Popular Programmable Remote Controls

Recommended remotes (by price):

Under $150

Universal Remote Control MX-500 (IR only) – MSRP: $149.95

The MX-500 has long been the king of the lower-priced buttons remotes. It’s not PC-programmable, but its ergonomic layout and rock solid dependability still make it a popular choice as a lower-priced option for families, especially those with small children. While it’s getting a bit long in the tooth, it’s much like the Energizer bunny that just keeps going.

Pros: Great button layout, quality construction, good backlighting
Cons: No RF or PC programmability, limited macro capability, limited built-in IR database

Logitech Harmony 670 (IR only) – MSRP: $149.99 (left)

and

Logitech Harmony 550 (IR only) – MSRP: $129.99 (right)

Since their early days as a small Canadian company, Harmony has created some universal remote that are usually terrific values in their price ranges. While not as sturdy as the MX-500, the 670 and 550 offer PC-programmability, Harmony’s smart-state technology that allows the remote to “remember” what it’s turned on to, and a fairly easy wizard-based setup. The 670 and 550 have virtually identical programming ability, so it’s really a matter of which style you prefer.

Pros: Good button layout, PC programmability, good backlighting, smart-state technology, large IR database
Cons: No RF, unspectacular construction quality, limited customization with wizard-based setup

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Universal Remote Control RFS200 (IR and RF) – MSRP: $129.99

The RFS200 package, which combines the RF20 IR/RF remote with the MRF-100 RF base station, is the best sub-$100 option if you need RF. The remote is not PC-programmable however, so if you want that option, look at the next price range.

There are also some lower priced remotes that offer good value for their price (primarily the One for All brand), but are not flexible enough (no button labeling ability) to do the job in most home theaters.

Pros: Great button layout, quality construction, RF capability
Cons: No PC programmability, red backlighting is just okay, limited built-in IR database

$150 to $450

This is really the price range where the most popular universal remotes lie. These remotes are all PC-programmable, most offer RF and can control 15 or more components. There is no doubt that you can completely replace any and all of your original remotes with one of these.

Universal Remote Control MX-850 (IR and RF) – MSRP: $399.95

The MX-850 carries over the form factor of the MX-500. It has been a favorite for a number of years now, but suffers from the fact that it uses a serial port for PC connection and a slightly limited number (40) of LCD-labeled buttons available per component. Still a big favorite though (can’t pry it away from my wife).

Pros: PC programmability, great button layout, quality construction, good backlighting
Cons: Requires a serial PC connection, limited button text (5 characters per button)

Universal Remote Control MX-900 (IR and RF) – MSRP: $449.95

The MX-900 incorporates URC’s newer form factor, with “Watch and “Listen” main screens. While it only has a single column display, you can have hundreds of buttons per device and the button layout is perfect for PVR users.

Pros: PC programmability, excellent button layout, quality construction, more devices and buttons than you’ll ever need
Cons: Only six LCD-labeled buttons display at a time, limited button text (7 characters per button), unique styling may not appeal to some

Universal Remote Control MX-810 (IR and RF) – MSRP: $399.95

The MX-810 is URC’s attempt to create a remote with the features so popular in the Harmony remotes. It sports a color graphics screen, wizard-based setup and “remembers” the state of individual components, much like the Harmony does. While at this writing there are still a few bugs with the software, once programmed it’s a terrific remote that features the excellent RF performance of all the current URC IR/RF remotes.

Pros: PC programmability, good button layout, color graphics, “remembers” what it’s turned on, rechargeable battery
Cons: Wizard-based setup a bit awkward, no charging station – charger just plugs into remote

Logitech Harmony 880 (IR only) and 890 (IR and RF) – MSRP: $249.99 (880), $349.99 (890)

The Harmony 880 (left) and 890 (right) are essentially the same remote, only the 890 adds RF capability. Programming of all Harmony remotes is very similar and fairly straightforward. The wizard-based setup can be irritating to more advanced users, but it gets the job done. Both remotes have color graphics and a rechargeable battery with charging station.

Pros: PC programmability, color graphics, RF (890 only), smart-state technology, large IR database
Cons: Mediocre construction quality, limited customization with wizard-based setup, odd button style and placement

Logitech Harmony One (IR only) – MSRP: $249.99

The new Harmony One incorporates an improved button layout over the 880 and switches to a touchscreen display instead of the graphic-labeled hard buttons of the 880 and 890. I haven’t had the chance to use one that much, but so far I find it a mixed bag. I like the form factor but would rather they’d stuck with graphics-labeled buttons on such a small screen. It’s well worth considering if you don’t need RF.

Pros: PC programmability, color graphics, smart-state technology, large IR database, good button layout
Cons: Mediocre construction quality, small touchscreen, limited customization with wizard-based setup

Philips Pronto TSU3500 (IR and RF) – MSRP: $399.99

Finally, our first true touchscreen appears. The TSU3500 has been around for awhile and will likely be discontinued in the near future, but it’s still great choice for the touchscreen lover. While it only uses monochrome graphics, they are fully customizable for shape and size. The TSU3500 comes with a rechargeable battery and charging station, RF capability and a large amount of files and graphics available on the net.

Pros: PC programmability, fully customizable graphics, good quality construction
Cons: Monochrome graphics not as easy to read as color, can be difficult to program

Over $450 – (All are IR and RF capable)

Universal Remote Control MX-980 – MSRP: $599.95

The MX-980 is the new king of the button remotes and it is a knockout. While no internet sales of the MX-980 are allowed, they are available from authorized dealers or retailers. It’s slightly more complicated to program than the other remotes discussed so far, but it can do more than any of them. It has a rechargeable battery and charging station, fully customizable color graphics and features advanced macro programming with IF/THEN logic. Add in solid construction and RF performance and it’s “the” remote for the button remote people.

Pros: PC programmability, advanced macro programming, RF, fully customizable graphics including animated graphics, sound, great button layout, quality construction
Cons: Can be difficult to program – manufacturer recommends professional programming

Universal Remote Control MX-3000 – MSRP: $999.95

The MX-3000 has been around for a few years now, but it’s still a great choice for touchscreen remote. With the ability to use animated graphics and sound, there’s no end to the themes you can create for this remote. Add in the advanced macro programming (similar, but not the exactly the same as the MX-980) and you’ve got a remote that will control all of your components and make you smile.

Pros: PC programmability, spreadsheet macro programming, RF, fully customizable graphics including animated graphics, sound, quality construction
Cons: Can be difficult to program – manufacturer recommends professional programming

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Philips Pronto TSU9600 – MSRP: $1299.99

The TSU9600 provides a razor sharp VGA screen that really makes for bright, easily readable graphics in almost any lighting. There’s a decent number of hard buttons for your normal functions and programming is very flexible. Philips RF base stations offer excellent RF performance as well. It’s truly a remote that would grace any home theater.

Pros: PC programmability, RF, bright screen with high resolution graphics, good build quality
Cons: Can be difficult for many end users to program

Philips Pronto TSU9400 – MSRP: $899.99

Just released recently, the TSU9400 incorporates a high resolution QVGA screen and hard buttons in a single hand held form factor. It also has a rotary wheel for multimedia scrolling. Both it and the TSU9600 can be used with the RFX9600 base station, which incorporates WiFi and RS232 control. I haven’t had the opportunity to program one of these yet, but it looks like a winner.