I use a Logitech Harmony 350 for media browsing/viewing/normal functions, and a wireless 360 controller when gaming. This is on my SHIELD.
I've never even used my Nexus player's remote. Enabled HDMI CEC and it works flawlessly with my Sony TV's remote.
Nexus Player here. Tend to switch back and forth between the included remote and the TV remote. Our biggest apps used are Live Channels, Plex, and Youtube. Apps that really just need the directional arrows, ok button, and back.
The phone app I'd hate to use on a regular basis as I prefer to have that physical feedback to go by. Even for stuff like keyboard input I just keep a cheap bluetoothe keyboard on standby for that purpose. A gamepad would be good if I also played games on a regular basis which is not the use case in our house so never ventured to buy one.
I am happy to see that mouse/keyboard usage is minimal.
I use the app for my Nexus whenever I lose the remote and am too lazy to look for it.
I use a combination of my TV remote, the gamepad, and the Android TV app. It depends on what I'm doing. Most of the time, I'm using the TV remote.
You can use team viewer to control your android box using screen mirror now, incredibly useful
Between YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu, I've used my Nexus player about 6hours a day every day for the last year or so.
I use my stock remote, an air mouse & a Bluetooth controller , scenario pending of course. Tho I get the most day-2-day use out of the air mouse, being it does everything the stock remote does & more.
With my penis
Surprised they didn't have a category for 3rd party remotes. My Harmony Hub remote is way nicer than the stock Mi Box remote (albeit without the voice control, which I don't care about).