In this guide, we’ve explored the very best smart remote control devices from the range of connected home control systems to bring you some of the top smart home controls for every task.
The physical interface between you and the modern smart home ecosystem, the best smart remote control devices are designed to bridge the gap between you and your devices are an essential element to any smart home setup.
Some of the smart remote control devices you’ll come across take the more traditional approach to control with physical remote units and interfaces, some utilize an app-based interface on tablets and smartphones, and other smart home remote systems use voice control to manage the operation of the smart devices around your home.
Read on to uncover our pick of the top smart remote controls systems which will allow you to bring your smart home devices to life with seamless coordination, security, and efficiency controlled by you, wherever you are.
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What is a Smart Remote Control?
At the simplest level, a smart remote control is a device or interface that lets you communicate with (and therefore control) any smart device in your home ecosystem.
This could be anything from remotely turning on one of your smart light bulbs in the living room, to asking your Alexa enabled voice controller to increase the temperature, or even using an app on your phone to grant remote access to a guest looking to get into the house when you have a smart lock installed on the front door.
The best smart remote control systems and devices allow you to schedule, control, and automate each and every one of your smart home devices in a way that minimizes the input required on your part and makes the task as simple and effective as possible.
The Best Smart Remote Control Devices and Systems
Whether you’re looking for the ability to control your smart home devices with the power of your voice, or want to check you’ve turned the lights off remotely when you get into work in the morning, the best smart remote control systems are designed to make controlling your smart home devices simple, reliable, and effective.
The Best Smart Remote Control Hub Devices
The smart hub is an essential element of any connected home environment and brings together all of your smart devices, unifying potentially conflicting wireless protocols into a universal language that means all of your kit can communicate and play nice.
With this in mind, the ensuring you have the best smart home hub in your setup is a critical consideration if you’re looking to maintain smart remote control over a lot of different smart home devices.
If you’ve got Z-Wave smart light bulbs, a Wi-Fi smart lock, and a ZigBee thermostat, you’re going to need a smart remote control system that not only brings these otherwise disparate devices together and makes them understand each other, but also that allows you to control them all at the touch of a button or simply by speaking a voice command.
Amazon Echo Plus
When it comes to voice activated smart remote controls, the Alexa-powered Amazon Echo Plus is undoubtedly one of the best in the business.
Pure voice powered smart remote control functionality, the Echo Plus is a smart speakers system and smart home hub combined and is able to orchestrate and control a ton of connected smart home devices, while also providing excellent voice assisted feedback from Alexa, the system’s in-built artificial intelligence.
From hands-free music to controlling other smart devices such as smart lighting, locks, and temperature controllers around your home, the Amazon Echo Plus is one of the very best smart remote control options if you’re looking for an all-in-one smart home control device.
Learn More About the Amazon Echo Plus Here
Samsung SmartThings Hub
Samsung have a well-deserved reputation for high quality when it comes to interactive technology and this stylish home hub is certainly no exception.
Allowing you complete control over your home from wherever you may be, the SmartThings hub is the brain of your smart home, allowing seamless integration to all of your devices from light and thermostats to locks and power outlets.
Simply setup the hub alongside the accompanying SmartThings app for your smartphone or tablet and you’ll have complete control over your home from anywhere in the world.
Learn More About the Samsung SmartThings Hub Here
Logitech Harmony Home Hub
Looking for smartphone control over your home automation and entertainment devices?
If so, the Logitech Harmony Home Hub is the piece of kit for the job.
Designed to bring all the elements of the modern smart home together, the Harmony Home Hub works alongside an accompanying app to allow you full control over lighting, temperature, audio and visual home entertainment from your tablet or smartphone.
Learn More About the Logitech Harmony Home Hub Here
VeraEdge Home Controller
Think of the VeraEdge as the smart remote control center of your interconnected and wireless smart home setup.
Providing the ability to control a host of smart devices and appliances throughout your home, the VeraEdge brings together control for a whole load of the major brands including Nest, Yale and Philips Hue.
One touch pre-programmed settings can be applied for modes including Away, Night and Vacation.
Controllable through an accompanying app on your tablet or smartphone, the VeraEdge Home Controller gives complete control over more than 200 devices.
Learn More About the VeraEdge Home Controller Here
NuBryte Touchpoint
So now we totally feel like we’re living in the future.
The NuBryte Touchpoint provides you with complete control over home security monitoring and lighting.
Designed to integrate with other sensors around the home via a wireless connection, the Nubryte Touchpoint can be used to control your thermostat and lighting but can also hook up to your smart security system and provide real-time access to any camera feeds you have set up.
Learn More About the NuBryte Touchpoint Here
VeraLite Home Controller
The VeraLite is a great option if you’re looking for a simple, powerful and effective smart home controller.
Designed to connect with devices from a list of different manufacturers, the VeraLite Home Controller makes the perfect addition to your smart home setup whether just starting out, or already underway.
Connect the device to your network and a smartphone or tablet and you can immediately begin to take control of your smart home environment.
Learn More About the VeraLite Home Controller Here
Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge
Another one of our favorites when it comes to smart home control hubs, the Lutron Caseta is a true workhorse of the connected home network.
Allowing you to use your tablet or smartphone to control your devices, the Caseta can also be used in conjunction with an Apple Watch for ultimate control on the go.
The Caseta also works particularly well with other Lutron products such as the Caseta Wireless Dimmers and the Serena Remote Controlled Shades to give your home completely scheduled lighting automation no matter the time of day or year.
Learn More About the Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge Here
The Best Smart Home Remote Control Voice Activated Controllers
One of the key
Logitech Harmony Home Elite Remote
The perfect pairing for the Logitech Harmony Home Hub (see above), the Harmony Home Elite Remote provides a more traditional remote interface to get things (and we mean, almost everything) done.
Send commands to connected devices such as your Philips Hue Lighting system or your Nest devices all by connecting them to your hub and then sending out the commands from this little beauty.
We like to think of this remote as the ‘one for all’ solution – control your music, lighting, tv, games consoles, blinds, temperature all from one handheld device.
Pretty Awesome.
Learn More About the Logitech Harmony Home Elite Remote Here
Nest Learning Thermostat
The Nest Learning Thermostat is simply one of the best devices when it comes to adaptive climate control in the smart home.
Learning from your habits and programming itself accordingly, the Nest Thermostat is truly a ‘smart learner’ and comes with additional manual control and is designed to look stunning while keeping your home environment comfortable and running as efficiently as possible.
We particularly love how the Nest Learning Thermostat knows when you’re away – out of the house at work for example – and heats or cools the home as appropriate.
Learn More About the Nest Learning Thermostat Here
