Is there an indoor TV antenna that actually works?


Of the best TV antennas we've tried, the Clearstream Eclipse is a consistent top performer. In our testing, we found the Eclipse was able to capture a good number of channels, but where it really stands out is in its TV reception. It's clearer and more consistent than other antennas on our list.

Do indoor antennas really work?

Indoor antennas are typically fine for all the strong local channels, but if you want channels that are weaker or further away, you might need to go larger and put an antenna in your attic space or on your roof.

Are there any TV antennas that actually work?

Best TV antenna overall The Gesobyte amplified TV antenna is an almost perfect choice for anyone who has cut the cord with their cable or satellite provider. It's capable of picking up over-air, digital broadcast channels within a 250 mile range thanks to a signal booster.

How far does an indoor TV antenna reach?

Are there any TV antennas that actually work?

Best TV antenna overall The Gesobyte amplified TV antenna is an almost perfect choice for anyone who has cut the cord with their cable or satellite provider. It's capable of picking up over-air, digital broadcast channels within a 250 mile range thanks to a signal booster.

Where is the best indoor antenna for signal?

If possible, place your indoor TV antenna in an attic or a second-story location, preferably by a window. Sometimes objects in the room or roofing materials will interfere with the signals, so it pays to try a few different attic locations.

Do antennas work through walls?

Structures such as floors, cabinets, and walls can impact signal, so placing your antenna high in a window is ideal, as long as it's free from exterior obstructions (trees, buildings, billboards, etc.).

Can you use an indoor antenna on a smart TV?

While smart TVs typically come with built-in antennas, they are used for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity — not for picking up free-to-air channels. You can always try using a less sophisticated analog antenna, but there's a good chance you'll experience signal problems.

What to look for when buying an indoor TV antenna?

Choose an antenna that receives both VHF and UHF signals. VHF and UHF refer to the frequencies stations use to broadcast their signals. If your favorite shows come on a network that's only on cable or satellite, you won't be able to watch them with an antenna. Most cable channels don't broadcast over the airwaves.

Does longer antenna mean longer range?

Factors That Influence Range Antenna Length & Type: Everything else equal, longer antennas will always have a longer range than shorter antennas. Also, certain types of antennas have a longer range than others.

How many indoor antennas do I need?

Although you could buy a coax splitter and run a co-ax cable from one room to another, for practicality, esthetics, and more importantly signal quality, your best option is to buy two antennas. The best thing you can do is buy one, and test it out on both TVs by re-running the discover channels functions on each TV.

Can I watch free to air TV without an antenna?

If you are wondering how to get free to air channels without an antenna, or if it is possible, you'll be pleased to know that you can do so by watching content over the web using your digital TV. While you won't need an antenna, you will need an internet connection that is set up to a smart TV.

Do more expensive TV antennas work better?

One surprise was that we found little correlation between price and performance. Cheaper antennas often did as well as—or better than—more expensive models.

What can I use as a substitute for a TV antenna?

The Paper Clip Antenna If you live in an area with great over-the-air TV reception, a paper clip may be the first option you want to try. All you need to do is straighten out the paper clip and put it into the cable/antenna plug on your TV (that round connector you used to connect the cable outlet from your TV).

What kind of antenna do I need for a non smart TV?

Older or non-Smart TVs made by Vizio, LG, Sony or Samsung work with a digital TV antenna. There is one easy way to check. Take a peek behind your television, and look for the port to plug in a TV antenna. It's the same port used to connect a cable box to your TV.

Are indoor antennas as good as outdoor?

Outdoor antennas tend to be larger and more sensitive than indoor antennas. The larger the surface area of the antenna, the more channels it's likely to receive. Because outdoor antennas are up high, they are more likely to get long-distance signals. Outdoor antennas receive broadcasts with less interference, as well.

What is the advantage of indoor antenna?

Pro: Free Local Channels are available via a TV antenna, and they are free. Not only that, they can deliver a better HD picture over an antenna compared to cable or satellite. The latter tend to compress the signals of local (and all) channels, which tends to dilute the picture quality.

Do long range antennas really work?

Yes, 100 miles is a standard effective range for many long-range antennas and should be sufficient for many rural areas, but be sure to check the FTC map or other tools to verify that all your required stations are covered.

Do indoor antennas really work?

Indoor antennas are typically fine for all the strong local channels, but if you want channels that are weaker or further away, you might need to go larger and put an antenna in your attic space or on your roof.

Are there any TV antennas that actually work?

Best TV antenna overall The Gesobyte amplified TV antenna is an almost perfect choice for anyone who has cut the cord with their cable or satellite provider. It's capable of picking up over-air, digital broadcast channels within a 250 mile range thanks to a signal booster.

Can you use a cell phone as a TV antenna?

A digital TV tuner for a smartphone is an external hardware device that you can purchase and easily install. These tuners have a built-in antenna that can receive local over-the-air live TV channels free of charge wherever you go.

What is the difference between a digital antenna and a regular antenna?

There are huge differences between digital antennas and analog antennas. Analog antennas were specially designed to only pick up analog signals. On the other hand, digital antennas can receive and interpret digital signals. Analog antennas have lower frequencies while digital antennas have higher frequencies.

What is a digital indoor TV antenna?

An indoor antenna is a type of radio or TV antenna placed indoors, as opposed to being mounted on the roof. They are usually considered a simple and cheap solution to receive transmissions. An indoor antenna is prone to picking up electrical noise, but digital broadcasts are resistant to this noise.

Do you need an indoor antenna for every TV?

We get this question all the time: Do I need a separate HDTV antenna for each TV? The answer is No. Of-cause you can buy multiple antennas for each TV but most of the time channel availability will vary from one TV to another due to location in your home.

Does the size of a TV antenna matter?

Size does matter The shape and size of the antenna does make a difference to your reception. “The larger the antenna, the more energy it can collect, so the weaker the signal it can pick up.” “Different-shaped antennas are good for picking up signals in specific frequency bands like HF, VHF and UHF.

Can a TV antenna signal be too strong?

TV Antenna Signal Attenuators If you live in the shadow of your local broadcast towers, you could be killing your TV or Tablo DVR's tuners by sending too strong of an OTA signal. This is called ‘overdriving' and can result in a poor viewing experience or even the inability to tune into some stations.