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Logitech's Harmony 350 remote gets you universal control for $50

The new entry-level universal remote can control eight devices and supports online programming like more expensive Harmony remotes.

Matthew Moskovciak Senior Associate Editor / Reviews - Home theater
Covering home audio and video, Matthew Moskovciak helps CNET readers find the best sights and sounds for their home theaters. E-mail Matthew or follow him on Twitter @cnetmoskovciak.
Matthew Moskovciak

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Logitech

Logitech's Harmony remotes have long been the best value in universal remotes, but the current entry-level Harmony 650 ($75; £70; AU$100) is a little pricey for simpler bedroom and kitchen setups.

The new Harmony 350 ($50 retail; £35 in UK; not yet available in Australia) looks to fill the low-price niche while still offering Harmony's excellent remote design and control for up to eight devices. Like other Harmony remotes, programming is done online, letting you enter in device names, rather than the tedious trial-and-error typically found on the cheap universal remotes you'd find at a pharmacy. There are also five "favorite" buttons, letting you jump directly to the channels you use the most.

The biggest drawback over more expensive models is that only one activity ("Watch TV") is supported, so you won't get to take advantage of Harmony's convenient macro programming for other devices, like a Blu-ray player or streaming box. That makes it less-than-ideal for more elaborate living rooms, but it looks to be a great fit for secondary rooms, especially if the street price comes in closer to $40.