With its 4.8-inch touch screen, the Ray Super Remote looks a lot like a smartphone, but it's actually a unique, Android-powered universal remote control. It eschews the idea of a control hub like Logitech's Harmony line of remotes, in favor of simply packing the device itself with enough infrared LEDs and wireless technology to connect to everything in your home theater. The Ray is simple to set up and easy to use, but it has a hefty $249 price tag, and doesn't quite pack the power of Harmony remotes (which, to be fair, are much harder to get working with your devices). Still, our Editors' Choice remains in Logitech's Harmony line, with the most recent version of the Harmony Ultimate Home, which is the same price as the Ray.

Design

The Ray is certainly striking. While both universal remotes and smartphones have favored sleek curves and inviting contours, the Ray is proudly blocky. It measures 5.5 by 2.5 by 0.5 inches (HWD) and weighs 5.7 ounces, with stark, flat sides and only slightly rounded corners. It's almost entirely black, with its 4.8-inch, 1,120-by-480 LCD sitting flush against the smooth, glossy black glass face. The right edge of the remote is distinguished by a triangular, silver-colored metal rail. This rail gives the remote a much-needed, hand-welcoming curve, and holds the Sleep/Power button, along with Mute and Volume Up/Down controls. The rail also helps orient the Ray in your hand; without it as a reference for the remote's position, it would be easy to hold it upside down or backward.

Hidden along the Ray's bare black sides are seven infrared LEDs that can broadcast remote codes up to 33 feet in a 180-degree arc. Without these (or a wirelessly connected hub equipped with a similar set of IR LEDs, like the Logitech Harmony Hub), the Ray would be a neutered, albeit good-looking, Wi-Fi-only Android smartphone.