Find The Right Remote Controls

Logitech Harmony 700

The Logitech Harmony 700 delivers the bulk of the Harmony One's excellent feature set and ergonomics at a lower price point.

Specs: Infrared

Logitech Harmony 900

The Logitech Harmony 900 is, hands down, the best universal remote control we've ever tested.

Specs: Infrared, Back-lit buttons

Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3

Setting up the Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 isn't completely painless (or cheap), but once up and running, it does provide total control over your PS3 including the ability to power it on and off.

Philips Prestigo SRU8015

The Philips Prestigo SRU8015 universal remote offers relatively easy setup and good control flexibility, but it's sabotaged by a poorly implemented scroll-wheel control.

Specs: Infrared, TV, Amplifier, CD player, MD player, Projector, DVD/DVR/VCR, Audio system, Home control, Satellite or Cable, 33 ft, Learning, Programmable, LCD backlight, Battery level indicator

Logitech Harmony 1100

The Logitech Harmony 1100 is an excellent touch-screen universal remote that corrects most of the shortcomings and frustrations of its predecessor, but its high price will relegate it to high-end home theaters only.

Specs: Infrared/radio

Logitech Harmony 510

The Logitech Harmony 510 is a good PC-programmable universal remote, but you should opt for one of the two nearly identical Harmony models instead.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVD player, Audio system, LCD display

URC Digital R50

The URC Digital R50's successful combination of good ergonomics, solid design, and easy programmability makes it a good alternative to Logitech Harmony universal remotes.

Specs: Infrared, Audio/video components, TV, DVD player, VCR, Cable box, Satellite TV system, 49 ft, Learning, Programmable, Macro function

Acoustic Research Universal Smart Remote ARRU449

The Acoustic Research Universal Smart Remote works well once you've managed to set it up, but it cannot replace the easy-to-use experience with that of a Harmony remote.

Specs: Infrared, TV, Amplifier, CD player, Projector, AV receiver, DVD/DVR/VCR, Satellite or Cable, Upgradable, LCD display

Logitech Harmony One

While it's missing an RF option, Logitech's Harmony One is one of the best--if not the best--universal remote we've ever tested.

Specs: Infrared, Learning, Back-lit buttons

Philips Prestigo SRU8010

Philips' superb Prestigo SRU8010 will appeal to TV-centric users looking for a universal remote that's both affordable and easy to set up.

Specs: Infrared, TV, Amplifier, CD player, MD player, DVD player, DVD/DVR/VCR, Satellite or Cable, 23 ft, Learning

Hercules Tunes Explorer Wireless remote control

The Hercules Tunes Explorer Wireless lets you access your digital music library from across the room--but whether or not you find that useful is another issue.

Specs: Radio, PC multimedia

Logitech Harmony 1000

Though it lacks real multiroom capabilities and may not offer quite the flexibility of competing high-end tablet-style remotes, the swanky Logitech Harmony 1000 can be programmed by the average consumer, which saves the cost of hiring a home installer to program it.

Specs: Infrared/radio, TV, DVD player, DVR, VCR, Learning

Logitech Harmony 670

The Logitech Harmony 670 may not be the coolest-looking universal remote, but it's one of the easiest to use, especially for DVR users.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVR, Audio system, PC multimedia, Back-lit buttons, Color-coded buttons

Belkin TuneCommand AV

The Belkin TuneCommand AV offers nearly identical features to Apple's iPod AV connection kit but costs $30 less, making it a better bargain for people who watch a lot of iPod video on their TVs.

Specs: Radio, 120 ft

Monster Home Theater Controller 100

The Monster Home Theater Controller 100 universal remote arguably offers a superior design to competing models from Logitech and Harman Kardon, but it's comparatively pricey.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVR, VCR, Amplifier, Cable box, LD player, Projector, DVD player, AV receiver, Plasma panel, PC multimedia, Satellite TV system, PIP function, Programmable, Back-lit buttons

Monster Cable Home Theater and Lighting Controller 300

While the RF-capable Logitech Harmony 890 does much of what the Monster Home Theater and Lighting Controller 300 does for significantly less money, the Monster is the superior remote.

Specs: Infrared/radio, Amplifier, CD player, DVD player, AV receiver, 130 ft, Back-lit buttons

Harman/Kardon TC 30

Essentially a high-end Logitech Harmony remote sold under the Harman Kardon name, the excellent TC 30 delivers a larger color screen but maintains Harmony's same great features and ease-of-use.

Specs: Infrared, Learning, Programmable, LCD backlight

Logitech Harmony 720

The combination of a color screen, a battery charger dock, and a sleek design makes the Logitech Harmony 720 one of the company's best universal remotes to date.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVD player, Audio system, LCD display, LCD backlight, Back-lit buttons

Nyko Intelligent Remote 360

With Microsoft's better-designed Xbox 360 remote available for just a few dollars more, there's no reason to own the Nyko Intelligent Remote 360.

Specs: Infrared, TV, Game console, Learning, Back-lit buttons

Logitech Harmony 890

While it isn't perfect, the Logitech Harmony 890 should be near the top of your list if you're in the market for a sub-$400 RF remote that can operate equipment that's hidden behind cabinets or closet doors.

Specs: Infrared/radio, 100 ft, Programmable, Back-lit buttons