SofaBatonU2 Universal Remote Compatible with TV/DVD/STB/Projector/Blu-ray/Streaming Players, Longer Infrared Signal & Raise to Wake, All-in-One Remote Control with APP & Customizable Macro Button

Used to have Logitech remotes. Tried this remote for a replacement easy to set up, reassign buttons, learn from other remotes. This is my second one. Best universal remote I have tried.

I purchased this Sofabaton universal remote to replace a Logitech remote that got damaged after it was dropped on the floor and is now far too expensive to purchase. After extensive internet research and reading numerous reviews, it appears the only reasonable options for a decent universal remote that can control not only a TV but also an AV system and peripherals are limited to the Sofabaton U2 and X1S. I couldn’t justify spending about $130 more for the X1S, so I opted for the U2.The remote arrives nicely boxed and comes with two AA alkaline batteries and a quick start pamphlet. It is extremely difficult to slide the battery hatch open to install the batteries. The pamphlet offers very little instruction other than to download the necessary Sofabaton app and how to pair it with your remote. The app requires you to register by providing your email address and creating a password after which it promises to email you a code to complete registration. After several attempts, I could not get it to send me the necessary code, so I had to register via Google instead (please fix this nonsense Sofabaton). Once registered, I was finally able to start programming the remote.Adding devices to control is all done through the app. This is a far more convenient process than having to connect the remote to a PC like Logitech required. You have the option to teach the U2 to learn each device remote using each individual remote, but it’s much easier to download the data to the U2 by specifying the model number of each device. Each download took less than a minute. After doing so, in theory, you can then use the scroll wheel on the U2 to select the device and use the keys on the remote to control it. I say in theory because I found some keys didn’t work correctly and had to be reassigned in the app. Once you get the key assignments fixed, though, the remote works well.You can create macros to turn on and configure multiple devices with a single button press. It took me a while to figure out how to do this because the instructions in the app are poor. Once I figured it out, though, I can now turn on my Sony Bluray player, turn on my Yamaha AV receiver and set it to AV1, and turn on my LG C3 TV and set it to HDMI 3 with a single button press. The only negative is you cannot create a name for the macro to add to the list of devices that the scroll wheel selects, it has to be assigned to one of the devices. In my example, I have to scroll to the Bluray player and then press the macro button for it to work.Once you figure out how to reassign functions to buttons not programmed correctly and how to create and edit macros, the U2 works very well for such an inexpensive universal remote. It lacks some desirable features that the Logitech had, but in many ways the U2 is much easier to program. It would be nicer if it had a rechargeable lithium ion battery instead of disposable batteries. For most users, with better instructions, this Sofabaton U2 universal remote would be a great way to eliminate the clutter of multiple remotes. After using it for a week or two, I liked it well enough to order a second one for the bedroom TV and its audio system.Pros:Seems well builtRequires only two AA batteriesEasy to add devices to control with the appSeems to work well once it’s programmedInexpensive for a universal remoteCons:Not rechargeable, requires disposable batteriesBattery hatch is very hard to openApp registration is unnecessarily complexApp instructions, especially for macros, are very poorDatabase for devices has many errors requiring command reassignments

Big improvement over the U1. Better range and a better battery cover (that you can actually get open.

Programming it through the app was fairly easy, and for a specific TV model that isn't listed some trial and error with similar models from the same brand worked okay.My only complaint so far is the buttons themselves - the left/right/up/down buttons seem to register double-presses fairly often (press the button once but the target device receives two commands as if the button was pressed twice), and I assume it's a matter of a lack of or insufficient debounce

This remote is awful. You literally have to push a button twice to get it to move which is not fun when you have to search for something and each letter you move takes 2 clicks!! If you’re thinking about getting this just don’t. I saw the bad reviews but thought maybe it was just the remote that was sent to them that happened to be bad, nope this thing is awful. I only had it a week before I hated it.

UpdateThe team reached out with great customer service and offered the backlit version. Great experience with this team and I look forward to using more of their products.————————————-I love the idea of being able to control my Apple TV with a universal remote, and the SofaBaton U2 seemed like a great option. While it wasn’t the easiest to set up, I was able to figure it out for the most part, and it works well with my Apple TV.One thing I didn’t realize (my fault) is that it requires batteries, which wasn’t a big deal but something to keep in mind. However, the biggest issues I’ve had are that it constantly stops communicating with my Vizio TV, which can be frustrating, and the lack of a backlight makes it harder to use in low-light settings.Overall, it’s a decent remote with a lot of potential, but the connectivity issues and missing backlight are drawbacks. If you’re okay with those limitations, it might still be worth considering.