For a long time I was looking for the perfect universal remote. I saw universal remotes as the key to usability for my family and visitors as my home theater systems became more complicated. Then, I cut the cord and no longer needed to worry about changing channels on a cable box. Streaming devices like the Chromecast with Google TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV greatly simplified their interfaces. Suddenly I no longer needed a universal remote with a million buttons to control everything. What I need is a universal remote that has a simple controls but works with multiple types of devices (infrared, Bluetooth, IP). Enter the SofaBaton X1S.
Before getting into the SofaBaton remotes (I also have the SofaBaton R2) I was a longtime Harmony remote fan. I used Harmony remotes for years due to their wide range of compatibility and the fact that their device database were frequently updated so I could be sure that I would be able to use them with newer devices. In fact, the Harmony Hub had almost everything I wanted in a remote control. Logitech purchased Harmony, and some time later discontinued their products. That left a hole for Internet programmable multiprotocol universal remotes that can integrate with your smart home. In this review, you’ll see why I believe the X1S has filled this hole admirably.
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Editor’s Note: The SofaBaton X1S was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This is no way influences what I write. I always give my honest opinion!
SofaBaton X1S specifications
SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote with Hub and App, All in One Smart Universal Remote Control with Customize Activities, Control Up to 60 IR/Bluetooth/WiFi Devices
- Comprehensive Code Library – State-of-the-art technology aims for our SofaBaton X1S Universal remote controls to work 100% on future devices. Our ultra modern remote controls are fully compatible due to our world’s most complete database supporting over 6,000 brands and more than 500,000 Device Models! The database is continuously being updated, which means you can keep up with the latest hi tech trends, now and in the coming years.
- Custom One-Click Activities – You can set up custom activities that action several commands at once to control your home entertainment. Just press the scroll wheel button to quickly switch to your desired scene without manually operating each device. For example, Add an “Watch TV” activity to automatically turn on your cable box, audio receiver, TV, change the receiver to the right channel, and switch your TV to the right HDMI input, making your life more convenient and efficient. Activity is very powerful, hurry up and enjoy the magic!
What’s in the box?
- X1S remote control
- X1S Infrared (IR) hub
- 2 IR blasters
- 2 USB-A to USB-C cables
- 1 5V/2A power brick
- Manual
Key Specs
| Remote Control Dimensions | 7.48 x 1.81 x .59 inches |
| Hub Dimensions | 3.94 x 3.94 x .83 inches |
| Remote Control Display | 2-inch OLED display |
| Remote Control Battery | 1050mAh Lithium Ion |
| Remote Control Battery Life | 60 days |
| Device support protocols | Infrared (IR), Bluetooth, IP |
| Hub Inputs | Two IR blasters, USB-C Power |
| Hub IR Pattern | Omnidirectional |
| Smart Home Integrations | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Home Assistant |
| App Compatibility | Android, iOS |
The integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant allow you to use voice commands to control the SofaBaton and thus the devices the SofaBaton can control. The integration with Home Assistant allows Home Assistant to control the SofaBaton configured devices as well as the ability to have the SofaBaton control smart home devices integrated into Home Assistant. More on that later.
Also of note, the X1S remote control doesn’t have its own IR emitter and is useless without the hub. It simple tells the hub what to do. You can also use the SofaBaton app to control the devices.
Lastly, the X1S remote is rechargeable via a USB-C connection.
Editor’s Note: You can also buy the X1S directly from SofaBaton. Use the code HomeTechHacker to get 15% off!
Setting up the X1S
I will confess that I don’t like to be forced to use apps to set up and configure devices that have lots of options. I prefer to be able to use a web interface. My eyes are getting tired and old, and web layouts are typically more usable than app layouts. That said, using SofaBaton’s app to set up the remote was mostly painless.
Step 1: Position the X1S hub
The first step is the position the hub. In addition to my TV mounted on a wall, I have an entertainment center that houses my A/V receiver, Roku, and Chromecast w/Google TV devices. None of these devices are enclosed in a cabinet. In this scenario, SofaBaton’s manual recommends placing the hub on a shelf with the one or more of the devices. It says that the IR signals will bounce off objects in the room and control IR devices. I can confirm that this worked and I didn’t end up needing to use the IR blasters.
Step 2: Get the SofaBaton app
You’ll need to download the Sofabaton app and create an account. The manual includes an QR code for ease of access.
Step 3: Connect the hub to your Wi-Fi network
The hub needs to be connected to the internet for configuration. The app gives you instructions to pair with the hub (as seen below):
Then you’ll go through the process of connecting the hub to your Wi-Fi network. Note the device only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
Step 3: Set up devices
My family room has four A/V devices that I want to control with the X1S:
- A few generations old Roku Ultra
- Chromecast w/Google TV
- Denon A/V receiver
- Samsung TV
I started off with my Roku Ultra. It has an IR interface, but it is also one of the few devices the X1S can control over my network. In addition to Rokus, it can control Philips Hue, and Sonos devices, although the web site mentions more devices are coming. It automatically detected my Roku and I was able to set it up with no fuss.
Next I moved on to my Chromecast with Google TV. It is one of many devices supported by the X1S via Bluetooth.
The pairing process was straightforward and explained by the app as seen in the screen below:
Next, I set up my Denon A/V receiver and Samsung TV via IR. This process was similarly simple. You can search in the database and you can also learn in commands if you have the original remote.
I should note, you can reassign remote keys to the command of your preference. Additionally, you can assign commands to keys that don’t have commands by default. In the picture below, I assigned red and green keys to change the input on the A/V receiver to the Chromecast and Roku (every once in a while I get no audio with my Chromecast, and simply switching input to Roku and back usually fixes it).
Here is what the interface looks like when setting up the four devices:
You probably noticed they read “not configured.” That just means they aren’t ready to be added to activities, which we’ll go over in the next section.
Step 4: Set up activities
Activities allow for the control of multiple devices at once. For example I want to setup two activities:
- One activity that allows us to use the Roku. This activity needs to turn on the TV, A/V receiver, and Roku. It would also need to set the A/V receiver to the Roku input and map the volume buttons to the A/V receiver since that controls the sound.
- Another activity needs to allow us to use the Chromecast. This activity needs to turn on the TV and A/V receiver (I leave the Chromecast on all the time). It would also need to set the A/V receiver to the Chromecast input and map the volume buttons to the A/V receiver.
Before you can setup activities, you have to set the power and input preference on the devices (that’s why they show as not configured above). The power preferences just indicate whether you want the device always on or not, and whether or not it has a power toggle button or discrete on and off buttons. The input configurations tells the app whether or not the device needs to change inputs (e.g., my TV never needs to change inputs, but my A/V receiver does), and whether you cycle through inputs, or each input has it’s own button.
After that, activity set up is a snap. Here are what the activities look like on the remote when done:
All in all, I was able to set up the remote control devices and activities to effectively control all of my family room devices in about 30 minutes.
Using the X1S
The X1S remote is a snap to use, and feels good in your hand. The screen is very readable, even with my eyes, and sufficiently bright. The screen automatically comes on when you pick it up and goes to sleep after a while when you put it down (how long before it goes to sleep is configurable).
You navigate the screens with a back button at the top right of the remote, as well as the small trackball underneath the screen. Moving the trackball up and down highlights menu items, and pressing on the trackball selects the menu item.
You can select a device or activities. Most often you’ll be using it in activity mode. I found it to reliably turn on and off my devices, and switch to the right inputs when selecting an activity.
I found the remote to be responsive in controlling all of my devices, regardless of whether it was an IR, Bluetooth, or IP (LAN or Wi-Fi) device.
As mentioned earlier, the Google Assistant and Alexa integration allow you to trigger activities and control devices via voice. However, you’ll need to have a smart speaker near you for this to happen; the remote doesn’t have a microphone input.
As a bonus, you can also control your devices using the app. It’s also worth noting that the transport and volume buttons (all the buttons except the color buttons) are backlit.
Home Assistant integration
I’m a big Home Assistant proponent, and I like my devices to integrate with it. Although there isn’t a direct integration, you can use the emulated Roku or emulated Hue Home Assistant integrations with the X1S. These allow the SofaBaton X1S to control Home Assistant devices and trigger automations.
SofaBaton also has an API you can enable if you want Home Assistant to be able to control X1S devices. After enabling the API, you can use Home Assistant’s REST integration to make API calls.
It’s extremely important to note that, as of the writing of this article, their API only supports turning devices on and off, is public, unencrypted, and unauthenticated. This means, anyone who discovers your REST URL would be able to control your devices. Definitely disable this feature if you aren’t using it. Here’s hoping they add authentication and encryption, or better yet, create a local API.
Until they do, I recommend using the SofaBaton Google Assistant integration and the Google SDK Home Assistant integration instead.
Alternatives to SofaBaton X1S
Although there are many universal remotes out there, there aren’t a lot of apples to apples comparisons to choose from. Some are IR only. Some don’t have any smart home capabilities. Still there are few worth mentioning:
I know Logitech ended the Harmony business, but you can still find the Logitech Harmony Elite. It is likely to be overpriced, unless you get a used/renewed version, and it won’t have any real support.
The SofaBaton U2 is good alternative if you don’t need to control devices via the network and can save you a lot of money. And if voice control is your jam, then it doesn’t get better than the Amazon Fire TV Cube and you get the added bonus of Alexa and a streaming device.
Note there is also the SofaBaton X1, which is the very similar predecessor to the X1S, usually at around $30 less. The differences are that the X1S has a raise to wake feature, better fonts, more multi-language support and is less susceptible to interference that can cause unresponsiveness or delayed responses. If you’re not worried about any of those enhancements, you could save some money and get the X1.
Final thoughts
The X1S is the best overall universal remote on the market. Unless you want to get into the world of professional installers or risk buying a discontinued product this is the remote to get. It’s a great replacement for Harmony remotes (which I still have), and will be able to easily and reliable control all of your devices. I highly recommend it.
