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I have been a user of Harmony universal remotes for over 20 years, and I was sorely disappointed when Logitech discontinued the line. In the years since, many have tried, but only one other manufacturer comes close to replacing them: Sofabaton.
Sofabaton makes two universal remote controls — the U2 — which you can get for 20% off at Sofabaton right now with the code BlackFriday20 — and the X1S, which is marked down from $230 to $152 when you combine Sofabaton’s sale with the promo code BlackFriday20. The devices are designed to condense all of your remotes into one. I reviewed the U2 and awarded it an Editor’s Choice Award, and I currently use it in CNET’s AV lab to control my testing gear. I love the U2 because it’s easy to use, affordable and it’s just as simple to add more devices.
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The U2 remote shines in its ease of use
While the U2 remote is not quite as good as a Harmony or the more expensive Sofabaton X1S — which has activity combos — the U2 will still control almost anything you connect to it. To this end, the remote has more than 500,000 devices in its database. The Sofabaton even manages to improve on Harmony by allowing you to connect the app directly to the remote via Bluetooth. No logging in or dealing with network updates or sluggish connectivity. The remote can handle up to 15 devices at a time, while the old Harmony 650 could offer only five.
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Programming the unit is straightforward. After installing the Sofabaton app (iOS/Android) you can add new devices by choosing “Add” in the top-right corner. There you can input the device’s manufacturer and the model number and add it to the main menu. If your device is a little more obscure, you can use the Manual Learning Mode to make your own copy of the remote, but just be sure to have the original clicker handy.
Why a universal remote makes a great gift
The remote is comfortable to hold and the indented thumb wheel — which enables you to select the device you want to control — feels natural to use. The remote is intuitive too — my family was able to use the U2 without any coaching, unlike most Harmonys.
Read more: Best Universal Remote for 2024
Though you can pay a ridiculous amount of money for one of the legacy Harmony remotes — hundreds and hundreds — the Sofabaton U2 proves that you don’t need to spend a lot to get a great remote. With its ease of setup and its ability to control a wide variety of devices, the Sofabaton U2 is the go-to for anyone looking to simplify their living AV system.
Will Sofabaton’s universal remotes go on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
The Sofabaton U2 is currently on sale for $16 off with the code BlackFriday20, making it an affordable $51. The X1S is currently $70 off making it only $161 with the code BlackFriday.
For more affordable gift ideas, here are more than 50 of the best Black Friday deals happening right now and 20+ of the best Black Friday deals available for under $100.
