Someone once told me that using the controller that comes with your device is like using those $5 earbuds from Walmart. They’ll work, but you’re going to miss out on a lot of the experience.
I’ve said over and over again that to get the best experience from your Android TV box, you should use an air-mouse.
I don’t know if you’ve looked lately, but there are a ton of different airmouse and remote controls to choose from.
So I listened to a lot of user feedback and asked a lot of questions. I mean a lot of questions. Then I went and rounded up everyone’s favorite controllers to see which one really was the best air mouse.
Quick Look at Our Top Pick:
- Lightweight
- Long battery life
- Excellent customer support
- Easy to use
Quick Look: Top 3 Picks
SkyStream Air Mouse Remote
| Rank1st | Rating
| Price |
FireTV Voice Remote
| Rank2nd | Rating
| Price |
MINIX A2 Lite
| Rank3rd | Rating
| Price |
Get a better remote control?
Think about it this way: What’s the first thing you reach for when you want to watch a movie?
It’s the remote control.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re controlling a TV, Blu-Ray player, HTPC, Set Top Box (STB) or an Android TV box. You still have to click on the right icon to start playing the movie. If you end up getting frustrated by the controller, you’re going to have a pretty crappy experience.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like crappy experiences.
Looking for more than just an air-mouse? Find out what I recommend as the best HTPC keyboard for your TV box!
How this list is organized
For each air-mouse on the list, I looked at how it looks and feels, how easy it was to setup, and how easy it is to integrate with Kodi. The reason is, lots of remote controls work well with the Android interface, but we’re trying to find the best Kodi remote, right? It makes sense to see how it works within Kodi.
Let me be clear: I’m looking at how the air mouse performs straight out of the box.
I know there is a lot that you can do from within the Kodi platform as far as configuring remote controls, but that’s not what I’m going for in this article. If you want more information on how to configure your remote mouse with Kodi, I highly recommend checking out their Wiki page.
Finally, I broke the list down into three categories: Remote Controls, Keyboard\Air-Mouse Combos, and Extras. In each category I’ll count down my list of favorites.
Remote Controls: This includes basic remotes that may or may not have air-mouse functionality. I tested the SkyStream Air Mouse Remote , ProBox2 Remote+, the MINIX NEO M1 and the Amazon FireTV Voice Remote.
Keyboard\Air-Mouse Combos: Here you’ll find any air mouse with an integrated keyboard. Usually the keyboard is on the back of the unit, but not always. Most of the remote controls fell into this category. I reviewed the MINIX A2 and A2 Lite, the Mele F10 Deluxe, the Aerb MX3, the Tronsmart TSM-01, the Measy RC11, Hausbell H7, and the iPazzport Mini.
Extras: This is the catch-all. Anything that didn’t obviously fit in any other category went here. This includes the Logitech touchpad t650, and the Kodi Kore Android app.
You’ve probably already got an idea of what kind of controller you want.
But check out the entire list so you can decide what the best air-mouse is for you. If you have any questions, feedback or need more help picking the right device for you, don’t hesitate to contact me or leave a comment at the end of the article.
Best Remote Controls
1. SkyStream Air Mouse Remote
Leading the way in the basic remote control air mouse category is the SkyStream Air Mouse Remote.
Maybe I just like the red and black color scheme, but this remote really stands out without looking gaudy, like something Miley Cyrus would wear.
The remote itself is lightweight, as are most of the remotes I tested. It runs on two AAA batteries which give it surprisingly long battery life. Volume buttons are included and they work as designed both in Kodi and throughout the Android OS.
The remote can transition fairly seamlessly from D-pad to air-mouse with the touch of a button. The air-mouse functionality of the Remote+ is hands-down the best of any remote mouse I tested.
It also includes a “game pad” mode where you can hold the Remote+ horizontally and use it as a game controller. This aspect was a little sketchy for me – not because of any failing of the Remote+, but more that Android wasn’t really designed as a game-pad OS. There aren’t too many games I’m interested in that would use this feature. Your mileage may vary, though.
The range on the controller is really good. In fact, while I was typing this review (and pressing buttons, of course), I realized that the Remote+ was still controlling my TV box in the next room.
One complaint I had is that the selection button (the big red circle underneath the D-Pad) took me a few moments to get used to. With most of the other air-mice I’ve tested, the selection button is in the middle of the D-Pad, meaning you don’t have to take your thumb off the pad to make your selection.
It’s a small quibble about the SkyStream Air Mouse Remote, I know. Otherwise, this is a great choice and my favorite in the Remotes category.
2. FireTV Voice Remote
Did you know that you can use your Amazon FireTV Voice Remote on your Android TV box?
Actually, you can use it on most Bluetooth enabled devices. That doesn’t mean that you’re going to get the same functionality however.
I love the FireTV remote. I think it is one of the most comfortable remote control designs out there today. It’s light, stylish and feels good in my hand. The voice search is on par with Google Now and really helps make me enjoy watching my Amazon FireTV.
So what’s wrong? Unfortunately, you don’t get a few of those features when you pair it to your Android box.
I could never get the voice command button to work properly in Android, even when trying to use it with Google Now. Google would sense that the microphone was enabled, and impatiently waited for me to speak. The trouble was that it never picked up on what I was saying. I’ll need more time (and patience) to test it, but I think because you have to hold the button while speaking which causes some issues when in Android.
In Kodi, the fast forward and rewind buttons didn’t work at all, and the menu button just pulled up the viewing statistics – cool, but not quite the desired effect.
For someone who wants to tweak their remote and make it do something it wasn’t designed to do, the FireTV voice remote is a good choice. But for someone who wants an “out of the box” solution, I can’t recommend it.
3. MINIX NEO M1
The MINIX NEO M1 was one of the first air-mice I ever reviewed. At the time, I loved that it had a rechargeable battery, rather than having to spend a fortune on AA or AAA disposable batteries. Finally, I loved that it was an incredibly thin, lightweight air mouse.
That was then. Now, after having tested almost everything on the market, I’m not really sold on the M1 anymore.
Lest start with the battery life – or lack thereof. On a brand new NEO M1, you’ll probably get a couple of days use out of it before you have to charge it. But, as with all rechargeable batteries, that will degrade over time. That’s not a fault of the NEO M1, it just is what it is.
But, if your house is anything like mine, charging plugs are a precious commodity. We are a multiple smartphone and tablet house, and we’ve only got two people. Sure, you can hook a device up to your PC and charge it that way, but who wants any more cords hanging around?
Even if you can get past the battery issues, the MINIX NEO M1 just isn’t comfortable to hold. It’s too thin to fit into my hand naturally. Take a look at how much my fingers hang over the side in this picture.
Finally, there aren’t very many features to this to this air mouse. The only buttons are the D-Pad, selector button, Volume buttons and a Home\Back button. In making the NEO M1 lightweight and tiny, they also made it essentially an air mouse version of the same remote that comes with your TV Box.
The bottom line, in my opinion, you can do better.
Best Air Mouse with keyboard
1. (tie) MINIX A2 Lite
We’ve looked at the MINIX NEO A2 and A2 Lite in a previous review, but if you’re looking for a summary, think of it this way: everything that I didn’t like about the NEO M1 was fixed. The result was the NEO A2.
There are actually two different versions of the MINIX NEO A2 air mouse: The A2 and the A2 Lite. The only difference, other than the color of the ring around the center D-pad is that the NEO A2 has a speaker and microphone built in, whereas the A2 Lite does not. Personally, I prefer the A2 Lite. I never use the voice command features on my Android TV boxes, so having that feature in an air mouse is a waste for me.
Both versions of the MINIX A2 are larger and heavier than every other air mouse I tested, with the exception of the gargantuan Measy RC11. From the top, it feels as if they could have taken a bit of size off the case to make it more comfortable. Flip it over, though, and you’ll be glad they didn’t. They keyboard is large and has enough space around each key so your thumbs won’t run into each other.
The air mouse wasn’t quite as good as the ProBox2 Remote+, but it wasn’t that far off. Be sure to adjust the sensitivity in the general Android Settings menu, and you’ll be OK.
As far as how it works within Kodi, every button was mapped to something, with the exception of the Rewind and Fast Forward buttons.Even better, those functions were fairly useful. The volume buttons worked, as expected. The buttons above the D-Pad were mapped to main Android features like pulling up the task bar and returning to the Home screen. The buttons below the D-pad would allow you to pull up the pause menu and return to the file selection menu within Kodi.
When it comes to the air mouse I use on my own personal setup, I generally split time between the MINIX A2 Lite and the Mele F10 Deluxe below, but I’ll get into why in that section.
1. (tie) Mele F10 Deluxe
The reason why I split time between the MINIX A2 and the Mele F10 Deluxe is that the Mele F10 is designed for people with smaller hands. So if you, or your significant other, has smaller than size-XL hands, this may be the better option.
The Mele F10 Deluxe gives you more button options on the top of the remote mouse compared to the MINIX A2, even though it’s a much smaller air mouse. The trade-off is that you’re giving up all of that extra space on the keyboard. Again, for smaller hands, this may not be a big deal, but my thumbs were constantly running into each other when typing.
If you’re looking at primarily using the Mele F10 as an airmouse, you’re in for a treat. Although its rectangular shape isn’t ergonomic by any means, it is still very light and comfortable to hold. It doesn’t nestle into your hand like the Amazon remote, but there were a few times when I had forgotten I was holding it while watching a movie.
The top series of buttons is a mixed-bag when using the F10 Deluxe with Kodi. The main features like Play\Pause, Volume Up and Down, and Mute buttons all work perfectly.The lower series of buttons are customizable, so it’s no surprise they don’t work within Kodi. The Rewind button actually functions correctly, but the Fast-Forward button doesn’t however. At this point, I’ll take what I can get.
It is powered by an internal rechargeable battery that had surprisingly long life. Even with daily use it lasts almost a week between charges.
One final note, the Power button not only shut down my Android box, but it turned it back on as well. Again, it’s the little things like this that you expect to happen, but its nice when they actually do.
2. MX3 Multifunction AirMouse
Coming in a close second (or third, depending on how you handle the tie) is the MX3 Multifunction Air-Mouse. The MX3 is sold by several manufacturers including Vigica and Aerb, and is another fan favorite as far as air mice are concerned.
It is slightly larger than the Mele F10, but has the same thin, rectangular casing. Visually, the main difference between the two controllers is the Mx3’s “straight out of the 1980’s” look. It isn’t as stylish as the F10, but the brightly colored buttons immediately draw your attention to the remote’s special features.
Like several of the other remotes I tested, the Aerb MX3 has an IR-learning feature so you can program it just like a regular TV remote. But, the MX3 has a full set of numbers on the top of the remote, as well as four customizable multi-colored buttons along the bottom row. This actually means you can use the Aerb MX3 as a replacement universal remote for your television and not lose any functionality.
The MX3 has a good gyroscopic sensor, which is a bit surprising considering this air mouse came out in 2014. There are a series of four quick launch buttons on the right side of the remote. They start with the blue “Internet Explorer” button on the second row, bottom right, and moving up towards the top. Each button was mapped to a particular Android feature straight out of the box – no configuring required.
The keyboard on the back side of the MX3 has a good “clicky” feel to it. The keys are small, but there is a good amount of space around each key because the manufacturer did away with the top row of numbers. To type numbers you can either use the number pad on the top of the remote mouse or using the Alternate mapping on the keyboard itself.
Within Kodi the buttons functioned about as well as all of the other remotes. Play\Pause worked normally. The MX3 splits the Rewind and Track Rewind functions into two seperate buttons along the top row. It does the same for Fast Forward and Track Advance. The Track Rewind functioned normally, but none of the other three worked.
If you’re looking for “one remote to rule them all”, and don’t mind the retro styling of the brightly colored keys, the MX3 may be worth a look.
3. Tronsmart TSM-01
To be honest, the Tronsmart TSM-01 would probably do better in the Remotes category above. It’s a basic air mouse, about the same size as the MINIX M1 and ProBox2 Remote+, but it has a keyboard, on the back side, so I’m including it here.
Tronsmart is going for the “less is more” approach with the TSM-01. There aren’t any special feature buttons at all. In fact, the only buttons on the top side of the remote mouse are the D-pad, home button and the left and right mouse click. The keyboard on the back is sparsely laid out as well. There’s no number row at the top. You’ll have to use the Alt key if you want to select them. The keys are almost flush with the remote’s plastic shell, which makes it very difficult to type with any semblance of speed.
One curious feature, or bug, depending on how you look at it. The gyroscope is always on, unless you’re using the keyboard. Even if you’re actively using the D-pad to make your selection, you can still see the cursor on the screen moving slightly as you move your hand. This is a minor distraction, but a major draw on the battery life. Expect to have to recharge the internal battery every 2-3 days.
You can read more about the Tronsmart TSM-01 in our review here.
4. Hausbell H7 \ Rii I8
The Hausbell H7 mini keyboard has been around for several years and has gone through a few different versions. You can also see it listed commonly as the Rii I8. It’s not a gyration air mouse, so tilting it will just make you look silly. You’re able to control the on-screen cursor by using the small touchpad at the top of the device.
And I do mean small. Like the iPazzport which found its way to the bottom of this list (sorry…spoilers!), the Hausbell H7 has one of the smallest touchpads I’ve ever seen in a keyboard or controller.
This makes it fairly difficult to navigate from one edge of the screen to another. I actually counted and it took me three full swipes left-to-right to traverse the screen. If you get this, you’re definitely going to want to increase the pointer speed in the Settings menu.
The H7, and all of its variations, include an internal rechargeable battery which holds a charge fairly well. And it even includes a power switch to conserve juice even more.
The main feature is the keyboard, so I’ll talk about that first. The best that can be said is that it gets the job done. It’s not going to “wow” you with the feel like the MINIX A2 or the Mele F10, but it’s not bad either. Still, you probably won’t want to type out a bunch of emails. Use it for entering usernames and passwords, and maybe the occasional search query.
Inside Kodi, and even in the main Android interface, most of the special function keys don’t map well by default. The Home and Search buttons don’t map to anything that I could see. What’s even more confusing is the “ε” – which I can only assume is supposed to be the Microsoft Internet Explorer “E” – actually mapped to the “Home” function.
It is one of the most affordable keyboard controllers available that will work on streaming devices, which is why it scored this high in the comparison test. Still, there are better options unless price is your biggest concern.
You can read more about the Hausbell H7 in our review here.
5. Measy RC11
If you have any illusions that the Measy RC11 is a “small and stylish” air mouse, then you might as well just stop now.
It is the largest and heaviest gyration air mouse that I tested. It is the most power-hungry device I tested – using three AAA batteries. It is also the only keyboard airmouse that puts all of the buttons on one side of the device.
For a device that focuses on the keyboard, it’s disappointing, to put it mildly.
The size of the keys is good, but there’s no satisfying “click” to them when I tried to type. I say “tried” because the keyboard is split in two halves, with the center button being a combination left and right mouse click. Most people have one hand that is more dominant than the other when it comes to typing. So unless you’re one of those rare people that is perfectly balanced, then you’re probably going to find typing to be very awkward on the Measy RC11.
One other strange quirk, the D-pad, shown on the left hand side in this picture, is mapped so that it works correctly when you’re holding the RC11 like a remote control. But it doesn’t re-orient itself when you use it as a keyboard. I constantly found myself trying to select the left arrow, but moving up instead.
To be honest, there wasn’t anything I liked about the Measy RC11. Well, it did have one redeeming quality. It wasn’t the iPazzport.
5. iPazzport Mini Wireless Keyboard
Quick poll: Raise your hand if the iPazzport Mini was the first mini keyboard\touchpad you ever saw. The iPazzport has been around so long, I actually saw this before I saw my first Android stick PC. This isn’t an air-mouse, but it does have a full keyboard, which is why it’s in this section.
Hey, I’ll admit it. When I first saw it, I thought this was a great way to control my HTPC.
Then I bought it, and it went downhill from there.
I honestly believe that their target market must have been 3-5 year olds. No one else could possibly have fingers small enough to use this device and actually be comfortable.
The touchpad is so small that my thumb will literally cover almost the entire thing. It is so unresponsive that I had to swipe across it several times in order for it to realize that I’m trying to move the cursor. The D-pad below it has arrow keys so small that you will need a stylus in order to make sure you’re only hitting one key at a time.
After using the iPazzport Mini for ten minutes, I now know why people throw their remote controls across the room.
Don’t buy it. Period.
Best Kodi Remote Mouse app and wireless touchpad
Logitech Touchpad T650
I love Logitech mice and keyboards. When I first started playing with Android Stick PC’s a few years ago, I used a Logitech K400 as my primary input device. It was a little big to leave sitting next to the sofa all the time, which is what actually started me looking for better controllers.
Enter the Logitech T650 touchpad.
You’ve already head me complain about the two remotes that included touchpads. The reason is that I’m used to the way the Logitech touchpads feel. Every one that I’ve ever tried has been responsive, with a good, high-quality feel to it. This one is no exception.
Android is a touch-based operating system. Having a touchpad just makes sense.
Not everything is perfect, though. There are some quirks to using the T650 with your Android TV box or Kodi HTPC.
You’re going to have to update the T650 firmware before you do anything. I know…this is an exception to my “work straight out of the box” rule, but this is worth it.
Without that firmware update most of the touch features you’ve come to know and love (and rely on) just plain don’t work on the T650. No tap-to-click, no pinch-zoom, no double-finger-right-click. Nothing.
You’ll actually have to press down on the touchpad in order to do a left-click select. The “buttons” are actually in the feet of the device, which is pretty cool.
With the firmware upgrade, which takes about 30 seconds to install (seriously), this is a whole different device – and one of my favorites.
Update: Unfortunately, Logitech moved in a new direction shortly after I wrote this review and stopped producing the T650 trackpad. If you can still find one for the original list price of $70, I’d pick one up. Anything more than that, and I’d find another option.
Kodi Kore app
Kore is the official Kodi remote mouse app, so it gives you a few extra features that you won’t find in any of these other devices. The trick is that they’ll only function from within Kodi itself. You won’t be able to use it to navigate around your Android device or any other apps.
Still, it’s something I highly recommend getting for a couple of reasons.
First: It’s free. No other remote control on this list is going to give you as many benefits for absolutely $0.
Secondly, you’re almost always going to have your smartphone with you, and you’ll probably even be on it while you’re watching TV. You may as well use it as a remote. You can always tell your girlfriend that you’re queuing up the next video when you’re really checking your Facebook status.
Finally, it’s going to give you the option to search, access menus and settings, from the swipe of your finger. No other remote mouse will do it as fast as Kore.
If you’re interested, head on over to my article on How to install Kore to find out more.
Yatse Remote app
Yatse is a third-party app for Kodi and XBMC. But just because it isn’t developed by Team Kodi doesn’t mean it isn’t worth checking out.
Like Kore, Yatse is a free remote mouse app which offers all of the functionality to control a Kodi device from your smartphone. It will give you the same “remote control-like” interface in app form, but will also add voice commands in seven different languages.
There is also an “Unlocked” version of the app which offers a bunch of cool features like being able to access your media library offline, as well as saving your settings to the cloud. The unlocked version is under $4, which still makes it less expensive than any of the other air-mice on this page.
If you want to know more about Yatse, check out my article on the Yatse Remote for Kodi here.
The Verdict
Getting the best air mouse or even the best Kodi remote control is important. The way you use the remote control is how you interact with your streaming device.
The good news is that there’s no shortage of controllers for you to choose.
It doesn’t matter whether you use a computer mouse, a universal remote control, an air-mouse or even the remote that came with your TV box. What matters is that you find the right controller for you. One that you’re comfortable with.
Do you have a favorite remote mouse or air mouse? Let us know in the comments below. And if you liked this article. share it with a friend!
Why not add the Logitech K400 in the mix? It’s all I use and a 1000 times better than any air mouse to date. Including the M1 and the Rio (forget the model number). If you use an android like a HTPC the K400 is a must have IMO
Honestly, because I had to draw the line somewhere, and this post is already over 4000 words. 🙂
Actually, the Logitech K400 is one of the first things I tested when I started this site. I still use it when I know I’m going to by typing a lot. The challenge with that device is that it takes up almost as much space as a full-size keyboard. For many people, they want something smaller.
I have the MX3 Multi Function and it is a POS!!! Perhaps I just got a faulty one but the mouse just drifts to the right, making it quite difficult to click on anything.
Alô people
I have one Rii i6 Wireless Mini Keyboard +touchPad with IR Remote, very nice and funtional.,
actuality ~35€
it have 2 operation – remote control and Keyboard+Touchpad .- Not have Mouse functions.
Batery + backlight buttons – very nice and good quality.
Speaking about apps have you ever tried agile remote? I use it as a fly mouse and it’s quite useful. I didn’t found any other app that let you use your phone as a fly mouse. Do you know any?
You introduced a lot of different mice. What is your point? Which one is the best?
I broke the mice down in to different categories, and listed my top in each one. I prefer both the Mele F10 and the MINIX A2 Lite. I use the Mele more, just because it fits my hand better. But….if you don’t need or want a keyboard, the ProBox2 is really good, and inexpensive.
Hello.
I read that the Mele F10 deluxe does not work with Windows 10.
Also i read that the d-pad does not function with devices other than a mele box etc.
Could you please confirm this. I want to purchase this remote, but these are deal breakers for me.
I will be using this remote with Windows 10, and kodi, on an HTPC.
thanks in advance
I use the F10 Deluxe on my Matricom G-Box Q (v1) and every aspect of it works just fine. have the newest ota update. almost all the buttons work correctly. I just want a better voice remote for FireTV stick gen 2… or to find a diff remote that works with the Echo other than the one type of Amazon Echo-specific one…
Does the MX3 turn on the And TV Box?
The power button will turn on a TV Box if your unit is one that responds to powering on this way. Most Android TV boxes can only be powered on via the mains and the power button will wake up or put a box into standby mode (sleep). If your box has pop up power options ie standby/reboot/off the power button – top left red will do that.
If you want you can change this button to power toggle your TV by cloning it from your TV’s remote. You choose. You can leave the button as it is but teach one of the four coloured buttons at the bottom of the unit to toggle your TV’s power.
I do have a Riitek i13. It is more oriented for people with a larger number of IR devices. It has 2 sides one fully IR, where up to 8 devices can program all the keys, e.g. power, volume, channel, dpad, etc, and the other side that has the keyboard and air mouse.
That way I can select the TV, the projector, the android box, the Kodi PC, the AVR….
For android boxes obviously it is a little bit limited, as the dpad comes by IR, other wise there is a DPAD on the keyboard side, but it is not the same.
However in my case I want to control the volume of my AVR directly instead of via android, which for example, Amazon doesn’t let me, so that is a reason why I rather keep an IR remote than completely switching to fully wireless.
I HAVE JUST PRCASED A ( NEO A2 Lite AIRMOUSE ) WITH MY MINXI NEO X 8 =H Plus
BUT I AM HAVING A BIT OF A PROBLEM WITH THE MOUSE POINTER IE I HAVE TRIED THE POINTER SPEED IN MANY PLACES SLOW to the left and Hagh to the right and in the Middle
but the mouse just keeps going round and round some times slow and some times fast
CAN YOU HELP ME
Thank you!
you never even say if kore or the other kodi app have air mouse controls
hey how about a dictionary for us dummys, whats a air mouse,whats kodi and whats kore how do i know what i want if i don’t know what it is
thanx
I have a MX 3 remote which works great except cursor does not stop at any one place. It moves all over the screen. Very difficult to control. Anyone know how to fix this issue?
Hello,
Thank you very much for the comprehensive round-up. Its been very helpful as it has let me narrow the field as to what to choose for my HTPC remote (currently most enamoured with the Mele F10). However i have come across another remote/keyoboard device on the net which also looks promising, but it is not on your list, and I was wondering if you had a chance to use/test it, and how it compares to the F10.
the device im talking about is the Rii Mini i25.
It seems on face value, really appealing, but since your write up is so in depth, and you really seem to know what you are talking about, i wanted to run this past you and see what you think.
Thanks in advance for your help.
ciao
tommi
PS. i forgot to mention that i would be using the device with a HTPC, with windows 10, and Kodi.
I need a good non-clicky remote, preferably with a keyboard. Which would you recommend?
Hi GV. By non-clicky, do you mean loud clicks, or completely silent? Both of my favorites, the MINIX NEO A2 and the Mele F10 have some sound whenever you press the keys, but neither is very loud. You can’t really go wrong with either.
Yes, I would like it to be as silent as possible. I have used the MX3 and clicks are loud. How would you compare the clicking sound of the MX3 to the A2, F10, or any other recommendation.
i purchased the minix A2 Neo but when I insert the reciever into the usb port it cuts out the audio and I can’t find how to make this work with my Nvidia Shield
You got a fix for this?
You can fix this by checking Developer options -> Media / Disable USB audio routing. Hopefully there will be a proper fix for this sometime soon.
Hi Tim
Thanks for your wonderful review on different remotes with great details, I have narrowed down to 3 remotes ie 1,Probox2 Remote+ 2, Mele F10 deluxe and Minix A2 lite In these remote which one you will suggest for my Ugoos UT3s android box (4gb ram & 32 memory), Does Probox2 remote+ works only with probox or will it work on any android box?.
I prefer to use these remote for gaming for my kids with good cursor movement and built quality. Any suggestion from your side will be much appreciated. Sorry for the bad English . Thank you
Lucky
Hi Lucky. Thanks for your question. I liked all three of those remotes, so you’ve made some good choices so far. All will work with the Ugoos UT3S. I’ve tested that box with the MINIX A2, as well as a Logitech keyboard, depending on what particular tests I’m running. But the ProBox2 and Mele are “universal” remotes, so they’ll be fine as well. You could get into some challenges within Kodi, but I went into those details in the article.
The ProBox2 remote will work with any Android TV box, and it might be better for gaming – especially for kids. The remote is smaller and easier to hold. The only downside is that it doesn’t have the full keyboard like the MINIX or Mele.
Hi Tim
Thanks for your suggestion, I thought of buying Pro-Box2 remote but just because of missing Querty Keyboard I have placed order for Mele F10 Deluxe and waiting for its arrival. Once thanks .
My family actually prefers a non air mouse remote. Many of the remotes I have tried have an option or button to turn off or disable the airmouse (pointer on screen) but they seem to turn the mouse on by default once it is picked up.Can you recommend a good Kodi remote that has the ability to permanently disable air mouse support?
The Nvidia Shield remote – despite its high price mark – has got raving reviews, but I can’t find anyone who could confirm whether or not it works with other Android boxed than the Nvidia Shield.
Can i use air mouse with NVIDIA Shield?
You can, but I think that NVIDIA has much better options in their own lineup. The apps are designed to be used with their remote or by voice command. If you’re interested in gaming, then they have a dedicated controller that is big, but extremely comfortable. Basically, I can’t think of a good reason to use an air mouse with the Shield.
are there any remotes with head phones jacks like the Roku for private listening
Sorry, I meant Mele f10 is the only on that will turn ON an Android Box (Matricom G Q2)?
I really like this article, my preference would always be an air mouse for media center control. but the stylization and feel of these devices are a bit retro for me.
The gyration air mouse elite is my personal favorite. It has a great look and feel, its familiar, and it has free phone support if you run into trouble. Not to mention it’s totally mobile, and can be used outside the media center environment, so it never ‘collects dust’.
Check it out.
http://www.gyration.com/products/air-mouse-elite-with-low-profile-keyboard
I wish the batteries on the Air Mouse Elite and Pro didnt die charge-wise and overall so fast. Thank the Lord that Walmart has the cheapest spare parts for all Gyration’s products! I love my phaser styled Pro. despite its Classic Pro and is like 15 years old or more…
Hey, does the mele f10 deluxe works with the new probox2 air android 6.0? Probox2 remote+ is good, but i need a remote with a keyboard. Thanks.
Hi Tal. It will. You’ll need to take up one of the USB slots for the receiver, but it’s compatible.
hi.
Mele F10 Deluxe for the games ,the G-Sensor Gyroscope work with any android tv box ?
thanks…
Yes. The Mele F10 has a received that fits in a USB port, so it will work with any Android device.
I own the MX pro II android, and my mouse has disintegrated, and I am struggling to find a replacement, can you suggest where I can get one please.
I did write to one seller on Amazon who sells a couple of different replacement remotes, but they they did not sell the model that would control my android, help please.
BTW I do enjoy getting your newsletters, so little info available for Androids of any description here in Philippines.
John
Is there an air mouse (with gyroscope) with a keyboard and a back-light available that might also charge via USB?
I cannot get the Logitech T650 to work at all. How did you get it working?
I can’t help thinking this is a trick question.
…I plugged it in?
I bought a T95N Mini MX box and it does not have built in Bluetooth. Do these work or come with a Bluetooth 4.0 dongle to connect and work? Also I have my box loaded with emulators and Roms/ NES/ SNES, can I use these remotes to play these games, d pad control/ fire /jump? Also I have a PS3 Bluetooth controller I would like to use as well, will the Bluetooth dongle that comes with one of these remotes allow me to connect the PS3 controller via Bluetooth? Thanks guys 🙂
Hi Derrick. These will all have a wi-fi dongle that comes with them. If you want to use Bluetooth, you’d have to look specifically for a Bluetooth controller.
Hi Tim. Are any of the keyboards on the remote/mouse/keyboard combos backlit? I didn’t see any reference to that in your reviews (though my eyesight isn’t the greatest and I could have missed it – which is why I’m searching for backlighting!)
Thanks !
Haha. My eyes are getting up there with yours, Kelly. The only backlit keyboard on this list is the Logitech K830.
Dang. Those manufacturer’s should have some consideration for us sight-challenged folks. Thanks for your response !
the Rii Mini i8+ is backlit along with about every version and off-brand variant…the Rii brand seem to be best and have the logo on the touchpad ALWAYS if theyre legit Rii. the wireless cost $20 or less usually and BT a few bucks more. my F10 and Rii mini i8+ both are daily used and last about a month between charges. I know my Rii worked on the Xbox360 and Xbox One, just never use an F10 Deluxe in an Xbox One or youll error out and have to format the xbox and start over. FYI…..
MX3 Multifunction AirMouse can’t switch on any android TV BOX. It’s useless !!
Hi Kazik. Many air-mice cannot switch on devices from a powered-off state. The reason is that if the device is off, there’s no power going to the USB receiver. I’m afraid you’re going to find that often.
One workaround that may help: If you put the device to sleep, some remotes may be able to wake up the box. It doesn’t work all the time, but occasionally I’m pleasantly surprised.
Best air mouse key board II have ever used by far is the cideko avk-02b
I’ve gone through quite a few of these trying to find the best solution for my ubuntu-based HTPC/Steambox. Definitely a fan of the airmouse + keyboard design but wish someone made one with a back-light on the keyboard side (tiny keyboards aren’t super easy to use in a dark room, especially if you need to use special characters). I agree with you about the Minix & Mele – they’re the closest thing to perfect I’ve found.
I bought Probox2 Remote+ for the gyroscopic mouse mode, but quickly found that it only works with Probox boxes. Did you ever use it with non-Probox Android devices? I’m sure it’s a driver somewhere in the firmware, but I don’t have time to re-learn how to disassemble the firmware images.
I have the MX3 by RII. It is a very good air mouse, remote control and keyboard. What I didn’t like is that keyboard side is missing basic keys like ctrl, tab (you cannot copy/paste) and some basic keys like . , – (for these you need to use the fn key). It is struggling to use keys combined with the fn key as they are small and they are marked in dark blue color and you cannot read them unless you have the remote under a source of light.
I need a remote similar to the fire TV remote on my Android TV Box. I prefer a simple remote with few buttons- Play, fast forward and rewind buttons. I don’t need a keyboard or trackpad. Which remote will you recommend?
I have Air Mouse with Gyroscope, QWERTY Keyboard with microphone. Does anyone has it? I dont know how to use the microphone…..
I have the MX3 and while I really like it, I can’t get the voice commands to work at all with it. It says it has voice input but I can’t get it to work at all. Dunno if this is dependent on what Android TV Box is being used with it or not, but it is a feature I just can’t get to work. Searching google doesn’t help at all. Seems no one is using voice command or if they are, they aren’t talking about it. All reviews I’ve seen on air mouses, make no mention about voice control.
Hi,
So I have 4G AIR MOUSE REMOTE CONTROL and trying to pair it with android box, but there’s no way I can do it. I press OK button and TV button and the same time (while USB is in) and it doesn’t work.
Please help
I’v used a Lenovo N5902 with backlight, actually on my 2nd one in 8 years. Commander approved, great scroll pad. Only issue is that I haven’t figured out how to make it work on everything 🙂 Great for Android boxes & any HTPC setup or pretty much any device that can recognize a usb receiver. Tried the ipazzport, very funny! And have an Rii; batteries removed and it’s back in it’s box waiting for a good home in a budding HTPC’ers setup.
I have both the Lenovo N5902 and N5901 currently I use the 5902 on my HTPC and the 5901 on my Android MX9max. Both are set up with Dish Anywhere and Kodi. The extra scrolling function and backlighting on the N5902 make it a superior experience. I have not completely cut the cord yet as I have a Dish networks Hopper 3 and external hard drives that I use for its DVR function. I have just turned off the 2 Joeys to extend the service to TVs in other rooms. The Dish Anywhere app allow access to the tuner and recordings. It works well on my MX9max. Now if only I could offload the library I have collected on the Hopper to the HTPC’s Kodi library.
I don’t understand why this author keeps hyping the T650 trackpad when it’s not a bluetooth or 2.4g device and it’s logitech unifying receiver (usb dongle) will not work on any android devices even with the latest firmware upgrade this author advocates.
It DID work with the firmware upgrade. That was part of my tests.
But, as I wrote in the update, I wouldn’t get it now because the price has skyrocketed. It’s simply not worth it anymore.
Hi,
I own a MX3 remote, it works great except color buttons (green, blue, yellow, red) don’t work.
These buttons are very helpfull for some appsblike STBemu or Smart IPTV.
Is there any remote with working color buttons ? Thanks.
It would be crate to know if there is one!!
I wonder whether he smoked something, the author of the article. Rechargeable battery lasting 2 weeks (in Mele Deluxe) is “surprisingly long”? My ancient power-hungry Gyration 4101 runs 2 months on 4AAA. And you don’t have to “spend a fortune” on disposable AA and AAA, – buy rechargeable ones. Jeez…
Hey Tim,
Anything noteworthy come out since you originally put out this article or do your recommendations remain the same?
Thanks,
Darren
Hi Darren,
Not too much has come out in the air mouse world since then. MINIX has a new version of their air mouse, but it only has minor improvements.
Minix airmouses are only good for Minix boxes. Power and app switch button doesn’t work on other boxes and you can’t program any of them. That’s shame because Minix has great button arrangement on front side and nice feeling. I can’t say that about keyboard. Letter on keyboard are not printed in good quality and will erase after some time which makes keyboard very hard to use. Buttons are vey small and you’ll hardly read alternate symbols (which include numbers). No backlight is minus.
MX3 works great – really smooth moving. You can program four buttons and power button for IR function which solves remote power on for most boxes. Button arrangement on front side is terrible. Feeling is not good – buttons are made of hard plastic. Play button position and size completely wrong. Navigation buttons are not comfort eneugh. Also don’t have backlight.
I can’t say I’m happy with any of my airmouses. While Minix will do job on my Minix box (which is now music player because of Minix lack of support for software upgrade) I plan to buy new airmouse with backlight. T6 looks fine, but I didn’t see much detailed reviews. If anybody tried that one would be great to share experience.
Ive been using a Rii i13 for like 6 or 7 years on my kodi box because nothing else compares. The build quality is pretty poor and Ive gone through like 5 of them, but keep buying more because nothing else fills the gap that it does.
I need something that has…
1. A fairly complete keyboard including alt-tab and ctrl-alt-del capability, and symbols, and brackets, and slashes
2. A programable IR remote with direction and media buttons and multi device support
3. An air mouse
It seems so simple, like something that should exist with many competing products, but its practically impossible to find.