Updated November 2026
Data from the official BroadLink and SwitchBot sites.
2026 verdict
In a living room full of infrared gear and no radio remotes, the SwitchBot Hub Mini is the better buy of these two universal remotes, cheaper and better reviewed.
It adds SmartThings to the Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant support both share, and its Bluetooth brings SwitchBot curtains, bots and sensors online. The BroadLink RM4 Pro is the one to choose when RF matters: it learns radio remotes for blinds, fans, fireplaces and RF outlets as well as IR ones, and the catalog credits it with smart learning. Its owners warn that RF works reliably only with common fixed-code 433MHz devices. Neither supports Apple Home or Matter, and both run on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi with a 1-year warranty. Pick the SwitchBot Hub Mini for IR devices and SwitchBot gadgets, and the BroadLink RM4 Pro if something in the house runs on a radio remote.
News by email
Still comparing? Get what's new by email
New releases and the smart home news worth knowing, in your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
| Feature | BroadLink RM4 Pro | SwitchBot Hub Mini | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $44.99 | $35.10 | SwitchBot Hub Mini |
| Rating | 3.9 | 4.2 | SwitchBot Hub Mini |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, Home Assistant | Google Home, Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant | SwitchBot Hub Mini |
| Local Control | YES | NO | BroadLink RM4 Pro |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz WiFi | 2.4 GHz WiFi | Tie |
| Protocols | IR, RF | Bluetooth, IR | Tie |
| Univeral Remote Control | YES | YES | Tie |
| Smart Learning | YES | YES | Tie |
What the differences mean
RF
The BroadLink RM4 Pro sends radio signals as well as infrared, so it can run RF blinds, fans and outlets. The SwitchBot Hub Mini is infrared only.
SwitchBot devices
The SwitchBot Hub Mini uses Bluetooth to bridge SwitchBot curtains, bots and sensors to Wi-Fi. The BroadLink RM4 Pro has no Bluetooth and no role in a SwitchBot setup.
SmartThings
The SwitchBot Hub Mini works with SmartThings and the BroadLink RM4 Pro does not. Both cover Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant, and neither reaches Apple Home.
Size
The SwitchBot Hub Mini is 65 mm across and 36 g; the BroadLink RM4 Pro is 84.4 mm and 100 g. Both are easy to hide behind a TV.
Which one to buy if
- all your remotes are infrared
The SwitchBot Hub Mini covers them for less money.
- you have RF blinds, a ceiling fan or RF outlets
Only the BroadLink RM4 Pro can learn radio remotes, as long as they use a common fixed code.
- you use SwitchBot curtains or bots
The SwitchBot Hub Mini is the bridge that puts them online.
- your home runs on SmartThings
SmartThings support is on the SwitchBot Hub Mini only.
$44.99
- + Local Control: YES
- - Price: $44.99 vs $35.10
- - Rating: 3.9 vs 4.2
Winner
10% OFF
$35.10
$39.00
- + Price: $35.10
- + Rating: 4.2
- + Integrations: Google Home, Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
- - Local Control: NO vs YES
What owners say
Owners of both devices are happy to finally run IR-only TVs and air conditioners through Alexa or Google, and both groups find voice channel changing or voice scenes fiddly to set up. BroadLink RM4 Pro owners single out IR and RF in one small box, a learning mode that copies both, and fully local control in Home Assistant, often after choosing it over a Logitech Harmony; their complaints are RF devices with rolling codes it cannot copy, a clunky app and devices that drop offline until the app is reopened. SwitchBot Hub Mini owners talk about putting SwitchBot curtains and bots online and helpful customer support, while their gripes are a fixed delay between IR commands and an app that sometimes misses the first tap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SwitchBot Hub Mini a good alternative to the BroadLink RM4 Pro?
Yes, for infrared devices. The SwitchBot Hub Mini is cheaper, better reviewed and adds SmartThings and SwitchBot support. It cannot replace the BroadLink RM4 Pro for RF devices, since it has no RF radio.
What is the difference between the BroadLink RM4 Pro and the SwitchBot Hub Mini?
The BroadLink RM4 Pro controls both IR and RF devices, while the SwitchBot Hub Mini controls IR devices and bridges SwitchBot gadgets over Bluetooth.
Do the BroadLink RM4 Pro and SwitchBot Hub Mini work with Home Assistant?
Yes, both work with Home Assistant, Alexa and Google Home. BroadLink RM4 Pro owners describe fully local IR and RF control in Home Assistant.
Does either one work with Apple Home?
No. Neither the BroadLink RM4 Pro nor the SwitchBot Hub Mini supports Apple Home or Matter.
Who should buy the BroadLink RM4 Pro?
Homes with RF blinds, fans or outlets, and Home Assistant users who want local control of IR and RF gear in one box.
Who should buy the SwitchBot Hub Mini?
Buyers who only need infrared control, SwitchBot device owners and SmartThings users who want a small, inexpensive hub.
Spotted something wrong on this page? Tell us and we will fix it.
Our store on AmazonShop our ideas on AmazonLists of the smart home setups we would put together ourselves, ready to add to your Amazon cart.Shop on AmazonFull comparison table
Compare all 16 IR Remote Controls side by side
You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all IR Remote Controls in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.
- 16 IR Remote Controls
- 32 specs compared
- 29 filters
- IR Remote Controls
SwitchBot Hub 2
- IR Remote Controls
Infrared Universal Remote Control
- IR Remote Controls
RM4 Mini
- IR Remote Controls
X2
- IR Remote Controls
Hub M3
- IR Remote Controls
Temp/Humidity Monitor with IR
- IR Remote Controls
Hub 3
- IR Remote Controls
RF IR Universal Remote Controller
- IR Remote Controls
U3
- IR Remote Controls
X1S
- IR Remote Controls
RM5plus
- IR Remote Controls
Zigbee AC Infrared Controller
- IR Remote Controls
RM MAX
- IR Remote Controls
ZMCIR01 Matter WiFi IR Thermostat
- Air Purifiers
Air Purifier Table
- Air Quality Monitors
Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor)
- Buttons
Remote
- Cameras
Outdoor Pan/Tilt Cam 3K
- Ceiling Lights
RGBICWW Ceiling Light 12inch
- Ceiling Lights
RGBICWW Ceiling Light 15inch
- Displays
Smart E-Ink Home Dashboard
- Doorbells
Smart Video Doorbell
- Door Locks
SwitchBot Lock Pro
- Door Locks
Lock Ultra Max
- Door Locks
SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo
- Door Locks
SwitchBot Lock Vision Pro
- Door Locks
Lock Vision
- Door Locks
SwitchBot Lock
- Door & Window Sensors
Contact Sensor
- Hubs
AI Hub
- Hubs
SwitchBot Hub 2
- Hubs
Hub 3
- IR Remote Controls
SwitchBot Hub 2
- IR Remote Controls
Hub 3