I have used Harmony universal remotes for over 20 years and 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.
Sofabaton makes two universal remote controls: the U2 — that you can achieve $20 off Sofabaton right now with code BlackFriday20 — and the X1Swhich is reduced from $230 to $180 when you combine the current Sofabaton sale with promo code DecSale. The devices are designed to condense all remote controls into one.
I reviewed the U2 and gave it an Editor’s Choice award, and I’m currently using it in the CNET AV Lab to control my test rig. I love the U2 because it’s easy to use, affordable, and it’s easy to add more devices to the remote.
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The U2 remote control shines through its ease of use
While the U2 remote isn’t as good as a Harmony or the more expensive Sofabaton X1S, which have activity combos, the U2 will still control almost anything you plug into it. For this purpose, the command has more than 500,000 devices in its database. The Sofabaton even manages to improve Harmony by letting you connect the app directly to the remote via Bluetooth. No login or network updates or slow connectivity. The remote can manage up to 15 devices at once, while the old Harmony 650 could only offer five.
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Programming the unit is simple. After installing the Sofabaton app (iOS/Android), you can add new devices by choosing “Add” in the upper right corner. There you can enter your device manufacturer and model number and add it to the main menu. If your device is a little darker, you can use manual learning mode to make your own copy of the remote, but just make sure you have the original click handy.
Why a universal remote control is a great gift
The remote is comfortable to hold and the indented thumb wheel, which lets you select the device you want to control, feels natural to use. The remote control is also intuitive – my family was able to use the U2 without any training, unlike most Harmonys.
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While you can pay a ridiculous amount of money for one of the legacy Harmony remotes, hundreds upon hundreds, the Sofabaton U2 proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great remote. With its ease of setup and ability to control a wide variety of devices, the Sofabaton U2 is ideal for anyone looking to simplify their live AV system.
Are Sofabaton Universal Remotes on sale after Black Friday and before Cyber Monday?
Although Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, there are still plenty of sales to go. Both the Sofabaton U2 is on sale for $22 off with code BlackFriday20 and the X1S is now $79 off, making it just $152 with code BlackFridayboth are on sale right now at Sofabaton and you can get an extra 10% off when you use the code DecSale.
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