Access and enjoy the over-the-air channels in your area with these HDTV antennas.
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In an era defined by streaming services and online cable offerings like Sling and YouTube TV, it’s easy to forget that over-the-air (OTA) TV exists. Yes, your TV can still get your local ABC, NBC, and CBS channels–plus a handful of other broadcast channels–which broadcast their signal for anyone with an HDTV antenna. If streaming devices cover most of your needs, but you want to watch major events like The Super Bowl and The Oscars, an antenna is an enticing (read: affordable) alternative to signing up for a new service just for one night. Plus, OTA offerings are getting better all the time: Even with rabbit ears, you can get a 1080p (Full HD) signal from every channel.
Though there aren’t too many fine distinctions between good and great antennas, we checked with an antenna expert and found that there are a few technical requirements that you want to look for. At the very least, keep in mind that there are indoor antennas made for urban areas with lots of buildings that might impact picture quality, and outdoor antennas for distant suburbs and rural areas where range may be a factor.
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First thing’s first: There is no such thing as an "HD" antenna. "An antenna is an antenna," says Kleinle. Even the cheapest junk antenna that you can buy on Amazon is theoretically capable of receiving an HD signal. Broadcast TV isn't like a streaming service, which will put you on a lower resolution if your internet signal is poor: Most OTA signals broadcast at HD resolutions, 1080i or 720p. Static and pixelation are signs of bad reception, but you'll still get an HD image.
Picture quality from a broadcast signal doesn’t always come out perfectly, but the issue is a matter of antenna mechanics, not resolution. Less-than-ideal positioning, as well as antenna size and shape can all impact signal quality. Worst case, you may be right at the edge of a channel’s broadcast area.
If you want to get perfect reception from your TV antenna, you need to understand the types of signals that your antenna is picking up. Local TV stations use two major types of signals, VHF (very high frequency) and UHF (ultra-high frequency). A good antenna must be able to pick up both kinds of signal, as almost all areas have major networks broadcasting across both spectrums.
VHF channels run from 2 to 13, whereas UHF channels go from 14 all the way up to 36. Most channels are UHF; however, it's important to note that these channel numbers don't necessarily correspond to the channels you actually use on your TV. With the transition to digital TV signals, broadcasters gained the ability to set a virtual channel number. All of which is to say, don’t assume you don’t need VHF or UHF just because your favorite channels are all low or high. All of the antennas we recommend are capable of picking up both UHF and VHF within a certain range.
The major distinguishing feature among different antennas is their range, or the ability to receive signals from far-off broadcast stations. Most TV manufacturers are very clear about antenna range: They slap an estimate right on the box. There’s just one problem, though: Kleinle warns that manufacturers’ official range specs usually aren’t accurate. Instead of taking their word for it, we recommend looking at the size and shape of an antenna to get a sense of its capabilities.
To ensure you get the best possible picture quality on the largest number of channels, he recommends looking for two key elements: A short horizontal rod to pick up UHF signals and a longer vertical rod to pick up VHF signal: Specifically, look for an antenna with a 4-inch UHF horizontal bar, and a 3-foot wide element for VHF frequencies. An antenna with shorter bars is less likely to pick up a strong signal across both frequencies.
General antenna size is important, too. As you get farther from where your channels are broadcast, you need a larger antenna to get good reception. "Strong signal areas can typically get away with a small indoor or outdoor antenna," Kleinle says. "Fair signal areas might need a medium sized antenna installed in the attic or outside, and weak signal areas will likely need a large antenna installed outside." (In this case, small antennas are about 12 inches by 12 inches, medium antennas are around 24 inches by 12 to 18 inches, and large antennas are 36 inches by 18 inches or even larger.)
"In most locations, a directional antenna is best, as omni-directional antennas don't pick up fair to weak signals well and are prone to interference from picking up reflected signals," Kleinle says. "...An antenna should [be made] of mostly metal with multiple elements and at least one of the elements should be about 3 feet wide for VHF reception."
The shape of your antenna can also impact performance and reception range: Antenna shapes come in one of two flavors–“Directional” and “omnidirectional.” The difference is right there in the name: Omnidirectional antennas can pick up signals from the same distance in any direction, while directional antennas need to be pointed toward the signal you want to pick up. Directional antennas allow you to grab signals from further away, but omnidirectional designs don’t need to be adjusted.
If you’re thinking about taking the time to set up an antenna, you may as well take a minute beforehand and see what channels you’ll be able to pick up. The farther away you are from the signal source, the more likely you are to need a large directional antenna to get a good reception over-the-air. If you live closer, an omnidirectional antenna might be able to get the job done. Just remember to put the antenna as high as possible and point it in the proper direction, especially if the signal source is far away.
Kleinle recommends visiting a dedicated OTA site like AntennaWeb to see what channels are broadcasting in your area: You simply enter your zip code and it’ll show you what channels are nearby and where they broadcast from. Living in Miami, I'm able to pick up several dozen channels with a small flat-panel antenna, but my relatives living in the rural Carolinas would likely need to mount a larger outdoor antenna on their roof.
Most of the antennas in this guide were recommended directly by Kleinle based on his expertise and firsthand testing of these products. We also sifted through dozens of product listings, reviews from customers and fellow experts. I aimed to highlight a wide range of antenna sizes and use cases, from those who need only a small basic model to those who need a roof installation for those sweet, sweet programs.
When you search "HDTV antenna" on Amazon, you're going to see about 20 to 30 cheap flat-panel antennas made for city homes. Though they all look the same, I found the Channel Master Flatenna stands out, providing good reception in signal-rich areas. Despite its small size and low profile, it can pick up channels within 20 to 30 miles away when positioned well.
I have one of these at home to catch Florida Panthers games during hockey season, and I can say that it works significantly better than any other antenna I've owned in its price range. At just $35, it's a steal.
The Antennas Direct Clearstream 2V hits the Goldilocks zone between small indoor and large outdoor antennas in almost every department. It’s a bit more heavy-duty than a slim-panel antenna you can put in your window, but it performs far better: Kleinle has used it to pick up signals within an impressive range for its size. It’s also fairly small for an indoor/outdoor antenna, which makes it a strong choice if you have room in your attic or want it mounted on your roof. Though it requires a bit more setup than a basic indoor option, the Clearstream 2V delivers the best performance for its size and price if you’re willing to put a little more time in.
If you live in a signal-rich area and need a small antenna, but would prefer not to position it up high on a wall or window, the Mohu Gateway is a good alternative to the Flatenna that you can place on a window sill, bookshelf, or TV stand.
The range is short–it works well if you live within 10 to 20 miles of the stations you're looking to pick up, but should be fine for city-dwellers. Perhaps more importantly for those choosing a freestanding option, it has an understated design that won’t draw too much attention sitting on top of a TV stand.
The Televes Dinova Boss Mix may look unassuming, but Kleinle says it's one of the most versatile antennas out there, and he recommends it frequently. He said it's one of the few antennas that actually hits its manufacturer-estimated range–an impressive 60 miles. More importantly, it's smaller and creates less visual clutter than other antennas offering that much range. Its low profile and performance make it a strong outdoor option for homeowners who don’t want a large ugly mess of metal sticking up on their roof, though it’s also more discreet when set up inside. There are definitely more powerful outdoor antennas out there, but most of them are larger and cost around twice as much as the Dinova Boss Mix.
Another winner from Televes, Kleinle said the Televes Ellipse Mix delivers incredible performance for its size. According to his testing, it can pick up signals across the board from 40 to 50 miles away, though some customer reviews suggest it can reach up to 70. It’s easy to install–a crucial point for outdoor antennas–and features a built-in preamplifier and signal filters, which experts say help ensure that you get the best possible picture. If you live in a truly rural area, you might need a bigger antenna than this, but if you're within 40 to 50 miles of the tower, it's more than likely that this'll get the job done.
If you're looking for a swing-for-the-fences long range antenna for rural homes, Kleinle recommends the Televes DAT Series Boss Mix. It delivers a clear signal from 90 to 100 miles away, allowing it to pull in signals that otherwise might be too weak for other antennas.
Like the Ellipse Mix, it also features a built-in amplifier and signal filters to make sure your broadcasts look sharp. It’s big and requires an assembly process that can take up to an hour, but when you’re done, you should have access to every OTA channel you could hope for.
What's the difference between UHF and VHF?
According to Kleinle, the elements of an antenna that pick up UHF signals tend to be several inches in size, while VHF elements are several feet long. This is because UHF signals have a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than VHF signals, and vice versa. All of the antennas we recommend above are capable of picking up both VHF and UHF signals, though some might be better than others depending on your area.
How do I position my antenna for the best possible range and signal?
In order to get the best reception, you should place your antenna as high as possible. If it's a directional antenna, be sure to point it towards the signal source. For indoor antennas, that might mean mounting the antenna high on a wall or in a room that's closest to that source. For indoor/outdoor antennas, you could set it up in an attic or top-floor closet.
If you want to mount it on your roof, make sure to use a permanent mast mount or a sturdy tripod to hold it in position. Kleinle warns that you should not do it yourself if you have no experience. Make sure you have a coaxial cable that's the proper length and thickness to make the climb.
Do pre-amplifiers and signal filters actually help you get better reception?
Kleinle says that the only brand with built-in amplifiers that he trusts is Televes, and he suggests avoiding other manufacturers that advertise this feature. He also says that 5G filters can be useful to avoid interference from nearby cell towers, but that you can install one onto any antenna with the right tools. The important thing is the design and shape of the antenna, not its fancy bells and whistles.
"Amplifiers only make up for signal loss in a long coax cable or when using a splitter to connect multiple TVs," he says. "They do not magically bring in channels that are not being picked up by the antenna, so the antenna design is the most important factor when it comes to picking up all local channels reliably."
Steven T. Wright is a freelance writer based in Miami, FL. He has been a full-time writer of various things for around a decade, especially long-form features about tech and digital culture. He enjoys spending time with his wife and cat, hiking, and reading weird fiction. You can follow him on Twitter @MadCathedral.
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