Home Fun StuffTechnology Smart Home Complete w/ the Logitech Harmony Elite Universal Remote

Smart Home Complete w/ the Logitech Harmony Elite Universal Remote

by Frans
Cookies & Clogs | Technology | The Logitech Harmony Elite is a universal remote that controls more than just the TV. You can also program sequences of commands for smart devices, connected devices, and anything else that uses a Bluetooth or infrared signal. See our review here!

dnote_03

Remember when they first started making universal remotes? I’m not talking about the first ones from the mid-eighties for just the TV, VCR, and home theater. I mean the smarter ones that were able to actually learn new commands. It has been about 15 years since the Logitech Harmony, called the Easy Zapper back then, first came out. Since then, it has been the most popular universal remote. The newest model is the Logitech Harmony Elite and we had a chance to test it out.

Cookies & Clogs | Technology | The Logitech Harmony Elite is a universal remote that controls more than just the TV. You can also program sequences of commands for smart devices, connected devices, and anything else that uses a Bluetooth or infrared signal. See our review here!

Logitech Harmony Elite — Universal Remote for Modern Devices

Quite a few things have changed since the Harmony’s first release. No one uses remotes for only their TV or VCR anymore. We now have smart TVs, home thermostats, gaming systems, and smart lights just to name a few. Many of these connected devices can also communicate with each other through services such as IFTTT.

That means you can program an almost endless list of functions with the touch of one button. I’m still playing with it but here are some of the things I have been able to do with the Logitech Harmony Elite. This system comes with a remote with touchscreen, a hub, and apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.

Cookies & Clogs | Technology | The Logitech Harmony Elite is a universal remote that controls more than just the TV. You can also program sequences of commands for smart devices, connected devices, and anything else that uses a Bluetooth or infrared signal. See our review here!

Logitech Harmony Elite — Beyond On & Off

We found out that we could use the Harmony Elite to control our Philips hue light system. Before, I would have to use an app on my smartphone to turn on or off the lights. That means first finding the phone, entering the access code, firing up the app, and then finally controlling the lights. I was kind of appointed the designated light controller at home since I was the only one who downloaded the app.

After connecting the hue lights to the Harmony, we only have to press one button on the remote to toggle the power. Press it once to turn them on and press and hold to turn them off. Now anyone in the family can do it (not just me)!

The earliest Harmony remotes could control about 15 devices. The Harmony Elite has a database of thousands of devices to control straight out of the box! Even our simple living room fan was on that list. That’s how I came up with the following scenario to keep Speckles (our dog) cool when we’re not home.

Cookies & Clogs | Technology | The Logitech Harmony Elite is a universal remote that controls more than just the TV. You can also program sequences of commands for smart devices, connected devices, and anything else that uses a Bluetooth or infrared signal. See our review here!

I connected the Harmony Elite to IFTTT and created a custom “recipe” (series of commands). I did the same with our smoke alarm detector, which also measures the temperature in our place. When the temperature is more than 75 degrees, it alerts IFTTT. IFTTT then sends a signal to the Harmony Elite to turn on the fan. That way, we don’t have to worry about Speckles when we’re not home. This may sound complicated but it really isn’t.

Does the Harmony Elite still control the TV and other home theater devices? Of course. But, you can do so much more than just turning them on and off. You can also create “activities.” These are several functions pre-programmed into one to take place in sequence. For example, I have an activity for movie night. All I have to do is select the “Watch Netflix” menu item on the remote touchscreen. That will automatically turn on the TV, select Netflix on our Roku streaming device, turn on the home theater, and dim the lights for a real movie theater experience. Easy, right?!

Cookies & Clogs | Technology | The Logitech Harmony Elite is a universal remote that controls more than just the TV. You can also program sequences of commands for smart devices, connected devices, and anything else that uses a Bluetooth or infrared signal. See our review here!

Logitech Harmony Elite — Some Ingenuity Required

We just had one problem. We need to figure out how to control the sound on our home theater system while watching TV. Every time we wanted to change the volume, we had to go to the device menu, select the device, adjust the volume, and then go back to the menu to switch devices to turn the channel. Too many steps! I was able to find a work-around, though, with some out-of-the-box thinking.

First, I had to select the TV and “fix” the volume up, down, and mute buttons. Then I had to point the home theater remote to the Harmony Hub to overwrite the TV’s commands. Don’t worry that you’ll break the remote. There’s an option to reset the commands so nothing is permanently overwritten. This just shows how flexible the Harmony Elite is. Now it works perfectly with no need to switch devices anymore!

It’s amazing how well the Harmony Hub’s infrared signals can reach all the devices in our living room. In case you have a particularly large space or devices are in obscure spots, the Elite Harmony comes with two extenders. These connect to the Hub and, well, extend the signal reach to devices.

Cookies & Clogs | Technology | The Logitech Harmony Elite is a universal remote that controls more than just the TV. You can also program sequences of commands for smart devices, connected devices, and anything else that uses a Bluetooth or infrared signal. See our review here!

Logitech has created another keeper. Everything is well-built and the software has a good design. There is a learning curve but Google is your friend in figuring out how to program some functions. I still have no idea how to assign those colored buttons to different devices. Guess I know what I’ll be researching next. The system is easy to update, too, so we’ll be able to use it for a long time.

The Harmony Elite does come at a hefty price tag ($350) but this baby is capable of so much. In fact, I just found out that I can connect the remote to my laptop using a cable for even more customization. I can’t wait to discover new ways for the Logitech Harmony Elite to make our home even smarter! Learn more about the Harmony Elite here.

Thanks to the generosity of Logitech, one of my readers will win their own Logitech Harmony Elite! Enter below!

 
I was provided a product for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

You may also like

160 comments

Michele Pineda August 12, 2016 - 6:40 pm

I would connect my DVD player and daughter’s Xbox One, along with some lighting in the living room and bedrooms and perhaps the kitchen.

Jaspal August 12, 2016 - 8:53 pm

I would connect TV, wireless speaker, lights, and stereo.

Austin Baroudi August 12, 2016 - 11:58 pm

I’d connect my TV, Wii, and Xbox!

John August 13, 2016 - 2:42 am

As a harmony 650 owner this would be s significant upgrade. Being able to control my ecobee 3 would be sweet.

Ann Fantom August 13, 2016 - 4:01 am

I would use the Logitech Harmony Elite to control my TV, DVR, Blu-ray, receiver etc.

Jeanan August 13, 2016 - 6:24 am

I would hookup my TV, Blu-Ray, Fan and thermostat!

Kimmy Ripley August 13, 2016 - 7:27 am

My husband would go crazy for this. We have a lot of devices and remotes and this would simplify everything.

Ephraim August 13, 2016 - 7:48 am

I lost the remote for my air conditioner and I know that the Harmony Elite is capable of controlling it! I’d also use it for my home theater set-up of course.

Margaret Smith August 13, 2016 - 9:04 am

I would program the TV, Roku player, stereo, fan and lights. Wow…what a super idea. I know my hubby would love this, but honestly, I would really love this too. Thanks for this chance.

Sandy Klocinski August 13, 2016 - 9:22 am

TV, Home Theater System, fans

Adrienne Gordon August 13, 2016 - 10:25 am

my tv, receiver, projector.

Sara Sullivan August 13, 2016 - 11:22 am

I would program my tv, bluray, usb media player and soundbar. Currently, I am the only person in my 5 person household who knows how to operate the tv. It drives me crazy! I would love to whittle it down to one remote that I could explain to my family!

nickie August 13, 2016 - 11:24 am

I would hookup my TV, Blu-Ray and xbox

Fran August 13, 2016 - 12:11 pm

TV, would need to ask my son what else we could connect

GB August 13, 2016 - 1:41 pm

I’d connect it to my television, dvr and stereo.

Katie C August 13, 2016 - 2:24 pm

I’d connect my stereo, Xbox, and TV!

heather s August 13, 2016 - 5:17 pm

Tv, blu ray player and stereo

allyson tice August 13, 2016 - 9:41 pm

i would use this remote for our TV, Cable Box, DVD Player and maybe even the stereo!

Deb C August 13, 2016 - 10:53 pm

I would program the all the TV components of course and I would like to use it to control the ceiling fans and some appliances if possible,

Jeanne Rousseau August 13, 2016 - 11:46 pm

My Tv, my fans, my lights, and probably whatever else my husband decided needed to be on it =)

Birdiebee August 14, 2016 - 1:33 am

I would program my TV, Xbox and DVD player.

Sheila Ritter August 14, 2016 - 2:54 am

I would program the xbox, the thermostat, surround sound and dvr.

Wayne R Barnes August 14, 2016 - 5:19 am

I would connect my Panasonic TV, my Roku 4, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV (3RD gen) , Chromecast, and Toshiba DVD player.

Shayna Brookman August 14, 2016 - 5:35 am

I WOULD CONNECT IT TO MY DVD PLAYER AS WELL AS MY SON’S LAPTOP 🙂

Justin Sparks August 14, 2016 - 5:44 am

I would connect the Xbox and Dvd player…I iamgine my labtop as well

Elena August 14, 2016 - 7:09 am

I would connect the TV and DVD player

Patricia D August 14, 2016 - 8:32 am

This is awesome!!! I would connect the TV and Xbox, also our speakers (you can do that right?!)! And did you say you can connect a laptop? That’s crazy awesome! 😀

cyndi br August 14, 2016 - 9:27 am

I would add climate control and my wifi onto the remote

Elle August 14, 2016 - 9:40 am

I would connect it to my TV and stereo system.

Mary Beth Elderton August 14, 2016 - 9:52 am

TV, TV dedicated computer, sound system, bluray player

Darlene Carbajal August 14, 2016 - 10:08 am

I would connect it to my Xbox.

LaTanya August 14, 2016 - 1:05 pm

I would connect our tv and ac

Ken Haggerty August 14, 2016 - 1:22 pm

I’d connect my TV, a Blueray player, my cable box, a PlayStation, and my stereo receiver.

Nicholas P. August 14, 2016 - 1:57 pm

I’d connect my TV, DVR, gaming consoles, Blu-ray player, and more!

James Doyle August 14, 2016 - 2:05 pm

TV and stereo to start <3

Jenny Scheldberg August 14, 2016 - 2:18 pm

For sure the TV and DVD. This is amazing!

Laurie Nykaza August 14, 2016 - 3:00 pm

I would love to use the Logitech Harmony Elite to control my TV, Blue ray player and other gaming machines the kids have

Natalie August 14, 2016 - 3:00 pm

I would connect my DVR, TV, thermostat, stereo and blue-ray!

Char August 14, 2016 - 3:10 pm

We could hook up our tv and stereo, wow! I love the way you write, thank you!

Kelly D August 14, 2016 - 4:28 pm

I would hook this up to our tv and xbox. This looks really neat.

Carol August 14, 2016 - 5:26 pm

I would connect my TV, and stereo.

Paul Gardner August 14, 2016 - 5:35 pm

I would connect my stero, dvd player, tv, xbox, and projector with that remote so that i could put all those remotes in a box and only have one remote

Tyler LeFevre August 14, 2016 - 6:52 pm

TV and stereo

Lesley F August 14, 2016 - 7:39 pm

I would connect my Wii, home theater & lights

Dana Matthews August 14, 2016 - 7:55 pm

This would be awesome! I would connect my TV, Blue Ray and DVR.

Leela August 14, 2016 - 8:57 pm

My TV and DVD player.

Brittney House August 14, 2016 - 9:01 pm

I would connect my TV and Wii.

CHRISTY SWEENEY August 15, 2016 - 9:16 am

I WOULD PROGRAM OUTSIDE LIGHTING, INDOOR LIGHTING, TV AND STEREO

Billie R August 15, 2016 - 12:41 pm

I would connect our TV and Roku for sure, those are used the most.

stacy August 15, 2016 - 12:47 pm

I would use it for tv, Wii and outdoor lighting.

Tabathia B August 15, 2016 - 7:29 pm

My smart tv, blu-ray dvd player and the roku if possible

Rust August 16, 2016 - 5:32 am

I would use it for the TV, drv, fan, and a/c.

Cheryl August 16, 2016 - 12:16 pm

I would program our Amazon Fire, Blueray player, TiVo, PC, stereo and outdoor rock speakers, and Nintendo Wii into a Logitech Harmony Elite universal remote.

Dawn Monroe August 16, 2016 - 5:17 pm

I would give it to my tech loving son for his TV, games and thermostat.

Cheryl B August 16, 2016 - 5:50 pm

I would program our tv, stereo and blu ray system.

Tina W August 16, 2016 - 6:34 pm

Right now we only have TV and DVD, but I am thinking we could add some devices and join the 21st century. (part of my hesitation has been not wanting to learn how to use so many different remotes!)

Kyl Neusch August 16, 2016 - 10:38 pm

hookup my TV and Blu-Ray

Laura August 17, 2016 - 12:15 am

I would program our TV, Cable Box, and Blueray player!

Terri Wilson August 17, 2016 - 6:51 am

I’d connect my TV, Wii, and Xbox

gabrielle t August 17, 2016 - 7:02 am

I would hook up my thermostat, TV, lights, and coffee maker.

Stefanie G August 17, 2016 - 10:13 am

I would use it for my tv, dvd player, and thermostat!

Candice August 17, 2016 - 10:17 am

I would for sure connect my tv, dvd player, smartphone, and blue tooth speaker.

Robin Abrams August 17, 2016 - 12:06 pm

I would connect my TV, Wii, Xbox and smart phone

Yona Williams August 17, 2016 - 1:11 pm

For starters, I’d do my TV and Roku and the BluRay DVD player

natasha lamoreux August 17, 2016 - 5:20 pm

This would be amazing to use for the tv and the lights! What a cool product.

CJ Queen August 17, 2016 - 5:50 pm

I would connect my assisted hearing devices.

sarah August 17, 2016 - 7:57 pm

my xbox and my tv

Steve Weber August 17, 2016 - 8:00 pm

I’d connect my TV, Wii, and Xbox!

jeremy August 17, 2016 - 8:01 pm

tv, cable, xbox, soundbar, apple tv

Valerie L August 17, 2016 - 8:21 pm

tv, thermostat, dvr, and receiver

jerry wahrmund August 17, 2016 - 10:55 pm

id connect my tv the xbox the lights

Will G August 18, 2016 - 3:11 am

I would program my home theater + lighting!

Barbara R. August 18, 2016 - 10:09 am

I would connect and program my TV to a DVD player

DJ August 18, 2016 - 11:06 am

My TV. Blu-Ray Player, and Xbox.

Mary Cloud August 18, 2016 - 12:47 pm

I would definitely hook up blu-ray player, Netflix and Hulu on it

Veronica L August 18, 2016 - 6:46 pm

I would love to have this remote in our game room where I not only have a xbox, but a Wii and Netflix too 🙂

Carly macris August 19, 2016 - 8:39 am

I would connect to my tv and dvd player

Brad August 19, 2016 - 12:02 pm

I would program my stereo and tv and some outdoor lighting.

Candace Galan August 19, 2016 - 9:39 pm

I would like to connect my TV, roku, xbox one, dvd, and ceiling fan/lights.

Nicole C August 21, 2016 - 1:28 pm

I would use it on my Roku, Tv, and PS4.

mita August 21, 2016 - 2:59 pm

I’d connect my TV.

Virginia Rowell August 21, 2016 - 3:57 pm

I would definitely program the tv, blu ray player and netflix!

Serge B August 21, 2016 - 4:15 pm

I owuld connect my TV, DVR, XBOX One!

Ashley B. August 21, 2016 - 9:36 pm

My TV and the PS4!!

claire August 22, 2016 - 1:27 pm

I would definitely hook up blu-ray player, Netflix and Hulu.

susan smoaks August 22, 2016 - 3:03 pm

i would hook up the rook player, blu-ray player, ps4 and surround sound.

carol clark August 22, 2016 - 3:06 pm

I would hookup my TV

Cassandra D August 22, 2016 - 3:29 pm

I would connect my tv and netflix.

Faye Gates August 22, 2016 - 3:31 pm

I would hook up to my DVD player and TV.

Brigitte Bauman August 22, 2016 - 3:35 pm

I would love to use it to turn off all the lights in my home as well as turn on my washer and dryer.

elizabeth miller August 22, 2016 - 4:11 pm

I would definitely hook everything attached to our main tv to it..tv, sound bar, wii, Netflix streaming, dvd player. I have the same problem with everytime we go from one thing to another on it..50 remotes and programming ways. I would also program the computers is possible.

Ada Miller August 22, 2016 - 4:29 pm

This little device sounds so neat and I’m sure would come in very handy having it. For sure we would definetly attach it to the Xbox and TV’s. Thanks for the opportunity!

Patricia Mingozzi August 22, 2016 - 6:01 pm

I would program my XBox One, Roku, DVD player, and Wii U.

Laura Eliason August 22, 2016 - 6:12 pm

Very cool!!

Ellen Casper August 22, 2016 - 7:07 pm

I would connect my Tv, DVd player and stereo

Stephanie Liske August 23, 2016 - 3:36 am

I would connect my TV and the lights.

Tamra H August 23, 2016 - 11:35 am

I would connect our TV, soundbar, Blu Ray player and stereo!

KaylaKayla August 23, 2016 - 3:22 pm

I would connect my TV, Xbox, and sound bar!!! This would be AWESOME!!

Darlene Owen August 23, 2016 - 5:06 pm

I would connect my TV, Blu Ray player and sound system and direct TV

heather August 23, 2016 - 5:38 pm

I would program my tv, blu-ray, wii and xbox.

Sarah L August 23, 2016 - 5:54 pm

I’d like to control my thermostat with this.
Thanks for the contest.

Felina P August 23, 2016 - 8:16 pm

Would connect the TV, thermostat, & outside lights.

Kobi Hensley August 24, 2016 - 12:28 pm

I would connect the TV, Amazon stick, Blu Ray, Wii and whatever else my husband figures out he can connect it to.

Julie Waldron August 24, 2016 - 2:29 pm

I’d connect our TV, Wii, soundbar, DVD player & lights. 🙂

hannah August 24, 2016 - 7:54 pm

I have a tv, surround sound, and xbox that I would love to connect to this harmony elite!

Jill Rivera August 25, 2016 - 5:26 am

So many possibilities electronic could be hook up in logitech harmony elite, I would put my nest, roku, phorus, ps4, and the sound sound.

jessica! August 25, 2016 - 5:43 am

great giveaway!

Erica B. August 25, 2016 - 7:18 am

TV, sound, blu-ray, roku.

Heather Hayes Panjon August 25, 2016 - 3:42 pm

I’d Connect The Tv, Blu- Ray Player, Stereo And Thermostat.

Connie Tucker August 25, 2016 - 7:02 pm

I’d connect our TV & our video player

Dana August 25, 2016 - 7:09 pm

I’d definitely connect My TV and thermostat.

Ali C August 25, 2016 - 7:16 pm

I’d connect TV, DVD, and WiiU

Aaron August 26, 2016 - 3:13 am

I would connect the dvd player and Wii to the Logitech Harmony Elite universal remote.

Jo August 26, 2016 - 8:51 am

I would connect my entertainment devices in my living room.

Vera Prunn August 26, 2016 - 10:23 am

I’d connect the wii, ac and tv.

Jennifer H. August 26, 2016 - 12:11 pm

My TV, stereo and VCR.

Daniel M August 26, 2016 - 12:28 pm

tv dvd player blu-ray player a/v receiver

Debra Oliver August 26, 2016 - 1:45 pm

With the number of devices in our home, this would be a welcome gadget!

Shaun August 26, 2016 - 3:18 pm

My TV and DVD.

Linda Kwolek August 26, 2016 - 7:37 pm

I’m not computer savvy, but this sounds extraordinary. If I won, I would put my television, and if possible, my telephone on it.

Stephanie Larison August 26, 2016 - 8:26 pm

How cool is that! I love the movie night idea. I’d use that for sure with my family. We’d all have a netflix night with lots of popcorn.

Christina A. August 26, 2016 - 10:48 pm

I would love to get our TV, cable box and Roku all on the same device!

Lori Walker August 27, 2016 - 5:10 am

I would program in the TV, Xbox One, and PS4.

Angela Ash August 27, 2016 - 6:24 am

I would probably connect the tv, wireless speakers and gaming consoles to start.

MaryAnn August 27, 2016 - 6:32 am

I would program out tv, Wii, and Xbox.

Lyndsey R. August 27, 2016 - 6:52 am

I would program our TV, Wii and our air conditioner unit. How awesome would it be to turn my a/c on about a half hour before I get home.

Hesper Fry August 27, 2016 - 8:08 am

I would link up Roku, Netflix, and our blue ray player.

Heather D August 27, 2016 - 9:57 am

I would give this to my husband and let him decide. He’s a techie guy and doesn’t want anyone messing with things.

Jamie N. August 27, 2016 - 11:46 am

I would use it for the TV and my gaming consoles.

Kimberly Keithline August 27, 2016 - 12:31 pm

I would program my tv, dvd player, wii and xbox

Marissa Cooper August 27, 2016 - 3:08 pm

I would connect my TV and DVD player.

Gabrielly August 27, 2016 - 4:27 pm

I would connect TV, wireless speaker, lights, and stereo.

Janine H August 27, 2016 - 4:42 pm

I’d connect tv, dad player, and wii

Amy H. August 27, 2016 - 5:21 pm

I’d connect my TV and Blu Ray player!

jaimeb August 27, 2016 - 6:15 pm

I would program my tv, bluray, and soundbar.

Luis A August 27, 2016 - 6:48 pm

I would program my home theater system.

Laurie Emerson August 27, 2016 - 7:30 pm

I would program my TV, DVD player, lights and air conditioner.

T Lee August 27, 2016 - 7:50 pm

I’d definitely program my tv and dvr so I can watch all of my reality shows.

Tammy OHagan August 27, 2016 - 8:33 pm

TV and Xbox

Shannon August 27, 2016 - 11:11 pm

I’d mostly use it for a tv and dvr but would add anything else I could if I felt the need.

Allyson becker August 28, 2016 - 12:22 am

I would program my tv and my dvd.

Kristi C August 28, 2016 - 3:41 am

I would program in the tv, surround sound, blu-ray player, the xbox, and the playstation.

Tina reynolds August 28, 2016 - 5:17 am

I would connect the tv, the bluray player, the xbox one and wii u

Megan C August 28, 2016 - 6:35 am

I would hook up the fan first! then the tv, gaming systems, dvd player, and lights. This is a great idea!

rachelr August 28, 2016 - 6:56 am

i would put my tv, xbox one and ps3 on it

Courtney August 28, 2016 - 8:26 am

I have so many electronics I will use it for all of them like the tv, game systems, laptops everything!!

Daniel G. August 28, 2016 - 8:48 am

If I could just have one remote for my whole entertainment system I”d be happy

Julie Smith August 28, 2016 - 10:07 am

My television, the XBox, our Roku (if we can)! Thanks for the chance to win!

Rivka August 28, 2016 - 10:40 am

Cool! Lights, sound, thermostat.

Lauryn R August 28, 2016 - 3:12 pm

I would definitely connect my TV, surround sound, stereo, and Bluray player to this awesome remote!

Sharon Braswell August 28, 2016 - 4:49 pm

I would use it for my TV, DVR and Video Game Consoles! My husband can never have this, too much control!! *LOL* 🙂

Fiona N August 28, 2016 - 6:36 pm

I would love to win and connect it with my TV, and DVD player
Thank You for the chance

joretta foster August 28, 2016 - 6:55 pm

I would program my TV’s, and games

Kathryn C August 28, 2016 - 6:58 pm

I would program/connect my Roku 4 & WiFi

Karrie August 28, 2016 - 8:27 pm

My TV and my blu ray player

Lily Kwan August 28, 2016 - 8:31 pm

I would program my television and DVD player.

Heather S. August 28, 2016 - 9:07 pm

I would connect my roku, blu ray player, and tv.

Sand August 28, 2016 - 9:55 pm

I would program my Tv, DVD player and roku.

Carl White August 28, 2016 - 10:07 pm

Tell me what devices/activities you would program into a Logitech Harmony Elite universal remote :

TV, cable box, surround sound, etc.

james jenkins August 28, 2016 - 10:21 pm

My TV, cabel box, blueray player, and kitchen tv.

Comments are closed.