Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ 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
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 160,542		$ 169,185		$ 170,986		$ 150,658		$ 162,110		$ 160,467		$ 147,551		$ 132,705		$ 651,371	$ 602,833	$ 562,329
Gross profit	41,236		41,785		43,456		37,647		46,251		42,809		40,280		37,409		164,124	166,749	166,900
Operating income	6,266		8,121		7,969		3,041		10,383		9,033		10,400		6,103		25,397	35,919	41,280
Net income	3,236		7,807		6,598		2,743		9,335		6,274		8,375		5,189		20,384	29,173	32,534
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
Earnings per share attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.:
Basic (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 (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.