Roku devices are notorious for a battery drain issue with the remote, leaving many people asking themselves, “Can you use a universal remote on a Roku TV?” The short answer is yes, you can.
Believe it or not, most universal remotes that support Roku (not all universal remotes do) also support functionality with other media devices, including Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, media players, projectors, cable, satellite, and more.
Will a Universal Remote Work on a Roku TV?
Yes, the vast majority of universal remotes will work on a Roku TV.
There are, however, a handful of universal remotes that don’t offer compatibility with Roku (or other streaming devices, for that matter), but this is the exception and not the rule.
I would also like to point out that, naturally, all of the universal remotes mentioned below do work with Roku TVs, so if you opt for one of the five listed here, you have nothing to worry about.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that you may not only want to consider how these remotes will work with Roku.
You will also want to consider how they’ll work with your other devices.
Most universal remotes can sync with up to 10 devices at a time, so you can unclutter your entertainment center or drawer where you store all of your remotes.
The Best Universal Remotes for Roku TV
The following outlines the top contenders for the best Roku remote:
- SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote
- Logitech Harmony Companion All-in-One Remote
- Inteset Universal Backlit IR Remote
- Philips Universal Remote
- Logitech Harmony 665
Remote #1: Sofabaton U1 Universal Remote
[amazon box=”B08Q797S1H”]
The first of the best universal remotes on Roku TV is the SofaBaton U1 universal remote.
One thing that will grab your eye, at first sight, is that this model has an OLED display to help you manage connections between Roku (but not the Roku stick), AppleTV, and Fire TV, among other display features.
Do be aware that this is a mid-market product, so it has a relatively reasonable price (though it certainly isn’t the absolute most inexpensive option on the market).
The manufacturer claims that it supports up to a half-million devices and that it’s easy to use with a one-touch setup.
Its maximum range is approximately 20 meters, which I think is more than enough for most people.
In addition, note that it does have a macro button feature, so you can condense multiple inputs and commands into the single press of a button. Lastly, I was pleased to see that it received a 3.9 out of a 5.0-star ranking.
Check out this SofaBaton U1 universal remote on Amazon.
Remote #2: Logitech Harmony Companion All-in-One Remote
[amazon box=”B00N3RFC4G”]
I have always been a fan of Logitech peripheral devices. In my personal experience, they not only provide high-quality devices (which can be rare amount third-party manufacturers), but they also tend to last a long time.
I would argue most Logitech devices are aimed at users searching for mid to low-market devices, but this remote is definitely high-end and has a price point to match its quality.
Though I was a little disappointed with its range (10 feet), I did like all of its add-on features.
In addition to pairing well with Roku, this remote interfaces with Alexa to add voice control features, and can even perform smart home tasks like manipulating the lights, controlling the thermostat, turning on the television, and lowering the blinds.
Plus, it works with over a quarter-million devices, including gaming consoles, Roku, TV, satellite, cable box, Apple TV, Sonos, Philips Hue lights, and Blu-ray.
It even has different frequency configurations to allow the remote to control as many as eight devices at once.
Lastly, note that this model supports both infrared and Bluetooth connectivity.
Check out Logitech Harmony Companion on Amazon
Remote #3: Inteset Universal Backlit IR Remote
[amazon box=”B00M4I1BAY”]
Although the previous remote was rather expensive, I wanted to include a high-quality remote that’s at a much more affordable price point for people who don’t want all the extra bells and whistles.
Despite its lower price point, it still has most of the features of a mid-market universal remote.
For example, it is commercial grade and preprogrammed to work with Roku devices (except for the Roku stick), Apple TV, Xbox One and Xbox X, and Kodi.
Another thing I loved about this remote is that it comes readymade with a device code database library, so you won’t have to hunt down the three or four-digit code to pair it with a device.
It’s even customizable, allowing a user to create their own macros to personalize what functions various buttons carry (as many as 15 macros).
I do wish it had a backlight, but I was impressed to see that it received a 4.2-star out of a 5.0-star user review rating.
Get this Inteset Universal Remote Now!
Remote #4: Philips Universal Remote
[amazon box=”B07BXXC7Z8″]
Next up is the Philips Universal Remote, which naturally supports Roku devices in addition to TVs, stereos, DVD and Blu-ray players, home theater systems, and even archaic VCRs.
One reason I wanted to include this as a viable Roku option is that it offers the bare essentials in terms of features.
As such, it has the lowest price of all of the previously mentioned remotes. Nevertheless, despite its low cost, this remote still has a massive built-in remote code library, and it even comes with a free 90-day manufacturer warranty.
However, please be aware it is not compatible with Amazon Fire Sticks, Roku Streaming Stick, or other RF (Radio Frequency) streaming devices. It does work with Apple TV, Smart TVs, streaming players, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, and LG, though.
And not only can it control up to four devices at once, but it also has a maximum range of 30 feet, which is more than adequate for most homes.
Last but not least, I was very pleased to see it received a 4.3-star rating from more than 13,000 user reviews.
Buy this Philips Universal Remote on Amazon!
Remote #5: Logitech Harmony 665
[amazon box=”B077Q9C8T8″]
To close out the list of the best universal remotes for Roku, I have to tip my hat to the Logitech Harmony 665 Advanced Remote Control.
Its price is a little higher than the average mid-market remote, but accordingly, it does have more features too. As an infrared remote, it has a maximum range of 10 meters, and it does support macros, too.
In addition, this remote also has 23 customizable settings for your favorite channels, so you don’t have to scan through channel after channel to find the content you want.
I also liked that it can connect with up to 10 devices at once, which will help consolidate all of your other remotes into one device.
Plus, it even has an LCD screen with convenient help options to make life simpler.
Furthermore, it has a partially automated setup process, so you don’t have to learn confusing and contrived button combinations and installation procedures.
And to top things off, it received a 4.2-star rating from an aggregate of over 1,500 reviews.
Get this Harmony Universal Remote Now!
So, Can You Use a Universal Remote on a Roku TV?
Yes, of course you can, and many of the universal remotes have better features compared to the basic remote that came with your Roku device.
In fact, I would recommend a universal remote over the basic Roku remote.
Not only will it give you a better experience when using your Roku device, but most universal remotes will provide a better experience with your other TVs and peripheral devices.
Whether you want an inexpensive low-end remote or a pricier quality option, universal Roku remotes have something to offer everyone.
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Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.