Business Combination (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combination
Contingent consideration		$ 11,200		$ 11,200		$ 0
Ecolink
Business Combination
Initial purchase price	$ 24,400
Cash consideration	13,167			13,167
Contingent consideration	$ 11,200	11,200		11,200
Acquisition costs		200	$ 200	200	$ 200
Fair value of noncontrolling interest		378		378
Net sales		300		300
Net loss		200		200
Initial purchase price adjustment period (in days)	120 days
Period of recognition for earnout payments to Acquiree (in years)	5 years
Increase in amortization and fair value used to compute pro forma net income and net income attributable to Universal Electronics		300	$ 500	$ 1,300	$ 1,800
Ecolink | Income Approach Valuation Technique
Business Combination
Contingent consideration discount rate	15.50%
Ecolink | Primary Beneficiary | Encore
Business Combination
Acquired ownership interest of Acquirees' subsidiary (percentage)	50.00%
Aggregate fair value of net assets acquired	$ 700
Fair value of noncontrolling interest	$ 400
Ecolink | Selling, general and administrative
Business Combination
Acquisition costs		$ 200