Logitech Harmony Elite
Expensive and hard to set up.
Logitech may say that this kit is easy to set up, but don’t be fooled. It’s comprised of the main universal remote, the Harmony Hub, twin mini-IR blasters, and two AC adaptors. If all of your devices are Wi-Fi compatible, then it’s not a problem, but if they need infra-red remotes, then you’ll need to place the mini-blasters in sight of their receivers. You end up with a lot of cables running all over the place.
Then there’s the actual programming of the remote. For the most part it’s simple, using the online app to plug in the name of each of your devices, but every now and then it would mis-map a button. One benefit though is that the remote itself has a backlit LED screen, and you can also use the Logitech app on your phone instead of the bulky remote. The remote also has directional control via a clickable circle, which makes navigating through both PC and SmartTV apps very easy.
There’s also the issue of price. At $450 this is the most expensive solution on the market. We’d recommend just buying the Harmony Hub and using your Smartphone instead to save a few hundred dollars, but you’ll miss out on the IR capability.
If you’re rocking modern technology in your home theatre that is all Wi-Fi compatible, then we’d suggest sticking with just the Logitech Harmony Hub, which is a mere $149. However, if you’re also running older gear such as an AV receiver that requires IR control, then the full bundle might just be worth the cost.