best remotes for sling tv

5 Best Remotes for Sling TV [Essential 2026 Gear]

In Remotes: Streaming by Tim Brennan

Affiliate Disclosure:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Views: 82

In this article, I provide a thorough review of the five best remotes for Sling TV.


Cutting the Cord

best remotes for Sling TV introduction imageI recently cut the cord myself, so I understand both the appeal and the adjustment. According to research firm eMarketer, the number of cord-cutters has nearly doubled in recent years.

Unlike Netflix or Prime Video, Sling TV streams live television as an alternative to a traditional cable package. It doesn’t include its own remote—you control it using your smart TV or streaming device.

That remote may work, but it isn’t always ideal. After testing the options, I narrowed the field to five models that provide a better viewing experience.

Here are my picks for the best remotes for Sling TV.


Best Remotes for Sling TV Comparison Table

Compare the five Sling TV remote picks side by side before reading the detailed recommendations.

Best Overall Best Value Hub Remote Best Budget Universal Remote Best for IR Streamers Best for Fire TV Typing
Product Image
Model SofaBaton X2 SofaBaton X1S SofaBaton U3 Inteset 4-in-1 Fosmon Mini Bluetooth Keyboard
Rank 1 2 3 4 5
Best Fit Best fit: Choose X2 for premium hub control across a full Sling TV setup. Best fit: Choose X1S for hub-based control without the X2 touchscreen. Best fit: Choose U3 for a Sling TV room with multiple compatible devices. Best fit: Choose Inteset for traditional IR streamer and console control. Best fit: Choose Fosmon for Fire TV typing and touchpad navigation.
Control IR, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi IR, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi IR, supported Bluetooth, learnable RF Infrared Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad
Hub Included Included No Wi-Fi hub No No
Voice / Smart Home Alexa, Google, Home Assistant Alexa and Google Assistant Google on supported Bluetooth devices No built-in voice assistant No built-in voice assistant
Power Rechargeable with dock Rechargeable 1200mAh rechargeable; USB-C Replaceable batteries Rechargeable
Check Price
Best Overall

SofaBaton X2
Rank:1
Best Fit:Best fit: Choose X2 for premium hub control across a full Sling TV setup.
Control:IR, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Hub:Included
Voice / Smart Home:Alexa, Google, Home Assistant
Power:Rechargeable with dock
Best Value Hub Remote

SofaBaton X1S
Rank:2
Best Fit:Best fit: Choose X1S for hub-based control without the X2 touchscreen.
Control:IR, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Hub:Included
Voice / Smart Home:Alexa and Google Assistant
Power:Rechargeable
Best Budget Universal Remote

SofaBaton U3
Rank:3
Best Fit:Best fit: Choose U3 for a Sling TV room with multiple compatible devices.
Control:IR, supported Bluetooth, learnable RF
Hub:No Wi-Fi hub
Voice / Smart Home:Google on supported Bluetooth devices
Power:1200mAh rechargeable; USB-C
Best for IR Streamers

Inteset 4-in-1
Rank:4
Best Fit:Best fit: Choose Inteset for traditional IR streamer and console control.
Control:Infrared
Hub:No
Voice / Smart Home:No built-in voice assistant
Power:Replaceable batteries
Best for Fire TV Typing

Fosmon Mini Bluetooth Keyboard
Rank:5
Best Fit:Best fit: Choose Fosmon for Fire TV typing and touchpad navigation.
Control:Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad
Hub:No
Voice / Smart Home:No built-in voice assistant
Power:Rechargeable

5 Best Remotes for Sling TV

#1 – SofaBaton X2: Best Overall

SofaBaton X2 is the strongest overall fit here when Sling TV is part of a larger entertainment system. Its hub can coordinate supported televisions, streaming players, soundbars, receivers, and smart-home gear through IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.

The color touchscreen and one-touch activities make it easier to launch a Sling TV setup without juggling separate remotes. It is the premium option in this group, so buyers who only need basic TV and streamer control may prefer X1S or U3.

Editor's Choice
SofaBaton X2
$359.99

Touchscreen hub remote for a full home-theater setup.

Check Price
08/28/2026 05:41 pm GMT

#2 – SofaBaton X1S: Best Value Hub Remote

SofaBaton X1S is the current value-focused X-series hub option for a Sling TV setup. It combines supported IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi devices through the SofaBaton app and lets you build one-touch activities around the television, streamer, sound system, and other compatible gear.

Choose it when you want hub-based activity control without the X2 touchscreen. X2 is the more capable premium choice, while U3 is the simpler button-focused alternative without a Wi-Fi hub.

Battle Tested
SofaBaton X1S
$179.99

SofaBaton X1S offers similar core functionality to the X2, minus the touchscreen, at a lower price.

Buy from Amazon
08/28/2026 04:41 am GMT

#3 – SofaBaton U3: Best Budget Universal Remote

The SofaBaton U3 combines physical controls with a 2.4-inch wake-on-lift LCD and the SofaBaton app. It can control compatible TVs, soundbars, streamers, receivers, and other gear over IR, supported Bluetooth, and learnable 433/315 MHz RF, so it fits a Sling TV room that has grown beyond one stock remote.

Its 1200mAh rechargeable battery charges over USB-C, and it supports macros plus up to three supported Bluetooth connections. Google voice and Air Mouse work only on compatible Bluetooth devices; there is no Wi-Fi hub, and hidden IR gear may need the optional R1 repeater.

Budget LCD Universal
SofaBaton U3
$129.99

Rechargeable LCD universal remote, no hub required.

Check Price
08/28/2026 05:42 pm GMT

#4 – Inteset 4-in-1: Best for IR Streamers

The Inteset 4-in-1 Remote is a great budget universal remote that looks and feels like a more traditional remote in the hand. It’s rugged and it comes pre-programmed with Apple TV, Xbox One & X, Media Center, Kodi, and Roku device codes (excluding Roku Stick). These are all easily changed to customize it for your set up. It also has full LED backlighting for all the buttons which makes it easy to navigate your favorites in the dark.

Streamer Pick
Inteset 4-in-1 Streamer Remote with IReTV
$46.95

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi auctor suscipit magna pretium sodales. Vestibulum eu lorem vitae diam ullamcorper viverra in vitae nunc. Duis non risus urna.

Buy from Amazon
08/28/2026 04:41 am GMT

#5 – Fosmon Mini Keyboard: Best for Fire TV Typing

This portable Bluetooth QWERTY keyboard with a touchpad works with a range of devices and offers comfortable control from up to 33 feet (10 m) away.

Remote Keyboard
Fosmon Mini Bluetooth Keyboard
$27.98

A compact Bluetooth keyboard with touchpad for easy control up to 33 feet away.

Buy at Amazon
08/27/2026 08:38 pm GMT

I’ll leave you with Unbox Therapy’s YouTube video review of the mini keyboard, which has since been rebranded but it is essentially the same.


Best Remotes for Sling TV: My Verdict

best remotes for Sling TV verdict imageThe best remotes for Sling TV depend on whether you need premium hub control, a value-focused hub, or a simpler universal remote.

  • Choose SofaBaton X2 if you want the strongest overall hub-based control for a television, streamer, soundbar, receiver, and supported smart-home gear.
  • Choose SofaBaton X1S if you want hub-based activity control without the X2 touchscreen.
  • Choose SofaBaton U3 if you want a rechargeable button remote with an LCD and no Wi-Fi hub.

If you want to compare more options, my guide to the best universal remotes covers the strongest choices across different setups.

Views: 82
About the Author

Tim Brennan is a tech blogger and the YouTuber behind @TecTimmy. He writes about smart homes at OneSmartCrib, home theater at Universal Remote Reviews, and AI tools at WriteInteractive. Tim holds a B.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and has written about technology for 35 years. He lives on the ocean in Massachusetts.

Tim Brennan
My YouTube Channel

Please subscribe for a fun take on tech—tips, unboxings, reviews & more!

Subscribe to TecTimmy