Severing ties with our cable TV providers has become easier than ever, thanks to all kinds of web-connected innovations, brought to us by smart TVs and streaming devices. For many of us, though, there is one thing that keeps many a household tied to a cable provider, and that’s access to local TV stations.
Fortunately, certain streaming devices (and smart TVs) now include app versions of many live TV stations, but what if you’re looking to catch that Santa Claus parade that only your local NBC affiliate will be broadcasting? In the event that you can’t stream a station, you can always purchase an HD antenna instead. Like the models of yesteryear, today’s antennas plug directly into your TV’s coaxial input, and after running a channel scan, you’ll be able to watch a number of local stations free of charge. There are many different antennas out there though, so we’ve put together all the best choices in this roundup of the best TV antennas.
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Mohu Leaf Plus Amplified
The best overall TV antenna
Mohu’s Leaf Plus Amplified model is a future-proof, eco-friendly flat antenna near-perfect combination of affordability and quality. This antenna sports a 60-mile range and is able to handle 4K content (if available in your area). The flat design also allows you to place the amplifier as close to the antenna port as possible to reduce noise and improve signal clarity. With those features, it’s no surprise that the multi-direction antenna excels at picking up signals, even when lesser antennas may struggle with the job.
The Mohu Leaf Plus Amplified is also incredibly easy to set up: The thin construction is designed to be attached to any wall or window. You can also paint over it without worrying about loss of signal quality if you want it to match a specific color or decor setup. The 16-foot coaxial cable also makes it easy to find the spot with the best reception even if it’s not exactly close to your TV.
Winegard Amped Pro
The most user-friendly antenna
The Winegard Amped Pro is the only TV antenna in this roundup to utilize a mobile app as part of your TV setup. Available for iOS and Android devices, the Winegard Connected app pairs to the Amped Pro antenna via Bluetooth. During setup, you’ll be guided on where to locate the Amped Pro based on your home’s proximity to community broadcast towers, ensuring you’ll get the best signal possible based on your residence. Engineered for long-distance receiving, the Amped Pro is rated to capture broadcast signals up to 60 miles away. All this to say that signal strength certainly won’t be an issue with this model!
Along with a friendly mobile experience, the Amped Pro features Winegard’s Clear Circuit Technology, which provides boosted signal strength, cuts down on dropouts, and helps to eliminate pixelation in your TV’s received image. Reversible for a white or black antenna appearance, and mountable to windows and walls, the Winegard Amped Pro is the ideal indoor antenna for those that want to cut the cord with style.
Philips Modern Loop Rabbit Ears Antenna
The best budget TV antenna
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For only $15, the Philips Modern Loop antenna isn’t built for long-range performance like other antennas in this roundup. Instead, you can expect up to a 30-mile range for both VHF and UHF broadcast signals from these rabbit ears. A weighted base and rubber feet keep the Modern Loop from bouncing off your entertainment center, which is great for nosy pets and active toddlers.
If you’re finding your picture is cutting in and out, the Modern Loop’s extendable dipoles add a layer of amplification to the antenna’s reception. While it’s not glorious by any means, the Philips Modern Loop is the perfect antenna for those living close to broadcast towers, or those living further from towers that only care about receiving three or four stations.
Gesobyte Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna
The best flat TV antenna
If you like the flat design of some antennas but want to make sure you’re also getting as much power as possible, look to this Gesobyte model. It’s slightly thicker than some of our other flat picks, but it includes an updated power amplifier that makes this one of the best flat antennas you can buy. It also has a unique dual-mode design: There’s a short-range mode for accurately picking up signals around 35 miles away and a long-range mode that can search for signals up to 200 miles away. Choose the one that works best based on the number of towers where you live, and you should see results.
The Gesobyte antenna also offers filtering to remove possible interference from cell signals, as well as an 18-foot-long cable and USB power adapter to help during setup. This collection of features makes the antenna very easy to recommend, especially if you want to keep it out of sight while still getting lots of channels.
Mohu Leaf Metro
The best small TV antenna
Though admittedly weaker than Mohu’s larger Leaf antenna, the Leaf Metro antenna is the perfect tiny antenna for compact living spaces. Mohu designed the Leaf Metro for discreet installation in homes located close to broadcast towers. As such, those living in downtown or urban areas are most likely to get the best results from the Leaf Metro, which has a range of approximately 25 miles.
To compound the versatility enabled by its tiny size, the Leaf Metro digital TV antenna also comes in either black or white, so users have the ability to paint it to match their interior. Plus, its adhesive coating means it’ll stick to almost any surface and can be moved to other locations with ease. An included 10-foot coaxial cable allows for fairly flexible installation.
Clearstream 2Max HDTV Antenna
The best indoor/outdoor TV antenna
Whether you’re using it indoors or as your dedicated outdoor TV antenna, the Clearstream 2Max is quite simple to use and assemble, utilizing clamps or a base for installation. Despite the antenna being larger than almost every other antenna listed here, it’s not so big that it can’t fit behind a TV or mount to the wall of your living room. For outdoor installation, a 20-inch mast is included.
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While we’re recommending the Clearstream 2Max HDTV Antenna with 60-mile reception, if you live way out in the boonies, it may also be worthwhile to look into the larger and pricier 4Max version of the outdoor antenna, which features a 70-mile reception range and (some say) more reliable connection. Similarly, if you live closer to a signal, the 1max, which has a 40-mile range, is also a good option for an amplified antenna. With such a range of options available in the Clearstream Max line, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a great way to get free HD TV in the countryside.
Channel Master STEALTHtenna
The best outdoor TV antenna
For most users, an indoor HDTV antenna will nab the channels you desire. There are some spots, however, where only an outdoor antenna will do the job. With a reception range of over 50 miles (sometimes more depending on your location), Channel Master’s STEALTHtenna provides incredible performance and impressive signal quality. This is thanks in part to the antenna’s tough powder-coated aluminum body that can withstand the mightiest winds and nasty weather, allowing your signal to shine regardless of how gloomy the skies are.
The Channel Master STEALTHtenna is a small and light OTA antenna, making it easy to find the proper location for mounting, and includes installation hardware for mounting the antenna to a flat wall, eaves, or fascia board. Two included U-bolts also allow you to mount the antenna to a mast or pole. Better yet, if you’re dropping your satellite service, you can use the U-bolts to mount your Channel Master to your old Dish Network hardware. For performance, easy installation, and durable design, look no further than the Channel Master STEALTHtenna.
Antop AT-800SBS
The best multi-use TV antenna
If you’re looking for not just an HDTV antenna but a comprehensive antenna that can offer lots of options, check this Antop model out. Yes, it’s big and bulky. Yep, it’s harder to install than many of our picks. But it can also do a little of everything: You can mount it indoors or outdoors, it doesn’t have to face any particular way, and it has an extra-long 40-foot cable to expand your installation options. Plus, it includes an FM antenna for picking up radio.
But the customization options on this antenna don’t end there. The power booster includes an adjustment dial so you can find the right mix between range and clarity, there’s a filter for cell signals, and you can connect two devices at the same time (one for a TV and one for a radio, for example). The kit includes both an indoor stand and wall- or pole-mounting supplies, so you should have everything you need.
Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse
Easily blends with any decor
The ClearStream Eclipse is a simple circle that you can stick on any nearby surface, making it especially useful for TV setups where you don’t have much space but still want to add an antenna. It’s even paintable, so you can paint it to match your wall or nearby décor. The 12-foot coaxial cable also gives you plenty of options to place the antenna away from your TV.
The model is rated for signals up to 35 miles away, and Antenna’s Direct has an Antenna Point app that can help you locate nearby TV towers to see what signals you are most likely to pick up at this range. There aren’t a lot of extra bells or whistles here, but the ease of placement is unparalleled.
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Categories: Outdoor
