There isn’t a lack of options when you are looking for the best indoor TV antenna for local channels. On a small budget? We have options for the best budget indoor antenna. Have an HDTV? We’ve got an indoor TV antenna for you as well. We have literally done the hard work for you.
Your final decision will not only be determined by your budget and the type of TV you want. You will need to consider how far you are from your nearest broadcast towers and what channels you want to watch. Some people may wonder if indoor antennas will work in their homes, but with this list, we will demonstrate that they are just as good as outdoor antennas. So let’s check out some of our top picks for the best indoor TV antennas.
- The Best Indoor TV Antenna for Local Channels
- 1. Best Overall: Gesobyte Amplified Digital TV Antenna
- Best Budget: U Must Have Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna
- Best Runner Up: Mohu Leaf 30 Indoor TV Antenna
- Best Portable: Luxtronic Digital HDTV Antenna
- Best for the City: Winegard FlatWave Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna
- Best Indoor/Outdoor: Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V TV Antenna
- Best Rabbit Ears: Philips Modern Loop Rabbit Ears Indoor TV Antenna
- What to Check for While buying the Best Indoor TV Antenna for Local Channels
- Best Indoor TV Antenna for Local Channels FAQ
The Best Indoor TV Antenna for Local Channels
1. Best Overall: Gesobyte Amplified Digital TV Antenna
Specifications
- 250-mile maximum range
- Full HD TV and sound quality
- 18-foot coaxial cable
- USB power adapter
- Smart Switch Control
The best of the best indoor TV antennas is the Gesobyte Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna. This Smart TV antenna comes with Smart Switch Control capability. This allows you to adjust the amplifier between long and short ranges depending on your distance from a broadcast tower. With a maximum range of 250 miles, you need not worry about being too far away to receive crystal clear image quality.
An 18-foot long coaxial cable and sticky pad allow this antenna to be placed virtually anywhere in your house for the best reception. A signal booster further enhances channel reception by filtering out FM and cellular signals. The USB power adapter can be attached to your TV for charging and has a built-in overvoltage protector. With a durable build, this easy-to-install antenna is unmatched in its performance.
Best Budget: U Must Have Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna
Specifications
- 180-mile maximum range
- SD to 4K UHD broadcast
- 18-foot coaxial cable
- USB power adapter
- Smart Switch Control
Our selection for the best budget indoor antenna is the U Must Have Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna. This affordable indoor HDTV antenna comes with impressive features. It can support up to 4K broadcasts if your TV can handle it. This antenna can still work for you if you have an older TV, although you might need a converter box.
Its slim design, sticky surface, and 18-foot coaxial cable allow it to be easily installed where there is the strongest reception. The range on this multi-directional antenna reaches a maximum of 180 miles which is quite impressive for an indoor TV antenna. Smart Switch Control allows you to adjust this range based on your distance from the broadcast tower. The only downside is that channels within 50 miles may not have clear reception.
Best Runner Up: Mohu Leaf 30 Indoor TV Antenna
Specifications
- 40-mile maximum range
- 4K-ready broadcast
- 10-foot detachable coaxial cable
- Multi-directional
- UHF/Hi-VHF frequencies
Modeled after a discrete mud flap antenna used by the military, the Mohu Leaf 30 Indoor TV Antenna is discrete, reversible, and paintable. This way, this pliable antenna can literally disappear into your home decor. It comes with hook-and-loop tabs and pins to help with its easy installation to your preferred surface. Installation is made even easier with the Mohu Leaf as it is not amplified.
With a maximum range of 40 miles, you can catch all your favorite local channels at the highest resolution your TV can handle. After all, this antenna is ready to broadcast up to 4K UHD resolutions. This multi-directional antenna offers impressive performance for its price point. It is especially effective for people living within city limits.
Best Portable: Luxtronic Digital HDTV Antenna
Specifications
- 50-mile maximum range
- Full HD and 4K broadcast
- 10’ coaxial cable
- Omnidirectional (360°)
- Portable
If you want to take your antenna with you, the Luxtronic Digital HDTV Antenna is the best travel partner. Made from sturdy metal, this 3.87″ tall antenna is small and strong enough for travel. Setting it up is a breeze as all you have to do is attach it to your preferred surface using its magnetic base. Some people prefer to put it behind their TV to keep it out of sight.
This omnidirectional HDTV antenna has a maximum range of 50 miles from which it can bring you clear quality images. It supports full HD picture quality and is ready to broadcast 4K resolution images as soon as your TV can handle it. Luxtronic Antenna is a purely passive antenna meaning that it doesn’t need a USB port to function. It is the perfect antenna for use at home and on the go.
Best for the City: Winegard FlatWave Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna
Specifications
- 55-mile maximum range
- Full HD broadcast
- 18.5-foot’ coaxial cable
- Multi-directional
- VHF and UHF signal reception
The Winegard Flatwave Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna is one of the best indoor HDTV antennas for city dwellers and those living near cities. This razor-thin, flat antenna can pull cable, VHF/UHF, and even digital channels. All these channels are displayed in glorious HD on your TV with equally high-quality sound. It has a maximum reception range of 55 miles, making it perfect for city dwellers who are usually nearer to broadcast towers.
You can install this antenna at a suitable spot in your house courtesy of the generous 18.5-foot long coaxial cable. It is simple enough to install as you need only connect the antenna and run a channel scan. This multi-directional antenna has a 3 inch USB power cable with a 110V adapter. It is also compatible with any streaming device that has OTA integration.
Best Indoor/Outdoor: Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V TV Antenna
Specifications
- 60+ mile range
- Full HD broadcast
- 20-foot mast
- Multi-directional
- VHF and UHF signal reception
Our top pick for the best indoor/outdoor TV antenna is the Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V TV Antenna. This multi-directional HDTV antenna is sturdy enough to be an outdoor antenna and can still function effectively as an indoor antenna. As an indoor antenna, it is rather large and odd-looking, so it would be better to hide it away in the attic if you can. The antenna requires assembly upon delivery which is very easy to do.
The Antennas ClearStream 2V provides great channel reception given its over 60-mile range. You only need to position it as accurately as possible towards the broadcast towers, with minimal signal obstruction. The antenna comes with mounting hardware and a base stand for table-top installation. It also has a 20-foot mast and adjustable mast clamp, should you choose to use it outside.
Best Rabbit Ears: Philips Modern Loop Rabbit Ears Indoor TV Antenna
Specifications
- 30-mile range
- Full HD and 4K- ready broadcast
- Weighted base and rubber feet
- VHF and UHF signal reception
- 15-inch extendable dipoles
Rabbit Ears Antenna, also known as a dipole antenna, is the simplest and most widely used class of antenna. These nostalgic antennas have been revived and modernized in the Philips Modern Loop Rabbit Ears Indoor TV Antenna. Its table-top design now comes with a weighted base and rubber feet to secure the antenna on your preferred surface. This antenna can be used with your Smart TV to add local content to your streamed digital content.
The two dipoles that make the rabbit ears can be extended up to 15 inches. This helps you adjust the antenna until you get a clear signal reception. Once you are set up, what you will receive is uncompressed Full HD picture quality. If your TV can support it, you could also receive 4K UHD images. This affordable antenna is a great way to test the waters as you decide on a permanent move from cable TV to OTA channels.
What to Check for While buying the Best Indoor TV Antenna for Local Channels
It is said that the best things in life are free, and that is especially true regarding free TV channels. Just think of it, with a one-time purchase of the best indoor TV antenna, you can immediately cancel cable bills and still enjoy various local and national shows. Since this is one of the more important purchases you will make, there are some critical aspects to consider. Below are some of them:
Your preferred channels
This is an obvious consideration, but it greatly affects the indoor TV antenna you will purchase. You see, each local channel has a particular signal band. Some channels are transmitted via a UHF band, while others are on the VHF band. Then there is whether you want some FM radio channels as well.
If most of your preferred channels fall on the VHF band, for instance, you should select TV antennas that are compatible with VHF signals. Some antennas receive both VHF and UHF signals, and some even have an FM signal receiver. You can find out the signal bands of your preferred channels by looking through the FCC guide. It will give you the bands and the signal strengths based on your location from the broadcast tower to help you make the best choice.
Your location
Once you know which channels you and your family prefer to watch, the next step is to check their signal strength. A channel’s signal strength is affected by several factors, including your distance from the broadcast tower. The greater the distance between your TV antenna and broadcast tower, the weaker the channel signal. If your preferred channel has a weak signal due to distance, you may consider an antenna with a longer range or an in-built amplifier.
Another aspect of location is the terrain around your location. If you live in a woody area or are surrounded by hills, the strength of certain channel signals may be weakened. Also, certain building materials like aluminum sidings and metal roofs can interfere with your antenna’s reception. These factors will certainly influence which indoor TV antenna you will finally purchase.
Best Indoor TV Antenna for Local Channels FAQ
Do indoor TV antennas need grounding like outdoor antennas?
After installing an outdoor TV antenna, you should immediately ground it. Beyond it being a legal requirement, grounding protects your antenna and other related equipment and improves your viewing experience by reducing noise and interference from other household electrical appliances. However, with indoor TV antennas, this is not necessary. In fact, you can cause interference if you ground them.
Do I need a signal amplifier for my indoor TV antenna?
It is commonly believed that amplifiers are one way to boost signal reception for your indoor antenna. But you should note that amplifiers will not help you get a signal that isn’t already reaching your antenna. All it does is boost what you are already receiving and help it run through long coaxial cables and splitters with minimal loss. Granted, most indoor antennas nowadays come with an inbuilt amplifier. However, if you could just see what is available before amplification, that will help you see if you really need it.
How can I get optimal reception with my indoor TV antenna?
As with real estate, optimal antenna reception is all about location, location, location. How clear your reception is will be determined by where the broadcast towers are and the location of your antenna within your home. To optimize your signal reception, make sure you know where the signals are coming from and direct your antenna that way. Minimize signal blocking by placing your antenna at a window facing the broadcast towers, and put it as high above the ground as you can to avoid obstruction by other buildings, trees, or hills.
Will an indoor TV antenna work with my Smart TV?
Yes. An indoor TV antenna can work with a Smart TV and any other TV, for that matter. As long as your television has a coaxial cable connector, you can attach whichever indoor TV antenna you prefer. Once you are all hooked up, you will not only receive your favorite local channel for free, but you will get it in better quality than cable TV. Plus, you won’t have to worry about losing any channels if everything is in proper working order.
