Logitech Harmony 700

Just as comfortable to hold as the Harmony One, the 700's ergonomic body is identical in dimensions (8.8 by 2.3 by 1.3 inches—HWD), but the 700 is a tad heavier at 6.4 ounces. The 700 sports a charcoal-gray matte finish, while the One is a glossy, fingerprint-attracting piano black. Both remotes include rechargeable batteries; the AA-size cells included with the 700 are heavier than the lithium ion battery included with the One, but are easier to replace. The newer model charges using a micro-USB cable, while the Harmony One includes a dedicated charging cradle—a nice touch, but certainly not worth the extra cost.

While the majority of the buttons are in the same place on both remotes, the One's buttons are firm glossy plastic, and are easier to press than the squishy rubber ones on the 700. A sensor inside enables backlighting on the keys each time you pick up the remote. The One includes a 2.2-inch touch screen LCD, while the 700's display lacks touch support and is slightly smaller, at 1.9 inches. The screen on the One is also higher resolution (220 by 176 pixels versus 128 by 128 pixels on the 700). The LCD's primary role is to simulate buttons that don't physically exist on the remote, and change from device to device. For example, my cable box remote has the letters A, B, and C, for selecting menu options—these buttons are displayed on the LCD when the remote is controlling the cable box. On the One you press the button on the actual display, but on the 700 you press a physical button next to the appropriate selection on the screen.

All the remotes in Logitech's Harmony line are configured using a PC (or a Mac). The included Harmony software (which ships on a CD with the remote) connects to an online database with information for more than 5,000 manufacturers and 225,000 devices. To program the remote, you simply install and launch the application, type in the model names of, say, your HDTV, DVD player, game console, and audio receiver, and the Harmony software will send the correct information to the remote via USB (a cable is included). Once all of your devices have been entered, the Harmony guides you through setting up one-touch control—which will execute certain actions depending on your selected Activity. Hitting the "Watch TV" button, for example, will turn on all the devices necessary, and change all the inputs required, to fire up the television. (For more about the set-up and programming process, see our Harmony 1100 review.)

The Harmony 700 can mimic any infrared (IR) remote (even if it's not in Logitech's vast database) using a learning mode, which identifies and replicates the remote's IR signal. I was even able to configure the 700 to learn the IR commands for my air conditioner's remote.

The Logitech Harmony 700 lacks the RF radio necessary to control devices that are hidden behind walls or in cabinets—everything you're controlling needs to be in the remote's line-of-sight. Logitech offers the Harmony 900, which includes an RF receiver—but it's a steep $400.

In the world of cheap Radio Shack universal remote controls, the Logitech Harmony 700's $150 price tag is substantial, especially since it lacks RF functionality. But none of those $50 remotes offer the intuitive PC-based software that makes setting up Harmony remotes a snap, and very few work as seamlessly. While we do really love the Harmony One, the $250 price tag is tough to swallow. The Harmony 700 offers a similar experience, albeit sans the touch screen, for $100 less, so it's a much better bargain—and our new Editors' Choice for universal remote controls.