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THE BEST INDOOR PASSIVE ANTENNAS of 2023

Tom Power
  Jun 7, 2023 9:16 PM

As streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ grow in popularity, more people are ditching their expensive cable and satellite TV subscriptions. For those who still want to watch occasional live events or local programming without an extra subscription, a great indoor TV antenna is the simplest, most reliable way to pull in dozens of free TV channels. 

Here is our list of what we consider the BEST INDOOR PASSIVE ANTENNAS of 2023.


Top picks

  1. Antennas Direct ClearStream FLEX Amplified TV Antenna

No matter where we hang it (or in what city), the ClearStream Flex Live Antenna consistently ranks among those that receive the most channels. Its flat design makes it easy to hang on the wall and is reversible, with black and white sides (it's also paintable). 

The antenna comes with a detachable amplifier that can draw power from the TV's USB port as well as a long detachable cable. The only downside is that the ClearStream Flex is a bit larger than average for a flat antenna.

  1. Winegard Flatwave Amped Pro HDTV Indoor Antenna

The Winegard Flatwave Amped Pro is a “smart” antenna that has built-in signal meters, which you control via a mobile app and Bluetooth connectivity. As you move the antenna around the room, the antenna gives you an update every six seconds on how many channels you can receive. 

In every location we tried, using the app to locate the antenna gave the Flatwave Amped Pro first or second place in terms of channels received. The amplifier is powered by USB, the antenna is black and white, the antenna is reversible, and you get a lot of cables. However, the Flatwave Amped Pro usually costs twice as much as a typical amplified flat antenna.

  1. GE Ultra Edge Indoor TV Antenna

The GE Ultra Edge Indoor TV Antenna has been our budget pick in this guide for a few years in the making. It performs almost as well as our top pick; if you are within 15 miles of the broadcast antenna, you may not miss any channels with this antenna. It has an inline amplifier, includes a decent amount of cables, and is relatively compact. 

The only downside is that the cable is non-removable and the antenna can't be reversed or painted, so your only color choice is black.


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Last update on 2023-06-07 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Both UHF and VHF: 

All antennas on our final list have been rated for both UHF reception (channels 14 and up) and at least high VHF reception (channels 7 to 13). For many years, the ability of indoor antennas to receive VHF signals was less important because most digital TV channels were in the UHF range. However, recent transmission line changes have made VHF reception even more important.

Easy to mount and move: 

You can either hang the antenna on the wall without tools or cause heavy damage to your wall and the antenna must be easy to move for better reception.

Unobtrusive design: 

You may need to place your antenna in a visible location for best reception, so it doesn't have to be ugly. Most indoor antennas today — and most of the ones we've reviewed — are flat. And the flat antenna is easy to hide.

TV antenna range

Sure, you can estimate the range, buy the corresponding antenna, and hope for the best. However, in addition to distance, terrain also affects reception. You may be within 25 miles of a base station, but 5G buildings, hills, mountains, and polarizers can block the signal.

Fortunately, some simple online tools can help you get the stations you want.

  • AntennaWeb.org: Enter your address to see available channels in your area and — we love this — recommend a color-coded antenna for each.

  • RabbitEars.info: Move a pin to your location on the RabbitEars.info Signal Lookup Map to see available channels and signal strength, distance, and directions.

  • TV Fool: Enter your address or GPS coordinates to watch channels and more.

These resources don't guarantee you'll get your favorite channels - but they certainly increase your chances. If you have time, we recommend you use one of them before purchasing the antenna.


Final Thoughts

The BEST INDOOR PASSIVE ANTENNAS are absolutely essential for anyone intending to cut the cord. Buying an indoor TV antenna for your home is a cheap and easy way to get access to many free TV channels in HD with no monthly fees. 

The Best TV antennas provide a gateway to the worlds of sports, sitcoms, news, and more. all offered on the most popular US TV networks - completely free of charge at no extra cost.


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