Having lost my Nvidia Shield TV remote controller to a wet incident at the pool, I was back on the market for a replacement controller, looking for the absolute best.
But what I didn't expect was the sheer number of options available in the market.
With the removal of an IR receiver on Nvidia Shield TV models dated 2019 and later, it is hard to point down to one device for the whole Nvidia Shield TV lineup.
So I figured I make this one-stop buying guide on the best Nvidia Shield remotes you can buy according to your model and requirements.
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Here are the best Nvidia Shield TV remote controllers you can buy:
The best remote controller option for Nvidia Shield is the official Nvidia Shield TV remote controller. The best budget option is the WeChip W3 followed by the Inteset Universal remote controller. The best premium remote controller option for Nvidia Shield TV is the SofaBaton X1.
Best Overall Remote for Nvidia Shield TV: Official Nvidia Shield TV Remote
Here is a brief chart of the pros and cons you can expect out of the official Nvidia Shield TV remote controller:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Simply and easy to get used to. | Lacks features |
Ergonomic design | Expensive, compared to third-party options |
Compatible with all Nvidia Shield TV models | No keyboard |
Backlit buttons |
After doing a lot of research, it is fair to say that the best replacement for your Nvidia Shield TV remote is in fact, getting the same thing again.
This is especially true if you have gotten used to how the remote controller configuration and just how it feels and lives in your room.
If you have a wall holder or specific accessories that you bought for your older remote, they need not go into the trash in vain.
Speaking of its compatibility, it works across all models of Nvidia Shield TV (2015, 2017, and 2019 models) flawlessly.
The backlighting of the buttons also helps immensely when in a dark room, with the microphone button acting as a bonus navigation feature.
With the Nvidia Sheild remote app, you can also locate a lost Nvidia Shield TV controller, which is a game changer of a feature, that is not found in most third-party options.
Related: Best Apps for Nvidia Shield Worth Installing [2022]
That being said, it can be quite lackluster when it comes to features, especially considering the lack of a keyboard.
Speaking of third-party options, they are usually cheaper than the $30 asking price of the official controller, considering options that offer the same features.
Best Budget Remote for Nvidia Shield TV: WeChip W3
Here is a brief chart of the pros and cons you can expect out of the WeChip W3 remote controller:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Universal remote | Not compatible with Nvidia Shield TV 2019 |
Keyboard access with voice input | No backlit buttons |
Type C charging |
WeChip is one of the more popular brands that Nvidia Shield TV users look up to for their remote controller replacements.
Despite the WeChip G20 being their most popular option, the WeChip W3 improves upon it in a lot of areas.
For starters, it is a universal remote controller. This means that you can control almost all IR-enabled devices with this single remote.
There is also a keyboard on the back, which is a game changer especially if you have known the absolute pain of typing words using a regular controller.
In fact, it is one of the prime features that simply enhance the Nvidia Shield TV experience.
If you still hate typing, the WeChip W3 also comes with a handy voice input button that lets you access content without the need of typing at all.
The controller also comes with the better type C charging port, meaning you only need to have a single charging cable for all your smart devices.
But there are some drawbacks to this controller, mainly with the fact that the controller completely relies on its IR capabilities and not on WiFi or Bluetooth.
This means that compatibility with most Smart TVs is out of the question, and the big one is that it won't work well with the 2019 Nvidia Shield TV.
There are also no backlit buttons, making it a chore to type on the keyboard at night.
That being said, all this only costs $23 which makes it a better deal compared to the official counterpart.
Alternatively, you can also go for the more popular WeChip G20 if you do not need a keyboard for an even better price, usually available at just $16.
Best Compatible Remote for Nvidia Shield TV: Inteset Universal Remote with IR receiver
Here is a brief chart on the pros and cons you can expect out of the Inteset Universal remote controller and IR receiver combo:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Cheaper than the SofaBaton X1 | Aged design |
Universal remote with IR support | Included IReTV IR Receiver is proprietary |
Compatible with all Nvidia Shield TV models | |
Backlit buttons |
If you prefer the idea of using a universal remote controller for all your devices but do not have the budget to invest in a SofaBaton X1, then the Inteset is the one for you.
It is a universal remote controller just like the WeChip W3, but what makes this special is the IReTV IR Receiver bundled.
The IReTV IR Receiver gets around the IR sensor limitation by acting as the IR receiver for your 2019 Nvidia Shield TV.
This enables the Inteset controller to push commands to your 2019 Nvidia Shield TV.
This effectively means that the Inteset gets around the WeChip W3's limitation and becomes completely compatible with all Nvidia Shield TV models.
That being said, you can still use a FLIRC USB device to effectively do the same with the WeChip W3.
The buttons of the Inteset controller are also backlit, unlike the WeChip W3, further boosting its utility.
But it does sport a rather retro design that might not be to everyone's tastes, especially if you are used to the clean and minimalistic look of the official Nvidia Shield TV controller.
Also, the IReTV IR receiver is proprietary, and you will need to use that specifically to control your Nvidia Shield TV with the Inteset controller.
But for $45, the Inteset universal remote controller still stands true in serving the purpose of controlling your Nvidia Shield TV without burning your pocket.
Best Premium Remote for Nvidia Shield TV: SofaBaton X1
Here is a brief chart of the pros and cons you can expect out of the SofaBaton X1 remote controller:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Universal remote | Expensive |
Compatible with all Nvidia Shield TV models | No keyboard |
Remote control retrieval function | |
Backlit buttons |
Logitech's Harmony series of universal remote controllers were considered an absolute must-buy for users to control their Nvidia Shield TV and other devices with a single device.
But unfortunately, Logitech discontinued the series despite its popularity for some reason, leaving a lot of folks in the dust.
But this brought forth the emergence of other brands with premium universal remote controllers, none more popular and reputed than the SofaBaton X1.
The SofaBaton X1 is an all-in-one universal remote controller that comes with a dedicated hub with two IR boosters and an application in order to serve its users better.
The hub allows the remote controller to input and log in the configurations for all IR, Bluetooth, and WiFi devices in your home, making sure you only need one controller for all.
The SofaBaton X1 can be programmed to control up to a whopping 50 IR and Bluetooth devices.
This includes all models of the Nvidia Shield TV too, including the 2019 model.
The hub also has a remote controller retrieval button, which can trigger a beeping sound on your remote controller, in case you lost the device.
The SofaBaton app can help you set up custom programmable buttons too, letting you control multiple functions across different devices with a single touch.
The remote controller has a simple layout with a 2-inch display, scroll wheel, and buttons that are backlit.
For $250, this far exceeds the budget of any other alternative on this list, even the official Nvidia controller.
But if you are in the market for a complete revamp on your controller situation around your countless audio/visual products, then this is the best product for you.
Alternatively, you can get a renewed Logitech Harmony Companion for about $275, but the fact that Logitech discontinued the product still stays true.
Final Thoughts
I hope my article on the best remote controller you can buy for your Nvidia Shield TV has been a great read and has aided you with the same.
Have a good day!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did Nvidia remove the IR receiver on the Nvidia Shield TV 2019?
The Nvidia Shield TV 2019 does not have an IR receiver and can only be controlled via WiFi or Bluetooth standards. Alternatively, using a FLIRC can get around this issue.
Is the Nvidia Shield TV discontinued?
Nvidia has explicitly stated that its Shield TV lineup has not been discontinued and blames the delays in production on the pandemic.
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