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In this article, I’ll go over the seven best remotes for TCL TVs and TCL Roku TVs that you can get right now. I’ll include some recommendations at different price points to satisfy pretty much any budget.
TCL Remotes Be Like
TCL TVs and Roku go together as well as Jon and Daenerys, Daredevil and Kingpin, and of course, popcorn and your favorite recliner.
Perhaps this is why Consumer Reports rated TCL Technology TVs among the top Smart TV brands this year.
But what do you do when you lose the remote that came with your TCL or TCL Roku Smart TV? Or what if you just want something a bit nicer?
Well, Valar Morghulis dear readers, this guide covers cheap replacements, voice-control options, and full-room universal control.
I have tested most of the remotes in this roundup myself, including the new Sofabaton X2 and it is already making a strong first impression.
Key Takeaways
- SofaBaton X2 is the premium play if your TCL TV shares the room with a soundbar, receiver, streamer, or smart-home gear.
- SofaBaton X1S still makes sense as the value hub if you want activity control without the X2 price tag.
- Fire TV Cube, Flipper, TCL Roku Remote, BroadLink, and U2 Backlit cover voice control, senior-friendly simplicity, cheap replacement, app control, and button-first universal control.
Best Remotes for TCL TVs Comparison Table
Here is how the best remotes for TCL TVs compare side by side.
| Premium Hub | Value Hub | Alexa Control | Best for the Elderly | Cheap Replacement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| SofaBaton X2 | SofaBaton X1S | Fire TV Cube | Flipper Big Button | TCL Roku Remote | |
| Best Fit | Full TCL theater rooms | Hub control for less | Alexa and Fire TV homes | Senior-friendly rooms | Lost TCL Roku remotes |
| TCL Platform Fit | Roku, Google, Fire, plus gear | Roku, Google, Fire, plus gear | Fire TV or HDMI setups | TV and cable boxes | TCL Roku TV models |
| Voice Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | × | × |
| Backlit Buttons | ✓ | ✓ | Remote dependent | × | × |
| Controls Soundbar | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | TV audio only |
| Power | Rechargeable dock | USB-C rechargeable | Plug-in cube plus remote batteries | Replaceable batteries | Replaceable batteries |
| Biggest Weakness | Premium price | Setup still takes time | Not just a remote | Limited streaming control | No voice or finder |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
#1 – SofaBaton X2: Premium Hub
At a Glance
- Compatibility: TCL TVs, streamers, soundbars, receivers, and smart devices.
- Power/Battery: Rechargeable remote with charging dock.
- Voice/Smart Home: Alexa, Google Assistant, and Home Assistant support.
- Screen/Display: Color touchscreen for devices and activities.
- Use Case: Full TCL rooms with several boxes.
Overview
The SofaBaton X2 is the new premium pick for a TCL room where the TV is only one piece of the setup. I have the X2 here for hands-on testing now, and the dock, touchscreen, faster control flow, and broader smart-home support are already standing out.
This is the best remotes for TCL TVs pick I would look at first if your room has a TCL TV, soundbar, streamer, receiver, game console, and a few smart devices that all need to behave together. It is not the cheapest answer, but it is the cleaner answer when the coffee table has become a remote-control parking lot.
Pros
- The dock prevents battery anxiety.
- The touchscreen makes activities easier.
- It handles crowded TCL rooms.
- The remote feels genuinely premium.
Cons
- The price will scare casual buyers.
- Setup still rewards patient tinkering.
- It is overkill for one TV.
Video Review
Here is the SofaBaton X2 hardware walkthrough from my TecTimmy channel.
#2 – SofaBaton X1S: Value Hub
At a Glance
- Compatibility: TCL TVs, soundbars, streamers, receivers, and more.
- Power/Battery: USB-C rechargeable battery.
- Voice/Smart Home: Alexa and Google Assistant support.
- Screen/Display: Small OLED screen with scroll-wheel navigation.
- Use Case: Hub control without X2 pricing.
Overview
Before upgrading to the X2, the SofaBaton X1S was my go-to remote for serious universal control. As someone who has been blogging about universal remotes for years, I still think the X1S is one of the more interesting Harmony-style replacements for a TCL setup that has grown beyond one TV and one streaming app.
It can control a huge entertainment-device database, uses a hub for IR and Bluetooth control, supports one-touch activities, and works with Alexa and Google Assistant. You give up the nicer X2 touchscreen and dock, but you also trim the price, which is why this stays on my list of the best remotes for TCL TVs.
Pros
- It delivers strong hub value.
- Activities reduce input switching pain.
- The hub works behind cabinets.
- It costs less than X2.
Cons
- There is no color touchscreen.
- Recent ratings look less flattering.
- Setup still takes real focus.
Video Review
Here is a TecTimmy setup video I published on my YouTube channel showing the SofaBaton X1S setup flow.
Video Credit: TecTimmy
SofaBaton X1S offers similar core functionality to the X2, minus the touchscreen, at a lower price.
#3 – Fire TV Cube: Alexa Control
At a Glance
- Compatibility: TCL TVs in Fire TV or HDMI-based rooms.
- Power/Battery: Plug-in Cube plus remote batteries.
- Voice/Smart Home: Hands-free Alexa control.
- Screen/Display: No remote screen.
- Use Case: Alexa-first TCL viewing.
Overview
I love my Amazon Fire TV Cube and being able to control my TV and entertainment experience using Alexa. I simply tell Alexa to turn on the TV, open YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, or whatever I feel like watching in that moment, and she immediately springs into action.
While I would not completely substitute the Cube for a good physical universal remote, it makes watching my favorite shows and movies more fun and enjoyable. For Alexa-first rooms, it earns a spot among the best remotes for TCL TVs because the voice control is genuinely useful instead of just being a party trick.
My Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen)
I use it to get my weather on demand, the latest news, the tide report, and much more. If you want to learn more about the full range of commands, check out this giant Alexa Fire TV Cube Commands List I wrote detailing the most popular commands.
Pros
- Alexa handles commands hands-free.
- It doubles as a streamer.
- It controls TVs and soundbars.
- I use mine constantly.
Cons
- It is not just a remote.
- Fire TV gets top billing.
- Setup can feel technical.
Video Review
Here’s an unboxing video that I did of the Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen over on my YouTube channel:
Video Credit: TecTimmy
Get the best of both worlds with the newer, faster Fire TV Cube and the latest Alexa Voice Remote Pro with customizable buttons and a find my lost remote feature.
#4 – Flipper Big Button Remote: Best for the Elderly
At a Glance
- Compatibility: TVs and cable boxes with IR control.
- Power/Battery: Replaceable batteries.
- Voice/Smart Home: No voice or smart-home control.
- Screen/Display: No screen.
- Use Case: Elderly users who need fewer buttons.
Overview
If you are old as sin like me, you might remember an 80s TV show featuring a dolphin called Flipper. The coolest thing about Flipper is that he was a super friendly porpoise. The Flipper Big Button Remote is friendly too, especially when it comes to the older set.
The remote has a secret compartment that hides most of the buttons from your loved ones, so what they see is a very streamlined remote. This remote is so streamlined that it features just a half dozen or so large buttons, making it ideal for anyone who is older or just does not want to deal with a fancy cable TV remote.
While it will not control every TCL streaming setup, Flipper can still be one of the best remotes for TCL TVs in a simple cable, satellite, or basic TV room. If you want to learn more about Flipper, check out my full Flipper Remote Review.
Pros
- The large buttons are obvious.
- It hides confusing extra controls.
- Simple TV rooms fit best.
- The layout feels senior-friendly.
Cons
- Streaming control is very limited.
- Voice and app features are absent.
- Complex rooms will outgrow it.
The Flipper Remote simplifies TV and cable control with large buttons—perfect for seniors.
#5 – TCL Roku Remote: Cheap Replacement
At a Glance
- Compatibility: Many TCL Roku TV models.
- Power/Battery: Replaceable batteries.
- Voice/Smart Home: No voice or smart-home control.
- Screen/Display: No screen.
- Use Case: Cheap replacement for a lost remote.
Overview
OK, OK, we get it. You lost the remote that came with your TCL Roku TV and just want to snatch up a replacement on the cheap.
If so, then this TCL Roku Remote is for you. And it is super cheap, so why not buy two and keep one on hand the next time you lose it, knucklehead? JK.
This TCL Roku Smart TV replacement remote is available at Amazon for a song, and it should work with many TCL Roku TV models without much fanfare. Just pop in batteries, point it at the TV, and you are back in business. It is one of the best remotes for TCL TVs if you only need the original clicker experience back, not a whole home theater command center.
Pros
- It is cheap enough for spares.
- Pairing usually is not required.
- The Roku layout feels familiar.
- It belongs in the drawer.
Cons
- Voice search is missing.
- There is no remote finder.
- Model matching still matters.
#6 – BroadLink RM4 Mini: App Control
At a Glance
- Compatibility: IR-controlled TCL TVs and entertainment devices.
- Power/Battery: Plug-in hub.
- Voice/Smart Home: Alexa and Google Assistant support.
- Screen/Display: App-based control, no physical screen.
- Use Case: Phone-based TCL and smart-home control.
Overview
The BroadLink RM4 Mini works with many TCL Roku TVs and older IR-controlled models. Moreover, it lets you consolidate remotes for both your home entertainment devices and your smart home stuff, and it also works with Alexa. It can also work with smart home devices such as Philips Hue lighting and Sonos speakers.
Best of all, you can program scenes and activities like Movie Night. When you press the Movie Night button on your smartphone, the BroadLink hub goes to work and fires up all required devices. This might include turning on the TV and soundbar, tuning to Netflix, and dimming your Philips Hue smart bulbs.
My Broadlink Mini Remote
The intuitive phone app lets you swipe and tap to control channels, watch movies, and more. This is one of the best remotes for TCL TVs if you do not need a physical clicker and do not mind controlling your TCL TV with your phone.
Pros
- My photo shows real ownership.
- The app control works well.
- Alexa scenes can be handy.
- IR gear is its sweet spot.
Cons
- No physical clicker is included.
- Phone control will annoy some people.
- IR placement still matters.
Video Review
Video Credit: Is It Worth It?#7 – SofaBaton U2 Backlit: Button Backup
At a Glance
- Compatibility: IR and Bluetooth entertainment devices.
- Power/Battery: Replaceable batteries.
- Voice/Smart Home: No Alexa, Google, or Wi-Fi control.
- Screen/Display: OLED device display.
- Use Case: Button-first TCL rooms with visible gear.
Overview
I picked up the earlier SofaBaton U2 remote to test it for this blog, and the updated backlit model is the one I would look at now. The appeal is still the same: a physical universal remote with a familiar shape, app setup, macros, IR learning, and a real button layout.
This U2-style remote feels better in hand than the old sharp-edged U1 generation, and the backlight is a meaningful upgrade for nighttime viewing. It does not replace the X2 or X1S if you need a hub, but it can be one of the best remotes for TCL TVs when the TV, soundbar, and streamer are all within line of sight.
Like the U1 and older U2 models, setup still requires a smartphone app and a basic understanding of smart TVs, streamers, HDMI, and the like. For a detailed comparison with the more advanced SofaBaton X1S, check out my SofaBaton X1S vs U2 post.
Pros
- The backlight helps at night.
- Physical buttons feel familiar.
- It costs less than hubs.
- It works as a backup.
Cons
- Hub control is missing.
- Wi-Fi devices are not supported.
- App setup is still required.
Video Review
Video Credit: Kpaceguy
SofaBaton U2 offers IR universal control, minus the hub and smart-home features.
FAQs
Questions about the best remotes for TCL TVs are below.
1. What remotes work with TCL Roku TVs?
Most TCL Roku TVs work with Roku voice remotes, basic TCL Roku infrared replacements, and universal remotes that support Roku TV control. The best remotes for TCL TVs depend on whether you want a cheap replacement, voice search, private listening, or a hub remote that also handles your soundbar, receiver, and streaming box at home.
2. Can I use a universal remote with a TCL TV?
Yes. The best remotes for TCL TVs can control many models through infrared codes, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or a hub, depending on the model and platform. Roku TV models are usually easiest with Roku-compatible remotes, while Google TV, Android TV, and Fire TV models may need platform-specific pairing or a hub-based option for full navigation reliably.
3. Are the best remotes for TCL TVs different for Google TV models?
Yes, because TCL sells Roku TV, Google TV, Android TV, and Fire TV models. A Roku replacement remote is not the right answer for every set. Google TV models usually need a Bluetooth voice remote, the Google TV mobile app, or a universal hub that can manage the TV plus your other gear reliably well.
4. Should I buy a cheap TCL Roku replacement or a universal remote?
Buy the cheap TCL Roku replacement if you only lost the original remote and the TV setup is simple. Buy a universal remote when the TCL TV shares the room with a soundbar, cable box, receiver, game console, or streamer. The best remotes for TCL TVs solve the room you actually use every single night.
5. What is the easiest TCL remote replacement?
The easiest TCL replacement is usually a basic infrared Roku TV remote for older TCL Roku sets, because it needs no pairing and starts working after batteries are installed. The best remotes for TCL TVs become more interesting when you add voice search, rechargeable power, one-touch activities, or multi-device theater control without app confusion later.
Best Remotes for TCL TVs Verdict
The best remotes for TCL TVs depend on whether your set runs Roku, Google TV, Android TV, or Fire TV. Start with the platform first, then decide whether you need one cheap replacement or one smarter remote for the whole room.
- Choose SofaBaton X2 if your TCL TV shares the room with a receiver, soundbar, streamer, and smart-home gear.
- Choose SofaBaton X1S or Fire TV Cube if you want value-hub control or Alexa-first voice control.
- Choose Flipper, TCL Roku Remote, BroadLink, or U2 Backlit if your room needs senior-friendly buttons, cheap replacement, app control, or line-of-sight universal control.
For another platform-specific angle, my Roku remote roundup is the next place I would look before buying.
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