Smart IR Remote Controller All in One WiFi IR Blaster Controller Smart Universal Infrared Remote Control Repeater Hub for AC, TV, DVD, STB Compatible with Alexa, Google and No Hub Required(R4-Black)

Very good

** Instructions for adding any button to an Alexa routine at the bottom of my review ** PROS - able to be added to Alexa routines - small and sleek - able to control devices spread all over the room - uses standard usb-c (cable included) - my devices were already in the database - can add buttons not in the database CONS - none, but it would be nice to add the device straight to the Alexa app, and control all functions straight from the routines menu, but I don’t think any IR device can do this yet. OVERVIEW WOW, this device is awesome, especially when you consider the price. I was surprised by how small the device is (I attached a size comparison with a pen). Setup was pretty easy, I just followed the instructions in the manual, and then connected the smart life skill to use the device with Alexa. MY USE CASE I have this controlling 3 devices: projector, TV, and soundbar. My goal in getting this was to easily transition between using my PS4 while sitting at my desk on my TV, to laying in bed on my projector, and vice versa. This worked out perfectly by using an Alexa routine (see attached video). I was a little worried that a device like this would only emit IR in one direction, similar to a remote, however, it was able to reach 3 devices on separate sides of the room. Amazing! I even pushed it behind my TV and it still works. INSTRUCTIONS TO ADD ANY BUTTON TO AN ALEXA ROUTINE I highly recommend you screenshot this section for later if you intend on using Alexa routines with this product. 1. Setup the device as shown in the manual 2. Add your device to the smart life app, most devices are already in their database, if it isn’t, choose the most similar device. 3. Once the device is added, open the remote for it. If there’s a button that you want that’s not included with the default remote, add a custom button. This will have you point your remote towards the device and hold the button to add, works perfectly. 4. Once all the buttons that you want are on the remote in the smart life app, then go to the smart tab in the smart life app and click on the tap-to-run menu. Here you’ll have to create a tap-to-run task for each function that you would like Alexa to receive. 5. Once you have all the tap-to-run tasks working within the smart life app, go to the Alexa app, and search for the smart life skill and connect it to your account. 6. In the Alexa app, go to the devices tab, click the “+” in the upper right hand corner, tap add device, then scroll to the bottom and tap other. This will pull in all the tap-to-run tasks into Alexa. Alexa will recognize them as scenes, therefore, you will find them in the scenes menu. 7. Now you’re ready to create your Alexa routine like normal and just add the appropriate scene to your routine. ** if you found this helpful please let me know by clicking ‘helpful’ **

Decided to pick one of these up for my bedroom TV. I've had a Logitech Harmony hub for my primary TV for quite a while. After getting this one, I set it up with the Smart Life app and was just blown away with how well it worked. It had my Hannspree TV in its database, so I didn't need any special programming to get that working. The only thing that it didn't have in the database was my Roku. But it was very easy to add it in. Not only does it have an IR blaster, it also has an IR receiver, which allows it to learn codes from an original device remote. With that, I was able to add all of the Roku functions that I need. After seeing up the devices, it is very easy to make up some smart routines to operate there TV and other items. And just after making the routine, it showed up in the Alexa app. The biggest issue that I have with the Logitech Harmony hub is that it doesn't seem possible to set a toggle switch for turning things on or off. They required 2 separate actions. Not true with this unit though. You can set it to turn on or off many items. The toggle worked out so well that I decided to set it up with one of my Echo Buttons. Now whenever I want to watch TV or turn it off, I just hit the big button and it does its thing. As for the controller itself, it's very nice. Compact and plain in appearance, it does a big job. It has a USB C plug and comes with a small USB cable, but no power supply. It has just one small button on it for putting it into pairing mode. Other than that, everything is done through changing settings in the SmartLife app.

This device worked great with the free version of IFTTT to control an IR remote electric shade by voice as well as toggling home theater on and off via voice (perfect when used in conjunction with a Logitech Harmony remote). As of October 2023, Alexa no longer supports IFTTT. I understand this is not this device manufacturers fault, but their item description is very misleading. Still works great in the app but I bought explicitly to add voice control to several IR remote controlled devices.

This IR Blaster was easy to set up with the Smart Life app. Right now I have it paired with my LG TV, electric fireplace and heater. These are all paired with my Alexa so I can control each one with just my voice. You can set up scenes in the app so you can name your TV channels, then with your voice you can go directly to the station by just saying "Turn on NBC, ABC, etc". When entering digital channels such as 25.15 it said the TV doesn't support this action (But it worked if there was only 1 digit after the period). So, as a workaround, in the app I set a scene so it enters the first #, then I added a 1 second pause, then entered 5.15. So when the signal goes to the TV it enters 25.15 and it worked perfectly. Just in case anyone else is having that issue. Other than that, no complaints. For $20 you cant beat this IR Blaster.