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.

In using this remote for some time, I found myself wanting to go back to my standard smart tv and receiver remotes. Why? Simply because these aftermarket remotes don't give the same functionality and reliability that your manufacturer remote will, at least not at this pricepoint. If you need a remote and just hate having multiple remotes out or to worry about, this isn't a terrible option, as once programmed, it does fairly decent for basic navigation, I also even enjoy the backlit and USB C rechargeable battery. Those being the only reasons this device received more than one star. That being said, the codes used to control the devices you may have, are not complete and don't offer the same functionality you might otherwise have with the included device remote, as to be expected to a degree. I tried multiple codes and have high end and common products/brands. The problem arises in the fact that we are in a much more advanced world than we were decades ago when these remotes were ground-breaking. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to keep up and adapted poorly. Take, for instance, the macros they use for the Netflix/Disney/Hulu/YT buttons. It's simply a button direction of how to move on your home screen to get to them. Example, you turn your tv on and it always goes to the home screen, to get to be Netflix(outside of just pushing the button almost every manufacturer remote has embedded on their remote), you have to go up one click, and over to the right two clicks. Those are the actions the macro for those specialty buttons uses. Now imagine you are on your home screen and in a different spot than where your tv turns on to, it will still just go up one click, and over two clicks, to select whatever that might be. Point being, it isn't directly tied to Netflix. Delete an app that changes the location of your programmed apps, or move them, and you are stuck then rearranging and redoing macros. Or heaven forbid you get an update that somewhat changes your tv layout. You can mitigate this some by making sure it sends the home command each time before moving, ensuring you're at a consistent start point, but it's highly fallible regardless. Add this in to the fact that the buttons are very soft plastic/rubber, with no clear definition on edging of the nav buttons, and operation without looking at the remote becomes more difficult. As well as the piano black gloss finish that smudges with even the cleanest of hands. I can't recommend this remote, unless you, for some reason, absolutely hate the device provided remote and/or can't get a replacement if lost/broken.

Pro: -Can lock volume and channel changing to one function -Macro recording Con: -Doesn’t work well with Sony audio devices -Some functions doesn't work properly The TERK remote is a simple, easy to set up universal remote that can control up to 8 devices. It uses numeric code entry to program each device based on their brands. It has a lock function that lets you control volume and channels of other devices while using the TV. It also has macro functions, able to record up to 14 steps and assign them to one of the function buttons. It has a rechargeable, but not removable, battery with a USB-C cable. While it worked with a lot of devices I’ve tried it on, it has some issues with some devices and it didn't work well with my Sony audio devices. It also will not work with devices that don't use IR such as the Fire TV. The remote seems to only be able to control common basic functions and seems to have problems with some menu navigation or specific device functions. I have mostly Sony devices, and their audio devices mostly didn’t work with the remote. I also tested it on a Hisense TV, a Roku, and Fire TV. For the Sony devices, I was able to get it to work fine with my TV and Blu-ray player. I could access all the menus and all the common functions just fine. However, on my receiver and soundbar, the only function to work correctly was the volume. None of the menu could be used. Random buttons may control one setting, such as pressing the Disney+ button would toggle a sound setting on my soundbar. On the Hisense TV, some of the buttons were mismatched and some menu navigation didn’t work. For instance, I could pull up the menu but couldn’t exit. And I had to press the Samsung Hub button to bring up the Home menu. Other functions seem to work fine. So it mostly works with basic commands as long as I don’t have to use the menu too often. For streaming devices, the Roku works. It won’t work with the Fire TV since it uses a bluetooth remote and not an IR one. This remote is probably best for the very basics of setups, like controlling TV volume and channels, controlling a Blu-ray player, and a Roku. Depending on the brand, some functions may not work well or not at all. For my case, I would still need a remote to control my Sony audio devices and not being able to properly navigate the menu of my TV, made it not worth using.

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.

I ordered this remote to replace the one that came with my TV and to try to minimize the number of remotes needed to operate it and the peripherals that are connected to it. I opened up the package and was headed to my battery drawer to find some AA or AAA batteries, when I remembered that it was rechargeable. This is by far one of my favorite features. It came with a USB-C cable, but no charging brick which was fine as I have plenty around the house. The batteries on these things always seem to go out at the most inopportune time and when you cant find any spare batteries. After plugging this up to let it charge for a few hours, I came back to set it up. Setup was surprisingly simple. The box comes with a printout of codes and a one page, step by step guide to setting up your devices. There is a little bit of trial and error with this as there are multiple codes that can be used for each device. If you try to program one code and it doesnt work, just try the next one. I didnt have any issues with not finding a code for all of my devices. If you do have a problem finding the code, there is an auto search feature, but I didnt need to try it. There are macro keys that are very useful as well. There are presets for Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and Disney. I really like the backlight keypad as well. Definitely a great feature for my usage. Now only if it had some sort of tracker for those times that my kids leave the remote in some far corner of the house, it would be the perfect remote. Jokes aside, this is an awesome remote and it has more than fit my needs so far.

I really like the TERK rechargeable universal remote control. The remote needed to be charged right out of the box. I was surprised that the initial charge took a couple of hours but expect it to last for many months of use. I also like that it's USB C rather than Micro-USB. Code setup for the device was simple - find your brands from the code sheet, press the device button for two seconds, enter the code and finished. I had no trouble connecting it to three different televisions, Fios One cable box, Apple TV and two separate sound bars. Like other universal remotes, you can lock the volume and channel buttons to any source so if you want to control the soundbar volume when TV is selected, you can make that happen. The remote has a backlight but it only works when you turn it on. On other remotes I have, the backlight button operates like an on/off and when it's on, the light comes on with every key press, not so on the TERK. There are also four direct tune buttons on the bottom for Netflix, Disney, Hulu and YouTube; however, these only work if your original remote has similar presets. You can also use these for macros, combining up to 14 key presses for each source. I give the TERK Rechargeable 8-Device Universal remote five stars and recommend it to anyone trying to clean up their viewing areas.

The remote to my LG smart TV finally died on me. I had seen other generic replacement remotes but this one seemed a bit more appealing in that it can be used for multiple items as well. It's a cool looking remote for sure and it's pretty thin. Very lightweight however it has a glossy finish to it so it's a fingerprint magnet unfortunately. It doesn't use the traditional AAA batteries as this remote is rechargeable. It charges via USB-C with the included cable. Cables a bit short but it'll do for now. Was able to successfully pair it to my TV, Blu-ray and my finnicky Samsung smart TV as well. Nice plus is that there is a Netflix button on this remote too so I don't lose that. It also has quick buttons for Hulu, Disney+ and YouTube. Nice little bonus is that it has a backlight button on it. It's somewhat dim and really only helpful if it's very dark but, eh, better than nothing I guess. Kinda wish I had more devices to use this with but it works great as my new replacement remote. Can't complain about this yet. Only thing I haven't been able to test is battery life so here's hoping it lasts a bit. Thanks for Best Buy for providing this free TERK Rechargeable remote for this review.