TV remotes are fiddly at the best of times. Once you add a mobility issue or vision problems to the mix, you have a recipe for disaster. Even the most able-bodied individuals have had times when they keep hitting the wrong button, can’t see the numbers, or get frustrated with the lack of clarity.
The average TV remote has over 30 buttons, but many users don’t even know what half of them do!
It’s no wonder that people with dementia, Parkinson’s, and mobility issues struggle with these remotes, but fear not, as there are better alternatives out there.
In this guide, we’ve listed some of the best TV remotes for seniors, highlighting the ones that are easy to use and display the numbers in a clear way.
What are TV Remotes for Seniors?
As noted above, many TV remotes are designed to be compact yet busy; lightweight yet detailed. There are a mass of buttons and features, and all of them are crammed into a very small space and a lightweight frame.
TV remotes for seniors, however, are a little simpler. They tend to have fewer buttons, focusing only on the ones that are absolutely essential, and may also be bigger and easier to read. Style goes out of the window and is replaced by practicality, and that’s what we like to see!
It’s all about form over function for these remotes.
When you’re looking for a TV remote for seniors, keep an eye out for the following features:
- Complete Control: A universal TV remote is great but for a truly universal experience, you need a remote that can be used on multiple devices. You want a remote that activates your TV, fireplace, audio system, and any other gadgets that you have around your home.
- Accessibility: Not everything works as it should. Make sure the TV remote that you choose will actually work with the devices that you have. Does it allow for easy setup or are reviewers complaining about endless issues? Is it easy to program or do you need a degree in IT just to make it work?
- Easy to Read and Use: If you have vision problems, make sure you can actually see the numbers on the remote. If you have mobility problems, check that you can hold it, grip it, and use it without any issues.
- Durable: When you have mobility problems and can’t grip firmly, it’s important to buy a remote that will withstand drops, spills, and other damage. You don’t want it breaking the first day that you use it!
The Best TV Remotes for Seniors
We have listed some of the best TV remotes for seniors below. All of these remotes are available for less than $50 and have the features that we outlined above. They are sold on Amazon and can be shipped directly to your door within a couple of days.
Flipper Big Button TV Remote
A lot of the universal big button TV remotes out there are very poor, and you’ll find a glut of complaints and negative reviews. It’s one of those industries that is dominated by cheap, Chinese no-name manufacturers and, as a result, it’s hard to find something that is reliable.
The Flipper Big Button TV Remote is one of the few exceptions. Not only is it at the top of our list but it’s lightyears ahead of the others. It’s durable, budget-friendly, and easy to use. The buttons are big and colorful and there are options for the volume, channels, on/off, and mute.
You can program your favorite channels for ease of use, and it works with multiple devices, including your TV, audio systems, and more.
GMatrix Big Button Universal Remote
A simple, cheap, but effective TV remote designed for seniors and people with vision and mobility issues. It has a simple design, a variety of button options, and you’ll find a list of setup instructions in the manual.
The only downside is that it’s only a TV remote and won’t work with much else. However, if you’re looking for a simple TV remote with big buttons and a clear display, it’s ideal.
Big Button Remote
These remotes are offered by several different brands, but they all look the same and have a similar structure and features. They are small remotes and come fitted with a wrist strap, preventing inevitable drops.
These remotes feature between 4 and 6 buttons and they are big. The best ones are also backlit, so you can see the buttons in the dark. The buttons include on/off, volume up, volume down, channel up, and channel down. That’s really all you need, but if you want a few extra options there are other remotes available.
Universal Jumbo Remote
This is a monster of a remote control and is definitely not suitable for people who have issues with grip strength. But if you want a universal remote with many buttons that is still easy to read and click, this could be what you need.
At the time of writing, a few different brands are selling a remote like this. We recommend taking a look at the product options and reviews. Be sure to check the brand reviews as well, as one of the sellers we found had a terrible reputation and many customers were complaining that the remote didn’t work.
Things to Check when Buying Online
While Amazon is a great source for cheap TV remotes, it’s not without its issues. As noted above, many of the remotes come from China and are produced on a low budget. They are not very durable and don’t always work. In addition, many of the instructions are poorly written and if you need them to set up the device, that can render it useless.
Luckily, you have a user-review system to help you out. Always check the product reviews on anything that you buy. See what others are saying and don’t simply browse through the 5-star reviews, as negative and neutral reviews can often tell you more about a product.