Like streaming, a TV antenna is an alternative option to cable and satellite providers, letting you access free, over-air broadcast channels. Many support UHF and VHF signal types, ATSC 3.0 digital signals for a wider range of channels, and cleaner image quality. A good TV antenna will also have a built-in signal filter chip to help prevent LTE, FM, and other signal types from interfering with your programs. Some models also include a signal booster to help extend the antenna's reception range, which is great for anyone who lives in a more rural area, far away from broadcast towers.
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My pick for the best TV antenna is theGesobyte amplified indoor antenna . It supports VHF, UHF, and ATSC 3.0 signals, and it has a range of up to250 miles. This makes it great for rural, suburban, and city homes. You can keep reading below to find out more about the Gesobyte antenna as well as other picks on the list.
Gesobyte amplified features: Signal support:VHF/UHF, Atsc 3.0Coax cable length:18 feetIndoor/outdoor:IndoorReception range: 250 miles
The Gesobyte amplified indoor TV antenna is a great option for rural, suburban, and city homes with its 250-mile reception range. The in-line signal booster lets you switch between long and short-range signal reception, making it a great choice for anyone who may live farther away from broadcast towers.
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It also features an 18-foot coax cable for connecting to your TV to give you more options for perfect placement. The flat, window-mount design also helps the antenna receive signals from both the front and back of the panel for better signal strength while the built-in signal filter blocks LTE and FM inputs for clearer pictures.
View now at AmazonVansky VS-TX01 features: Signal support:VHF/UHFCoax cable length:16.5 feetIndoor/outdoor:IndoorReception range:250 miles
If you're looking for an indoor TV antenna, the Vansky VS-TX01 is an excellent option. It supports both VHF and UHF signals to provide a wider range of local channels as well as an optional amplifier to boost its range up to 250 miles. It also has a built-in signal filter chip to block LTE and FM interference for cleaner images.
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With its ultra-simple setup process, you'll be able to start watching local news, sports, and entertainment channels right out of the box.
View now at AmazonGE outdoor antennafeatures: Signal support:VHF/UHF, ATSC 3.0Coax cable length:N/AIndoor/outdoor:OutdoorReception range:70 miles
For rural homeowners, an outdoor TV antenna is the best option for over-air broadcast since it will give you the best chance of picking up signals. The GE outdoor antennais designed to be mounted on the exterior of your home (or in your attic, if you have the space), and includes all the mounting hardware you need for the perfect placement.
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The antenna itself also features a cage-like design to help filter out LTE, FM, and other signal types that can interfere with TV signal strength and image quality. It supports both UHF and VHF broadcast signals as well as ATSC 3.0 for native 1080p resolution for over-air broadcasts and better 4K upscaling for newer TVs.
View now at AmazonPhilips modern loop rabbit earsfeatures: Signal support:VHF/UHFCoax cable length:N/AIndoor/outdoor:IndoorReception range:30miles
If you're looking for a budget-friendly TV antenna for secondary screens or for the TV in your camper, the Philips modern loop rabbit earsare a great option. These retail for about$15, making them one of the cheapest antennas you can buy.
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This antenna supports both UHF and VHF signals for a wider range of channels as well as native 1080p broadcast resolution. The classic rabbit-ears design makes adjusting the antenna fast and easy while the loop design of the body gives you plenty of stability for placing on a table or shelf.
View now at Amazon View now at Target more buying choicesAntier amplified indoor antennafeatures - Signal support:UHF/VHF, ATSC 3.0Coax cable length:16 feetIndoor/outdoor:IndoorReception range:400 miles
The Antier amplified indoor antennais ideal for anyone who lives in a truly rural area that is far away from broadcast towers. This model has an incredible 400-mile range with the included amplifier, giving you the best chance of finding and watching local news, sports, and entertainment channels.
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Its design allows for 360 degrees of signal reception while the compact size and 16-foot coax cable give you plenty of placement options. With support for UHF, VHF, and ATSC 3.0 signals, you'll get up to 1080p native resolution for over-air signals as well as better 4K upscaling for newer TVs.
View now at AmazonMy pick for the best TV antenna is the Gesobyte amplified indoor antenna. It features a 250-mile range as well as support for VHF, UHF, and ATSC 3.0 signals for enhanced picture quality as well as the ability to provide strong reception for local channels. The 18-foot coax cable gives you plenty of placement options while the in-line amplifier lets you boost reception strength to better pick up weak broadcast signals.
Best TV antenna | Price | Range | Indoor/outdoor |
Gesobyte amplified indoor antenna | $30 | 250 miles | Indoor |
Vansky indoor antenna | $20 | 250 miles | Indoor |
GE outdoor antenna | $39 | 70 miles | Outdoor |
Philips modern loop rabbit ears | $15 | 30 miles | Indoor |
Antier amplified indoor antenna | $20 | 400 miles | Indoor |
If you're thinking about buying a TV antenna, the first thing you need to do is to figure out where you're going to place it. Most antennas that are available are meant to be used indoors, either mounted in a window, on a wall, or placed on a table near your TV. There are also plenty of outdoor antenna options if you want to ensure clearer reception.
You should also consider how many TVs you want to connect to the antenna, as most models will only support one screen. You can find antennas that allow you to connect two or three TVs at once. But if you have more than that, you may want to invest in more than one antenna to ensure that you can properly set up every TV in your house.
Buy this best TV antenna... | If you need... |
Gesobyte amplified indoor antenna | A well-rounded indoor TV antenna. It features a 250-mile range as well as an 18-foot coax cable for more placement options. |
Vansky indoor antenna | A great indoor TV antenna. It includes an amplifier to boost weak broadcast signals as well as a 250-mile range. |
GE outdoor antenna | A great outdoor antenna. This antenna is designed to be mounted on the exterior of your home for better reception and range. |
Philips modern loop rabbit ears | A budget-friendly TV antenna. This model retails for under$20 while still providing a 30-mile range and support for ATSC 3.0 signals. |
Antier amplified indoor antenna | A long-range indoor TV antenna. This model from Antier has a 400-mile range, making it perfect for rural homes. |
When researching TV antennas to include in this list, I looked at several criteria:
If you have an indoor-use antenna, you'll want to place it as close to a window as possible. This helps reduce the number of obstacles a signal has to pass through before it can be processed by the antenna and sent to your TV.
If you're using an outdoor antenna, you'll want to place it in a spot where it won't be obstructed by rooflines or dense trees. You can do this by either mounting it on an exterior wall or your roof to make sure it won't be blocked by trees or other homes.
To properly measure your TV antenna's signal strength, you'll need a special piece of equipment called a Pwr(dBm) measuring device. This little machine connects to your antenna's coax cable and works in a similar way to internet speed tests. The device "reads" the signal coming from your antenna and measures it to see how much LTE and FM interference is mixed in with the TV signal -- and how much power your antenna is using in order to pick up signals.
You can buy a simple unit like theKing SL1000 SureLock for about$26 if you just want to make sure your antenna is putting out a decent signal. Or you can pick up a more refined unit like theAugocom RY S110 for about$100 if you want more detailed information like FM/LTE interference levels, frequency ranges, and voltage.
It's important to have a good idea of where TV towers near you are located when setting up your antenna, so it can be pointed in the right direction. You can find a map of TV towers in your area by using the FCC's handy DTV tool. You can either use your zip code or precise location information to get an accurate map and signal strength information to find the best placement for your antenna.
As more people choose to cut the cord with their cable or satellite provider, TV antennas have become much easier to find at more affordable prices. Here's a short list of alternative TV antennas that are great choices:
This outdoor TV antenna from PBD features a 40-foot coax cable for more placement options as well as a 150-mile reception range. You can also connect two TVs.
View at AmazonThe Insignia Amplified indoor TV antenna retails for$35. It has a 60-mile range, 10-foot coax cable, and support for ATSC 3.0 broadcasts for higher resolution.
View at Best BuyThe Antennas Direct ClearStream 4MAX features a 70-mile range, 30-foot coax cable, and a three-way splitter so you can set up multiple televisions. It also has an in-line amplifier to help boost weak broadcast signals.
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