Earnings (Loss) 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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
BASIC
Net income (loss) attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.	$ (16,854)	$ 1,728	$ 4,684	$ 119	$ 3,236	$ 7,807	$ 6,590	$ 2,721	$ (10,323)	$ 20,354	$ 29,174
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic (in shares)									14,351	14,465	15,248
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Universal Electronics Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ (1.19)	$ 0.12	$ 0.33	$ 0.01	$ 0.22	$ 0.54	$ 0.46	$ 0.19	$ (0.72)	$ 1.41	$ 1.91
DILUTED
Net income (loss) attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.	$ (16,854)	$ 1,728	$ 4,684	$ 119	$ 3,236	$ 7,807	$ 6,590	$ 2,721	$ (10,323)	$ 20,354	$ 29,174
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic (in shares)									14,351	14,465	15,248
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and common stock warrants (in shares)									0	299	294
Weighted-average common shares outstanding on a diluted basis (in shares)									14,351	14,764	15,542
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Universal Electronics Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ (1.19)	$ 0.12	$ 0.32	$ 0.01	$ 0.22	$ 0.53	$ 0.45	$ 0.19	$ (0.72)	$ 1.38	$ 1.88