5 Best Remotes for Apple TV 2026 (Ranked & Tested)

Here are the best remotes for Apple TV ranked by hands-on use, tactile control, home theater compatibility, and everyday navigation.

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I Love My Apple TV, BUT

Apple TV is one of the best streaming devices, but its remote has long frustrated users.

The 1st-gen Siri Remote’s glass trackpad lacked tactile control. Later versions added a circular clickpad, dedicated buttons, and USB-C charging, but many users still crave better ergonomics and functionality.

After testing and personally using five options, I narrowed down the best remotes for Apple TV available right now.

According to Parks Associates, 89% of U.S. households now use streaming media players, making smooth navigation essential. Let’s dive into my picks for the best remotes for Apple TV.

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Comparison Table: Best Remotes for Apple TV

The following table highlights the key features of the best remotes for Apple TV side by side for my top picks.

	Best Siri Alternative	Apple Official	Premium Pick	Scroll-Wheel Universal	Multi-Device
Product Image
Model	Function101 Button Remote	Apple TV Siri Remote	SofaBaton X2	SofaBaton U3	SofaBaton X1S
Rank	1	2	3	4	5
Best Fit	Best fitChoose this if you want traditional apple tv buttons.	Best fitChoose this if you want siri and gestures.	Best fitChoose this if you want whole-room touchscreen hub.	Best fitChoose this if you want tactile apple tv room control.	Best fitChoose this if you want value hub control.
App Control	X	X	✓	✓	✓
Control	IR or Bluetooth edition	Bluetooth	IR, Bluetooth, RF, Wi-Fi hub	IR, Bluetooth/BLE, RF learning	IR, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hub
Rechargeable	X	✓	✓	✓	✓
Power	Replaceable batteries	USB-C rechargeable	Charging dock	1200mAh USB-C	USB-C rechargeable
Voice	No Siri	Siri built in	Smart-home assistants	No Siri voice	Alexa and Google
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

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#1. Best Siri Remote Alternative: Function101

The Function101 Button Remote is one of the best remotes for Apple TV users who dislike the touchpad navigation on the latest Siri Remote. Designed to mimic a traditional remote, it has physical buttons, dedicated playback controls, and no unnecessary touch gestures.

The latest Bluetooth remote no longer relies on infrared technology, meaning line of sight is no longer required. The simple button layout makes navigating Apple TV more intuitive, and it even includes 2 AAA batteries!

MacRumors has a nice review of  the Function101 remote out on YouTube. I’ll embed it below.

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#2. Official Pick: Apple TV Siri Remote

Next on my list of best remotes for Apple TV is Apple’s own improved remote from its first and 2nd generation offerings. The new 3rd-Gen Siri Remote is now Apple’s official remote replacement for Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K. It features a better design, physical buttons, and a more intuitive clickpad compared to the previous model.

The new Siri button is located on the right side for easier access, and the outer ring of the touchpad allows for fast scrubbing through videos. It pairs automatically with Apple TV, making setup effortless.

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#3. Premium Pick: Sofabaton X2

Disclosure: Sofabaton sent me the X2 to evaluate as a brand partner. I set it up recently and have been testing it daily.

The Sofabaton X2 is the new premium pick for Apple TV users who want a single remote to run an entire entertainment stack. The full color touchscreen replaces the OLED on the X1S and makes activity switching faster and more visual, while the underlying hub still handles IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi devices side by side.

As one of the best remotes for Apple TV specifically, the X2 maps cleanly onto the standard playback and navigation buttons and lets you build a single activity that powers on the TV, switches the input, and hands control to Apple TV in one tap. Power users with multiple streaming boxes, a soundbar, and smart lights will get the most value out of the touchscreen and customizable controls.

I plan to release a full setup walkthrough soon on the X2 over at my @TecTimmy YouTube channel. Please subscribe!

Video Review

Here is a SofaBaton X2 unboxing I filmed over on my TecTimmy channel.

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#4. Best Scroll-Wheel Universal: SofaBaton U3

Coming in at number 4 is the SofaBaton U3, my tactile universal pick among the best remotes for Apple TV.

Its 2.4-inch non-touch LCD uses a scroll wheel: turn to browse, press to select. After owning and testing numerous SofaBaton remotes, I like this familiar approach for supported gear.

If your Apple TV is connected to an LG television, I also put together a separate guide to the best remotes for LG TVs so you can match the streamer remote to the TV side of the room.

Keep the Siri Remote nearby for Siri voice. Google voice and Air Mouse require supported Bluetooth devices, and you should confirm the exact Apple TV profile before buying.

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#5. Multi-Device Universal: Sofabaton X1S

The Sofabaton X1 is one of the best remotes for Apple TV users with multiple devices. It can control up to 60 devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Smart TVs, and game consoles.

This smart remote has infrared, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing seamless switching between streaming devices, set-top boxes, and home theater systems. The dedicated buttons and customizable controls make it ideal for power users. It also has a learning feature so you can use it to control additional devices like air conditioners, fans, and fireplaces and rely on an IR remote.

Here is a full setup video on the X1S that I filmed over at my @TecTimmy YouTube channel. Please subscribe!

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Bonus Pick: BroadLink RM4 Pro

The BroadLink RM4 Pro is a smart hub-based universal remote designed for users who prefer app-based controls instead of a traditional physical remote. Unlike standard Apple TV remote replacements, this device is one of the best remotes for Apple TV that doesn’t include a physical remote. Instead, it turns your smartphone into a remote with support for voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.

It works with Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, and even AV receivers, providing infrared and RF control to eliminate multiple remotes. If you’re deep into home automation, this remote hub can integrate with scene automation, scheduled routines, and remote access via the BroadLink app.

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How I Scored the Remotes

After personally testing all five of the best remotes for Apple TV, I ranked them based on six key factors to determine which models offer the best Apple TV experience.

Testing Environment:

I tested these remotes in my living room setup with Apple TV 4K, a smart TV, a Roku streaming box, and an AV receiver to ensure they worked across multiple devices.

Results:

• The Function101 Remote had the best tactile button layout.
• The Siri Remote (2nd Gen) was ideal for Apple users but lacked universal control.
• The Sofabaton X1 excelled at multi-device management.
• The SofaBaton U3 paired a non-touch LCD and scroll wheel with multi-device control.
• The BroadLink RM4 Pro was the best for home automation.

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FAQs

Here are the practical questions to answer before choosing your Apple TV remote.

1. Which are the best remotes for Apple TV?

The Function101 Button Remote is the best choice for traditional buttons and simple Apple TV navigation. Choose Apple's Siri Remote when voice commands and native pairing matter most. SofaBaton U3 adds tactile universal control without a hub, while X2 and X1S suit buyers who want broader device control, activities, or whole-room automation.

2. What should I check before choosing an Apple TV remote?

Check how many devices you need to control, whether Siri must stay available, and whether you prefer physical buttons, a touchscreen, or app-based activities. The best remotes for Apple TV should also match your charging preference, setup tolerance, and room equipment, because universal control features vary considerably across these five picks for you today.

3. Among the best remotes for Apple TV, which supports Siri?

Choose Apple's third-generation Siri Remote when built-in Siri voice control is essential. Other picks can control Apple TV navigation and may support Alexa or Google Assistant through a hub, but they do not replace Siri on Apple TV. Keeping the Siri Remote nearby is the safest approach when voice commands matter.

4. Can I use my iPhone instead of a physical remote?

Yes. The iPhone Control Center includes an Apple TV Remote for navigation, playback, text entry, and Siri. However, the best remotes for Apple TV remain useful when you want tactile buttons, faster access without unlocking a phone, or shared household control that does not depend on one person's device, battery, or network connection.

5. Among the best remotes for Apple TV, which suits home automation?

Choose the SofaBaton X1S when you want hub-based activities, app setup, and control across Apple TV and other entertainment devices. The X2 is the premium touchscreen option. The U3 is simpler and hub-free, while Function101 focuses on traditional buttons. Your room complexity should determine whether automation is worth the additional setup effort overall.

Best Remotes for Apple TV: Final Verdict

The best remotes for Apple TV come down to how much tactile control, Siri access, and whole-room device support you need.

• Choose the Function101 Button Remote if you want a simple button layout and can use infrared line of sight.
• Choose the SofaBaton X2 if you want the premium universal option for a multi-device Apple TV room.
• Choose the SofaBaton U3 if you want a tactile scroll wheel and LCD without a hub.

Keep the Siri Remote nearby for Siri voice commands, whichever replacement you use.

For a closer look at the two Apple TV-specific options, compare the Function101 and Siri remotes.