15 of the HDTV antennas for cutting the cable cord forever | Mashable

2022-05-21 00:02:53 By : Mr. Alin zheng

Cutting cable is all the rage, but it's easy to end up paying just as much without it. And while going digital through streaming platforms is convenient, sometimes that just isn't feasible. Digital services might not be in your budget, or you might live in an area that lacks the necessary internet infrastructure.

That's where indoor antennas come in. Now you might be asking, "aren't antennas outdated tech?" Yes, if you're talking about "rabbit ears" or wrapping tin foil around a hanger. Fortunately, these aren't those kinds of antennas.

While modern antennas still have to be hooked directly into your TV, that's where the similarities end. You don't have to live within ten miles of a broadcast station, sit the rabbit ears on the TV, and fiddle with your setup for 20 minutes just to get a little less static. Find the best signal location, hook up the necessary cables, scan for channels and you're good to go.

And there's no lack of choice either. Whether you want to hook up multiple TVs or get the max possible range, there's an antenna that fits your needs. Here are some of the best antenna options available on Amazon right now.

The VICTONY TV Antenna is a flat panel antenna that sets the standard for the rest of the antennas going forward in terms of just how functional they can be. The antenna is easy to set up since it can be mounted on the wall, behind the TV, or on a window. Just make sure it's getting as clear a signal as possible because that will get you the most over-the-air channels in full 1080p. But don't worry, with a range of 50 miles, you don't have to be right next to any broadcast towers.

Robert Abbott attests to its quality on Amazon:

If you're looking for a little more flexibility, Mujay might be just the antenna. The double-sided antenna is similar to the VICTONY antenna in that it can be mounted by simply placing it behind the TV, on the wall, or on a nearby window. After mounting, set the antenna to either 0-35 miles or 35-80 miles to bring in the most channels. Just keep in mind that if your TV doesn't have an HDTV tuner, you'll need a digital converter to make sure the signal is coming through properly. It's also often on sale, making it an even more affordable option.

Barbara can attest to the quality of this antenna:

While it doesn't have as far a range as some of the other antennas mentioned, this ANTOP antenna can provide one of the cleanest signals. Once set up, it can be configured to optimize signal strength based on distance. On top of that, it can filter out 3G and 4G signals so there is less "noise" in the TV signal.

David Laughrun had a short and to-the-point review of this antenna, saying:

The ANTV HDTV antenna is one of the most flexible offerings out there. It can work as an indoor antenna, but there won't be a drop in performance if you set it up outdoors or on an RV.  This will ensure that, no matter where you are or how you find yourself there, you'll be able to bring TV anywhere.

Tim M. expressed her happiness with the ANTV antenna on Amazon, saying:

Next, there's the U Must Have HD Antenna for $69.95 (often on sale for as low as $27). It works much like the aforementioned antennas with mounting and scanning for channels. However, when it comes to picture quality, it really shines. As long as you can bring in the best signal within 80 miles, this antenna can output at 4K. Now you obviously need a 4K TV in order to handle that kind of picture quality, but that speaks to the quality that antennas are capable of today.

April sings the praises of this antenna, saying:

ANTOP's antenna is not only fit for a TV, but for the whole house. It might be one of the bigger antennas on this list, but don't let that deter you. While most antennas are for one TV, this offering is capable of servicing multiple TVs. This eliminates the needs for several antennas and can save you more in the long run. And while it works perfectly fine indoors, if you need to place it outside, ANTOP's antenna is weather resistant.

David Jennings gave the ANTOP antenna a positive review, saying:

The Monster Mounts Mava 5002H Edge is a single-TV setup, but it makes up for it by packing in lots of power. This 5002H antenna can potentially pull in over 100 channels with 4K quality in the right circumstances.

But don't take my word for it, M. Lee swears by it as well:

If you're looking for something with a little more range, the ClearStream 2V is a good place to start. While at first glance the antenna looks like something meant for the roof, it works perfectly fine indoors. In fact, the 2V eliminates some concerns with foliage and building materials that could weaken the signal for other antennas. On the downside, the size can make it a little tricky to figure out where it could go without being a hinderance.

User BrewCrewJake on Amazon attested to its quality:

If you want a power upgrade from the ClearStream 2V, there's the ClearStream 4. The mantra with this antenna is simple: bigger is better. Because of that, the range is bumped up to 70 miles and the antenna is 4K-ready out of the box. Unfortunately, that will make setup a bit harder because of the bigger size, but given its improved performance over its counterpart, that definitely makes up for it.

Robert J. Bossio vouched for the ClearStream 4 HDTV with his review, saying:

ANTOP's next contribution is one step up (or 20 miles, to be exact) from its 60-mile version. Unlike ClearStream antennas, ANTOP's antenna design is a little sleeker and smaller, making placement less of an issue. It also has some of the best features found in the other ANTOP antennas. That includes 3G/4G filtering to reduce noise and the ability to use it with an RV, should you decide to hit the road.

Just see what JC had to say about it on Amazon:

The upper echelon of antennas starts with the 8 Element Bowtie. It boasts lots of features like a 70-mile range, and is 4K ready out of the box. But where this antenna really shines is in its design, which allows for multi-directional signal pickups. The bracket allows for both sides to be adjusted to catch multiple signals, if possible, which will only help with channel clarity and numbers.

Rich voiced his pleasure with the 8 Element in his review, saying:

Another option from ClearStream is their 4V antenna. While at first glance it doesn't seem all that different from the ClearStream 4, the big advantage comes from its design. Like the 8 Element, the 4V leans into multi-directional signal pickup. And as established, this makes for better signals, especially with its 70-mile range.

Rachel gave the antenna a positive review on Amazon, saying:

ClearStream's final entry is the 4MAX, which is an improvement on the 4V when it comes to range and general setup. Quality-wise, this offers what you'd expect from the previous ClearStream antennas with a 70- mile range and 4K capability. That said, the 4MAX is able to bump up the range a bit in the right conditions. And it does use a more streamlined design over the 4V, making the overall setup much easier and saving a bit of space.

John Peter vouches for the antenna on Amazon, stating:

The AT-400BV antenna is easily the most powerful of all the ANTOP antennas listed, and it has a price to match. It features a 70-mile range with a 4G filter for noise. On top of that, this is one of the better antennas for a multi-TV household. And while it's on the bigger side, its power makes up for it.

Theresa Pardo spoke about her positive experience on Amazon:

Easily the most powerful antenna on this list, the Free Signal TV Marathon is able to pick up signals within 100 miles. Granted, that does rely on the best setup, but that still impressive in comparison to the other antennas on the market. It's also a 4K-ready antenna that can hook up to multiple TVs, which really justifies the price.

Amazon user Del attests to the antenna: