Function101 F101-ATVRM-BT
The Function101 Button Remote pairs via Bluetooth Low Energy alongside your Siri Remote, adding a second controller without losing existing functionality, and uses infrared to control volume, mute, and power on TVs, soundbars, and receivers across 100+ brands. Its traditional button layout with dedicated play, pause, rewind, and fast-forward eliminates the learning curve of swipe-based remotes, and two included AAA batteries mean no recharging. Best for households or guest rooms where kids, visitors, or anyone who prefers physical buttons needs a simple, reliable Apple TV remote for streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Function101 Button Remote is the remote Apple should have made for people who hate swiping. It's cheap, it's simple, and it just works.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real buttons, no accidental swipes 71st
- Pairs alongside your Siri Remote, not instead of it
- Two AAA batteries included, no recharging
- IR control for TV, soundbar, or receiver volume and power
Cons
- No Siri voice control at all
- IR functions need line of sight
- No backlight for dark rooms
- Feels cheap compared to Apple's build quality
What owners think
The Word on the Street
The proof
Performance
The Bluetooth pairing is the real star here. It connects as a second remote, so you keep your Siri Remote for voice searches and get this one for everything else. The IR blaster handles volume, mute, and power for over 100 brands, which covers most living room setups. The two AAA batteries are a nice touch, no charging cable to lose, and they're included in the box. What surprised us is how well the traditional layout works with modern tvOS. The P Down button doubles as an app switcher, and double-pressing up closes frozen apps. That's clever, not clunky.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Resolution | 4K |
| Aspect Ratio | 0:00 |
Smart TV
| Voice Assistant | Siri |
vs Competition
The obvious comparison is Apple's own Siri Remote, which costs more and has voice control but drives some people nuts with its touchpad. The Function101 undercuts it on price and wins on simplicity. Against the infrared-only version of this same remote, the Bluetooth edition is the one to get if your Apple TV is tucked away in a cabinet or you want control from another room. The TCL and Samsung options in our database are TVs, not remotes, so they're not really in the same fight here.
| Spec | Function101 F101-ATVRM-BT | Hisense U6 Series 65U6N | Samsung F6000F Series UN32F6000FFXZA | TCL Q3K Series 40Q3K | Insignia F50 Series NS-43F501NA26 | Roku The ultimate 4K streaming player 4850R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | - | 64.5 | 32 | 40 | 43 | - |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 | 4K | 3840x2160 | 2880x1800 | 4K | 4K |
| Panel Type | - | Mini-LED | LED | QLED | LED | - |
| Refresh Rate | - | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | - |
| Hdr | - | Dolby Vision, HDR 10+, HDR 10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) | HDR 10, HDR 10+ | HDR10 | HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR 10+, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) |
| Smart Platform | - | Google TV | Tizen | Google TV | Fire TV | Roku TV |
| Dolby Vision | - | true | false | false | false | true |
| Dolby Atmos | - | true | false | false | false | true |
| Hdmi Version | - | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.1 | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | HDR | Audio | Smart | Gaming | Display | Connectivity | Social Proof | Picture Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Function101 F101-ATVRM-BT | 13 | 12.9 | 14.4 | 17.2 | 70.5 | 6 | 64.4 | 36 |
| Hisense U6 Series 65U6N Compare | 76.1 | 76.6 | 97.6 | 49.3 | 41.7 | 72.9 | 80.7 | 36 |
| Samsung F6000F Series UN32F6000FFXZA Compare | 34.5 | 49.5 | 72.4 | 51.9 | 61.5 | 53.6 | 80.7 | 69.9 |
| TCL Q3K Series 40Q3K Compare | 50.4 | 52.4 | 90.3 | 17.2 | 61.1 | 42.4 | 80.7 | 36 |
| Insignia F50 Series NS-43F501NA26 Compare | 50.4 | 61 | 87.4 | 44.8 | 13.6 | 72.9 | 75.4 | 36 |
| Roku The ultimate 4K streaming player 4850R Compare | 76.1 | 59.1 | 98.5 | 17.2 | 28.2 | 28.4 | 93.8 | 36 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At $40 USD, this is a no-brainer if you hate the Siri Remote. You're paying for peace of mind and a remote your guests won't stare at in confusion. It's not a premium device, but it doesn't pretend to be. For the price of a couple of pizzas, you get a second remote that just works.
Amazon 1 offer From CA$52
Price History
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Overview
The Function101 Button Remote is the answer for anyone who has ever wanted to throw their Siri Remote across the room. It brings back actual buttons, pairs alongside your existing remote, and doesn't ask you to learn a single swipe gesture. The one thing to know: this is a comfort purchase, not a feature upgrade. You're trading Siri voice control for the simple joy of pressing pause and knowing it will work.
Common Questions
Q: Does this replace my Siri Remote?
No, it pairs alongside it. You keep your Siri Remote for voice control and use this one for regular navigation and playback.
Q: Will it control my soundbar volume?
Yes, as long as your soundbar accepts IR signals. You program the remote with the right code, and it handles volume, mute, and power.
Q: Do I need line of sight for the Bluetooth functions?
No. Bluetooth works through walls and cabinets. Only the IR functions for TV and audio control need line of sight.
Who Should Skip This
If you actually use Siri voice search or dictation, this isn't for you. Go get the official Siri Remote instead. And if you want a backlit remote for dark room viewing, look elsewhere, this one will leave you fumbling.
Verdict
Buy it if you want buttons back in your life. The Function101 Button Remote is the best cheap fix for Apple TV frustration we've seen. It's not fancy, it's not premium, but it solves a real problem without making you give up your Siri Remote.
