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In this article, I’ll give you the lowdown on the seven best Samsung Smart TV remotes you can get right now.
What Are the Best Samsung Smart TV Remotes?
Samsung is arguably the most popular Smart TV brand in the world.
The electronics giant’s top-rated 4K and high-definition TVs adorn the walls and entertainment centers of millions of homes worldwide.
However, there is a problem that all customers of these TVs face—that is, one more not-so-intuitive remote control.
My Samsung Smart TV Remote
Of course, this is in addition to the growing pile of remotes you already have for cable TV, audio equipment, streaming devices, DVRs, and so on.
In this post, I review the seven best Samsung Smart TV universal remotes for virtually any budget.
Some of these will allow you to control other devices in your media arsenal. Three of them will let you control smart home devices to boot.
#1 – Editor’s Choice: Sofabaton X1S Universal Remote
Now that Logitech has stopped making remotes, Sofabaton’s X1S Remote is the one remote to rule them all. With support for over 500,000 devices and a mobile app that can function as an additional remote, this powerful little device can help consolidate up to 15 other remotes.
This includes the one that came with your Samsung Smart TV.
You can easily create custom activities like “Watch Netflix” and control your devices with just a few taps using the mobile app.
The included IR blaster means you can even control devices hidden behind closed cabinets. But even more impressive is the whopping 60 days of battery life on a single charge. My friend liked mine so much that she begged me to buy one for her and set it up. It just arrived in the box over the weekend.
My New-In-the-Box X1
SofaBaton X1S offers similar core functionality to the X2, minus the touchscreen, at a lower price.
#2 – Sofabaton X2: Touchscreen Hub Upgrade
The Sofabaton X2 is the touchscreen-equipped sibling of the X1S and the natural step up if you want a glance-and-tap interface for your activity macros instead of dedicated buttons. The hub controls IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi devices, plays nicely with Alexa and Google Assistant, and slots cleanly into a Samsung-anchored living room.
I picked one up while testing the Roku lineup and it has earned a permanent spot on the coffee table. Among the best Samsung smart TV remotes, the X2 is my pick for the same broad device coverage as the X1S with a color touchscreen for at-a-glance activity switching.
SofaBaton X2 lets you command your entire home entertainment system with an intuitive touchscreen remote.
#3 – Best Voice Control: Fire TV Cube
Amazon Fire TV Cube is probably one of my favorite remote options right now. Why, you ask? I love controlling my TV with my voice using Alexa. The new Fire OS interface is also great and probably one of the most user-friendly streaming options. The latest Fire TV Cube also provides support for the latest streaming standards, including support for Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio.
Here’s my Fire TV Cube perched on top of my Samsung soundbar:
My Amazon Fire TV Cube
I can ask Alexa to show me episodes of Umbrella Academy (nerd alert) on Netflix, and she will respond by bringing up the last episode I watched.
Here’s an unboxing video that I did of my Cube a while ago. Please forgive my stammering, as this was one of my first-ever YouTube videos on my YouTube channel.
You also get all of the other benefits of Alexa, such as controlling my smart home, and the “Echo Show mode” will create a giant Echo Show on my Samsung Smart TV. Very cool.
The latest Fire TV Cube offers hands-free 4K streaming, Alexa voice control, and fast Wi-Fi 6E for smoother performance.
#4 – Best Replacement: Samsung Factory Remote
Next on our Samsung Smart TV universal remote controls list is the official Samsung Factory Remote control that ships with many popular models. It will give you the same capabilities as the remote that shipped these TVs out of the box. However, it will not let you consolidate multiple remotes or work with your smart home devices.
It supports a wide range of Samsung Smart TV models from the K and KU lines, including the popular UE40K, UE43KU, UE49KU, UE55KU, and UE65KU families. Check the listing for your specific model number before buying.
#5 – Harmony Alternative: Sofabaton U2
I’ve been testing the Sofabaton U2 universal remote control, and I’m impressed. Not only can it easily control my Samsung TV, but it can also easily manage other devices like my soundbar and streaming devices.
The U2 features a solid design with larger numbered buttons and a more responsive click. The infrared performance of the U2 has been notably improved over its predecessor, the U1, which provides better range and off-axis functionality. And, with an updated design that includes a more user-friendly battery compartment, the U2 addresses many’s chief complaints with the U1. I would recommend the Sofabaton U2 as a reliable and efficient universal remote.
Kpaceguy does a nice job laying it all out in this setup and review video.
#6 – Voice Replacement: Angrox (formerly OMAIC)
I recently tried a replacement remote for Samsung TVs, which impressed me mainly due to its voice function. This feature enhances the TV experience significantly, but it’s important to note that it only works if your original remote had voice capabilities. This is a key consideration for potential buyers.
The remote’s pairing process was remarkably easy. Clear instructions for pressing the “Return/Exit” and “Play/Pause” buttons made it quick to connect to the TV. Its compatibility with numerous Samsung TV models is a major advantage, catering to a broad user base.
In terms of design, the remote is well-constructed with responsive buttons. It’s user-friendly, but adapting to the voice functionality may require some time for new users. Overall, this remote is a great option for those needing a replacement, particularly for its voice command feature.
It covers a wide swath of Samsung Smart TV models including the AU8000, BN59 service-part remotes, the LS, Q, QN, and TU lines. Confirm your TV’s remote part number against the listing before buying.
#7 – Budget Alternate: Gvirtue Universal
The Gvirtue Universal Remote Control for Samsung is the budget pick on this list. It works right out of the box with most Samsung Smart TVs, and if your model is not directly supported, the built-in learning function pairs it quickly.
It replaces a long list of factory Samsung remotes including AA59 and BN59-series part numbers, and includes hotkeys for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and YouTube. It is purpose-built as a like-for-like factory replacement, so it will not consolidate other devices or work with smart-home tech, and you will need to bring your own batteries.
FAQs
Here are the most common questions I have heard about the best Samsung smart TV remotes, based on extensive testing for this site.
1. Which universal remote is most compatible with Samsung Smart TVs?
The Sofabaton X1S leads the field for broad compatibility with Samsung Smart TVs and hundreds of thousands of other devices. With the Logitech Harmony line discontinued, the X1S stands out as the strongest pick among the best Samsung smart TV remotes for anyone who wants to consolidate the living room into one hub-driven smart device.
2. Are the best Samsung smart TV remotes compatible with older Samsung models?
Most universal options handle Samsung TVs going back to the modern smart-TV era, with broad infrared and Bluetooth coverage for legacy models. Replacement-style remotes target a specific Samsung remote SKU and only work for the TV families originally bundled with that part. Hub-based picks like the Sofabaton X1S add the longest reach across older sets.
3. Can a single remote replace the original Samsung Smart Remote?
A hub-style remote like the Sofabaton X1S or X2 can replace the bundled Samsung Smart Remote and absorb the rest of the entertainment stack into one device. Among the best Samsung smart TV remotes, hub picks consolidate the most devices, while a direct OEM replacement matches the original button layout for a single TV alone.
4. Do all Samsung Smart TV remotes share identical features?
Samsung introduces incremental upgrades to its bundled remotes from one generation to the next, so feature parity is loose at best. The best Samsung smart TV remotes from third parties vary far more, ranging from simple replacement units to powerful hubs that combine touchscreen interfaces, hundreds-of-thousands-of-device libraries, smart-home control, and customizable macros across other devices.
5. What should I look for when choosing a Samsung TV remote?
Decide whether you want a replacement that matches the original button layout, or a hub that consolidates every device in the room. The best Samsung smart TV remotes balance device library size, voice or smart-home support, battery life, and build quality, so weigh those four against your living-room setup before pulling the trigger to buy.
Best Samsung Smart TV Remotes: Verdict
Choosing one of the best Samsung smart TV remotes comes down to whether you want one device to consolidate the whole living room or just a clean replacement for the remote that came in the box.
- Choose Sofabaton X1S if you want a flagship hub remote that consolidates everything into one button-driven controller.
- Choose Sofabaton X2 if you want the same hub experience with a touchscreen for activity macros.
- Choose the Samsung Factory Remote if you only want a same-shape OEM replacement for the original.
Each pick handles a different living-room style, so let your habits steer the choice. For more options across other brands and ecosystems, see my broader universal-remote roundup.