The SwitchBot Universal Remote, priced at $59.99, promises to be a versatile solution for managing a myriad of devices in your smart home. With its support for over 80,000 devices and Matter compatibility, this remote aims to streamline the control of both entertainment and smart home systems.
The most impressive feature of the SwitchBot Universal Remote is its extensive compatibility. The remote can control up to 83,934 remote control models via infrared (IR), covering a wide range of household appliances such as air conditioners, televisions, fans, and media players. This extensive IR code library is updated biannually, ensuring that the remote remains compatible with new devices as they enter the market.
Beyond traditional IR devices, the SwitchBot Universal Remote is also equipped to handle Bluetooth-controlled devices, which are common in many standalone smart light bulbs and other smart home products. This capability allows it to integrate seamlessly with SwitchBot’s own suite of smart home devices, including their robot vacuums, curtain controllers, and various other Bluetooth-enabled products.
A significant advancement in the SwitchBot Universal Remote is its support for Matter, a unifying standard for smart home devices. This support, however, requires pairing the remote with SwitchBot's Hub 2 or Hub Mini. Once connected, the remote can control Matter-compatible equipment from various smart home brands, enhancing its utility in a diversified smart home ecosystem.
The remote features a 2.4-inch LCD screen, which, while not touch-sensitive, is designed to improve navigation through a long list of devices. Physical buttons and a touch-sensitive scroll wheel, reminiscent of early iPod models, provide a tactile and intuitive user experience. The simplicity of the design, with fewer than a dozen buttons, contrasts with the cluttered appearance of many traditional universal remotes.
SwitchBot's Universal Remote can operate without an internet connection, controlling devices via Bluetooth and infrared even when offline. This offline capability ensures uninterrupted functionality in scenarios where internet connectivity is unreliable or unavailable.
The remote is powered by a 2,000mAh battery, which the company claims can last up to 150 days with an average screen use of 10 minutes per day. While this estimate might be optimistic for heavy users, it still promises a relatively long battery life compared to other remote controls that require frequent battery replacements.
A notable feature of the SwitchBot Universal Remote is the "Find My Remote" function, accessible through the SwitchBot app. This feature helps locate the remote by making it emit a sound, a practical solution for those moments when it gets misplaced.
The remote also includes customizable scenes, allowing users to control multiple devices with a single button press. This can simplify routines such as turning off all lights and locking doors when leaving the house.
Despite its robust feature set, the SwitchBot Universal Remote has some limitations. For instance, it supports Apple TV and Fire TV at launch but lacks immediate compatibility with Roku and Android TV. SwitchBot has indicated that support for these platforms will come in a future update, which means users with these devices will need to wait for full functionality.
The SwitchBot Universal Remote is available for purchase on Amazon for $59.99.
