One of the best TV antennas of 2024: Examined and rated
One of the best TV antennas are a vital factor of any front room. I could not reside with out my TV antenna. It is as necessary to me as any streaming service as a result of it permits me to look at sports activities, sitcoms and information with out having to pay a month-to-month payment. Lately, the very best TV antennas are digital. Digital antennas are the successors to bunny ears, positive, however they’re higher in nearly each respect, from decision to reception.
Beneath you will discover the fruits of months of testing and analysis on the very best TV antennas you should buy. Proper now, my prime decide for the very best TV antenna is the Mohu Leaf Amplified that is available in at $39. It is comparatively reasonably priced and pulled in probably the most channels throughout our testing. There are cheaper fashions, just like the the 1byone Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna that may be discovered for as little as $16, however reception was higher with the Mohu Leaf Amplified.
Each of those fashions are amplified, which implies they characteristic a built-in amplifier to enhance sign energy. It additionally implies that they require an influence supply, which might show to be a trickier setup for people with restricted entry to retailers. Should you reside in a extra rural space, it’s possible you’ll discover that an amplified antenna is best fitted to accessing and sustaining a connection to varied TV channels. There isn’t any hard-and-fast calculation to find out what number of channels you will profit from with an amplifier, however typically talking, efficiency and movie high quality will likely be improved with an amplifier.
Should you want an out of doors antenna, I’ve listed a type of down under, and there are much more indoor amplified and non-amplified choices each massive and small down under. We have examined dozens of antennas through the years, however the picks under symbolize the very best proper now by way of attain, reception and flexibility.
The short listing
The Mohu Leaf Amplified sits on the prime of our listing of the very best TV antennas because of its strong efficiency and reasonably priced sticker worth. Like its predecessor, the Amplified makes use of a built-in amplifier to spice up sign energy in suburban areas. It is not a alternative for an out of doors antenna, nevertheless it’s simply the very best indoor antenna for the cash.
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Made to be used inside and outside, this 85-mile antenna was at its finest out within the components, the place it pulled in 68 watchable stations. It is the very best indoor/out of doors antenna we have examined, and effectively definitely worth the premium worth.
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3. 1byone Amplified HDTV Antenna
For a easy indoor antenna that gives every little thing it is advisable to reduce the twine, the 1byone Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna presents a 50-mile vary and included amplifier, all for round $17 on Amazon when it is on sale.
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The Winegard Elite 7550 is the good possibility and the very best TV antenna for out of doors set up. It could value somewhat extra, however the Winegard Elite 7550 pays dividends, delivering a whopping 73 channels in our assessments.
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Whereas its aesthetics might depart one thing to be desired, the ClearStream MAX-V is a really succesful antenna that delivers extra stations than even competing amplified antennas, even fashions costing far more.
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The Gateway Plus is a barely bigger HDTV antenna that measures in 8.25″ H x 11.75″ W x 2.5″ D. It might probably pull in dozens of channels with its 60-mile vary and reveals you the way sturdy of a sign it’s receiving with its 4 entrance LEDs.
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Finest TV antenna
After testing a number of over-the-air TV antennas, the Mohu Leaf Amplified got here out on prime as the very best TV antenna of 2024. It was in a position to pull in 69 channels
— greater than some other mannequin in our testing — with lots of these channels coming in clearer with much less cutout. As an illustration, the Winegard Elite 7550 acquired extra channels, nevertheless it’s a dearer mannequin designed for out of doors set up.
You may typically discover the Mohu Leaf Amplified on sale for $39 on Amazon, which we have discovered to be proper smack-dab within the center by way of pricing, since some fashions costing upwards of $100 and others as little as $19. For the worth, nevertheless, you are getting higher efficiency than some high-end and low-end choices we have examined.
The one situation I’ve discovered with the Mohu Leaf is that the cable is not removable, which implies if it by chance cuts reduce, snaps or breaks, you will want to purchase a complete new antenna quite than merely changing the twine for a couple of bucks. Should you’re cautious that should not be an issue, nevertheless it’s price mentioning simply in case you’ve got had points with these types of issues up to now.
Learn our full Mohu Leaf Amplified Antenna evaluation.
Finest indoor/out of doors
Made to be used inside and outside, the Antop AT-800SBS HD Sensible Panel presents among the finest efficiency we have seen, simply topping most of the indoor/out of doors fashions we have examined. With its adjustable amplifier, included mounting {hardware} and non-obligatory FM connection for radio, it is a versatile HD antenna possibility for anybody who’s severe about cord-cutting.
The Antop AT-800SBS additionally has a table-top stand for indoor use, however this 85-mile antenna was at its finest out within the components, the place it pulled in 68 watchable stations. This makes it a terrific decide for each individuals on the lookout for a everlasting, out of doors antenna in addition to these searching for a robust indoor antenna. Its 68 channels in contrast favorably to the Winegard Elite 7550, which pulled in 73 channels, however the Winegard Elite is an outdoor-only antenna.
A 40-foot cable is included for simple set up, and the adjustable amplifier enables you to dial in the correct amount of energy enhance that will help you seize the stations you need. It is the very best indoor/out of doors antenna we have examined, and effectively definitely worth the premium worth.
Learn our full Antop AT-800SBS HD Sensible Panel Antenna evaluation.
Finest funds
For a easy indoor antenna that gives every little thing it is advisable to reduce the twine, the 1byone Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna presents a 50-mile vary and included amplifier, all for a reasonably cheap worth. With slick packaging and a primary black design, it isn’t solely an Amazon best-seller, nevertheless it’s additionally among the finest budget-friendly TV antennas we have reviewed.
Measuring simply 13.3 x 9.3 inches, the antenna contains every little thing it is advisable to hook up with the TV, with a 10-foot coaxial cable and included adhesive patches for mounting. The straightforward design and included amplifier delivered dozens of watchable channels and may plug into any wall outlet or USB port.
There is a good motive the 1byone is a prime Amazon vendor: It performs effectively and does not value rather a lot. We nonetheless discover the Mohu Leaf Amplified to be an all-around higher decide, however if you happen to’re trying to maximize your greenback, the 1byone will serve you effectively.
Learn our full 1byone Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna evaluation.
Finest out of doors
Generally an indoor antenna simply will not reduce it. If you want an out of doors antenna with wonderful reception, the Winegard Elite 7550 is the good possibility, and the very best TV antenna for out of doors set up.
It could value somewhat extra, however the Winegard Elite 7550 pays dividends, delivering a whopping 73 channels in our assessments. Whether or not you are in a crowded metropolis or a rural group, this out of doors HDTV ought to get the job performed, pulling in additional channels with higher sign than any indoor mannequin can supply. One of many causes it excels in a crowded metropolis is due to its built-in LTE filter, which Winegard claims is particularly designed to struggle interference from cell towers. We must always know: We examined it in New York Metropolis. Merely put, it is constructed for cleansing up indicators.
Should you do not envision utilizing an antenna indoors, the Winegard Elite 7550 is a more sensible choice than our indoor/out of doors decide, the Antop AT-800SBS. It is merely higher at pulling in channels and avoiding dropouts.
Should you’re having issue getting native stations you need — otherwise you simply need higher, extra constant reception — the Winegard Elite 7550’s $120 price ticket is price each penny, pulling in dozens of free channels for lower than a month’s cable subscription.
Learn our full Winegard Elite 7550 Outside HDTV Antenna evaluation.
Finest funds indoor/out of doors
Whereas its aesthetics might depart one thing to be desired, the ClearStream MAX-V is a really succesful antenna that delivers extra stations than even competing amplified antennas, even fashions costing far more. If you wish to enhance over-the-air TV reception however do not wish to break the financial institution within the course of, it is among the finest antennas out there.
Rated to seize stations as distant as 60 miles, the ClearStream MAX-V from Antennas Direct will work indoors or out, all whereas being competitively priced. Not solely did it do higher than lots of our favourite indoor antennas, it additionally matched among the finest out of doors antennas, too, making it a terrific alternative for mounting on a roof, hanging in an attic or simply tucking it out of sight. Sadly, tucking it out of sight may show tough, given the cumbersome figure-8 design.
If you will get over the way it seems, the ClearStream MAX-V is a superb decide for saving cash on an indoor/out of doors antenna. Proper now, it is considerably cheaper than the Antop AT-800SBS, our decide for the general finest indoor/out of doors mannequin.
Learn our full ClearStream MAX-V HDTV Antenna evaluation.
Largest indoor
Like our favourite indoor antenna, the Mohu Leaf Supreme Professional, the Gateway Plus can pull in dozens of channels with its 60-mile vary and reveals you the way sturdy of a sign it’s receiving with its 4 entrance LEDs.
Talking of reception, the Gateway Plus is designed to be multi-directional, that means it may be positioned forwards or backwards and will be capable to nonetheless obtain a sign. That mentioned, the entrance of the antenna has the LED sign indicator lights, so that you’ll in all probability need these dealing with inside so you may see them.
For us, the Mohu Gateway Plus was a strong indoor antenna. It picked up 41 channels with an astounding 34 of them taking part in flawlessly. Sure, there was nonetheless the occasional stutter — particularly within the morning when there was inclement climate — however on a sunny day the Mohu Gateway Plus managed to surpass our prime TV antenna, the Mohu Leaf Supreme Professional. In the end, selecting between the 2 comes all the way down to what you are trying to spend.
Learn our full Mohu Gateway Plus evaluation.
Take a look at outcomes
It may be overwhelming to sift by means of as a lot knowledge and hands-on info as we publish alongside every of our TV antenna opinions, so we have positioned an important info in an easy-to-digest desk.
| Antenna | Worth | Vary | Channels Acquired | Amplified |
| Mohu Leaf Supreme Professional | $69 | 65 miles | 42 | Sure |
| Winegard Elite 7550 | $114 | 70 miles | 73 | No |
| 1byone Amplified Antenna | $18 | 50 miles | 46 | Sure |
| Antop AT-800SBS | $149 | 85 miles | 68 | Sure |
| ClearStream MAX-V | $69 | 60 miles | 51 | No |
| Mohu Gateway Plus | $69 | 60 miles | 41 | Sure |
As you may see, our decide for the very best TV antenna you should buy, the Mohu Leaf Supreme Professional, is among the extra reasonably priced fashions we have examined (particularly in comparison with our decide for the very best indoor/out of doors antenna, the Antop AT-800SBS).
Regardless of its mid-range worth, the Mohu Leaf Supreme contains a first rate vary of 65 miles and pulls in 42 channels cleanly. There are better-performing fashions in our information, however they’re both pricier, or within the case of the ClearStream MAX-V, not as aesthetically pleasing.
How to decide on the very best TV antenna
How to decide on the very best TV antenna for you
Should you’re searching for a TV antenna, you are in luck, as a result of there is no higher possibility for getting reside TV for the bottom worth potential: Free! However earlier than you decide up the primary TV antenna you see on the retailer, you wish to just be sure you’re getting one that can be just right for you.
Location and vary: Should you’re in or close to a metropolis, there is a good likelihood you can also make do with a small indoor antenna, since you will have a number of stations inside a ten or 20 mile radius that may be pulled in with out a huge aerial or powered amplifier. Should you’re greater than 30 miles out of your native broadcast tower, you will wish to step as much as an amplified mannequin. Any antenna that is rated for 50 miles or extra will both be a big out of doors unit, or include an amplifier to spice up the sign it will get, if not each.
Indoor or out of doors: Whether or not or to not get an out of doors antenna will largely depend on the constructing you are in and the encircling surroundings, since obstacles like home partitions and even timber can forestall sign from getting by means of to an indoor antenna. Outside antennas are bigger, and work higher when positioned as excessive up as you will get it – a rooftop mast being the best set up.
Non-amplified or amplified: An amplified antenna makes use of a further sign energy booster that may assist weak indicators are available in clearly with somewhat further juice. However that additionally means having one other machine to plug in, and one other energy outlet to surrender. It additionally means a barely greater worth.
Non-amplified indoor antennas typically promote for between $20 to $40, however there are many low cost TV antennas that promote for lower than $20 that supply acceptable efficiency. An amplified antenna presents higher efficiency, and can value between $30 and $100. For the very best efficiency, contemplate an out of doors antenna, which prices $100 or extra.
Getting an antenna is step one towards slicing the twine or pulling in free native channels. You needn’t spend some huge cash – the very best low cost TV antennas do a terrific job, and even a $12 set of bunny ears may do the trick – and you do not even want a TV. (Take a look at I simply found a brand new solution to reduce the twine — and there’s no subscription payment to find out about USB tuners that do not want a TV.)
However merely having an antenna will not routinely clear up all your over-the-air TV woes. Higher antennas and non-obligatory amplifiers will go a good distance towards bringing in additional channels, however that is solely a part of the equation.
We suggest researching beforehand to find out what vary of antenna you want, and whether or not you need an indoor mannequin or an antenna made for out of doors set up. One of the best place to start out is AntennaWeb.org, which helps you to enter your handle or ZIP code and see what stations are broadcasting in your space, in addition to how distant the published towers are.
Apprehensive about future proofing for ATSC 3.0 because it rolls out to new cities? The excellent news is that your present antenna will work, and will even pull in additional channels beneath the brand new commonplace. The unhealthy information is that you will want to purchase a brand new tuner or an ATSC 3.0-equipped TV, and these are solely now coming to market.
And take a look at our different recommendation for TV antennas that will help you get your self correctly geared up and arrange for the very best reception:
Utilizing a TV antenna with good TVs and streaming units
Whereas streaming providers like Netflix and HBO Max could also be taking a extra distinguished place in the lounge, there’s nonetheless room for over-the-air (OTA) broadcast TV. Whether or not you need free entry to native information or simply wish to get extra sports activities with out shelling out for one more subscription service, an HDTV antenna can nonetheless present loads of nice stuff to look at, and having a wise TV or among the finest streaming units does not forestall utilizing an antenna.
The entire finest good TVs for streaming even have built-in tuners for pulling in broadcast channels, and getting your TV channels programmed is an computerized course of, with the TV scanning for stations and placing collectively a browsable channel information in just some minutes.
And a number of other streaming units are constructed with OTA content material in thoughts. The Amazon Hearth TV Dice, for instance, can change over to your TV’s built-in tuner seamlessly, with out having to swap TV inputs or juggle further distant controls. You may even get one thing just like the Amazon Hearth TV Recast, a DVR that permits you to document OTA content material, and revel in all of it utilizing the identical Hearth TV interface your TV may already be utilizing.
How we check the very best TV antennas
The entire TV antennas we evaluation are examined in the identical location. Every antenna is linked to the identical TV, so the TV tuner stays constant, and every one is positioned in the identical place to generate comparable outcomes.
We’re situated just some miles outdoors of a significant metropolitan space, a location that gives a wonderful testing location for antenna reception of any vary, with extra delicate, long-range antennas pulling in a better variety of channels. It additionally offers us an opportunity to find out the standard of that reception, by seeing whether or not or not these channels are clear and watchable. One of the best antennas will pull in additional channels, with a better variety of watchable outcomes.
Your expertise might differ from our check outcomes. Relying upon what number of stations broadcast in you space, and distinctive geographical impediments to over the air sign – akin to buildings, timber and mountains – your personal channel choice will range significantly.
