Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2015		Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 162,110		$ 160,467		$ 147,551		$ 132,705		$ 138,389		$ 147,780		$ 146,315		$ 129,845		$ 602,833	$ 562,329	$ 529,354
Gross profit	46,251		42,809		40,280		37,409		41,681		45,115		43,558		36,546		166,749	166,900	151,462
Operating income	10,383		9,033		10,400		6,103		9,831		13,785		11,674		5,990		35,919	41,280	32,154
Net income	9,335		6,274		8,375		5,189		8,902		10,871		8,488		4,273
Net income attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.	$ 9,339		$ 6,271		$ 8,375		$ 5,189		$ 8,902		$ 10,871		$ 8,488		$ 4,273		$ 29,174	$ 32,534	$ 22,963
Earnings per share attributable to Universal Electronics Inc.:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.65	[1]	$ 0.42	[1]	$ 0.53	[1]	$ 0.33	[1]	$ 0.56	[1]	$ 0.69	[1]	$ 0.54	[1]	$ 0.27	[1]	$ 1.91	$ 2.06	$ 1.51
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	[1]	$ 0.41	[1]	$ 0.52	[1]	$ 0.32	[1]	$ 0.55	[1]	$ 0.68	[1]	$ 0.53	[1]	$ 0.26	[1]	$ 1.88	$ 2.01	$ 1.47

[1] The earnings per common share calculations for each of the quarters were based upon the weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding during each period, and the sum of the quarters may not be equal to the full year earnings per share amounts.