Universal remotes are the most straightforward answer to the most common source of misunderstanding in an Amazon Firestick-enabled home. You can use your existing remotes, like the one for your TV, Xbox, or PlayStation. You can also use a universal remote if you enjoy using them to control other appliances in the home. Finally, you can also buy a universal remote with special keys or codes to accomplish your desired tasks.
Check also: How To Fix YouTube Not Working on Fire TV
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Best Universal Remotes for Amazon Fire TV
We have listed the best universal remotes for Amazon Fire TV below for your convenience. The best universal remotes are simple and effective ways to take advantage of all that Amazon offers. Let’s look at some of the best universal remotes available now and see how they work.
1. Logitech Harmony Elite
This is the cream of the crop. The Harmony Elite is one of the best universal remotes you can buy. It comes with Disney, Comcast, and Xfinity icons for changing the channel, locking in a favorite program, and using DVR functions. You can also set up favorite channels for each activity you like to engage in by programming your dedicated buttons with custom pictures. This remote comes with a docking station as well, so it’s always powered and ready to go when you need it to be. The Harmony Elite has customizable settings, so you can choose how many buttons you want on your remote based on what activities are most important to you.
2. Logitech Harmony Smart Control
This is a pretty standard universal remote that works well for the price. It has Amazon, Xfinity, and Comcast icons for watching TV and changing channels. You can also use it to record shows with the included USB cable. Plus, you can change the volume of your favorite programs to one button when you have it set up with your favorite media player.
3. Samsung UBD-K8500 universal 4K DVD player
This model isn’t as versatile or powerful as some other remotes, but it’s a solid choice if you’re looking to buy one specifically for Amazon Firestick use. It comes with an HDMI output and 4K UHD upscaling so you can use it to watch movies on your TV, and it also plays UHD Blu-ray discs. The remote has a universal button layout and works with other Samsung devices like the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S9, Note 9, etc.
4. Logitech Harmony Hub+ Universal Remote Controls
This universal remote is more specialized than some of the ones listed above, but it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for one that lets you control all of your entertainment needs at once without having to switch remotes frequently. The Harmony Hub+ works with universal remotes like those listed above, but it’s mainly built for intelligent Harmony Logitech home products. That means you can do things like dim lights, lock and unlock doors, and control music on your phone with it.
5. Logitech Harmony Smart Remote
This remote is another example of a universal remote that tells you what shows are playing using the logo on the bottom of the screen. Many universal remotes have this feature now, but that’s not why it’s so popular. This remote is popular because it can control a wide variety of devices, including TV, Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and more, without using multiple remotes.
6. Best Universal Remote: Logitech Harmony 650
The Harmony 650 is a universal remote and comes rooted to be used on all of your other devices in your home. This remote supports over 3000 devices such as TVs, VCRs and DVRs, home entertainment systems, AV cords and speakers, and more. The Harmony 650 is an Android-based device that comes rooted to ease control of those devices in the home.
What are the features of universal remotes for Amazon Fire Tv?
There are several essential features that all the best universal remotes for Amazon Fire Tv have. These features can make a remote much easier to use, and adjusting to them is essential.
1. Light and simple button configuration
It’s essential to have a remote that is easy to operate. If you struggle with your remote, it is harder to learn how to use it. You don’t want buttons that are too small or too large for you and controls that are hard to press, or ones with too many options on them. You want buttons that are easy enough for you to navigate with your fingertips but aren’t so simple that you can’t find the one you need quickly either.
2. Large size and clear display screen
Most universal remotes come with programmable buttons that allow you to customize the remote to fit your needs exactly. It’s easy to program these buttons, too, which is one of the reasons that they’re so popular among Amazon Fire Tv users. The Harmony Elite comes with the most programmable buttons currently at up to 270; however, it also costs more than other universal remotes that still offer many customization options.
3. Grid buttons for more straightforward navigation
Grid buttons are the next step up from standard buttons, and they work especially great with more oversized remotes. These buttons look like gridlines on the screen, making it much easier to find what you’re looking for instead of memorizing every important button that is available on your remote. Involving movies, TV shows, and other content is more accessible with grid-based remotes. Plus, it’s impossible to accidentally hit the wrong button if you use grid-based buttons because you won’t see every button all at once.
4. Three-way programming for better control over your various devices
If you want to control everything in your home without having to switch remotes, then you’ll need to be able to program up to three devices at once. Some remotes that can do this have a screen and multiple buttons, but the Harmony Hub+ is the best option as it can do this in a much easier way by syncing with other devices in your home.
How do I choose a universal remote for Amazon Fire Tv?
Choosing the proper universal remote for Amazon Fire Tv depends on what you need from a remote. If you’re a big fan of Netflix and it’s something that you use often, then you’ll want to get an upgraded universal remote that can control all of your TV or streaming media devices. You might need a universal remote for Amazon Firestick if you want the option for voice control with your TV as well.
Also, consider what makes each remote more beneficial for the kinds of devices you have in your home. If you’ve got a lot of expensive electronics in your home, then getting a remote with more programmable buttons is going to be worth it. If not, then a smaller-size remote that is easy to use and doesn’t have too many options is probably best since they’ll still give you the same functionality.
Virat Raj is a Digital Marketing Practitioner & International Keynote Speaker currently living a digital nomad lifestyle. During his more than 10 years-long expertise in digital marketing, Virat Raj has been a marketing consultant, trainer, speaker, and author of “Learn Everyday yourself: In Pursuit of Learning” which has sold over 10,000 copies, worldwide.