal Remote Attachment
If you want a universal remote without having to ditch your official Roku remote, then the Sideclick attachment for Roku will do just that. It comes with eight programmable buttons for your most-used functions like power on/off, volume control, channel buttons, and more. And the good news is that Sideclick is not limited to Roku only. If you wish to use it for a different streaming device, all you’ve to do is buy a new adapter clip compatible with that remote and you’ll be good to go.
However, it’s not without its share of flaws. Firstly, attaching the Sideclick covers the headphone jack on your Roku remote which can be a deal-breaker for some. Secondly, holding a Roku remote with the Sideclick attached to it is not a very comfortable experience because of the added width and weight. It might feel a little odd in the hands to some.
That said, the Sideclick attachment is pretty much easy to program and works as intended. With an affordable price tag of $25, it’s hard to beat this offering.
4. GE Backlit Universal Remote
Are you looking for a nice inexpensive universal remote for your Roku TV? Then the GE Backlit Universal Remote might interest you. This sleek-looking remote is lightweight and comes with 5 color options to choose from. Also, the setup will take less than 5 minutes and the included instructions are easy to follow. However, the remote is capable of handling only 4 devices at a time.
Aside from the above, GE Roku universal remote is pretty basic in terms of what it offers. Unlike its expensive counterparts, it does not feature Wi-Fi connectivity or a digital display. That said, with its backlit buttons and support for a wide range of smart home devices, GE Universal is a bargain at $12 and worth a try.
5. Inteset INT422
If you are a fan of traditional-looking remotes, then Inteset INT422 is the best option out there. The company claims that the remote supports over 100,000 devices. Build-wise, the remote feels solid in hand and also features backlit buttons. With its Macro support, you can easily program up to 32 commands into a single button. Although one might face a hard time setting up complicated commands compared to simple ones.
Similar to the official Roku remote, it has a quick-select button for Hulu or other specific apps. Overall, Inteset INT422 might be slightly expensive but with a rating of 4.1/5 on Amazon, it’s also the most loved.
Wrap Up: Best Universal Remotes for Roku
Switching between multiple remotes to control your Roku and other smart devices can be annoying. Instead, you should opt for a universal remote from the list above to control Roku more efficiently. In our opinion, Logitech Harmony Elite is the best one from the lot. And spending that premium on it is absolutely worth it. After all, you don’t buy universal remotes every day, do you?
Also Read: Best Roku Games You Should Definitely Check Out
