Logitech Harmony Elite
Advanced universal remote control

Harmony elite remote control review

Logitech Harmony Elite

How good does a $550 universal remote have to be? As good as the Harmony Elite, Logitech hopes. At that price, the Harmony Elite is aimed at serious home theatre geeks, but the value proposition increases the more gadgets you have.

I was able to control a TV, Soundbar, PS4, Apple TV, home theatre PC and Lifx light bulbs with the Harmony Elite, replacing a coffee table's worth of remotes and controllers. With Infrared, Bluetooth and Wifi, the Harmony Elite should be compatible with just about any home theatre system or smart device. Convenience aside, the Harmony Elite can make up for the shortcomings of many remotes – replacing the always lost, slippery little Apple TV remote, or PS4 controller, which is a fine game controller, but not a great remote for blu-ray movies. I was even able to retire a bluetooth keyboard and mouse for the home theatre PC.

The build quality of the remote, and docking cradle, is fantastic. Every button is individually backlit, making it easy to use in a darkened room, and the capacitive touchscreen at the top of the remote is fast and responsive.

But it is the "Activities" that set the Harmony Elite apart from the competition. Through the Logitech iOS and Android companion apps, you can set up a series of actions under the one activity. Set up "Watch Netflix" – and at the tap of a button, the Harmony Elite can turn on your TV, switch HDMI inputs, launch the Netflix App on the Apple TV, turn on your sound system, and dim your living room lights. The combinations are painless to setup, and easily accessible through the touchscreen on the remote.

If you can justify the price, and I wish I could, the Harmony Elite is a great addition to any home theatre.

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