CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 695,790	$ 651,371	$ 602,833
Cost of sales	530,083	487,247	436,084
Gross profit	165,707	164,124	166,749
Research and development expenses	21,416	19,850	18,141
Factory transition restructuring charges	6,145	4,493	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	127,476	114,384	112,689
Operating income	10,670	25,397	35,919
Interest income (expense), net	(2,534)	(1,049)	63
Other income (expense), net	(848)	840	(7)
Income before provision for income taxes	7,288	25,188	35,975
Provision for income taxes	17,611	4,804	6,802
Net income (loss)	(10,323)	20,384	29,173
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	30	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.	$ (10,323)	$ 20,354	$ 29,174
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.72)	$ 1.41	$ 1.91
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.72)	$ 1.38	$ 1.88
Shares used in computing earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in shares)	14,351	14,465	15,248
Diluted (in shares)	14,351	14,764	15,542