Home AV system Remote Controls

The Bottom Line: The Philips Prestigo SRU8015 universal remote offers relatively easy setup and good control flexibility, but it's sabotaged by a poorly implemented scroll-wheel control.

Specs: Infrared, TV, Amplifier, CD player, MD player, Projector, DVD/DVR/VCR, Audio system, Home control, Satellite or Cable, 33 ft, Learning, Programmable, LCD backlight, Battery level indicator

The Bottom Line: The Logitech Harmony 510 is a good PC-programmable universal remote, but you should opt for one of the two nearly identical Harmony models instead.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVD player, Audio system, LCD display

The Bottom Line: The URC Digital R50's successful combination of good ergonomics, solid design, and easy programmability makes it a good alternative to Logitech Harmony universal remotes.

Specs: Infrared, Audio/video components, TV, DVD player, VCR, Cable box, Satellite TV system, 49 ft, Learning, Programmable, Macro function

The Bottom Line: The Acoustic Research Universal Smart Remote works well once you've managed to set it up, but it cannot replace the easy-to-use experience with that of a Harmony remote.

Specs: Infrared, TV, Amplifier, CD player, Projector, AV receiver, DVD/DVR/VCR, Satellite or Cable, Upgradable, LCD display

The Bottom Line: Philips' superb Prestigo SRU8010 will appeal to TV-centric users looking for a universal remote that's both affordable and easy to set up.

Specs: Infrared, TV, Amplifier, CD player, MD player, DVD player, DVD/DVR/VCR, Satellite or Cable, 23 ft, Learning

The Bottom Line: The Logitech Harmony 670 may not be the coolest-looking universal remote, but it's one of the easiest to use, especially for DVR users.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVR, Audio system, PC multimedia, Back-lit buttons, Color-coded buttons

The Bottom Line: The Monster Home Theater Controller 100 universal remote arguably offers a superior design to competing models from Logitech and Harman Kardon, but it's comparatively pricey.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVR, VCR, Amplifier, Cable box, LD player, Projector, DVD player, AV receiver, Plasma panel, PC multimedia, Satellite TV system, PIP function, Programmable, Back-lit buttons

The Bottom Line: While the RF-capable Logitech Harmony 890 does much of what the Monster Home Theater and Lighting Controller 300 does for significantly less money, the Monster is the superior remote.

Specs: Infrared/radio, Amplifier, CD player, DVD player, AV receiver, 130 ft, Back-lit buttons

The Bottom Line: The combination of a color screen, a battery charger dock, and a sleek design makes the Logitech Harmony 720 one of the company's best universal remotes to date.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVD player, Audio system, LCD display, LCD backlight, Back-lit buttons

The Bottom Line: The attractive, feature-rich Philips RC9800i is one of the first universal remotes to incorporate Wi-Fi wireless networking--but we hope some of its more annoying shortcomings will be improved upon with future firmware upgrades.

Specs: Infrared/radio, Audio/video components, LCD display, Built-in speaker