The 15 best ir blaster brands
Samsung, Sony and Logitech lead our ranking of 15 ir blaster brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Ir Blaster brands, ranked
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1
Samsung
The famous Korean electronics producer, Samsung, started its journey as a grocery trading store in 1938. Lee Byung-Chull began the business by trading domestically-produced goods and exporting them to China. Soon, the company expanded to include textiles and heavily focused on industrialization. In the 1970s, it invested in petrochemical and similar industries and slowly stepped into the electronics industry. The 80s saw an explosion in its technology business; the rest is history.
Website: samsung.com |Brands like Samsung
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Sony
Shortly after World War 2, Masaru Ibuka founded the Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K., a telecommunications and engineering corporation. He wanted technology to contribute to Japan’s culture and future. Despite starting small, he never gave up and stressed the importance of doing what had not been done before. As the brand evolved to become what we know as Sony, it has created countless novel products that changed the electronics industry.
Website: sony.com |Brands like Sony
Popularity 7.8/10
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3
Logitech
Logitech is a Swiss company that emphasizes quality and innovation. Founded in 1981, it has made a name by producing numerous novel products, such as the laser mouse and cordless infrared mouse. It focuses on its customer base and studies how they connect with the digital world. Its unique and appealing designs have allowed the brand name to spread far and wide, receiving global acclaim.
Website: logitech.com |Brands like Logitech
Popularity 6.7/10
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4
URC
URC is a company that deals with innovative home technologies. They provide solutions to control every aspect of your home with ease. The company is well known worldwide for the products that they put out in the market. They have a very innovative and interactive user interface that makes it easier to understand and manage. URC is all about advancing technology. They keep evolving with the changing times. They are the first choice for home automation.
Website: urc-automation.com |Brands like URC
Popularity 3.4/10
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5
Creative
Sound is a significant element in the field of entertainment. Without sound, everything feels dull and incomplete. Creative comes up with solutions to problems like these. The company produces audio accessories for your entertainment systems, PCs, and many more. Established in Singapore, they are famous for their Sound Blaster sound cards, which made them a globally renowned producer of sound systems. Creative offers products ranging from soundbars and speakers to headphones and other accessories.
Website: us.creative.com |Brands like Creative
Popularity 2.5/10
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6
TiVo
TiVo is here to revolutionize your regular television by incorporating YouTube and providing you with the best of both worlds. With TiVo, you can stream 4k quality with live content anytime you wish. It includes more than 85 popular TV channels with easy accessibility to YouTube so that you can enjoy everything from the comfort of your couch. Experience high-quality content from the different channels with plenty of options to choose from and decide how do you wish to entertain yourself.
Website: tivo.com |Brands like TiVo
Popularity 2.5/10
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7
Next Generation
Next Generation is here to make the job search and hiring process as simple and painless as possible. This brand is here to help you, whether you are a company venture looking for assistance in your company or an individual looking to take a step forward in your career. It has curated several fields that researchers can apply based on their expertise. To learn more about the services they offer, go to their website.
Website: nextgeneration.ie |Brands like Next Generation
Popularity 2.2/10
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8
Smarthome
Smarthome is a leading global retailer of Smarthome automation goods, including voice-controlled smart speakers, smart plugs and switches, motion and presence sensors, indoor and outdoor thermostats, security cameras, and light bulbs for both indoor and outdoor use. They offer simple solutions that allow you to monitor and control your house from wherever you are. Smarthome has it all, whether you want to keep an eye on your home while away or do something as basic as turning on the lights.
Website: smarthome.com |Brands like Smarthome
Popularity 1.8/10
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9
Philips Sonicare
Oral hygiene is vital to your well-being as it can prevent diseases and tooth loss. It's time to give your teeth the utmost importance by caring for them with quality products to ensure optimum dental hygiene. Philips Sonicare is a...
Website: hambahari.ee |Brands like Philips Sonicare
Popularity 1.8/10
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10
Vision
Visions is a leading electronics company in Canada and have various brands of tech items like TVs and cell phones. They have every type of electronic that one can probably think of and carries several small gadgets and accessories. The...
Website: visions.ca |Brands like Vision
Popularity 1.3/10
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11
BroadLink
BroadLink has been a leader in the smart home industry since 2013. They have pioneered the concept and engineered the first smart universal remote in China. They have a fantastic client base that believes in its service and product quality....
Website: ibroadlink.com |Brands like BroadLink
Popularity 1.3/10
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12
Crestron
Crestron is a multinational company manufacturing technology to control audiovisual spaces like classrooms, conference rooms, etc. The company's equipment is loved and used by people worldwide and can be found in healthcare facilities, govt buildings, universities, etc. Their products include...
Website: crestron.com |Brands like Crestron
Popularity 1.3/10
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13
Russound
To provide the most sophisticated audio equipment for the masses, Russound was founded in a quiet English Town in 1967. The company started with speaker selectors, volume controls, and similar hi-fi solutions and slowly became renowned for its high-quality volume...
Website: russound.com |Brands like Russound
Popularity 1.3/10
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14
Marmitek
A Dutch company that has been providing AV solutions since 1996, Marmitek also offers smart home products along with these AV solutions. The brand has a separate division for high-performance products known as Marmitek Professional. The brand believes in reliable...
Website: marmitek.com |Brands like Marmitek
Popularity 1.3/10
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15
Universal Electronics
Several Smart products with convenient access and the capacity to be controlled via a mobile phone have been developed as a result of Universal Electronics' initiative to develop products in the home automation and consumer electronics sectors. Their advanced skills...
Website: uei.com |Brands like Universal Electronics
Popularity 1.3/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | samsung.com | /SamsungUS | samsungmobileusa | @SamsungUS | – |
| Sony | sony.com | – | – | – | – |
| Logitech | logitech.com | /Logitech | logitech | @Logitech | – |
| URC | urc-automation.com | /urcautomation | urcautomation | @urc_automation | – |
| Creative | us.creative.com | /CreativeLabs | creativelabs | @creativelabs | – |
| TiVo | tivo.com | /TiVo | TiVo | @tivo | TiVo |
| Next Generation | nextgeneration.ie | – | – | – | – |
| Smarthome | smarthome.com | /smarthome | smarthome | – | smarthome |
| Philips Sonicare | hambahari.ee | – | – | – | – |
| Vision | visions.ca | /VisionsElectronics | visionselectronics | @visionsdeals | – |
IR Blaster Buying Guide
IR blasters, also known as IR transmitters or remote extenders, are devices that allow you to control your home electronics from a distance, without having to physically point the remote at each device. These devices are particularly useful for those with a large home theater system or smart home devices.
Before you start shopping for an IR blaster, there are a few things you should consider to ensure you get the best one for your needs.
Compatibility
The first thing you need to check is whether the IR blaster is compatible with the devices you want to control. Most IR blasters are designed to work with common home entertainment devices like TVs, DVD players, and sound systems. However, some models may not be compatible with more niche devices like gaming consoles, smart lights, or security cameras.
Some IR blasters are also designed to be used with specific smart home platforms, like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. So, if you have one of these platforms, you'll want to ensure that the IR blaster you choose is compatible.
Range
The range of an IR blaster refers to the distance it can transmit signals to your devices. If you have a large home theater system or smart home devices spread out across multiple rooms, you'll want an IR blaster with a longer range to ensure it can reach all of your devices. However, if you only need to control one or two devices in the same room, a shorter range will suffice.
Power Source
Most IR blasters are powered by either an AC adapter or USB cable. If you plan to use the IR blaster with a wall-mounted TV, it may be challenging to find a power source nearby. In this case, you'll want to choose an IR blaster that can be powered by a USB cable connected to the TV.
Number of Emitters
The number of emitters on an IR blaster refers to the number of devices it can control at once. If you have a large home theater system or smart home devices in multiple rooms, you'll want an IR blaster with multiple emitters to be able to control all of your devices from a single remote. However, if you only need to control one or two devices in the same room, a single emitter will suffice.
Design
The design of an IR blaster is generally not a crucial factor, but it's still worth considering. Some IR blasters are designed to be hidden away, while others are designed to be put on display next to your TV or entertainment center. Some IR blasters also come in different colors or shapes, so you can choose one that matches your décor.
Price
The price of an IR blaster can vary greatly, depending on its features and capabilities. Generally, the more features an IR blaster has, the more expensive it will be. However, you don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money to get a good quality IR blaster that meets your needs.
Top IR Blasters
Now that you know what to look for when buying an IR blaster, let's take a look at some of the top IR blasters on the market today.
1. Logitech Harmony Elite
The Logitech Harmony Elite is one of the best IR blasters on the market today. It can control up to 15 devices, including gaming consoles, smart lights, and security cameras. It is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, making it easy to control your devices using voice commands.
The Harmony Elite comes with a hub that connects to your home Wi-Fi network, allowing you to control your devices from your smartphone or tablet using the Logitech Harmony app. The app is easy to use and allows you to create custom activities, like "watch TV" or "play Xbox," which will automatically turn on and configure all of your devices with a single tap.
The Logitech Harmony Elite is also a great choice for those with a smart home, thanks to its compatibility with Philips Hue smart lights, Nest thermostats, and other popular smart home platforms.
2. BroadLink RM Mini3
The BroadLink RM Mini3 is a budget-friendly IR blaster that is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home. It can control up to four devices, including your TV, sound system, and streaming devices like Roku or Fire TV.
The RM Mini3 is controlled using the BroadLink app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices. The app is easy to use and allows you to create custom activities, like "watch TV," which will turn on and configure all of your devices with a single tap.
The RM Mini3 is also small and compact, making it easy to hide behind your TV or entertainment center.
3. Sewell Direct Blast IR Extender Kit
The Sewell Direct Blast IR Extender Kit is a great choice for those with a large home entertainment system or devices spread out across multiple rooms. It comes with two IR emitters and can control up to four devices.
The Blast IR Extender Kit is easy to install and comes with everything you need, including a compact IR receiver that can be mounted on your TV or entertainment center. The emitters are attached to long, flexible cables, allowing you to place them wherever needed.
The Blast IR Extender Kit is also compatible with most IR devices, making it an excellent choice for those with a mix of older and newer devices.
Conclusion
Buying an IR blaster can be a bit overwhelming, with so many different options and features to consider. However, by considering factors like compatibility, range, power source, number of emitters, design, and price, you can find an IR blaster that meets your needs and fits your budget.
The Logitech Harmony Elite, BroadLink RM Mini3, and Sewell Direct Blast IR Extender Kit are all excellent choices with features to suit a variety of needs and budgets. By choosing the right IR blaster, you can enjoy the convenience and savings of controlling all of your devices from a single remote or smartphone app.
