> Does anyone actually have one of these premium Sony remotes working perfectly with their 2022 or 2023 models or is there some hidden gem I missed? I've been using the Sony RMF-TX900U Premium Backlit Bluetooth Remote with my A80K for a while now and it's honestly solid. Most of those pairing issues you read about come from people who forget to unpair their old remote first in the settings... you can only have one mic active via Bluetooth at a time. Once you sync it properly, voice search and the backlight work perfectly every time. If the price is the main issue, you could try the Gvirtue Backlit Replacement Remote for Sony Smart TVs. It's only about $15. It feels way cheaper than the official one and the buttons are a bit clicky, but it glows and handles the basic stuff fine. I'd still suggest the official Sony RMF-TX910U Backlit Remote tho. It's built like a tank and the motion sensor that turns the light on is way more reliable than the cheap stuff.

Regarding what #2 said about "Saw your post earlier and totally feel your..."

• I went through this exact same headache when I got my Bravia last year. I've used Sony TVs for years and the remote quality is always a coin toss. After trying a few things, I'm finally satisfied with my setup, but it took some trial and error. I actually tried a generic one from Amazon first and it was a total waste of time, buttons felt like mush. Heres my take on the two I actually lived with:
• Sony RMF-TX910U Premium Backlit Bluetooth Remote
• I sucked it up and paid the premium. Honestly, no complaints. The metal face makes it feel like it actually belongs with an expensive TV. The pairing issues people talk about are usually just because they didn't unpair the stock remote first. Once its linked via Bluetooth, the voice search is flawless.
• SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote Control with OLED Display
• I used this for a few months when I had a complicated soundbar setup. Its definitely not as buggy as some people claim if you just follow the app instructions. It is a great way to save money, but the backlight isn't quite as elegant as the official Sony one. If you can swing the extra cash, just get the RMF-TX910U. It's reliable and you wont be fighting with it every time there is a firmware update. Just a quick tip... keep your old remote in a drawer just in case you ever need to do a hard factory reset, sometimes the Bluetooth ones can be finicky during initial setup after a wipe.

Saw your post earlier and totally feel your pain. I went through the same thing with my X90K last year. For that reliable but not too expensive middle ground, I ended up picking up the One For All URC7880 Smart Control 8. It has a motion-activated backlight which is a total lifesaver when you're fumbling around on the couch for the volume. Unlike those super cheap knockoffs, the buttons actually have a decent tactile click and dont feel flimsy at all. Setup was pretty painless for me. Most people dont realize Sony remotes use a mix of Bluetooth and IR. If you want voice search to work on a third-party unit, you're usually out of luck tbh, but if you just need the core buttons to glow, this one is way more solid than the 15 dollar Amazon specials. I actually prefer the button layout here because the buttons are spaced out better... way less fat-fingering involved. I've been using it for months and am super satisfied with it.