Wi-Fi Smart IR Remote Controllers enable you to use your phone to control conventional IR-enabled devices like air-conditioners, TV, music system, and whatnot. It uses a Wi-Fi-enabled hub with a built-in IR transmitter to control a host of conventional devices. You connect to this hub using a mobile app that allows you to control the settings of the IR-enabled devices.
Using just one Wi-Fi Smart IR controller lets you let go of multiple remote controls as you can manage all your devices for one convenient mobile app. And because the hub is connected to the internet using Wi-Fi, you can control all your home appliances from any remote location.
So, you can seamlessly integrate conventional home appliances into your home automation setup without being forced to upgrade to expensive smart devices. Of course, a lesser advantage is that you can switch on your home’s air-conditioner before you arrive back from a long day’s work.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of the Best Wi-Fi Smart IR Remote Controller
- Best Wi-Fi Smart IR Remote Controller – Our Pick
- 1. SwitchBot Hub Mini Smart Remote
- 2. MoesGo Wi-Fi RF IR Universal Remote Controller
- 3. Broadlink RM4 Mini Smart Remote
- 4. Frankever Smart IR Remote Control
- 5. ORVIBO Smart IR Remote Control
- 6. BestCon Wi-Fi IR RF Smart Home Remote RM4C Pro
- 7. Oriklon Smart IR Remote Control
- 8. Ovleynie Smart IR Remote
- Best Wi-Fi Smart IR Remote Controller – Our Buying Guide
- Best Wi-Fi Smart IR Remote Controller – Frequently Asked Questions
Comparison of the Best Wi-Fi Smart IR Remote Controller
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | SwitchBot Hub Mini Smart Remote | DIY Learning: Yes Pre-Listed Devices: N.A. Power: Micro-USB OS: Android 4.3/iOS 10.0 or later 360-degree: Yes Voice Assistants: Yes Range: 10m Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz | Buy on Amazon |
 | MoesGo WiFi RF IR Universal Remote Controller | DIY Learning: Yes Pre-Listed Devices: 5000+ Power: Micro-USB OS: Android 4.0/iOS 8.0 or later 360-degree: Yes Voice Assistants: Yes Range: 8m Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz | Buy on Amazon |
 | Broadlink RM4 Mini Smart Remote | DIY Learning: Yes Pre-Listed Devices: 100000+ Power: Micro-USB OS: Android 4.1/iOS 9.0 or later 360-degree: Yes Voice Assistants: Yes Range: 8m Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz | Buy on Amazon |
 | Frankever Smart IR Remote Control | DIY Learning: Yes Pre-Listed Devices: 50000+ Power: USB-C OS: Android 4.1/iOS 9.0 or later 360-degree: Yes Voice Assistants: Yes Range: 10m Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz | Buy on Amazon |
 | ORVIBO Smart IR Remote Control | DIY Learning: Yes Pre-Listed Devices: 8000+ Power: Micro-USB OS: Android 4.1/iOS 9.0 or later 360-degree: Yes Voice Assistants: Yes Range: 8m Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz | Buy on Amazon |
 | BestCon Wi-Fi IR RF Smart Home Remote RM4C Pro | DIY Learning: Yes Pre-Listed Devices: 50000+ Power: Micro-USB OS: Android 4.1/iOS 9.0 or later 360-degree: Yes Voice Assistants: Yes Range: 10m Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz | Buy on Amazon |
 | Oriklon Smart IR Remote Control | DIY Learning: Yes Pre-Listed Devices: 50000+ Power: Micro-USB OS: Android 4.1/iOS 9.0 or later 360-degree: Yes Voice Assistants: Yes Range: 10m Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz | Buy on Amazon |
 | Ovleynie Smart IR Remote | DIY Learning: Yes Pre-Listed Devices: N.A. Power: Micro-USB OS: Android 4.1/iOS 9.0 or later 360-degree: Yes Voice Assistants: Yes Range: 10m Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz | Buy on Amazon |
Best Wi-Fi Smart IR Remote Controller – Our Pick
1. SwitchBot Hub Mini Smart Remote
Whether you have the SwitchBot eco-system or use stand-alone home appliances from varied manufacturers, the SwitchBot Hub is a versatile Wi-Fi-enabled Smart IR remote controller. It is compatible with any home appliance that uses an IR-enabled controller, enhancing your ability to manage them using a single mobile app.
While it comes to universal compatibility with a range of appliances, it is the hub’s DIY learning feature that makes it a truly universal remote control. Using DIY learning, you can program the hub to control most home appliances so that you can manage them remotely using the convenient mobile app. And don’t worry; the process sounds far more complicated than it really is. With a few clicks of a button, you’ll have the setup done in no time.
Once you complete the setup, you can even hook up the hub with smart assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple’s Siri, and more. It also works with IFTTT, allowing you to create the perfect ambiance to come home to after work, even before you get there.
- Works with appliances made by all leading manufacturers.
- DIY learning feature provides greater compatibility with devices.
- The 360-degree field of operation means you can place the device anywhere in the room.
- It is compatible with smart assistants that enable voice commands.
- The mobile app allows scheduling controls of the appliances.
- A limited appliance database means you have to use the DIY function often.
- Voice commands don’t work with non-listed appliances.
2. MoesGo Wi-Fi RF IR Universal Remote Controller
The MoesGo Wi-Fi smart controller uses both: an infrared blaster (IR) and a radio-frequency transmitter (RF). Typical electronic curtains, smart bulbs, RGB lighting strips, and switches use RF signals, making IR blasters pointless in managing them. An RF transmitter provides coverage for a broader range of appliances and integrates more of your conventional ones into your smart home setup.
This Wi-Fi smart controller includes over 5000 IR codes of various appliances in its databases. For the sake of convenience, MoesGo maintains this database on a cloud server so that both the controller and your mobile app can handle this vast quantity of data.
Apart from these two significant advantages, the MoesGo smart controller includes more common functionalities also. For instance, it employs a 360-degree IR blaster that beams IR signals around the room so that you don’t have to worry about placing the controller in an appropriate location. Moreover, it’s compatible with leading mobile OSs and works well with popular voice assistants to offer you the convenience of use.
- The IR blaster and RF transmitter help integrate more devices into your smart home setup.
- Vast appliance databases provide compatibility for more appliances.
- It is compatible with smart assistants that enable voice commands.
- The mobile app allows scheduling controls of the appliances.
- DIY learning feature provides greater compatibility with devices.
- The power adapter is not included with the remote.
- Few pre-listed IR codes mean you’ll have to use the DIY feature often.
3. Broadlink RM4 Mini Smart Remote
The Broadlink RM4 is small in size and large in capabilities. It has the codes of over 100,000 appliances in its database, making it one of the most compatible smart remotes on the market.
While the extensive list of compatible devices is enough, the RM4 also features DIY learning to add codes that aren’t already on the database. You also get all the essential features, including voice controls via smart assistants, IFTTT compatibility, timers, and schedules.
Broadlink has a proprietary app for Android and iOS users. It offers unique features that allow you to customize permissions to share the remote’s functionality with family members. What’s more, it even has a feature that will enable you to create Preset Scenes for different times of the day, when you are away, or when it’s time to sleep.
Using this feature, you can group and customize several appliances to create the perfect ambiance at the click of a button. For instance, you can program it to draw the curtains, dim the lights, and reduce the cooling when you are ready to call it a night.
- A database of 100,000+ appliances provides extensive compatibility.
- The Preset Scene feature creates a customized ambiance at the click of a button.
- Group sharing allows you to share controls with family for added flexibility.
- Compatible with voice assistants for ease of use.
- Schedules and timers will enable you to automate operations.
- Cumbersome setup process
- Poor tech support
4. Frankever Smart IR Remote Control
The Frankever Smart IR Remote Control is among the cheapest smart IR remotes on the market. It supports 50000+ devices via its cloud-based database. This comes as no surprise as it uses the Smart Life app, commonly used by several other manufacturers of similar devices. And if you can’t find the appliance you want to use, you can use the controller’s DIY function to learn the appliance’s IR codes.
The device’s IR blaster beams IR signals in a 360-degree direction and works well with smart assistants. So, you can kick back and use voice commands to control all your home appliances without concerning yourself with the device’s placement.
However, using voice commands limits a few capabilities. For instance, you can switch on your TV and change channels, but navigating on-screen menus is impossible. Be warned; several such limitations exist with other appliances as well.
- Supports over 50000 devices for extensive compatibility.
- DIY learning mode for non-compatible devices.
- It is compatible with smart assistants that enable voice commands.
- The mobile app allows scheduling controls of the appliances.
- The 360-degree field of operation means you can place the device anywhere in the room.
- You have to buy the power adapter separately.
- Appliances are not fully compatible with voice commands.
5. ORVIBO Smart IR Remote Control
The Orvibo Smart IR remote control uses the Orvibo App. This means proprietary control over the app’s functionalities, resulting in an unmatched end-user experience that is impossible with third-party apps.
It is evident right from setting up a new remote with the device. The process is easy, and you’ll find over 8000 pre-listed devices to choose from. Like all good smart remote controllers, the Orvibo controller also features a learning mode. Reportedly, users prefer the learning feature over selecting a device from the database, as the process is easy and provides better customization.
The Orvibo Smart IR controller also features customizable scenes that allow you to configure and group several appliances to create an ambiance at the click of one button.
- Over 8000 pre-listed products for the quick pairing of remote controls.
- DIY learning feature provides greater compatibility with devices.
- The 10-meter range and 360-degree signaling help control more devices.
- It has 24/7 global tech support.
- It has a cumbersome setup process that requires tech support.
- No power adapter is included.
6. BestCon Wi-Fi IR RF Smart Home Remote RM4C Pro
Like the device from MoesGo, the RM4C Pro also provides dual functionality with an IR blaster and an RF transmitter. It also uses BroadLink’s proprietary mobile app that includes IR codes for over 50000 appliances and a DIY learning feature.
The setup process is easier than most similar devices, with the learning mode requiring a one-click setup. BestCon includes the usual features, including support for smart assistants and compatibility with IFTTT, timers, and schedulers. So, you get the full range of features and conveniences that make this product a handy device to replace all your remote controls.
The BestCon RM4C Pro also has 360-degree controls, and you can use the mobile app to group commands into scenes to create an ambiance at the click of a button. Lastly, the device is compact and works at a range of 10 meters, making it ideal for mid-to-large size rooms.
- Support over 50000 home appliances.
- One-click learning makes it easy to add non-supported devices.
- Timer and schedule functions allow you to automate regular operations.
- It works well with a smart assistant to provide support for voice commands.
- The 10-meter range and 360-degree signaling help control more devices.
- No power adapter is included.
7. Oriklon Smart IR Remote Control
The Oriklon Smart IR Remote Control is compatible with third-party home automation apps like Smart-Life and Tuya. While proprietary apps provide a better user experience, third-party apps offer significantly greater compatibility. Thus, using off-brand devices and appliances becomes a breeze.
This remote from Oriklon has a 10m range and beams IR signal across a full 360 degrees, making it convenient to use in mid-to-large rooms. Hence, you’ll manage more devices without worrying about placing the controller in the line of sight.
The Oriklon Smart IR Remote Control is cheaper than most similar products on the market, yet it manages to pack all the essential features. These include support for smart assistants for voice commands, IR codes for over 50000 appliances, a DIY learning feature, and more. And because it uses a third-party app like Smart-Life (or Tuya), it has an additional feature that allows you to share controls with your family.
- The 10m range and 360-degree coverage are perfect for large rooms.
- The use of third-party apps provides greater compatibility.
- Works well with smart assistants to offer voice commands.
- The DIY learning feature allows you to use non-listed products.
- No power adapter is included.
- Third-party apps have non-standardized setup processes.
8. Ovleynie Smart IR Remote
The Ovleynie Smart Remote is another IR blaster that uses third-party apps, namely Smart-Life or Tuya. Thus, it stores a wide range of IR codes, making it compatible with most home appliances on the market.
While Wi-Fi-enabled Smart Remote controls are not expensive devices, this remote from Ovleynie is still cheaper. But cheaper doesn’t mean that Ovleynie cuts corners to offer you a sub-standard product. You get a versatile device that offers all the functionalities commonly found on similar devices.
- The 360-degree signal cover will connect to all devices in a room.
- Timers and schedules allow you to automate frequently used commands.
- Scene control allows you to create and save ambiance settings.
- The use of third-party apps consolidates a wide range of applications.
- Third-party apps have non-standardized setup processes.
- It has limited voice commands for non-listed products.
- No power adapter is included.
Best Wi-Fi Smart IR Remote Controller – Our Buying Guide
Here are a few considerations to keep in mind while buying a Wi-Fi Smart IR controller.
Number of Pre-Listed Devices
Smart IR Remote Control maintains databases of IR codes that you can use to pair the remote of your home appliance quickly. The process is simple, often involving the selection of the appliance’s brand and model number.
The database listing is on a cloud server, and you can access it via the device’s (or the third-party) mobile app. Naturally, the more the number of listings, the more appliances you can use conveniently with the controller.
DIY Learning
However inclusive the IR codes database is, it cannot include all the codes for all home appliances made by all manufacturers. Hence, it becomes necessary for a smart IR controller to include a learning feature.
The DIY learning feature enables your device to learn the IR codes of any remote. It is an essential feature if you use appliances from lesser-known brands. Interestingly, using this feature, you can also customize the operation of any remote, even if the remote belongs to a pre-listed device.
Range
While using remotes, their range plays great importance because it governs the distance from which you’ll be able to use them. It’s the same case with Smart IR controllers. Look for devices that offer a minimum of 8-10 meters. All the devices on our list offer this range, making them ideal for most mid-to-large size rooms.
The 360-degrees coverage
A Wi-Fi Smart IR Remote Controller is meant to be used with several devices. It may not always be possible to position all your appliances in front of the controller. Hence, you’ll need a device that can transmit an IR signal in any direction to be able to control the home appliance. Moreover, this feature gives you the flexibility to place the IR controller wherever you like, as long as it is within the range.
Best Wi-Fi Smart IR Remote Controller – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Smart IR controller to control all my home appliances?
That depends on whether the appliance has a remote controller that uses IR signaling. If you have recently upgraded your TV, STB, or any other devices, their remotes would most likely use Radio Frequency (RF) signaling. Checking the documentation of the home appliance or the remote itself will clarify what signaling technology the appliance (and its remote) uses.
What is the difference between IR and RF signaling?
Infrared (IR) signaling uses infrared light and its varying optical codes to communicate commands between the remote and the appliance. It requires a line of sight between the two (remote and appliance) devices, and any obstruction between the two will prevent the command from reaching the appliance.
A Radio Frequency (RF) signal uses electromagnetic waves to transmit commands between a remote and an appliance. Depending on the strength of the electromagnetic signal, it doesn’t require a direct line of sight. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are typical examples of RF signaling technologies.
Do all IR smart remotes also have RF capabilities?
Since both technologies require different hardware, you won’t necessarily find RF capabilities on a typical IR controller. While an IR remote needs an IR Blaster, you need an electromagnetic transmitter to use RF signaling. However, several devices on the market offer dual capabilities, and you won’t have difficulty finding one that offers both signaling mechanisms.
Can I use any appliance of any brand with any smart IR controller?
Smart IR controllers have access to vast databases to store the IR codes of several thousand appliances. So, you can use various appliances from various brands without worrying about compatibility.
However, these can be an instance when you won’t find the relevant codes in the database. Good Smart IR controllers also include a DIY learning feature that enables the controller to learn the codes of any remote that isn’t in its database.
