Compare the best PS5 Pro media remotes and TV alternatives

The best PS5 Pro media remotes are not interchangeable. If you want to navigate the PS5 Pro itself, launch streaming apps, and control playback without picking up a DualSense controller, Sony’s PlayStation Media Remote (CFI-ZMR1) is the clearest choice. It pairs through the console’s own Media Remote setup screen. Other products can be useful, but usually for a different job: a SofaBaton remote can organize compatible living-room equipment, while a One For All Streamer Remote may send some navigation commands through a television’s HDMI-CEC feature. Those are conditional alternatives, not substitutes with guaranteed PlayStation-button functionality. Below, we compare five real remote-control products, the connection paths they rely on, live US listings, and the limitations that matter before ordering.

Quick verdict: Which media remote makes sense for PS5 Pro?

Best overall for direct console media navigation: Sony PlayStation Media Remote CFI-ZMR1. This is the product PlayStation documents for navigating PS5 menus and media apps without a game controller. Sony provides the exact pairing route, and the remote has a PS button and transport controls. The Best Buy US listing checked October 27, 2026, showed $29.99 with Add to Cart. Its greatest limitation is not compatibility but scope: it is primarily a PS5 remote with basic infrared TV commands, not a programmable home-theater control system.

Best for a home theater that also includes a PS5: SofaBaton X1S. SofaBaton’s own FAQ says the X1S supports PS5 but warns that functions such as Power are missing. That is more meaningful evidence than a blanket “works with PlayStation” sticker. Its hub, device profiles, and activities can consolidate compatible televisions, receivers, and streamers. You still must check the available PlayStation commands and should not buy it solely to replace the Sony remote.

Best backlit HDMI-CEC experiment: One For All Streamer Remote URC7935. Its manufacturer documents a CEC mode that routes supported navigation keys through a compatible TV. The arrangement can work in some entertainment systems, but the manufacturer specifically says it cannot guarantee control of devices that lack ordinary infrared reception. Test the PS5 Pro with your existing TV remote first.

Best standalone universal control panel for TV and audio: SofaBaton U3. Its IR, Bluetooth, and RF capabilities, on-remote display, and programmable macros suit a room with several devices. However, those radio technologies do not automatically mean Sony has authorized direct PS5 Pro pairing. Buy it for confirmed television and audio equipment unless the exact PS5 Pro command set is demonstrated before checkout.

Best premium multi-device system: SofaBaton X2. It offers a touchscreen, hub-based activities, and smart-home integration at a much higher price. We recommend it only for an established multi-device setup, not as a $349.99 solution to basic Netflix playback on the PS5 Pro.

PS5 Pro media remote comparison and US availability

Prices are snapshots from the named US seller pages opened on October 27, 2026. Promotions and inventory can change at checkout or by ZIP code. An active Add to Cart button is evidence that the storefront offered purchase, not a guarantee of delivery everywhere. Crucially, “TV/room control” is not the same as “direct PS5 Pro control.”

Our best-overall selection is based on confirmed PlayStation functionality, not on price alone. Of these five products, the Sony remote has the strongest documented direct-console workflow. The X1S is a more complex conditional alternative because its maker describes partial PS5 support. The remaining choices are best evaluated as controllers for the compatible equipment around the console, not as five equivalent Sony-compatible PS5 controllers.

What direct PS5 Pro control really means

Direct pairing with the console

A direct PS5 media remote receives commands through the console’s own supported setup system. PlayStation’s support page provides Settings > Accessories > Media Remote > Set Up Media Remote, with a Set Up Manually fallback if automatic pairing fails. Once paired, Sony lists a PS button, directional and confirmation buttons, Back and Options, and playback keys. This is fundamentally different from a remote that merely switches the television to the HDMI input where the PS5 Pro is connected.

PlayStation identifies the CFI-ZMR1 as a PS5 accessory and does not list it as compatible with PS4. Although Sony’s general support wording concerns PS5 consoles rather than a model-specific PS5 Pro remote revision, it is the supported product family used in this guide. The safe shopping move is to buy the original CFI-ZMR1 from a trustworthy seller, then follow the PS5 Pro’s own pairing menu. Do not assume a generic IR remote can pair through that screen.

HDMI-CEC forwards selected commands; it is not Bluetooth pairing

HDMI-CEC allows compatible HDMI devices to exchange certain control messages. With it enabled on both the television and PS5 Pro, pressing directional or playback buttons on a compatible television remote may control part of the console interface. However, the available commands vary by TV implementation, input routing, intermediate receiver, app behavior, and system software. A universal remote might control the TV by infrared and rely on the TV to forward those commands to the console over HDMI. The universal remote is not communicating directly with the PS5 Pro in that arrangement.

That distinction changes the buying decision. If an original LG, Samsung, or Sony TV remote already drives the PS5’s media interface over CEC, paying for a programmable replacement can be reasonable when its buttons or device switching are better. If the original TV remote cannot navigate the PS5 Pro, buying a different IR remote generally does not repair missing TV-to-console CEC support. First troubleshoot the HDMI link and determine whether your TV forwards the commands.

Bluetooth, RF, and Wi-Fi logos do not guarantee a console profile

A Bluetooth universal remote can pair with many home-theater devices, but PlayStation does not accept arbitrary devices merely because they advertise Bluetooth. A manufacturer needs a usable control profile and supported command mapping. Even when some functions work, PS button, wake, power, volume, game inputs, and app shortcuts may remain unavailable. Wi-Fi control of a streaming box or receiver also says nothing about direct PS5 Pro navigation. In this roundup, unsupported or unverified commands are identified rather than inferred from general wireless specifications.

Best PS5 Pro media remote options reviewed

Sony PlayStation Media Remote CFI-ZMR1: Best direct PS5 Pro option

The PlayStation Media Remote is an accessory for people who use their PS5 Pro as a streaming and disc-playback device, not just a game console. It lets you leave a DualSense on its charger while moving between the PS5 home screen, compatible video apps, and playback controls. Sony’s official US media-remote page identifies dedicated buttons for Disney+, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, plus play/pause, fast forward, and rewind. PlayStation Support also documents directional navigation, Enter, Back, Options, and the PS button. The microphone button is reserved for future use according to the product page; do not count it as a working voice assistant.

The included infrared transmitter controls certain basic functions of compatible televisions, including TV power, volume, and mute. That feature is useful in a simple setup with the PS5 Pro connected directly to a TV. It does not imply universal support for every TV model, AVR input, soundbar feature, or custom activity. In particular, the Sony remote’s documented TV control is separate from its paired console control: to operate TV functions by IR, you point it at the television with a clear path. Sony’s own manual says reconfiguration can be required if you switch televisions.

The US Best Buy page showed a $29.99 listing and Add to Cart when checked, for the Sony PlayStation 5 Media Remote in white, retailer model 3005727. Sony’s hardware model is CFI-ZMR1; distinguish the manufacturer’s accessory code from the retailer’s catalog number. Two AA batteries are included according to the official PlayStation Direct listing. This small recurring battery cost and lack of verified backlighting are real compromises for late-night viewing, but they are much smaller sacrifices than losing core PS5 navigation.

One important usability limit: a media remote does not replace a DualSense for gaming, typing across every interface, or controller-only game functions. Play/Pause and skip behavior can vary by streaming application. On the other hand, when you need fast, familiar playback buttons rather than face-button combinations, the Sony model is the least ambiguous purchase. Advantages: documented console pairing; verified PS, navigation, and transport controls; simple setup; inexpensive live US listing. Drawbacks: limited TV IR capabilities, no verified universal macros or backlighting, app-specific command behavior, and ordinary AA battery maintenance.

SofaBaton X1S: Best limited-PS5 home-theater alternative

The SofaBaton X1S has a more interesting PS5 connection claim than most universal remotes because SofaBaton’s own product FAQ addresses the PS5 explicitly. It states that the X1S supports PS5, but lacks certain functions, including Power. This is a limited manufacturer claim rather than a published PS5 Pro end-to-end certification or a complete command list. That distinction should decide whether it belongs in your shopping cart. An X1S may be worthwhile for a household that wants to reduce several TV, AVR, projector, and streaming-device remotes to one system; it is not a safe way to assume the console’s PS button or waking behavior will duplicate Sony’s remote.

Its main advantage is the included control hub and activity system. SofaBaton describes a 2.0-inch LCD, remote-and-hub arrangement, programmable device commands, and routines that can change inputs while controlling other compatible room equipment. The hub is meant to handle infrared control even when some components are not directly in front of the user. Independent testing from Tom’s Guide likewise characterizes the X1S as a capable universal remote, but an external universal-remote review is not a PS5 Pro compatibility test. We do not attribute any specific console command to the X1S beyond the manufacturer’s general partial-support statement.

SofaBaton’s US product page displayed a sale price of $179.99 against a crossed-out $199.99, with Add to Cart active during this research. Those are seller-page values for October 27, 2026, not historical-average pricing or an implied future sale. For the price, you should demand more than “perhaps it works.” Before ordering, inspect the SofaBaton compatibility database or contact its support team with the exact PS5 Pro model and the functions you require, such as Home/PS, Back, OK, Play/Pause, wake, and application navigation.

In use, the most valuable X1S feature may be an activity that turns on the television and receiver and selects the PS5 HDMI input, while a Sony remote or DualSense handles the console. That two-remote arrangement can still be cleaner than juggling four remotes, but it should be disclosed, not hidden behind an all-in-one promise. Advantages: manufacturer acknowledges partial PS5 support; good room-wide activity control; hub helps with IR components; active manufacturer listing. Drawbacks: power behavior specifically incomplete, console commands not fully specified for PS5 Pro, higher price, and setup effort.

One For All URC7935: Best low-cost HDMI-CEC candidate

One For All’s URC7935 Streamer Remote is appealing for a different reason: it has full backlighting, programmable infrared learning, and a documented CEC mode. The manufacturer’s US product page lists support for televisions, soundbars, and IR-controlled streaming devices. Its ordinary remote technology is infrared, not a direct PlayStation Bluetooth pairing method. The brand’s published instructions explain how the remote can send certain menu and transport commands to the TV so the TV may pass them to an HDMI-connected device.

That path is conditional. One For All explicitly says devices normally controlled by RF rather than IR may or may not respond through CEC, depending on the television and attached device. The URC7935 is therefore a good candidate only after your existing TV remote has already demonstrated that its arrow and playback buttons can operate the PS5 Pro through HDMI-CEC. If you cannot make the original TV remote work, buying the URC7935 as a supposed “PS5 universal media remote” is a poor bet.

For the right setup, the advantages are practical. Backlit keys are easier to see in a dim room than the plain Sony remote layout; learning lets you copy selected IR functions from a working television or audio remote; and the remote can integrate several compatible devices into one handheld. One For All identifies three-device control rather than an unlimited smart-home platform. Its app shortcut buttons are not the same as Sony’s direct PS5 streaming-service keys, so do not promise one-press launch of a PS5 app unless you have tested and programmed a reliable sequence.

The inspected US Best Buy marketplace listing showed $34.99 with an active Add to Cart button and identified the model as URC7935-WM. Because this offer was from a marketplace seller rather than necessarily Best Buy itself, buyers should verify fulfillment terms, returns, and delivered price. At nearly the cost of the Sony remote, this is a better purchase for people who need broader television control and value backlighting than for anyone who requires guaranteed PS-button access. Advantages: documented CEC mode, backlit buttons, IR learning, approachable price. Drawbacks: not a directly paired PS5 accessory, dependent on the exact TV’s HDMI-CEC behavior, no guaranteed console wake/PS button, and seller-specific marketplace terms.

SofaBaton U3: Best compact universal remote for TV and audio

The U3 is a newer style of SofaBaton remote whose strength is its self-contained, programmable remote layout rather than an expensive external room-control hub. SofaBaton’s current product page describes IR, Bluetooth, and 315/433MHz RF learning, a 2.4-inch LCD, and customizable macros. Its comparison materials also describe a rechargeable battery, but these capabilities are best understood as compatibility tools for ordinary room equipment. They do not prove the U3 implements Sony’s media-remote protocol or supplies all the PS5 Pro’s expected buttons.

Why include it in a PS5 Pro media-remotes buying guide? Because a media room with a PS5 Pro may also have a TV, an IR-controlled soundbar, and a streaming box. A programmable device remote can replace several controls while the console itself still uses its dedicated Sony remote. Users who frequently switch between an HDMI gaming source and a streaming-box source may care more about correctly controlling the television and audio than about duplicating one unavailable PS button. The U3 is attractive in that narrower role when you have confirmed all your other device models.

The U3 manufacturer store showed its basic U3 configuration at a sale price of $129.99, with Add to Cart active, while also offering a separate docking bundle at another price. The quoted price in our table is specifically the main U3 remote, not the bundle. Do not infer an included charging dock from a storefront image that also advertises the upgrade. Manufacturer pages list broad wireless formats; compare the compatibility database against your TV or receiver before paying.

A credible purchase scenario would be replacing a failing TV remote and a separate soundbar remote while letting the PS5 Pro remain on a DualSense for games and the CFI-ZMR1 for streaming. An unwise scenario would be paying $129.99 expecting guaranteed direct PS5 Pro control without any model-specific validation. Advantages: several wireless and IR control methods, on-device screen, macros, active brand-store listing. Drawbacks: much more expensive than Sony for basic playback, no validated PS5 Pro console-command set found, possible complexity and command-profile gaps.

SofaBaton X2: Best premium controller for a complex theater

SofaBaton’s X2 targets installations with more equipment than one console and one TV. The manufacturer’s published specifications include a 2.4-inch color touchscreen, IR/Bluetooth control with hub-based capabilities, and activities for connected entertainment equipment. Its broader platform integrates supported network-controlled components and smart-home systems. These features can be genuinely useful if a gaming room also contains a projector, an AVR, multiple video sources, motorized accessories, and automation routines.

The same qualifications remain essential: nothing on the checked product listing establishes that the X2 pairs as Sony’s CFI-ZMR1 media remote or implements every PS5 Pro console command. The X2’s strongest defensible role here is controlling the equipment around the PlayStation—turning on a compatible display, choosing the AVR input, switching a streaming source, or setting room audio—while another supported input handles console navigation. The presence of Bluetooth and a beautiful touchscreen does not itself solve Sony-specific button mapping.

SofaBaton’s US store displayed $349.99 for its basic X2 Main configuration against a crossed-out $379.99, with Add to Cart visible. A separate X2 Set bundle was shown at another price, which is not the quoted SKU. Spending this amount solely to pause a movie on a PS5 Pro would be difficult to justify when Sony’s direct remote is listed at $29.99. It can be justified by the rest of the home theater, provided each major component and desired activity has a confirmed control method.

A good shortlist test is to write out the complete routine you want: power on TV, select receiver input, choose PS5 source, adjust volume, navigate PS5 media screen, and return to television. Ask which steps the X2’s own supported profiles can perform, which steps only work by CEC, and which still require a Sony remote or DualSense. That prevents an expensive automation purchase from becoming a decorative extra remote. Advantages: touchscreen and detailed activities, extensive supported home-theater controls, premium room-wide convenience. Drawbacks: substantial price, learning curve, hub setup, and unverified full PlayStation-specific command coverage.

How we selected the five remote-control options

We first checked Sony’s US accessory pages and PS5 media-remote setup instructions, then used the exact maker model identifiers for the alternatives. We prioritized documented connection methods over generic claims such as “supports all devices” or “works with Bluetooth.” A dedicated PS button and an official pairing path matter more for PS5 media control than the number of brands in a universal remote’s database. Product features such as display size, IR learning, and smart activities were taken from manufacturer pages; prices and purchase indicators came from the named US seller listings opened for this article.

Our selection is deliberately uneven. Only the Sony accessory is identified as the direct-control first choice. The X1S earns a separate conditional recommendation because its manufacturer explicitly says it supports PS5 while lacking certain functions. The URC7935 is included for its published HDMI-CEC procedure, not an invented Sony console certification. U3 and X2 are included as relevant room-control options only. This is a five-product narrow-market roundup rather than six nearly identical remotes with unsupported claims of console compatibility. No hardware was supplied for physical PS5 Pro testing, so we have not claimed measurements of Bluetooth latency, battery runtime, app success rates, or personal hands-on experience.

How to choose without buying the wrong remote

Start with the button that must work

If you must open the PS5 interface with a dedicated PlayStation button, navigate console menus, and use playback keys without a controller, choose the Sony media remote. If all you want is the correct HDMI input and room volume, a programmable TV remote may suffice. If you want both in one handset, treat the PS button, Back, Options, playback keys, and power behavior as separate compatibility questions. An online listing that says “PS5 compatible” without explaining which of those functions work is not enough evidence for a confident purchase.

Test your television’s HDMI-CEC behavior before spending

The PlayStation console setting to investigate is Settings > System > HDMI > Enable HDMI Device Link. Tom’s Guide and hardware documentation show this path for PS5 software; exact labels can change with system updates. On the television, enable its own HDMI-CEC setting: Samsung typically calls it Anynet+, LG calls it SIMPLINK, and Sony uses BRAVIA Sync or HDMI CEC Settings depending on the TV generation. For a Sony Google TV, Sony’s help guide shows Quick Settings > Settings > Channels & Inputs > External inputs > HDMI CEC Settings > CEC on supported models. Confirm your actual manual before changing a differently named option.

With the PS5 Pro showing its media screen, press arrow, Enter/OK, Back, and playback buttons on the existing TV remote. If the console responds, a replacement IR remote designed to control that TV may be viable. If it only changes TV menus, or nothing happens on the console, troubleshoot HDMI-CEC on the current setup first. Do not buy a $100-plus universal remote as a workaround for an unverified CEC link. And avoid assuming a direct Sony media remote will have the same failures: its console-navigation connection follows a different setup method.

Count devices and account for light, batteries, and complexity

The Sony remote is well suited to one console and one compatible TV, but it lacks verified advanced device activities. A backlit universal remote is easier to identify by touch and sight during a dark movie; in exchange, learning functions and CEC setup add friction. Batteries are another trade-off: the Sony remote comes with two AA batteries, the URC7935 uses four AAA batteries according to its manufacturer, and the SofaBaton U3/X-series have rechargeable designs. Manufacturer battery-life projections should not be mistaken for a PS5 Pro streaming endurance measurement.

With a straightforward PS5 Pro and television, extra macros may have little value. With an AVR, HDMI switch, projector, and multiple external streamers, a remote that operates the room can be valuable even if it never replaces Sony’s console remote. Choose based on the number of devices that truly need commands, not the number of supported brands claimed in a marketing database.

Verify the exact SKU, seller, and return conditions

A Sony media remote listing may use a retailer’s stock-keeping identifier rather than its hardware model CFI-ZMR1. One For All packages may also include regional retail suffixes such as URC7935-WM. Compare maker identifiers, not only product photographs. With universal remotes, ask the seller or maker whether the exact PS5 Pro model and the precise required buttons work before ordering. For marketplace listings, check who handles returns and whether the remote can be returned if CEC forwarding fails on your television. Prices quoted above are observations from October 27, 2026, not guaranteed future offers.

Setup and compatibility checks

Pair the official Sony media remote

1. Insert the two AA batteries in the CFI-ZMR1 with the polarity shown in the battery compartment. Replace the rear cover securely.
2. On the PS5 Pro home screen, open Settings > Accessories > Media Remote > Set Up Media Remote.
3. Follow the on-screen pairing directions. If automatic setup fails, select Set Up Manually and complete the instructions displayed by PlayStation.
4. Test the directional buttons, Enter, Back, PS button, and play/pause in an installed media app. Some media controls depend on the app and whether video is playing fullscreen.
5. Complete compatible-TV setup if offered, then point the remote toward the TV to test volume and TV power. If you change TV models later, revisit its TV setup.

These menu directions come from PlayStation Support. If you cannot see the media remote setup option, update system software using the console’s official Settings > System > System Software area and consult the current PlayStation support page rather than entering a generic Bluetooth pairing mode or installing unofficial software. A weak battery can also look like unreliable pairing; Sony recommends replacing both AA cells when performance deteriorates.

Test the URC7935’s HDMI-CEC mode

1. Configure the URC7935 to control your TV’s volume, power, and input using One For All’s SimpleSet or code-setup instructions. Confirm those TV commands work first.
2. Enable HDMI-CEC on the TV and Enable HDMI Device Link on the PS5 Pro. Select the HDMI input where the PS5 Pro is connected.
3. On the URC7935, press and hold TV Power and the A key until the ring blinks yellow twice. One For All identifies this as the control to enable its CEC mode.
4. Try directional, Back, Home, and transport keys while the PS5 Pro media interface is visible. The commands first reach your TV; your TV decides which commands to forward.
5. If commands fail, turn CEC mode off by repeating the button combination, which One For All says produces four green blinks. Keep using the original Sony remote or DualSense for console navigation instead of repeating unverified pairing procedures.

These steps are a controlled compatibility test, not a declaration that the URC7935 passes PS5 Pro certification. A soundbar or receiver in the HDMI chain can also influence CEC behavior, and a TV may accept input switching while forwarding no navigation commands at all.

Check an advanced universal remote before committing

For X1S, U3, and X2, begin by adding your television and audio device models in the manufacturer’s supported setup application or database. Verify ordinary operations before building activities. If the app provides a PS5 profile, test only the commands the vendor explicitly maps and document which functions are missing. For X1S in particular, do not promise a PS5 power button: SofaBaton warns about missing Power support in its published FAQ. If the exact PS5 Pro profile cannot be confirmed, use the universal remote for compatible TV/audio routines and use CFI-ZMR1 for the console itself.

Frequently asked questions

Does the original PS5 media remote work with PS5 Pro?

The official CFI-ZMR1 is Sony’s documented media-remote accessory for PS5 consoles, and PS5 Pro belongs to that family. Sony provides a common PS5 console media-remote pairing procedure rather than a new PS5 Pro-only remote SKU in the sources reviewed. Check for Settings > Accessories > Media Remote > Set Up Media Remote on the PS5 Pro and buy the genuine CFI-ZMR1. We did not perform an independent hardware pairing test for this article.

Can my TV’s existing remote control PS5 Pro streaming apps?

Sometimes, yes. If the TV and console support the required HDMI-CEC features and pass navigation/playback commands, your television remote may control portions of the PS5 interface. It is not guaranteed for every TV, app, or receiver chain. Try it on your own equipment before purchasing a universal replacement.

Can I pair a generic Bluetooth remote with PS5 Pro?

Do not assume so. Standard Bluetooth on a product listing does not prove that the PS5 Pro supports its media key profile. Check the maker’s explicit PlayStation control documentation. A generic remote’s Bluetooth capability might only be intended for another streamer, TV, or computer.

Will a universal remote replace the PS button and power functions?

Not reliably without specific model support. PlayStation documents those console functions on its own media remote. SofaBaton explicitly says the X1S has partial PS5 support but lacks functions including Power. CEC remotes may offer input and limited menu actions without duplicating every native PlayStation command.

Do I need a separate PS5 remote to watch Netflix or YouTube?

No. You can continue using your DualSense, or a compatible TV remote if HDMI-CEC works for the needed commands. The dedicated Sony media remote is mainly an ergonomic convenience for frequent viewing. Do not buy an expensive universal remote merely because an app shortcut appears on the packaging.

Is the SofaBaton X2 worth buying only for a PS5 Pro?

Usually not. Its verified advantage is room-wide control across compatible equipment, not guaranteed direct PlayStation navigation. For a console and one TV, the lower-cost Sony CFI-ZMR1 is more closely aligned with the job. The X2 becomes interesting only when a complex home-theater arrangement warrants its touchscreen and activities.

Final thoughts

For most people who search for the best PS5 Pro media remotes, the purchasing decision is simpler than the long catalog of universal remotes suggests: choose Sony’s CFI-ZMR1 if you want dependable, documented PS5 media-control functionality. Buy a One For All URC7935 only after your TV’s own remote proves HDMI-CEC navigation works, or consider the SofaBaton X1S if your priority is room-wide activities and you accept its stated PS5 command limits. U3 and X2 serve increasingly elaborate TV and audio systems rather than proving additional direct PlayStation functions. Before you spend anything, decide whether the essential task is PS5 menu navigation, TV input control, or a full-room activity, then verify that exact command on your existing equipment.