Logitech Harmony 300
Logitech has pared down its line of PC-programmable universal remotes to just a few models. The best price you'll find on the awesome Harmony 650 is probably $55 or more, which puts it just out of our price range here. But the cheaper Harmony models, while technically discontinued, are still widely available. At a mere $30, the Harmony 300 controls just four devices (say, a TV, cable box, an Xbox/disc player, and streaming box), but that's probably more than enough for a bedroom or den.
The good: Solid universal remote with good ergonomics; updated wizard-style setup software is optimized for tech novices and works on Windows or Mac PCs; ultra-affordable price tag.
The bad: The Harmony 300 only controls four devices and requires a computer with Internet access to configure. For just $30 more, the step-up model adds an LCD screen and uses the activity-based commands that Harmony is known for.
The bottom line: If you're looking for a cheap and easy universal remote--and you can live with its streamlined feature set--the Logitech Harmony 300 is a great choice.
October 29, 2012 3:39 PM PDT
Photo by: Sarah Tew/CNET
