best universal remotes for ps5

5 Best Universal Remotes for PS5 [Streaming Media]

In Remotes: Streaming by Tim Brennan

In this article, I’ll break down the five best universal remotes for PS5 that you can get right now. Two of them are fully compatible with PS5 and will work out of the box. The other three require a bit of a hack to get them to work, but they work great as well.

Here are my picks for the five best media remotes for PlayStation 5:

Scored a PS5? Lucky.

Unless you were living under a rock this past holiday season, you probably heard about the shortage of PS5 gaming consoles.

best universal remotes for ps5

However, now more than three months after Christmas, the shortage continues and it remains hard to find a console. Even now, in early March, scalpers are still charging outrageous prices for the PS4 ranging from us much as $850-$1400. And a new report says that the PS5 shortage could last until the end of 2021.

That’s pretty crazy.

If you arrived here, chances are you are one of the lucky ones to have scored one of your own. As I’m pretty frugal, I haven’t bitten the bullet just yet. However, I was talking to my buddy today and he said he just paid a cool $1000 for his. He also said it is worth every penny, save one feature: streaming media.

While PS5 supports a wide range of streaming apps, my buddy says that trying to navigate them using PS5’s DualSense controller is super painful. He can never remember which buttons map to which functions. I asked him if he looked into getting a universal remote, and he said “oh, I didn’t think they would work with PS5.”

Another blog post is born.

Steve, this one’s for you bud.


A Word About Harmony Remotes and PS5

Let me get this out of the way right upfront. Although I recommend a few of them here, Harmony remotes will not work out of the box with PS5 (yet). This is according to Logitech’s device compatibility database.

Logitech Harmony Elite

However, you can get them to work by purchasing the following IR Receiver made by PDP.  

The IR receiver will enable Harmony remotes to turn on your PS5 as well as control the console, media, and apps using a Logitech Harmony remote. The receiver connects to your PS5 via Bluetooth, but you can send commands to it via IR. Your Harmony remote then controls the receiver which sends commands to your PS5. Voila! Problem solved.

There is some additional information, guidance, and troubleshooting tips on how to set this up out on the PS5 subreddit.


Best Universal Remotes for PS5: Quick Comparison

The following table compares pricing and basic of the five best universal remotes for PS5, organized by type (universal remote vs wall mount):

Image
Playstation Media Remote
logitech Harmony Companion All In One Remote Control for Smart Home and Entertainment Devices (Black) (Renewed)
Top Pick
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub and App - Discontinued by Manufacturer
PDP Universal PS4/PS5 Media Remote Control, Playstation Gaming Remote Compatible with Sony Playstation 4 and Playstation 5, Bluetooth Detection for up to 4 Devices, TV Power/Input/Volume Controls
Logitech Harmony Hub - Discontinued by Manufacturer
Product Name
Playstation Media Remote
logitech Harmony Companion All In One Remote Control for Smart Home and Entertainment Devices (Black) (Renewed)
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub and App - Discontinued by Manufacturer
PDP Universal PS4/PS5 Media Remote Control, Playstation Gaming Remote Compatible with Sony Playstation 4 and Playstation 5, Bluetooth Detection for up to 4 Devices, TV Power/Input/Volume Controls
Logitech Harmony Hub - Discontinued by Manufacturer
Prime Status
-
-
Price
$29.90
$299.00
$999.97
$55.24
$59.99
Device Control Limit
PS5 and Smart TV only
8
15
8
8
Controls PS5
Natively
With PDP Gaming Receiver (sold separately)
With PDP Gaming Receiver (sold separately)
Yes
With PDP Gaming Receiver (sold separately)
Controls Home Theater Devices
Controls Smart Home
Image
Playstation Media Remote
Product Name
Playstation Media Remote
Prime Status
Price
$29.90
Device Control Limit
PS5 and Smart TV only
Controls PS5
Natively
Controls Home Theater Devices
Controls Smart Home
Image
logitech Harmony Companion All In One Remote Control for Smart Home and Entertainment Devices (Black) (Renewed)
Product Name
logitech Harmony Companion All In One Remote Control for Smart Home and Entertainment Devices (Black) (Renewed)
Prime Status
-
Price
$299.00
Device Control Limit
8
Controls PS5
With PDP Gaming Receiver (sold separately)
Controls Home Theater Devices
Controls Smart Home
Top Pick
Image
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub and App - Discontinued by Manufacturer
Product Name
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub and App - Discontinued by Manufacturer
Prime Status
Price
$999.97
Device Control Limit
15
Controls PS5
With PDP Gaming Receiver (sold separately)
Controls Home Theater Devices
Controls Smart Home
Image
PDP Universal PS4/PS5 Media Remote Control, Playstation Gaming Remote Compatible with Sony Playstation 4 and Playstation 5, Bluetooth Detection for up to 4 Devices, TV Power/Input/Volume Controls
Product Name
PDP Universal PS4/PS5 Media Remote Control, Playstation Gaming Remote Compatible with Sony Playstation 4 and Playstation 5, Bluetooth Detection for up to 4 Devices, TV Power/Input/Volume Controls
Prime Status
Price
$55.24
Device Control Limit
8
Controls PS5
Yes
Controls Home Theater Devices
Controls Smart Home
Image
Logitech Harmony Hub - Discontinued by Manufacturer
Product Name
Logitech Harmony Hub - Discontinued by Manufacturer
Prime Status
-
Price
$59.99
Device Control Limit
8
Controls PS5
With PDP Gaming Receiver (sold separately)
Controls Home Theater Devices
Controls Smart Home

Last update on 06/02/2023 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Note: Prices are pulled in from the Amazon API and are current as of the date and time at the bottom of this table. Click Buy Now to see the latest price, see more details, or read the latest customer reviews on Amazon.


#1 – For PS5 Only: PlayStation Media Remote

First and foremost, this is Sony’s official media remote for PS5. It does one thing and it does it well. That is, it controls PS5 media playback seamlessly and easily. Convenient buttons are provided to access two of the most popular streaming services out there: Netflix and Disney+, “plus” you get dedicated buttons for Spotify and YouTube as well.

This remote won’t control other devices in your media cabinet or let you consolidate multiple remotes down to one though. Check out some of my other picks here if this is important to you. If all you want to do is control streaming and apps on your PS5, the Playstation Media Remote is a great choice.

Video Review

TK Bay has a nice review video of the PS5 Media remote out on YouTube. I will embed it below.

Pros:

  • Sony’s official remote for controlling streaming on PS5.
  • Feels good in the hand.
  • Dedicated remote buttons for Disney+, Netflix, Spotify and YouTube.
  • Navigation, Play, Pause, Remind, Fast Forward and of course Power on/off console and up/down volume controls.
  • Super easy to pair.

Cons:

  • Will only control your PS5 console and some Smart TVs (other AV equipment is not supported).
  • Won’t control smart devices such as lights.
  • Takes regular batteries (not rechargeable).
  • Buttons aren’t backlit which makes it hard to use in the dark.

Where To Get It

Playstation Media Remote
$29.99
  • Media playback controls - Quickly navigate media with built-in play/pause, fast forward and fast reverse buttons.
  • Seamless console compatibility - Power on your PS5 console and navigate its menus directly with the remote for ultimate convenience.
Check Price
05/26/2023 07:00 am GMT

#2 – Best Overall Value: Harmony Companion

The Harmony Companion has been a fan-favorite “pure-play” universal remote of tech reviewers for years. I have reviewed the Harmony Companion extensively on this site, and it really is an all-around impressive universal remote.

You can not only use it control PS5 (with the aforementioned PDP IR receiver), but you can also consolidate eight devices down to one convenient controller, and you get to add icons for 50 of your favorite TV channels from your local cable provider.

However, where Companion really shines is in its ability to let you create custom activities that turn on all required components at the same time. For example, you could have a Play PS5 activity that turns on your TV, your Xbox, your AV receiver, and your surround sound set up at the same time. The same activity could also be programmed to dim smart lights and even change colors as well.

Video Review

Robb Sutton has a nice review of the Harmony Companion out on YouTube.

Pros:

  • True all-in-one-remote lets you consolidate up to eight devices.
  • Activities let you create a sequence of activities (e.g., Play PS5 or Watch a Movi)e.
  • Integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control.
  • Let’s you control smart home stuff (e.g., dim lights) as well home theater devices.
  • Buttons are customizable.

Cons:

  • Buttons are not backlit
  • No haptic feedback like the Elite
  • No touchscreen to show you which scene you are in – see Harmony Elite below

Where To Get It

Logitech Harmony Companion All in One Remote Control for Smart Home and Entertainment Devices, Compatible with Alexa (Renewed)
$298.99
  • This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product...
  • Use your Smartphone (with available app) or included Harmony Remote for one-touch control of your entertainment system and home automation devices such as Philips Hue lights or Nest Learning...
Check Price
05/24/2023 08:00 pm GMT

#3 – Premium Choice: Logitech Harmony Elite

I own the Harmony Elite and I love it. It’s expensive but once you get past that you realize this is absolutely the best remote that money can buy. And if you think about the cost of the other items in your entertainment center it may help to justify the expense.

The coolest thing about the Elite is its LCD color touchscreen that shows you a list of your activities like Play PS5 or Watch Xbox as well as up to 50 color icons for your favorite TV channels.  The Elite will do everything that the Companion will do, abiet a little cooler.

It supports Logitech’s vast device database of 275,000 devices from over 5,000 brands, Activities, Alex and Google, and app control. It will also let you consolidate remotes for up to 15 devices, more than double the Companion. Oh, and did I mention that all of the buttons are backlit and there is ample haptic feedback which makes it a pleasure to use in the dark.

Video Review

TeQreation produced my all-time favorite video review of the Harmony Elite. Check out the cool effect at the beginning of the video.

Pros:

  • Cool color LCD touchscreen.
  • Consolidate up to 15 remotes.
  • Supports Google and Alexa for voice control.
  • Harmony companion app. mirrors touchscreen on your phone.
  • Backlit buttons and haptic feedback.
  • Includes charging dock and has solid battery life.

Cons:

  • It’s expensive.
  • It can take a bit of doing to set up if you have a lot of equipment and you’re not technically inclined.

Where To Get It

Premium Pick
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub and App
$999.98

Once the best luxury remote to own, the discontinued-but-still-supported Harmony Elite remains a premium option for home theater and smart home controlif you can get your hands on one.

Check Availability
06/01/2023 04:00 am GMT

#4 – Budget Pick: PDP Media Remote

Based on my research out in the forums, the PDP media remote designed for PS4 also works just fine out of the box with PS5. Dear PDP marketing, you may want to call Amazon to clue them in as the information on your product page is wrong. LOL. This is somewhat similar to the Sony remote, sans the dedicated buttons for your favorite media apps. Oh, and it is about half the price! You can easily program the remote to work with your favorite PS5 apps, including:

WindowsCentral calls this remote a must-have for cord-cutters.

Video Review

Cord Cutters has a nice overview of the remote out on YouTube:

Pros:

  • Inexpensive.
  • Lets you control Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and more
  • Simple design.
  • Connects via Bluetooth.
  • Simple to set up, few customers have said works even better than PS5 remote.

Cons:

  • Not rechargeable, requires two AAA batteries.
  • No dedicated buttons for your favorite apps out of the box.

Where To Get It

PDP Universal Gaming Media Remote: Playstation 4
$79.00
  • EASY SETUP - Simplify your set-up and effortlessly control your entertainment with the ultimate universal remote for PS4 and PS5 system. The Cloud Remote uses Bluetooth wireless technology to manage...
  • HASSLE-FREE - Programming the remote is straightforward using Bluetooth technology to auto-detect devices connected to the PS4 & PS5 system for hassle-free remote programming.
Check Price
05/26/2023 05:00 am GMT

#5 – Best Universal Remote App: Harmony Hub

The Harmony Hub is essentially then same app that you get with the Harmony Elite and Companion, minus the physical remote control. Instead, you control your PS5 using the Harmony app on your iOS or Android phone or tablet.

This option also requires the PDP IR Receiver hack, but if navigating PS5 media via your smartphone or tablet works for you then this may be all you need. The Harmony Hub also gets you the same support for Activities, as well as integration with Alexa and Google Home for device control.

Video Review

Chris Majestic does a nice job with his Harmony Hub review:

Pros:

  • Well designed app based on years of user feedback.
  • Can control smart devices as well as home theater.
  • Easy to navigate PS5 using simple control pad.
  • Activities such as Play PS5 will power on all required components.

Cons:

  • Requires PDP IR receiver.
  • No physical remote.
  • Initial set up takes some doing.

Where To Get It

Hub & Smartphone App
Logitech Harmony Hub
$198.99 $180.00

Logitech is no longer making new remotes, but the company has said it will continue to support the Harmony line for as "long as customers continue to buy and use them."

Check Price
06/02/2023 02:00 am GMT

Best Remotes for PS5: Mic Drop?

So what do you think of my picks for the best universal remotes for PS5?

Are you good with just getting a remote that lets you tool around your PS5 for streaming media? If so, the official Sony Media Remote for PS5 is a good way to go?

Or do you want to go a step further and consolidate a bunch of the remotes on your coffee table down to one? Here it really boils down to the number of features you want, the number of remotes you want to consolidate, and oh yeah: the price. If you can afford it, I highly recommend the Harmony Elite. It’s a great conversation piece and will be future compatible with pretty much everything you own.

Please leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts. I would love to hear from you.

ARTICLE IDEA – how to use a harmony remote with PS5