SofaBaton X1
VERDICT
Logitech Harmony is dead; long live SofaBaton. The X1 is currently the best universal remote for complex home theaters. It consolidates 50+ remotes into one sleek wand. While the setup requires patience and the app isn't perfect, the ability to control Bluetooth devices (like PS5 and Fire Stick) alongside old IR TVs makes it indispensable.
The Big Picture
Modern home theaters are a mix of technologies: Infrared for the TV, Bluetooth for the streamer, and Wi-Fi for the lights. Standard universal remotes only handle Infrared. The **SofaBaton X1** comes with a wireless Hub that blasts signals in all directions, allowing you to hide your equipment inside a cabinet and still control everything flawlessly.
🕹️ One-Touch Activities
The Magic: Macros.
How it works: You press one button called "Watch Movie." The remote automatically turns on the TV, switches the HDMI input to 2, turns on the Soundbar, dims the Philips Hue lights to 20%, and wakes up the Apple TV. It’s automation at its finest.
📡 The Hub & Blaster
Hidden Tech: The remote doesn't talk to the TV directly; it talks to the Hub.
The Benefit: You can place the Hub inside your closed media cabinet. It has powerful IR blasters (and extension cables) to control your receiver and Blu-ray player even through solid wood doors.
✅ The Pros
- Controls virtually anything (IR, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).
- OLED Screen: Small screen at the top lets you switch devices easily.
- Battery Life: Lasts up to 60 days on a single charge.
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands.
❌ The Cons
- Setup Pain: Programming "Activities" in the app can be tedious and buggy.
- No Backlight: The buttons are not backlit (hard to see in the dark).
- Scroll Wheel: Can be overly sensitive, skipping items on the list.
🤔 Should you buy it?
YES if you have 4+ devices and miss the old Logitech Harmony remotes.
NO if you only have a TV and a Fire Stick (the Fire Stick remote can already control TV power/volume, so this is overkill).
See the showdown: SofaBaton X1 vs. Logitech Harmony Elite Comparison