TechTvsCan you use a universal remote for any TV?Universal remotes can be a simple and inexpensive solution to the problem of lost or damaged TV remotesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechTvsCan you use a universal remote for any TV?Universal remotes can be a simple and inexpensive solution to the problem of lost or damaged TV remotesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Universal remotes can be a simple and inexpensive solution to the problem of lost or damaged TV remotes
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If your TV remote suddenly stops working, gets broken or has vanished into the ether, you might be wondering whether you can use a universal remote with your TV to replace it. The good news is: yes, you can use a universal remote with any TV sold today.
To replace your TV’s remote, you could buy a device-specific remote from your TV manufacturer, but this could prove expensive and is actually unnecessary. There are numerous third-party replacements available online for specific brands, and since manufacturers rarely change the infra-red (IR) commands for their TVs, a remote designed for a particular manufacturer will almost certainly work on any of its TVs.
But the easiest option may be to buy one of thebest universal remotes, and since these are not brand-specific they should be compatible with any of thebest TVsfrom any manufacturer, plus as an added bonus they’re capable of controlling other devices as well. These universal remotes can be picked up from most physical electronics retailers, as well as online stores.
Regardless of which universal remote you choose, the majority use a series of unique code numbers to identify the various commands for whichever device you’re trying to control. As a result, the amount of initial setup will largely depend on how many devices you plan to use with your new remote, and how easy it is to find the particular codes.
Universal remote controls usually come with a list of these code numbers, although you can find them online as well. Whichever approach you take, once you have located the specific code for your TV, you simply enter it into the controller. If the controller is designed to handle more than one entertainment device, you can also add the codes to control things like aBlu-ray player, asoundbaror anAV receiver.
Some of the more expensive universal remotes such as Logitech’s Harmony range use an online database of devices, so all you need to do is connect the remote to a PC and you can download the IR commands for all the devices you want to control. But if this sounds cool, you’ll need to buy a Harmony remote quickly, because Logitech no longer makes them and supplies are limited.
If you’re thinking about buying a universal remote, make sure you take into consideration the size and shape of the zapper itself, because you want something that fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to operate. Also think about the size of the buttons, their layout, and whether they’re self-illuminating, because the latter can be very handy in the dark.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
In fact, you could even consider a new universal remote an upgrade compared to the TV wand you lost or broke – they might have a better layout, for example. However, there is one manufacturer where a universal remote might feel like a downgrade, and that’s LG. The brand’s Magic Remote (included with thebest LG TVs) uses a pointer to control the TV, and while a universal remote will still provide the IR commands, you’ll lose that unique pointer functionality.
That one specific example aside, the next time your dog uses the TV remote as a chew toy, or it disappears into the black hole between the sofa cushions, don’t panic. Buy a universal remote and not only will you be controlling your TV like a champ again, but you can consign all the other remotes to a drawer, making your living room tidier and your life less complicated.
Today’s best universal remote dealsRCA RCR6473Z$24.95$18.62ViewSee all pricesInteset 4-in-1$26.95ViewSee all pricesSony RMVLZ620$40$34ViewSee all pricesSofaBaton X1$139.99ViewSee all pricesLogitech Harmony 650 Infrared$307.77$289.99ViewSee all pricesLogitech Harmony Elite Remote$469.47ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best universal remote dealsRCA RCR6473Z$24.95$18.62ViewSee all pricesInteset 4-in-1$26.95ViewSee all pricesSony RMVLZ620$40$34ViewSee all pricesSofaBaton X1$139.99ViewSee all pricesLogitech Harmony 650 Infrared$307.77$289.99ViewSee all pricesLogitech Harmony Elite Remote$469.47ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best universal remote dealsRCA RCR6473Z$24.95$18.62ViewSee all pricesInteset 4-in-1$26.95ViewSee all pricesSony RMVLZ620$40$34ViewSee all pricesSofaBaton X1$139.99ViewSee all pricesLogitech Harmony 650 Infrared$307.77$289.99ViewSee all pricesLogitech Harmony Elite Remote$469.47ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best universal remote deals
RCA RCR6473Z$24.95$18.62ViewSee all pricesInteset 4-in-1$26.95ViewSee all pricesSony RMVLZ620$40$34ViewSee all pricesSofaBaton X1$139.99ViewSee all pricesLogitech Harmony 650 Infrared$307.77$289.99ViewSee all pricesLogitech Harmony Elite Remote$469.47ViewSee all prices
RCA RCR6473Z$24.95$18.62ViewSee all prices
RCA RCR6473Z$24.95$18.62ViewSee all prices
RCA RCR6473Z
RCA RCR6473Z
$24.95$18.62View
$24.95$18.62
$18.62
See all prices
Inteset 4-in-1$26.95ViewSee all prices
Inteset 4-in-1$26.95ViewSee all prices
Inteset 4-in-1
Inteset 4-in-1
$26.95View
$26.95
$26.95
See all prices
Sony RMVLZ620$40$34ViewSee all prices
Sony RMVLZ620$40$34ViewSee all prices
Sony RMVLZ620
Sony RMVLZ620
$40$34View
$40$34
$34
See all prices
SofaBaton X1$139.99ViewSee all prices
SofaBaton X1$139.99ViewSee all prices
SofaBaton X1
SofaBaton X1
$139.99View
$139.99
$139.99
See all prices
Logitech Harmony 650 Infrared$307.77$289.99ViewSee all prices
Logitech Harmony 650 Infrared$307.77$289.99ViewSee all prices
Logitech Harmony 650 Infrared
Logitech Harmony 650 Infrared
$307.77$289.99View
$307.77$289.99
$289.99
See all prices
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote$469.47ViewSee all prices
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote$469.47ViewSee all prices
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote
$469.47View
$469.47
$469.47
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
The biggest Samsung Galaxy S25 leak yet reveals specs, Galaxy AI features and a lot moreThere are going to be some big changes with the new Samsung phones
There are going to be some big changes with the new Samsung phones
I tried the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro gimbal and it’s the ultimate tool for creators who want cinematic resultsNext-level AI tracking and pro features make this gimbal a must-have for serious iPhone filmmakers
Next-level AI tracking and pro features make this gimbal a must-have for serious iPhone filmmakers
Early Black Friday deal sees price of massive 75-inch TV slashedYou’ll even get a free copy of NBA 2k25
You’ll even get a free copy of NBA 2k25
Your Samsung TV just got its biggest free upgrade yetOne UI is rolling out to the latest Samsung TVs now
One UI is rolling out to the latest Samsung TVs now
Best Sony TVs 2024: from Bravia 9 Mini LED to Bravia 8 OLED and beyondExplaining Sony’s range of 2024 TVs, including new naming strategy and range of technologies
Explaining Sony’s range of 2024 TVs, including new naming strategy and range of technologies
This ultra-bright mini-LED TV is the display of my dreamsTCL’s next flagship looks fantastic
TCL’s next flagship looks fantastic
Best soundbar for small TVs 2025: clearer, deeper TV sound in any spaceThe best soundbars for small TVs 2025} can bring you big sound from a compact unit
The best soundbars for small TVs 2025} can bring you big sound from a compact unit
LG TV owners just got Apple TV+ for freeNo matter if you have an LG OLED TV or an LED model, you just got Apple TV+ for free
No matter if you have an LG OLED TV or an LED model, you just got Apple TV+ for free
Samsung smart TV owners just got a welcome image upgradeHDR10+ comes to the Apple TV app on Samsung Smart TVs
HDR10+ comes to the Apple TV app on Samsung Smart TVs
My LG C1 OLED TV makes The Darkness look incredible on Xbox Series XThis classic first-person shooter is taken to a new level of awesome thanks to OLED TV tech
This classic first-person shooter is taken to a new level of awesome thanks to OLED TV tech
