To find the best indoor TV antennas and cut the cord for good at a decent price, you’ll need to examine a list of criteria to determine what is most important. We recommend the best indoor TV antenna with a minimum 25-mile range or 35+ mile range in rural areas for local channels, which are typically further from broadcast towers. Don’t forget easy installation with adhesives/mounting tabs, 10 FT+ coaxial cables, and omnidirectional/multi-directional capabilities to pull signals from all directions for the best reception.
After analyzing hundreds of reviews, we’ve determined that the Antop HD Indoor Antenna is the best indoor TV antenna you can buy. Keep reading about this, and our other top picks to learn more about the best TV antenna options available.
Top 10 Indoor TV Antennas
#1 Antop HD Indoor TV Antenna
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor TV antenna comes with a superb 80-mile range and a built-in adjustment dial, a great choice for people who want finer control of the reception range.
- Can work on two televisions
- 4G LTE filter to minimize interference
- Includes built-in adjustment dial (Power Booster)
- May be too wide for tight spaces
We love this indoor TV antenna’s focus on reception amplification and connecting to multiple devices. A Power Booster dial works to calibrate a reception range from 0 to 80 miles, easily achieved by toggling gain with a clockwise turn of the dial to increase it and a counter-clockwise turn of the dial to reduce it.
One of this indoor antenna’s biggest strengths is its interference killers. An integrated FM antenna and 4G LTE filter work to minimize cellular waves that disrupt antenna reception. On the design side, it is very versatile, with a long, slender half-moon-shaped antenna sitting horizontally or vertically on a mounting stand. In many ways, it looks like a miniature soundbar, which should blend well with your entertainment center.
#2 Channel Master FLATenna (Amplified) Indoor TV Antenna
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor TV antenna has a super-thin profile and reversible black and white surface, making it a great choice for mounting in tight spaces.
- Reversible black and white design
- Sticky adhesive strips for easy mounting
- Includes built-in adjustment dial (Power Booster)
- No coaxial cable
Although small, this indoor antenna is very formidable, boosting a 35-mile range for excellent over-the-air (OTA), pulling in popular broadcast stations such as NBA, FOX, and CW. Its slim profile is enough to move from room to room. Consider this a no-frills unit, with no extendable dipoles for signal toggling, although it does have a built-in amplifier to boost signals.
In terms of design, this indoor TV antenna is a winner. A reversible black and white finish allow it to be mounted on walls and windows to match the aesthetic. Installing this indoor TV antenna is also a breeze with double-sided adhesive tabs that stick onto flat surfaces really well without scuffing. No doubt you’ll want the best TV antenna amplifier to go with it.
#3 U Must Have Amplified HD Indoor TV Antenna
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor antenna delivers an impressive 180-mile range and CleanPeak Filter technology to help minimum cellular network interference, a great choice as an all-around antenna.
- CleanPeak Filter tech reduces interference
- Generous 180-mile range
- includes an 18-inch coaxial cable
- Intermittent signal loss in high obstruction areas
We love this indoor TV antenna for its potent combination of range (180 miles) and CleanPeak Filter technology, which specializes in reducing FM and cellular interference for a less distorted signal. A separate intelligent Integrated Circuit (IC) chip also works to boost the signal. Depending on proximity to broadcast towers, a combination of or all of the more popular broadcast channels could be received, including CW, PBS, FOX, NBC, and CBS.
Installing this indoor TV antenna is very easy, only needing a quick plug into your TV’s coaxial cable port before conducting a quick scan of available channels. All in all, this indoor TV antenna is one of the more well-rounded units on our list, beating out even our best rabbit ear antenna options.
#4 TO BE #1 Amplified HDTV Indoor Antenna
Award: BEST FOR LIVING ROOMS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor TV antenna has an incredible range of 250 miles and an extra-long 16.5-foot coaxial cable, a great choice for larger living rooms with televisions not close to windows.
- Easy mounting option (adhesive pads)
- Includes a 16.5-foot coaxial cable
- Compact profile ( 13.5 x 9.5 x 2 inches )
- So-so build quality (cheaper plastic)
Like many indoor TV antennas, this one employs a flat rectangular design with a separate built-in amplifier to help boost signal – up to 250 miles. Closer to broadcast towers with little to no obstructions, channels come in hot and varied, with the major broadcast channels such as CBS and PBS displayed in 1080i resolution for a neat, crisp picture. Design and mounting options are relatively straightforward, and a 16.5-foot coaxial cable also makes it easier to find spots.
#5 MATA1 HDTV Indoor TV Antenna
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Award: BEST FOR WINDOWS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor TV antenna comes with a solid 330-mile range and a paper-thin design using adhesive tabs, an excellent choice for mounting onto windows in homes a bit closer to broadcast stations.
- Slim, low-profile design
- Very compact (1.75 x 12.5 x 11.5 inches )
- Includes detachable 10-foot coaxial cable
- Hit or miss signal reception in high obstruction areas
- No dedicated smartphone app for broadcast channel discovery
- Thin, flimsy plastic feel
We love this MATA1 HDTV indoor antenna for its excellent combination of range (330 miles) and multi-directional capabilities, which means no pointing is needed to obtain the best signal. All of the popular live TV broadcast networks and local channels could be pulled, including ABC, CBS, NBC, and others.
This indoor TV antenna measures 13 x 3 x 1.4 inches and comes in white or black, working equally well on walls and windows. All in all, this indoor TV antenna offers a neat combination of value, range, and size. You might also want to consider an outdoor TV antenna for a bit more oomph.
#6 Winegard Flatwave Amped FL5500A Indoor TV Antenna
Award: BEST CONNECTIVITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor amplified TV antenna comes with a generous 50-mile range and built-in USB socket, an excellent choice for people who would prefer to do away with AC adapters for easier connectivity.
- Convenient USB-based power adapter
- Very thin and flexible antenna
- Includes LED power indicator for easy reference
- Larger than the average surface (12 by 13 inches)
- Picks up a fewer number of channels compared to other comparatively priced units
This Winegard indoor TV antenna performs well in most areas. It uses Clear Circuit Technology and a low noise amplifier to produce a 1.0 dB noise figure, good for strong signals, especially in urban areas closer to broadcast towers. Kudos to an extra-long 18-foot coaxial cable, which allows for easy mounting in apartments where windows are further away from the television.
Installing this best indoor TV antenna for rural areas is a breeze. It only needs direct coaxial cable and USB connections before quickly scanning available channels using your televisions Scan mode. Its biggest draw is a USB-based power adapter, which connects the television to the television to do away with bulkier AC adapters. It’s got many features of the best omnidirectional TV antenna on the market.
#7 Mohu Leaf 30 Indoor TV Antenna
Award: BEST FOR KITCHENS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor TV antenna is one of the smallest on our list, rated at 10 x 11 x .55 inches with a respectable 30 to 40-mile range, and a solid choice for dorm rooms, kitchens, and smaller spaces.
- small size (10 x 11 x .55 inches )
- Discrete profile; reversible and paintable
- Includes 10-foot coaxial cable
- Shorter than the average range (25 miles)
- Velcro-style pins don’t provide much stickiness
This multidirectional indoor HDTV antenna does an excellent job of pulling signals for free HDTV from all of the popular broadcast networks, including CBS, FOX, and ABC. A small rectangular discreet design attached to a 10-foot coaxial cable fits snugly on kitchen countertop walls, tight dorm room spaces, and anything other area needing space-saving.
Like many indoor TV antennas on our list, this indoor TV antenna is reversible and paintable to match your space’s decor. Installation is just as easy with the provided hook and loop tabs and a quick coaxial cable connection before scanning for available channels using your televisions Scan feature. Consider this indoor TV antenna a solid choice for its discrete size and a serviceable 25-mile range.
#8 Channel Master Flatenna Ultra-Thin Indoor TV Antenna
Award: BEST EASY INSTALL
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor TV antenna delivers a 35-mile range with omnidirectional reception and uses professional-grade RG-6 coaxial cables.
- Built-in LTE filtering to prevent interference
- Omnidirectional reception
- No built-in amplifier
We love this indoor TV antenna’s combination of features focusing on range and ease of use. Its omnidirectional reception means you never have to tune it to find UHF VHF channels. It’s also built to support 4K and ATSC 3.0 broadcasts.
On the design side, this indoor TV antenna is a winner. It has multiple mounting options and includes adhesive tabs allowing for quick mounting on flat surfaces. It doesn’t look bad either, overly minimalist with a near paper-thin surface other than a bottom back panel for connecting a coaxial cable. Consider this a winner in tight spaces, making it a good option if you’re in the market for the best RV antenna. If you’re also considering outdoor antennas versus only indoor ones, we have another Channel Master outdoor TV antenna review for you to check out.
#9 Antennas Direct Clearstream Eclipse Indoor TV Antenna
Award: BEST CUSTOMIZATION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor TV antenna is characterized by a sleek, ear-shaped 60-mile range antenna and features a paintable surface using Sure Grip technology, an excellent choice for people who have custom-colored windows or walls.
- Compact profile ( 12 x 2.8 x 9.8 inches )
- Sure-Grip technology for paintable options
- Includes 12 feet of coaxial cable
- Intermittent signal reception from time to time
- Not recommended for rural areas far from broadcast towers
This Clearstream amplified indoor TV antenna boasts a 20db in-line included amplifier for a respectable 60-mile range and Sure-Grip technology, which emphasize mounting options without the need for your adhesive or screws, One critique of this indoor TV antenna is that it is only compatible with UHF reception and does not capture VHF, which is popular with broadcast networks.
Installing this best indoor TV antenna for Los Angeles is a cinch. It uses two methods – a power adapter and USB for a direct wall or TV connection. A separate sticky strip and 12 feet of coaxial cable provide ample mounting options and window clearance. One critique of this indoor TV antenna is that it is only compatible with UHF reception and does not capture VHF, which is more popular with broadcast networks.
#10 AmazonBasics Ultra Thin Indoor TV Antenna
Award: BEST FOR MODERN HOMES
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor TV antenna comes with a 35-mile range and comes in a modern, basic black design, an excellent choice for modern home decor.
- Offers 1080p Full HD quality picture
- Simple plug-in style installation
- Includes 15-foot coaxial cable
- Steep learning curve finding ideal placement; very sensitive
- Shorter than average coaxial cable (10 feet)
This best TV antenna for rural areas performs well across the board. It tops out with a 35-mile range, approaching the higher end for indoor TV antennas with closer proximity to broadcast towers. Supported formats include full 1080p and HD, multi-directional for greater signal strength. Kudos for an included 15-foot coaxial cable, which makes it easy to mount on televisions farther away from windows.
Arguably this best indoor TV antenna for San Francisco’s biggest strength lies in its design. It’s reversible, black on one side and white on the other, to accommodate the most modern home decor. Plus, it is one of the simpler antennas to install, only needing a direct connection of the coaxial cable to the wall. And, if you want to massively improve your indoor TV signal, you might want to check out our best long-range TV antenna guide.
How We Decided
We explored performance, ease of installation, and durability in determining the best indoor TV antenna to buy.
In terms of performance, look for indoor TV antennas to carry a minimum 25-mile range, which should fare well in high-density, urban areas closer to broadcast towers. For rural and suburban areas, shoot for 35 miles or more for a wider variety of air programming. They should be omnidirectional antennas and multi-directional antennas, capable of receiving extra channels with signals from multiple directions as close as it is reasonably perched high and close to a window.
Ease of installation is an important consideration. There are typically two styles of indoor TV antennas – mounted or adhesive-tab-based. Some indoor TV antennas resemble a soundbar, easily mounted and integrated with your entertainment center. Paper-thin antennas are typically mounted using pins or sticky adhesive tabs, reversible for the ideal placement on walls or windows. Outside of mounting, the best indoor TV antennas are powered by USB or power adapter. USB cables have their benefits, mainly around aesthetics, with a thinner and more discrete profile.
Lastly, look for durable indoor TV antennas made of harder plastic and less prone to chipping. Ideally, coaxial cables should also be copper ended for greater conductivity. And surge protection.
Best Indoor TV Antennas Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Performance
As a rule of thumb, the best general TV antenna indoor and the best indoor HDTV antenna models carry a minimum 25-mile range for urban areas that can cover a wide range of zip codes and a 35-mile range for rural areas. With that in mind, if you live in the sticks, you might want to have a look at the best indoor TV antenna for rural areas in 2023.- Great indoor antennas should provide UHF channel and VHF channel programming reception for a wider variety of content and be 4K, Full HD, 1080i, and 1080p compatible for crisp audio and video. Thankfully, we no longer need extra cable boxes or converters to receive these signals because of the digital transition. Understand that frequency bands determine what channels your TV will receive. Once you find out where your local air broadcast towers are, you can determine what frequency bands they’re using to broadcast certain channels. You can read more on our page if you are wondering when did TV go digital.
- Big bonus points go to antennas with a built-in amplifier feature and LTE, which help strengthen weaker signals by reversing the effects of splitters and interference caused by cellular networks.
- With amplified antennas avoiding those weak signals and enhancing the antenna performance, you can enjoy your watchable channels and streaming services in peace with no interruptions and great picture quality.
- Make sure your HD antenna is going to give you what you need, whether that be lots of channels, specifically entertainment channels, and/or HD channels. And if you notice a channel you had is missing, be sure to rescan for channels to get the most available channels.
- In short, when you’re shopping for great indoor antennas, be they HDTV indoor antennas, you’ll want to find a high-end digital TV antenna for indoor use because it’ll give you the best quality.
- Ease of Installation
One of the nice things about the best indoor HDTV antenna models is that this type of antenna is much more hassle-free than an outdoor antenna.- Outdoor models are typically large, bulkier, and attach themselves to masts on higher elevations. Look for the best indoor TV antennas with push-in (as opposed to screw-in) coaxial connections where possible.
- Many are paper designs affixed to windows and walls using double-sided adhesive tabs.
- In this case, most work goes towards finding the ideal placement for the best signal, not necessarily the installation itself of a larger antenna, plus all the baggage of an outdoor installation. You can use a meter to determine where is the ideal spot in your home that receives the strongest digital signals. If the digital signals from every point in your home are too weak, there’s always a signal booster to improve your signal levels and get excellent performance out of the antenna.
- Having an indoor model that’s a flat antenna can help save space too with its compact design versus the larger design of an outdoor antenna. That helps save you the headache of trying to find a space for the proper antenna position in a room. Though always remember how even with choosing the best buying choices with a sleek design, the placement of antenna models matters so you get the best broadcast signals possible so you avoid poor reception and a bad picture.
- Once you find the right place out of all your placement options, your powerful antenna will be good to go. Then once you can get OTA TV via your antenna, you may decide you don’t need traditional cable anymore via a cable provider and expensive cable subscription. If you live near a major TV market, there’s a chance you can access popular channels through your antenna. Keep in mind that for special broadcasts with a certain channel lineup like ATSC 3.0 that can handle Dolby Atmos audio, your TV will need to have a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner that typically isn’t found in older TVs.
- To sum it up, keep installation difficulty in mind as you browse through our reviews of the best indoor TV antennas of 2023.
- Durability
The best indoor HDTV antennas carry some form of weatherproofing with UV-resistant coatings and a solid wind resistance rating. Be sure to look out for these in extreme-weather environments. If you decide to just create a homemade antenna, make sure to weatherproof it during your antenna setup.- Keep in mind though that bad weather like heavy rain, high winds, and fog can negatively affect your TV’s digital signals, but the issue should resolve once the bad weather stops.
