Whether you’re just starting your cord-cutting journey or have been enjoying a cable-free lifestyle for years, access to free, over-the-air (OTA) channels is likely an essential part of your entertainment mix. While streaming services make it easy to watch your favorite shows and movies from anywhere, they often come with recurring subscription fees. However, setting up a reliable TV antenna could be all you need to access major broadcast channels, depending on your viewing preferences and location.

Using an OTA antenna is an excellent way to catch live local broadcasts without the ongoing costs of cable or streaming subscriptions. With a one-time purchase for the antenna, you can unlock a wealth of free content every day. To help you find the perfect option, we’ve curated a list of the best antennas on the market—be sure to explore our top recommendations below.

Best TV Antennas in 2025:

Best Overall TV Antenna: Mohu Leaf

If you’re exploring antenna options, Mohu is a brand you’ve almost certainly encountered. Since launching its groundbreaking paper-thin Leaf antenna in 2011, the company has been at the forefront of antenna innovation, delivering top-tier performance consistently. With a diverse lineup that includes 14 indoor models and an outdoor antenna, Mohu’s Leaf remains the top choice for the majority of users.

Among the various Leaf models, the 40-mile range version stands out as the optimal selection for most households, offering an ideal balance of range and affordability. For those seeking a bit more power, the Mohu Leaf Stitch provides an impressive 60-mile range for just $15 more. Both options come equipped with a 12-foot cable (non-removable in the Stitch version) and feature multi-directional UHF and Hi-VHF reception, allowing them to maximize signal strength by utilizing both sides of the antenna.

Setup is effortless—simply connect the antenna to your TV, run a channel scan, and you’re ready to watch. The Mohu Leaf is fully compatible with HD 1080p, 4K, 8K UHD, and NEXTGEN TV standards, ensuring a seamless experience for today’s highest-definition broadcasts.

Best Budget Antenna: Best Buy Essentials Thin Indoor Antenna

You don’t need to break the bank to get a top-performing indoor antenna. Best Buy’s Essentials brand offers an exceptional option for just $20, and often less if it’s on sale. This sleek, thin antenna stands out with a versatile design: one side is black, the other white, allowing it to seamlessly blend with any room decor.

You might wonder what compromises come with this affordable choice, but there are few. With a solid 35-mile range, it competes with other top brands in terms of performance. The antenna includes a built-in 10-foot coaxial cable and comes with double-sided foam tape for easy wall mounting. It supports both VHF and UHF signals, ensuring reliable HD reception on your TV, no matter the model.

While it may not have the extended range of higher-end antennas, the Best Buy Essentials antenna is perfect for those in suburban or urban areas where broadcast towers are within range. Its no-fuss setup and dependable performance make it an ideal choice for cord-cutters looking for a simple, budget-friendly solution to access local channels. Whether you’re watching live sports, news, or your favorite shows in HD, this antenna delivers the essential features without the premium price tag.

Best Long-Range TV antenna: Qtbvae Long Range Antenna

If you’re located in a remote area or simply want to access a broader range of local channels, a long-range antenna is the optimal solution. Standard antennas often struggle to capture signals in regions with limited or distant broadcast towers. However, a high-performance long-range antenna like the Qtbvae model can significantly expand your reception area without requiring a hefty investment. Whether you’re in a rural location or aiming to tap into signals from a larger radius, this antenna delivers the necessary performance at a cost-effective price.

With a range extending over 4650 miles, the Qtbvae antenna is designed to cover a wide signal area. Its advanced Smart IC Chip allows it to receive signals from all directions, providing superior reception even in challenging conditions. Additionally, the built-in signal booster enhances both the antenna’s range and the quality of your picture, ensuring a consistent 4K video feed. The 20-foot coaxial cable included with the antenna offers plenty of length for flexible placement, ensuring a stable and reliable connection for uninterrupted viewing.

One of the key advantages of the Qtbvae antenna is its versatility. Unlike many other models, this antenna can be used both indoors and outdoors, making it ideal for a variety of living situations. You can place it on a table, mount it on a wall, or hang it in a window, depending on your specific needs. The antenna is also weather-resistant, meaning it will continue to perform reliably even during inclement weather. Whether you’re enjoying sports, news, or your favorite TV shows, the Jokklokk antenna ensures you have access to high-quality broadcasts in any environment. For those seeking a long-range antenna that combines excellent value with flexibility, this model stands out as an outstanding option.

Best Outdoor Antenna: Antennas Direct ClearStream 4V

In many cases, an indoor antenna is more than sufficient for reliable reception, thanks to significant advancements in technology. These improvements have reduced the need for bulky outdoor antennas, but some people still prefer the extended reach and power of an outdoor model. If you’re looking for a compact, cost-effective outdoor antenna, the ClearStream 4V from Antennas Direct is an excellent choice.

The ClearStream 4V is designed to provide everything you need for safe, secure installation. It comes with all the necessary hardware and supplies to mount it to your home without the risk of leaks or damage. This antenna is available in multiple range options: 35 miles, 60 miles, and 70 miles, giving you the flexibility to choose the model that best suits your location.

Unlike many other outdoor antennas, the ClearStream 4V has a relatively small footprint, making it easier to find the optimal mounting location without it becoming an eyesore. Its two reflectors are engineered to maximize signal reception while minimizing interference, ensuring you enjoy clear, uninterrupted viewing without pixelation or signal loss.

Why Should You Trust Us?

The Streamable is powered by a team of dedicated streaming experts with years of experience in the industry. From breaking news and in-depth analysis to attending major industry events and rigorously testing the top streaming services, we stay ahead of the curve, providing you with the most up-to-date and comprehensive insights into the world of streaming. Our team is committed to delivering unbiased, accurate, and valuable content that helps you make informed decisions about your entertainment options.

At the helm of our team is Jared DiPane, a seasoned tech journalist with over 10 years of experience in the digital space. Jared’s journey began with writing about BlackBerry, but his expertise quickly expanded to cover a wide range of technology, from laptops and smartphones to home entertainment systems and smart TVs. Seven years ago, Jared made the decision to cut the cord, fully embracing the world of streaming. Since then, he has tested nearly every major streaming platform, explored various antenna options, and continually refined his understanding of the industry’s ever-evolving landscape. With his extensive hands-on experience, Jared offers a unique and informed perspective on the latest trends, tools, and technologies shaping the future of entertainment.

Together, our team brings unparalleled expertise and a deep passion for streaming, ensuring that The Streamable remains your trusted source for everything related to modern TV and digital entertainment.

How We Picked the Best TV Antennas

The market is flooded with antenna options, offering a wide range of choices for every need and budget. With so many models available, it can be overwhelming to try and find the best one. To make this process easier, we dedicated hours of research to carefully evaluate the top-rated antennas available today. Our team meticulously combed through each antenna’s specifications, compared features, and examined countless user reviews to get a complete picture of what each model offers, that means both the pros and the cons.

We didn’t just rely on specs alone; we also took a deep dive into user feedback. Real-world experiences from people who have actually used these antennas provide invaluable insight into their reliability, performance, and overall satisfaction. By combining this with our own expertise and hands-on testing, we curated a list of the best antennas in each category, ensuring that every recommendation is based on a thorough understanding of the product.

When making our selections, we considered a variety of factors that matter most to consumers, including price, range, size, and feature set. We also assessed how well each antenna performed in different environments, from urban to rural areas, to ensure it would meet the needs of a diverse range of users. Whether you’re looking for an affordable option, a high-performance model, or one with specific features, our carefully vetted list is designed to provide you with the best antennas available, tailored to fit every preference and requirement.

FAQs

What should you look for in a TV antenna

• Range: Depending on where you’re located, you may need an antenna that has a longer range in order to pick up the broadcast channels that you want to watch. The FCC has a great site to check local coverage which can help you determine what antenna you need for your specific location.
• Form factor: Most indoor antennas have a flat design that is meant to be mounted or stuck to a flat surface, like a wall or a window. For most situations, this is ideal, but if you need something that is freestanding, you’ll want a desktop standing model. It is worth noting that these might not offer the same quality of reception as mounted versions.
• Cable length: Depending on where your TV is located in relation to where you plan to set up your antenna, you may need a cable that is longer than the one that the manufacturer includes. You can find antennas with different cable lengths, but it’s best to look for one with a removable cable so you can add one that is the specific length that you need in your space.

Do you need an antenna for a smart TV?

if you are a cord-cutter, you don’t need an antenna for a smart TV, but adding one can help increase the channels that your TV is able to find. Televisions have OTA tuners built-in, though most people opt to use live TV streaming services instead of using them. The “smart TV” features are designed to help make streaming platforms easier to use on the TV, but they require subscriptions and many of the best ones have recurring fees. If you want to just watch the channels you can get for free, you can try using the built-in tuner first and if it doesn’t pull in the channels you are looking for, then you can add an antenna.

Should you get an indoor or outdoor antenna?

There isn’t a blanket answer that makes one or the other a better option here. You’ll want to consider how and where you plan to use the antenna before making the purchase, though. If you need something that has a longer range or is a bit more powerful, you may be better suited to an outdoor antenna, as long as you have a place to mount it.

Indoor antennas can be a great option as well, but may not work as well for everyone. Depending on what type of walls you have, where your TV is placed, and many other factors, an indoor antenna may be limited in what it can pick up.