As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.
The HTPC IR-receiver market is small and dominated by two names, Flirc and Inteset, since Microsoft’s original eHome/MCE receiver standard from the Windows Media Center era is still what Kodi and most remote apps use today, even though Media Center itself is long dead. This list stays short rather than padding it with unverified generic listings.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flirc USB (2nd Generation) | $20-$25 | Amazon |
| 2 | Inteset IReTV USB IR Receiver (INT422) | $15-$25 | Amazon |
| 3 | Inteset USB External Infrared Receiver with Cable | $15-$20 | Amazon |
| 4 | Inteset USB Internal Infrared Receiver with Mounting Bracket | $20-$30 | Amazon |
| 5 | Inteset PC-IRS5-01 Internal IR Receiver | $25-$35 | Amazon |
The picks, in detail
Flirc USB (2nd Generation)
The most widely used HTPC IR receiver today, letting any remote you already own control Kodi, Plex, or other media-center software through fully user-programmable key mapping.
- Works with any IR remote, not just eHome-branded ones
- User-programmable key mapping stored on the device itself
- Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- No background software required after setup
- Widest remote compatibility of anything on this list — pairs with whatever remote you already own
- Mappings live on the device, so no app needs to keep running in the background
- Learning-remote pairing takes a setup pass per remote button
- No wake-from-shutdown (S5) support like Inteset’s dedicated internal receiver
Inteset IReTV USB IR Receiver (INT422)
A dedicated receiver built specifically for Kodi, Media Center-style apps, and streaming-box remotes, pairing well with Inteset’s own 4-in-1 learning remote.
- Plug-and-play, no drivers to install on most systems
- Compatible with Kodi, MCE-based apps, and streaming device remotes
- Works with Inteset’s INT422 and Harmony remotes
- USB Y-cable option for longer runs
- Purpose-built for exactly this use case rather than a general learning receiver
- Pairs cleanly with Inteset’s own learning remote if you want a matched set
- Less remote-agnostic than Flirc’s fully programmable approach
- Smaller mainstream brand recognition than Flirc
Inteset USB External Infrared Receiver with Cable
A standard external eHome-driver receiver for Windows systems, using Microsoft’s native eHome driver so there’s no third-party software to install.
- Uses Microsoft’s native eHome driver
- No software installation required on Windows
- External puck-style receiver on a cable
- Compatible with MCE and Kodi setups
- Zero extra software since it rides on Windows’ built-in eHome driver
- Cable-mounted puck design is easy to position for line-of-sight
- Windows-centric — less plug-and-play on macOS/Linux than Flirc
- External puck adds one more cable to route inside or behind the case
Inteset USB Internal Infrared Receiver with Mounting Bracket
An internal version for HTPC builders who want the receiver’s sensor mounted flush in a drive bay rather than a dangling external puck.
- Internal mounting bracket for a drive bay or front panel
- Standard eHome Microsoft driver
- Compatible with Windows and Linux/Kodi
- No visible external dongle
- Cleaner build with no external puck or dongle hanging off the case
- Same driver compatibility as the external Inteset model
- Needs a spare drive bay or front-panel cutout to mount
- More installation effort than a plug-in USB puck
Inteset PC-IRS5-01 Internal IR Receiver
A specialized internal receiver that can wake the HTPC from a full shutdown (S5 state) via remote, not just from sleep.
- Wakes the PC from S5 (full shutdown), not just sleep
- Internal motherboard header connection
- Included external IR extender kit
- Works across Windows and Linux HTPC builds
- The only receiver on this list that can power the PC on from a cold shutdown
- Extender kit means the sensor can sit outside the case for line-of-sight
- More involved installation, tying into motherboard headers rather than a simple USB port
- Motherboard S5 wake support varies, so check your board first
Buying tips
- If you want to use a remote you already own (a TV remote, a universal remote), Flirc’s fully programmable pairing is the most flexible option here — Inteset’s receivers lean toward MCE-style or Harmony-family remotes.
- Check whether you need the PC to wake from a full shutdown versus just sleep — only the Inteset PC-IRS5-01 handles waking from S5, and it requires a motherboard header connection rather than a simple USB port.
- An internal receiver keeps the build tidier, but confirm your case has a free drive bay or front-panel cutout before choosing one over a plug-in USB puck.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.