7 Best Remotes for LG TVs (2026)

In this post, I share my picks for the best remotes for LG TVs, from full home theater hubs to OEM Magic Remote replacements.

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That Not-So-Magic Remote

The first time my LG Magic Remote vanished into a couch cushion for three days, I realized how much the LG TV experience depends on that little pointer. Without it, webOS suddenly feels a lot less magical.

That sent me down the rabbit hole of finding better LG TV remote options, from simple replacement clickers to more serious universal remotes that can control the whole room.

I own SofaBaton’s U2 Backlit, X1S, and X2, and I have reviewed them on my TecTimmy YouTube channel. SofaBaton sent me review units, but this ranking reflects how I would actually set up my own LG room.

The broader remote market is still active too, with Verified Market Reports tracking universal TV remotes as a standalone consumer electronics segment.

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Best Remotes for LG TVs Comparison Table

This table compares the best remotes for LG TVs across universal, OEM replacement, and streamer-first setups.

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#1 – SofaBaton U2 Backlit: Best Budget Universal

Mini Review

The SofaBaton U2 Backlit is my daily driver in the LG room and the easiest answer for most readers shopping in the best remotes for LG TVs category. It runs the LG OLED, a soundbar, an Apple TV, a Blu-ray player, basic media players, and even a set-top box from one handset. It can change channels, handle volume, and keep the ergonomic design simple enough that guests do not need a tutorial.

It is not a hub system and it does not run voice commands. The point is that most living rooms do not need one. If your gear sits in the open, talks to infrared, and lives on a couple of HDMI inputs, the U2 covers the room with real buttons and an app-driven setup that does not require a degree to finish. That keeps it near the top of my best remotes for LG TVs list for everyday rooms.

Video Review

Hollywood Frodo does a nice job showing the SofaBaton U2 in his YouTube review.

🎥 Video Credit: hollywoodfrodo

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#2 – SofaBaton X2: Premium Upgrade

Mini Review

I own the SofaBaton X2, and it is the upgrade I reach for when the LG TV anchors a real home theater: an AVR, cabinet-hidden gear, a set-top box, media players, and multiple HDMI sources. Among the best remotes for LG TVs, it is the premium pick when line-of-sight control is not enough.

The touchscreen is the part owners debate most. I find it useful once activities are dialed in; the only friction is that the X2 rewards a careful setup. Plan the activities once, then forget about it. In my best remotes for LG TVs testing, it is the model I would pick for hidden gear. For owners who want a Logitech Harmony successor with advanced features, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and better smart-home headroom, this is the closest thing the market has produced.

Video Review

Cameron Gray has a helpful SofaBaton X2 walkthrough if you want to see the touchscreen and hub in action.

🎥 Video Credit: Cameron Gray

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#3 – LG Magic Remote: OEM Replacement

Mini Review

The RMF MR23GA is the OEM-style replacement I recommend when the original LG Magic Remote disappears. Among the best remotes for LG TVs, it is the safe pick when you want the LG pointer experience to feel familiar again, almost like using a computer mouse on the webOS screen.

I have used aftermarket Magic Remotes in two LG rooms. The MR23GA recognizes OLED TV, UHD, QNED, NanoCell, LG Signature, and many older LG TVs across that window. Setup is two AA batteries: that is the entire process. The scroll wheel, pointer, and voice commands respond the same way the OEM version does, and the voice button maps directly to LG’s native search, LG Channels, and webOS text input.

The compatibility window is the obvious caveat. Before buying, check the TV’s model number, the previous remote control, and the product specifications on the LG USA product page for your specific model. There is no instant compatibility guarantee across every new LG TV or older LG TVs, so if your LG model falls outside that support range, look at the Nettech (Pick #4) instead.

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#4 – Nettech LG Remote: Budget LG Universal

Mini Review

The Nettech LG Remote is the budget pick when the MR23GA’s compatibility window does not cover your set. It earns a spot among the best remotes for LG TVs because it keeps the Magic Remote idea affordable for newer LG rooms and some older LG TVs that need third-party alternatives.

Pairing takes about ten seconds: install two AA batteries, hold Home and Back together until the LG screen prompts, then click the scroll wheel. When the remote works, the pointer, scroll wheel, voice commands, and channel buttons match what LG owners expect. The build quality is the obvious tradeoff, since it does not feel like an OEM remote in the hand, but the final price is usually the reason people consider it.

For a newer LG OLED or LG smart TVs where local retailers do not stock genuine Magic Remotes, this is the cheapest credible Magic Remote replacement on the market right now. That is enough to keep it on a best remotes for LG TVs shortlist for budget shoppers.

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#5 – SofaBaton X1S: Best Mid-Tier Hub Remote

Mini Review

I own the SofaBaton X1S, and it was my go-to hub remote before I upgraded to the X2. For shoppers comparing the best remotes for LG TVs, it is the mid-tier pick when the room is complex but the budget is not.

Activities, the hub, and the app behave the same way they do on the X2. The screen and ergonomics are the visible tradeoffs. In a busy LG cabinet with a set-top box, soundbar, and Google Assistant routines, that is a fair price to pay. Within the best remotes for LG TVs lineup, it is the sensible compromise between button-only control and the X2.

Video Review

Here is my full SofaBaton X1S setup video over at my TecTimmy YouTube channel.

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#6 – Fire TV Cube: Best for Fire TV

Mini Review

The Fire TV Cube is not a traditional universal remote, but it earns a spot when Fire TV is what your household actually opens every night for TV shows, movies, and live channels. It belongs on a list of the best remotes for LG TVs because the streamer can become the control center for Amazon Alexa voice commands.

This pick is honest about its lane. If you want one handheld remote with tactile buttons for every device, look at the SofaBaton picks above. If you mostly use voice commands and let the Cube handle the rest, the Cube is the smarter answer for a Fire TV-first LG room. That narrower lane is why it sits lower on this best remotes for LG TVs list.

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#7 – Function101 Button Remote: Best for Apple TV

Mini Review

The Function101 Button Remote replaces the swipe-heavy Siri Remote with a layout that owners who grew up on real buttons will recognize. It is one of the best remotes for LG TVs only when Apple TV is the daily interface.

Be honest about what you give up: there is no Siri voice search or voice commands, and the LG itself still needs its own remote. The Function101 is a focused tool in the streamer-first lane, not a substitute for a full universal handset. If you want full-room control, step up to a SofaBaton. If you only want easier Apple TV navigation, the Function101 wins on price, tactile feel, and ergonomic design. That makes it a niche best remotes for LG TVs pick, not a whole-room answer.

Video Review

MacRumors has a useful Function101 Button Remote video if you want to see the button layout in action.

🎥 Video Credit: MacRumors

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How to Choose the Best Remotes for LG TVs

Still deciding which of the best remotes for LG TVs fits your room? Here’s the short version of what I actually look for, plus a Pinterest pin you can save for later.

What to Look For in an LG Remote

After testing the SofaBaton U2 Backlit, X1S, X2, OEM LG replacements, and streamer remotes, here’s what actually matters when shopping for an LG TV remote.

• ✨Start with the device map. The U2 Backlit fits an LG TV, soundbar, and streamer; the X2 makes more sense when hidden gear and activities enter the room.
• ✨Preserve webOS pointer control when it matters. The RMF MR23GA and Nettech keep the Magic Remote-style pointer and voice experience.
• ✨Match the control method to the room. The U2 is the simple IR answer, while the X1S and X2 add hub control.
• ✨Do not ignore nighttime ergonomics. Backlit buttons matter more than they sound like they will.
• ✨Buy around your real interface. Choose Function101 for Apple TV, Fire TV Cube for Alexa-led streaming, and SofaBaton for whole-room control.

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FAQs

The following are questions people frequently ask when they are looking for the best remotes for LG TVs.

1. Should I buy an LG Magic Remote replacement or a universal remote?

Buy a Magic Remote replacement when the LG TV is the only device you control and you rely on pointer navigation, voice commands, the scroll wheel, and webOS. Choose a universal remote when the best remotes for LG TVs need to run a soundbar, receiver, streamer, set-top box, or multiple HDMI sources from one handset.

2. How do I confirm my LG TV supports voice and pointer control?

Check original LG remote part number inside the battery compartment, then compare it with the previous remote control and TV model. MR-series codes usually indicate Magic Remote support, including voice commands, voice control, pointer features, and scroll wheel navigation. Among the best remotes for LG TVs, RMF MR23GA preserves those native features on supported sets.

3. Do the best remotes for LG TVs work with soundbars?

Universal models such as the SofaBaton U2 Backlit and X2 control most major brands through infrared or Bluetooth. They also help with media players and a set-top box when you need to change channels. OEM Magic Remote replacements pass soundbar commands through HDMI-CEC, which depends on your soundbar brand, LG settings, and reliable CEC support.

4. Is the Fire TV Cube a true replacement remote for an LG television?

The Fire TV Cube replaces the remote experience in Fire TV-first households by combining streaming, hands-free Amazon Alexa, voice commands, and LG TV control. It is not a universal handset for every device in the room. Among the best remotes for LG TVs, it is the smarter daily streamer-first option rather than a button-led one.

5. Which remote should Apple TV owners pair with their LG?

Apple TV owners who dislike the touchpad Siri Remote should look at the Function101 Button Remote for cheaper, more tactile control. For full-room control, the best remotes for LG TVs are stronger SofaBaton picks that also cover the LG, Google Assistant-friendly smart-home routines, and a soundbar, while the Siri Remote stays nearby as backup too.

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Best Remotes for LG TVs: Verdict

The best remotes for LG TVs depend on the job: whole-room control, native webOS control, or streamer-first control. Start with the interface you use most.

• Choose SofaBaton U2 Backlit if the LG TV, soundbar, streamer, and older LG TVs are all visible from the couch.
• Choose SofaBaton X2 if the LG anchors hidden components, activity-based startup, or a more serious home theater stack.
• Choose RMF MR23GA or Nettech LG Remote if restoring Magic Remote-style webOS pointer control matters most.

The X1S is still the middle lane when the room has outgrown a simple handset but does not need the X2. My SofaBaton X1S review explains that gap, and the Apple TV remote guide covers more Apple TV-led options.