Quick Answer: The Anderic RR3720 ($18.95) is the best replacement projector remote for most people — a universal learning remote with preset codes for 30+ brands, so it works whether you own an Epson, BenQ, Optoma, or Sony projector. If you’d rather not program anything, the SMK-Link VP3720 ($29.99) ships pre-loaded with an extensive projector code library. Own an Optoma UHD35x/UHD38x-family gaming projector? INTECHING’s BR-3001B is an exact-match replacement that reproduces the original button layout instead of approximating it.
A dead or missing projector remote doesn’t mean a trip back to the manufacturer — most home theater and gaming projectors, including the picks in our best home theater projector and best gaming projector guides, respond to standard IR codes that universal remotes already have loaded. This guide covers both routes: a universal remote that works across brands, and exact-match replacements for when you want every original button to map correctly. Setting up a new projector instead of replacing a remote? Our projector throw distance calculator and best projector ceiling mount guide cover the rest of the install.
By the numbers: The Anderic RR3720 lists for $18.95 direct from Anderic’s own store and covers 30+ projector brands — including Ask, BenQ, Canon, Dell, Epson, Hitachi, InFocus, JVC, LG, NEC, Optoma, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba, per Anderic’s own compatibility list. The SMK-Link VP3720, which SMK-Link’s own product description calls the first universal remote built specifically for LCD and DLP projectors, lists for $29.99 on JourneyEd and rates its battery life at roughly 6 months on two AAA cells, per SMK-Link’s user guide.
Our top picks at a glance
| Remote | Best for | Setup | Brand coverage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderic RR3720 | Best overall | Preset codes + learning | 30+ brands | ~$18.95 |
| SMK-Link VP3720 | Best pre-programmed | No setup needed | 20+ brands | ~$29.99 |
| INTECHING BR-3001B | Best Optoma exact-match | Plug-and-play, no pairing | Optoma UHD35x/UHD38x family | ~$15-20 |
| 5J.J7N06.001-compatible | Best BenQ exact-match | Plug-and-play, no pairing | BenQ W1000/W1070/W1080ST family | ~$28.99 |
| Epson OEM remote (epson.com) | Best genuine manufacturer part | Plug-and-play | Model-specific Epson only | Varies, some discontinued |
1. Anderic RR3720 — Best Overall
Anderic RR3720
- Preset IR codes for 30+ projector brands, including Epson, BenQ, Optoma, and Sony.
- Learning function copies every button directly from your original remote if a preset code doesn't match.
- No projector-specific pairing menu required — program it once and it's done.
- Anderic also sells it as a direct listed substitute for specific OEM codes, like Panasonic's N2QAEA000025.
The RR3720 earns the top spot because it hedges both ways: it ships with preset codes for the vast majority of brands people search for — Epson, BenQ, Optoma, Sony, Panasonic, and two dozen more per Anderic’s own compatibility list — and if your specific model isn’t in that list, its learning mode lets you point a dying original remote at it and copy every button over individually. That combination means it’s very unlikely to fail regardless of what’s mounted on your ceiling.
Programming a new remote pairs well with a fresh soundtrack for movie night — Amazon Music Unlimited streams to any TV or projector setup. Try it free.
2. SMK-Link VP3720 — Best Pre-Programmed
SMK-Link VP3720
- Marketed by SMK-Link as the first universal remote built specifically for LCD and DLP projectors.
- Extensive pre-programmed code library covers 20+ brands out of the box, no learning step needed.
- Rated for roughly 6 months of battery life on two AAA cells, per SMK-Link's user guide.
- Backup learning capability is still included for edge-case models.
If the idea of pointing two remotes at each other to “teach” one of them sounds tedious, the VP3720 skips that step for most projectors — its code library is pre-loaded, so you pick your brand from a printed list, punch in a short code, and the remote works immediately. It costs more than the RR3720, but for anyone who just wants a working remote without a setup process, that’s a reasonable trade.
3. INTECHING BR-3001B — Best Optoma Exact-Match
INTECHING BR-3001B
- Reproduces the original Optoma button layout, including dedicated gaming-mode and keystone controls.
- Compatible with Optoma's UHD35STx, UHD35x, UHD38, and UHD38x — the models behind our best gaming projector pick.
- No pairing menu or code entry — works straight out of the box like the original remote.
- Runs on 2 AAA batteries, same as the OEM Optoma remote it replaces.
A universal remote handles the buttons you use every day, but it can’t always reproduce every specialty control an OEM remote has — Optoma’s UHD35x/UHD38x family, the same lineup behind our best gaming projector pick, uses dedicated buttons for game mode and keystone adjustment that a generic universal remote may map inconsistently. Exact-match replacements like the BR-3001B avoid that problem entirely by copying the original button layout one-to-one, and since they’re built for a specific model family, there’s no pairing step at all.
4. BenQ 5J.J7N06.001-Compatible Remote — Best BenQ Exact-Match
BenQ 5J.J7N06.001-Compatible Remote
- Matches BenQ's 5J.J7N06.001 OEM part number used across the W1000/W1060/W1070/W1080ST/W1250/W1300 family.
- No pairing or programming — works like the original remote from the first press.
- Worth confirming your exact BenQ model against the listing before buying, since BenQ uses different remote codes across its projector lines.
BenQ doesn’t use one universal remote code across its entire projector lineup, so an exact-match replacement is the safer bet if you know your model. Search by your BenQ model number plus “replacement remote” and confirm the listing names your specific projector before ordering — third-party sellers list compatible models directly in the title, the same way this one covers BenQ’s W1000-through-W1080ST DLP family.
5. Epson OEM Remote — Best Genuine Manufacturer Part
Epson OEM Remote (epson.com)
- Sold directly through Epson's own accessories store, matched to specific model families.
- Guaranteed correct button mapping since it's the exact part Epson ships in the box.
- Some older remote listings, including the one for PowerLite 84+/85+/92/93/95/96W models, are already discontinued as those projectors age out.
Buying genuine is the most conservative option if you own a current Epson model like the Home Cinema 2350 from our best home theater projector pillar — there’s zero guesswork on button mapping since it’s the identical part in the original box. The catch is availability: Epson discontinues remote listings as older projector lines are phased out, so if your model isn’t currently stocked, a universal remote from the picks above is the practical fallback.
How to pick the right remote for your projector
- Try a universal remote first if you don’t know your projector’s exact model number. Both the Anderic RR3720 and SMK-Link VP3720 cover the vast majority of brands and fall back to a learning mode for anything outside their preset list.
- Go exact-match if you rely on specialty buttons. Lens shift, keystone correction, and dedicated gaming or eco-mode toggles map more reliably on a remote built for your specific model than on a universal one.
- Check the model list in the product title before buying an exact-match remote. Third-party sellers list every compatible model directly, since one wrong digit in a model number (like UHD38 vs. UHD38x) can mean the wrong button layout.
- Genuine OEM remotes guarantee correct mapping but aren’t always in stock. Older projector lines get discontinued from manufacturer accessory stores well before the projector itself stops working.
- Confirm batteries and IR range match your old remote. Most projector remotes run on 2 AAA cells and need direct line-of-sight, so a remote with a shorter IR range can feel like a downgrade in a large home theater room.
The bottom line
For most people who’ve lost or broken a projector remote, the Anderic RR3720 is the safest first purchase — cheap, covers nearly every brand, and its learning mode is a reliable fallback. The SMK-Link VP3720 is worth the extra cost if you’d rather skip any setup step entirely. If you know your exact model and want every original button to work correctly, an exact-match replacement like INTECHING’s BR-3001B for Optoma or a 5J.J7N06.001-compatible remote for BenQ is the better fit, and Epson owners with a current model can check Epson’s own accessories store for a genuine OEM part first. Still setting up the projector itself? Our best home theater projector pillar and best gaming projector guide cover current picks.
Prices and specs verified July 2026 and subject to change; check the current listing before buying.