Ocustar IR Universal Remote Adapter vs Zerone Mini Smart IR Remote

The Ocustar is the safer buy for most people. It is MFi certified, so it works with iPhones as well as Android, and it has a metal body with a protective sleeve. The Zerone is a bare-bones Type-C dongle aimed at Android phones only, with no certification and a single reported control button. Both are small IR blasters that need a phone app, so neither replaces a physical remote for everyday channel surfing. Owners of either type of adapter report the app matters more than the hardware, and app quality varies.

• Choose the Ocustar if you have an iPhone or want one adapter that covers both iOS and Android, or if you want a sturdier metal build with a sleeve.
• Choose the Zerone if you only use an Android phone with USB-C and want the simplest plug-in IR blaster for an air conditioner or TV.