Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2015		Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
BASIC
Net income attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.	$ 3,236		$ 7,807		$ 6,590		$ 2,721		$ 9,339		$ 6,271		$ 8,375		$ 5,189		$ 20,354	$ 29,174	$ 32,534
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic (in shares)																	14,465	15,248	15,781
Basic earnings per share attributable to Universal Electronics Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	[1]	$ 0.54	[1]	$ 0.46	[1]	$ 0.19	[1]	$ 0.65	[1]	$ 0.42	[1]	$ 0.53	[1]	$ 0.33	[1]	$ 1.41	$ 1.91	$ 2.06
DILUTED
Net income attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.	$ 3,236		$ 7,807		$ 6,590		$ 2,721		$ 9,339		$ 6,271		$ 8,375		$ 5,189		$ 20,354	$ 29,174	$ 32,534
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic (in shares)																	14,465	15,248	15,781
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock (in shares)																	299	294	371
Weighted-average common shares outstanding on a diluted basis (in shares)																	14,764	15,542	16,152
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Universal Electronics Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	[1]	$ 0.53	[1]	$ 0.45	[1]	$ 0.19	[1]	$ 0.64	[1]	$ 0.41	[1]	$ 0.52	[1]	$ 0.32	[1]	$ 1.38	$ 1.88	$ 2.01

[1] The earnings per common share calculations for each of the quarters were based upon the weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding during each period, and the sum of the quarters may not be equal to the full year earnings per share amounts.