SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote (with Backlight), All-in-One Smart Universal Remote Control with Customized APP for TV/Soundbar/DVD/Blu-ray/Projector and More, Macro Buttons & Extended Infrared Range

This is a pleasant upgrade to the already excellent Sofabaton U1. I especially like the lighted buttons on the new model -- much more usable in a dark A/V setting. This device consolidates a basket of other controllers, as well as offering the ability to create custom controllers with macros that control several devices. Disclaimer: Sofabaton offered me a full rebate on my U2. That's important for a reader to know. Also important is that the reason they did so was probably that I was happy with the U1 that I purchased four years ago. The U2 is even better.I found the setup intuitive, especially for the power and flexibility offered. I had an easy time downloading the data for my TV, Blue-ray, digital radio, Sonos, Apple TV 4k (3rd generation), and old Nakamichi receiver. The hardest part of that was tracking down the exact model numbers of some of my components.I didn't always meet with immediate success. For example, there were two models that seemed close to the model of my LG TV, and the first one had the volume up and down backwards for my TV. So I tried the other profile, and all was well. You can test the buttons in the phone app, and it's easy to download a different profile or customize individual buttons. When I bought my U1 about 4 years ago, some of my components didn't have entries in the Sofabaton database. But their customer support folks were very responsive and helpful, and immediately added the devices I needed.My old Nakamichi TA-3A receiver was recognized, but the buttons didn't all work correctly. It was a simple matter to customize those buttons. You get a layout of the Sofabaton's buttons displayed in the Sofabaton phone app; press the button in the app, and then select an option to set its function. You can either look up the selection from the database, or select the option to learn from the existing remote. Then point the remote at the Sofabaton, and press the button on the remote. I did that to set buttons for the main four inputs on the receiver, the tuner track up and down, and tuner seek back and forward. Works like a charm. You can also simply customize a button's function from the database, which might have been easier. I did that for some of the other functions I added.With about 30 seconds of playing around, I figured out how to create a macro. So I downloaded a second profile for my Oppo Blue-ray player, but named it OppoNakCD. Then I set the power button to be a macro to which I added actions to: power on the Nakamichi receiver, select the "CD" input on the receiver, and power on the Oppo Blue-ray player. I made another button into a macro to reset the receiver's input to "Video", power off the receiver, and power off the Blue-ray player. I also set the volume up / down buttons to control the receiver's volume, and I set the "input" button on the control to be the Oppo's disk eject button.When you add multiple commands to your macro (just hit the "+" and select the device and then the command to add), there's a default pause added between the commands. Just tap on that pause, and you can change the interval to whatever you want. I did this between my receiver's power-on and input selection, because it takes a couple seconds before it's ready. Very cool. Now it's as if I had a simple, all-in-one CD player with dedicated remote control.I just discovered a Sofabaton video explaining a lot of this, but it turned out I didn't need it. I think I'll want to review it anyway, because it seems to include tips beyond what I've been exploring tonight. In case it helps someone else, here's the link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLT6MJQVDY

The backlight is what I have been waiting for! Solid build quality, and a full database of TVs and devices help you quickly setup the remote. It has infrared and bluetooth to interface with your devices easily. After setup I was able to completely replace my Fire TV and Samsung remotes, without any loss in functions. Even the proprietary functions like AMBIENT mode on the TV can be programmed. I give it four stars for above average build quality, backlight and robust database of devices as well as an easy to use Phone App. Also, they are committed to improving the product through firmware upgrades. I reserve 5 stars for a remote that has digital buttons that could use the same icons as the original remote (to be honest I haven't found one yet ... something like the Elgato Stream Deck). Good price, good features.

The SofaBaton universal remote with backlit keys is an exceptional device that simplifies the control of multiple entertainment systems. Its ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, and the soft blue LED backlighting activates with a simple shake, making it easy to use in low-light environments without being intrusive.Setting up the remote is straightforward, thanks to the intuitive smartphone app that guides you through the process. The remote can control up to 15 devices via IR and Bluetooth, accommodating a wide range of devices including TVs, soundbars, and streaming devices. Users have praised its ease of programming and reliable performance.The ability to customize keys and create macros adds to its versatility, allowing users to tailor the remote to their specific needs. Switching between devices is seamless, enhancing the overall user experience.In summary, the SofaBaton universal remote with backlit keys is a budget-friendly solution that combines functionality, ease of use, and thoughtful design, making it a valuable addition to any home entertainment setup.

For years, I used a Logitech Harmony One remote to manage multiple devices. But eventually it wore out. So, in December 2023, I purchased a SofaBaton U2 Universal remote based on Amazon reviews and other articles. I was able to easily connect it to our television (an LG OLED) and three other devices (a Roku player, a Panasonic single DVD player, and a Sony multi-disc DVD player). The remote worked well for two years. But, then, the keys started to stick. So I wrote the company about that problem and they sent me a replacement free-of-charge.The new one is a revised version of the U2 (2025) and does not have the sticky key problems of the first one. Overall, the keys move more smoothly than the original (which were o.k.) and so far has operated perfectly. In fact, the pre-programmed keys for the four devices it controls were more extensive than the original one. SofaBaton has a huge database of remotes and one can easily find most every modern device around. Further, I was able to add functions to each of the patterns after I installed the individual patterns for interactions between the television and several of the individual devices.I'm very happy with this new version of the remote. It allows me to operate the television and the three interacting devices, and not have to use four different remotes. One can program a macro of steps for one or more of the remotes. For example, I have programmed a macro that allows me to turn on or off closed captioning (I'm old and slightly hard of hearing so I use such captioning often).Overall, the remote is excellent and I'm very pleased with it. The one feature I wish it had was voice activation. But that's a huge programming task and one that's probably not possible for a small company. However, in the future, perhaps they can purchase or rent such a system from one of the big AI players who are developing them?In short, this is a very good multi-device television remote.