The title of this article isn’t misleading or clickbait. My pets used to demolish my Roku remotes once a month, especially when my 100-pound dog lived with me during my college days. If you’re wondering why our furry friends insist on committing such atrocities, it’s because they smell like us, by the way.
This is never a one-time occurrence, either. If the pup gets hold of a remote once, rest assured, it’s going to do it again. At first, I just bought the regular-degular Roku remotes as replacements, but after going through three of them, I decided it may be time to look for something a bit more robust. Thus, begins my journey into the Roku remote “aftermarket” scene, so to speak, and believe it or not, there are some real keepers here.
One For All Roku TV remote
The end-all-be-all of replacement remotes
As one of the last analog babies, I grew up with at least two One For All TV remotes in my house at all times. Talk about a company that capitalized on a short-term problem. But you’ll be happy to know that they’re still around, and still making TV remotes that will work with any TV in your house, Roku included.
For just $20, these replacements can be bought, taken out of the box and put right to use. Additionally, they use four AAA batteries instead of the usual two in the tiny Roku remotes, and they’re longer than the stock ones, too. That means they’re much easier to find (who hasn’t been guilty of losing their remote), and they go much longer between battery changes. It’s the best of both words. They’re also rugged enough to, say, get chewed on a few times before they fizz out. Ask me how I know.
- Brand
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One For All
- Platform Compability
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Universal
- Battery
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AAA
A universal Roku remote replacement that lasts longer than the stock option.
Emerald universal Roku remote
A different shape to let everyone know your remote is “custom”
Maybe the One for All isn’t your style. Maybe you want something a bit more boxy to remind you of that early 2000s feel. If so, then Emerald actually makes the universal Roku remote for you, which also works straight out of the box. The easiest way to find it, though? On the Home Depot website.
When I tell you that there are a million replacement remotes made by companies that aren’t Roku, I mean it. Rokus are in over 100 million households. To put that number in perspective, that’s around 10x the number of Google Pixel phone users in the world. Roku is a huge company with a vast market share, so it makes sense that other companies would try and join in on the love.
- Brand
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Emerald
- Platform Compability
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Universal Roku
- Battery
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AAA
A squared alternative option to the traditional stock Roku TV remote.
Insignia universal Roku remote
If you want to delete the purple from your life, here’s your option
In case you were wondering why none of these remotes share the exact same purple as Roku, it’s because they actually have the color trademarked on any remote control device. It’s called “Roku Purple,” and I even have to say that it’s a pretty attractive color. But if you hate that specific shade or simply don’t want color in your life because being minimalist is cool and trendy right now, then don’t worry, because Best Buy’s in-house brand, Insignia, has you covered.
Personally, I find the normal Roku remote to be minimal enough, considering that I lose it once a week, but I’m not about to yuck anyone else’s yum. That being said, the price is solid on the Insignia model, too, as it checks in at just $15, which is less than you’d pay for a box-standard one straight from Roku. For that matter, every one of these remotes, aside from the One for All, comes in at under what Roku will charge you for a regular replacement, and at that, the One for All is larger, lasts longer, and, in my experience, holds up better over time. There’s a reason it’s my number one pick, after all.
- Brand
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Insignia
- Platform Compability
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Universal Roku
- Battery
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AAA
Best Buy’s in-house brand, Insignia, manufactures this budget replacement Roku remote.
