Cord-cutting has become synonymous with dropping cable and satellite subscriptions in favor of streaming video services. That leaves a lot of live television on the table, which you can get for free. All you need is an antenna to tune into TV stations the old-fashioned way (in high-definition with digital signals, of course). If you want to keep up with local programming or just want some more variety beyond what you can stream, an antenna connected to your TV is the way to do it. Here’s how to choose the best antenna for you.
Location Matters
Before you start shopping for an antenna, you should check what channels are available near you. AntennaWeb has a helpful tool that lets you enter your location to see where the nearest TV stations are. It even provides a helpful map that shows distance, and the type of antenna you need to get a strong signal from each station. Once you know what TV you can get near you, you can figure out the best antenna to buy.
AntennaWeb’s TV station tool categorizes nearby stations based on the sort of outdoor antenna you need to tune in. This is because indoor antennas are highly dependent on the architecture of your home and any sort of structures that can interfere with signals. This doesn’t mean the map is useless for indoor antennas, though; yellow and green stations can be tuned into with small and medium multidirectional antennas mounted outdoors, which means you can probably get a signal from them using an indoor multidirectional antenna. For farther and weaker stations that require directional antennas or a preamp, you’ll need to be able to mount it outside.
Multidirectional or Directional Antennas
Multidirectional antennas are designed to pick up signals from any direction. They’re typically flat, shaped like rectangular sheets or discs that can be easily mounted on a window. If mounted properly, they can tune into any station within range, regardless of whether the station’s positioned north, south, east, or west.
Multidirectional antennas are the most common kind of TV antenna. Almost all indoor antennas are multidirectional, and many outdoor antennas are as well. They’re easy to set up, and don’t require knowing where each station is. They aren’t perfect, though; multidirectional antennas are weaker than directional antennas, so their ranges are much shorter.
Directional antennas are, well, directional. They tend to be shaped like fins, arrows, or tubes, and need to be pointed toward the stations they’re tuned to. This means they need to be adjusted to properly get signals from stations, so you’ll need to plan carefully when mounting them. Their ranges can be much, much farther than multidirectional antennas, though, letting you tune into weaker and more distant stations if the antenna is pointing at them.
Directional antennas generally must be mounted outside, so they’re better suited for houses than apartments. Pointing toward the station isn’t nearly as effective if the antenna is blocked by a wall.
With that in mind, we've selected a variety of the best antennas you can use for a number of different scenarios.
Amazon's $20 Indoor TV Antennas
Of course Amazon has TV antennas, though the AmazonBasics indoor TV antenna is no longer available new. Fortunately, there are plenty of no-name $20 indoor TV antennas like the 1byone model linked here that appear to be very similar. These are simple, flat antennas with a typical range of around 35 miles. They don't have any frills and aren't as guaranteed in range or quality as brand-name antennas, but at least you can get most of them with free Amazon Prime shipping.
AmazonBasics Amplified Indoor/Outdoor TV Antenna
The AmazonBasics Indoor antenna is no longer available new, but you can still get Amazon's house brand indoor/outdoor antenna. This model is about twice as expensive as many of the no-name models you'll find, but it features an outdoor-friendly, mountable design and a range of up to 60 miles thanks to a built-in amplifier.
Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse Indoor HDTV Antenna
Antennas Direct is a popular brand with a wide selection of indoor and outdoor antennas. The Eclipse Indoor HDTV Antenna is a simple, flat, disc-shaped antenna with a stick-on design. You can slap it on any smooth surface, like a window, without using tape or any other adhesive. It's a multidirectional antenna and features a 35-mile range.
Antennas Direct DB8e 8-Element Bowtie Attic/Outdoor HDTV Antenna
The decidedly retro-looking Antennas Direct DB8e 8-Element Bowtie Antenna is actually a very powerful multidirectional outdoor antenna. It features two panels, each with four elements and a reflector, that can be angled toward clusters of nearby stations to get the best results. It's still a multidirectional antenna, but a big one you can aim to get even better reception from over 70 miles away.
Mohu Leaf +
Monoprice Active Curved HD5 HDTV Antenna
Monoprice remains one of the best-kept secrets for home theater enthusiasts and installers, with reliable and inexpensive antennas, cables, and other A/V equipment. The Monoprice Active Curved HDTV Antenna is a simple, inexpensive, slightly curved indoor antenna with an amplifier for a 60-mile range.
Monoprice Clear Window or Wall Mount Paper Thin HDTV Antenna
Most indoor antennas are opaque, but the Monoprice Clear Window Antenna is clear, or at least translucent. This means you can attach it to the window and still let plenty of light through. It also features an inline amplifier, so it should have the same 60-mile range as Monoprice's curved antenna for just a few dollars more.
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How to Find the Best Digital TV Antenna for 2020 - PCMag.com
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