I've been using the 256-core Nvidia Shield TV for years and I love it. While it's overkill for most streamers (and at $199 it's one of the most expensive options), it packs a lot of power and expansion capability that makes the Shield TV really compelling.
Something else the Shield TV has going for it has perhaps the best remote control of any streaming device. The triangular remote for the Shield TV has a bunch of great details and features, like a built-in motion sensor that turns on the backlighting button each time you pick it up. It has a built-in microphone for searching, and even has a built-in speaker for paging the remote with the Shield TV app.
The remote feels like a dream in-hand thanks to its triangular shape and substantial length. On top of that, the remote is powered by two AAA batteries that seem to last forever. And it uses Bluetooth so it works through walls and cabinets.
Let's explore why Nvidia built not only the best streaming device, but the best remote I've ever used.
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The problem with other remotes
Not the right amount of buttons and you can't see them at night
Other remotes, like the one used for Amazon Fire TV (pictured above), have several problems, all of which the Shield TV remote solves.
First, it has too many buttons. The Fire TV remote has three different menu/option buttons, while the Shield TV remote has just one. It also doesn't light up in the dark nor can you page it if it's lost.
Not only that but the Amazon Fire TV remote has four permanent buttons for Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu, and you can't easily change these dedicated buttons for streaming services. I think it's fine to have one dedicated button (like how the Shield TV remote has one for Netflix, which is the most popular streaming service by far), but four is overkill, it's ugly, and it's a waste of space unless you frequently use those four specific streaming platforms.
It fits perfectly in-hand
The Shield TV remote has just the right amount of buttons
The Shield TV remote feels perfect in-hand. It has a triangular shape that is easy to hold and feels nicely balanced.
The microphone, which is used for voice input, is located at the top of the remote, which makes it easy to know where to "speak into" unlike other remotes that sometimes try to hide the microphone.
And you don't have any buttons you don't need: you get a menu button, play controls, a voice input button, plus a directional pad. One downside is the permanent Netflix button (perhaps not such a bad thing if you use Netflix a lot), which technically can be remapped with an app called Button Mapper available on Google Play. I'm fine with the dedicated Netflix button so I never tried to change it.
On the negative, there's not much difference between the keys from a tactile perspective (as a contrasting example, Roku remotes, which let you access secret menus, have buttons that feel differently to make them easy to feel like, such as the play controls which are concave), except that the Play/pause and microphone buttons have a tiny notch on them, so your finger can find them more easily. This doesn't matter that much, since the remote illuminates automatically, so finding the right key in the dark is seldom a problem.
The Shield TV remote feels perfect in-hand. It has a triangular shape that is easy to hold and feels nicely balanced.
This remote lights up when you pick it up
It has a motion sensor
When you pick up the Shield TV remote, a built-in motion sensor triggers the button backlights for several seconds. This makes it super easy to see the buttons even in a dark room. The buttons only light up for about three seconds—just enough time for you to find what you need.
It has endless battery life, too
Two AAA batteries last a very long time
Not all batteries need to be rechargeable, and I appreciate how the Shield TV remote uses old-school AAA batteries that seem to last forever. On average, the Shield TV remote only needs fresh batteries every 6–12 months. Some streaming remotes have a built-in rechargeable battery, which often means the remote needs a USB port for charging. By skipping this, Nvidia kept the design of the remote more minimal.
There's even a built-in pager
Using the Shield TV app (available on both iOS and Android), you can page the Shield TV remote (which has a pretty loud beep thanks to its built-in speaker), which is a major advantage. I still can't find where the speaker is on the Shield TV remote (they did a good job hiding it!), but it's plenty loud when you page it, as I can hear the beeping of the remote even when it's buried deep in the couch cushions.
Nvidia showed us a perfect remote
But you have to buy the pricey Shield TV to use it
Nvidia nailed the remote on the Shield TV. It's perfect, and it compliments the amazing Shield TV well. While the Shield TV at $199 is much more expensive than other streamers, it's pretty much the best you can buy, and the amazing remote is part of that story.
