Top 5 best TV antennas of 2025
The greatest TV antennas provide movies, TV series, sports, and news without charging you a monthly fee.
An essential component of any living area is the best TV antennae. Without my TV antenna, I couldn’t function. Because I can watch sports, sitcoms, and news without paying a monthly charge, it’s just as valuable to me as any streaming service. The greatest TV antennas available now are digital. Although digital antennas are the replacement for rabbit ears, they are superior in practically every way, including reception and resolution.
The results of months of testing and investigation into the top TV antennas available are shown here. At $39, the Mohu Leaf Amplified is now my number one choice for the greatest TV antenna. During our testing, it drew in the most channels and was reasonably priced.
Although there are less expensive alternatives, such as the 1byone Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna, which costs as little as $16, the Mohu Leaf Amplified had superior reception.
Since both of these devices have an integrated amplifier to boost signal strength, they are amplified. Additionally, it indicates that they need a power supply, which might be more difficult to set up for people who don’t have easy access to outlets. You could discover that an amplified antenna is more appropriate for reaching and sustaining a connection to multiple TV channels if you reside in a more remote region.
I’ve included an outside antenna below if you need one, and there are many more large and tiny indoor amplified and non-amplified options below. In terms of reach, reception, and vice versa, the antennas listed below are the best that we have tested over the years.
Table of Contents
BEST TV ANTENNA
1. Mohu Leaf Amplified
BEST IN/OUTDOOR
2. Antop AT-800SBS
BEST BUDGET
3. 1byone Amplified HDTV Antenna
BEST OUTDOOR
4. Winegard Elite 7550
BEST IN/OUTDOOR
5. ClearStream MAX-V
1. Mohu Leaf Amplified
The Mohu Leaf Amplified emerged as the top TV antenna of 2024 following testing of multiple over-the-air TV antennas. More than any other model in our tests, it was able to pull in 69 channels, several of which had less cutoff and came in crisper. For example, the Winegard Elite 7550, a more costly model intended for outdoor installation, was given extra channels.
The Mohu Leaf Amplified is frequently available on Amazon for $39, which we believe to be about in the middle of prices given that some models cost up to $100 and others as little as $19. But compared to some of the high-end and low-end alternatives we evaluated, you’re getting superior performance for the price.
The one problem I’ve noticed with the Mohu Leaf is that the wire isn’t detachable, so instead of just replacing the chord for a few dollars, you’ll need to purchase a completely new antenna if it unexpectedly cuts, snaps, or breaks. That shouldn’t be an issue if you’re careful, but it’s important to mention in case you’ve experienced problems of this nature before.
2. Antop AT-800SBS HD Smart Panel Antenna
Made for use inside and out, the Antop AT-800SBS HD Smart Panel has some of the greatest performance we’ve seen, easily beating many of the indoor/outdoor models we’ve tested. With its adjustable amplifier, provided mounting hardware and optional FM connection for radio, it’s a versatile HD antenna alternative for anyone who’s serious about cord-cutting.
Although the Antop AT-800SBS can also be used indoors with a tabletop support, this 85-mile antenna performed best outside, attracting 68 stations that could be watched.
For individuals searching for a strong inside antenna or for those seeking a permanent outside antenna, this makes it an excellent choice. Although it is an outdoor-only antenna, its 68 channels were in good comparison to the 73 channels that the Winegard Elite 7550 was able to get in.
You can easily install the 40-foot cable that comes with it, and you can adjust the amplifier’s power boost to assist you reach the stations you desire. The premium price is well worth it because it’s the greatest indoor/outdoor antenna we’ve tested.
3. 1byone Amplified HDTV Antenna
The 1byone Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna is a reasonably priced, basic indoor antenna that provides everything you need to cut the cord, including a 50-mile range and an amplifier. It’s one of the greatest inexpensive TV antennas we’ve examined, and it’s a best-seller on Amazon thanks to its sleek packaging and simple black appearance.
The antenna, which is only 13.3 x 9.3 inches, comes with a 10-foot coaxial wire and mounting sticky patches, so you have everything you need to connect it to the TV. Numerous watchable channels were provided by the straightforward design and accompanying amplifier, which can be plugged into any USB port or wall outlet.
The 1byone is a best-selling product on Amazon for a reason: it works effectively and is reasonably priced. Although we still think the Mohu Leaf Amplified is a superior option overall, the 1byone will work well if you want to get the most out of your money.
4. Winegard Elite 7550 Outdoor HDTV Antenna
An indoor antenna isn’t always enough. The Winegard Elite 7550 is the best TV antenna for outside installation and a wise choice if you require an outdoor antenna with great reception.
The Winegard Elite 7550 is a little more expensive, but it’s worth it because in our tests, it produced an astounding 73 channels. This outdoor HDTV should perform well in both urban and rural areas, bringing in more channels with a stronger signal than any interior model. Its integrated LTE filter, which Winegard says is especially made to combat cell tower interference, is one of the reasons it performs well in a congested city.We tested it in New York City, so we should know. It is just designed to tidy up signals.
The Winegard Elite 7550 is a better option than our indoor/outdoor pick, the Antop AT-800SBS, if you don’t plan on utilizing an antenna indoors. It just does a better job of attracting channels and preventing dropouts.
With hundreds of free channels available for less than a month’s cable subscription, the $120 Winegard Elite 7550 is well worth the investment if you’re having trouble obtaining the local stations you like or simply want better, more reliable coverage.
5. ClearStream MAX-V HDTV Antenna
The ClearStream MAX-V is a very capable antenna that delivers more stations than even competitive amplified antennas, even versions that cost considerably more. However, its looks may be lacking. It’s among the best antennas available if you want to increase over-the-air TV reception without going over budget.
The economically priced ClearStream MAX-V from Antennas Direct is rated to capture stations up to 60 miles away and can operate both indoors and outdoors.
Not only did it do better than many of our favorite indoor antennas, it also matched some of the best outdoor antennas, too, making it a great choice for mounting on a roof, hanging in an attic or just tucking it out of sight. Unfortunately, tucking it out of sight might prove difficult, given the bulky figure-8 design.
If you can get over how it looks, the ClearStream MAX-V is a great pick for saving money on an indoor/outdoor antenna. Right now, it’s significantly cheaper than the Antop AT-800SBS, our pick for the overall best indoor/outdoor model.
You’re in luck if you’re looking for a TV antenna because there’s no better way to get live TV at the lowest cost than for free! However, you should be sure that the TV antenna you choose will work for you before purchasing the first one you see at the store.
Location and range: Since there will be multiple stations within a 10- to 20-mile radius that can be drawn in without a large aerial or powered amplifier, if you’re in or close to a city, you probably can get by with a tiny indoor antenna. You should upgrade to an amplified model if your local broadcast tower is more than 30 miles away.Any 50-mile-range or longer-rated antenna will either be a big outdoor device or include an amplifier to increase the signal it receives, if not both.
Indoor or outdoor: Since obstructions like house walls and even trees might block signals from reaching an indoor antenna, the decision to purchase an outdoor antenna will primarily depend on the building you’re in and the surrounding area. A rooftop mast is the best place to install an outside antenna because they are larger and function better at the highest altitude possible.
Amplified versus non-amplified: An amplified antenna employs an extra signal strength booster to help weak signals pick up more strength.However, that also entails giving up another power outlet and another gadget to plug in. It also entails a little higher cost.
Although most non-amplified indoor antennas cost between $20 and $40, there are many inexpensive TV antennas with respectable performance that cost less than $20. Better performance can be obtained with an amplified antenna, which costs $30 to $100. An outdoor antenna, which costs $100 or more, is the greatest option for optimal performance.
We advise doing some study in advance to find out what kind of antenna you need and whether you want an indoor or outdoor model. AntennaWeb.org is the ideal place to start because it allows you to enter your ZIP code or address and see which stations are airing in your region. It also shows you the distances of the broadcast towers.
Concerned about ATSC 3.0’s future-proofing as it expands into new cities? The good news is that under the new standard, your current antenna will function and might even be able to get additional channels. Unfortunately, you’ll have to purchase either a new tuner or a TV that supports ATSC 3.0, both of which are just now becoming available.
We test every TV antenna we review in the same place. Each antenna is positioned in the same way to produce similar results, and they are all connected to the same TV, so the TV tuner stays consistent.
The fact that we are only a few miles outside of a large city makes it a great place to test antenna reception of any range, with longer-range, more sensitive antennas attracting more channels. By checking to see if those channels are clear and watchable, it also allows us to assess the quality of that reception. More channels will be pulled in by the better antennas, producing more results that may be seen.
Our test results may not match your experience. Your choice of channels will differ significantly depending on the number of stations in your location and any particular topographical obstacles to the over-the-air signal, such as buildings, trees, or mountains.