logitech harmony elite vs companion vs hub vs smart control

Harmony Elite vs Companion vs Hub vs Smart Control [2023 Guide]

In Comparisons by Tim Brennan

Affiliate Disclosure

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

In this article, I compare the Harmony Elite vs Companion vs Hub vs Smart Control “hub-based” remote controls from Logitech.

I am often asked about the key differences among these Harmony hub-based remotes, so I put together some interactive comparison charts so you can review the features of each remote side by side.

The main differences are price, design, number of supported devices, and whether they have an LCD touchscreen. There are also some more subtle differences. I will cover them all here.

I’ll also do my best to help you come away knowing the important differences between Harmony Hub-based and IR based remotes.

Let’s do this.


Hub vs IR Based Remotes

Logitech manufacturers and supports two types of Harmony remotes: Hub-based remotes and Infrared [IR] remotes.

Hub Remotes

Hub-based remotes work with a Harmony Hub and control your devices using a Wi-fi or Bluetooth Signal. Generally speaking, Harmony Hub-based remotes can be used to control your smart home devices (e.g., smart lights, thermostats, blinds, other hubs, etc.) as well as the devices in your entertainment center.  Harmony Hub Based products are also compatible with smart speakers like Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

harmony elite vs companion vs hub vs smart control

Home Technology Multimedia Smart Home Smartphone

IR Remotes

IR remotes do not require the Harmony Hub and control your IR-based devices using an infrared signal. They do not support Wi-fi or Bluetooth smart home devices or Alexa /Google Home. IR-based remotes can like control most devices in your entertainment center, however. They will typically require line of site [LoS] to these devices, meaning performance will degrade significantly when trying to control devices behind closed cabinets or in other rooms.

harmony elite vs companion hub smart control

Logitech Harmony Products By Type [All]

Here’s a breakdown of all Harmony remotes by type [Hub or IR]. You can use the Search field to filter the table to specific results. For example, if you just want to see the Hub remotes, enter “Hub.”

Harmony Remote Brand Type
Elite Hub
Home Control Hub
Home Hub Hub [now Harmony Hub]
Hub Hub
One IR Discontinued*
Smart Control Hub
Companion Hub
Touch IR Discontinued
Ultimate Hub Discontinued [replaced by Elite]
Ultimate Home Hub Discontinued [replaced by Elite]
Ultimate Hub Hub Discontinued [replaced by Elite]
Ultimate One Hub Discontinued [replaced by Elite]
950 IR
600/650/665/700 IR [600 and 700 Discontinued]
200/300/350 IR [200 and 300 Discontinued]

If you are interested, you can see a more detailed comparison that explains the differences between Hub and IR remotes on Logitech’s website.


Harmony Hub Remotes: Quick Product Overviews

Harmony Elite

The Harmony Elite is Logitech’s top-of-the-line universal remote control for controlling both your smart home devices and devices in your entertainment center. As noted about you also get to use Alexa for voice control, and you get unlimited Harmony apps. You can read a nice review of the Harmony Elite here.

Some features that make it stand out in comparison with the other Hub remotes are as follows:

  • Full-color touch LCD screen for all functions
  • Supports up to 15 devices in your media /smart home arsenal
  • Tap and swipe control supported
  • Haptic feedback on the touchscreen
  • Backlit buttons
  • All buttons are fully customizable

See the Harmony Elite at Amazon

Harmony Companion

The Harmony Companion is a great budget option if you’re looking for a high-end remote to control up to 8 devices with many of the same features as the Elite and Ultimate.  The obvious main difference is that the Companion doesn’t have an LCD touchscreen. Also, the home control buttons are limited to certain activities, which is not true on the Elite.  However, you can use it with the Harmony app and Alexa for voice control.  You can read a detailed review of Harmony Companion here.

See Harmony Companion at Amazon

Harmony Smart Control

harmony elite vs companion hub smart control

Harmony Smart Control is nearly identical to the companion in every way from a functionality perspective. It will also control up to 8 devices, including smart home stuff and Alexa. The main difference is the design.  The Smart Control comes with a smaller, lighter remote that is liked by some customers. However, other customers complain the buttons are too small.  You can read a comparison of Harmony Companion vs Smart Control here.

See Harmony Smart Control at Amazon

Harmony Hub

harmony elite vs companion hub smart control

If you just want a way to control multiple devices using your smartphone and Alexa [without an actual all-in-one physical remote] then the Logitech Harmony Hub is a good affordable way to go. You can add a harmony remote later, such as the 950, if you decide you want a physical remote in addition to the Hub You can read a review that outlines the differences between the Elite and Hub here.

See the Harmony Hub at Amazon


Logitech Harmony Comparison Charts: Hub Based Remotes

We will include the following comparison tables to help you compare and contrast these remotes:

  • What’s in the Box
  • Key Features Comparison
  • Compatibility Matrix

Harmony Comparison: Key Features of Hub-Based Remotes

The following table displays key features of the remote control and Hub:

Swipe Icon

On mobile devices, swipe right/left to view the full table.

Elite /Pro Companion Smart Control Hub
Color Black Black or White Black Black
Dimensions 6 x 2 x 0.6 inches 10 x 5.4 x 3.5 inches 6.7 x 2.2 x .7 inches 4.16 x 4.88 x 1.0
Weight 2.43 pounds 3.84 ounces 3.92 oz
Remote Control Technology Infrared [IR] IR IR IR
Wireless Technology Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b/g/n Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b/g/n Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b/g/n Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b/g/n
Wireless Protocol Wi‑Fi 2.4GHz Wi‑Fi 2.4GHz Wi‑Fi 2.4GHz Wi‑Fi 2.4GHz
Bluetooth Device Support Yes Yes Yes Yes
Number of Controlled Devices 15 8 8 8
Number of Supported Devices 275000 275000 275000 275000
Color LCD Screen Yes No No NA
Haptic Feedback [Vibrates] Yes No No NA
Works with Alexa, Google Assistant Yes Yes Yes Yes
Customizable Buttons Yes Yes Yes Yes
Backlit Buttons All No No NA
Start/End Activities Yes Yes Yes Yes
Numberr of Favorite Channels 50 50 50 50
MyHarmony desktop software for setup PC/Mac PC/Mac PC/Mac PC/Mac
Harmony mobile app support for setup iOS / Android iOS / Android iOS / Android iOS / Android
Harmony mobile app as remote control Yes Yes Yes Yes
Schedule Activities to Start /End Yes Yes Yes Yes
Start/End Activities using a sensor Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control devices behind closed cabinets Yes Yes Yes Yes
Supports Add-On Harmony Hub Included Included Included Included
Smart Control Add-On Yes No No Yes
Smart Keyboard Add-on Yes Yes Yes Yes
Battery Lithium ion [Recharable] Replaceable coin cell battery (CR2032)] Replaceable coin cell battery (CR2032) NA
Battery Life 3-7 Days 1 Year 1 Year NA
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year

Compatibility Matrix

The compatibility matrix shows which smart home devices you can control using each Logitech Hub-based remote

Swipe Icon

On mobile devices, swipe right/left to view the full table.

Elite Companion Smart Control Hub
Control smart home devices Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control Bluetooth devices (e.g., Amazon Fire TV, Playstation 4) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control IP supported devices (e.g., Dish Hopper, Roku, Sony’s Android TV) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control smart speakers (e.g., Sonos, HEOS) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control smart lights Yes Yes Yes Yes
(e.g., Lutron Caséta, Hue, LIFX) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control thermostats (e.g., Nest, Honeywell, Ecobee) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control blinds/shades (e.g., Lutron Caséta, Hunter Douglas) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control other smart home hubs(e.g., SmartThings, Insteon) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control Z-Wave & Zigbee devices (Using Harmony Home Hub Extender) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control Video Game Consoles [Xbox, PS4, Wii, etc.] Yes Yes Yes Yes

 What’s In the Box

The following table displays a summary of what you get in the box with each remote:

Swipe Icon

On mobile devices, swipe right/left to view the full table.

Elite/Pro Companion Smart Control Hub
Includes Physical Remote Yes Yes Yes No
Includes Hub Yes Yes Yes Yes
Includes Charging Station Yes No No NA
USB Cable for Set Up 1 1 1 1
AC Adapters 2 1 1 1
IR Mini Blaster[s] 2 1 1 1
User Documentation Yes Yes Yes Yes

Logitech Harmony Elite vs Companion vs Hub vs Smart Control – Your Turn

So what do you think of this Harmony Elite Vs Companion vs Hub vs Smart Control comparison?

Did you find the interactive tables helpful?

Do you plan to purchase any of these hub-based remotes?

Or perhaps you plan to purchase an IR-based remote?

Either way, I hope you will leave a comment below and let me know.  I would love to hear from you.


You Might Also Like

If you liked this article, would you mind sharing it using the social media buttons on this page?

If you enjoyed reading this, you might also like some of our other articles featuring Harmony remotes.  I’ll list a few of them below. Thanks for stopping by!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim Brennan

Tim Brennan is a technology blogger and hosts the @TecTimmy YouTube channel. He writes about smart homes at oneSmartcrib, home theaters at UniversalRemoteReviews, and AI in writing at Writeinteractive. A graduate of Northeastern University School of Journalism, he has written about technology for 30 years. Tim lives on the ocean in Nahant, Massachusetts.


Got Tech?

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel for a fun take on all things tech.