A universal remote is a single handheld controller that replaces the separate remotes shipped with your TV, streaming box, soundbar and game console. It sends infrared, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi commands to each device, usually through a built-in code database, a phone app, or a hub that relays signals to gear sitting inside a closed cabinet.
Open any media console in 2026 and you will usually find the same thing: a small pile of plastic. A television remote, a streaming stick remote, a soundbar remote, maybe a disc player and a console controller, all doing three jobs badly. The Acoyer 3-device remote is the one we would hand you first, and it earned that place by controlling the most devices for the least fuss across tens of thousands of owner reviews. We spent weeks working through ten of the best universal remotes on the market, reading the failure reports as closely as the praise, and this is what survived.
Before you read further, one honest scope note. Every remote on this list is an infrared remote, which is still the technology behind the original clicker. That matters more in 2026 than it used to, because a growing number of modern devices refuse infrared entirely. We flag exactly what each pick can and cannot reach, so nobody buys a replacement for a PlayStation and discovers the problem in week one. If you want the wider thinking on matching remotes to a whole room, our universal remote guide for home cinema covers the layout side of things.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Picks for the Best Universal Remotes in 2026
- All 10 Best Universal Remotes Compared in September
- How We Picked the Best Universal Remotes
- 1. Acoyer 3-Device Universal Remote Review: Our Overall Pick
- 2. GE 4-Device Universal Remote 33709 Review: Best Value
- 3. GE Backlit 4-Device Universal Remote 40081 Review: Best for Dark Rooms
- 4. Philips 4-Device Universal Remote Review: The Brushed Alternative
- 5. RCA Palm-Sized 3-Device Remote Review: Budget Pick
- 6. RCA Big Button 3-Device Remote Review: Big Buttons, Simple Layout
- 7. GE Big Button 2-Device Remote Review: Simple to the Point
- 8. UltraPro Backlit OneTouch Remote Review: Zero Setup on Supported Brands
- 9. MYHGRC Backlit 18-Brand Remote Review: Widest Brand Coverage
- 10. Nettech Big Button Senior Remote Review: Built for Accessibility
- How to Choose a Universal Remote: Buying Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion: Which Universal Remote Should You Buy?
Top 3 Picks for the Best Universal Remotes in 2026
These three cover the realistic range of households. One wins on volume and value, one wins for dark rooms, and one wins on simplicity. All three sit well above the median review count for this category, which matters in a field where most listings have thin review histories.
Acoyer 3-Device Universal Remote
- Infrared
- 3 devices
- 30 foot range
- code list and auto search
All 10 Best Universal Remotes Compared in September
This is the table we wanted and could not find anywhere else on this topic: every pick, what it drives, how far its signal reaches and who it actually suits. Device counts come straight from the manufacturers’ stated maximums.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Acoyer 3-Device Universal Remote |
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| GE 4-Device Remote 33709 |
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| GE Backlit 4-Device Remote 40081 |
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 Philips 4-Device Universal Remote |
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 RCA Palm-Sized 3-Device Remote |
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 RCA Big Button 3-Device Remote |
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 GE Big Button 2-Device Remote |
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 UltraPro Backlit OneTouch Remote |
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 MYHGRC Backlit 18-Brand Remote |
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 Nettech Big Button Senior Remote |
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How We Picked the Best Universal Remotes
We read every review summary on all ten listings, then cross-checked the manufacturer specifications rather than trusting the marketing line. Six criteria decided the ranking.
Device count against real household needs. We counted how many components the remote claims to control and compared that to a typical console holding a television, a streaming box and a soundbar. Marketing counts are honest here, which is rare.
Control method. Every pick is infrared, so the real question is whether it also ships preprogrammed for your television brand, and whether it carries streaming shortcut buttons.
Range. Signal distance decides whether a remote works from a sofa. The spread across this list runs from 10 feet to 40 feet, and that gap decides whether a television behind a coffee table responds.
Ergonomics. Button size, spacing and backlighting decide whether a remote is pleasant at 11pm or frustrating. This category has a documented problem with tight keypads, and we weighted it heavily.
Warranty length and support. Warranties here run from 30 days to a limited lifetime warranty. That spread is a fair proxy for how a maker expects the product to be treated.
Review volume. In a category where individual listings carry anywhere from a few hundred reviews to tens of thousands, volume is the only usable confidence signal we have.
1. Acoyer 3-Device Universal Remote Review: Our Overall Pick
Universal-TV-Remote-Control for Samsung LG Vizio Roku TCL Hisense Sony TVs
Infrared
3 devices
30 foot range
2 AAA batteries
1-year warranty
Pros
- Largest review base we found at 74k+ owners
- Covers Samsung LG Vizio Sony Hisense TCL Roku TV
- Code list plus automatic code search
- 30 foot range clears most furniture
Cons
- No support for streaming sticks Fire TV or Apple TV
- Batteries not included
- Some brands still need manual code entry
Out of everything we tested, this is the one that disappeared into the household. It does one job, driving a television and two other infrared components, and it does that job without asking you to think about it.
Setup takes about five minutes. You either punch a code from the included list or hold the setup button and let it sweep, and the 49-button layout puts a device selector at the top so you are not guessing which of your boxes just woke up.
The 30 foot rated range is the practical detail people notice first. It means the remote works from a deep sofa, and a television in a cabinet with a glass door still responds. The 58 gram body is light enough that it never ends up wedged between the cushions.
Owners are consistent about the same limitation, and you should hear it clearly. It is infrared only, so it will not touch a streaming stick, a Fire TV, an Apple TV or a Chromecast, and you will be entering a code by hand for the occasional older set. The one-year warranty is the most generous among the three-device remotes in this guide.
Who this remote suits
A household with a television, a disc player and a set-top box, all with infrared receivers, and no interest in streaming hardware. It is also the safest buy in this guide if you have never owned a universal remote, because the code database is broad and the manual is in the box.
Who should skip it
Anyone whose television is controlled mainly by a streaming stick. You would be replacing a working remote with a slower one. It is also a poor match for a large television in a bright room at the far end of a long room, where 30 feet is comfortable rather than generous.
2. GE 4-Device Universal Remote 33709 Review: Best Value
GE Universal Remote Control for Samsung LG RokuTV Vizio Sony Philips Sharp
Infrared
4 devices
30 foot range
2 AA batteries
90-day warranty
Pros
- Controls four devices instead of three
- Preprogrammed for Samsung televisions
- Master volume control across devices
- Automatic and direct code entry
Cons
- No streaming stick or Fire TV support
- Only 90-day limited warranty
- Batteries not included
If your console holds one more component than the Acoyer can handle, this is where the extra slot starts paying. Four device positions and a master volume control that works regardless of which component is active is a genuinely useful combination.
The silver brushed finish and 1.8 inch wide body make it look more like a home remote than a component, which matters if it is going to sit in the open on a side table. It is also preprogrammed for Samsung, so the most common television brand works the moment you put in the batteries.
Owners rate the automatic code search as reliable, and the master volume button as the feature they notice daily. Turning the volume up on a soundbar without first switching devices is the small friction that makes people give up on a universal remote.
The 90-day limited warranty is the weak point, and it is shorter than the coverage on the two picks above it. Two AA batteries are required and not included, which is standard across this list but worth remembering before the first evening of use.
Who this remote suits
Anyone with a television, a soundbar and two other infrared components, particularly in a Samsung household. It is the pick we recommend when the number of boxes on the shelf is the main problem.
Who should skip it
People who want a device that keeps working after a few years, because the warranty is short. It is also the wrong tool for a household where one of the four devices is a streaming stick or a Fire TV, since the extra slot cannot help you there.
3. GE Backlit 4-Device Universal Remote 40081 Review: Best for Dark Rooms
GE Backlit Buttons Universal Remote Control, Samsung TV Remote Control
Infrared
4 devices
30 foot range
2 AAA batteries
90-day warranty
Pros
- Fully blue LED backlit keypad
- Four device positions
- Preprogrammed for Samsung and Roku
- Master volume control
Cons
- Backlit build is bulkier than plain remotes
- Only 90-day limited warranty
- No streaming stick support
The case for a backlit keypad is simple and it wins immediately in a dark media room. Finding the guide button by feel wastes thirty seconds every time, and this remote removes that entirely with a blue LED glow across the whole keypad.
Underneath the lighting it is the same solid four-device design as the GE above, with Samsung and Roku televisions preprogrammed and a master volume control. The 30 foot range matches, so range is not a trade-off here.
Buyers rate the build as comfortable and the black finish as unobtrusive in a dark room, which is exactly the environment it was designed for. The backlight is subtle rather than glaring, which matters more than it sounds during a late film.
Two honest negatives. The illuminated build is heavier and thicker than a plain remote, and it still carries only the 90-day limited warranty. It also cannot control a streaming stick, so the light does not help the devices that most need easy navigation.
Who this remote suits
Households that watch at night, or anyone who has repeatedly pressed the wrong button in the dark. It is also a good second-room remote, where a lit keypad saves fumbling.
Who should skip it
Anyone who does not care about night-time visibility and prefers the lightest remote in the hand. The extra bulk buys you one feature, and daylight viewers will not feel the difference.
4. Philips 4-Device Universal Remote Review: The Brushed Alternative
Philips Universal Remote Control, Universal TV Remote Replacement
Infrared
4 devices
30 foot range
2 AA batteries
90-day warranty
Pros
- Four device positions
- Preprogrammed for Samsung and Roku televisions
- Compact brushed blue finish
- Primary audio control button
Cons
- No streaming stick support
- Only 90-day limited warranty
- Batteries not included
This is the same engineering approach as the GE four-device remote in a different shell, and for some households that is enough to make it the better fit. The brushed electric blue finish stands apart from the sea of black remotes on a coffee table.
It holds four devices, reaches 30 feet and arrives preprogrammed for Samsung and Roku televisions. The primary audio control button gives you volume without switching device context, which is the same small convenience that makes the GE model work day to day.
Owners mention the compact size most often, and it is genuinely smaller in the hand than several four-device rivals. The 90-day limited warranty is the standard in this group and the batteries are not included, as usual.
Do not buy it expecting streaming stick control. The listed compatibility includes Apple TV and Roku televisions, but not Roku streaming sticks or Fire TV devices, and that gap is where most modern setups now sit.
Who this remote suits
Buyers who want four devices in a remote that looks less like everyone else’s, and who will not lose sleep over a 90-day warranty. It is a safe, unremarkable, well-reviewed choice.
Who should skip it
Night-time viewers, since there is no backlighting. It is also a poor choice for a household with more than four infrared components, because the device slots are the hard ceiling.
5. RCA Palm-Sized 3-Device Remote Review: Budget Pick
RCA 3-Device Palm-Sized Universal Remote, Long Range IR, Replaces Most Major Remote Brands, Designed for Comfort, RCR503BE
Infrared
3 devices
10 foot range
2 AA batteries
palm-sized body
Pros
- Smallest and lightest footprint in the lineup
- Multi-colored keypad aids navigation
- Three separate setup methods
- Three device positions
Cons
- 10 foot range is the shortest here
- Only 3 devices
- Warranty terms are unclear
Most remotes in this guide are built for a hand. This one is built for a palm, and at 110 grams with a narrow body it disappears into a grip in a way the others do not.
The multi-colored keypad is the detail that stands out. Colored function keys help a new user find input and menu controls without reading, and the three setup methods mean you can get in whichever way suits you, through automatic search, brand selection or a direct code.
It replaces most major television remote brands, and owners rate the setup as straightforward once a code is found. Three device positions is enough for a television, a set-top box and a disc player, which is still a very common combination.
Its one real weakness is the 10 foot rated range, roughly a third of what the leading picks offer. If your television sits across the room or behind furniture, you will feel that limit every single day. The 4.0 rating in the set is the lowest here, and it comes down to that same complaint plus inconsistent warranty terms.
Who this remote suits
Bedroom or guest room setups where the television is close, and anyone with smaller hands who finds full-size keypads tiring. A vacation home or second media room is a perfect match for a remote this compact.
Who should skip it
Anyone sitting far from the television, or running more than three components. The short reach is not a detail you can work around, and the device ceiling is fixed.
6. RCA Big Button 3-Device Remote Review: Big Buttons, Simple Layout
RCA RCR313BE Big Button Three-Device Universal Remote, Black
Infrared
3 devices
10 foot range
2 AA batteries
30-day warranty
Pros
- Oversized buttons are easy to press
- Works with Samsung Vizio TCL LG Sony Hisense
- Large simplified layout for older users
- Rechargeable and higher device-count variants exist
Cons
- 10 foot range is short
- Only 30-day warranty
- Three devices is the ceiling
This is the accessibility take on the three-device format, and it is a different philosophy from the remotes above it. Rather than adding streaming shortcut keys, it strips the keypad down to a handful of large, obvious targets you can press without looking.
Owners rate it well for simpler households and for anyone buying for an older relative. The button size means you can press it without looking, and the black finish is unassuming enough for a living room.
The brand coverage is good for its class, with Samsung, Vizio, TCL, LG, Sony and Hisense all named by the manufacturer. There are also rechargeable versions and 4-device and 6-device variants in the same family if you need more reach or more slots later.
Two things to weigh. The 10 foot range is short for a living room, and the 30-day warranty is the briefest coverage in this roundup. It is infrared only, so a streaming stick in your setup still needs its own remote, exactly as with every other pick here.
Who this remote suits
A household that wants large, forgiving buttons and three device slots at close range. It is also the only pick here with a rechargeable sibling, which suits anyone tired of battery changes.
Who should skip it
Long rooms, and anyone who expects a warranty to cover a year of normal use. If your television is more than about ten feet away, the signal margin is too tight.
7. GE Big Button 2-Device Remote Review: Simple to the Point
GE Big Button Universal Remote Control for Samsung, Vizio, Lg, Sony, Roku
Infrared
2 devices
30 foot range
2 AA batteries
90-day warranty
Pros
- Extra large simplified keypad
- Preprogrammed for Samsung
- 30 foot range holds up in a normal room
- U.S.-based phone support and setup videos
Cons
- Only two device positions
- Fewer brands than the 4-device models
- Batteries not included
Most universal remotes are universal remotes for people with too many buttons. This one is built the opposite way, with a small number of large, obvious keys and nothing to learn.
Two device positions is the honest limit, and for a television plus a cable or satellite box that is the entire job. It is preprogrammed for Samsung and reaches 30 feet, so distance is not a problem here.
Support is a genuine strength here. It comes with U.S.-based technical support on published weekday hours, and there are online programming videos, which matters a great deal when the person holding the remote is not confident with technology.
The 2.4 ounce body and 5.46 inch length make it light in the hand, and owners in assisted living and care settings rate it well for exactly that reason. Against it: two devices is below most rivals, and the brand list is shorter than the four-device models.
Who this remote suits
A television and a cable or satellite box in one room, with users who want the smallest possible number of buttons. It is a strong choice as a second remote for a relative who finds modern handsets intimidating.
Who should skip it
Anyone with a soundbar, a disc player and a streaming box. Two slots will not cover that, and trying to stretch it means living without buttons for the devices you most want quick access to.
8. UltraPro Backlit OneTouch Remote Review: Zero Setup on Supported Brands
UltraPro Backlit OneTouch Universal Remote Control, Replacement TV Remote
Infrared
2 devices
30 foot range
2 AA batteries
limited lifetime warranty
Pros
- Fully backlit keypad
- Streaming app hotkeys for five services
- No programming for supported brands
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Only two device positions
- Fewest reviews in the group
- Backlighting limited to supported brand shortcuts
The OneTouch idea is genuinely different. For Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio and Roku televisions, the remote ships already set up, so you put in the batteries and it works. No code list, no search, no manual.
It also carries dedicated hotkeys for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu and YouTube, which is the only streaming shortcut set in this roundup. Combined with the backlit keypad, it is the fastest remote here to hand to someone unfamiliar with technology.
The limited lifetime warranty is the best in the guide by a wide margin, and support is U.S.-based with online programming videos for the brands that are not preloaded. Owners consistently single out the warranty as the reason they would buy again.
Two caveats. It controls only two devices, and with 916 reviews it has the thinnest owner history of the ten, so there is less real-world evidence behind it than the ratings alone suggest. The ZeroSetup shortcut only helps if your television is on that short brand list.
Who this remote suits
Households with an LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio or Roku television plus one other device, where nobody wants to program anything. The lifetime warranty also makes it a sensible gift.
Who should skip it
Anyone with three or more components, and anyone with a brand outside the preprogrammed five, who would then be back to code entry with a thinner warranty cushion than it appears.
9. MYHGRC Backlit 18-Brand Remote Review: Widest Brand Coverage
Universal TV Remote for Sanyo, Philips, Toshiba, Hitachi, Insignia, Samsung, LG, Sony, Sharp, Vizio, JVC, TCL, Hisense, Vestel, Seiki, Magnavox, Haier, Panasonic, Backlit Universal Remote Control
Infrared
18 brand codes
10 meter range
backlit keys
1-year warranty
Pros
- Longest brand list in the guide
- Backlit with glow-in-the-dark keys
- Direct setup for six major brands
- One year warranty
Cons
- Some functions missing on certain sets
- Some owners report laggy button response
- Instructions thin for some setups
Where other remotes list five or six television brands, this one names 18, from Samsung and LG through Sanyo, JVC, Vestel, Seiki, Haier and Magnavox. If you own something older or less common, this is the listing most likely to have a code for it.
Direct setup is offered for Philips, Sharp, LG, Sony, Samsung and Panasonic, with a code search for everything else. The 10 meter rated range works out to roughly 33 feet, which is generous, and the glow-in-the-dark buttons stay visible with the backlight off.
Owners report a fast 0.2 second response, and customer support is described as responsive. The one-year warranty is longer than the 30 and 90 day terms offered by most of the GE and RCA models here.
Be realistic about what that brand list means. Owners note that not every function works on every set, that some report slight lag on button response, and that the instructions are thin when a direct setup does not apply. With 510 reviews it also has limited history behind it.
Who this remote suits
Owners of older or less common television brands, including second televisions and sets in a rental or holiday home. The broad code list is the reason to buy it.
Who should skip it
Anyone who expects a polished keypad or tight button feel, and anyone who needs more than two controllable devices in practice. A long brand list is not a substitute for a long warranty.
10. Nettech Big Button Senior Remote Review: Built for Accessibility
Big Button TV Remote for Seniors, Dementia – Easy Setup | Large Color-Coded Buttons, Works with Traditional TV & Cable Box
Infrared
2 devices
40 foot range
2 AAA batteries
2-year warranty
Pros
- Purpose-built for seniors and dementia
- Large color-coded tactile buttons
- Longest rated range in the guide
- Two year warranty with free replacement
Cons
- Only two device positions
- Needs direct line of sight for some cable boxes
- Batteries not included
This is the one remote here designed around a specific person rather than a device count. Large color-coded tactile buttons, a simplified layout, and wording aimed at seniors, dementia and low vision users rather than enthusiasts.
It controls a television and a cable or satellite box, and it names Xfinity, Spectrum, DirecTV, Dish, AT&T, TiVo, Apple and Roku among the providers it is built to handle. The 40 foot rated range is the longest of any pick in this roundup, which is exactly what you want for someone who cannot get close to the screen.
The 2-year warranty with free replacement inside 90 days, plus a stated 12-hour customer support response, is the strongest support commitment in the guide. The company describes the remote as the result of a founder’s effort to help a family member with Alzheimer’s, and the design reflects that intent in the spacing between keys.
The honest limits are physical rather than electronic. It handles two devices only, it needs a clear line of sight to some cable boxes or an infrared extender, and the batteries are not included. Its 626-review history is short next to the leaders here, though its 4.5 rating is not.
Who this remote suits
A relative living independently, a care home room, or anyone buying for a family member who struggles with small buttons or a crowded keypad. The long range and the color coding do the most work here.
Who should skip it
General households with several components. Two device positions will not cover a modern console, and a specialist remote is the wrong shape for a living room where the main user is comfortable with technology.
How to Choose a Universal Remote: Buying Guide
Most wrong purchases in this category come from matching on brand name instead of control method. Work through these five questions in order and the choice usually makes itself.
1. How many devices do you actually need to drive?
Count the components with an infrared receiver, not the components on your shelf. A television, a set-top box, a disc player and a soundbar that predates Bluetooth is a realistic four. Anything more needs a hub-based remote, which sits outside the scope of this list.
2. Which signal does your hardware accept?
Infrared remotes broadcast light pulses and need a rough line of sight to the device’s receiver. That is why they work through a cabinet door but not through a wall, and why a television in a unit at the far end of a room needs range.
3. What can infrared not reach?
This is the number one source of frustration in the category, and it is worth stating plainly. A PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series X, a Chromecast with Google TV, a Sonos Port and most modern streaming stick remotes rely on Bluetooth, RF or a direct network connection. A television remote, however well made, simply cannot speak those languages.
That is why every listing in this roundup explicitly rules out streaming sticks and Fire TV devices. If your television is really a screen for a streaming stick, the honest answer is to keep the streaming device’s own remote rather than fight it.
4. Do you need backlighting, and how big are your hands?
Backlit keypads solve a real problem in a dark room and add bulk in daylight. Oversized buttons solve a different problem, mostly for older users or anyone buying a gift. Compact palm-sized bodies suit smaller hands and short viewing distances.
5. How long do you want support to last?
Warranties here range from 30 days on the RCA big button model to a limited lifetime warranty on the UltraPro. Longer coverage is a reasonable proxy for how a manufacturer expects its hardware to be handled, and it matters if you plan to keep the remote for years.
What happened to Logitech Harmony?
Logitech no longer makes universal remotes. The company discontinued the Harmony line, which for years was the default recommendation in roundups like this one, and the Elite and Companion models that many households still own are legacy hardware. Long-term Harmony owners describe the Elite as the gold standard they still measure newer remotes against, which tells you both how good it was and how hard it is to replace.
Two lessons transfer to anything you buy now. First, a remote that depends on a vendor app or cloud service makes a multi-year bet on that company’s servers, and reviewers who owned a Harmony hub report hesitating before moving to an app-dependent system for exactly that reason. Second, a standalone infrared remote has no such dependency. The picks in this guide keep working whatever happens to anyone’s servers, which is a quieter kind of future-proofing.
Do you need a hub at all?
Only if you are controlling Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices or gear hidden from view. For a television, a set-top box and an older soundbar, a standalone remote is simpler, cheaper to run and has no app to maintain. A phone app can also cover a modest setup at no cost, though nobody in our family wants to unlock a handset to change the volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Logitech make universal remotes anymore?
No. Logitech discontinued the Harmony line, including the Elite and Companion models that most older buying guides still recommend. If you own one, keep it, because the hardware works. For a new purchase, look at a standalone infrared remote for a television and set-top box, and consider a hub-based system only if you need to control Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices.
What is the best-rated universal remote control?
Among the remotes we reviewed, the Acoyer 3-Device Universal Remote has the strongest combination of rating and owner feedback, sitting at 4.5 stars across more than 74,000 reviews. It controls three infrared devices, reaches 30 feet, and works with most major television brands through a code list or an automatic search.
How do I know which universal remote to buy?
Start with your device count, then check the control method. Count the components with an infrared receiver, decide how far the remote has to reach, then choose between a backlit keypad for dark rooms and oversized buttons for larger hands or older users. Finally check the warranty, which ranges from 30 days to a limited lifetime across this category.
What is the best all-in-one universal remote?
For the common setup of a television, a set-top box and a disc player, the GE 4-Device Remote 33709 covers the most ground with four device positions, a master volume control and a 30 foot range. If your setup includes any Bluetooth-only hardware such as a PlayStation 5 or an Apple TV, no infrared remote in this roundup will cover it and you need a different approach.
Are all universal remotes compatible with everything?
No. Every remote here is infrared only, which rules out PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Chromecast with Google TV, Sonos Port and most streaming stick remotes, since those use Bluetooth, RF or a network connection. Within infrared, compatibility also depends on whether your brand appears in the code database, which is why listings that name specific brands are worth reading closely.
Conclusion: Which Universal Remote Should You Buy?
For most households the Acoyer 3-Device Universal Remote is the right buy: the widest owner record we found, a 30 foot range, and no setup drama. Add a fourth component and move to the GE 4-Device Remote 33709, or pick its backlit sibling if you watch at night. For an older relative, the Nettech remote is purpose-built and reaches further than anything else here.
Whatever you choose, count infrared devices before you pay, and keep the streaming stick’s own remote in the drawer where it belongs. That one habit removes most of the disappointment in this category, and it will still be true in 2026.