QFX REM-115 Universal Remote Control
Overview
The QFX REM-115 Universal Remote Control has been a quiet fixture in budget living rooms since 2010, built around one simple premise: fewer remotes on the coffee table. What separates this jumbo remote from the typical universal clicker is sheer size — at nearly 11 inches tall, it's physically larger than most remotes you'll find, designed specifically for people who find small buttons frustrating to press accurately. A 2024 feature refresh added dedicated streaming shortcuts to the existing lineup, though the underlying remote architecture is essentially unchanged. Think of it as a no-frills consolidator rather than a smart device — it uses code-based programming and rewards buyers who go in with realistic expectations.
Features & Benefits
The REM-115 covers a lot of ground for a single clicker. It can be configured to operate up to eight devices — TVs, Blu-ray players, cable boxes, soundbars, and even older VCRs — which makes it genuinely useful in cluttered entertainment setups. The buttons are coated to glow in the dark, a small detail that makes a real difference when you're watching a movie in a pitch-black room. Brand compatibility is broad, spanning dozens of manufacturers including Sony, Samsung, LG, and Panasonic. One of its more recent additions is a row of streaming shortcut buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu, and Disney+, though these only function on Smart TVs with an active internet connection — not on standard TVs.
Best For
This jumbo remote is a particularly strong choice for older adults or anyone who has ever jabbed the wrong button on a remote that was simply too small to navigate comfortably. The oversized button layout makes it far more accessible than slimline alternatives, and the setup process is no different from any other code-based universal remote. It also fits well in households where the entertainment system has quietly grown into a tangle of components — multiple TVs, streaming sticks, soundbars — and someone finally wants a single controller to handle it all. For someone replacing a broken or lost original remote on a budget, this universal clicker gets the job done without much fuss.
User Feedback
Buyers who come in expecting a polished, fully automated experience often leave disappointed — but those with realistic expectations tend to rate this universal clicker quite well. The large buttons and the nighttime glow get consistent praise, and plenty of reviewers report that pairing the remote with common TV brands like Samsung or LG goes smoothly. The friction starts with less popular or older devices, where the code library doesn't always have a match, and scanning through codes manually can wear on your patience. A smaller number of buyers note that button labels show wear after extended use. Overall, it's a capable but imperfect tool — most useful when your expectations match what it's actually designed to do.
Pros
- Oversized buttons make it noticeably easier to press accurately, especially for users with reduced dexterity.
- Handles up to eight devices, significantly cutting down the pile of remotes on your coffee table.
- Glow-in-the-dark buttons are genuinely useful for navigating controls in a completely dark room.
- Broad brand compatibility spans Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, and many other mainstream manufacturers.
- Dedicated one-tap shortcuts for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu, and Disney+ work well on compatible Smart TVs.
- The code-based setup is familiar and approachable for anyone who has configured a universal remote before.
- The REM-115 is one of the more cost-effective replacement options for a lost or broken original remote.
- Its large physical size makes it far less likely to disappear between sofa cushions than a slim remote.
- Works across a solid range of device types, including HDTVs, soundbars, Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and VCRs.
Cons
- Streaming shortcut buttons only activate on internet-connected Smart TVs and are completely non-functional on standard televisions.
- Code-based pairing can turn into a slow trial-and-error process, particularly for less common or older device brands.
- Offers no support for popular streaming hardware like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV.
- Button labels have been reported by some long-term owners to fade or wear down with heavy daily use.
- The bulky dimensions may feel awkward or tiring to hold for users with smaller hands.
- There is no automatic device detection — every pairing requires manually looking up and entering a code.
- Niche, discontinued, or lesser-known equipment brands often have no matching code in the library at all.
- AA batteries are not included in the box, which requires an extra purchase before first use.
- The 2024 refresh adds streaming buttons only; the underlying code library and remote design remain essentially unchanged.
- No mode indicator display means users must remember which device mode is currently active, which can cause confusion.
Ratings
The scores below reflect our AI-driven analysis of verified global buyer reviews for the QFX REM-115 Universal Remote Control, with spam, bot activity, and incentivized feedback actively filtered out before any category was scored. Each rating is calibrated to reflect both the genuine strengths buyers consistently praised and the recurring frustrations that surfaced across thousands of real-world household experiences. Nothing has been softened — where this jumbo remote earns its keep, the scores show it; where it falls short, that is reflected too.
Button Size & Accessibility
Value for Money
Device Compatibility
Setup & Programming
Streaming Shortcuts
Glow-in-the-Dark Buttons
Build Quality
Ergonomics & Grip
Multi-Device Control
IR Range & Responsiveness
Code Library Coverage
Durability Over Time
Packaging & First Impression
Suitable for:
The QFX REM-115 Universal Remote Control is a strong fit for households where remote clutter has gotten out of hand — a living room with a TV, soundbar, cable box, and Blu-ray player all demanding separate controllers is exactly the situation this jumbo remote was built to solve. It is particularly well-suited to older adults or anyone with dexterity challenges, since the oversized buttons are genuinely easier to press accurately than those found on sleek, slim modern remotes. Families buying a replacement clicker for an elderly parent will find this an intuitive, low-learning-curve option that does not require any technical know-how to operate day to day. Dark-room viewers who watch in near-total darkness also get real practical value from the glow-in-the-dark buttons, which means no more squinting or fumbling mid-film. If you have lost or broken the original remote for a mainstream brand like Samsung, LG, or Sony, this universal clicker has a solid chance of pairing successfully and saving you the cost of a manufacturer replacement.
Not suitable for:
The QFX REM-115 Universal Remote Control is a poor match for anyone whose entertainment setup revolves around modern streaming devices — it does not support Roku sticks, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or similar hardware, so if those are your primary sources of content, look elsewhere. The five streaming shortcut buttons are a frequent source of confusion: they only function on Smart TVs that are actively connected to the internet, and they will do absolutely nothing on a standard television, so buyers assuming otherwise will be disappointed. Tech-forward users who want automatic device detection, app-based control, or macro programming will find this remote far too basic — code entry is purely manual and requires looking up numbers in a printed guide. Those with unusual, discontinued, or niche home theater components run a real risk of finding no compatible code in the library at all. And if long-term build durability is a priority, some users have noted that button labels show wear over time, which is worth factoring in before buying.
Specifications
- Dimensions: The remote measures 10.87 x 4.96 x 0.87 inches, making it noticeably larger than a typical TV remote.
- Weight: Without batteries, the unit weighs 9.6 ounces, giving it a solid, substantial feel in hand.
- Battery Type: Requires 2 AA batteries to operate; batteries are not included in the box.
- Color: Available in black only.
- Model Number: The official model designation is REM-115, manufactured by QFX USA.
- Max Devices: Can be programmed to control up to 8 separate home entertainment devices.
- Button Feature: Buttons are coated with a glow-in-the-dark material, remaining visible in low-light and dark-room environments.
- Streaming Shortcuts: Includes five dedicated shortcut buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu, and Disney+.
- Streaming Requirement: Streaming shortcut buttons are only functional on internet-connected Smart TVs; they do not operate on standard televisions.
- Setup Method: Device pairing is performed via manual code entry using a printed code guide included with the remote.
- Compatible Brands: Supports a wide range of TV and AV brands including Sony, Samsung, LG, Philips, Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba, Daewoo, Hitachi, Sanyo, JVC, Mitsubishi, Emerson, Magnavox, GE, RCA, and Zenith.
- Device Types: Compatible device categories include HDTVs, Blu-ray players, cable boxes, soundbars, and VCRs.
- Market Rank: Ranked #755 in the Remote Controls category on Amazon at the time of publication.
- Product History: Originally launched in March 2010, with the current updated model released after March 2024 to include streaming shortcut buttons.
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