The 7 Best Universal Remotes to Replace a Lost or Broken Clicker, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: Eight devices, a learning feature and a setup app make it the most capable remote here.

The URC7880 controls up to 8 devices, adds a learning feature and offers a setup app. It sits in the $25 to $50 bucket, a step above the basic remotes that cost under $25.

The learning feature is what puts it on top. Remotes usually rely on a built-in code database, and if your device is missing from it, you are stuck. A learning remote can copy a button from the original clicker, so an unusual soundbar or older player is not a dealbreaker. The setup app also cuts down on typing four-digit codes by hand. The tradeoff is complexity: more buttons and more options mean a longer first setup than a three-device remote.

Buy it if your living room has a TV, a box, a soundbar and more. Skip it if you only want one simple replacement.

Devices

8

Learning

Yes

Setup

Companion app

Price

$25 to $50

Our verdict: A backlit universal remote you charge instead of feeding with AAA cells.

This GE remote is rechargeable and backlit, and it works as a universal replacement. It sits under $25. The main draw is dropping disposable batteries, which is more useful than it sounds because a remote is one of the most battery-hungry devices in a living room.

It takes second place because charging solves a daily irritation while the backlight makes it usable in a dim room. Against the URC7880 it controls fewer devices as far as the listing says, so it is a better fit for a main TV than a full home theater. The compromise with any rechargeable remote is that a flat battery leaves you without a remote until it is charged, so keep the cable where you can find it.

Choose it if you hate swapping batteries and mainly control a television. Skip it if you would rather pop in AAA cells from a drawer.

Power

Rechargeable

Lighting

Backlit

Type

Universal TV remote

Price

Under $25

Our verdict: OneTouch pairing and a backlit keypad for the simplest possible replacement TV remote.

The UltraPro is a backlit replacement TV remote with OneTouch setup. It is in the under $25 bucket, and it is aimed at buyers who want to pair a remote with as little fuss as possible.

Its third position comes from simplicity. OneTouch setup is meant to replace the traditional routine of looking up brand codes and entering them one at a time, which is where many people give up. The backlight is a practical bonus. What it does not offer, based on the listing, is the multi-device reach or the learning ability of the One for All, so it is a TV remote first.

It suits a household member who just wants the TV to work again. Skip it if you plan to control a soundbar and a streaming box from the same remote.

Setup

OneTouch pairing

Lighting

Backlit

Role

Replacement TV remote

Price

Under $25

Our verdict: Four-device control with big buttons and support for streaming players.

RCA's 4-device remote has large buttons and lists streaming support. It sits under $25. Four devices covers the usual set: a TV, a cable or streaming box, a soundbar and one more.

Fourth place reflects its balance. The big buttons make it much easier for older users or anyone who finds a dense keypad confusing, and streaming support is a practical addition now that many people watch through a box or stick rather than cable. It does not have a learning feature in the listing, so you rely on the code list for each brand.

Buy it if you want readable keys and more than one device. Skip it if you need to cover a wide array of equipment.

Devices

4

Buttons

Big button

Streaming

Supported

Price

Under $25

Our verdict: A big-button, multi-brand remote at the bottom of the price range.

This GE remote pairs a big-button layout with multi-brand compatibility, at under $25. It is built for people who want clear, oversized keys and a straightforward replacement.

It sits fifth because the listing gives few details beyond the big buttons and the brand coverage. The Samsung mention suggests it is aimed at that brand, so check the compatibility list before buying for a different TV. It is a sensible, inexpensive way to give an older relative a more readable clicker without spending much.

Buy it if big buttons and the lowest cost matter most. Skip it if you need multiple devices, learning or backlighting.

Buttons

Big button

Compatibility

Multi-brand

Aimed at

Samsung TVs

Price

Under $25

Our verdict: A three-device big-button remote for people who want less to learn.

The RCR313BE controls three devices and has big buttons. It sits under $25. Three devices is the sweet spot for a plain TV, cable box and audio setup.

It ranks sixth because it is the older and simpler design of the RCA pair. You give up the fourth device and the streaming support mentioned on the 4-device model, in return for a slightly simpler layout and a lower price. For some households, fewer modes means fewer mistakes.

Choose it if three devices cover your living room. Skip it if you stream from a box and want the streaming-oriented 4-device version.

Devices

3

Buttons

Big button

Brand

RCA

Price

Under $25

Our verdict: A basic multi-brand replacement remote that covers popular TV makers.

This GE universal remote lists multi-brand compatibility, including names such as Samsung and LG in its title, and sits under $25. It is a plain replacement, designed for the case where the original clicker is gone.

It comes last because it offers the fewest extras. There is no backlight, no learning feature and no device count in the listing. That does not make it a bad buy; for a single TV with a lost remote, it is often all you need. Just confirm that your TV brand and model family are covered before ordering.

Buy it if you need a cheap, broadly compatible stand-in. Skip it if you want features beyond the basics.

Type

Universal remote

Compatibility

Multi-brand

Brands named

Samsung, LG

Price

Under $25