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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.
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.
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 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
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.
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:
 |
On mobile devices, swipe right/left to view the full table. |
| Elite /Pro | Companion | Smart Control | Hub | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 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
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On mobile devices, swipe right/left to view the full table. |
| Elite | Companion | Smart Control | Hub | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 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:
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On mobile devices, swipe right/left to view the full table. |
| Elite/Pro | Companion | Smart Control | Hub | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 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!
- Logitech Harmony Comparison Chart: Epic Guide/Infographic
- Harmony Elite vs Companion [Full Side-By-Side Comparison]
- Logitech Harmony Elite vs Ultimate Home: Smart Remote Control Comparison
- Logitech Harmony Comparison Chart: Elite vs Ultimate, 950, 650 & 350
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.
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel for a fun take on all things tech.
