Need help choosing the best universal TV remote for multiple devices

Tv Remote Apps
1

I’m overwhelmed by all the universal TV remote options and can’t tell which models actually work well with multiple brands, older TVs, and streaming boxes. My current remotes are failing, and I’d love recommendations on the best universal TV remote for reliability, ease of setup, and good compatibility, plus any models I should avoid.

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Hi all,

I hit the point where I was done hunting for plastic remotes under couch cushions. We have two TVs at home, Samsung in the living room and LG in the bedroom, and I kept mixing up which remote went where. At some point I realized my phone was always on me, the remotes weren’t, so I started testing apps.

Goal was simple: one phone, multiple TVs, no paid bloat, no idiot-level UI. I went through apps on iPhone, Android, and Mac. Sharing what I tried and what was worth keeping installed.

Part 1: TV remote apps I tried on iPhone

I went through four iOS apps from the App Store:

  • TVRem Universal TV Remote
  • TV Remote – Universal Control
  • Universal Remote TV Smart
  • TV Remote – Universal

Here is how it went.

TVRem Universal TV Remote – my main iPhone pick

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I started with this one and, annoyingly for testing, it ended up setting the bar.

I used it with:

  • Samsung smart TV
  • LG TV
  • A cheap Android TV box
  • Roku stick

Everything paired over Wi‑Fi in a couple of taps. No weird account creation, no “sign in with Apple” trap. It found devices on my network, I picked one, done.

What worked well for me:

  • Touchpad worked smoother than I expected. Swiping around the smart TV menus felt close to using an actual trackpad.
  • Keyboard input saved time on Netflix and YouTube logins. No more tap-tap-tap across on-screen letters.
  • Voice worked when the TV supported Google Assistant or Alexa. Not magic, but useful for quick searches.

Stuff I noticed:

  • Zero paywalls. I kept tapping things trying to trigger a “buy premium” wall and never hit one.
  • No ads. Not banner, not full-screen, nothing.

Pros

  1. Simple UI, no guessing what button does what
  2. No setup drama, TV pairing took seconds
  3. Fully free, no weird “token” limits
  4. Handles multiple brands and platforms
  5. Has everything a normal physical remote has

Cons

  1. No Vizio support, so if your main TV is Vizio, this one is out

Price: free

Link: ‎TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store

Verdict:
If you have non‑Vizio TVs and want something you install once and forget about, this felt like the most painless option.

If you want to see what others are saying about universal remotes, here is a Reddit thread I dug through when I started:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DataRecoveryHelp/comments/1qqa2bh/best_universal_tv_remote/

Discover more on the product page about the universal TV remote app:

TV Remote – Universal Control

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This one looks like the sort of app that would be perfect if it stopped trying to sell itself every 15 seconds.

Connection:

  • Wi‑Fi only, so TV and iPhone must be on the same network
  • Discovery worked fine, no delay worth complaining about

Features I used:

  • Touchpad
  • Basic keyboard
  • Channel launcher
  • Voice

All of those behaved fine, but there was a catch. Almost every button was behind a paywall. I had to enable the free trial to see what it can do.

There is also media casting. I tested it once then never touched it again. For me this was a remote replacement, not a casting tool.

Pros

  1. Has the normal remote tools you expect
  2. Works with pretty much all the usual TV ecosystems

Cons

  1. Ads built into the app
  2. Most useful stuff requires a subscription
  3. I had a few app crashes while opening the menu

Price:
From $4.99 and up

Link: ‎TV Remote - Universal Control App - App Store

Verdict:
The app works, but the paywall pressure is annoying. I did not keep it, mainly because I did not want a subscription for something my phone already does fine with TVRem.

Universal Remote TV Smart

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I went into this one with low expectations after reading reviews, and it still felt clunky.

Function:

  • Also universal
  • Supports a lot of brands

UI:

  • Worst layout of the bunch in my view
  • Buttons felt scattered
  • Did not feel like a “remote”, more like a random button panel

Features:

  • Keyboard
  • App navigation
  • Volume
  • Channel switching

So it technically does the core things, but I kept fighting the design more than using it.

Ads:

  • The app pushed full-screen video ads that made me wait before closing
  • I hit one when I tried to open YouTube from inside the app, which instantly soured it

Pros

  1. Works with many brands

Cons

  1. Uncomfortable button layout
  2. No voice control at all
  3. Forced video ads that interrupt what you do
  4. Most useful functions are behind paid upgrades

Price:
From $7.99 and up

Link: ‎Universal remote tv smart App - App Store

Verdict:
I uninstalled it after a short test. Between the UI and the forced ads, it felt worse to use than my physical remote.

TV Remote – Universal

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Another “universal” candidate. I tried it on:

  • LG TV
  • Samsung TV
  • Vizio TV
  • Android TV

Wi‑Fi pairing was quick on all except the Vizio, which took an extra attempt but still connected.

What you get in the basic flow:

  • Switching channels and apps
  • Keyboard input
  • Playback controls like pause, rewind, etc.

The main screen had a tiny lag sometimes when loading panels, not a dealbreaker, but noticeable.

Pros

  1. TV discovery was straightforward
  2. Interface is readable and familiar
  3. Core remote functions work as expected
  4. Has a free trial so you can test everything

Cons

  1. Ads unless you pay
  2. Lots of upsell buttons, nearly every “extra” calls a subscription popup

Price:
From $4.99 and up

Link: ‎TV Remote - Universal App - App Store

Verdict:
Usable, but the paywalling is obvious. If you do not mind subscriptions, it might be fine. I went back to TVRem because I was trying to avoid recurring payments for a remote.

Part 2: Android TV remote apps I tried

My wife uses Android, so we went through a few options on her phone too.

Universal TV Remote Control

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This one is popular on Google Play, so I expected something decent. It does a lot, but the ads ruined it for us.

It supports:

  • Sony
  • Samsung
  • LG
  • Philips
  • TCL
  • Hisense
  • Panasonic
  • Other random brands

Connection:

  • Works over Wi‑Fi
  • Also supports IR, so if your phone has an IR blaster you can drive non-smart TVs

Features I used:

  • Trackpad navigation
  • Voice search
  • App controls
  • Keyboard

Everything feature-wise looked good on paper.

The problem:

  • Ads. Nonstop. Popups, full-screen, delays.
  • A few times the ad overlays would not close correctly and froze the app.
  • I also had multiple crashes that forced me to reconnect to the TV.

Pros

  1. Huge brand coverage
  2. Supports both Wi‑Fi and IR
  3. Core tools are free

Cons

  1. So many ads that using it felt like a chore
  2. App stability was weak, frequent reconnects

Price: free

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=codematics.universal.tv.remote.control&hl=en

Verdict:
Feature set is solid, but the ad experience killed it. I would only use this as a last‑resort backup.

Remote Control For All TV | AI

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This one uses the “AI” label in the title, which usually means “prepare your wallet”.

Support:

  • Works with many big TV brands over Wi‑Fi

Free version:

  • You get basic remote buttons
  • A lot of ads again
  • Device detection was slow compared with others, sometimes taking long enough that I thought it failed

Paid version unlocks:

  • Ad removal
  • “AI assistant”
  • Voice keyboard
  • Screen mirroring

I did not bother paying for those. I only needed a stable remote.

Pros

  1. Brand support is broad
  2. Core remote buttons exist in the free tier

Cons

  1. Ad density is high
  2. Slow TV detection and pairing
  3. Most interesting features require payment

Price:
From $4.99 and up

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sensustech.universal.remote.control.ai

Verdict:
If you only need a simple remote and do not care about speed, it is ok. For everyday use where you pick up your phone and want your TV working right away, the delay got annoying.

Universal TV Remote Control (Unimote)

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This one supports:

  • Smart TVs via Wi‑Fi
  • Older TVs if your phone has an IR blaster

It found my Samsung TV fast, but connecting took a few attempts. Sometimes it would say connected, then not respond, then reconnect on its own.

UI:

  • The interface is simple, no weird design experiments
  • Good for the “I want buttons, not art” crowd

Ads:

  • Full-screen video ads the moment you start doing anything
  • At times I had to watch them before I could change the volume

Pros

  1. Easy layout for basic use
  2. Wi‑Fi plus IR support if your phone has IR

Cons

  1. Heavy video ads that interrupt use
  2. Free tier feels crippled compared with the paid version
  3. Connection drops happened enough that I noticed

Price:
From $5.99 and up

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details/Controle_Remoto_TV_Universal?id=sensustech.universal.tv.remote.control&hl=uk

Verdict:
I would keep it only as a “backup of a backup” when nothing else works. It connects fast but then fights you with ads and drops.

Universal TV Remote Control (another one)

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Yes, same name as a previous one, different developer. Google Play is full of that.

Supported brands:

  • LG
  • Samsung
  • Sony
  • TCL
  • Others

Connection:

  • Wi‑Fi
  • IR if your phone supports it

Features:

  • Power on / off
  • Home/Menu
  • Play / Stop / Back / Forward
  • Main control screen for navigation

So it checks the “basic remote” box.

Pros

  1. All essential buttons exist
  2. Has a free trial

Cons

  1. Ads again
  2. Most advanced tools locked behind payments

Price:
From 3.99 and up

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uzeegar.universal.smart.tv.remote.control&hl=uk

Verdict:
This one feels like a generic “freemium remote kit”. Works, but it wants your money for anything beyond basics, and the number of ads will bother you if you are sensitive to that.

My wife ended up landing on “Universal TV Remote Control” from earlier because it had the feature mix she needed, even though I kept complaining about the ads.

Part 3: Mac apps to control TVs

I also tried using my MacBook as a TV remote. It sounded odd at first, then turned out to be nicer than I expected when working at a desk.

TVRem Universal TV Remote on Mac

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Same name as the iPhone one, and it behaves in a similar good way.

What I did:

  • Installed from Mac App Store
  • Connected to a Samsung TV on the same network

The pairing took maybe a few seconds. The TV showed the standard confirmation prompt and then it was ready.

UI:

  • Clean layout, nothing confusing
  • Full-size keyboard on a laptop is great for typing Wi‑Fi passwords or logging into streaming accounts
  • Touchpad support makes it useful when controlling a TV across the room

Features:

  • Touchpad
  • Keyboard
  • App launcher
  • Usual playback buttons

Pros

  1. Straightforward to use, no steep learning curve
  2. No ads, no extra “pro” tier
  3. Works with many brands, not tied to one vendor
  4. Everything I needed in day-to-day use was there

Cons

  1. Again, no Vizio support

Price: free

Link: ‎TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store

Verdict:
If you sit at a desk with your Mac open while a TV runs nearby, this is handy. I ended up keeping it on my Mac for when I misplace the TV remote.

TV Remote, Universal Remote (Mac)

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Another Mac remote app from the App Store.

Support:

  • Covers popular brands, no issues with Samsung or LG detection

My experience:

  • Connected to my TV without fuss
  • The interface looked fine, not ugly, not amazing
  • Some parts of the app crashed occasionally, which made me not trust it for longer sessions

Paywall:

  • A lot of the options I clicked were either trial-limited or paid

Pros

  1. UI is acceptable, not confusing
  2. Handles common brands and includes basic remote buttons

Cons

  1. Many features require payment
  2. I ran into crashes while switching screens

Price: from 4.99 and up

Link: ‎TV Remote, Universal Remote App - App Store

Verdict:
Not useless, but also not something I’d recommend first. If you are okay with paying and do not mind the occasional crash, it works. I preferred the TVRem Mac app because it stayed free and stable.

Part 4: Physical TV remote vs phone or Mac app

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Here is how I see the difference after a few weeks of using apps along with the original remotes.

Physical remote:

  • The plastic device that ships with the TV or gets bought as a replacement

Remote app:

  • Software on your phone or laptop that talks to your TV, usually over Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth

Where apps feel better

  1. Less “where did I put it” time

My phone is almost always in my pocket or next to me. The remotes wander off into cracks in the couch, kids’ rooms, kitchen counters. I stopped searching once I started using the app daily.

  1. Text entry

Typing on a TV with arrow keys is torture. Remote apps give you:

  • A proper keyboard
  • Often a touchpad

That makes:

  • Entering Wi‑Fi passwords
  • Searching on Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video
  • Logging into accounts

way faster.

  1. Cost

Example prices I looked at on Amazon for replacements:

  • Samsung TV remotes (2019–2025 models): around 15–20 dollars
  • LG TV remotes: roughly 13–35 dollars depending on the model

Phone apps are often free or cheaper than a single replacement remote. If your dog destroys remotes like mine used to, this matters.

  1. One device, multiple TVs

Most apps I tested let me:

  • Switch between living room and bedroom TV
  • Control a Roku stick
  • Control an Android TV box

All in one interface. That removed the “which remote is for what” problem.

  1. Interface speed

Some physical remotes feel laggy with certain smart TV menus. The better apps gave smoother scrolling and quicker reactions when using the trackpad style controls.

Limitations I hit with remote apps

  • Network dependency
    Your phone and TV need the same Wi‑Fi or at least to be awake. If your TV is in some deep sleep mode and not listening to the network, the app stops talking to it.

  • Phone as a single point of failure
    If your battery dies, so does your remote. If someone else in the house needs to use the TV, they need the app too.

  • Feature gaps per TV model
    Some older or cheaper models only expose basic functions to external apps. That means:

    • Volume
    • Power
    • Basic navigation

work, but deeper device settings still need the physical remote.

Final thoughts after all this testing

I went into this trying to replace remotes with my phone as an experiment. After a couple of weeks, I found myself using the apps more than the physical remotes without thinking about it.

For iPhone, I ended up with:

  • Main pick: TVRem Universal TV Remote
    Free, no ads, works with the TVs I have, solid touchpad and keyboard. Lack of Vizio support is the only real downside.

  • Backup paid option: TV Remote – Universal
    After a trial, I saw it performs fine, so I would not call it bad. It is just not free and not as clean of an experience as TVRem.

On Android, my wife stuck with:

  • Universal TV Remote Control
    I still think the ads are over the top, but she liked the IR support and the range of TVs it handles. For her use, the features outweighed the annoyance.

If you are tired of juggling remotes, I would start with a free, no‑ad option like TVRem on iOS or a similar minimal one on Android, then only pay if you need something specific like IR control or screen mirroring.

6 Likes
3

You are getting two separate problems mixed together:

  1. What to use as a “universal remote” overall
  2. What works with older TVs and streaming boxes

@​mikeappsreviewer covered phone and Mac apps well. I do not fully agree with using apps as the main remote though, especially if you have older sets and multiple boxes. For you, I would treat phone apps as backup, not main.

Here is a practical way to pick.

Step 1: List your devices
Write down:
• TV brands and rough age
Example: Samsung 2015, LG 2019, “old Toshiba dumb TV”
• Streaming gear
Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, cable box, Blu‑ray, soundbar, AVR

This matters because some “universal” solutions ignore older infrared only TVs or ignore set‑top boxes.

Step 2: Decide if you want a physical hub system or a cheap universal

If you want the least headache with many devices, look at:

  1. Sofabaton X1 or U1
    • X1 uses a hub with Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi and IR
    • U1 is cheaper, IR only

    Good for:
    • Mixed setup: Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, soundbar, older TV
    • One remote per room
    • Macro style actions
    Example: “Watch TV” turns on TV, AVR, cable box, sets right inputs

    Watch for:
    • X1 needs some setup time in the app
    • Older or very off‑brand devices might need learning via original remotes

  2. Broadlink RM4 Mini + any cheap physical remote or phone app
    • The RM4 is an IR blaster that sits in the room
    • You control it with your phone or voice assistants
    • Good for older dumb TVs, old receivers, cheap boxes that only take IR

    This fits if:
    • Your main pain is older TVs and lost remotes
    • You are ok using your phone as the “screen” for buttons

Between these, Sofabaton X1 is closer to “one remote to rule everything” while Broadlink is closer to “one brain plus multiple virtual remotes”.

Step 3: Handle older TVs first

Older TVs that only use IR need one of these:

• Sofabaton U1 or X1
Has large IR code database and learning mode.
If your old TV is unknown, you point the old remote at the Sofabaton and teach the keys.

• Cheap universal like GE or One For All
• Look for models with at least 4 device buttons
• Check the code list online for your exact brand
• These work fine for power, volume, input on older sets

If budget is tight and you do not need macros, a GE 4 or 6 device remote plus a dedicated Roku or Fire TV remote covers a lot.

Step 4: Streaming boxes

Streaming boxes are the trap point, because:

• Roku:
Some universals only talk IR. If you have a Roku stick that uses RF or Wi‑Fi, you need a hub system like Sofabaton X1 or Broadlink, or you keep the original Roku remote.

• Fire TV:
Bluetooth based. Again, Sofabaton X1 or keep the Fire TV remote. Cheap IR universals will not control Fire TV menus.

• Apple TV:
Bluetooth, but many TVs can control Apple TV over HDMI CEC.
If your TV supports CEC, a universal remote that talks to the TV and turns CEC on can indirectly control Apple TV for arrows and select.

Practical combos that work well

If you want simple and not too expensive:
• Living room: Sofabaton U1
• Control: TV, soundbar or AVR, cable box, Blu‑ray
• Keep Roku or Fire TV’s own remote for deep features

• Bedroom: GE 4 or 6 device remote
• Map TV, streaming box if IR, and soundbar
• Ignore advanced features, focus on power, volume, input, channel

If you want one remote per room that handles almost everything including Roku stick or Fire TV:
• Sofabaton X1 in main room
• Use activities like “Watch Roku”, “Watch Cable”
• X1 hub talks Bluetooth and IR to boxes and TV
• Cheap GE remote in the secondary room for the simpler setup

When apps make sense

Here is where I agree somewhat with @​mikeappsreviewer:

Use apps as:
• Backup when the plastic remote walks away
• Keyboard for long logins on Netflix, Prime, YouTube
• Occasional control from a desk, like their Mac setup

If you go that route:
• iPhone: TVRem is a clean option if none of your sets are Vizio
• Android: the Codematics app has heavy ads, but it does support IR which helps with older TVs

I would not rely only on apps if:
• You have kids or guests
• Wi‑Fi hiccups often
• You want volume and power without reaching for your phone

Quick decision tree

If you want:
• One physical remote for many brands, old TVs, and most boxes
→ Sofabaton U1 first. If you use Fire TV or Roku stick a lot, look at Sofabaton X1.

• Cheapest route with acceptable control of older TVs and some boxes
→ GE 4/6 device universal remote + original streaming remotes.

• Single “brain” with phone control for lots of IR devices
→ Broadlink RM4 Mini in each room where you need it.

If you list your exact models (TV brand + year, streaming box types, sound system), it is possible to narrow this to a single clear pick.

4

You’re not crazy to be overwhelmed. Universal remotes are a mess right now: half the “universal” stuff only talks IR, the other half assumes everything is a shiny new streaming stick.

@​mikeappsreviewer covered the app side, @​kakeru covered the hub / Sofabaton angle pretty well. I’d lean a bit differently and keep it simple unless you know you want macros and automation.

Here’s the short version based on what actually works with multiple brands, older TVs, and streaming boxes:

1. If you want one serious remote for a mixed setup

  • Sofabaton U1

    • Best balance of price vs headache in my opinion
    • Controls: older IR TVs, soundbars, receivers, most cable boxes, a bunch of streamers that support IR
    • Has learning mode: if your old TV is weird, you just “teach” it from the original remote
    • Weak spot: Fire TV and Roku sticks that are Bluetooth / RF only. You still keep those original remotes for deep stuff.

  • Sofabaton X1

    • I only recommend this if:
      • You have Fire TV / Roku stick / Apple TV
      • And you actually care about “activities” like “Watch Movie” that turn on TV + AVR + set inputs
    • Setup is more fiddly than U1. If you hate apps and configuration, you will curse at it for an evening.

If you want one-remote-to-rule-almost-everything and are willing to configure it: X1.
If you just want solid universal control without going full nerd: U1.

2. If budget is priority and you mainly need older TVs + a couple boxes

Ignore the fancy stuff and get:

  • GE 4-device or 6-device universal remote (or similar One For All)
    • Handles a ton of older brands
    • Published code lists, plus code search
    • Great for:
      • Power
      • Volume
      • Input
      • Basic channel changing on cable boxes / older DVRs
    • It will not properly drive Fire TV or Roku menus unless you have the IR-capable models.

Pair that with:

  • The original streaming remotes you already have
  • Or the phone apps @​mikeappsreviewer mentioned as backup, not primary

This combo is way less fragile than relying on WiFi and apps for basic volume and power.

3. If your biggest pain is older TVs & random boxes in multiple rooms

Here I slightly disagree with @​kakeru: I’d actually start with Broadlink RM4 Mini if you are ok using your phone as the “screen.”

  • It’s an IR blaster you drop in the room
  • Learns codes from your old remotes
  • Then you:
    • Use your phone to control everything
    • Or tie it into Alexa / Google for “turn on TV” etc
  • Good for:
    • Very old TVs
    • Old AV receivers
    • Cheap cable boxes that only use IR

The tradeoff: no physical universal remote unless you add a cheap one on top. Some people hate needing a phone every time, others don’t care.

4. Streaming box reality check

This is where most “universal” stuff breaks:

  • Roku stick (RF / WiFi)

    • Won’t be fully controlled by cheap IR remotes
    • Sofabaton X1 is better here than U1
    • Or just keep the Roku remote and let your universal handle TV volume and power

  • Fire TV

    • Bluetooth, same story
    • X1 works better than U1
    • Cheap IR remotes do almost nothing

  • Apple TV

    • You can often get away with HDMI CEC:
      • TV remote controls basic Apple TV navigation
      • A decent universal that drives the TV can indirectly control Apple TV

5. Where phone apps fit in

Here I’m more cynical than @​mikeappsreviewer:

  • Treat phone / Mac apps as:
    • Emergency backup when remotes vanish
    • Keyboard for passwords and search fields
  • Do not rely on them as the only remote if:
    • Other people use the TV
    • Your WiFi is flaky
    • You want quick “volume down now” without unlocking a phone

On iOS, TVRem is actually a rare “not horrible” option, agree there. On Android, most of the stuff @​mikeappsreviewer listed is buried in ads, and personally I’d rather spend 20 bucks on a physical remote than fight full-screen video ads every time I mute a commercial.

If you want a one-line recommendation without charts and flowcharts:

  • Mixed ages, multiple brands, a couple streaming boxes:
    → Sofabaton U1 plus original Roku / Fire / whatever remote

  • Tight budget, just want everything to basically turn on and change volume:
    → GE 4 or 6 device universal plus original streaming remotes, keep a phone app as backup

If you drop your exact TV models and streaming boxes, you can get an even more targeted “buy this single model and be done” answer, but the stuff above is what actually works and isn’t complete junk.

5

Short version: instead of adding another physical universal remote to the pile, you can quietly sidestep most of the pain by using your phone / laptop as the “universal brain” and keep one or two cheap physical remotes only for stuff apps cannot touch.

@kakeru is right that Sofabaton-style remotes are the most complete hardware solution, and @reveurdenuit laid out a good hierarchy (Sofabaton vs GE / One‑For‑All). @mikeappsreviewer showed that not all “universal” apps are trash. I just would not jump straight to an expensive hub remote unless you already know you want automation scenes and macros.

Instead, think of it as three layers:

1. Core control: use apps where they are actually better

For modern smart TVs and streaming boxes on Wi‑Fi, apps beat physical remotes for daily use:

  • Faster text entry
  • Instant app navigation
  • One device to switch between rooms

Here, something TVRem-like on iOS / macOS is actually a reasonable default. Since you asked about “best universal TV remote for multiple devices,” that product title fits pretty well as your primary control if:

  • Your sets are Samsung / LG / Android TV / Roku, not Vizio
  • Everyone in the house is comfortable with phones

Pros for using a TVRem-style app as the “main” remote:

  • Free, no subscriptions
  • Handles several brands and platforms from the same screen
  • Keyboard and touchpad make smart TV UIs less painful
  • Great as a backup if the physical remote dies

Cons:

  • Network dependent, no Wi‑Fi means no control
  • Weak for very old, IR‑only gear
  • Not ideal for guests, kids, or “I just want volume down now” moments
  • Limited or no support for some brands like Vizio

Where I disagree slightly with @mikeappsreviewer: I would not uninstall the better app even if you own a good physical universal. Keeping it installed costs nothing and saves you the day you need to type a 30‑character password.

2. Anchor it with a cheap physical universal, not a fancy hub

Instead of going straight to a Sofabaton X1, start with a simpler physical remote that covers:

  • Power
  • Volume
  • Input switching

for your TVs and maybe your soundbar / AVR.

Typical candidates:

  • GE 4‑device or 6‑device
  • One For All remotes in the same price range

Use that to:

  • Control older / non‑networked TVs
  • Give other people in the house something that works without phones
  • Make sure you still have basics when Wi‑Fi dies

This is where I part ways with @kakeru a bit: the learning curve and app setup for high‑end universals is overkill if you just want “TV on, HDMI 1, volume up.” A cheap code‑list remote plus a good app gets you 80 percent of the benefit for 20 percent of the effort.

3. Only go hub‑style if you hit specific limits

Upgrade to something like Sofabaton U1 / X1 only if you run into one of these walls:

  • You have a real AV stack: TV + receiver + Blu‑ray + game consoles
  • You hate juggling power and input across 3 devices every time
  • You want one button to:
    • Turn on TV + AVR
    • Set inputs correctly
    • Wake up your streaming box

At that point:

  • U1 is simpler and cheaper, good mostly for IR gear.
  • X1 plus hub makes more sense if you:
    • Use Fire TV / Apple TV / some Roku models
    • Care about activity macros

If you go this way, keep the TVRem-type app on your phone anyway for keyboard and for when the universal falls between couch cushions.

4. How this solves your specific mix

You mentioned:

  • Multiple brands
  • Older TVs
  • Streaming boxes

A practical setup that avoids the worst of ads, subscriptions, and complexity:

  1. Put a basic GE / One For All universal in each main room for:

    • Power / volume / input on each TV
    • Optional soundbar control

  2. Use a TVRem-style universal TV remote app on your iPhone / iPad / Mac to:

    • Jump between TVs and boxes without swapping plastic remotes
    • Do all typing and menu-heavy tasks on smart TVs
    • Handle Roku / Android TV / similar boxes on Wi‑Fi

  3. Keep the original Roku or Fire TV remotes nearby if:

    • They rely on Bluetooth / RF
    • You want voice search or app‑specific shortcuts

If, after a few weeks, you still feel you are pressing three remotes constantly, then consider a Sofabaton as @kakeru and @reveurdenuit suggested.

If you list your exact TV models and which streaming boxes you have (Roku stick vs Roku box, Fire TV version, etc.), I can tell you very bluntly: “this app + this cheap universal is enough” or “you are in Sofabaton X1 territory, skip the budget stuff.”