Television has been constantly changing, and with the brands competing for more audiences, there is a lot to expect in terms of improved quality and bringing more smiles to our homes. With the current High-definition television (HDTV), nothing could be better. The clarity, sharpness, and resolution you get are comparable to bringing a movie theatre to your own living room. However, to get the best out of your TV, there are some accessories that you need and among them is having a good HDTV antenna. Besides the cost of buying the HDTV antenna, you will enjoy free Over-The-Air (OTA) channels which helps you save your monthly cable TV bills.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of HDTV antennas in the market are junk and full of flaws. So, in an effort to find the best HDTV antenna to buy, we’ve combed through dozens out there unfolding every feature and capabilities they have. But before delving into the reviews and countdown, below are some of the things you should be keen to check out when buying a good HDTV antenna.
Choosing A Good HDTV Antenna
To handpick and choose the right HDTV antenna from the countless hundreds in the market, here are some pointers to keep in mind.
Range
Among some of the most important things that one should consider when buying a new HDTV antenna is the range it has. HDTV antenna will help you to access multiple TV channels which means the better range you have, the more TV channels you are going to get. HDTV antennas can have varying ranges from a few miles to advanced ones that have hundreds of miles. Depending on the location, you should always know how far the channel transmitter is available and know the antenna range you should be getting.
Ease Of Installation
Antennas are built by different brands, which means their designs vary. When choosing a good antenna, you should keep in mind how you are going to mount it. Be it an outdoor antenna that needs to be mounted on the roof, or one that you can place in the attic, it should be flexible and offer easy installation options. Some are paper thick and can be easily stuck on your window or wall while others are bulky and need extra frames to be installed.
Obstacles
Most of the antennas come with a range quoted in miles. Although you can get this right by just blindly picking one knowing your location from the broadcasting transmitter, you might be surprised that it won’t work. One of the reasons why HDTV antennas might not work is if there are obstacles such as tall buildings and mountains between your home and the transmitter. To counter this caveat, it is always advisable to get a multi-directional HDTV antenna if you live in a place where there are lots of obstacles.
Best HDTV Antennas 2021 To Buy
Listed below are some of the best HDTV antennas handpicked from hundreds that grace the market.
9. Winegard FreeVision FV-30BB Indoor and Outdoor Digital HDTV Antenna
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: U-Bolt Mounting Clamp, Transformer.
Range: 30 miles.
The FreeVision FV-30BB is a high quality HDTV antenna that comes with a simple design and can work either indoors or outdoors. Mounting and setting it up is a seamless process, thanks to the U-bolt and easy to follow manual. It is versatile and designed to be compatible with almost any TV, DVR or Computer with a digital tuner. The antenna is capable of picking both VHF and UHF signals with high clarity and sharpness which gives you more channels.
This is a high performance HDTV antenna that is suitable for people who are within a short distance of 30 miles from the main broadcast transmitter.
Pros and Cons
- It doesn’t need any power to function.
- The antenna is very easy to install and set up.
- The antenna tends to be bulkier at 8 feet long.
8. Pingbingding HDTV Antenna Amplified Digital Outdoor Antenna
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: 360 degree rotation, Remote controlled, Lightning protection, Dual TV support.
Range: 150 Miles.
Pingbingding HDTV antenna is a multi-directional remote controlled outdoor antenna that offers an impressive 150 mile range coverage and 360 degree rotation. Installing the antenna is a snap and only takes a few minutes, thanks to the snap-on elements and comprehensive manual. Its also specially designed to support 2 TVs without the need for a slitter.
Being weather resistant, this is an excellent outdoor HDTV antenna that will deliver and last long. Among other things that come with the antenna includes a 40ft coaxial cable, power supply adapter, and a mounting pole.
Pros and Cons
- Installing the antenna is very easy.
- It offers a long range and multi-directional coverage.
- The rotational system could be made to be more flexible.
7. Vansky Outdoor Amplified HDTV Antenna
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Remote control, 32.8′ Coax Cable, low noise amplifier.
Range: 150 miles.
This Vansky amplified HDTV antenna is designed for outdoor signal reception and has a wide range coverage of 150 miles. It is also a multi-directional antenna which allows one to easily turn and fine tune the antenna position, all with the push button control using a remote. Assembling and installing the antennae is very easy and only takes a few minutes. The working frequencies of VHF 40300MHz and UHF 470890MHz offer enough coverage to watch many popular TV channels.
It is a good outdoor antenna that has a decent range and can be easily mounted on the attic, roof or at the side of the house.
Pros and Cons
- It comes at an affordable price.
- Setting up and installing it is very easy.
- The coax it comes with could be of better quality.
6. ViewTV Outdoor Amplified Digital HDTV Antenna
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Motorized 360° rotation, 40 ft Coax cable, Wireless remote
Range: 150 miles.
This ViewTV outdoor amplified antenna with a range of 150 miles is solidly built and is also weather resistant which makes it durable. Installing it is not a brainy task and only takes a few minutes. It is capable of picking VHF and UHF frequencies clearly and can be used on 2 televisions without having to use a slitter.
Adjusting the antenna to pick up new frequencies and get clearer signals is very easy and can be done using the wireless remote control it comes with. There aren’t many unique or special features with this antenna, but it delivers on the advertised function.
Pros and Cons
- The antenna is very easy to install.
- It is very effective in pulling channels from both frequencies.
- The quality could use some improvements to make it more durable.
5. ClearStream 2V Indoor/Outdoor HDTV Antenna
Price: Modestly priced.
Special features: F-connector, U-clamp mounting hardware, Sealing pads.
Range: 60 miles.
Clearstream has been around for a while now and have been making good antennas. This 2V HDTV is designed to be used indoors and is capable of picking broadcast signals in an area within 60 miles. It comes with U-clam mounting hardware among other things that makes installing it a breeze. Its dedicated UHF and VHF multi-directional elements ensure sharp reception from the transmitter.
When it comes to performance and effectiveness in picking transmitted signals, very few can come close to this one. It is not the cheapest in the market, but it surely offers good value for the money.
Pros and Cons
- It has a very effective signal reception.
- The HDTV antenna offers good value for the money.
- Some users feel that it is variable with UHF reception.
4. 1byone Amplified HDTV Antenna
Price: Very affordable.
Special features: Inline Amplifier, CleanPeak Filter, Thin design.
Range: 50 miles.
1byone Amplified HDTV Antenna is a high quality paper-thin designed antenna that is lightweight yet very powerful and works within a 50 mile radius. This antenna has also demonstrated excellent performance even where there are obstacles, thanks to the inline amplifier which enhances signals. For better clarity, there is also a unique CleanPeak filter which helps to filter other signals and reduce noise.
With a high customer rating and a price tag that is hard to beat, there is little doubt that you will love the experience with this HDTV antenna.
Pros and Cons
- The antenna is very powerful and can even pick signals barred with obstacles.
- Its paper thin design makes it easy to install anywhere.
- A few enhancements could improve channel signals and reception.
3. RCA Compact Outdoor Yagi HDTV Antenna
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Pre-assembled design, Mast, locking mast clamp, Mounting hardware
Range: 70 miles.
Built to deliver years of high performance, the RCA compact outdoor Yagi HDTV antenna is an incredible choice for anyone within a 70 mile radius. It comes with a mast, locking clamp as well as mounting equipment. The design of the antenna is weather-proof and will stand any outdoor condition, thanks to the heavy duty construction materials used in making it.
It comes in a pre-assembled design to help users with the installation process. The design of this antenna makes it easy to install on the attic and outdoors where it has recorded superior reception. It is the best outdoor HDTV antenna that one can buy.
Pros and Cons
- Installing this antenna is a breeze.
- It is weather-proof and is durable.
- Adding an amplifier could help strengthen signals especially where there are obstacles.
2. ANTENNAS DIRECT 8 Element Bowtie Indoor/Outdoor HDTV Antenna
Price: Highly priced.
Special features: All-weather mounting hardware, Advanced signal reception system.
Range: Options from 45 to 70 miles.
Designed to be used both indoor and outdoors, the Antennas Direct 8 element Bowtie is among the best HDTV signal antennas you can find. This antenna has focused more on delivering quality reception and effectiveness in picking up more channels. The beam angle offered by this antenna is 24.5 degree at 470 MHz to 16.3 degree at 698 MHz on a range of up to 70 miles.
If you do not mind paying a premium to get a highly functional and effective 70 mile HDTV antenna, then you may want to consider this one.
Pros and Cons
- It has a good reception than most in the market.
- Can be used both indoor and outdoor.
- The HDTV antenna is much pricier than most in the market.
1. Mohu Leaf 30 Indoor HDTV Antenna
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Paper-thin design, 10 Foot Detachable Cable,
Range: 40 Miles.
The Mohu Leaf is a high performance indoor antenna that boasts having a very strong signal reception within 40 miles. It’s paper thin design makes it very easy to mount anywhere from the windows to the walls. Installing and setting it up is very easy. You just have to mount it, plug, power, and scan. The U.S military technology used in designing this antenna does an excellent job in receiving and pulling many channels within range.
If you are looking for the best way to cut the cable TV, and even get better clarity and quality images, then nothing else does it better than this Mohu Leaf HDTV antenna. And for a song, there is no other indoor HDTV antenna in the market beats it for value.
Pros and Cons
- It comes at a very affordable price, hence good value for the money.
- The antenna is very efficient and applauded by many users for its ability to scan and pull many channels.
- Few improvements could be made to offer more than 40 miles for people who are off the grid.
Final Verdict
If you are tired of paying for monthly cable and satellite bills, then why not switch to the much better and free HDTV? In this comprehensive guide, we have covered crucial things on HDTV antennas and listed some of the best HDTV antennas that one can find in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How Do HDTV antennas Work?
A: HDTV antennas are specially designed with electromagnetic components which attract broadcast signals that are transmitted over-the-air (OTA). TV broadcast transmitters program their audio and video data before the transmission, and HDTV signals pick them up, then convert them back to audio and video which is then passed on to your HDTV.
Q: Do I Need An Indoor Or An Outdoor Antenna?
A: The decision of whether you should be getting an indoor or an outdoor antenna all comes down to the distance you are from the transmitter. The closer you are to the transmitter, the better the reception which means that a small indoor antenna would do the job. However, if you are many miles away from the transmitter or in a rural area, then a larger outdoor antenna with better reception is needed.
Q: How Much Does HDTV Cost?
A: HDTV antennas are used to pick up broadcast signals that are transmitted through OTA transmissions which do not cost anything. Unlike cable and satellite television broadcast, using HDTV does not attract any monthly charges. All you will incur is the cost of buying the HDTV antenna and installing it. The cost of HDTV antennas varies depending on the features and the range it has. The picture quality and clarity of HDTV also tend to be much better when compared to cable television which makes it another plus.
Q: What is the difference between HDTV and DTV?
A: Although the terms High Definition Television (HDTV) and Digital Television (DTV) are sometimes used interchangeably, they are actually different. A DTV simply refers to a television that receives signals digitally as opposed to the old analog system. However, when it comes to HDTV, the “H”, implies that it comes with a high resolution which is considerably higher and much better than you would find in a DTV.
Q: What is the best antenna for a TV without cable?
A: A digital HD TV antenna with a range of 150 miles, supporting 4K 1080p and up to two TVs with a 33-foot coaxial cable, an adapter and a mounting pole. With its ability to support two TVs simultaneously, the Mohu Leaf is the best outdoor antenna on the market. As the best outdoor antenna available, the Mohu Leaf is capable of supporting two TVs simultaneously.
