Key Points
- The #1 Best Overall TV antenna for your home is the Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro.
- If you prefer outdoor antennas, the Winegard Elite 7550 is a great choice.
- The Monoprice Clear Window TV antenna is great for blending in with your decor.
- The Winegard FlatWave Amped is a solid choice for its versatility and flexibility.
- The 1byone HDTV antenna is a great choice if you’re on a tight budget.
What are the best TV antennas on Earth today? Even with so many viewers at home opting out of cable packages and choosing streaming packages, there is still a need for terrestrial television channels.
If you’ve been on the hunt for a reliable digital TV antenna, then you’re in the right place. Today’s guide covers six of our absolute favorite TV antennas for catching local channels while still retaining the freedom of your streaming services.
TV antennas have kept up with the times, believe it or not. Analog transmissions haven’t been a thing in a while, but you can still pick up digital signals from your local affiliates. A modern TV antenna picks up high-definition video and audio, meaning you can see your local news affiliate in 1080p or higher.
Also, TV antennas are universally compatible with modern television, so you don’t need to worry too much about configuring everything. Here is our list of the six best TV antennas on Earth today.
- Best Overall: Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro
- Best Outdoor Antenna: Winegard Elite 7550S
- Best Budget Antenna: 1byone HDTV Antenna
- Best for Decorating: Monoprice Large Paper Thin HDTV Antenna
- Best Budget Outdoor Antenna: ClearStream MAX-V HDTV Antenna
- Best Flexible Antenna: Winegard FlatWave Amped
#1 Best Overall: Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro
- 65 miles of range
- Comes with everything you need for installation
- Amplified for better signal reception
- Integrated LED signal indicator
- Supports Full HD 1080p, 4K 8K UHD, and NEXTGEN TV
The Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro is the best overall TV antenna you can purchase right now. There is quite a bit to like about the Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro; its slick design is just an added bonus. Users get access to 1080p broadcasts with a range of up to 65 miles.
For most local stations, you should be well set without having to resort to an outdoor antenna. This is one of the best TV antennas due to being amplified while still remaining affordable. You also get a detachable cord, meaning it is ready for easy storage.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a built-in amplifier for increased signal reception. | It is quite large and takes up considerable wall space. |
| The Mohu antenna is easy to configure and get running. | The reception isn’t on par with an outdoor antenna. |
Check out Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro on Amazon.
Best Outdoor Antenna: Winegard Elite 7550S
- 70 miles of range
- Unobtrusive design for roof mounting
- Built-in signal interference suppression technology
The Winegard Elite 7550S is the best outdoor antenna available today. Outdoor aerial antennas were a common sight a few decades ago. However, with antennas like the Winegard Elite 7550S, they are far less obtrusive when mounting on your roof.
You get 70 miles of reception, which is excellent despite a lack of amplification. Winegard has also packaged in some interference suppression technology, so the picture on your TV remains more stable and clearer despite inclement weather.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Elite 7550S has great reception. | The roof mount is somewhat flimsy, being made of plastic instead of metal. |
| It comes packaged with interference suppression technology. | The Elite 7550S’s build quality could be better. |
Check out Winegard Elite 7550S on Amazon.
Best Budget Antenna: 1byone HDTV Antenna
- Easy to install
- Lightweight antenna
- 16.5 foot coaxial cable for installation
If money is tight, the 1byone HDTV is a great option. Not everyone has the budget for the best of the best when it comes to picking up tech. As such, the 1byone is a great option that should be a solid performer.
The 1byone HDTV antenna is easy to get up and running, and comes with all the necessary components you might need to receive your local channels. There are some trade-offs to be aware of, however. You get worse reception and far fewer channels than some of the other options on the market.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has an affordable price. | It has poor reception. |
| The initial setup is quite easy. | You get far fewer channels when using this antenna. |
Check out 1byone HDTV Antenna on Amazon.
Best for Decorating: Monoprice Large Paper Thin HDTV Antenna
- Super flexible and thin
- 35 miles of range
- Comes with all need cables to install
The Monoprice Clear Window HDTV antenna is a great option for your TV room’s decor. Sure, it doesn’t have the same level of reception as some of the other options on here. However, if it is both flexible and thin, meaning you can position it wherever you want without taking up too much space.
The antenna being so thin also affords some more opportunities when it comes to decorating around the antenna. Monoprice is an open secret when it comes to tech, and this is one of the best TV antennas on the market. You get access to a built-in amplifier in addition to 60 channels of reception.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is a flexible and thin antenna. | It has a lower range. |
| The Monoprice comes with everything you need for installation. | It only has 60 channels. |
Check out Monoprice Large Paper Thin HDTV Antenna on Amazon.
Best Budget Outdoor Antenna: ClearStream MAX-V HDTV Antenna
- Usable indoors or outdoors
- 60+ miles of range
- Capable of 4K broadcast reception
The ClearStream MAX-V is a great option for indoor or outdoor use without breaking the bank. ClearSteam has made quite a versatile antenna in the MAX-V, as it allows you to position it outside if you’d like.
This isn’t the best choice for indoor use, as it is quite a large and unsightly antenna when mounted near your TV. However, for outdoor use it works quite well, getting up to 51 channels and having a total range of 61 miles.
Its low price makes for one of the best TV antennas on the market today, especially if you’re after a reliable outdoor antenna that is affordable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a very good signal reception. | The MAX-V has an unattractive design for indoor use. |
| The ClearStream can be used indoors or outdoors. | ClearStream didn’t package all the materials needed for installing the antenna. |
Check out ClearStream MAX-V HDTV Antenna on Amazon.
Best Flexible Antenna: Winegard FlatWave Amped
- 60 miles of amplified reception
- Reversible design
- Built-in amplifier
- 50-mile range
If you’re after a flexible amplified antenna, the Winegard FlatWave is the one to grab. This is one of the pricier indoor antennas, but it is one of the best TV antennas you can purchase. It comes with a built-in amplifier, which is powered via a USB port.
You also get rock-solid reception thanks to the multi-directional design. This means you can opt for the black or white side when choosing a place to install the antenna itself. Overall signal reception is solid, and you’ve got 60 miles of signal range to receive all your favorite local stations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a built-in amplifier. | The range doesn’t benefit from the built-in amplifier. |
| The FlatWave is reversible, meaning you have no signal loss when installing it any way you choose. | It only receives around 50 channels on average, depending on local providers. |
Check out Winegard FlatWave Amped on Amazon.
What to Know About Purchasing a TV Antenna
A modern TV antenna functions a little differently than the older sort. It used to be that a TV antenna was integral to ideal signal reception, at least in the days before cable and streaming services.
These days, the signals are all digital, so there are some additional considerations to keep in mind when purchasing one. Before you purchase a TV antenna, here are some questions to ponder:
- What local stations are in your area?
- What stations do you want to pick up?
- What are the best locations in your home for the best signal reception?
- Would an indoor or outdoor antenna be ideal?
While most television antennas have exceptional range, they will vary depending on your area. As such, if you have particular stations you’re looking to watch, you’ll need to see if you’ll be covered by whichever antenna you choose.
Antenna strength can depend greatly on placement indoors. However, outdoor antennas generally have better overall signal reception. An amplified indoor antenna can make up for those shortcomings.
You’ll also want to try multiple installation points in your typical viewing area. Windows and exterior doors usually provide the best reception, since there is a clear line of sight to broadcast signals.
Using a TV Antenna: What It’s Like
©Peerawit/Shutterstock.com
So, how is it using a modern TV antenna? Once you’ve finished the installation process, it is the same as watching any other sort of video on a TV. Instead of opting for HDMI signals, you’ll use the built-in channels on the TV.
The signal broadcast from the base station should automatically assign channels to your proverbial dial, meaning it’s just a matter of tuning into the channel you want to watch. While technology has changed around the terrestrial broadcast standard, navigating it is largely unchanged.
Closing Thoughts
Hopefully, you’ve got a strong start toward picking the right TV antenna for your needs. Terrestrial TV channels aren’t for everyone, especially in light of the surge toward streaming providers. However, it is hard to pass up local news, special events, and catching network broadcasts the day they air.
Summary Table
| Antenna | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro | Built-in amplifier for increased signal reception. Easy to configure and get running. | Quite large and takes up considerable wall space. Reception isnât on par with an outdoor antenna. |
| Winegard Elite 7550 | Great reception. Comes packaged with interference suppression technology. | Roof mount is somewhat flimsy, being made of plastic instead of metal. Build quality could be better. |
| 1byone HDTV Antenna | Affordable price. Initial setup is quite easy. | Poor reception. Far fewer channels when using this antenna. |
| Monoprice Clear Window or Wall Mount Antenna | Flexible and thin antenna. Comes with everything you need for installation. | Lower range. Only has 60 channels. |
| ClearStream MAX-V HDTV Antenna | Very good signal reception. Can be used indoors or outdoors. | Unattractive design for indoor use. Didnât package all the materials needed for installing the antenna. |
| Winegard FlatWave Amped | Built-in amplifier. Reversible, meaning you have no signal loss when installing it any way you choose. | Range doesnât benefit from the built-in amplifier. Only receives around 50 channels on average, depending on local providers. |
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