How to Set Up a Universal Remote for All Your TV Devices

If your coffee table holds three, four, or five different remotes — one for the TV, one for the cable box, one for the Roku or Fire Stick, one for the soundbar, and possibly one for the DVD player — a universal remote can replace all of them with a single device you learn once and use everywhere.

Universal remotes come in several types and price ranges, and the best choice depends on how many devices you have and how much setup complexity you are comfortable with.

The most straightforward option is a basic universal remote, available at Best Buy, Target, Walmart, or Amazon for $15 to $40. Brands like GE and RCA make reliable options. These remotes work by using a code system: every TV brand has a number code that tells the remote how to control it. You look up your TV's brand code in the manual (or on the manufacturer's website), press and hold the TV button on the remote, enter the code, and test a few buttons. Repeat for each device. This type of remote works without an internet connection and requires no account or app — it is the lowest-tech option and works well for many people.

Logitech's Harmony lineup (now discontinued for new production but still widely available on Amazon and eBay) is a step up in convenience. The Harmony Hub is a small box that sits near your TV equipment and sends both infrared signals (the kind traditional remotes use) and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth signals. This means it can control streaming devices that do not respond to traditional infrared remotes, like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and PlayStation. Setup is done through the free Harmony app. You create "Activities" — such as "Watch Netflix" — and the remote turns on every device needed and switches each one to the right input automatically.

Using your smartphone as a remote is worth knowing. Most TV brands have official apps: Samsung SmartThings, LG ThinQ, Sony TV SideView, and Vizio SmartCast all include full remote functionality. The Roku app, Amazon Fire TV app, and Apple TV Remote app do the same for streaming devices. These work over Wi-Fi and turn your phone into a remote — useful when a physical remote is lost.

For households with five or more devices or a custom home theater system, professional installation from a company like Control4 or Savant provides the most polished, integrated experience, but costs $500 to several thousand dollars depending on complexity.

Quick Tip: before buying any universal remote, check whether your streaming device already controls your TV's volume through HDMI-CEC technology. Most modern TVs and streaming devices support this — your Roku or Fire Stick remote may already be able to control your TV volume without any additional equipment.