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 works fine when you figure out what all the buttons are for.

I found this to be a very handy and easy to use item.

It was worth it, i went from 4 remotes to 1.. It was very convenient, semi easy to use once you find the codes.

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.

The terk universal remote is easy enough to set up. It's comfortable to use and has some nice features. The setup process is likely familiar if you've used a universal remote before. Just hood the button of the device you want to control and enter the code designated for it, then make sure it works. Setting up my devices was easy. This includes my Xbox, LG TV, marantz audio receiver and Cox cable box. I'll be adding other devices too. Overall everything works well. You even have the option to set up macros, so that you could do things like switch inputs before controlling another device. There was issue that I couldn't seem to find a solution for. There didn't seem to be a way to switch inputs on my marantz receiver. This was causing some problems for me, since I was unable to change to the necessary input there. I'm going to experiment to see if I can find a solution. I also wish the backlit buttons were able to be activated by motion, rather than only a button. It's a minor things, but other remotes I've used in the past have had the feature of lighting up when you pick them up. Otherwise, this remote is very easy and comfortable to use. Pros: easy setup, lightweight, rechargeable, backlit keys Cons: backlight can only be activated with a button (not motion activated), my surround sound receiver wasn't able to change inputs using the remote

The TERK rechargeable 8-device backlit universal remote is a good enough basic remote that seems to work for quite a lot of devices. It is an old-school style universal remote where you have to either look at the long list of codes and find the one that works for your device by manually inputting the code, or the remote can auto scan through popular devices or auto scan through all codes until one happens to work. It doesn't have advanced features similar to the (now discontinued) Logitech Harmony remotes, so you're not able to turn on multiple devices with the press of one button, if you use a sound bar for instance this will not turn on your TV then the sound bar and put them on the proper inputs. This particular remote can only turn on and off one device at a time and about the most advanced function that it has is the buttons that will take you to Netflix, Disney, etc.; and that's only if those particular buttons work for your device. That's kind of these remotes biggest flaw is that there is no guarantee that it may work with your devices, and even if it does seem to work, it may not have full compatibility so some buttons won't work or will work improperly. For me, I was unable to get the remote to work properly with my Apple TV, I couldn't turn on or off my Apple TV device, and rather than the volume remotes working through HDMI Arc and turning up the TV volume, the volume buttons on the remote would only work as up or down buttons scrolling through the menu rather than having any affect on the volume. If you just need a basic remote for your multiple devices this may not be a bad choice for you, unfortunately for me this was only partially compatible with some of my devices and requires me to still keep multiple remotes to be able to have full compatibility with my devices. It's worth a shot and if it works for you and accomplishes your needs this is a good remote, but it does have room for improvement.