X1S Universal Remote, All in One Universal Remote Control with Hub & APP, One-Touch Activities, Compatible with 60+Devices, IR/Bluetooth/WiFi/Alexa/Google Assistant, Raise to Wake

I purchased the X1S in September of 2024. This is the second Sofabaton X1 I've had; I bought the first X1 version a little more than a year ago, and I have been very, very pleased with both models. I use the X1S for our main sound and video system, and the original X1 with an auxiliary TV. The codes for operating several hundred thousands of devices from several thousand brands are easily download from Sofabaton's data base, or the codes from your original remote controls can be learned by the X1S. A relatively simple scripting language lets you control and operate multiple devices with one operation or "activity", so the multiple remote control devices that you would normally have to use with the various devices in your A-V setup can all be consolidated and run on one remote, the X1S, with the press of one button. The setup is relatively easy. The device is well made and feels solid in your hand. After the X1S was configured and programmed, it has operated flawlessly for the past seven months -- this has also been the case with my original X1. The X1S remote controls your various A-V devices by communicating with a "hub" using RF signals, so the remote does not have to be pointed at the device; it can be pointed anywhere, and it has an impressive range. I recently did a major equipment and carrier switch involving one of my A-V setups, replacing several Comcast cable boxes for internet, phone, and tv, with one Xfinity unit. I simply added the Xfinity box to the main "activity" I'd programmed into the X1S, which automatically included the new device into the existing program and continued to function normally with no further requirements. I am sincerely impressed with Sofabaton's products. I could ask for the moon, I suppose, but I really can't think of much more I would want in a remote control device. Having said that, I do have one suggestion that I think would make the X1S an even more flexible device, which is to add an If-Then construct to the scripting language. Here's an example of how such a construct might be used: you can easily switch input sources from within an Activity, for example, from cable tv, to Netflex, or Youtube, etc. However, depending on your equipment, the key bindings for doing things like navigating up, down, right, and left, for example, may use different codes for different devices -- the arrow keys used when watching cable TV may use one set of codes, whereas if you switch to watching Netflix within the same Activity, there is no way to also automatically switch the navigation key bindings from those used by cable TV, to those needed by Netflix. The workaround is to create separate Activities for live cable tv and streaming sources. This is a wish list item; it would be nice to have, but it doesn't impact my general satisfaction with this product.

This is a great remote and a replacement for my U1 SofaBaton. It has a very clean layout with a great display. Buttons are nicely placed and the scroll wheel is very easy to operate when selecting an activity. Operation is different from my previous remote as this model doesn’t send IR from the remote to your devices. The remote communicates to the included hub that then sends IR control signals to your devices. Setup was pretty easy, just make sure to have Bluetooth enabled on your phone prior to beginning setup. I was able to add multiple devices from the incredibly extensive library of codes (some of my devices are older and they were all there which makes setup a breeze). I was also able to add my Apple TV (Bluetooth control) without any issues (although the pictures in the manual didn’t actually match my Apple TV menu)? After adding all of my devices I created my 1st activity (WATCH TV) and with only minor tweaks to the setup all of the correct devices turned ON with the correct inputs selected. Powering everything OFF also work perfectly. It would be great if they opened up their API for local control via Home Assistant. They do have the option for cloud control, however, not a big fan of non-local control of my devices. This remote is a keeper! If my opinion changes after using this remote for a while or the remote malfunctions I will add an update to this review.

I had to replace an old Harmony hub, and there are not too many options with a hub like this that can sit in an enclosed equipment cabinet. Thought I would give the X1S a try. The good: Remote is nice overall. Good size, ergonomics, just enough keys so it is not confusing to operate. Each key is easily mapped to a command in the app, and like the Harmony products it supports short and long press. Setup is fairly easy, and the equipment database seems large. My system just has a Sony receiver, an Apple TV a Tivo and Samsung TV. Startup / shutdown seem quicker than the Harmony and more consistent. I have had this remote for about 3 weeks now and so far so good. Battery life is excellent on the remote, and I much prefer a rechargeable remove versus one that takes AA or a coin cell. The not as good. I would not say anything about this remote system is bad, but there are some things to note that might make setup take a bit longer. Not all of the remote commands on the devices I selected worked. For example, my Sony STR DH790 power commands did not work. All of the other once I needed did. Fortunately learning commands is easy with the X1S, so I added power on / off commands that worked. The X1S allows you to 'repair' commands by learning but I added two extra commands. Also with my TiVo and Apple TV the infrared commands on the navigation button (up, left, right, down, select) seemed a bit more sluggish than the original remotes. With the TiVo I repaired the track pad commands which seemed to improve things. On the Apple TV I selected Bluetooth remote instead of infrared and it made a world of difference. To do this you will need to pair the Sofabaton with the Apple TV, but the software app guides you through this. Overall I would recommend this remote. It is definitely worth the roughly $200 I spent in my opinion. Just note that it takes a little bit of effort to get everything just right. I give it four starts - it it did not require setup tweaking it would certainly be a 5.