The best TV antenna delivers free, high-definition, trouble-free broadcast TV channels, offering significant savings over outrageous monthly $140 Comcast cable bills. Our scoring criteria focused on the number of available channels, range (in miles), construction, and signal quality. We also look into auxiliary features such as dedicated smartphone apps to discover new broadcast channels. If you’re interested in more quality TV products, then visit our guide to the best TVs available now.
After more than 20 hours of research, our best TV antenna pick goes to the 1byone TV Antenna. It offers a commanding 80-mile range, a solid selection of HD shows, and lightning-quick assembly with an ultra-thin profile.
Top 7 Best TV Antennas Compared
#1 1byone Digital Amplified Indoor HD TV Antenna
Award: Top Pick/Best for Indoor Use
WHY WE LIKE IT: This TV antenna features a large selection of channels thanks to an ultra-thin profile, an 80-mile UHF and VHF reception range, and a signal booster that helps to improve signal strength and quality in areas farther from broadcast towers. All of these criteria make it the ideal choice for anyone looking to replace their cable TV with reliable service.
Read Full Review: 1byone TV Antenna
1byone tv antenna
- Large selection of free channels
- Ultra-thin profile
- Uses stronger 2.5C 2V coax cable for better reception
- Retuning takes a few minutes
- Some users reported choppy signals despite close proximity to the tower
One of our favorite 1byone TV Antenna’s features is its signal booster to improve reception range and an ultra-thin profile which allows it to be mounted vertically on your wall, window, table, or flat against a surface. Like this antenna, some of the best smart TVs can be so light and thin that you can mount them anywhere.
It uses a 2.5C 2V coax cable which has thicker copper writing for better reception. During research, many users reported crisp and clear reception with 30 plus available channels despite living more than 30 miles away from the nearest broadcast tower.
#2 TV Antenna – RCA Outdoor Yagi Satellite HD Antenna
Award: Honorable Mention/Best for Outdoor Use
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor/outdoor HD Antenna features a whopping 150-mile range and UHF/VHF channel reception, emitting digital TV signals using 2 different frequency ranges. This offers a greater choice of channels than 30 to 80-mile-range indoor antennas, ideal in remote areas far from broadcast towers or close to mountainous regions or large buildings blocking over-the-air signals.
Read Full Review: RCA Antenna Review
- 150-mile range
- UHF and VHF channel reception
- Dedicated smartphone app
- May require professional installation
- Some users reported a shorter range than advertised
The RCA Outdoor Yagi Satellite HD Antenna comes with easy installation for some users, with a fold-out design and snap locks to “pop” it into place.
It comes with a dedicated smartphone app, RCA Signal Finder, which gives detailed instructions on how and where to mount your antenna for the best reception within its 150-mile range. Lastly, it can be used indoors, unlike the Vansky TV Antenna Series, with its recommended mounting height of 30 feet. Now, if you want to use your antenna with a new television, you need to check out our TV buying guide.
#3 Winegard FL5500A FlatWave Amped Digital HD Indoor Amplified TV Antenna
Award: ATSC 3.0 & 4K Ready
WHY WE LIKE IT: The compact 13″ x 12″ Winegard FL5500A FlatWave Amped Antenna is a solid choice for everyday TV watching, featuring a 50-mile range, VHF/UHF signal reception, and Clear Circuit technology to help boost signal power. It offers all of the major broadcast networks, including NBC, CBS, FOX, and ABC, along with other local and regional stations not available on Cable TV, to keep the news junkie on his or her game.
Read Full Review: Winegard FL5500A
- Dedicated smartphone app
- Clear Circuit technology for improved signal power
- Does not offer as much range as outdoor antennas
- Placing it 4-6 feet above floor level may not yield optimal results
Installation is a breeze, directly mounting to the back of your TV using the included 15-inch long coaxial cable and two 3M Command adhesive strips, allowing for optimal positioning to reach the best signal. Channel scans also take no more than a few minutes.
The Winegard FlatWave TV antenna has its dedicated smartphone app, which allows users to search for free HDTV towers in the area and use an augmented reality map to find the best angle to point their antenna towards and check for obstructions. It can also be paired with a Roku, Chromecast, or Fire TV stick to stream even more content, making it a better option for movie fans.
#4 CeKay Digital Outdoor Amplified HD TV Antenna Motorized 360 Degree Rotation 150 Miles
Award: Best Value/Motorized Antenna
WHY WE LIKE IT: This antenna is the perfect outdoor antenna for the more range-focused user, with an outrageous 150-mile range, built-in rotor with wireless remote, and UHF/VHF compatibility. Its built-in rotor capabilities work for more hands-on users that want more direct control of signal reception, particularly in mountainous rural areas or some suburbs where indoor antennas receive poor reception.
Read Full Review: HDTV Antenna
- Whopping 150-mile range
- Can rotate to adjust and capture additional signals
- Built-in rotor with wireless controls to avoid repeated roof or attic-climbing
- Slightly clunky setup
The CeKay HD TV antenna is strictly an outdoor antenna, which may not be the best option for ‘quick and dirty’ folks looking for a plug-and-play solution like the 1byone Digital Amplified Indoor HD TV Antenna, which takes no more than 5 minutes to set up
It requires mounting 30 feet above the ground and uses an infrared remote control for full 360-degree turning and a 40-foot digital antenna Coax cable, ideal for signal hunting on roofs or attics, which may not be reachable for some users. However, it lends support to 2 TVs at a time without a special adapter or splitter required, which may be worth the trade-off of an indoor antenna. If you’re interested in the best TV watching experience, you’ll also want to pick up one of the best TV mounts too.
#5 pingbingding HDTV Antenna Amplified Digital Outdoor Antenna
Award: 150 Mile Range
WHY WE LIKE IT: This HDTV antenna is a solid workhorse, boasting a 150-mile range, Dual-TV outputs, VHF/UHF support, low noise amplifier, and an infrared remote-controlled, 360° motor rotor for signal optimization. It is highly recommended for users that want more content than indoor antennas at a comparable cost.
Read Full Review: pingbingding HDTV Antenna Amplified Digital Outdoor Antenna
- 150-mile range
- 360-degree motor, which rotates for optimal signal
- Includes pole mount
- Cannot mount in many high-rise condos
- Some parts are not durable
Unlike the Vansky Outdoor antenna, it does include a pole mount and is slightly easier to assemble with a 40-foot RG6 coaxial cable, mounting pole, and snap-lock elements to quickly put pieces into place. Its wireless remote control is also easy to use, with a simple on/off switch and a red Rotation button offering a smooth, quick swivel to adjust and capture the best signal.
This antenna works best when it is mounted 30 feet above the ground. The higher the antenna and the stronger the signal, the better the number of channels and reception quality. Returning after antenna placement is easy, taking up to 5 minutes.
#6 Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna, 300 Miles Long Range Reception Indoor HDTV Antenna
Award: Best Budget/Easy Setup
WHY WE LIKE IT: This indoor antenna offers a little bit of everything, leading off with a 300-mile range, ultra-thin profile, and a signal optimizer that helps prevent signal interference and provide clearer receptions. It is a solid choice for families living in remote areas, far from broadcast towers with nearby obstructions that prevent clear signal reception.
Read Full Review: HDTV Antenna 2020 Newest Indoor Digital TV Antenna
- 300-mile range
- Ultra-thin profile
- 10-foot long coaxial cable
- Some users reported a lower range than advertised
- Complex setup
This TV antenna offers different mounting options with its slim profile, easily placed behind your TV, on a flat surface, or against the window. A second-longest 10-foot long coaxial cable also empowers users to find the best reception spot.
An included signal switch also allows users to discover more channels by turning on a yellow light. Setup takes less than a minute, with a quick connection of the coaxial cable to your HDTV’s CABLE ANT IN input and numerous mounting options, including flat on a surface, on a table, or against the wall.
#7 Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna Long 120 Miles Range
Award: Great for Small Apartments
WHY WE LIKE IT: This antenna is a jack of all trades, master of none, offering a budget option with 120 miles of range, 18-inch coaxial cable, compact size, and a signal booster. This amplifies signal reception for a cleaner picture and allows for several mounting within the home, making it an excellent pick for smaller apartments.
Read Full Review: Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna Long 120 Miles Range
- 18-foot long coaxial cable for optimal reception
- 120 miles of range
- Picture skips on some channels
- Flimsy construction
This antenna comes with CleakPeak filter technology to prevent FM interference for improved reception, picking up more channels, including difficult-to-reach lower-frequency channels.
Installing this antenna takes less than 3 minutes with a quick connection to your coaxial cable port and TV set to antenna mode for a scan taking no more than 5 minutes. It includes a detachable antenna amplifier, which is suited for homes 20-30 miles farther away from broadcast towers.
How We Decided
Cutting the cable TV cord for a TV antenna can save hundreds of dollars each year on cable bills.
In determining which TV antenna to buy, you should consider your distance to the nearest broadcast tower, nearby obstruction, indoor vs. outdoor replacement, assembly, ease of use, and mounting options. Our evaluation criteria looked into <80-mile range for an indoor TV antenna, the 100-mile range for outdoor antennas, mounting flexibility using longer coaxial cords, a thin-profile design for an indoor antenna, and built-in rotors that rotate an outdoor TV antenna to adjust the signal. This also prevents users from having to climb for manual adjustments.
Our evaluation also prioritizes outdoor TV antennas that are easy to assemble, including mounting poles and fold-out construction, and snap-lock features. Additional features, such as signal boosters and filters eliminating FM interference, also contribute to improved reception and picture quality, a bonus in remote areas with obstructive topography.
Best TV Antennas Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Signal Strength
As with most TV accessories, they need a good signal to operate.- Simply put, for antennas, the greater the signal strength, the more available channels. Note, this could be impeded by several factors, such as topography and distance to transmitters, so it is important to purchase antennas that receive signals in multiple directions as opposed to directional. All antennas on our list are multi-directional.
- That said, you can find TVs with antennas already included, like the LG Smart TV upgrader, 19-inch TVs, and TVs for RVs. Many of these will also be TVs at great prices, so you won’t need to pay extra for accessories.
- Signal Amplifiers
Signal amplifiers are useful in remote areas with obstructive topography to provide better TV reception and picture quality. Having a great signal is necessary, especially since TVs went digital long ago. Even the best dumb TVs need to have a strong signal to produce a great picture. However, you’re better off with an LCD TV vs CRT, as CRTs are far too old to even use anymore. - Antenna Types
There are 2 antenna types – indoor and outdoor antennas. Indoor antennas usually carry a 30 to 80-mile range, best for urban areas with several broadcast towers. Outdoor antennas with longer 150-mile ranges are best suited for remote areas far from broadcast towers, with the added bonus of including wireless-remote, built-in rotors which rotate the antenna to adjust the signal. - Set Up and Install
Setting up a TV antenna should take no more than 10 minutes for indoor antennas and 20 minutes for outdoor antennas, including the time needed to access a roof or attic. And, do yourself a favor and use either a high-pile or low-pile microfiber cloth to clean your TV after you’ve installed your antenna. - Construction
The best TV antennas feature an ultra-thin profile for indoor antennas and built-in rotors to rotate outdoor antennas, which helps capture the best signal. Ultra-thin indoor antennas allow for greater mounting options against a window, flat surface, or on table. Outdoor antennas should also prioritize an easy outdoor installation process with a fold-out construction with snap locking ability to quickly set it into place on a roof or attic, a godsend versus cheaper units taking upwards of 20 minutes to assemble.
