Recommended backlit remotes for Sony Android TV systems?

Question

Hey everyone! I’m reaching out to the community because I’ve been hitting a bit of a wall with my current home theater setup. I recently upgraded to a Sony Bravia XR, and while the picture quality is absolutely stunning, I’m finding myself increasingly frustrated with the included remote control.

My biggest gripe? The total lack of backlighting. My partner and I love watching movies in a completely dark room to get that cinematic feel, but every time I need to pause the show, adjust the picture settings, or switch over to a different app, I end up fumbling around in the dark. I usually end up pressing the wrong button or, even worse, having to turn on my phone's flashlight just to find the 'Home' or 'Back' buttons. It totally breaks the immersion and is honestly becoming a nightly annoyance.

I’ve done a bit of digging, and I know Sony has a premium backlit version (I think it’s the RMF-TX621U or something similar), but I’ve seen conflicting reports about whether it’s fully compatible with all Sony Android/Google TV models or if some of the shortcut buttons won't map correctly. I’ve also looked into some of the third-party Bluetooth options on Amazon, but I’m worried about build quality and losing the voice search functionality, which I actually use quite a bit for Google Assistant.

I’m looking for something that feels a bit more premium than the standard plastic clicker but doesn't require a degree in engineering to set up. My budget is around $50–$70, but I’d be willing to go a bit higher for something that works flawlessly. Does anyone here have a specific backlit remote they’re using with their Sony system that they absolutely swear by? I'd love to hear if there are any hidden gems or if the official Sony upgrade is actually worth the investment!

Michaelkl · Accepted Answer

tbh I feel u on the flashlight struggle... it's a mood. For ur situation, I highkey recommend looking for the Sony RMF-TX910U Backlit Remote Control. It's the newer, slimmer version that comes with the 2023 sets, and it's fully compatible with your Bravia XR. I actually found one for $58 as a 'replacement part' on eBay, which is way cheaper than the full retail box version.

Technical-wise, it's a breeze; u just pair it via Bluetooth in the settings so u dont lose the voice search functionality or the Google Assistant features. Another budget-friendly gem is the older Sony RMF-TX611U Backlit Remote, which u can sometimes find refurbished for around $40. It’s a bit chunkier but still feels high-end. Seriously, stay away from those $15 generic ones on Amazon. They claim to work but usually feel like hollow plastic and the backlighting is super blotchy. Spending the extra cash for an OEM Sony remote is the only way to keep everything working flawlessly. gl!

Shericen · Answer

Here's what I recommend:
- Get the Sony RMF-TX621U Premium Backlit Remote Control or the newer Sony RMF-TX900U Backlit Remote Control.
- Stick to official Sony hardware so u don't lose the Google Assistant features.

Oh man, I totally feel u on this. I've been there and honestly, it's so annoying when u just wanna pause a movie without a flashlight. In my experience, the official upgrade is wayyy better than any 3rd party option. I was worried about compatibility too, but it literally paired with my Bravia XR in seconds. Everything maps correctly, so no stress there! It feels super premium with the metallic finish and fits ur budget perfectly at around $60. I guess u could try a cheaper one but it'll probably feel like junk compared to this... basically, just go official. gl! 👍

yuercluts · Answer

> My biggest gripe? The total lack of backlighting. My partner and I love watching movies in a completely dark room... but every time I need to pause the show, adjust the picture settings, or switch over to a different app, I end up fumbling around in the dark.

For your situation, I totally get the frustration... it's basically impossible to enjoy a movie when you're blinded by a phone screen just to hit pause. Honestly, I've had some pretty bad luck with those cheap third-party remotes—unfortunately, most are not as good as expected and I've had issues with them getting scary hot because the internal circuitry was garbage. Definitely a safety risk I wouldnt take with an expensive Bravia XR setup.

Before I point you toward a specific solution, I've gotta ask a couple of technical things to make sure you dont end up with a paperweight. First, what's the exact model number of your TV? Some of the older XR chipsets handle Bluetooth handshakes differently, and if the remote doesnt support the right profile, you'll get massive input lag or the voice search will just fail randomly. Plus, cheap Bluetooth stacks can sometimes keep the TV's SoC from entering deep sleep, which wastes power and can actually shorten the motherboard's lifespan over time.

Also, are you looking for a USB-C rechargeable setup or do you prefer sticking with standard batteries? I've found that some of the rechargeable third-party units are prone to battery swelling, which is a major reliability concern imo. If we're gonna do this, we gotta make sure it's not gonna fry your ports or anything. Let me know those details and I can probably find something that actually works for ya...