Recently, I tested a few universal remotes, and most of them don’t live up to the hype. However, the SwitchBot Universal Remote is different.
Imagine a remote that controls your TV and seamlessly manages your smart home devices, shades, and even your door locks.
That’s exactly what SwitchBot Universal Remote does, and I feel that even SwitchBot is understating its potential.
I’ve reviewed numerous remotes, but this is the first one that truly impressed me.
So, in this article, I’m going to unbox it and show you why it can be a game-changer for your smart home.
| Feature | Details |
| Control | IR, Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, Scenes |
| Devices | TVs, Speakers, Shades, Lights, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku |
| Matter | Yes (HomeKit, Alexa, SmartThings, Home Assistant) |
| Google Home | No |
| Buttons | 4 programmable |
| Screen | LED (dim) |
| Battery | 5-6 months (USB-C) |
| Hub Needed | Yes, for IR & Matter |
| Scenes | Yes (some IR delays) |
| Limits | Fixed button layout, max 4 Matter apps |
SwitchBot Universal Remote: The SwitchBot Universal Remote in Action
Let’s start with what this thing can do after unboxing:
- It controls your Apple TV and Sonos speakers.
- It operates Lutron smart shades.
- Interestingly, it even works with SwitchBot’s smart lock.
The craziest part? With just one button, it turns on five different lights across three different systems Home Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Homie.
To watch a complete unboxing, check the video below:
Three Ways to Control Your Devices
1. Infrared (IR) Blaster
Most traditional remotes use infrared signals for control, and the SwitchBot remote already has an IR blaster.
This means you can control:
- TVs
- Fans
- Speakers
- Any device with an IR sensor
If your device already has an IR remote, chances are the SwitchBot remote will take over.
2. Bluetooth Control
This gives you three different options to control:
- Direct connection to Apple TV, Fire TV, and other devices, like pairing with Bluetooth accessories.
- You can control SwitchBot smart devices without a hub.
- Create a multi-device scene inside the SwitchBot app.
3. Hub-Based Control & Matter Integration
When you connect the SwitchBot Universal remote to a SwitchBot Hub, it unlocks even more functionalities:
- It integrates with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, SmartThings, Homie, and Home Assistant.
- It even triggers four different automations in different smart home apps simultaneously.
This makes the SwitchBot Universal remote stand out, as you can control multiple ecosystems with a single remote.
SwitchBot Universal Remote: Physical Design & User Experience
Now, it’s time to talk about how it feels to use it.
- It comes in the perfect size, not too big nor tiny.
- It is lightweight and still gives a premium vibe.
- Buttons are smooth and easy to use.
- It comes with a lit LED screen, but it could be brighter.
On-screen, a big red “Cata” button brings you directly to the main menu, letting you quickly switch between devices.
Adding devices via the SwitchBot app is a pretty straightforward way.
Things I Loved About This Remote
Multi-System Smart Home Control
After reviewing several remotes, this is the first remote that enables managing multiple smart home platforms.
- This integrates with Amazon, Apple, and many other platforms.
- You don’t need the internet for execution, this means everything runs locally.
Super Low Latency
The remote is very responsive and gives zero delays. Both Bluetooth and IR signals are rapid, and Matter-based automation runs incredibly fast.
True Universal Control
The SwitchBot Universal remote isn’t just a normal TV remote. It works seamlessly with smart lights, speakers, and locks.
Family Friendly Design
Unlike most smart remotes, which are a bit complex and take forever to figure out. This one is easy to use, and you can use it immediately.
SwitchBot Universal Remote: What’s Not Perfect?
1. Some SwitchBot Devices Have Limited Controls
SwitchBot tends to give numerous features in its products. However, the SwitchBot Universal remote doesn’t have the features of SwitchBot products. Although updates are improving, it’s still something to keep in mind.
2. Button Customization Is Limited
SwitchBot Universal remote doesn’t give the option to customize buttons. The top four buttons are customized, but the rest follow reconfigured settings.
3. Infrared Scenes Have a Small Issue
When running IR-based commands, you might see minor delays as commands go through the hub.
4. You Need a Hub for Full Functionality
You won’t be able to get infrared control and Matter integration without connecting to the SwitchBot hub. I highly recommend getting the Hub 2 or Matter-ready mini Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I Use This Remote Without a SwitchBot Hub?
Ans: You can use it without the SwitchBot hub, but with limited functionality. You can control SwitchBot Bluetooth devices and Apple/Fire TV. However, a hub is necessary to enable IR control and Matter integration.
Q: Does It Work With Google Home?
Ans: Unfortunately, the SwitchBot Universal remote doesn’t support Google Home. However, there is a possibility that SwitchBot might add support in the future.
Q: How Long Does the Battery Last?
Ans: It comes with built-in rechargeable batteries that last around 5-6 months on a single charge.
Q: Does the remote have voice assistant support like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri?
Ans: The SwitchBot Universal remote doesn’t have built-in voice assistance. However, if you integrate it with platforms like Alexa through a Matter-enabled hub.
You might be able to set triggers and automate using voice commands.
Q: Is the SwitchBot Universal Remote waterproof or durable?
Ans: No, the SwitchBot Universal remote is not waterproof. Despite its solid build, it must be protected from water and excessive physical impact to avoid damage.
Final Thoughts
- SwitchBot Universal remote lets you control your TV, speakers, and smart shades from just one remote.
- It even allows you to control SwitchBot’s smart lock.
- With just one button, it turns on five lights across three different systems.
- This integrates with Amazon, Apple, and many other platforms.
- You don’t need the internet to make it work; you can run operations locally.
- The remote is very responsive and gives zero delays.
- However, the SwitchBot Universal remote doesn’t allow customization of buttons.
- You won’t be able to get infrared control and Matter integration without connecting to the SwitchBot hub.
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