The Best 2020 Home Theater Remote Harmony Elite vs Ultimate One

LED Lights (32') - but what's on sale at the moment):

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[jameslester]

I have the original Harmony One. I have had it for 20 years. It still works great and is still on the original battery! If it's not broken don't fix it seems to apply.

[aurelios]

Got one barely used, elite complete, in box for 20€. May be one of my best bargains ever

[markt]

Harmony Elite is awesome. I use it for all my equipment.

[adamblais]

Minor note: the remotes without buttons have a maximum number of activities they can launch. For example the Harmony Companion has max 6 activities. If you want the ability to map more than 6 activities to the remote, you need the Ultimate or Elite.

[mattgiunt]

Harmony 350 button remote sent me running to harmony Ultimate remote. Buttons failed after first year usage and I switched those button failed commands to other buttons.Drove me crazy. Love the Ultimate one and after two years no button failure.

[TheMetalmachine]

I love my harmony remote better than the magic remote that comes with the lg cx
I've had it a while now glad to see it is still the top one
I'm sure they will come out with a new one soon

[CenturioGaius]

Two things I noticed, I wouldn't agree.
Today I had to replace the battery on my ultimate, and it's not just remove the screw, take out the battery and put the new one in.
The case of the ultimate is pretty hard to open and you have to be careful not to scratch or break anything. the connection between the "chip" and the touchscreen is on the side.
So if you use a tool to separate the case, you have to be careful not to damage this connection, otherwise the touchscreen is useless.
And the original battery is glued underneath a "case" you can't remove.
So it's a little bit delicate, but it works if you are careful.
A basic instruction is on the Logitech page.
The second thing is your comment about the usefulness of the touchscreen and if you need one because it's just for starting activities.
Don't forget, you have all functions or commands of all of your equipment on that screen.
If you have to change a setting on your audio receiver for example you don't have to grab the original remote.

I hope this makes sense, my english is not that good when it comes to describing.
But otherwise, a informative video.
Since my battery is done, I was wondering if the pretty expensive elite is worth it.
Well, I changed the battery...

[chrismonterubio]

Nice rundown on each remote. I have an ultimate that I got for my mom to use for her home theater that I set up for her. Once we got through the initial “how do I do this?” phase, it works very well for her setup. I had a harmony one remote for my home theater that has been in use for close to 12 years, and now have some devices that it just cannot control. Just upgraded to the elite for my setup, and it was super easy to setup. The fun part is going to be adding in home automation as it gets integrated in. All in, they are both great remotes.

[JohnMcGing]

Our cable box usage, all our streaming, including Plex, - we use the "physical" media buttons all the time. Not sure how you can deal with DVR or streaming media without a pause, fast forward, rewind and play button. Also, while the no screen Companion handsets are nice, the lack of light is an issue. In a dark room, at least the screen of the One, Ultimate One and Elite lets you be able to work the thing. We've been using old school Harmony Ones, but they get janky and hate it when my wife points away before the activity completes. Actually had an almost never used Ultimate One in my spare box as we tried it and spouse hated it. Have an Elite on the way, the use of the hub should handle the not pointed right issue for the entertainment center and maybe sell the spouse; then maybe the Ultimate One might find a home in the bedroom. (Same problem there, miss the boxes and get complaints.) I was surprised that after 2 or more years in a box, the Ultimate One battery was solid in terms of no visible degradation and charged up over night fine. Find me a remote that takes a Harmony One (for size, buttons, fit and feel) and that works with a hub and I'd sell my first born :)

[AdmiralBison]

I dream one day there will be a true Universal remote controller that lives up to its name.

+ doesn't need a hub
+ can send blue tooth, IR, wifi network 2.4, 5.0, 3G-4G-5G + walky-talky, Siri, Alexa, Cortana, Occusync, UHF, VHF, Morse code, echolocation, smoke signals etc...
+ both a touch screen that rivals smart phones and ample well designed physical buttons with haptic feedback
+ doesn't need a cradle and can be charged with a USB-C cable and conductive.
+ It can "listen and learn" what new remotes you use.

Oh heck let it even have a built in control pad with the d+pad, 2 x thumb sticks, triggers, bumpers buttons, share feature, speakers, motion controls and rumble.

[Jensdh]

I just sold my logitech devil device. This remote has been a strain on my relationship with my girlfriend for a year!

[tjerry]

1 screw and I'm TOTALLY satisfied 😱😱😱

[DerekBCook]

With that music, I would expect you to cut something up and start toasting! LOL! Thanks for the video. I had a credit some time ago I used on the Harmony remote and it is still sitting there unopened. This motivates me to set it up, upgrade or not.

[brnmaull]

Great video man! Thank you for doing the comparison. I'm going to get the elite because I still us physical media and I like where the buttons are better. I already got the hub because I just wanted to get my hands dirty with trying to use it. But it was pretty easy but uts a little bit of a pain esp. Going through the tv guide you have to look down on phone or tablet to make sure you are hitting right button.

[MaestroPrep]

Wow, Bryan, great review as always!! I haven't seen you in a few years now!! (Heart Attack, so no more cigars for me...sigh... I was a long time sub at CO) I think the last video I saw of yours was you putting up a big canopy in your back yard... Great to see a new thinner, more grey you ( it happens to us all brother)!! Then a hurricane hit as I recall... Hope all is well with you and yours!! Thanks for the great content!

[godfather]

I have the Harmony Elite - Battery life is not as good though, prob. in need of replacement already.

[kcdc]

Hey now, just because I still use a bluray doesn't mean I'm old school! Sometimes, the only or best way to get the best picture and sound (dolby atmos etc) is with a disc!

[Marzen]

Thanks for a great rundown on features and real life usage issues. I now know the Harmony series is NOT for me. What do you think would be a great remote for PJ (on/off), AVR (vol, inputs, on/off), Shield Tv (D-pad, enter & back buttons) for mostly Plex & YouTube TV watching? Thanks

[dalemacdonald]

Great comprehensive real life review. Thank you very much.
One thing I haven't seen answered, does the Elite remote emit IR by itself, or does it only come from the hub?

[ashcountach]

Logitech is not going to be making remotes anymore although they will be supporting the software. I bought two elites this week and the prices are already going up so if you want one now is the time to get them. My media center is under a staircase so I use the hub and IR blasters there and use the remote IR for my TV's. For each device you can select which IR blaster you want to use, either the hubs, remote, or both.