CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 651,371	$ 602,833	$ 562,329
Cost of sales	487,247	436,084	395,429
Gross profit	164,124	166,749	166,900
Research and development expenses	19,850	18,141	16,975
Selling, general and administrative expenses	118,877	112,689	108,645
Operating income	25,397	35,919	41,280
Interest income (expense), net	(1,049)	63	11
Other income (expense), net	840	(7)	(840)
Income before provision for income taxes	25,188	35,975	40,451
Provision for income taxes	4,804	6,802	7,917
Net income	20,384	29,173	32,534
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	30	(1)	0
Net income attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.	$ 20,354	$ 29,174	$ 32,534
Earnings per share attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.41	$ 1.91	$ 2.06
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.38	$ 1.88	$ 2.01
Shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic (in shares)	14,465	15,248	15,781
Diluted (in shares)	14,764	15,542	16,152