Best Antennas Available to Help You Cut the Cord
The first step to stop paying for TV is to get yourself a good antenna. Depending where you live this can be an easy task or a more difficult one with potentially pretty high costs. Those close to large media markets can easily bring in signals on the smallest of antennas. Also, those in flat terrain can pull in signals thirty miles away sometimes without an antenna. I experienced this on a trip to central Texas once and started to get a signal just by connecting the antenna transformer to the TV prior to connecting the actual antenna. I was very jealous as I live halfway between two media markets and can potentially get a lot of channels, but many channels just aren’t strong enough.
We will preview some of the top selling antennas on Amazon in different classes. There are $13 antennas that are small and flat and can be taped to a window or larger antennas
ClearStream 4V Indoor/Outdoor HDTV Antenna (70 mile range) – $149.99
The Clearstream from Antennas Direct has a 4.4/5 star rating with more than 1500 reviews. Their multi directional elements help with range and reception in more difficult areas (suburban and rural areas). The ClearStream 4V can be mounted indoors in an attic or outdoors for more optimal range.
1byone 85 Miles Digital Amplified Outdoor HDTV Antenna (85 mile range) – $45.99
This directional indoor/outdoor antenna gets great reviews from owners (4.4/5 stars with almost 275 reviews). At a cost under $50 this may be a great antenna to try before opting for a more expensive option. This unit comes with an amplifier for an extra signal boost and works well in areas normally more difficult to receive a signal.
1byone offers a similar style, but UHF only for $29.99. The stated range is 80 miles and also has a 4.4/5 rating with more than 600 reviews.
1byone HDTV Antenna – (25 Miles Range) – $12.99
This flat antenna has been reviewed over 11,000 times and comes with a 3.9/5 rating. This paper thin unit is designed to work in more friendly conditions up to 25 miles and is paintable.
There are several thin style small to medium range antennas on Amazon with similar reviews. Some come with amplifiers like the 1byone 50 mile Amplified HDTV Antenna for $29.99 (4.1 rating with more than 4000 reviews)
Xtreme Signal HD8200XL HDTV VHF/UHF/FM Antenna (100 mile range) – $102.51
The Xtreme Signal antenna is a more traditional antenna, but a monster size one at 150 inches long and 110 inches wide. It is a directional antenna that users claim can range 70 miles or more with a consistent signal. The Xtreme Signal has a 4.1/5 star rating with 65 reviews.
The Gray Hoverman (DIY project – 75-100 mile range)
Grey Hovernan is a DIY antenna that has been around for years, improved and promoted through the Internet by fellow users. There are many variations which you will find on the AVS Forum site. Owners swear by it and I have made one myself. It is cheap to make, but it isn’t something you can make in an hour. Still, different antennas work in different situations and the Gray Hoverman has worked exceptionally well for many DIYers, maybe it is worth a look for you.
Go get your Antenna
Choosing the correct antenna can help you achieve the best picture quality for dozens of free channels. I am in between two markets, so I do OK with a multi-directional Gray Hoverman. However, I think I might try a direction antenna to zero in on one or the other to lock my signal down better. Too many times a channel will be unreliable. The above antennas are some of the best selling antennas for their respective classes. Take a look at these or many others on Amazon to zero in on the best rated antennas available from users just like you.
