Deal alert: Sofabaton makes two universal remote controls, the U2 and the X1S. Both are designed to condense all of your remotes into one, and both are on sale now on the Sofabaton website. You can get the U2 for $48 -- a discount of 31% off its normal price of $70 -- by using coupon code MOMSIMPLIFY20. You can get the higher-end X1S for $180 -- a discount of 22% off the usual price of $230 -- by using coupon code MOMSIMPLIFY.
I've used Harmony universal remotes for more than 20 years, and I was beyond sad when Logitech discontinued the line. In the years since, many have tried to replace them but only one other manufacturer comes close: Sofabaton. Â
I reviewed the U2 and awarded it an Editors' 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 simple to add more devices to the remote.
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The U2 remote shines in its ease of use
The U2 remote is not quite as good as a Harmony or the more expensive Sofabaton X1S (which has activity combos), but 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.
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.
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Although 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.Â
What are the best deals on Sofabaton's universal remotes right now?
Right now the best discounts you'll find on these remotes are directly on the Sofabaton website. You can pick up the X1S for $180 -- a discount of 22% off the usual price of $230 -- by using coupon code MOMSIMPLIFY. Or you can get the U2 for $48 -- a discount of 31% off the normal price of $70 -- by using coupon code MOMSIMPLIFY20. They're also available on Amazon. However, there the prices are a bit higher. The X1S is listed at $200, and the U2 is at full price with a 5% on-page coupon available that knocks the total down to $66.50.
