How many remote controls do you have in your living room? One for the TV, your cable service, your hi-fi, your streaming media device, your game console, your air conditioning unit...the list is endless. These days, almost every tech device we buy seems to come with a remote control.
The situation has gone so bad that the last few years have seen an explosion in universal remote controls. Manufacturers claim they can replace your sea of existing remotes with a single device. On paper, they can control everything from smart lighting to wireless speakers. Buy wireless speakers? How to choose the best system for you who buy wireless speakers? Choosing the best system for you Don't invest in a wireless speaker system without these considerations in mind. A little thought can save you a world of money, time, and trouble! Read more.
But are they the best for a smart home? Can your phone perform the same function? Let's see how your phone compares to a universal remote when it comes to controlling a smart home.
We've seen some of the best universal remotes Top 5 Universal Remotes for Every Need Top 5 Universal Remotes for Every Need Looking for the best universal remote? There are many devices that cater to a specific type of use, such as home theater or smart home. Here are the best around. Read more in an article elsewhere on the site.
While you can always find cheaper options, a high-end remote like the Logitech Harmony Elite will set you back several hundred dollars if you buy it through Logitech's website (although you can often find lower prices on Amazon).
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub and App, works with Alexa Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub and App, works with Alexa Buy Now On Amazon $249.00
Of course, a flagship cell phone from Samsung or Apple will be more than double that amount, but it's almost certainly something you already have. It is not a new expense to absorb..
And, unlike a universal remote, a phone is something you'll continually update in the future. Probably never more than a couple of years from a new phone. How often are you going to replace a remote?
Winner? Smartphone.
Universal remotes are infinitely more convenient. Device-specific phone apps work efficiently, but take time to open and navigate.
And if you're trying to operate multiple devices in quick succession, phones aren't practical. You will be exposing yourself to endless application jumps. The more smart devices you have installed in your home, the more apps you need!
Universal remotes, on the other hand, are much faster and more agile. You can jump between different devices with the press of a button.
Winner? Universal remote control.
Universal remote controls leave you at the mercy of the manufacturer.
You rely on the company to a) add support for new smart home devices as they become available, b) keep your device's firmware and user interface up to date, and c) continue to support the device.
You might think that the final point is ridiculous. After all, a universal remote control manufacturer would never knowingly trash a fully functional device, would they?
Well yes, they would. In November 2017, Logitech suddenly announced that it was discontinuing “service and support” Logitech Bricks Devices, offering free replacements Logitech Bricks Devices, offering free replacements Logitech is intentionally bricking all Harmony Link devices in March 2018. However, after the reaction following this announcement, Logitech is now offering a free Harmony Hub to all current Harmony Link owners. Read more for your Harmony Link remote system. And the reason? Logitech decided not to renew a "technology certificate license" that was due to expire in March 2018.
Logitech offered a 35 percent discount on its Harmony Hub to affected users. It sounds generous, but take a step back and you'll find that Logitech's response is similar to “Yes, we've fooled you. Now give us a little more money “. Ultimately, the company made a not insignificant benefit from ending support.
Of course, the Logitech story is just one example, but it does raise an important point. You never know when your deluxe universal remote system will suddenly stop working.
Winner? Smartphone.
Neither phone has good battery life. It doesn't matter if you're using the latest release from Apple or a cheap Android phone from China, your battery will struggle to make it through the day Android Battery Suffering from poor Android battery life? Follow these tips to get more out of your Android device's battery. Read more.
If you are using your phone as a universal remote, the battery will drain even faster. You'll be lucky if your mid-afternoon has any juice left.
Of course, there is also a practical aspect to this problem. If your phone is dead and you don't have the charger handy, you will be left in an awkward position where you won't be able to operate your smart home devices at all.
Winner? Universal remote control.
No universal remote control can work with all existing smart home devices. There are too many protocols. What is the difference between Zigbee and Z-Wave? Here is everything you need to know What is the difference between Zigbee and Z-Wave? Here's everything you need to know To ensure your smart home devices communicate well with each other, it's important to know which wireless language they speak! Here is everything you need to know about Zigbee and Z-wave. Read More
The higher-end models will work with the most common smart home brands. For example, Logitech Harmony is compatible with Sonos, Amazon Alexa, Nest, Philips Hue, Lutron, and more. But it doesn't work with August smart locks. Or any smart security camera. Or your smoke detectors. Or the glass break sensors. Or...
And in cases where your universal remote is incompatible with your smart home devices, what will you turn to instead? Your smartphone.
Almost every smart home device has an app that goes along with it. August locks and Wi-Fi security systems definitely have one. They will allow you to secure your doors or watch your security cameras from the comfort of your couch. Both of these are features you think a universal remote control should offer.
Winner? Smartphone.
Universal remotes are fine for turning devices on and off, or for playing a particular song on your speaker system. But they are not suitable for managing your devices on a more granular level.
For example, you can't install a new Alexa skill from your universal remote. And you can't create a new playlist. Spotify can now create custom playlists for you. Spotify can now create custom playlists for you. A Spotify engineer has invited users to try out a new tool that lets you create custom playlists. And the tool, called Nelson, could provide you with endless Spotify playlists. Read more on Spotify. Or connect two devices in one IFTTT recipe The Ultimate IFTTT Guide:Use The Web's Most Powerful Tool Like A Pro The Ultimate IFTTT Guide:Use The Web's Most Powerful Tool Like A Pro If this is that, aka as IFTTT is a free website. Service based on your applications and devices working together. Not sure how to build your applet? Follow along with this guide. Read more . The list goes on.
Here is a challenge. If you have a universal remote, use the comments section at the end of this article to name one thing it can do that your smartphone can't. I promise you will struggle to think of anything.
Tellingly, universal remote manufacturers seem to be well aware of this inconvenient truth. NEEO and Logitech Smart Remotes come with a smartphone app that can precisely duplicate the function of the physical remote.
Of course, you need the physical controller to be able to log into the app, but the underlying technology is nearly identical.
To perform these tasks, you must go to the appropriate web portal on the device or use, you guessed it, your smartphone.
Winner? Smartphone.
The nature of phones means we get a lot of messages, notifications, and alerts that aren't meant for other people's eyes.
But if your phone becomes the main way to control smart devices in your home, your friends and family will have constant access to your private digital life.
You can negate the problem by using an old phone as a remote, but many people won't.
Winner? Universal remote control.
We have tried to present both sides of the argument. Much of the decision comes down to which pros and cons are important to you and your smart home setup.
Think a universal remote or phone is the best way to control your smart home? Which one do you use?
