This post is based on an idea put forward by @Nick4.
Forum members are encouraged to add short hardware reviews of similar hardware items they have used in the format below. (Note that you must have actually tried the hardware as a user - no spam please!)
This thread is for IR blasters. Add a new post to review yours. Start a new thread in the same format to review other types of hardware.
Template
Please use this format when adding items to this thread
Brand: Model: Link to exact product: Protocol: HA Integration: In use since: Number of this item in use: Positive: Negative: My rating (1-5, 1 being bad, 5 being super): Comment:
User experiences: Broadlink RM4 Mini Universal Infrared Remote Controller
Brand: Broadlink Model: RM4 mini Link to exact product:IR UNIVERSAL REMOTE-Broadlink博联智能 Protocol: Wi-fi IR HA Integration: Broadlink In use since: 2021 Number of this item in use: 1
Positive:
Local - once device is on wi-fi network (no need to open Broadlink account)
Wi-fi based
Integrated with HA
Fast response
Integration allows creation of switches for use in dashboards
Once learned, all IR codes are easily accessible for reference
Negative:
No good if you haven’t got wi-fi
Broadlink app needed to add to wi-fi network
Fiddly to set up - only works with 2.4Ghz
Learning codes quite a complex process
Sensitive to poor wi-fi signal - can get repeated timeouts
May need resetting after a router restart
Mains powered (via USB adapter) - can make placement difficult
My rating (1-5, 1 being bad, 5 being super): 2
Comment:
A good workhorse, but by no means “set up and forget”.
User experiences: Broadlink RM4 Pro Universal IR/RF Remote Controller
Brand: Broadlink Model: RM4 Pro Link to exact product:IR/RF UNIVERSAL REMOTE-Broadlink博联智能 Protocol: Wi-fi IR/RF 434 MHz. HA Integration: Broadlink In use since: 2021 Number of this item in use: 1
Positive:
Local - once device is on wi-fi network
Wi-fi based
Integrated with HA
Also controls RF devices
Fast response
Integration allows creation of switches for use in dashboards
Once learned, all IR codes are easily accessible for reference
Negative:
Not good if wi-fi is unreliable
Broadlink app needed to add to wi-fi network
Fiddly to set up - only works with 2.4Ghz
Learning codes quite a complex process
Mains powered (via USB adapter) - can make placement difficult
My rating (1-5, 1 being bad, 5 being super): 3
Comment:
I use it mainly for RF (the range is good enough to cover the whole house), but I’ve never had any problems with IR. Reliable. Does not time out like the RM4 mini.
Brand: Global Cache Model: GC-100-06 Link to exact product:https://www.amazon.com/Global-Cache-Network-Adapter-6-Inch/dp/B0002M5O2K In use since: 2005 Number of this item in use: 1 Positive:
Good IR Database to access codes
No Problems and I use 2 blasters in my media room
With addon can get codes from any remote
Easy access interface through web
Serial Port available if needed
Ethernet access
It just works after getting codes and setup in HA Negative:
No Relays
More expensive than other products
No Wi-Fi My rating (1-5, 1 being bad, 5 being super): 4.5 / 5.0 Comment:
This may be a discontinued product. The GC-100-12 is no longer available. The itach is available but it is just IP2IR no serial. The best thing I can say is it just works.
Does it really change continuously? I got IR remotes that blast indeed different codes when the same button is pressed - but when analyzed they are actually only two alternating ir codes. It might be tricky to spot if the protocol isn’t detected and the output is only raw/pronto.
On another note IR remotes for climate devices often need a special treatment (still no rolling codes involved afaik).
This obviously works on every IR blaster which can be completely owned!
And… grrrrr… Broadlink has a limit of the maximum number of characters in your wifi password of thirtysometing characters, whereas wifi has a limit of 63. I have a longer password, which makes them useless. And I’m not about to change the password of over a hundred devices to satisfy a cheap IR blaster.
So then stick with the devices you know that are completely ownable (includes the right to repair )
No need removing chips or soldering around. It’s enough to hold the serial adapter to the RX/TX/GND/VCC pins of the device. The device mention does actually have holes broken out and it’s very is just to use dupont cables and hold them in place for the 20 seconds for the initial serial flash
Means I have to live in constant fear that a war driver might pass by to authenticate through the Broadlink RM’s into my (invisible) IoT-device’s restricted WiFi network ?
) for me 
(includes the right to repair 
)
) year old protected management frames (
In that case the war drivers don’t need to stop but can do an easy drive by 