top of page
Search

The Ultimate Guide to Evaluating Smart Home Systems Remote Controls

  • Writer: Aaron A.
    Aaron A.
  • Aug 3
  • 4 min read

Updated: Aug 6

As technology advances, home automation has become an integral part of our lives. Smart home systems are no longer just a luxury; they’re now commonplace in many households. With so many options available, selecting the right system can feel overwhelming, especially when considering the remotes that control them. This guide will simplify your decision-making process by evaluating various smart home systems alongside their remote controls, using clear ratings based on features, usability, and overall performance. We've listed only remotes that are still currently supported and commonly installed.



1. Control4

Control4 is a leader in the smart home automation market. They hold lots of patents limiting other companies from being able to even engage in the smart home industry.

  • Control4 Halo Remote - 2022

    The Halo Remote This innovative remote allows users to effortlessly navigate and manage a plethora of rooms within their home, providing a seamless way to control a wide range of devices and systems. With its intuitive layout, you can quickly access different areas of your home, whether it be the living room, kitchen, or bedroom, ensuring that you have complete command over your environment at your fingertips. The customization options available on the Halo Remote are extensive, enabling you to tailor the interface to suit your specific needs and preferences. You can easily set up shortcuts for frequently used devices, such as lights, thermostats, and entertainment systems, allowing for quick access without the need to sift through multiple menus. This level of personalization not only enhances user convenience but also streamlines the process of managing multiple devices simultaneously.
    The Halo Remote This innovative remote allows users to effortlessly navigate and manage a plethora of rooms within their home, providing a seamless way to control a wide range of devices and systems. With its intuitive layout, you can quickly access different areas of your home, whether it be the living room, kitchen, or bedroom, ensuring that you have complete command over your environment at your fingertips. The customization options available on the Halo Remote are extensive, enabling you to tailor the interface to suit your specific needs and preferences. You can easily set up shortcuts for frequently used devices, such as lights, thermostats, and entertainment systems, allowing for quick access without the need to sift through multiple menus. This level of personalization not only enhances user convenience but also streamlines the process of managing multiple devices simultaneously.


2. Savant

Savant stands out for its high-end smart home solutions and elegant interfaces. Its remotes not only reflect premium quality but also offer impressive functionality.

  • Savant Pro Remote X2 - 2020

The Savant Pro Remote comes with a vibrant touchscreen that provides easy navigation through an large list of connected devices. For example, you can create personalized scenes like "Movie Night" which dim the lights, lower the shades, and start your favorite film, all with a single touch.
The Savant Pro Remote comes with a vibrant touchscreen that provides easy navigation through an large list of connected devices. For example, you can create personalized scenes like "Movie Night" which dim the lights, lower the shades, and start your favorite film, all with a single touch.


3. URC (Universal Remote Control)

URC has built a reputation for providing versatile, user-friendly solutions for home automation needs. Their remotes offer ample features without complexity, and is hands down the most reliable system we've ever seen.

  • URC MX-990 Remote - 2017

The URC MX-990 features a backlit color LCD screen that makes it easy to navigate through your devices. Its ergonomic design and customizable buttons ensure that it is ideal for families with diverse needs. For example, parents can set shortcuts for children to access their favorite channels on TV.
The URC MX-990 features a backlit color LCD screen that makes it easy to navigate through your devices. Its ergonomic design and customizable buttons ensure that it is ideal for families with diverse needs. For example, parents can set shortcuts for children to access their favorite channels on TV.


  • URC TRC-1480 Remote - 2019

    The URC TRC-1480 is designed as a touchscreen remote supporting both Wi-Fi and RF connections. It comes with various pre-set controls and customizable options suitable for multi-room usage such as controlling different entertainment systems, lightings, thermostats, and much more.
    The URC TRC-1480 is designed as a touchscreen remote supporting both Wi-Fi and RF connections. It comes with various pre-set controls and customizable options suitable for multi-room usage such as controlling different entertainment systems, lightings, thermostats, and much more.



4. ELAN

ELAN is known for its user-friendly interfaces and seamless integration across various smart home devices. Their remotes are designed with features that enhance usability.

  • ELAN HR40 Remote - 2023

    With a full-fledged control interface that enables users to answer video doorbells, view surveillance cameras, and communicate with other interfaces using intercom, all using the 3.1” high resolution touchscreen. Beautifully crafted with a solid aluminum body and glass touchscreen, the Nice HR40 is a seamless extension of the Nice Home Management system interface.
    With a full-fledged control interface that enables users to answer video doorbells, view surveillance cameras, and communicate with other interfaces using intercom, all using the 3.1” high resolution touchscreen. Beautifully crafted with a solid aluminum body and glass touchscreen, the Nice HR40 is a seamless extension of the Nice Home Management system interface.

  • ELAN HR30 Remote - 2017

The ELAN HR30 remote combines tactile buttons with a sleek LCD screen for practical navigation. It supports multi-room audio and video distribution, making it ideal for complex home setups.
The ELAN HR30 remote combines tactile buttons with a sleek LCD screen for practical navigation. It supports multi-room audio and video distribution, making it ideal for complex home setups.



5. Crestron

Crestron is synonymous with high-end installations and is highly regarded in the smart home integration space. Their remotes focus on elegance and reliability.

  • Crestron TSR-310 & HR310 Remotes - 2017

    The Crestron TSR-310 remote features an intelligent touchscreen that provides user-friendly interfaces for controlling various home functions, from lighting to heating. Users can design custom layouts, making it adaptable to different preferences or occasions.
    The Crestron TSR-310 remote features an intelligent touchscreen that provides user-friendly interfaces for controlling various home functions, from lighting to heating. Users can design custom layouts, making it adaptable to different preferences or occasions.


5. AVA

  • AVA Cinema Remote - 2025

    ree

AVA Cinema Remote is a premium remote that combines a vibrant, edge-to-edge touchscreen with a groundbreaking button interface called the Dynamic Keypad. The surface has a three dimensional glass ring that guides the user’s thumb to sense exactly where it is on the keypad, enabling the easiest navigation compared to any other remote. AVA's remotes eliminate the need for the vast array of buttons found on most remote controls. Instead, the Dynamic Keypad gives the user a simple interface that changes its button labels, colors, and capabilities according to the media source currently in use.


The user always has the buttons they need, without the confusion of irrelevant buttons AVA Cinema Remote runs AVA OS with no need for any additional automation processor hardware. AVA OS makes it easy to use modern AV systems by coordinating their various components into a single whole that feels natural to use. Unlike the major smart home platforms in the Custom Install industry, AVA OS runs on the AVA Cinema Remote with no additional hardware, so a single device can orchestrate control of a whole theater system.




Final Thoughts on Smart Home Systems

Selecting the right smart home system and remote can be daunting given the plethora of options available. Control4, Savant, URC, ELAN, and Crestron all provide unique and compelling features tailored to various user preferences and home configurations. By evaluating where your primary needs lie—be it ease of use, advanced features, or design—you can create the ultimate smart home experience.


By examining the leading smart home systems and their remotes, you now have the insights needed to make a well-informed decision. Integrating the right technology into your home enhances both comfort and convenience. As the smart home industry continues to grow, keeping updated will help you adapt your living spaces to new possibilities.

Comments

bottom of page