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One Remote to Rule Them All: Universal Remotes That Actually Work
Coffee-table clutter, dead replacement remotes and the setup-free universals that finally fixed both in our testing.
5 min read
The average living room hides three or four remotes down the side of the sofa. A good universal remote replaces all of them — but only if setup does not require an engineering degree.
Look for pre-programmed streaming keys
The best universals ship with hotkeys already mapped to Netflix, Prime and YouTube, and pair to your TV, soundbar and streaming stick in under a minute with no app or hub.
Replacement vs universal
If you have lost one remote for one TV, an exact-fit replacement is cheaper and needs zero setup. If you are juggling several devices, spend a little more on a universal and reclaim the coffee table.