The Best OTA Antennas: Your Guide To Getting Free Local TV
Our TV experts round up five indoor and outdoor OTA antennas that are perfect for newbie cord-cutters.
It may seem old-fashioned, but an over-the-air (OTA) antenna is still one of the best ways to score live TV. OTA antennas pull in free local channels—including major networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC—plus subchannels offering niche content like classic movies and retro cartoons.
But here’s the catch: No one antenna is perfect for everyone. Your location, the antenna’s placement, and even your home’s construction materials can all affect an antenna’s signal quality. The best antenna for someone living in the heart of New York City is likely much different from what someone on the wide-open prairies of North Dakota would need.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the best indoor and outdoor OTA antennas from top brands like Mohu (pssst—our favorite indoor antenna is the Mohu Leaf 50), Gesobyte, PBD, and FiveStar. But we’ve also compiled helpful tips on choosing a suitable antenna based on your housing situation. After all, our goal is to help you access your live TV in the most inexpensive and reliable ways.
Best OTA Antennas
- Best budget antenna: Mohu Blade
- Best indoor antenna: Mohu Leaf 50
- Best outdoor antenna: PBD Outdoor Antenna
- Best amplified indoor antenna: Gesobyte Amplified Antenna
- Best long-range antenna: FiveStar Outdoor Antenna
Compare best OTA antennas head to head
| Antenna | Price | Range | Resolution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best budget antennaMohu Blade | $19.99 | 50 miles | 1080p, 4K | View on Amazon |
| Best indoor antennaMohu Leaf 50 | $46.99 | 60 miles | 1080p, 4K | View on Amazon |
| Best outdoor antennaPBD Outdoor Antenna | $45.99 | 150 miles | 1080p, 4K | View on Amazon |
| Best amplified indoor antennaGesobyte Amplified Antenna | $19.99 | 200 miles | 1080p, 4K | View on Amazon |
| Best long-range antennaFiveStar Outdoor Antenna | $68.95 | 200 miles | 1080p, 4K | View on Amazon |
Amazon.com Prices (as of 7/25/25 10:01 a.m. EST). Read full disclaimer.
Best budget antenna: Mohu Blade
Amazon.com Price; $19.99 (as of 7/25/25 10:01 a.m. EST). Read full disclaimer.
- Great price
- Small size, so it’s easy to conceal
- Indoor and outdoor compatible
- Short range
- Expensive amplifier accessory
If you’re in an apartment, dorm room, or other smaller city-space, we recommend the Mohu Blade. It’s a low-cost, low-profile gem of an antenna. Slap it on your wall or window, plug it in, scan for channels, and you’re all set.
If the Blade’s 50-mile range isn’t quite enough, you can goose the reception with the Mohu Jolt amplifier. That said, the Jolt is more expensive than the Blade itself. So, if you’re not sure that 50 miles will do, keep reading.
Best overall indoor antenna: Mohu Leaf 50
Amazon.com Price; $46.99 (as of 7/25/25 10:01 a.m. EST). Read full disclaimer.
- Large, 60-mile radius
- Beautiful HD picture
- Only local channels
- Low aesthetic appeal
The Mohu Leaf 50 is actually our favorite indoor TV antenna overall based on price, range, ease of installation, and our own hands-on testing. We tried it on two different TVs—one in the basement and one upstairs. We thought we wouldn’t get any channels in the basement, but mounting it high on a wall near a window pulled in 52 channels. But only around half of these came in clearly.
We had better luck upstairs, obviously. The Mohu Leaf 50 picked up 15 more channels (total: 67) and we’d say that around 75% of them had decent reception. But that’s not unusual—the channels with poor reception were probably further away or blocked by buildings or mountains.
To learn more about this antenna, read our Mohu Leaf 50 review.
Best outdoor antenna: PBD Outdoor Antenna
Amazon.com Price; $45.99 (as of 7/25/25 10:01 a.m. EST). Read full disclaimer.
- Extra long 150-mile range
- Dual TV outputs for multiroom viewing
- Motorized 360-degree rotation w/remote
- Weather resistance
- Roof mounting (may require professional installation)
- No mounting pole included
PBD’s outdoor antenna looks like a futuristic Jetsons-style raygun (or just a fancier antenna), and it has so much bang pew-pew-pew for your buck.
The antenna’s 150-mile range will work best for rural areas but also cities and suburbs. Plus, with its low-noise, high-gain amplifier, and full HD support, you’ll get a crystal clear picture. There’s even a 360-degree rotating base with wireless remote for extra-fine tuning from your couch. Plus, PBD’s antenna has dual TV outputs for multiroom viewing.
But before buying this, be sure that you’re comfortable doing the roof-mounted installation yourself. It’s risky and technical, so it’s probably best left to a professional. Our next recommendation has the same issue.
Best amplified indoor antenna: Gesobyte Amplified antenna
Amazon.com Price; $19.99 (as of 7/25/25 10:01 a.m. EST). Read full disclaimer.
- Great price
- Superlong range
- Amplifier signal booster included
- Large size
This long-range antenna from Gesobyte is actually cheaper than the Jolt amplifier mentioned above. And with a (supposedly) 200+-mile range—plus dual-band VHF/UHF, VHF signal enhancement, and advanced filtering—it should provide great reception for city, suburban, and rural households.
TBH, we don’t believe the range actually goes all the way up to 200 miles. (Or 600 miles, as Gesobyte claims is possible. We call bluff.) But according to folks in the Amazon reviews for the antenna, the Gesobyte easily pulled channels from over 50 miles away, which is solid for an antenna at this price point.
It’s kinda unsightly to look at, though. While its larger size boosts your range, reception, and channel count, this antenna’s gonna look like a big ole eyesore on your wall or window. So we suggest leaving it flat or propping it up on a shelf like a picture frame.
Longest range: FiveStar Outdoor Antenna
Amazon.com Price; $68.95 (as of 7/25/25 10:01 a.m. EST). Read full disclaimer.
- Super long 200-mile range
- Motorized 360-degree rotation w/remote
- 4-way splitter for multiroom viewing
- Larger VHF element + 2 extra UHF elements
- Weatherproof
- No mounting pole included
- Possible signal degradation due to splitter
Actually, that PBD outdoor antenna and this one from FiveStar have more than cons in common. They’re both good for city, suburban, and rural households. And they each have long ranges, low-noise amplifiers, rotating bases, and support for multiple TVs.
But there are little differences. The two most prominent are range (FiveStar’s range is 50 miles longer) and multiple TV support. FiveStar’s multi-TV support comes from a splitter, which could degrade your signal. Additionally, the FiveStar is $23 more expensive than the PBD antenna.
The FiveStar is still a solid choice, though, if you’d prefer an extra 50 miles of range on your primary antenna.
What to look for in an OTA TV antenna
The most important considerations when buying a TV antenna are antenna type/mounting and range—and it doesn’t hurt to know how to accessorize. Allow us to explain in more detail.
OTA antenna type
There are three main types of OTA TV antennas: indoor, outdoor, and indoor/outdoor. Picking one for your home will depend on your location and the channels you want to watch.
| Indoor | Indoor/Outdoor | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|
* May require permission from property owner.
City dwellers are likely reasonably close to most broadcasting locations, so you should have a strong signal. For you, we recommend an indoor antenna with a 25–35 mile range.
Folks living further away in the suburbs should get an indoor or indoor/outdoor antenna with a 35–50 mile range.
For those living in rural areas, we suggest an outdoor, roof-mounted antenna with a 50–150 mile range. Note: roof mounting may require a skilled professional.
Renters should always check with their landlord before mounting an outdoor antenna. They’ll probably have rules about antenna installation.
How easy is it to install an indoor TV antenna? Well, my technophobic mom installed her Mohu Leaf 30 antenna with no help—not even a text to her son. She now has 67 clear channels. YMMMV (your mom’s mileage may vary), but indoor antennas are that easy to install.
OTA antenna range
When it comes to range, a little homework goes a long way. Sure, you could guesstimate the range, buy the corresponding antenna, and hope for the best—it worked for my mom. But that was lucky.
You see, besides distance, topography also affects reception. You might be within 25 miles of a broadcasting station, but buildings, hills, mountains, and 5G poltergeists can block the signal.
Luckily, some simple online tools can help you get the stations you want.
- AntennaWeb.org: Enter your address to see channels available in your area and—we love this—a color-coded antenna-type recommendation for each channel.
- RabbitEars.info: Move a pushpin to your location on the RabbitEars.info Signal Search Map to see available channels as well as signal strengths, distances, and directions.
These resources don’t guarantee you’ll get your favorite channels—but they definitely increase your chances. If you have the time, we recommend using one of them before buying an antenna.
But if you already own an antenna and want to improve your signal, you can try a couple of TV antenna accessories. We’ll look at those next.
Pro tip: Range specs on antennas can be inaccurate. Choose an antenna with a longer range than you think you need—like 50 miles instead of 25. The price difference shouldn’t be too bad, and you’ll avoid disappointment. Heck, you might even pick up a few extra channels.
Antenna accessories
Do you want to soup up your antenna so it works even better? Try one of these accessories.
- Antenna rotator: Many outdoor, roof-mounted antennas already include a rotator, but they’re also sold separately. The device allows you to remotely aim your antenna in any direction, improving reception.
- Signal amplifier: If your current antenna doesn’t quite pick up the channels you want, you can try boosting the signal with an amplifier.
- Signal meter: Also known as a signal finder, this device will help you locate the best possible signal so you know where to aim your TV antenna.
Which OTA antenna is worth it?
City folk, especially apartment and dorm-dwellers, will love the affordability and size of the Mohu Blade as well as the Mohu Leaf 50—our favorite. They’ll enjoy the same things about the Gesobyte antenna—but its larger range is also suitable for suburban and rural areas.
Outdoor antennas work great for people in the city, suburbs, and rural areas, and our two picks both have a lot going for them. If you seek value, the PBD antenna is what you’ll want. If range matters more to you, go with FiveStar’s antenna.
Best OTA antennas FAQ
What is the best outdoor OTA antenna?
The PBD Outdoor Digital Amplified HDTV Antenna is our pick for the best outdoor TV antenna. It features a 150-mile range (ideal for cities, suburbs, and rural areas), a low-noise/high-gain amplifier, full HD support, a 360-degree rotating base with wireless remote, and dual TV outputs—all for a one-time payment of $45.99.
What is the best OTA antenna for local channels?
All TV antennas pick up local channels—that’s what they’re born to do. We recommend indoor antennas because they're so easy to install. Range is another important consideration:
- In the city: choose an antenna with a 25-to-50-mile range.
- In the suburbs, choose an antenna with a 50–60 mile range.
- In the deep 'burbs or some rural areas: choose an antenna with a 150–200 mile range.
What is the best HD OTA antenna?
Resolution isn’t determined by the antenna but by the broadcaster. Any antenna will allow you to watch HD—and even 4K UHD—programming as long as you have a good signal.
How can I check signal strength in my area?
To check TV signal strength in your area, visit AntennaWeb.org and enter your full street address. You’ll get a list of available channels that shows distances, GPS coordinates, and color-coded antenna-type recommendations for each. There’s also a map to help you visualize station locations.
Can you still get TV over the air?
Getting TV over the air requires an over-the-air (OTA) TV antenna like the ones in this article. Indoor OTA antennas are the most common, and they’re as cheap as $20. They’re also really easy to install. To learn more, read our guide to OTA TV.
In what direction should I point my OTA TV antenna?
Point your over-the-air (OTA) antenna in the direction of the signal, which comes from the station. You can find specific location and signal info by entering your address at AntennaWeb.org.
Why is my OTA antenna not picking up channels?
A few different factors can cause bad—or no—reception when using a TV antenna. The first thing you should check is if your antenna is properly installed. Grab your manual and go over the steps again. The following factors can also cause poor reception or signal degradation:
- Your coaxial cable is longer than 100 feet
- Splitters
- Nearby electronic appliances or topographical obstacles (buildings, hills, mountains, etc.)
- Insufficient antenna range (brand-advertised ranges can be inaccurate)
- Bad antenna placement
- A defective unit
How often should I replace my OTA antenna?
Good quality OTA antennas can last years, decades even, as long as they haven’t been significantly damaged. If you notice an issue with your signal, call an expert who can detect the problem and fix your antenna before it is beyond repair. Common culprits of antenna damage include bad weather, birds, and worn-out cables — but if your antenna issues are detected quickly, there should be no need for replacement.
Will my OTA antenna interfere with my Wi-Fi?
Wireless networks work on different frequencies than antennas, so there is little chance of issues between the two. To be safe, though, it’s always good practice to keep your router away from your TV and other electronic devices, and to double-check that nothing is blocking it from all sides.
Why you should trust us
Our TV experts have logged dozens of hours researching and testing over-the-air (OTA) TV antennas, comparing them based on price, features, specs, ease of installation, and more. We then analyze the data in order to make solid recommendations to our readers. To learn more about our process, see our How We Rank page.
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