The best HDTV antennas for 2020
By Ryan Waniata
If you’re in need of a cheap and reliable way to watch Super Bowl 54 on Fox this weekend, an HDTV antenna is the way to go.
is the best HD antenna you can buy. All the antennas on this list are great, but the Mohu Releaf brings solid performance in an affordable, eco-friendly package. Made from materials that take a lesser toll on the planet, it offers an impressive ability to capture over-the-air signals in crisp Full HD from both VHF and UHF bands. Plus, it’s ready for the 2020 arrival of ATSC 3.0, the next standard in OTA broadcasts that supports 4K Ultra HD and higher framerates.Using our combined five decades of A/V industry experience, our team fulfilled its cord-cutting duties of surfacing quality HDTV antennas, and we’ve found the best of the best. While we’re confident most people will love the Mohu Releaf, we recognize it won’t be right for everyone. Between interference, signal strength, positioning, and more, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to quality attenuation.
The Mohu Releaf not doing it for you? We’ve listed five alternatives — including outdoor and amplified antennas — that will all help you get crystal-clear HD programming, and each has its own unique strength. Once you’ve made your choice, our antenna installation guide will make setup a breeze. Your next stop — if you’re not going to connect your antenna directly to your TV — is our best OTA receivers roundup.
Editor’s note: Not everyone lives in a neighborhood ripe for antenna viewing, so we recommend taking a look at TV Fool’s TV Signal Analysis tool or a similar site to find out which channels are available in your area before you buy.
At a glance
| Product | Category |
| Mohu Releaf | Best overall antenna |
| ClearStream Eclipse | Best flat antenna |
| Mohu Curve Amplified | Best amplified antenna |
| Leaf Metro | Best tiny antenna |
| Clearstream 2Max HDTV Antenna | Best indoor/outdoor antenna |
| Winegard Elite 7550 | Best outdoor antenna |
The best overall
Mohu Releaf
Why you should buy this: You’re looking for a future-proofed, eco-friendly product.
Who it’s for: The eco-minded cord cutter.
Why we picked the Mohu Releaf:
This eco-friendly antenna is unlike most other antennas on this list because it’s made from recycled, “post-consumer” cardboard and chlorine-free colors, as is the packaging it comes in. It is also devoid of any paper instructions, which are instead printed on the packaging to eliminate excess waste. The cables and minimal plastic components are made with Mohu’s “MohuGrind” plastic, composed of crushed and ground-up recycled cable boxes (take that, cable companies). Just to go the extra mile, all of these components are crafted using renewable energy, and the Mohu smartly eliminates waste by printing instructions and other information within the shipping box.
It’s great to be earth conscious, of course, but the Mohu Releaf is also a great antenna. It’s also one of the few examples to advertise 4K support, though this is really just marketing-speak as any antenna on our list will support the ATSC 3.0 standard that’s set to usher in 4K broadcasts in 2020.
The best flat antenna
ClearStream Eclipse
Why you should buy this: It’s a discreet yet powerful antenna with a novel design.
Who it’s for: Those who don’t mind paying a little extra for performance.
Why we picked the ClearStream Eclipse:
The ClearStream Eclipse offers top-rated performance when it comes to flat, multi-directional HD antennas. This is true of all four available Eclipse models, which come in estimated signal ranges, from 35 miles up to 70. The antenna is two-sided — a black side and a white side — to match your decor. The material is not only adhesive on both sides (meaning no tape), but it also can be painted over, so it can easily become a discreet addition to any room.
Even better, the multidirectional nature of the ClearStream Eclipse means it can be mounted virtually anywhere and doesn’t require precise aiming to catch a signal. Unlike many indoor antennas, most of which use a square or rectangular design, the circular design of the ClearStream Eclipse is better at picking up UHF signals, which can be a struggle for many indoor antennas. Those specs make it a great choice for those ready to ditch cable, regardless of where you live.
The best amplified antenna
Mohu Curve Amplified
Why you should buy this: The Mohu Curve hides in plain sight while offering excellent reception.
Who it’s for: Those as concerned about decor as performance.
Why we picked the Mohu Curve Amplified:
If inconspicuous and discreet locations are hard to come by in your residence, you might as well opt for a good-looking antenna. Enter Mohu’s Curve lineup, with antennas that look as good as they perform. This free-standing antenna can sit on tables, entertainment centers, or shelves without drawing much attention. The curved design is simple and attractive, and the fact that the antenna doesn’t require mounting means it can be moved to wherever the signal comes in best. An included 10-foot coaxial cable aids in placement flexibility. Throw in an OTA DVR, and you’re likely to question why you ever paid for cable in the first place.
The best tiny antenna
Leaf Metro
Why you should buy this: The Leaf Metro is the smallest antenna of the bunch, but it’s no less capable of providing quality HDTV signals.
Who it’s for: City apartment dwellers who need something compact.
Why we picked the Leaf Metro:
Though admittedly weaker than Mohu’s larger Leaf antenna, the Leaf Metro antenna is the perfect fit for compact living spaces. Mohu designed the Leaf Metro for discreet installation in homes located close to broadcast towers. As such, those living in downtown or urban areas are most likely to get the best results from the Leaf Metro, which has a range of approximately 25 miles.
To compound the versatility enabled by its tiny size, the Leaf Metro antenna also comes in either black or white, so users have the ability to paint it to match their interior. Plus, its adhesive coating means it’ll stick to almost any surface and can be moved to other locations with ease. An included 10-foot coaxial cable allows for fairly flexible installation.
The best indoor/outdoor antenna
Clearstream 2Max HDTV Antenna
Why you should buy this: It delivers long-distance reception, even in less than ideal environments.
Who it’s for: Those who live a long distance from signal sources.
Why we picked the Clearstream 2Max HDTV Antenna:
Despite the Clearstream 2Max’s somewhat complicated design, the antenna is actually quite simple to assemble, using either clamps or a base for installation. Though the antenna is larger than most every other antenna listed here, it’s not so big that it can’t fit behind a TV or mount to the wall of your living room. For outdoor installation, a 20-inch mast is included.
While we’re recommending the 2Max model with 60-mile reception, if you live way out in the boonies, it may also be worthwhile to look into the larger and pricier 4Max version of the antenna, which features a 70-mile reception range and (some say) more reliable connection. Similarly, if you live closer to a signal, the 1max, which has a 40-mile range, is also a good option.
With such a range of options available in the Clearstream Max line, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a great way to get free HD TV in the countryside.
The best outdoor antenna
Winegard Elite 7550
Why you should buy this: Your home falls outside the reception range of the most powerful indoor antenna on our list.
Who it’s for: Those for whom an indoor antenna simply won’t cut it.
Why we picked the Elite 7550:
For most users, an indoor HDTV antenna will nab the channels you desire. There are some spots, however, where only an outdoor antenna will do the job. With a reception range of over 70 miles (sometimes more depending on your location), Winegard’s Elite 7550 provides incredible performance and impressive signal quality. That comes thanks in part to Winegard’s proprietary TwinAmp technology, which amplifies VHF and UHF (the two different types of OTA signals) separately and with less noise than other amplified antenna models. Keep in mind, amplified antennas come with an in-line signal amplifier that requires power, so you’ll have to find a spot somewhere between the antenna and the TV or receiver to plug it into a wall outlet or power strip.
It’s smaller and lighter than many outdoor models, making it easy to find the proper location for mounting, and also supports multiple connected TVs at once — you’ll just need to supply the splitter yourself. With an outdoor antenna like this, you’ll have one less device to worry about in your home theater.
How we test
The majority of these picks were tested in our downtown Portland, OR offices, as well as in residential locations to get the best possible impression on the signal strength of each antenna. We then cross-referenced our findings with those of other experts and consumers to assess any differences and gauge the relevance of inconsistencies (if there were any to begin with) for our final rankings. For the few choices on this list, we did not get hands-on time with, we based our appraisal on the opinions of fellow tech publications, expert outlets, and user comments.
Where’s 4K?
Though all of the products we’ve highlighted will support the 4K-ready ATSC 3.0 standard, 4K broadcasts aren’t ready just yet. Expect that to change very soon, however, as the standards-setter introduced new products with support for the tech at CES 2020, as well as delivered word that many of America’s major television networks have committed to a 2020 rollout, including Fox, NBC, Univision, and more.
(Note: While Fox is showing Super Bowl 54 in 4K HDR, this will only be available through the broadcaster’s TV apps and select cable/satellite subscribers. Fox is not yet set up to broadcast 4K over-the-air, though that iris-searing upgrade comes flying in later in 2020.)
A word on signal strength and quality
We’d love to tell you there’s an ideal location in your home in relation to a signal tower, but the truth is there isn’t. In reality, like so many other things in life, the process of finding the best spot for an antenna requires trial-and-error, some finesse, and maybe even a little luck. This inconsistency is true not just of different geographical regions, but in variations between antenna models. What may be the best location for one antenna may not be as effective for others.
Further, there are differences in the signal types that your antenna will be picking up, and some antennas may be better at picking up certain signal frequencies than others. The two main signal types are VHF and UHF. The basic difference between the two is the channels broadcast in those frequencies. Channels 2-13 are broadcast in VHF, while channels 14-51 are UHF. Most antennas can pick up both VHF and UHF, but some can only pick up one or the other. This will be noted in an antenna’s product description.
Also important to note is that a channel’s number doesn’t always correspond to that channel’s actual broadcast frequency. This exception doesn’t typically apply unless you’re pairing your HD antenna with a third-party interface, such as a DVR OTA receiver. Tablo, for instance, lists CBS 6 in Richmond, Virginia, on its channel 6 slot, which you would think requires a VHF antenna, but the content actually comes in over the UHF-bound channel 25. This should be a non-issue in most instances, but keep this outlier situation in mind if you ever run into any issues.
Otherwise, here are some general tips to ensure the best possible reception.
- Face antennas directly toward towers, if possible.
- Place your antenna with as minimal geographical interference (mountains, hills, trees, buildings, etc) as possible.
Try to keep interference from radios, cell phones, or other electronics to a minimum. This doesn’t necessarily mean keep the antenna away from your TV. In some instances, however, the best location for an antenna may well be directly behind or under the TV.
In general, the ranges listed by manufacturers are estimates and shouldn’t be taken at face value. While it’s still best to opt for an antenna listed with longer reception ranges for locations far from broadcast towers, there are no universal testing criteria for establishing what an antenna’s operating range is. Plus, environmental factors will impact accuracy.
Finally, while we have recommendations for amplified antennas, we aren’t entirely sold on the efficacy of that technology. Despite the name, “amplified” antennas or in-line amplifiers do not boost the signal reception itself. Rather, they strengthen the signal that is being picked up, meaning if you’re getting a slightly fuzzy signal, the amplifier will try to artificially boost the quality on the TV. We’ve had varying degrees of success there, but in general there often isn’t going to be an appreciable change in quality. It’s also important to note that amplifiers should not be used in areas where signal strength is stable. This can cause noise and other picture quality problems.
January 31, 2020 at 11:39PM
via Digital Trends https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/best-hdtv-antennas/ Best TV Aerial Installations in Sheffield
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