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

As my Audio visual equipment grew, so did my individual remote collection. The need for a single universal remote that could control all my devices including my TV room lights became more apparent. After reading numerous online reviews and doing my own research I came across the Sofabaton X1S remote. I was a bit worried at the overall negative reviews on the product. However it's technical aspects and what it potentially could do regarding automation of my audio visual set up swayed me. The unit arrived quickly, it wasn't cheap to purchase in the uk via amazon. I bought the device from amazon UK because I wanted ease of return should the unit not be suitable when compared to purchasing from an American or Chinese company where returns could be challenging. The unit arrived the very next day. Once unboxed, I was immediately impressed with the units weight and size and overall modern look. Set up was easy via the app. The hub set up was straight forward too, again via the app, but the learning curve very very steep! I watched and rewatched numerous YouTube videos on the set up process. Just when I thought I'd got everything set up to my liking, up would pop an issue. Like for example when creating an activity not all devices would turn on or correct HDMI input selected. That said, adding devices was simple and straight forward. Configuration of them correctly, proved more challenging for me. Eventually after many hours going through everything I found the mistakes I'd made in my configuration set up. Once corrected, I immersed myself in understanding the units full capabilities. Patience is the key with this, you're not going to get things right first time around. Going calmly step by step is paramount. Most if not all configuration issues, can be answered through online searches, the sofabaton website or through YouTube. I have now been able to integrate my sofabaton remote with alexa voice control. I can now switch all the relevant audio visual equipment activity dependant, off and on using my voice (via sofabaton link). I've also added my miniDSP 2x4 (subwoofer control) to my device list, which the sofabaton controls effortlessly. Additionally I have created macro activities within the sofabaton app linked to my alexa app allowing me to use my voice to turn room lights off or on or dim them as I want or pair them with other activities within the sofabaton app. Like watching TV for example all relevant devices and lights turn on from one input or voice command. The Sofabaton X1S has simplified the operation of my entire audio visual system and other connected peripherals. So in conclusion this device has set up an incredible level of automation. It's functionality once configured correctly is second to non. Battery life is very good on one charge and the wake up functionality when tilted up from a flat position is an excellent feature. If you take the time to understand it's set up and configuration fully, then you'll be rewarded handsomely with cross device remote controls and device control all from a single remote. Configured button functionality is incredibly responsive. All my other remotes have now been consigned to a box in the garage. I doubt I'll be using them anytime soon. Needless to say I'm glad that I bought this unit but more that I persisted with it and got it right. If you're prepared to put the work in then this device's operation and capabilities will exceed your expectations. I 100% recommend this product provided that you are prepared put the work in to configure it properly and do the required learning which maybe steep for some.

Been using the SofaBaton X1S for a couple weeks now, and it’s honestly pretty damn good. Finally ditched the stack of remotes on my table, and I’m not mad about it. Setup Was Fine. Box came in, and the remote looks decent—simple, feels solid, got a little screen that’s handy enough. The hub’s small, so I just tossed it behind my Samsung TV. Setup wasn’t a big deal. The app (on Android) ain’t the prettiest, but it got my Samsung TV, Fire TV, air con, fan, blinds, and even a Samsung tablet I use for media late at night linked up in like 50 minutes. Found all my stuff in their list no problem. Set up a “Watch” button and a “Night” one—works every time without me fiddling too much. It’s straight-up easy to use. One press, and everything kicks in—Samsung TV’s on, Fire TV’s rolling, air con’s humming, fan’s spinning, blinds adjust, tablet’s ready if I’m up late. Buttons light up when I grab it, which is nice at night. Battery’s still going—I haven’t plugged it in yet. The hub’s got good reach; I hid it and it still controls everything fine. Bluetooth for the Fire TV’s quick too. Hooked it to Alexa, and telling it “Turn On” from the couch works most times. App’s basic, but it’s not a dealbreaker. Remote feels premium, and my setup’s less of a mess now. It’s a premium price but you do get a premium device. Buddies saw it and thought it was cool, but I ain’t hyping it up that much. Bottom Line... SofaBaton X1S gets a 5 from me. Does what it says, keeps things simple, and I don’t hafta juggle remotes anymore. If you’re tired of the chaos, it’s worth a shot. Good stuff.

Like many others I bought this to replace my ailing Harmony Elite. And after watching and reading a lot of positive reviews, I thought this would not only be a replacement, but an overall improvement... I was so wrong. Ok, out of the box the remote is light and easy to hold. The screen is LCD but it's good quality, the overall build quality of the remote and base are high... There ends the positives. The screen is basic text with a very limited number of device/activity icons. It does not have a charging base or a built in IR blaster. The base is the way your devices receive IR signals so you have to be very precise where you place it. An IR blaster in the remote would eliminate the constant missing of commands on some devices. The app is reasonably easy to follow, but everyday devices like my EE TV Box and my Hisense projector where not found in the 500,000 device catalogue they boast. The EE Box uses a Bluetooth remote and whilst Bluetooth is compatible there is no way to learn commands from the original remote. There is thankfully a cloud based user catalogue, where I found something similar to my EE TV and the Hisense C1 projector, but they didn't map all of the buttons. I have an amp, blu-ray, soundbar, TV, EETV, Projector, Google TV Streamer, a Manhattan DVR and a HDMI switcher, so I knew there was a bit of work to be done. But after spending the best part of 2 days (yes 2 days) programming this it was the most frustrating experience ever. As every time I tested an activity, something would either not switch on/off or select the correct inputs. I had to add delays, duplicate commands and be creative to get things to fire in the right order. Heaven help anyone who is not tech savvy. Once I believed it was all working, I tidied it all away and put the hub centrally in place, only to find it let me down when going live for the first time with the setup I had rigorously tested. Good job I had my huge bundle of remotes nearby to fix the issues. It's incredibly unreliable and I believe it's down to its poor IR firing and range, even with the extenders. The remote has a 'back' key at the top that takes you back to the previous screen to select devices or activities. It's awkwardly placed and you have to press it a lot to make selections, so it becomes a pain doing hand gymnastics trying to reach it with one hand. There are a lot more key presses involved to make something happen compared to the Harmony. For the money I paid, this is a major disappointment. I was able to set my Harmony up in a couple of hours and it never misses a command. It has a better screen and more customisable options when programming. If it wasn't for the failing battery I would carry on happily. For now the Sofabaton needs considerable more work to take the multi-remote control crown. UPDATE: The remote is now freezing every now and then. You have to reboot the hub to get it working again. This is a known issue, mentioned on community forums. I have now returned this item.