Winner
Updated November 2026
Data from the official BroadLink site.
2026 verdict
Five years apart and still the same job: the BroadLink RM MAX is the better universal IR and RF remote of the two, because it reaches Apple Home and SmartThings through a Matter bridge and pairs over Bluetooth.
Both learn infrared and 433 MHz radio remotes, use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only and list Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant. The BroadLink RM4 Pro has no Bluetooth and no Matter bridge, so it stays out of Apple Home and SmartThings, but it has been around longer, is the lower priced and has the larger owner base behind it. Neither can copy rolling-code or encrypted RF signals. Pick the BroadLink RM MAX for a mixed Apple, Samsung and Google home, and the BroadLink RM4 Pro for Alexa, Google or Home Assistant on a tighter budget.
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| Feature | BroadLink RM MAX | BroadLink RM4 Pro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $44.99 | BroadLink RM4 Pro |
| Rating | 3.3 | 3.9 | BroadLink RM4 Pro |
| Protocols | Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR, RF | IR, RF | BroadLink RM MAX |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant | Google Home, Alexa, Home Assistant | BroadLink RM MAX |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi | 2.4 GHz WiFi | Tie |
| Univeral Remote Control | YES | YES | Tie |
| Smart Learning | YES | YES | Tie |
| Local Control | YES | YES | Tie |
What the differences mean
Matter bridge
The BroadLink RM MAX is a Matter bridge after a firmware update, which exposes its IR and RF appliances to Apple Home and SmartThings. The BroadLink RM4 Pro is not, so those two platforms need a workaround like Home Assistant.
Bluetooth setup
The BroadLink RM MAX pairs over Bluetooth, which owners find faster and smoother. The BroadLink RM4 Pro has no Bluetooth and joins through the Wi-Fi flow that owners call confusing.
Smart home platforms
Both list Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant. Only the RM MAX adds Apple Home and SmartThings, though through the Matter bridge and not a native integration.
Radios and remotes learned
No difference: both learn IR and 433 MHz RF, both use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only with no Ethernet, and neither has Zigbee, Z-Wave or Thread. Check a fan or blind remote's frequency before buying either.
Track record
The BroadLink RM4 Pro dates from 2020 and has a 1 year warranty listed. The BroadLink RM MAX is a 2025 release with no warranty listed and far fewer owners so far, so its long-term reliability is less proven.
Which one to buy if
- you use Apple Home or SmartThings and want your IR and RF gear in it
The BroadLink RM MAX is a Matter bridge, so its appliances appear in both.
- you only use Alexa, Google Home or Home Assistant
The BroadLink RM4 Pro supports all three at a lower price and adds nothing you would miss.
- you want the easiest first setup
The BroadLink RM MAX pairs over Bluetooth, which owners describe as faster than the RM4 Pro's flow.
- you want a device with years of owner reports behind it
The BroadLink RM4 Pro has been sold since 2020 and its quirks are widely documented.
Winner
$59.99
- + Protocols: Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR, RF
- + Integrations: Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
- - Price: $59.99 vs $44.99
- - Rating: 3.3 vs 3.9
$44.99
- + Price: $44.99
- + Rating: 3.9
- - Protocols: IR, RF vs Bluetooth, Matter Bridge, IR, RF
- - Integrations: Google Home, Alexa, Home Assistant vs Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
What owners say
Owners of both BroadLink hubs agree on the core: learning most IR and RF remotes is quick, voice control through Alexa and Google Home works, and the price beats a full smart home hub. Both groups also hit the same wall with rolling-code or encrypted RF remotes, fans and blinds in particular, and both describe a clunky app. BroadLink RM MAX owners single out fast Bluetooth pairing, strong RF learning and the USB-C cable, with one coming from the RM4 Pro saying the new model paired more smoothly, while their complaints centre on Google Home mislabeling the hub and losing on/off state, a few random reboots and no way to edit a learned device. BroadLink RM4 Pro owners like it as a cheaper alternative to a Logitech Harmony and as a Home Assistant favourite, but report devices dropping offline until the app is reopened.
Upgrading from the BroadLink RM4 Pro?
Moving up from the BroadLink RM4 Pro to the BroadLink RM MAX buys Bluetooth pairing, a Matter bridge for Apple Home and SmartThings and a USB-C cable. The IR and RF learning, the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi limit and the rolling-code limitation stay the same. If your BroadLink RM4 Pro already runs everything through Alexa, Google Home or Home Assistant, there is little to gain. If you moved to Apple Home or SmartThings and want your IR and RF appliances there, the BroadLink RM MAX is the step that opens it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: BroadLink RM MAX or BroadLink RM4 Pro?
The BroadLink RM MAX, for its Matter bridge to Apple Home and SmartThings and its Bluetooth pairing. The BroadLink RM4 Pro is the cheaper and more proven pick if you only use Alexa, Google Home or Home Assistant.
What is the biggest difference between the BroadLink RM MAX and the BroadLink RM4 Pro?
Platform reach. The BroadLink RM MAX acts as a Matter bridge so Apple Home and SmartThings can control its appliances, while the BroadLink RM4 Pro lists neither. Both learn IR and RF remotes.
Do the BroadLink RM MAX and the BroadLink RM4 Pro both control RF devices?
Yes, both learn IR and 433 MHz RF signals. Neither can reproduce rolling-code or encrypted RF, so some fan and window covering remotes will not pair on the BroadLink RM MAX or the BroadLink RM4 Pro.
Does the BroadLink RM4 Pro work with Apple Home like the BroadLink RM MAX?
Not natively. The BroadLink RM MAX reaches Apple Home through its Matter bridge, while the BroadLink RM4 Pro lists no Apple Home support and would need Home Assistant in between.
Should I upgrade from the BroadLink RM4 Pro to the BroadLink RM MAX?
Only if you want Apple Home or SmartThings, Bluetooth pairing or USB-C. The BroadLink RM MAX learns the same IR and RF signals as the BroadLink RM4 Pro, so voice and Home Assistant users gain little.
Who should buy the BroadLink RM4 Pro?
Buyers on a budget who use Alexa, Google Home or Home Assistant, want a proven IR and RF blaster and do not need Apple Home or SmartThings.
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