One Remote for All: Universal Remote Control Benefits
A good Universal Remote Control can reduce stress and save you time (and your mental health). Having multiple remote controls can be inconvenient and frustrating, especially when you grab the wrong one in a hurry. One remote control offers a great solution—the SwitchBot Universal Remote. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key features and benefits of the SwitchBot Universal Remote Control.
Overview
Universal Remote Control: Definition, Features, and How It Works
A Universal Remote Control lets you manage multiple smart home devices, such as smart curtains and robot vacuums, from a single place by copying the signals of the original remote controls. The biggest and most obvious advantage of this handheld device is that it eliminates the need of using different remote controls to set up and adjust a wide range of appliances using radio frequency (RF).
Here’s a basic overview of how a smart universal remote control works:
1. Learning the Communication Signals
Like regular remote controls, a Universal Remote Control uses different types of electromagnetic waves, such as infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) signals, to talk to your devices. Universal remotes can duplicate those signals from your current remotes, allowing you to operate specific devices.
2. Pre-Programmed Codes
Each Universal Remote Control can support thousands of brands and models. Most universal remotes also come with pre-programmed codes, which you need to match to the devices you want to control by pressing a series of buttons. Many universal remote controls have a code search feature that allows them to instantly review the codes stored in their systems until they find the right one to operate your device.
3. Sending and Receiving Signals
After pressing a button on your universal remote control, it transmits a special IR signal that matches the selected code. Target devices, such as your air conditioner and lights, have IR sensors that pick up and analyze these signals. Then, the device’s built-in microcontrollers carry out the command, let’s say, turning on the lights or lowering the temperature.
The key features of a smart Universal Remote Control include:
1. Supports Multiple Devices: Most of the latest models of universal remotes are compatible with different types of smart home devices from thousands of brands and models. Companies continuously update their database, so you can still use your Universal Remote Control as new devices and technologies emerge.
2. Integration with Voice-Activated Technology: Some universal remote controls can work with popular voice assistants, such as Alexa and Google Home, to help you manage your devices with simple voice commands. Depending on the brand and model, you might need a central hub to use this feature.
3. Supports Network Communication Protocols: Smart universal remote controls support different types of communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Zigbee. By supporting these protocols, universal remotes can easily connect with a variety of compatible devices—from smart curtains to speakers and DVD players.
4. Customizable Buttons: It’s easy to program a Universal Remote Control to fit your needs. Most universal remotes allow you to create customized key actions, program a series of commands (known as macros), move around keys, and much more. For instance, you can make a macro command to switch to your favorite TV channels with just one touch of a button.
5. User-Friendly Touch Display: Universal remotes that are thoughtfully designed are comfortable to hold and easy to navigate. They have LCD screens that automatically light up and have high resolution for clear display.
Introducing the SwitchBot Universal Remote
These days not a lot of people are using universal remote controls, so good options are limited. If you’re looking for a truly innovative and versatile Universal Remote Control, the SwitchBot Universal Remote is the best choice for less than €80 (or below $90). It can efficiently manage all your infrared home appliances, such as air conditioners, fans, lights, TVs, projectors, and speakers.
Designed with the users in mind, the SwitchBot Universal Remote offers many standout features that differentiate it from other universal remote controls. One of these is its compatibility with Matter through the SwitchBot Hub Mini or SwitchBot Hub 2. This lets you connect and take control of your smart home devices from various brands and platforms with ease.
The universal remote control has 19 easy-to-use buttons and a touch wheel for smooth operation. With just a single button press, you can easily create complex command sequences, such as turning on your speakers and changing sound system settings. For added convenience, it works with popular voice assistants, including Google Home, Alexa, and Siri.
Here are the other standard features of the SwitchBot Universal Remote:
- Supports streaming devices (such as Fire TV and Apple TV).
- Supports 83,934 remote control models.
- Operates devices even without an internet connection.
- 2000mAh battery (lasts around 150 days, depending on the usage).
- Compatible with other SwitchBot devices (such as Curtain 3 and K10+ robot vacuum).
Key Benefits of the SwitchBot Universal Remote
The SwitchBot Universal Remote offers many benefits that make it a great Universal Remote Control. Let’s go over three of its major advantages over traditional universal remotes and competitors.
Easy, Centralized Control
SwitchBot’s universal remote control can handle almost any device and home appliance, including infrared remote controls, TV boxes, and SwitchBot devices. By using this smart universal remote control, it’s easier to manage all of these things without juggling multiple remote controls. Plus, adding new appliances to the system only takes around 10 minutes.
The smart scene in the remote control allows you to easily make multiple devices work together at the same time or in a sequence, all through a single command. By automating various tasks, you can have more time and energy for other important activities.
For instance, you can create a “Good Evening” smart scene using the SwitchBot Universal Remote. This scene could dim your bedroom lights, slowly close your smart curtains, and adjust your thermostat so you can enjoy a good night’s rest.
Improved User Experience
The remote features a 2.4-inch LCD screen for easy viewing. Its big buttons are easy to press, making it easy to use by everyone. The addition of shortcut buttons and a touch wheel allows for smooth and straightforward navigation. With its compact design, it's easy to hold, carry around, and store.
No internet connection? That’s not a problem with the SwitchBot Universal Remote. It can still operate your devices without needing an internet connection. Along with its 'Offline Control' feature, the remote includes a 'Find My Remote' function to help you locate it if you ever misplace it.
Versatility Through Compatibility
As we mentioned earlier, the SwitchBot Universal Remote supports thousands of remote control brands and models. And if you pair it with SwitchBot’s Hub 2 or Hub Mini, you can easily connect it to Matter-enabled devices for a more efficient and cohesive smart home environment. Not only that, having Matter support ensures that the remote remains useful as more manufacturers produce a wide range of Matter-enabled home appliances in the future.
Smart Home Integration of a Universal Remote Control
As long as you know how to follow instructions, setting up the SwitchBot Universal Remote Control is relatively easy. Let’s go over the basic steps below.
1. If you haven’t done it yet, download SwitchBot’s app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your smartphone. If you already did, make sure it’s the latest version.
2. Launch the app to create a SwitchBot account or log into your existing account.
3. In the app, tap the plus symbol (“+”) that’s in the upper right part of the home screen.
4. Tap the “Add Device” button.
5. Tap Universal Remote, which you’ll find under the “Power & Switch” section.
6. Press the “ON” button of your SwitchBot Universal Remote Control for around 3 seconds to start it.
7. To enter the pairing mode, press both the “ON” and “OFF” buttons at the same time for 2 seconds.
8. Tap “connect” on your app to automatically connect the remote.
9. Pick a name and room for your device, then tap “Next.”
10. After the “Successfully Added” message appears, you can set up any devices and scenes you like. You can visit the official website of SwitchBot to know the specific steps for controlling your Homekit or Matter-compatible devices.
Testimonials and User Experiences
You’re probably asking yourself right now, “Is the SwitchBot Universal Remote worth it?” Based on customer feedback online, this Universal Remote Control exceeds expectations. Below are some of the things customers have to say about it.
André Vorwerk said: The SwitchBot Universal Remote feels comfortable to hold in the hand. The housing of the remote is also sturdy.
Corrado Daly said: People definitely need this Universal Remote Control. He’s happy with this remote because it helps his thermometers transmit temperature data, allowing him to look back at past readings.
Nuno said: He got this universal remote control because of its infrared (IR) capabilities. It was easy for him to set it up, add remote controls, and create scenes that his virtual voice assistant (Alexa) could activate. He feels the remote opens up new possibilities if he ever decides to buy other SwitchBot products.
George P Martin said: He used his SwitchBot universal remote control for his LiftMaster gate. This saved him more money than buying the remote specifically for LiftMaster's gate operators or openers. He attached the remote to Alexa, so he can open his gate from anywhere for guests and deliveries.
These are just some of the things customers have to say about the SwitchBot Universal Remote. Overall, most of the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing its dependability, user-friendly design, and outstanding cost-effectiveness.
Conclusion
A Universal Remote Control makes your life simpler by allowing you to use only one device to manage most of your infrared devices. If you’re looking for a great option, the SwitchBot Universal Remote is currently one of the best products on the market. It works with thousands of brands and models, offers a variety of useful features, and is easy for anyone to use.
