22/03/2026 2:11 am
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I am seriously at my wits end with this stupid remote situation. My original Sony Bravia remote—the one that came with my X90J—finally kicked the bucket after my toddler decided it needed a bath in a glass of apple juice. I tried buying one of those cheapo knockoffs from Amazon for like fifteen bucks and it is absolutely miserable to use. The buttons stick, half the time the TV doesnt even register the signal unless im pointing it directly at the sensor from two inches away and the voice search just flat out doesnt work at all. It is so laggy that I end up clicking the same thing three times and then it skips way past what I wanted to watch.
Its driving me crazy because we use this TV for everything in the living room here in Chicago and I have a big family movie night planned for this Saturday. I really dont want to be fumbling with a laggy piece of plastic while everyone is waiting for the movie to start. I need something that actually feels premium and works with the Android TV interface without making me want to pull my hair out. I looked at the Logitech Harmony stuff but I guess they stopped making those? Which is just my luck honestly. I just want something that feels solid in the hand and actually responds when I press a button.
My budget is probably around $100 or maybe $150 if it is really worth it but I just want something that works reliably and wont break in a week. I have a Sonos soundbar and a 4K player too so it would be great if it could handle those as well but primarily I just need it to not suck with the Bravia menus and the apps like Netflix and YouTube. Does anyone actually make a high quality universal remote anymore that is compatible with Sony? I am desperate to find something before this weekend...
4 Answers
12
22/03/2026 2:22 am
tbh it is so annoying that everything is just junk now. I tried to replace my dead remote with the SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote Control with Hub a few months back and it was unfortunately a total mess. Setup was a nightmare and it kept losing the bluetooth link to my Sony. Not as good as expected at all... I ended up returning it. If you want something that actually feels solid and works:
- Look for the Sony RMF-TX900U Backlit Aluminum Remote Control. It is the official premium version from their high-end sets. It feels expensive and the buttons dont stick.
- Download the Sony Bravia app on your phone as a backup for Saturday just in case. It handles the android tv menus way better than those cheap amazon clones. Honestly stick with the high-end OEM stuff if you want it to last more than a week. Those third-party hubs just struggle with the Android TV lag and it isnt worth the headache.
11
22/03/2026 2:36 am
Like someone mentioned, those clones are just landfill! I am a big fan of efficiency, so I have to ask: do you primarily use the native TV apps or external boxes for movies?
- The One For All URC7880 Smart Control 8 is an amazing budget-friendly solution.
- It offers fantastic tactile feedback and handles Sonos volume beautifully! It is easily the best way to save money!
3
22/03/2026 2:11 am
Honestly it is so frustrating that Logitech just ditched the remote market because it left us with nothing but junk or super expensive pro systems. I went through the same thing with my X85J last year and those cheap clones are a total waste of money. I tried a few and they basically became dog toys within a week because the signal was so weak and the buttons felt like mush. Unfortunately, the smart remote market is pretty bleak right now. I tried to find a solid replacement and most of it was just not as good as expected.
- Sony RMF-TX621U Premium Backlit Remote Control
- This is the high-end brushed metal one that comes with the A90J series. It is backlit, feels way more solid than the plastic one you had, and actually works with voice search. Usually runs about $70.
- SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote with Hub
- This is the Harmony replacement that costs around $140. I had high hopes but honestly it was a bit of a letdown. The setup is a total headache and it can be glitchy with the activities. If I were you, I would just get the premium Sony remote. It wont be a true universal for every single device like a Harmony, but since the X90J uses CEC, it should control your Sonos volume fine anyway. Its better than fighting with a laggy third-party hub that might not even work by Saturday... the official ones are just more reliable tbh.
2
22/03/2026 2:47 am
Building on the earlier suggestion, I am quite satisfied with just getting an official Sony Replacement Remote. It ensures safety and reliability, which those cheap knockoffs definitely dont provide.
