Top 5 Best HDTV Antennas for 2022

GE UltraPro Black Stealth Mobile TV Antenna

BOTTOM LINE
Portable Convenience
An excellent choice because it is budget-friendly, receives seamless 4K video without any problems, and has a broad range.

PROS
This antenna has a 60-mile range, and it is very affordable. Designed for 4K content. It can be set up quickly, and the included mounting kit makes it easy to install. Its lightweight design makes it easy to move around. Durable.

CONS
There may be some small things that you could complain about, but they would not be a big deal.

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RCA Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna

BOTTOM LINE
Easiest to Use
RCA's Amplified HDTV antenna is a simple and effective solution for watching local channels in high definition.

PROS
Receives 4K and Full HD material. Has a 40-mile range. Simple to set up. Low cost. Designed to improve the video quality of weaker signals while maintaining the same number of viewable channels as conventional TVs, minimizing signal loss and improving picture quality.

CONS
This antenna is for indoor use only.

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Winegard FlatWave FL-5000 Digital Indoor HDTV Antenna

BOTTOM LINE
Simple Yet Solid
Choose a hook or another adhesive that works best for you to hold this ultra-thin antenna. When positioned correctly, it picks up signals well.

PROS
The antenna is very light and easy to install on a wall or window. It has a long coaxial cable, so it can pick up HD signals from 35-40 miles away even if there are line of sight obstacles.

CONS
Stickers that come with the kit aren't ideal for window glass. There is no amplifier. Reception can be challenging to achieve.

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Antennas Direct ClearStream 4MAX Indoor/Outdoor HDTV Antenna

BOTTOM LINE
Durable & Rugged
This powerful and durable HDTV antenna is worth considering if you live in a remote location.

PROS
The TV antenna is easy to install. You can impress your friends with the 70.2-mile range. The antenna also includes a mounting kit, and it is weatherproof. It is optimized for crystal-clear UHD 4K and 1080p channels, so you will be able to get a great reception from all directions.

CONS
Somewhat expensive.

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Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse Indoor HDTV Antenna

BOTTOM LINE
Compact Design
This antenna is a top pick for its appealing design and precise reception range.

PROS
The flush mount design makes installation easy. It receives excellent HD signals for 35 miles.

CONS
Indoor reception is poor. Double-sided tape won't adhere to a smooth wall surface or semi-gloss paint.

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HDTV ANTENNAS

More and more people are connecting over-the-air television antennas to receive free live broadcasts in high definition, which is a trend that is disrupting the entertainment delivery business.

Fortunately, today's HDTV antennas aren't as primitive as rabbit ears from years past. The days of fidgeting for ideal reception are long gone, and contemporary antennas can now provide crisp, clear digital signals with 5.1-channel surround sound. Digital signals are simpler to receive than the previous analog broadcasts, which is something of old broadcast standards.

Before you start buying a new HDTV antenna, you'll need to know two things: how far away from local broadcast towers you are and where you want to position it in (or outside of) your home.

CUTTING THE CORD

Over-the-air television is a significant component of the cultural trend known as cord-cutting, even though the notion of needing an antenna to watch TV may seem like a throwback to our shared pre-technological history.

Seventeen percent of American households use HDTV antennas rather than paying for cable television, according to a 2016 poll.

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The act of cutting the cord, or quitting your cable TV subscription in favor of streaming television over the internet and receiving local broadcasts with an HD antenna, is becoming increasingly popular. Cord-cutters rely on streaming services to provide their favorite shows and movies, then use local broadcasts to supplement those services with local news and programming from the major networks. Many cable companies are now trying to offer incentives for people to bundle their cable TV service with their internet service. This usually means that people can get a discount on one or both services if they purchase them together.

But the cable industry has a harder time keeping people from cutting the cord. This is good news for people looking for HD antennas because increased demand means antennas are getting more budget-friendly.

TYPES OF ANTENNAS

There are many kinds of HDTV antennas, but they all operate in the same way. However, there are three categories that must be examined when buying an antenna:

• In areas where one antenna will receive TV signals for many TVs or broadcast towers are far distant, outdoor or attic antennas are ideal. Outdoor antennas offer the greatest reception, but they may be unsightly and more prone to weather issues. Attic antennas do not have a clear line of sight to the sky. However, because they are generally big enough to receive a significant signal, they are an excellent alternative for those who want to watch broadcasts from several places at once. If you wish to install one HDTV antenna and connect it to your home coaxial wiring, an outdoor antenna is your best choice.
• Desktop antennas are usually small and meant to sit on a flat surface. They typically come with an amplifier. Desktop antennas generally can only pick up TV signals from closer broadcast towers. They are not meant to provide a TV signal to more than one TV.
• Flat antennas are attractive since they take up little space yet still provide strong HDTV signals. They are generally built to be attached to windowpanes and are the most cost-effective form of antenna available. Like desktop antennas, flat antennas only transmit signals to one TV at a time and are not meant to serve multiple TVs.

DID YOU KNOW?

All over-the-air broadcast programming is free in the United States. Many non-cable networks provide content in full high definition, also known as 1080p.

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ANTENNA SIGNAL AMPLIFIERS

Your HDTV antenna may not provide a strong signal if you live far from broadcast transmitters. If the picture on your HDTV antenna is excellent but cuts out frequently, an antenna signal amplifier may help.

A signal amplifier boosts the incoming signal, making the picture clearer and the playback glitches fewer. There are many different amplifiers, and some antennas have them built-in.

A signal amplifier is not always required, but if you encounter reception difficulties, consider trying a signal amplifier.

Many television broadcast stations have just one channel that they air on. But they might also show content on other channels, called sub-channels. For example, if you get ABC on channel 2.1, you'll probably also see channels 2.2 and 2.3 with reruns, public access programming, or other community-based."

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MODERN GADGETS FOR ANTENNAS

HDTV antennas are a great way to get free TV. You can use them with high-tech setups or with modern gadgets that will help you watch TV.

• Networked video tuners let you connect your TV antenna to your home network. This way, other devices on your network can use the signal from the antenna to watch TV. For example, if you have the right software, you can stream TV shows from your HDTV antenna directly to your smartphone, tablet, or media player.
• Game console adapters are USB devices that connect your TV signal to the console. This lets you watch TV on the console and also use its native entertainment features. Microsoft, for example, offers an antenna adapter that provides an antenna adapter that lets you watch local TV on the Xbox One console and also use it as a DVR.
• DVR systems are designed to let you watch TV without paying for cable. They are simple and perfect for people who want the cable TV experience but don't want to pay for a subscription.

TIPS

Consider these suggestions while shopping for an HDTV antenna.

• Before choosing a location for your antenna, check AntennaWeb.org to find out where your local broadcast towers are. The antenna should be pointing in the direction of the towers, and it's best to place it as high up as possible.
• Signal amplifiers can be great, but they can make things worse in some cases. If your antenna already gets a good picture, adding an amplifier may distort the video and make it hard to watch.
• When connecting your HDTV antenna, use a shielded coaxial cable. This type of cable helps reduce interference, delivering a stronger signal.

FAQ

Q. Can I use a DVR to record broadcasts that I get from my HDTV antenna?

A. Yes! Many DVRs that you can buy in stores are designed to record over-the-air broadcasts. Most antennas come with DVRs, and these DVRs also include features for streaming video, like Netflix and Hulu. Just be aware that some broadcasters might set a "do not record" flag on specific programs.

Since 2009, the United States has required all broadcast stations to send digital signals instead of analog signals. This means that over-the-air broadcasts are now available in full high definition (HD) and with digital audio.

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Q. Is there any over-the-air broadcast available in 4K?

A. Over-the-air broadcast standards do not yet support 4K content. However, a new 4K-based broadcast standard (ATSC 3.0) is being developed in the United States for future deployment.

Q. Can I get closed-captioned TV using an HDTV antenna?

A. Yes, most over-the-air broadcasts have closed captions for the hearing impaired. Closed captions are usually accessible with your TV's remote.

GE UltraPro Black Stealth Mobile TV Antenna

BOTTOM LINE
Portable Convenience
An excellent choice because it is budget-friendly, receives seamless 4K video without any problems, and has a broad range.

Shop Now

RCA Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna

BOTTOM LINE
Easiest to Use
RCA's Amplified HDTV antenna is a simple and effective solution for watching local channels in high definition.

Shop Now

Winegard FlatWave FL-5000 Digital Indoor HDTV Antenna

BOTTOM LINE
Simple Yet Solid
Choose a hook or another adhesive that works best for you to hold this ultra-thin antenna. When positioned correctly, it picks up signals well.

Shop Now