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Hi everyone, in this article, I pledge to do my best to give you the scoop on all of the differences between the Sofabaton X1S vs U1 universal remote controls.
The Difference Between X1S and U1 & U2
Since Logitech said it will stop making Harmony remotes last year, there hasn’t been anyone that even comes close to measuring up in the universal remote space. That is, until now.
As someone who has been blogging about remotes for the past few years, I don’t think I have been more excited about new remotes than I am about these two remotes from Sofabaton.
While the U1 has been around for a while, the new X1S remote is next level and in some respects is even better than Harmony.
But how do these two remotes stack up against each other?
Here’s the short version:
Sofabaton X1S remote is more compact, has a larger LCD screen, and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices as well as RF and IR devices that U1 solely supports. X1S also supports Alexa and Google Assistant and controls Philips Hue and Sonos; U1 does not. Both remotes have one-button “activities” that can run a sequence of commands.
There are also some other key technical differences like battery life that I will go into more detail about below.
On that note, let me start with a key specifications comparison table and then we’ll get into some of the pros and cons of each remote.
Sofabaton X1S vs U1 & U2: Comparison Table
The following table compares key Sofabaton X1S vs U1 & U2 features side by side.
Last update on 12/13/2024 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sofabaton X1S
Now that Logitech Harmony has stopped making remotes, the SofaBaton X1S is the best consumer-focused universal remote control that you can buy today in my opinion.
This all-in-one remote can be used to control your entire home theater system—including your TV, multiple streaming devices, sound bar, A/V receiver—and even smart devices like Philips Hue lights and Sonos speakers.
Right alongside Logitech Harmony, the X1S is one of the most capable remotes I have ever tested. The company claims it can be used to control over 500,000 infrared and Bluetooth devices from 5000 brands. Wow. Talk about compatibility. Support for all those devices means that the X1S remote is likely compatible with most (if not all) of the devices that you own today.
You can even customize the activity buttons on the remote to do things like dim the lights and turn off the music when you want to watch TV.
The X1S also comes with two IR blasters which allow you to control the devices inside of closed cabinets This is so line of sight is not required to control devices in your entertainment center. You won’t likely need to use the blasters though as the range is excellent especially when it comes to controlling your Bluetooth devices like streaming media players.
As a Pro Tip, I strongly recommend that you download the latest firmware updates after buying this which will ensure you have the latest device software containing the improvements.
Pros
Cons
? Related: My Full Sofabaton X1S Review
Video Review
Video Credit: Tec Timmy
The X1S is compatible with smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling voice control for activating activities and interacting with your smart home entertainment systems.
Sofabaton U1
Looking to consolidate multiple remote controls down to one? The Sofabaton U1 universal remote may be just what the doctor ordered.
You can use it to consolidate the remotes for your Smart TV, Apple TV, Roku player, Fire TV, DVD player as well as many other Bluetooth devices.
This advanced “learning” remote can control up to 15 devices and includes an OLED display and scroll wheel for easy navigation. Plus, there’s a Smartphone APP for easy set up and you can also use the app as a backup remote control on your smartphone.
Compatible with 500,000 devices from 6,000 brands, the Sofabaton U1 is an outstanding remote to help you get your home entertainment system under control. Issue multiple commands via one macro button for ultimate convenience. For example, you can program a watch Apple TV option to automatically turn on your LG TV (if it is off), switch to the right input for Apple TV, launch Apple TV and even fire up your soundbar or surround sound set up.
? Related: Sofabaton U1 Technical Specifications
The U1 will not control your smart devices like Hue lights on Sonos speakers however. It will also not work with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control. You would need to upgrade to the X1S to get these capabilities. More on that below.
Pros
Cons
Video Review
The following video from A-HIT does a nice job by going over what the Sofabaton U1 has to offer:
- 【U1 Universal Remote & Replaces 15 Other Remotes】This unique remote control supports 500,000+ devices from 6000+ brands. You can use it to control up to 15 of your favorite devices so say goodbye to all those remotes on your coffee table..
- 【App One-Touch Set Up】You use the SofaBaton app for setup, so no need for remote control codes. You can also create one-button macros to fire up multiple devices with a single-button push.
Similarities and Differences
In comparing Sofabaton X1S vs U1 here are the key similarities and differences between these two remotes.
Sofabaton X1S vs U1: Similarities
Sofabaton X1S vs U1: Key Differences
? Related: Sofabaton Vs Harmony: How U1 & X1S Compare
What’s in the Box
My New in the Box X1S and U1
Sofabaton X1S
Sofabaton U1
? Related: Sofabaton U1 vs U2
X1S Unboxing
Thanks to my boy Kpaceguy for the stellar X1S unboxing video and review.
U1 Unboxing
RodrickViews does a nice job in this unboxing video of the U1
Final Analysis
My final thoughts about the Sofabaton X1S vs U1 remotes are this:
While the X1S is not cheap, it is the best consumer remote available at the time of this writing. If you can afford it, go with the X1S. Since the technology behind the Hub lives in the Cloud, this remote is only going to get better with time. I see it being able to support more smart devices than Philips Hue and Sonos in the not-too-distance future. I also love that it works with Alexa for voice control.
If the X1S price tag makes you a bit skittish, the U1 is a viable alternative. You just need to know that control is going to be limited to your home theater devices. Also, a few customers have complained the Bluetooth devices can sometimes lose the connection and have to be remapped.
I have not experienced this yet but I can see how that could be annoying. Apart from these limitations, this is a very worthy remote. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that both of these remotes are even better than Harmony in some ways (e.g., the setup process is much easier). It’s nice that we now have these two options on the road ahead as we look at Logitech Harmony in the rearview mirror.
Tim Brennan is a technology blogger and hosts the @TecTimmy YouTube channel. He writes about smart homes at oneSmartcrib, home theaters at UniversalRemoteReviews, and AI in writing at Writeinteractive. A graduate of Northeastern University School of Journalism, he has written about technology for 30 years. Tim lives on the ocean in Nahant, Massachusetts.
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