Elders have more time on their hands than the younger generation. This is mainly because most elders are retired and spend a lot of time at home.
So, what’s a common home activity for seniors? Watching TV of course.
I’m guessing the TV isn’t the only electronic device in your living room. You may also have sound systems, air conditioners, and electronic curtain slides, just to name a few.
Think of how rigorous it would be for a senior to sort out remote controls for each of these electronic devices!
Well they don’t have to go through that stress, there are universal remote controls that can be used to operate multiple devices. This is exactly what you should get for your loved one.
You may not have used such a remote before and may not be sure which to buy. Not to worry, I am here for you! In this article, I will be taking a look at some of the best Universal remote for elderly.
There are some really cool brands I came across and I’d be sharing their features with you. First things first, I have to remind you that there are certain factors you need to consider before you buy a universal remote control.
Let’s take a look at these factors below.
Contents
- 1 Factors to consider when purchasing a Universal Remote for Elderly
- 2 Best Universal Remote For Elderly Review
- 2.1 Flipper Big Button Universal Remote For Seniors
- 2.2 Continuous Big Button Universal Remote
- 2.3 Continuous EasyMote DT-R08W Universal Remote
- 2.4 Sony RM EZ-4 2-Device Universal Large Button Remote Control
- 2.5 Tek Pal Large Button Universal Remote Control
- 2.6 Boostwaves Jumbo Universal Remote Control
- 2.7 Conclusion
Factors to consider when purchasing a Universal Remote for Elderly
Compatibility
What good is a universal remote if it’s not compatible with multiple devices? Some universal remotes are compatible with as much as 8 devices. However, there are less compatible universal remotes, these can control 2 devices at most. Yeah, you guessed right – the more compatible remote controls would usually cost more than the less compatible ones.
Ease of use
Remember, we are talking about best universal remotes for elderly, and one thing you wouldn’t want to put in the hands of an elderly person is a complicated device.
Simplicity and ease of use are the keywords here.
An ideal universal remote for an elder is one that has very few buttons. The buttons should be large too, and the commands on them should be bold enough for an older person to read.
A simple universal remote should have –
- Two volume buttons
- Two channel buttons
- One mute button
- A power button
The easier it is for them to use, the better.
User support
As I mentioned earlier – one thing you wouldn’t want to put in the hands of an older person is a complicated device. There’s a reason for this – older people are usually not tech savvy.
This means the remote you buy should have adequate user support. This means an easy-to-read user manual and online support.
Best Universal Remote For Elderly Review
Now that we’ve gotten all the key factors to consider out of the way, let us proceed and look at my top picks one by one. The products I will be talking about all vary in quality, price, and functionality, but are all top of the range remotes.
Here are our top picks:
- Flipper Big Button Universal Remote For Seniors
- Continuous Big Button Universal Remote
- Continuous EasyMote DT-R08W Universal Remote
- Sony RM EZ-4 2-Device Universal Large Button Remote Control
- Tek Pal Large Button Universal Remote Control
- Boostwaves Jumbo Universal Remote Control
It is up to you to make your choice.
Let’s go!
Flipper Big Button Universal Remote For Seniors
This is a great choice for seniors who have diminishing eyesight. They come with large, easy to read colored buttons that make operation very simple.
It is designed to control 2 devices – the TV and the cable box. It also has a lock function which keeps your programmed channel list intact. This function helps prevent accidental re-programming.
This universal remote is capable of setting up to 30 of your favorite channels and it is compatible with most infrared TV sets, cable boxes, and sound bars.
Good option!
Pros
- It is designed with large, easy to read buttons
- It is very easy to use
- The colored buttons create a distinction which allows the user to remember which function is which
- It has a lock function to prevent accidental re-programming
- It can set up to 30 channels on your favorite’s list
Cons
- The power button doesn’t turn on the TV and cable box on at the same time, which may cause them to be out of sync
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF FLIPPER BIG BUTTON UNIVERSAL REMOTE ON AMAZON
Continuous Big Button Universal Remote
As the name implies, this universal remote control comes with big control buttons that are very easy to read and operate.
It is designed with 6 backlit green buttons, which include –
- Power button (on and off)
- Two volume control buttons
- Two channel buttons
- One mute button
Its simplicity makes it easy for seniors to memorize each button’s functions.
Another great feature of this remote is the removable strap. You can have the remote strapped around your wrist during use. This prevents it from getting lost under the corners of the couch.
It also has a “quick search” function that lets you scan your TV’s code in a flash!
An extra feature of this remote is that you can re-program the buttons to specific commands as it suits you. With this remote, you can also save and lock your favorite channels list.
This remote is compatible with most infrared TV sets and cable boxes.
I recommend!
Pros
- It has a save and lock function for your favorite TV channels
- It has bold, easy to read buttons
- Features a wrist strap, which prevents the remote from getting lost while in use
- It is compatible with most infrared TV sets and cable boxes
- You can customize remote buttons to specific functions
Cons
- All the buttons are the same color
- Some users have complained that first-time programming is complicated
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF CONTINUOUS BIG BUTTON UNIVERSAL REMOTE ON AMAZON
Continuous EasyMote DT-R08W Universal Remote
This is another great universal remote for elders by Continuous. It is pretty much the same as the former, the major difference being that it comes in white. It also has 6 backlit buttons for better visibility, and you can customize the buttons to specific functions.
For safe keeping, it is designed with a detachable strap which sits firmly around the user’s wrist. This prevents it from getting lost during use.
The large buttons help elders read the functions easily and it is compatible with most infrared TV sets and cable boxes.
Not bad at all.
Pros
- It has large buttons that are easy to read
- Compatible with most infrared TV sets
- Features a detachable strap for easily handling of the remote
- It has 6 backlit buttons for better visibility
Cons
- All the buttons are the same color
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF CONTINUOUS EASYMOTE DT-R08W UNIVERSAL REMOTE ON AMAZON
Sony RM EZ-4 2-Device Universal Large Button Remote Control
This is another great choice for seniors who have diminishing eyesight. It has large, easy-to-read tactile buttons that make operations very simple.
The positions of the volume and channel buttons are also very convenient for the user. The volume and mute buttons are colored blue, making identification a lot easier for an elderly person.
It is also compatible with most infrared TV sets and cable boxes.
One downside of this remote is that the TV controls are separate from the cable box control, which means there are more buttons than desired
Pros
- The volume and mute button are colored blue for easy identification
- It has large buttons that are easy to operate
- It has a rugged build
Cons
- It doesn’t have a wrist strap
- It comes with too many buttons and this goes against the idea of simplicity which an elder would prefer
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF SONY RM EZ-4 2 UNIVERSAL REMOTE ON AMAZON
Tek Pal Large Button Universal Remote Control
When you speak of a remote control that is easy to use for seniors, then this has to be among the best there is in the market.
It has just 6 buttons which are large and easy to read. These buttons include –
- One power button (on/off)
- Two channel buttons
- Two volume buttons
- One mute button
The design of this remote is as simple as can be and I’m sure every senior would love using it. The buttons are tactile and backlit, which makes it easy to control, and also gives it excellent visibility.
Another great feature of this remote is that the buttons come in different shapes, which makes them easily recognizable. These shapes include triangle, square, and circle.
The remote is small so it fits comfortably inside the user’s palm.
It is by far, one of the best universal remote for elderly.
Pros
- The buttons come in different shapes which makes them easily distinguishable
- The remote fits comfortably into the user’s palm
- Features large buttons for ease of use
- It has a simple design
- It has tactile backlit buttons for convenient use and better visibility
Cons
- It does not come with an instruction manual
- It has no wrist strap
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF TEK PAL LARGE BUTTON UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL ON AMAZON
Boostwaves Jumbo Universal Remote Control
As the name implies, this is a jumbo sized remote control. It controls up to 8 devices at the same time. These include the the TV, cable box, a DVD player, and other auxiliary home appliances.
The size makes it hard to lose, it also has large buttons that are easy to read.
Pros
- It can control up to 8 devices
- It is a very large remote which makes it hard to lose
Cons
- It is heavy
- It has too many buttons
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF BOOTSWAVES JUMBO UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL ON AMAZON
Conclusion