10 Best Outdoor HDTV Antennas (According to Reviews)

Living in some rural areas means that you don’t have access to regular cable TV. You’ll need to get a high-quality antenna that can be placed outdoors and reach long distances.

Also, you want your TV antenna to have access to all of your favorite TV channels. Other bonuses that your TV antenna should come with are access to local channels, multi-directional range, and mounting hardware. On top of everything, the best outdoor TV antennas will obviously be able to withstand any kind of weather conditions. 

In a hurry? Here’s the test winner after 10 hours of research:

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The Best Outdoor HDTV Antennas in 2021 (According to Reviews) – Overview

Here are the top 5 picks (keep scrolling for picks 6 – 10).

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1. Antennas Direct 8-Element Bowtie TV Antenna – DB8E

[amazon box=”B00C4XVOOC”]

This is a reflective array antenna that comes with patented elements and adjustable brackets, which will allow the panels to turn in two directions. The reflector that it comes with can cover more than a 70-mile range, and it has protection against external interference.

It provides one of the signal gains in its class. You can watch all of your favorite channels in HD with this antenna and not have to subscribe to monthly cable providers. You’ll have to purchase the coaxial cable and mounting pole on your own.

However, with every purchase, you get a lifetime warranty on all of the parts. You can get all of the local channels with this antenna, like ABC, CBS, PBS, NBC, and Fox News. It’s available on Amazon for about $121, and it weighs about 10 pounds.

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2. Winegard HD8200U Platinum VHF/UHF

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Winegard has been one of the most popular antenna products companies since 1954, which is when it was founded. This long-range antenna can reach over 65 miles away, and it runs on UHF and VHF frequencies that come in both low and high signals.

It can also receive ultra-high frequencies like 4K. It’s about 14 pounds, and it’s made to withstand all kinds of weather conditions. Because it’s 14 pounds, this antenna can be very bulky and heavy. It’s also fairly expensive, ranging between $120 and $190.

However, it comes with very durable mounts. Also, you don’t need a coax cable with this antenna, so you don’t have to worry about it being included or having to buy one on your own. This is a high-quality long-range TV antenna. 

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3. Antennas Direct Clearstream 4 TV Antenna – C4-CJM

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Antennas Direct is one of the biggest providers of broadcasting equipment in the United States. It’s a multi-directional loop antenna that has a compact and elegant design. Its range spreads for more than 70 miles, and it runs on VHF and UHF frequencies.

You can get free TV with this antenna on local channels like ABC, NBC, PBS, and CBS. This antenna doesn’t have the best signal gain, and that’s one of the only cons about this antenna.

The other con is that it doesn’t come with a coax cable; you have to buy that on your own. You don’t have to be certified in assembling TV antennas to set this one up on your own because you can do it basically on your own. It only weighs about eight pounds, so it’s not too heavy either. It costs about $90 on Amazon. 

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4. AmazonBasics Amplified Indoor/Outdoor TV Antenna – 60 Mile Range

[amazon box=”B07C3Y8SDH”]

This is a multi-directional antenna that can receive signals from 60 miles away. This means that you don’t have to point the antenna towards any broadcasting towers for it to give a strong, high-quality signal. It comes with a built-in amplifier to help you boost the signal strength.

The amplifier will also help prevent cable losses. It can be installed inside or outside, but installing it outside is better. A downside to this antenna is that the signal strength can be very affected by minor obstructions. However, it comes with a 10-foot coaxial cable and mounting equipment.

It only weighs about five pounds, and it costs about $50 on Amazon. You can get crystal clear pictures of all of your favorite channels, such as ABC, NBC, PBS, and CBS! 

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5. GE Pro Outdoor Long Range TV Antenna

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This antenna is great for both urban and rural areas. It can receive broadcasting signals from over 70 miles away, and the signals can be either UHF or VHF. You can get all your favorite TV stations with this antenna, such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS.

It’s also designed to comply with 4K Ultra HDTV signals. You can install this in an attic, but it would work better outside so that it doesn’t have too many obstructions. This is one of the most affordable antennas on the market at about $40 on Amazon.

You might expect it to not have the best performance because of the price, but that’s not the case. It comes with a mount, and it’s very easy to install on your own! It only weighs about three pounds. One of the downsides is that it has to be directed at a broadcasting station because it’s unidirectional. 

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6. Winegard Pathway X2 PA6002R Satellite TV Antenna

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This is one of the most cutting-edge satellite antennas on the market right now. It has dual arc technology that can receive signals from both Western and Eastern arc orbitals, and it comes equipped to receive transmissions from all DISH satellites in the United States.

This means that you can watch all SD and HD channels provided by DISH from wherever you are in the country and despite the weather conditions. It comes with a coaxial cable because it doesn’t require any other power cable. It comes with a DISH HD receiver, tuner, and remote control.

It’s also very easy to install, so you don’t have to hire anyone to do it for you. One of the downsides of this antenna is that it requires you to get a DISH subscription. Another downside is that it’s very expensive. It costs about $590 on Amazon. 

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7. 1byone Outdoor Omnidirectional Antenna

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You can get both long-range and short-range reception with this antenna. This means that when it’s windy or rainy you can just switch which range you’re using to improve the signal. It can receive UHF and VHF signals, and it also has a built-in amplifier.

It’s also made out of waterproof and fire retardant materials, so you don’t need to worry about the weather. One of the downsides of this antenna is that it only supports one TV, so you’ll have to get one antenna per TV in your house. However, they aren’t too expensive.

They only cost about $65 on Amazon, which won’t break the bank. 

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8. Five Star TV Antenna Yagi Satellite

[amazon box=”B082DN8L6T”]

Five Star’s yagi satellite antenna can get you so many free channels. On top of the usual local news channels, you can also get sports, kids’ programs, and sitcoms. You can get all of these channels with a cable subscription! This antenna also has a built-in amplifier to help enhance the HD signals.

It receives UHF and VHF frequencies, and it can reach broadcasting towers from over a 150-mile range. You don’t have to worry about buying a coaxial cable because this antenna comes with a 40-foot cable. It also comes with a 20-inch mounting pole, so setting it up will be very easy.

It costs about $50 on Amazon. You can mount the antenna in your attic or on your roof or chimney. Wherever you choose to mount it, the antenna is weather-proof. 

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9. RCA Outdoor Yagi Satellite HD Antenna

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You can get all of your favorite local channels for free with this antenna and not have to get a monthly subscription to any TV provider. It can stay on when the weather knocks out most antennas. It can transmit any kind of frequencies, such as UHF, VHF, 4K, 8K, and 1080.

It can also reach broadcasting towers up to 70 miles away. It comes with a pre-assembled design, which means that it’s very easy to install. You can get a great signal whether you mount it in the attic or on the roof. The coaxial cable is not included, so you’ll have to purchase that separately.

RCA has an app that will help you align your antenna perfectly and find the best high-definition channels. This antenna costs about $32 on Amazon. 

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10. Forlovv Outdoor Indoor TV Antenna

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This antenna can receive broadcasting signals from up to 200 miles away. You don’t have to get a cable subscription with one of these antennas because most of your favorite channels will be free! However, it’s also compatible with TV converter boxes, so you can get a TV subscription if you want to.

You’ll get a very long coax cable when you purchase this antenna, so you don’t have to worry about getting your own. You can put this antenna anywhere in your house and still get great reception.

It comes with wall adhesives for you to mount to the inside walls of your house, but it also comes with screws in case you want to hang it outside on your roof. Putting it outside will also make the reception better. It costs about $40 on Amazon. 

Our Winner:

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The top pick out of all of these antennas is Antennas Direct 8-Element Bowtie TV Antenna – DB8E. It’s a very reliable choice for anyone who is hoping to keep their antenna for a long time because all parts on the antenna come with a lifetime warranty.

It can get UHF signals, and it can receive signals from over 70 miles away. Also, it won’t break the bank!

What Are The Different Designs of Outdoor Antennas?

While there are many different types of antenna, only certain styles offer the best reliability and TV signal reception. All of these antennas belong to the array class, and they are a set of connected antennas that come together to transmit and receive signals from a broadcasting tower. 

  • Log-Periodic Dipole Array: This antenna is made up of multiple dipole elements that are organized on a beam with decreasing lengths and distances between them. These antennas are a part of the passive antenna category. They are suitable for areas that have stable signal strength and direct signal paths with multiple obstacles.
  • Yagi-Uda Antenna: The Yagi-Uda antenna has multiple symmetrical vibrators that have parasitic and driven elements. These antennas are better when kept at a long-range from any TV broadcasting towers to get a high gain. It’s one of the most common directional antennas that work with HF, VHF, and UHF signals. It also looks a lot like log-periodic dipole arrays.
  • Reflective Array: This is a multi-directional antenna that contains eight dipole elements that are mounted to the front of a flat-screen reflector. The X shape of this antenna provides you with a wide range of bandwidth.

What Are The Different Types of Outdoor Antennas?

Where you install the antenna is very important to the signal strength, picture quality, and sound quality. Outdoor TV antennas have better reception than indoor TV antennas because they are made to have strong signal strength. While outdoor antennas should always be put at some high points, they need to be easily accessible for maintenance. 

Active TV Antenna

These antenna types come with an integrated signal amplifier that will allow boosting signals and compensation for cable TV losses.

Many people who live far away from broadcasting towers prefer this kind of TV antenna because the signal doesn’t weaken if there are trees, buildings, and/or power lines blocking the antenna from the tower. Also, active TV antennas are able to transmit the signal to a few TVs. Because of this, you should get a splitter.

Passive TV Antenna

Passive TV antennas are generally more affordable than active TV antennas. This is because the signal is only crystal clear if you’re in relatively close proximity to broadcasting towers.

If you want to get a passive TV antenna, then you need to live within 19 miles of a TV tower. There also shouldn’t be anything that would obstruct the path between the antenna and the tower. You don’t need any amplifiers for these kinds of TV antennas.

Satellite TV Antenna

This type of antenna has a different method of signal reception than other traditional OTA models. Satellite antennas don’t receive TV signals from broadcasting towers; they receive TV signals from satellites in outer space. Many people believe that satellite antennas have unmatched signal strength, and it’s true.

You can also watch multiple HD channels of great quality. All of the satellite TV antennas come in a dish-style anti-corrosion design. Most of these antennas come with a receiver that will convert the satellite signals into TV signals. While these antennas have many advantages, they also have disadvantages.

One disadvantage is that they’re very expensive, and another is that you can’t set them up on your own. You need to hire a professional to come to install the antenna for you. 

Riley Draper

Riley Draper is a writer and entrepreneur from Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a world traveler, he has been to more than fifty countries and hiked some of the most elusive trails in the world. He is the co-founder of WeCounsel Solutions and has published work in both national and global outlets, including the Times Free Press, Patch, and Healthcare Global. When he's not writing, he's probably on a hiking trip or climbing in the mountains.

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