Customer Ratings & Reviews

The Terk – Rechargeable 8-Device Backlit Universal Remote (model TKTC8GB) supports a wide range of brands and models of devices. I was eager to consolidate all of the devices in the family room and store the collection of remotes that live on the table. Some of those devices are admittedly getting old. But I had high hopes when I saw codes for VCRs on the list. What’s in the box: • Rechargeable 8-Device Backlit Universal Remote • Charging Cable • Read me First Instructions • Owner’s Manual • Coupon for Streaming Service Discount The Terk remote is rechargeable with a standard USB-C cable. (One is included, but any charge cable with a USB-C end on it should work.) Points for being rechargeable and using a standard USB-C connection. A charge seems to last a long time. I charged it up when I received the remote a few days ago and it has not run low yet. The backlighting is a nice touch, very handy for dimly lit rooms. The remote is light and thin, easy to pick up and use with one hand. The buttons have a nice tactile feel. There are three different ways to add devices to the remote: 1. Direct Code Entry 2. Auto Code Search Top Brands 3. Auto Code Search All Brands (Note the remote comes preprogrammed for “most” Samsung TVs, DVD and Blu Ray players, Comcast cable boxes, Roku Streaming players and JBL audio products. Try the remote out before attempting to program it.) A long list of supported device types and brands is included. Plus, the devices short cut keys can be reprogrammed to perform simple macros. Instructions for creating macros are included on the instruction sheet. While the device is an IR remote, the instructions indicate it will control CEC enabled RF devices such as Amazon Fire Sticks if they are connected to the TV via HDMI-CEC. The first device I added was my 13-year-old LG TV. I used the direct code entry method and the third code worked. So far, so good. The second device was my aging Denon receiver, so old it does not have HDMI connections. I used the Direct Code Entry method and it worked. The third device was my brand-new Samsung sound bar. I successfully used the direct code method again. The fourth device was a Roku 3, another aging device. I tried all of the listed Roku codes. None turned the device off. Although one code did change the screen. Next, I tried to add the Roku 3 using the Auto Code Search Top Brands method. One code changed the screen, but nothing turned the Roku off. I finally tried the Auto Code Search All Brands method. Same thing. Nothing turned the Roku off, but one did change the screen. I tried to add the old Roku 3 again, entering the code that changed the screen previously. Same results. Then I tried controlling the Roku, thinking if everything else worked I don’t usually turn it off anyway. Nothing else worked like I’d expect. So, I got three out of four initial devices to work on it. Which for an inexpensive, rechargeable remote isn’t actually that bad. I plan to add the DVD player, the Sonos and the Xbox to the remote and I plan to upgrade to a new smart TV soon. So, I think the value is still there even if the remote doesn’t like the aging Roku 3.

It's hard not to like this universal remote. Terk (which is a brand I had never heard of) did a wonderful job with this remote, not only from a technical standpoint, but also in terms of design. Let's break down what's good and what is not so great. Pros: + Works with a massive amount of devices, including TVs, Bluray/DVD players, sound bars, streaming devices and much, much more + It's rechargeable, which saves cash as you don't need to purchase batteries + It's light and thin but doesn't feel flimsy + All keys are back-lit + Buttons have a good feel to them and are laid out very well + It comes with everything you need, including a quick start manual, a code sheet and a warranty card. Cons: - The plastic is very glossy and will catch fingerprints easily - The battery could last longer There is really nothing fundamentally wrong with this universal remote. I was able to set it up on a TCL smart TV which has Roku integrated without a hitch, same for a Vizio and a Samsung smart TV and sound bar. The setup is very easy and very quick. I can only recommend this remote.

This backlit remote is a nice surprise. I held out as long as I could to do the review to test the battery life. Even with a lot of use for roughly a month, the battery remains good and I still like it. There have been plenty of other (and more expensive) remotes I used for a week or two and wanted to run them over with the lawn mower. This Terk rechargable has been great. It's not an activity-centric remote where you hit one button and it runs through a bunch of commands, but I'm finding those to be a real hassle. The Terk remote excels at what it's intended for. The first charge (only one I've done so far) only took a few hours. I plugged it in around 11am and expected it to need to charge longer, but the red light turned green sometime in the afternoon so I could use it that evening. The charge status light is a big plus. I tend to charge stuff and occasionally forget to unplug. Programming is well described in the instructions, and I didn't have any issues finding codes for my receiver, satellite box, streaming player, TV, Blu-Ray, etc. My audio receiver is usually the one that trips these up, but it worked on the second code. All-in-all, I think it took about 35 minutes for everything. Operation: The remote works well. My couch is farther away from all the devices and TV than most, and the "universal" remote that comes with my satellite box doesn't have enough reach to activate some of my equipment without holding my arm up and leaning forward to get it to do what I want. With this Terk remote, I don't have to sit up to get it to work. My receiver is somewhat complicated, so I do need to keep that remote somewhat nearby, but it's rare to need it any more. Last, but not least, the backlight. A lot of remotes have really lousy backlighting where even with the backlighting on, you can't tell what anything is. The Terk remote has little symbols on the device buttons and everything else is pretty clear what they are. That's a BIG plus so until I have the buttons memorized well, I can still find what I'm trying to use. I think the ONLY downside to this remote (for what it's intended for) is that the backlight is blue. The button to turn the light on is easy to find at the bottom where there aren't other buttons to press accidentally. However, the blue light is not as easy to look at as red, white, green, or yellow (or purple?) might be. That being said, it's not like I can't see everything and be able to tell what it all is. It's just a preference. So beyond the blue color of the backlight, I have zero complaints and really like how well it projects the signal to my equipment. Unless you have a serious aversion to a blue backlight, I would recommend it for anyone looking to ditch their box full of remotes.

I'll preface this review by saying I am coming off of using a Harmony remote for over a decade, so any replacement has a lot to live up to. This TERK 8-device universal remote reminds me of universal remotes I was using 20 years ago. That can be a good or bad thing depending on what you're looking for in a remote. It features a rechargeable battery and charges using an included usb-c cable. Battery life seemed pretty good. I charged it up several days ago and have yet to need a recharge. Time will tell how good the battery actually is, but so far it seems good. I would appreciate some kind of battery meter or something letting you know how much charge you have left. Build quality leave a lot to be desired. When you first pick this remote up it feels very light and very cheap. Not like most remotes that come with TVs or streaming devices now-a-days. And the plastic is very glossy and picks up smudges and oils very easily. I swear I looked at it wrong and it smudged. The good thing is that it's not too slick and grips easily, so you shouldn't have any problems with it easily slipping out of your hands or anything. The feels of the buttons is also very nice. They are nice and tactile and clicky. Some of the layout seems a little odd to me, but that could just be because I'm used to my previous remotes' layouts. Overall I think it could be built a little better, but it's not totally cheap. Setup is about what you would expect. You hold a button down until it blinks and then put in the code that corresponds with your device. You can also use the auto function with requires some long presses. Either method, please don't lose your instructions, either to look up your codes or to remind yourself of the auto setup methods. Overall the setup method is pretty much what it has been on universal remotes since universal remotes have been a thing. The TERK Rechargeable Universal remote is a bit of a mixed bag for me. It is a perfectly capable universal remote, just a bit too basic and a little cheap feeling for me personally. I will personally keep it as a backup remote, and not be using it as my everyday remote. However, if you are looking for a basic universal remote that works like universal remotes have pretty much always worked, this one is a nice option. I would recommend it with the caveat that you don't expect anything groundbreaking. This will not replace your Harmony, and it's not the best if you have more complex setup with multiple devices and a home theater system, etc. This is best suited to more simple setups with just like a tv and maybe a couple streaming devices.