Logitech Harmony 665
Our pick
Why you should buy this: It handles just about all of your home theater needs.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking to control their home theater without spending a fortune.
Why we picked the Logitech Harmony 665:
Your days of fumbling with complicated tech and tons of remotes are about to be over. The Harmony 665 isn’t the most advanced remote on our list, but its rich set of features, ease of use, and affordability make it an easy choice for our top pick. It replaces the Harmony 650 as our previous top pick, as the 665 improves over the older model in three important ways: It can control 10 devices instead of eight, all of the buttons are now backlit for easier use, and you can program up to 23 favorite TV channels for quick access from the color screen.. You’ll need an internet-connected PC to get the Harmony 665 up and running, but once you do, intuitive buttons like “Watch TV” will execute multiple commands, powering up your television and cable/satellite box and switching the TV to the correct input in one fell swoop.
Sony RMVLZ620
The best barebones remote
Why you should buy this: It does just enough, and sometimes that’s all you need.
If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, Sony’s RMVLZ620 will handle the basics without overwhelming you with options.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a universal remote to handle the basics and nothing more.
Why we picked the Sony RMVLZ620:
The Sony RMVLZ620 thrives in the bare essentials (and has done so for years). The remote provides a straightforward way to pair up to eight devices using a host of pre-programmed codes while sporting a traditional design equipped with a basic D-pad and backlit, rubberized buttons. It even provides 12, one-touch macro buttons and a learning function for relaying command information from discontinued remotes.
Logitech Harmony Companion
The best remote for the smart home
Why you should buy this: It’s a perfect blend of power and simplicity.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking to control their smart home from the comfort of their couch.
Why we picked the Logitech Harmony Companion:
The Harmony Companion is built for the 21st century. It lets you control up to eight devices at once, from Philips Hue lights and smart TVs to A/V components enclosed within cabinets, using either the included remote or the companion app for Android and Apple devices. It even features integration with Amazon’s Alexa. The physical clicker also sports a variety of activity-based buttons for everyday tasks, with robust customization and a marathon battery to match.
Logitech Harmony Elite
The ultimate home theater remote
Why you should buy this: If it can be controlled by a remote, this will let you control it.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking to control every single aspect of their home theater and smart home in one place.
Why we picked the Logitech Harmony Elite:
The Logitech Harmony Elite is the most powerful remote on this list. No, you probably don’t need this much remote, but if you want the ultimate all-in-one experience, this is where it’s at. Picking up where the Harmony Companion leaves off, the Elite adds a built-in, full-color touchscreen so you won’t need to turn to your phone for precise control nearly as often. The full package includes the Elite remote, the Harmony Hub, two IR mini-blasters to control components out of line-of-sight, and a charging station to keep the remote ready to go at all times.
