The monitor remote control, a necessary luxury or a return to the past

Published on June 10, 2026 | Translated from Spanish

For those who switch between PC and console, changing the monitor's input source becomes a tedious ritual. A model with a remote control eliminates the button dance behind the screen. Although the extra cost stings, the daily convenience justifies the investment if you value your time more than your wallet.

person reaching around back of monitor pressing small buttons while another person lounges on sofa holding remote control, monitor screen showing input source menu switching from PC to console, tangled cables behind desk visible, smooth hand motion pressing remote button, photorealistic technical illustration, dramatic side lighting highlighting button textures and screen glow, clean minimalist desk setup with gaming PC and console, dust particles in light beam, ultra-detailed plastic remote finish, cinematic composition with shallow depth of field focusing on remote and screen

The engineering behind the remote and multiple connectivity 🛠️

Technically, the remote usually works via infrared or Bluetooth, integrated into monitors with multiple HDMI and USB-C ports. Source switching requires a control chip that manages the switch without signal loss. Cheaper models omit this chip, delegating everything to a rear joystick that forces you to stretch your arm every time you change devices.

Manufacturers sell you the luxury of not bending over 😅

It turns out the remote control was a 10-euro accessory a decade ago. Now, manufacturers remove it from basic monitors, hide the physical buttons, and sell you the return to the past as a premium innovation. You pay 100 euros extra for not having to get up from the sofa. It almost seems like a joke, but the shell is yours.