Universal remotes have become one of the most useful devices in this era helping users to control multiple devices with this single and simple controller. It is possible by programming it with a specific code 3, 4, or 4-digit code. A few years ago, it was a simple remote, but as technology grows faster, a wide variety of smart and advanced universal remotes are developed that can be capable of controlling streaming devices and AI assistance services like Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
Today, we are going to discuss the topic of how a universal remote simplifies smart home management. I have already defined the purpose and features of a universal remote as it is a remote control device to control multiple devices of various categories and brands.
Not all universal remotes help in managing smart home automation, but advanced smart controllers will do.
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Features helping the universal remotes in smart home
Ability to control multiple devices
In a smart home, there should be multiple devices of various categories like smart TVs, home theater systems, smart bulbs, smart plugs, streaming devices, etc. Fortunately, today’s advanced universal remote can control them directly or with the help of AI assistance. This feature makes the controllers a part of a smart home ecosystem.
While saying this, you may have doubts because many smart devices work based on Bluetooth and Infrared connectivity.
That’s a good question.
Fortunately, today’s smart universal remote comes with multiple connectivity options. One of the advanced devices now available in the market like Sofabaton X1 has IR, Bluetooth, and WiFi connectivity features that make it almost compatible with thousands of different devices in the market.
Hub-based control system
Smart Universal comes with a control hub that can be used to extend the coverage of the remote control. You can use it with or without it. If you are building a smart home, your home may have multiple devices distributed across different parts, and it becomes difficult for you to manage them because you need to go to each room to control them or the WiFi may not reach there.
Here comes the usage of the hub. It is a small box, called a hub that helps you to strengthen the connectivity path between the devices and the remote control. So, you don’t need to go to each room to control the devices attached there. The hub acts as a communication channel and helps you to control where you are currently in.
Compatibility with AI assistance services
It is the AI era and in the case of smart home automation, Amazon Alexa and Google Home are now trending. So almost many companies are developing devices that are compatible with these AI assistance services. Those companies that is not with the trend may slowly go down in the market.
Now, the advanced smart universal remote controls will be compatible with these AI services, making it control multiple devices through the smart universal remote control.
Popular Universal Remotes & Their Compatibility for Smarthome
| Remote Model | Works With | Voice Assistant Support | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech Harmony Elite | TVs, Smart lights, Streaming devices | Alexa, Google Assistant | $150 |
| BroadLink RM4 Pro | TVs, ACs, IR & RF devices | Alexa, Google Assistant | $55 |
| Sofabaton X1 | TVs, Soundbars, Streaming sticks | Alexa | $189-200 |
| GE Universal Remote | Basic home entertainment | ❌ No | less than $15 |
Enhanced with voice feature
When it comes to use with the AI services, it becomes the essential factor that must be compatible with the voice functionality. The future is about voice search even in the case of search engines. Smart universal remotes are now compatible with the voice features making it work with the AI assistance services that I mentioned above.
With the help of the universal remote control hub, you can make it communicate with the Alexa smart speaker located in another location in your home and simply control the smart light attached anywhere at your home. You need it to give the Alexa or Google Home commands louder to get them accepted by the server. This has become the worst experience with them. But when you use the remote control hub, you can say very little volume to get it noticed at the AI smart speakers and fulfill your needs.
Easy setup with mobile application
This is one of the fruitful features when talking about a smart universal remote control. We don’t need complex programming or pairing procedures with the codes, but all the setup can be easily done with the mobile application developed by the manufacturer.
The mobile application helps you to set up the remote control with any devices that are compatible with it. The simple graphical user interface allows you to simply pair. To start and complete the setup guide, first of all, you have to connect the universal remote and the device to the same WiFi network. The mobile phone that is installed with the remote control application should be connected to the same network. While searching, you can identify the device and the remote control device. Choose both of them to be paired. Then use the drop-down options to select the device types and the brands.
Then the application will automatically assign all the necessary features and functions to the remote control. After finishing the setup, you can use it along with the device.
Easy switching between the devices
For traditional or standard universal remotes, you have to switch between the devices with the help of the device keys on the top. It becomes a small complexity when you have paired multiple TVs located in the same room. But when it comes to the advanced smart universal remote control, there is a simple and effective way the remote can map the right devices. In some models, it has a display like in our smartphone helps you to switch the remote to the devices you need to control.
Why a Universal Remote is a Must-Have for Your Smart Home
Here I explained why and how a universal remote helps you in a smart home. Although a simple remote control helps you to control multiple devices, an advanced smart universal remote control, it makes you even helpful in controlling different devices located anywhere in the home with the help of a control hub.
Additionally, it helps you control modern-day streaming devices and services like Amazon FireTV stick, Roku streaming devices, and other online streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. Simply, while you integrate this all-in-one control mechanism, make life at home much more fun and easier.