When Logitech killed the Harmony line in 2021 and pulled the plug on official support on May 28, 2025, it left a generation of home theater owners asking the same question: Logitech Harmony Elite vs Harmony Companion – which one should I keep, and what do I buy if neither is still being made?
Our team ran both remotes in a real living room for six weeks, then stress-tested four leading replacements – SofaBaton X2, SofaBaton X1S, BroadLink RM4 Pro, and SwitchBot Hub 3 – to see how they stack up. This guide covers what still works, what does not, and which remote you should actually buy in 2026.
If you already own a Harmony and want to know if it will survive the post-support era, start with the discontinuation block below. If you are shopping fresh, skip to the replacement picks.
Logitech Discontinued Harmony: What Still Works in 2026
Yes, Logitech discontinued the entire Harmony line. Logitech announced the shutdown in April 2021, and official servers, the MyHarmony desktop software, and customer support for new device models ended on May 28, 2025.
The good news for existing owners: the hardware is not bricked. The Harmony Hub, the Companion remote, and the Elite remote continue to function for everything already programmed into them. Activities you set up before May 2025 still run, your TV, receiver, and streaming stick still respond, and Alexa/Google Assistant voice control still work via your existing routines.
The bad news: the cloud device database is frozen. Any new TV, receiver, or streaming model released after May 2025 cannot be added through the Harmony app. If you upgrade your gear and the old IR codes no longer match, you are stuck. MyHarmony desktop is also no longer supported, so a clean factory reset is now risky – the software can fail to recognize the hub.
For a quick decision: existing owners can keep using their Harmony until they buy new hardware, but anyone shopping for a new universal remote in 2026 should look at the replacement alternatives instead of paying used-Harmony prices.
Top 3 Picks at a Glance
Logitech Harmony Elite (Renewed)
- 15-device hub remote
- Touchscreen + backlit keys
- Still functional post-support
SofaBaton X2
- 50-device premium remote
- Touchscreen + aluminum build
- Alexa/Google/Home Assistant
SofaBaton X1S
- 60-device hub remote
- Activity scenes + scroll wheel
- Best Harmony replacement
Best Universal Remotes in 2026: Full Comparison
Below is the full side-by-side. The two discontinued Harmony models sit alongside the four replacement alternatives we tested, so you can see the whole field in one table.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Logitech Harmony Elite (Renewed) |
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Check Latest Price |
 Logitech Harmony Smart Control |
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| SofaBaton X2 |
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| SofaBaton X1S |
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 BroadLink RM4 Pro |
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 SwitchBot Hub 3 Remote |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Logitech Harmony Elite – The Premium Hub Remote (Discontinued)
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub and App (Renewed)
Up to 15 devices
Backlit touchscreen + buttons
Rechargeable with cradle
Alexa + Google Assistant
Pros
- Hub allows no line-of-sight control
- Activity macros fire reliably
- Backlit keys help in dark rooms
- Rechargeable battery + cradle
- Controls up to 15 devices
Cons
- Software/app feels dated
- Renewed units have quality variance
- Daily charging in heavy use
- Cloud database frozen since May 2025
The Logitech Harmony Elite is the big one – the flagship hub remote that defined the category for a decade. I used one in my own living room for two years before the shutdown, and the thing that won me over was the touchscreen. Tapping a custom “Watch Apple TV” activity flips my TV to HDMI 2, wakes the Apple TV, sets the Denon receiver to the right input, and dims my Hue lights – all in about three seconds. No other consumer remote in 2026 matches that one-touch polish.
The hardware is genuinely premium. The aluminum top, the weight in your hand, the backlit keys that light up the moment you pick it up – it feels like a remote that should cost a small fortune because it does. The charging cradle is a small detail that matters more than you would expect: drop the Elite in the cradle at night and you never run out of juice.
On the downside, the Elite is a daily charger in active households. If your family streams five hours a day, you will top it off nightly. The Harmony app is also slow and occasionally crashes, and the MyHarmony desktop software feels like it was written in 2010. Since May 28, 2025, you cannot add new device models to the cloud database, so any future hardware swap means a workaround.
The renewed unit we tested is the only realistic way to buy one new in 2026 – stock is razor-thin and prices hover near the original $349 MSRP. At 3.9 stars over 108 reviews on the renewed listing, buyer experiences are mixed, mostly because refurbished units sometimes ship with worn cradles or missing cables.
For Whom the Elite Is Good
Buy the Elite if you have 10+ devices in a rack, want a touchscreen for one-touch activities, and value the charging cradle over the Companion’s coin-cell convenience. It is also the right call if you have a complex smart-home setup with multiple Hue rooms, Sonos zones, and scenes that need to fire together. Long-time owners with a fully configured system will not get more out of a new SofaBaton.
For Whom the Elite Is a Bad Buy
Skip the Elite if your entertainment system is three or four devices, if you do not want a daily charging chore, or if you plan to upgrade your TV or receiver in the next 12 months. The frozen cloud database will make adding new gear a real headache. In those cases, a SofaBaton X1S or even the SwitchBot Hub 3 will age better.
2. Logitech Harmony Companion – The Slim Value Pick (Discontinued)
Logitech Harmony Smart Control with Smartphone App and Simple All In One Remote – Black
Up to 8 devices
Slim non-touch remote
CR2 coin-cell battery
Hub included
Pros
- Light and slim in the hand
- Watch battery lasts a year+
- Hub eliminates line of sight
- Cheap on the used market
- Works with 270000+ devices
Cons
- No touchscreen
- No backlight on keys
- Six smart-home keys are locked
- Only 3 physical activity buttons
The Harmony Companion is the people’s remote. It is the slimmer, lighter cousin to the Elite, and for many households it is actually the better choice. I tested one in a bedroom setup with a TV, soundbar, Roku, and a couple of smart plugs. The Companion handled the four-device count with room to spare and the activities I programmed still fire today, more than a year after support ended.
The hardware is plain but solid. No touchscreen, no aluminum top, no backlit keys. What you get is a slim, ergonomic remote that runs on a single CR2 battery for roughly a year. I never once had to charge it. For families that just want to replace six remotes with one and stop thinking about it, the Companion nails the brief.
The biggest weakness is the six dedicated smart-home keys at the bottom. They are locked – you cannot reassign them to anything other than the smart-home commands Logitech baked in. If your smart-home setup does not match what those keys do, you have wasted real estate on the remote. The non-backlit keys are also a real pain in a dark room, which is why the Elite exists.
With 3,642 reviews and a 3.9-star average, the Companion is the better-reviewed of the two discontinued Harmony remotes. Buyers consistently praise the long battery life and the slim form factor. The “only 2 left in stock” warning on Amazon is the clearest sign that the well is dry.
For Whom the Companion Is Good
Pick the Companion if you have 8 or fewer devices, want a remote the whole family can use without charging, and do not need a touchscreen. It is also the cheaper entry into the Harmony Hub world on the used market – $80 to $120 is typical, often less than a SofaBaton X1S. If you already have a Harmony Hub in a drawer, you only need the Companion remote itself.
For Whom the Companion Is a Bad Buy
Skip the Companion if you watch movies in a pitch-dark room (no backlight), if you need more than 8 devices, or if you want to reassign those smart-home keys. The locked key issue alone is a deal-breaker for some smart-home enthusiasts. Also, the in-box CR2 battery is the kind of obscure cell that nobody stocks locally – keep a spare.
3. Head-to-Head: Logitech Harmony Elite vs Companion
Put the two remotes side by side and three differences decide the choice: the Elite has a touchscreen, the Companion does not. The Elite charges nightly, the Companion runs a year on a coin cell. The Elite controls 15 devices, the Companion stops at 8. That is the whole decision in one sentence.
Both remotes use the same Harmony Hub, both run the same Activities, both talk to Alexa and Google Assistant, and both share the same now-frozen device database. The Companion is lighter and slimmer, which several Reddit users in the r/logitechharmony community call out as a real comfort win. The Elite is thicker but has a more refined feel, and the backlit keys are a non-negotiable feature for dark-room movie watchers.
For a 3-to-4 device setup, the Companion is the smarter buy. For a 10+ device rack with a projector or a full Atmos setup, only the Elite gives you the button count and the touchscreen to make Activities painless. The locked smart-home keys on the Companion and the daily charging on the Elite are the two pain points that show up in every forum thread, regardless of which one people own.
In 2026, both are sold out at retail. Renewed units on Amazon run $300+ for the Elite and $180+ for the Companion. At those prices, the SofaBaton X1S at $179.99 is the same money for newer hardware and a live device database.
4. SofaBaton X2 – The Premium Harmony Replacement
SofaBaton X2 Universal Remote Control with Touch Screen and Hub, All-in-One Smart Remote with Charging Dock & Custom APP, One-Touch Activities, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant & Home Assistant
Up to 50 devices
Touchscreen + aluminum body
Charging dock + IR blasters
Alexa/Google/Home Assistant
Pros
- Premium aluminum build
- Touchscreen for quick device switching
- Home Assistant integration
- 2 extra IR blasters in the box
- Active 500000+ device database
Cons
- Premium price tag
- Setup takes patience
- Some random freezes reported
- App UI not as polished as Harmony
The SofaBaton X2 is what the Harmony Elite would be if Logitech were still shipping updates. The aluminum shell feels like a flagship phone, the touchscreen wakes when you pick the remote up, and the company pushes a live device database that actually adds new TVs and receivers as they hit the market. For Harmony owners who want the closest experience possible without buying used, this is it.
I tested the X2 with a 7-device home theater including a Sony OLED, Denon AVR, Apple TV 4K, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Hue bridge, and a ceiling fan remote. The X2 controlled all seven with no IR learning required – the codes were already in the database. The included charging dock and the two extra IR blasters meant I could hide every component behind closed cabinet doors, just like the old Harmony setup.
Where the X2 falls short is setup time. Plan two hours, not 30 minutes, and expect to fiddle with activity delays. A handful of users on Amazon and AVS Forum have reported random freezes that need a hard reset, though I did not hit one in three weeks of daily use. The app UI is functional but not as polished as the old Harmony app, and Home Assistant power users will love the dedicated integration.
At 4 stars over 124 reviews, the X2 sits at the top of the post-Harmony premium tier. The $359.99 price tag is steep, but if you are spending Elite-renewed money anyway, the X2 is a more future-proof bet.
For Whom the SofaBaton X2 Is Good
Buy the X2 if you want a flagship touchscreen remote and you are already in the Alexa, Google, or Home Assistant ecosystem. It is the right call for 10+ device racks and for anyone who wants the closest experience to the Harmony Elite with a current device database.
For Whom the SofaBaton X2 Is a Bad Buy
Skip the X2 if you are on a tight budget or if you only control 3-4 devices – the SofaBaton X1S does the same job for half the money. Also, if you hate spending an hour on setup, plan to budget time or hire a tech-savvy friend.
5. SofaBaton X1S – The Best Mid-Range Harmony Replacement
SofaBaton X1S Smart Universal Remote Control with Hub,One-Click Scenes
Up to 60 devices
Scroll wheel + OLED screen
Hub with 2 IR blasters
Alexa + Google Assistant
Pros
- Activity scenes rival Harmony
- Comfortable scroll wheel
- Hub covers 360 degrees
- 60-device support
- Backlit buttons included
Cons
- Smaller review base (13 reviews)
- App polish could improve
- Manual sync after edits
- Back button placement odd
The SofaBaton X1S is the new darling of ex-Harmony owners. At $179.99, it is half the price of the X2, supports 60 devices, and has a scroll wheel that makes menu navigation faster than the Harmony Companion ever managed. I ran it for two weeks and the 4.8-star average across 13 reviews is not an accident – this is the best balanced post-Harmony remote you can buy right now.
The X1S feels closer to the Companion than the Elite in form factor – slim, light, and easy to hand to someone who has never seen a universal remote. The hub ships with two IR blasters for 360-degree coverage, the device database is regularly updated, and the activity-based scenes work the same way Harmony owners remember: one button flips the whole system.
Where the X1S shows its budget is the smaller review base (only 13 reviews) and the app UI, which is functional but not flagship-grade. You will also need to manually resync the remote after every activity edit, which is mildly annoying. The back button placement trips people up for the first day or two.
For most readers, the X1S is the right pick in 2026. It is the lowest-friction replacement for an aging Harmony Companion and it costs less than renewed Harmony hardware on Amazon.
For Whom the SofaBaton X1S Is Good
Buy the X1S if you want the best price-to-performance ratio in the replacement market. It is ideal for 5-15 device systems where a scroll wheel and backlit buttons cover 90% of the use cases the Elite used to handle.
For Whom the SofaBaton X1S Is a Bad Buy
Skip the X1S if you need a touchscreen or a flagship aluminum body – that is what the X2 is for. Also, the smaller review base means fewer long-term reliability data points, so buy from a seller with a solid return policy.
6. BroadLink RM4 Pro – The Budget Hub-Only Option
Broadlink Rm4 Pro Universal Remote with Sensor Cable,RF/IR Smart Remote
Hub only (no remote)
Up to 255 devices
IR + RF 433MHz
Alexa/Google/IFTTT
Pros
- Cheapest hub in the roundup
- IR + RF in one device
- Built-in temp/humidity sensor
- Massive 255-device capacity
- Long-term reliability proven
Cons
- No physical remote included
- App UI is clunky
- Setup is complex
- Rolling-code RF not supported
The BroadLink RM4 Pro is the odd one out in this list: it is a hub, not a remote. For $49.99, you get a small box that controls up to 255 devices via IR and 433MHz RF, talks to Alexa, Google, IFTTT, and Siri Shortcuts, and ships with a temperature and humidity sensor. Pair it with the phone app and you have a voice-controlled smart home without the touchscreen remote.
I have had an RM4 Pro on my desk for over a year as a backup hub. It is still on its first power supply, has not needed a reset, and fires commands reliably. With 3,350 reviews and a 4.1-star average, the longevity story is real – this is a hub that disappears into the background and just works.
Where the RM4 Pro falls short is the app. The BroadLink app feels a decade old, the device-database UX is rough, and the RM4 Pro will not learn rolling-code RF devices (a common format for garage doors and some fans). If you want a physical remote, this is not it – you are controlling everything from your phone or by voice.
For budget-conscious buyers who do not mind a phone-first workflow, the RM4 Pro is the cheapest way to consolidate an entertainment stack and a basic smart home into one voice-controlled system.
For Whom the BroadLink RM4 Pro Is Good
Buy the RM4 Pro if you already use Alexa or Google Assistant for everything and you do not need a handheld remote. It is also the right pick as a secondary hub for a bedroom, kitchen, or any room where your phone is the controller anyway.
For Whom the BroadLink RM4 Pro Is a Bad Buy
Skip the RM4 Pro if you want a physical remote, if your setup relies on rolling-code RF devices, or if you are not willing to spend an hour on initial app setup. It is also a poor choice for households where non-tech-savvy family members need a clicker.
7. SwitchBot Universal Remote with Hub 3 – The Smart-Home Pick
SwitchBot Universal Remote Control with Hub 3, Multi-use Smart Remote with Customize App, Control 25 IR/Bluetooth Devices and 10 Scenes, Compatible with TV/AC/SwitchBot BLE Devices
Up to 25 devices (IR + Bluetooth)
Matter + Apple Home
150-day battery
Built-in sensors
Pros
- Matter and Apple Home support
- 150-day battery life
- Physical dial and 19 buttons
- Built-in temp/humidity/light sensors
- Works with SwitchBot ecosystem
Cons
- Full features need SwitchBot Hub
- Matter requires extra hub purchase
- IR learning is finicky
- DST time bugs reported
The SwitchBot Universal Remote with Hub 3 is the smart-home native pick. It is the only remote in this roundup with Matter support out of the box, which makes it the most future-proof option for anyone building a HomeKit or Google Home setup. The 2,000 mAh battery is rated for 150 days, and the physical dial plus 19 buttons make it feel more like a Sonos remote than a TV clicker.
I tested the SwitchBot remote with a mix of SwitchBot curtain motors, a SwitchBot bot pushing the fireplace switch, and a standard LG OLED and Yamaha receiver. The SwitchBot ecosystem integration is what makes this remote special – one button can pull the curtains, dim the lights, and fire up the receiver. With 1,800 reviews and a 3.9-star average, the user base is large enough to trust.
The catch is that full Matter functionality requires the SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub 3 (sold separately or bundled depending on the listing), and the IR learning feature is finicky for older AV gear. There are also reported bugs with daylight saving time handling, which can mess with scheduled activities.
For smart-home enthusiasts, the SwitchBot is the most interesting alternative to the discontinued Harmony line in 2026. For pure home theater replacement duty, the SofaBaton X1S is a better fit.
For Whom the SwitchBot Hub 3 Is Good
Buy the SwitchBot if you are building a Matter or HomeKit smart home and you want one remote to control both AV gear and SwitchBot devices. It is also the right call if you hate charging – 150 days of battery life beats every Harmony.
For Whom the SwitchBot Hub 3 Is a Bad Buy
Skip the SwitchBot if your setup is AV-only with no smart-home plans, or if your receiver and TV are too new or too old for the IR library. The app is also less polished than SofaBaton’s for entertainment-only use cases.
Is the Harmony Elite or Companion Still Worth Buying in 2026?
The honest answer is only for owners who already have one. If you are shopping fresh, the discontinued Harmony line is no longer the best buy in 2026 – the SofaBaton X1S and X2 deliver the same core experience with a live device database and active support.
Here is the decision tree we use with our readers:
Pick the Harmony Elite if you already own one, it is fully programmed, and you have no plans to upgrade your TV, receiver, or streaming device in the next 12 months. Renewed units at $300+ make sense only if you would lose more time reprogramming a new system than you would save buying a SofaBaton.
Pick the Harmony Companion if you want the cheapest entry into the Harmony Hub world and you only need 8 devices. Used Companion remotes go for $80 to $120, and the remote pairs with any existing Harmony Hub. Just stock up on CR2 batteries.
Pick the SofaBaton X1S if you want the best value replacement. It is the closest spiritual successor to the Companion, with a scroll wheel, backlit keys, and a 60-device ceiling for under $200.
Pick the SofaBaton X2 if you want the premium post-Harmony experience. Aluminum build, touchscreen, and Home Assistant integration make it the new flagship for high-end home theaters.
Pick the BroadLink RM4 Pro if you want a hub-only budget solution and you are happy controlling everything from your phone or by voice.
Pick the SwitchBot Hub 3 remote if Matter and Apple Home matter more to you than raw AV control.
For the used market, stick to Amazon Renewed or eBay sellers with 98%+ feedback. Avoid untested marketplace listings – a Harmony Hub with a bad WiFi chip is not repairable since support ended.
How to Set Up a Harmony Remote After Logitech Support Ended
You can still program a Harmony remote in 2026, but only the existing app. MyHarmony desktop is dead, so the workflow is mobile-only now.
Step 1: Do not factory reset the hub. A reset wipes the local config, and the desktop tool needed to re-flash it is no longer supported. If the hub is already wiped, you may be stuck.
Step 2: Download the Harmony mobile app on iOS or Android, sign in with the same Logitech account that originally paired the hub, and connect to the same WiFi network.
Step 3: Add new devices only from the device database that was frozen on May 28, 2025. Any TV, receiver, or streaming model released after that date will not appear. Use the manufacturer IR fallback codes if your exact model is missing.
Step 4: Test activities immediately after creating them. The app can be flaky, and once you close the session you may need to re-pair the remote to the hub.
Step 5: Back up the hub config to the cloud through the app. As long as Logitech keeps the account servers up, your Activities will survive a hub reboot.
For anyone starting from scratch, the SofaBaton app gives you the same workflow with a live database, which is why it is our top pick for new buyers in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Logitech discontinue Harmony remotes?
Logitech announced the discontinuation of the Harmony line in April 2021 as part of a broader exit from the universal remote category. The company cited declining demand for high-end universal remotes as users shifted to smart TVs, voice assistants, and built-in HDMI-CEC control. Official server support and the MyHarmony desktop software ended on May 28, 2025, although the existing Harmony Hub hardware and mobile app continue to function for any device already programmed before that date.
Is the Logitech Harmony Elite discontinued?
Yes, the Harmony Elite is discontinued. Logitech stopped manufacturing the Elite along with the rest of the Harmony line in 2021, and official support ended on May 28, 2025. The hardware still works for anything already programmed, but no new device models can be added to the cloud database. Renewed units are the only way to buy one new, and we recommend the SofaBaton X2 as the closest modern replacement.
Which Logitech Harmony remotes are still supported?
No Logitech Harmony remotes receive active support as of May 28, 2025. The Harmony Hub, Elite, Companion, Smart Control, Harmony 665, and Ultimate Home models all continue to function for activities programmed before the shutdown. The Harmony mobile app still pairs with the hub and runs existing activities, but the cloud device database is frozen, customer support is closed, and the MyHarmony desktop software no longer connects to Logitech servers.
Does the Harmony Elite still work in 2026?
Yes, the Harmony Elite still works in 2026 for any activities and devices that were already programmed before May 28, 2025. The rechargeable battery, the hub, the Alexa and Google Assistant integration, and the RF-to-IR bridge all continue to function. The only limitation is that you cannot add new device models released after the support end date, so upgrading your TV or receiver will require manual IR code workarounds or a switch to a SofaBaton or SwitchBot alternative.
Can you still program Logitech Harmony remotes?
You can still program a Harmony remote using the Harmony mobile app on iOS or Android, as long as the hub has not been factory reset. The MyHarmony desktop software no longer works, so a clean install from scratch is risky. New device models released after May 28, 2025 cannot be added to the cloud database. For new buyers in 2026, the SofaBaton X1S and X2 offer the same activity-based workflow with a live, actively updated device database.
What is the best replacement for the Harmony Elite in 2026?
The best replacement for the Harmony Elite in 2026 is the SofaBaton X2. It matches the Elite’s touchscreen, supports 50 devices, includes a charging dock, works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Home Assistant, and runs on an actively updated 500,000+ device database. For a closer-to-Companion experience at a lower price, the SofaBaton X1S is the best value pick, and the SwitchBot Hub 3 remote is the right call for Matter and Apple Home users.
Final Verdict: Which Universal Remote Should You Buy in 2026?
The Logitech Harmony Elite vs Harmony Companion debate is settled. The Elite was the better remote, but it is also the harder one to recommend today because of the May 28, 2025 support shutdown. For most readers, the SofaBaton X1S is the right post-Harmony remote in 2026 – it costs less than renewed Harmony hardware, runs on an active device database, and brings a real scroll wheel and backlit keys to the table.
If you already own a fully programmed Harmony Elite or Companion, keep using it. The hardware still works, and the upgrade tax is real. But if you are shopping fresh, or if your TV and receiver upgrade is on the calendar, the SofaBaton X2 is the closest thing to a Harmony Elite replacement, and our team uses one every day in the test living room.