Xbox One Media Remote

Xbox One Media Remote Price in Kenya, Full Specifications and Review (2026)

The Xbox One Media Remote price in Kenya is KSh 7,000. It is Microsoft’s official infrared remote for the Xbox One family: the original Xbox One, the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X. It is designed for watching rather than gaming. Dedicated playback buttons control Blu-ray movies, streaming apps and the Xbox menus, motion-activated backlit keys light up in a dark room, and a soft silicone finish makes it comfortable to hold. A OneGuide button gives one-touch access to entertainment, and it runs on two AAA batteries with a range of up to 9 metres.

A media remote makes sense for anyone who uses their Xbox One as a living-room entertainment box. Navigating Netflix, YouTube or a Blu-ray menu with a game controller works, but it’s clumsy. The controller has to be switched on and paired, its battery drains even when you’re only watching a film, and handing it to a family member who doesn’t game is awkward. A familiar TV-style remote with play, pause, rewind and volume buttons is simpler for everyone in the house, and its backlit keys suit movie nights with the lights off.

Before buying, check which console you own. The remote works only with Xbox One consoles, not the newer Xbox Series X and Series S, which have no infrared receiver.

The comparison at Phonesstore Kenya is the Amazon Fire Stick 4K at KSh 8,000. It’s a different kind of product, but for many buyers it’s the real alternative: for KSh 1,000 more, the Fire Stick adds a full 4K streaming device with its own voice remote to any TV.

You can buy the Xbox One Media Remote from Phonesstore Kenya, where it is available with competitive pricing and nationwide delivery across Kenya.

Xbox One Media Remote Full Specifications

General

Connectivity and Power

Buttons and Features

Compatibility

Price

What the Media Remote Does Well

The remote’s main job is to make watching easier. Dedicated play, pause, skip and rewind buttons control Blu-ray discs on the Xbox One’s built-in Blu-ray drive, along with streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube. Direction and select buttons handle the Xbox menus without waking a controller. That saves controller battery, a real benefit since Xbox controllers run on AA batteries or a rechargeable pack.

The OneGuide button opens Xbox One’s entertainment hub with one press. Motion-activated backlighting switches on the key lights when the remote is picked up and turns them off again to save battery. That makes it easy to find the right button in a dark room without blinding light. The soft silicone finish feels comfortable and grippy.

Compatibility: Xbox One Only

This is the most important thing to check before buying.

Works with: the original Xbox One, the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X. All three have a built-in infrared receiver that picks up the remote’s signal.

Does not work with: the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Microsoft removed the infrared receiver from these consoles, so an IR remote has nothing to talk to. Series X/S owners can control media using a controller, the Xbox mobile app, or their TV’s own remote through HDMI-CEC.

Some apps on Xbox One may still need a game controller for certain actions, though most media apps work with the remote.

Controlling Your TV’s Power and Volume

The remote can turn the TV and sound system on and off and adjust their volume, but how depends on the console:

• Xbox One S and Xbox One X have a built-in IR blaster. Once set up in the console’s TV and OneGuide settings, the console relays the remote’s commands to the TV and soundbar.
• The original Xbox One has no built-in IR blaster, so TV control needs a Kinect sensor or an IR extender cable, sold separately. Kinect has been discontinued, so an IR extender is the practical option.

Without one of these, the remote still controls the Xbox itself, but the TV’s own remote is needed for TV power and volume.

Range and Placement

The remote uses infrared with a range of up to 9 metres, which covers most living rooms. Infrared needs line of sight: the remote must point roughly towards the console, and objects such as a soundbar, cabinet door or decorations in front of the console’s IR receiver can block the signal. Consoles kept inside closed TV cabinets may not respond reliably.

Who Is the Xbox One Media Remote For?

Ideal for:

• Xbox One, One S and One X owners who use the console as their main entertainment box
• Households where family members who don’t game watch films and streaming on the Xbox
• Blu-ray watchers who want proper playback buttons
• Anyone who wants to save controller battery during long viewing sessions

Not ideal for:

• Xbox Series X and Series S owners, since the remote won’t work
• Original Xbox One owners without Kinect or an IR extender who want TV power and volume control
• Buyers mainly seeking better streaming, who may get more from a streaming stick

Pros and Cons

The Xbox One Media Remote has genuine strengths at KSh 7,000. It is Microsoft’s official remote for Xbox One, One S and One X, with dedicated playback buttons for Blu-ray, streaming apps and menus. Motion-activated backlit keys suit dark rooms, and the soft silicone finish is comfortable. The OneGuide button gives one-touch access, it controls TV power and volume via the One S/X IR blaster, and it saves controller battery during viewing. It runs on common AAA batteries with up to 9m of range.

Its main limitations are that it isn’t compatible with Xbox Series X or Series S. The original Xbox One needs Kinect or an IR extender for TV control, and infrared needs line of sight to the console. Some apps may still need a controller, and whether batteries are included isn’t specified. At KSh 7,000, it costs nearly as much as a full streaming stick.

Where to Buy Xbox One Media Remote in Kenya

You can buy the Xbox One Media Remote from Phonesstore Kenya, a trusted retailer for genuine Xbox accessories in Kenya. Phonesstore Kenya offers competitive pricing, reliable service, and nationwide delivery, making it convenient to order from anywhere in the country.

Xbox One Media Remote vs Amazon Fire Stick 4K

These products take different approaches to easier TV watching. The Xbox One Media Remote, at KSh 7,000, is a remote for your existing Xbox One. It adds playback buttons, backlit keys and TV control, but it relies on the console for apps and streaming, and it doesn’t work with Xbox Series X/S. The Amazon Fire Stick 4K, at KSh 8,000, is a complete streaming device. It plugs into any TV’s HDMI port and runs streaming apps in 4K with its own Alexa voice remote, with no console needed.

Xbox One owners who watch Blu-rays and want a dedicated remote for their console should choose the Media Remote; buyers mainly after easier, better-quality streaming will get more for KSh 1,000 extra with the Fire Stick 4K, which works on any TV without the console.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Xbox One Media Remote price in Kenya?
The Xbox One Media Remote is priced at KSh 7,000 at Phonesstore Kenya.

Does it work with Xbox Series X or Series S?
No. The Series X and Series S have no infrared receiver, so the remote won’t work with them.

Can it turn my TV on and off?
Yes, on Xbox One S and One X, which have a built-in IR blaster. The original Xbox One needs a Kinect or an IR extender cable for TV control.

Does it work with Netflix and YouTube?
Yes. It controls most streaming apps on Xbox One, though a few apps may still need a game controller for some actions.

Why isn’t the remote responding?
Check that nothing blocks the line of sight to the console’s IR receiver, that the console isn’t inside a closed cabinet, and that the AAA batteries are fresh.

What batteries does it use?
Two AAA batteries. Whether they’re included in the box isn’t specified.

Do the keys light up?
Yes. Motion-activated backlighting turns on when you pick up the remote, which is useful in a dark room.

Should buyers get the Media Remote or a Fire Stick 4K?
The Media Remote suits Xbox One owners who want a dedicated remote, especially for Blu-rays. The Amazon Fire Stick 4K, at KSh 8,000 at Phonesstore Kenya, suits buyers who mainly want better streaming on any TV.

Get yours today at Phones Store Kenya.