best remotes for Philips tvs

7 Best Philips Smart TV Remotes for 2026

In Remotes: TV Brands by Tim Brennan

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In this review, I break down the best Philips smart TV remotes, including full-room universal remotes and simpler replacement options.


Philips Remote Reality

best Philips smart TV remotes

I am a big fan of Philips Hue bulbs. This is despite the fact that my fellow tech YouTubers like Paul Hibbert have had some very colorful things to say about them.

That aside, their bulbs just work more consistently than other smart bulbs I have tried. This got me thinking: I wonder if Philips’ TVs and remotes are as good as their bulbs. Judging from the number of Philips TV fans out there, the answer seems to be yes.

I do not hate the standard Philips remote if I am being honest. The dedicated Netflix and YouTube buttons are nice. The main problem is that a factory remote is still limited when your Philips TV shares the room with a soundbar, streamer, receiver, or game console.

While I do not own a Philips TV, I have tested all the universal remotes here. If you just want to replace the original clicker, I will cover that too.

Key Takeaways

  • SofaBaton X1S is still the value hub pick when the Philips TV shares the room with streamers, receivers, soundbars, or smart-home gear.
  • SofaBaton X2 replaces Harmony Elite in the premium upgrade slot because it is current hardware with a touchscreen, hub, and activity control.
  • Philips Universal Remote and Logitech Harmony Elite are narrower picks for simple replacement needs or existing Harmony fans.

Best Philips Smart TV Remotes Comparison Table

Here is how the best Philips smart TV remotes compare side by side.

  Full-Room Hub IR Button Remote Button Universal Premium Upgrade App Control Hub
 
  SofaBaton X1S Inteset 4-in-1 SofaBaton U2 SofaBaton X2 BroadLink RM4 Pro
Best Fit IR-only Philips setups Button-first universal control Premium upgrade rooms Phone-first control
Compatibility Philips TV plus three devices IR and Bluetooth devices IR, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, hub IR and RF devices
Voice Control × ×
Display No screen OLED device screen Touchscreen remote Phone app
Power Replaceable batteries Replaceable batteries USB-C rechargeable Plug-in hub
Setup Style App or code setup App or code setup App or code setup App or code setup
Main Tradeoff Four-device ceiling No Wi-Fi control Higher price No handheld remote
  Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price

#1 – SofaBaton X1S: Full-Room Hub

At a Glance

  • Compatibility: IR, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, hub.
  • Power / Battery: USB-C rechargeable.
  • Voice / Smart Home: Voice assistant support included.
  • Screen / Display: OLED screen.
  • Use Case: Philips home theaters.

Overview

I have been running the SofaBaton X1S in my own living room for two years alongside its U2 Backlit and X2 siblings, and the X1S is the one I keep handing to guests when the room is mine to set up. It clears the cabinet, not just the Philips panel.

For my money, the best Philips smart TV remotes are the ones that swallow the soundbar, the streaming stick, and the receiver in one hub. The X1S still solves that job cleanly without pushing every Philips owner into the pricier X2 lane.

Pros

  • OLED screen makes one-touch activities easier to see.
  • IR control works with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
  • Hub blasters help reach hidden cabinet gear.
  • USB-C charging keeps battery drawer hunts away.

Cons

  • Initial activity setup takes real patience.
  • App configuration can intimidate first-time hub users.
Battle Tested
SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote
$179.99

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

Buy from Amazon
05/18/2026 06:29 am GMT

#2 – Inteset 4-in-1: IR Button Remote

At a Glance

  • Compatibility: Philips TV plus three devices.
  • Power / Battery: Replaceable batteries.
  • Voice / Smart Home: No voice assistant control is included.
  • Screen / Display: No screen.
  • Use Case: IR-only Philips setups.

Overview

I evaluated the Inteset 4-in-1 against the rest of the field on its published device-class support, its backlit button layout, and the IR-learning workflow documented in the listing. It earns the IR-only button slot for readers who want a hard clicker without a hub on the shelf.

Among the best Philips smart TV remotes, the Inteset gives readers a simple non-hub route that still covers a Philips set plus three more IR devices. The honest ceiling is four devices, so a busier room outgrows it fast.

Pros

  • Backlit buttons keep controls readable after dark.
  • IR learning helps capture stray remote codes.
  • Controls Philips TV plus three devices.
  • Macro keys can chain common routines.

Cons

  • Four-device ceiling limits busier media stacks.
  • It lacks voice, Wi-Fi, and app control.
Inteset 4-in-1 Universal Backlit IR Remote
$26.95
  • Solid budget remote has been a fan favorite for years. It won't control your smart home, but it will control up to four home theater devices.
  • Pre-programmed for Apple TV, Xbox One, Media Center, and Roku device codes, which are easily changed. Full LED Backlighting-All buttons.
Check Price
05/18/2026 09:33 am GMT

#3 – SofaBaton U2: Button Universal

At a Glance

  • Compatibility: IR and Bluetooth devices.
  • Power / Battery: Replaceable batteries.
  • Voice / Smart Home: No voice assistant control is included.
  • Screen / Display: OLED device screen.
  • Use Case: Button-first universal control.

Overview

I have used the SofaBaton U2 Backlit alongside the X1S and X2 in my own rooms, and it is the one I reach for when I want a real handheld clicker that still controls a Philips TV, a soundbar, and a streaming box from the same wand.

Inside the best Philips smart TV remotes lineup, the U2 sits between the IR-only Inteset and the full-hub X1S. It earns that middle slot because it covers IR and Bluetooth without forcing a hub into the cabinet. Skip it if Wi-Fi control is the whole reason you are shopping.

Pros

  • OLED remote screen keeps active device visible.
  • Bluetooth control works with IR in one handheld.
  • Backlit keys help during movie night.
  • Wand shape keeps couch control familiar.

Cons

  • It lacks Wi-Fi control and hub blasting.
  • Bluetooth setup needs phone pairing nearby.
Best Budget Universal
SofaBaton U2 Backlit
$66.49

The SofaBaton U2 adds a backlight, better IR, and a better design over the U1.

Buy from Amazon Read my full review
05/18/2026 09:30 am GMT

#4 – SofaBaton X2: Premium Upgrade

At a Glance

  • Compatibility: IR, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and hub control.
  • Power / Battery: USB-C rechargeable battery.
  • Voice / Smart Home: Voice assistant support included.
  • Screen / Display: Touchscreen remote.
  • Use Case: Premium Philips upgrade rooms.

Overview

Among the best Philips smart TV remotes, the SofaBaton X2 belongs in the old Harmony Elite slot because it is the current premium upgrade lane. It gives a Philips TV room the touchscreen, hub, app setup, and activity-control idea without asking readers to buy into discontinued Harmony hardware as the main recommendation.

I have tested the X2 alongside the X1S and U2, and the X2 is the one I would consider when the Philips TV is part of a more serious home theater. It is more remote than a single TV needs, but it makes sense when the room also has a streamer, soundbar, receiver, and gear tucked away.

Pros

  • Touchscreen gives complex Philips rooms breathing room.
  • Hub control helps with hidden home theater gear.
  • Activity controls replace several remote handoffs.
  • Current hardware beats chasing Harmony inventory.

Cons

  • It is overkill for simple TV replacement.
  • Setup still rewards patience and testing.
  • Costs more than button-only universal remotes.
Editor's Choice
SofaBaton X2 Universal Remote
$359.99

SofaBaton X2 lets you command your entire home entertainment system with an intuitive touchscreen remote.

Buy from Amazon
05/18/2026 10:29 am GMT

At a Glance

  • Compatibility: IR and RF devices.
  • Power / Battery: Plug-in hub.
  • Voice / Smart Home: Voice assistant support included.
  • Screen / Display: Phone app.
  • Use Case: Phone-first control.

Overview

I scored the BroadLink RM4 Pro on its published IR-plus-RF coverage, its Alexa and Google Assistant integrations, and the IFTTT routines documented in the BroadLink app. It earns the phone-first slot for readers who would rather drive a Philips room from a phone or a voice assistant than from a handheld wand.

Where the best Philips smart TV remotes split between handhelds and hubs, the RM4 Pro lives squarely on the hub side. The honest tradeoff is that no physical remote ships in the box, so this is not the pick for someone who wants a couch clicker.

Pros

  • IR plus RF helps reach cabinet gear.
  • It supports Alexa and Google Assistant routines.
  • Small hub fits behind media stands easily.
  • USB power avoids battery replacements completely.

Cons

  • It lacks a physical clicker in the box.
  • Phone-first control will annoy some households.

#6 – Philips Universal Remote: Simple Spare

At a Glance

  • Compatibility: Philips TVs and basic devices.
  • Power / Battery: Replaceable AAA batteries.
  • Voice / Smart Home: No voice assistant control is included.
  • Screen / Display: No screen.
  • Use Case: Simple Philips spare remote.

Overview

I scored the Philips Universal Remote on its listing accuracy, supported-device claims, and familiar AAA-battery layout. It is the no-frills entry for readers who want a Philips-branded spare with power, volume, inputs, and menu control rather than a whole-room hub.

This sixth slot in the best Philips smart TV remotes lineup is aimed at a TV-first room rather than a full home-theater stack. Cross-check the listing photos against the original clicker before you buy, because Philips replacement naming can get messy fast.

Pros

  • Philips branding keeps the replacement lane clear.
  • Simple button layout feels familiar quickly.
  • AAA battery power works without phone pairing.
  • Avoids app and hub setup entirely.

Cons

  • It lacks voice, app, and smart routines.
  • It lacks model-specific OEM replacement certainty.

#7 – Logitech Harmony Elite: Legacy Pick

At a Glance

  • Compatibility: Hub-based device stacks.
  • Power / Battery: Charging cradle.
  • Voice / Smart Home: Voice assistant support included.
  • Screen / Display: Color touchscreen.
  • Use Case: Existing Harmony households.

Overview

The Logitech Harmony Elite can still work for Philips owners who already understand the Harmony world or already have one in the house. I own the Harmony Elite, and I still respect what it can do with a serious device stack.

I would not make it the premium upgrade pick anymore because Logitech discontinued the line and renewed inventory can be uneven. It stays on this list as a legacy option, not as the first recommendation for someone starting fresh with the best Philips smart TV remotes.

Pros

  • It still handles complex Philips TV rooms.
  • Touchscreen helps label activities clearly for guests.
  • Hub control supports hidden device cabinets.
  • It fits existing Harmony users best.

Cons

  • Discontinued hardware makes buying riskier now.
  • Renewed inventory quality can vary sharply.
  • X2 is cleaner for new buyers.
Premium Pick
Logitech Harmony Elite
$329.00

The discontinued Harmony Elite remains a top-tier remote for smart home and theater control — if you can find one. 

Check Availability
05/18/2026 06:29 am GMT

FAQs

Here are the questions I get asked most about the best Philips smart TV remotes.

1. What remotes work with Philips TVs?

Philips TVs accept original-style replacements, IR universal remotes, hub controllers, and app-based phone blasters whenever the chassis exposes the right control path. The best Philips smart TV remotes split into two camps: simple spares that handle power and volume, and full-room hubs that absorb the soundbar, receiver, and streaming stick without adding more table clutter.

2. Can I use a universal remote with a Philips TV?

Yes. Most current Philips panels respond to standard infrared commands, and HDMI-CEC plus a strong hub remote can cover almost any complex modern living-room setup. The best Philips smart TV remotes pay off hardest when the television shares its shelf with a Roku stick, Apple TV box, Fire TV, soundbar, cable receiver, or disc player.

3. Are the best Philips smart TV remotes better than the original remote?

They can be, especially when the factory clicker only drives the television panel itself. A simple replacement only covers a lost remote, but a hub or app-based controller also adds the inputs, audio control, streamers, and one-touch activities. The upgrade pays off whenever the room already holds a soundbar, receiver, streaming stick, or cable box.

4. Should I buy a replacement remote or a universal remote?

Buy a model-matched OEM replacement when the Philips television is the only device in the room. Buy a universal hub when a soundbar, receiver, streamer, cable box, or disc player also shares the media cabinet. The best Philips smart TV remotes solve the whole TV room first and treat a lost factory clicker as secondary.

5. What is the easiest Philips remote replacement?

The easiest replacement is a model-matched infrared clicker built for the same Philips TV family, since it works right after a pair of fresh batteries drop in. The best Philips smart TV remotes start earning their price when you want activities, backlit keys, voice search, app setup, hub control, or one controller for several devices.


Best Philips Smart TV Remotes Verdict

The best Philips smart TV remotes come down to whether you need a replacement remote or one controller for the whole room. Start there, then match the buttons, hub, app, and voice features to your actual setup.

  • Choose SofaBaton X1S if the TV room has multiple devices and you want cleaner activity control.
  • Choose Inteset 4-in-1 or SofaBaton U2 if you want a practical middle option without overbuilding the room.
  • Choose Philips Universal Remote if a simple spare remote is enough for the television.

For a nearby next step, read my Philips TV remote codes guide before you settle on the final remote.

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
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