SwitchBot's inexpensive universal remote can also control your smart home

SwitchBot's new screen-equipped universal remote can control more than just your home entertainment center. With support for Bluetooth and Matter, the remote should also operate smart home devices without users needing to reach for their smartphones.

For those who struggle to keep track of the myriad remotes included with everything from ceiling fans to light bulbs, the SwitchBot universal remote currently supports “up to 83,934 remote control models” over infrared, with a code library that’s updated every six months.

The remote is also compatible with SwitchBot's other smart home devices, including its robovac and curtain controller, and Bluetooth-controlled devices, including a number of standalone smart light bulbs. Apple TV and Fire TV will be supported at launch, though Roku and Android TV users will have to wait for a future update to make the remote compatible with their hardware.

SwitchBot's latest accessory isn't the only universal remote to boast compatibility with smart home devices. The $258 Haptic RS90, which is coming to consumers via a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, promises similar functionality. But SwitchBot's offering is more attractive, priced at $59.99 and featuring support for Matter.

The ability to control Matter-compatible devices from other smart home brands requires the universal remote to work in conjunction with the company's SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini, which will increase the price of the remote for those who aren't already running a hub in their home.

The 2.4-inch LCD screen on the SwitchBot universal remote makes navigating a long list of controllable devices more user-friendly, but you can't touch it. All controls are handled via physical buttons and a touch-sensitive scroll wheel reminiscent of early iPod models. If you lose it, you won't have to search through all the couch cushions in your house. The SwitchBot app has a “Find My Remote” feature that will make the universal remote emit a sound so it can be found with less hassle.

The 2,000mAh battery promises up to 150 days of battery life, but that's based on “10 minutes of average screen use per day,” which doesn't sound like a lot. Users may find themselves charging the SwitchBot Universal Remote more often, but it's still more convenient than struggling to find a new pair of AAA batteries.