Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
BASIC
Net income attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.	$ 1,728	$ 7,807	$ 6,531	$ 17,118
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	14,381	14,510	14,412	14,441
Basic earnings per share attributable to Universal Electronics Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.12	$ 0.54	$ 0.45	$ 1.19
DILUTED
Net income attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.	$ 1,728	$ 7,807	$ 6,531	$ 17,118
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	14,381	14,510	14,412	14,441
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and common stock warrants (in shares)	285	338	277	299
Weighted-average common shares outstanding on a diluted basis (in shares)	14,666	14,848	14,689	14,740
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Universal Electronics Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.12	$ 0.53	$ 0.44	$ 1.16