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Buyers’ guide to remote control extenders

By: Martin Durham
Last updated: 18 February 2019

This buyers’ guide provides information about how to choose remote control extenders so that you can make an informed decision about which you should buy. The topics covered are:

  • What is a remote control extender?
  • Why would you need a remote control extender?
  • How does a remote control extender work?
  • What are the limitations of remote control extenders?
  • How to choose a remote control extender?
  • Which is the best remote control extender?

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What is a remote control extender?

A remote control extender (sometimes called – amongst other things – an infrared extender, IR extender, or infrared remote control extender) is a simple device which allows you to control equipment using its existing remote control (or a universal remote control) when the equipment is beyond the range of the remote control or even hidden away from sight.

Remote control extenders are often associated with controlling audio-visual equipment which is in a closed cupboard or in a different room, but they can be used with almost any device which can be operated via an infrared remote control.


Why would you need a remote control extender?

You’d be most likely to need a remote control extender in the following circumstances:

  • You want to control audio-visual equipment which is hidden behind a (flat-screen) television.
  • You want to control audio-visual equipment which is hidden behind a cupboard door.
  • You want to control audio-visual equipment which is in a different room from where you watch and/or listen to it.

How does a remote control extender work?

Most remote controls use infra-red light to communicate with the equipment you want to control. If you think of your remote control as a torch then you need to be able to shine that torch at your audio-visual equipment in order to get it to work. That becomes rather difficult if your audio-visual equipment is deliberately hidden away in a cupboard or even located in a different room to where you’re watching and/or listening to it. A remote control extender overcomes this difficulty by receiving the infra-red signal from your remote control and then transmitting that signal somewhere else.

Remote control extenders generally consist of three main elements:

  • One or more infra-red receivers – which receive the signal from your remote control.
  • One or more infra-red emitters – which re-transmit the signal from your remote control to the device(s) you want to control.
  • Some electronics – which process the signal received by the infra-red receiver(s) and transmits it to the infra-red emitter(s).

The installation and setup steps for a basic remote control extender are typically as follows:

  • Place the infra-red receiver somewhere where you can point your remote control remote control at it.
  • Place the infra-red emitter in front of the audio-visual device you want to control.
  • Connect the infra-red receiver and the infra-red transmitter to the electronics module.
  • Provide electrical power.

You can then operate your remote control whilst pointed at the infra-red receiver and the infra-red emitters will relay the control signal to your equipment.


What are the limitations of remote control extenders?

Remote control extenders are pretty versatile bits of kit – but they do have some limitations. In particular, you should be aware of the following:

  • Your remote control and associated device might not be compatible with a particular remote control extender.
  • Remote control extenders send the same instructions to every device.
  • Wireless signals travel through walls and ceilings!

Your remote control and associated device might not be compatible with a particular remote control extender

Manufacturers use a surprising range of different methods to create the signals that a remote sends to the device it is designed to control. Most remote control extenders are capable of dealing with this range of methods but just occasionally there is an incompatibility.

In practice there’s not a lot you an do to check whether a particular remote control extender is compatible with a specific device. Remote control extender manufacturers do sometimes publish the technical specifications of the control signals they can process but the corresponding information is rarely matched by manufacturers of the devices you actually want to control.

The situation is sometimes made worse by the ‘definitive’ statements made on forums and in comments left on retailer websites by purchasers that ‘remote control extender A is not compatible with product/brand B’. Failure to control a device can be due to many things, not least the supplied product itself having a fault or even simple user error!

In many cases, the best you can do is buy from a reputable online supplier (and exercise your legal right to return a product if it does not meet your requirements).

Remote control extenders send the same instructions to every device

A remote control extender is actually fairly basic in so far as whatever the IR receiver receives is what the IR emitters emit.

What that means is every device in range of an emitter receives every signal from every remote control. This is no different to what happens if you have a DVD player, a Sky box and an Apple TV under your television. They are all pretty good at identifying which control signals are meant for them (because, remember, different manufacturers use different methods) and ignoring anything that they don’t recognise.

A potential problem does arise if, for example, you decide to put all of your home technology in a media cupboard and you end up with identical devices (say, two Sky boxes) in that cupboard. If that’s the case you’re going to have to give some careful thought to how you are going to identify which device you are trying to control from which room.

Wireless signals travel through walls and ceilings!

If you choose a wireless remote control extender solution then be aware that the signals can extend beyond the walls and ceilings of your property. This isn’t really a problem if the nearest property to yours is a few metres away but it can be a problem if you live in a flat, a semi-detached house or a terraced house. In these cases, if your neighbour has the same remote control extender set as you and is using it to control the same devices as you then there is a fighting chance you’re going to end up controlling each other’s kit! For that reason, you might prefer to choose a wired solution if you share walls and/or floors/ceilings with a neighbour.


How to choose a remote control extender?

To choose your ideal remote control extender you should consider your answers to the following questions:

  • What do you want your remote control extender to do?
  • How many audio-visual devices do you want to want to control?
  • Are you happy to identify the location of the infra-red receiver on each of your audio-visual devices individually?
  • How visible do you want your remote control extender to be?
  • If your audio-visual equipment is in a cupboard, can you easily point your remote control at the cupboard?
  • Do you need to be able to control your audio-visual equipment from a different room (and if so, can you install a cable back to your equipment)?
  • Do you need to be able to control your audio-visual equipment from more than one room?
  • How do you want to power your remote control extender?

What do you want your remote control extender to do?

When choosing a remote control extender the first thing you need to do is to be absolutely clear what you want it do in terms of your specific situation. For example:

  • You may want to control audio-visual equipment which is hidden behind a (flat-screen) television.
  • You may want to control audio-visual equipment which is hidden behind a cupboard door.
  • You may want to control audio-visual equipment which is in a different room from where you watch and/or listen to it.

Some remote control extenders can be used in any of the above situations, whereas others are really only suitable for more specific applications.

How many audio-visual devices do you want to want to control?

The number, and type, of infra-red emitters that can be accommodated by a remote control extender dictates how many audio-visual devices it can control.

A ‘spot’ emitter can control one audio-visual device and a ‘blaster’ emitter can control as many devices as are within its range and line-of-sight. Depending on the number of devices you want to control you need to choose a remote control extender with enough emitters.

Are you happy to identify the location of the infra-red receiver on each of your audio-visual devices individually?

Using one or more ‘spot’ emitters means that you have to find the location of the infra-red receiver on each of your audio-visual devices. This is usually straight-forward but some devices (Sky boxes in particular) can require quite a bit of trial and error as the infra-red receiver is not easy to identify.

Using one or more ‘blaster’ emitters means that you do not have to find the location of the infra-red receiver on each of your audio-visual devices, you can simply place the emitter in front of your equipment and it will control everything within its range and line-of-sight.

How visible do you want your remote control extender to be?

Some (usually lower cost) remote control extenders build their infra-red receiver into their electronics module. This means that the electronics module has to be situated somewhere you can see it so that you can point a remote control at it.

Some remote control extenders have a separate infra-red receiver which connects to their electronics module via a cable. This means that the electronics module can be located somewhere out of sight and only the infra-red receiver itself has to be visible.

If your audio-visual equipment is in a cupboard, can you easily point your remote control at the cupboard?

If you can easily point your remote control at the cupboard that contains your audio-visual equipment then you have the choice of the widest range of remote control extenders. Other than cost, your primary considerations are likely to be around aesthetics and the number of devices you want to control.

If you can’t easily point your remote control at the cupboard that contains your audio-visual equipment then you should look at products which allow for separation of the infra-red receiver from the other elements. You can achieve this separation either by installing a cable between your cupboard and somewhere where you can easily point your remote control, or by using a ‘wireless’ solution.

Do you need to be able to control your audio-visual equipment from a different room (and if so, can you install a cable back to your equipment)?

If you need to be able to control your audio-visual equipment from a different room then you need to choose a remote control extender which allows for separation of the infra-red receiver from the other elements. You can achieve this separation either by installing a cable between each room and the equipment you want to control, or by using a ‘wireless’ solution.

Do you need to be able to control your audio-visual equipment from more than one room?

If you need to be able to control your audio-visual equipment from more than one room then you need to choose a remote control extender set which allows multiple infra-red receivers to be connected.

How do you want to power your remote control extender?

Many remote control extenders are supplied with mains power adapters, but some can be powered from an available USB port (or a USB power adapter) or via batteries.


Which is the best remote control extender?

Here is my list of the best remote control extenders available in the UK in 2019.

(I’ve created an information page for each one which provides more details and includes price comparison information from leading online retailers to help you find the best deal.)

  • What do you intend to use your remote control extender for?

  • How do you want your remote control extender to be powered?

  • What type of IR emitter(s) do you want?

  • What type of IR receiver do you want?

  • Sort your results


  • eBode PM10C Powermid remote control extender set

    Ebode PM10C PowerMid set
    Guide price: £24.99

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Wireless operation so no need to run cables between rooms.)
    • Includes one IR 'blaster' emitter (contained within wireless receiver unit).
    • IR receiver contained within wireless transmitter unit.
    • Mains powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Elegiant infrared remote control extender

    Elegiant infrared remote control extender
    Guide price: £8.99

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a (flat-screen) television.
    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes one 'spot' IR emitter.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Lindy CAT5e/6 IR Extender & Distributor

    Lindy CAT5e/6 IR extender & distributor
    Guide price: £107.51

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Requires a CAT5e cable between rooms.)
    • Includes five IR extender cables each with one 'blaster' IR emitter.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • Mains powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Lindy IR over cat5 extender kit

    Lindy IR over Cat5 extender kit
    Guide price: £62.82

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door. (Requires a CAT5e cable into the cabinet.)
    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Requires a CAT5e cable between rooms.)
    • Includes one IR extender cable with one 'spot' IR emitter. Set can accommodate four IR extender cables in total.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • Mains powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Lindy IR Over HDMI Extender Kit

    Lindy IR over HDMI extender kit
    Guide price: £34.44

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door. (Requires an HDMI cable into the cabinet.)
    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Requires an HDMI cable between rooms.)
    • Includes one IR extender cable with one 'spot' IR emitter. Set can accommodate four IR extender cables in total.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • Does not require power.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Lindy IR repeater cable

    Lindy IR repeater cable
    Guide price: £16.33

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a (flat-screen) television.
    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes one 'spot' IR emitter.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Lindy wireless IR extender

    Lindy wireless IR extender set
    Guide price: £39.56

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Wireless operation so no need to run cables between rooms.)
    • Includes one 'blaster' IR emitter (contained within wireless receiver unit) and one IR extender cable with one 'spot' IR emitter.
    • IR receiver contained within wireless transmitter unit plus cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek Invisible Control 2 remote control extender set

    Marmitek Invisible Control 2
    Guide price: £24.90

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes one IR extender cable with two 'spot' IR emitters. Set can accommodate two IR extender cables in total.
    • IR receiver included within control module.
    • Mains powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek Invisible Control 4 remote control extender set (black)

    Marmitek Invisible Control 4
    Guide price: £30.89

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes two IR extender cables each with two 'spot' IR emitters.
    • IR receiver included within control module.
    • Mains or battery powered.
    • Available in black or white.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek Invisible Control 6 remote control extender set

    Marmitek Invisible Control 6
    Guide price: £54.95

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes two IR extender cables each with three 'spot' IR emitters.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek Invisible Control 6 XTRA remote control extender set

    Marmitek Invisible Control 6 XTRA
    Guide price: £53.99

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes two IR extender cables each with one 'blaster' IR emitter.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek Invisible Control 6 XTRA SMART remote control extender set

    Marmitek Invisible Control 6 XTRA SMART
    Guide price: £84.95

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes two IR extender cables each with two 'blaster' IR emitters and one IR extender cable with one 'blaster' IR emitter.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.
    • Can be controlled using a smartphone or tablet.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek IR 100 USB remote control extender set

    Marmitek IR 100 USB
    Guide price: £44.85

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a (flat-screen) television.
    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes one 'blaster' IR emitter.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek IR Control 10 remote control extender set

    Marmitek IR Control 10
    Guide price: £n/a

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Requires a CAT5e cable, or similar, between rooms.)
    • Includes two IR extender cables each with two 'spot' IR emitters. Set can accommodate four IR extender cables in total.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • Extra IR receivers are available to allow devices to be controlled from multiple locations.
    • Mains powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek IR Control 10 XTRA remote control extender set

    Marmitek IR Control 10 XTRA
    Guide price: £107.74

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Requires a CAT5e cable, or similar, between rooms.)
    • Includes two IR extender cables each with one 'blaster' IR emitter. Set can accommodate four IR extender cables in total.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • Extra IR receivers are available to allow devices to be controlled from multiple locations.
    • Mains powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek IR Control 11 XTRA remote control extender set

    Marmitek IR Control 11 XTRA
    Guide price: £139.95

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Requires a CAT5e cable, or similar, between rooms.)
    • Includes two IR extender cables each with one 'blaster' IR emitter. Set can accommodate four IR extender cables in total.
    • Panel-mountable IR receiver for ultra-discreet installation.
    • Extra IR receivers are available to allow devices to be controlled from multiple locations.
    • Mains powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek PowerMid 300 XTRA remote control extender set

    Marmitek PowerMid 300 XTRA
    Guide price: £29.95

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Wireless operation so no need to run cables between rooms.)
    • Includes one 'blaster' IR emitter (contained within wireless receiver unit).
    • IR receiver contained within wireless transmitter unit.
    • Battery or USB powered IR receiver, USB powered IR transmitter.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Marmitek PowerMid XL wireless remote control extender set

    Marmitek PowerMid XL set
    Guide price: £29.95

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Wireless operation so no need to run cables between rooms.)
    • Includes one 'blaster' IR emitter (contained within wireless receiver unit).
    • IR receiver contained within wireless transmitter unit.
    • Extra IR receivers are available to allow devices to be controlled from multiple locations.
    • Mains powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Neet 3-port IR hub

    Neet 3-port IR hub
    Guide price: £21.99

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes one IR extender cable with three IR emitters.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Neet 6-port IR hub

    Neet 6-port IR hub
    Guide price: £n/a

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes two IR extender cables each with three IR emitters.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Neoteck Hidden IR Repeater

    Neoteck hidden IR repeater
    Guide price: £8.99

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes one IR extender cable with four 'spot' IR emitters.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Neoteck IR repeater with 6 emitters

    Neoteck IR repeater with 6 emitters
    Guide price: £18.99

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes three IR extender cables each with two 'spot' IR emitters.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • Mains powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Neoteck IR repeater with 8 emitters

    Neoteck IR repeater with 8 emitters
    Guide price: £18.99

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes four IR extender cables each with two 'spot' IR emitters.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • Mains powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • One For All URC 1000 remote control extender set

    One For All URC 1000
    Guide price: £21.40

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is located behind a cabinet door.
    • Includes four 'spot' IR emitters.
    • Cable-mounted IR receiver for discreet installation.
    • USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >
  • Pakite PAT-435 remote control extender set

    Pakite PAT-435
    Guide price: £25.99

    • Suitable for controlling equipment which is in a different room. (Wireless operation so no need to run cables between rooms.)
    • Includes one 'blaster' IR emitter (contained within wireless receiver unit) and one IR extender cable with one 'spot' IR emitter.
    • IR receiver contained within wireless transmitter unit.
    • Battery or USB powered.

    See detailed product information & find the best deal >


Did I miss something?

If you think this buyers’ guide could be improved – and/or if there’s a product you think I should have included – then please contact me to let me know!


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