Sometimes you just want to have your cake and eat it too. And that’s what free TV is. With a strong antenna, you can get a wide variety of programming, be it local news and alerts, sports, or general entertainment completely for free — you just have to scoop it out of the air. To help you do achieve the loft goal of kicking back, chuckling at cable companies while diving into your free channels, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best antennas for TV without cable or internet.
Best Antenna for TV without Cable or Internet
Down below is our handpicked list of the best antennas for those looking to consign their cable bills to the annals of history. The list features both indoor and outdoor antennas and the unique features of each one, but it’s important to remember to check out the FCC’s DTV maps page and enter your address for a list of the channels broadcasted within your area.
This will help you determine not only what’s available in your region but the signal-range you’ll require. If you still haven’t found the antenna that’s right for you, feel free to reach out to us the comments with your specific needs and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with some tailor-made suggestions for your specific use-case.
1. Loutsbe Indoor Antenna
- Brand: Loutsbe
- Price: $22.49
- Type: Indoor Antenna
The Loutsbe Indoor Antenna is easy to install and comes with a VHF-UHF signal range of 174-240MHz and 470-862MHz respectively.
The sleek, subdued design of the Loutsbe is one of its selling points over other more obtrusive antennas, though its most salient attraction is the smart amplifier switch that lets users switch between short and long-range reception; when within 35 miles of your signal source, users can activate short-range signal for a substantial quality boost, making it one of the better choices for customers with a specific channel in mind and the proximity to capitalize on it.
2. XFTREE Indoor Antenna
- Brand: XFTREE
- Price: $27.99
- Type: Indoor Antenna
From one of the more visible Antenna brands on the market, XFTREE’s newly-released, super long-range indoor antenna can reliably capture UHF/VHF/FM frequencies from up to 250 miles away — a huge advantage over similar antennas at the same price point.
Like most antennas, installation is relatively simple and takes only a couple of minutes to hook up to your TV — be it a 4K smart TV or an old tube television — before you can start scanning. Highly recommended for users with particular channels in mind but unable to reach with their existing antenna.
3. Forlovv Amplified Antenna
- Brand: Forlovv
- Price: $48.99
- Type: Indoor Antenna
While a little more expensive than some of the others on this list, the Forlovv works to justify its price tag with a staggering range of nearly 300 miles, letting users pull in a wide buffet of free programming.
The built-in IC chip is what helps the Forlovv rake in such a wide range of signal and is certainly worth considering for anyone seriously intent on erasing their cable bill; the extra array of channels the Forlovv can capture can more than make up for the 20 or so bucks extra it’ll cost you upfront.
4. Gesobyte Long Range Antenna
- Brand: Gesobyte
- Price: $28.95
- Type: Indoor
The Gesobyte has a long-range, 200-mile UHF/VHF reception range with a cellular/FM filter to enhance the picture and sound quality. For higher-end TVs that can use the quality improvements that the Gesobyte’s smart filter provides, the antenna is as strong a contender at the 30-ish dollar price point as anyone can ask for.
It also has the added distinction of being one of the most popular antennas on the market and reportedly boasts top-quality customer service to help you get the best free-programming experience you can get.
5. PBD WA-2608
- Brand: PBD
- Price: $46.97
- Type: Outdoor
For those in search of a more heavy-duty outdoor antenna, the PBD WA-2608 is a motor-operated, lightning-safe antenna with a 150-mile signal range and a working frequency of VHF 170 – 230MHz/UHF 470 – 860MHz, making it one of the more versatile antennas on the market.
The major selling points for the PBD Antenna is its remote-controlled 360° motor that lets users find the optimal angle without having to bust out the ladder and a 2-TV compatibility that lets you hook it up to a pair of televisions without a splitter.
6. Vansky Motorized HDTV Antenna
- Brand: Vansky
- Price: $29.99
- Type: Outdoor
The Vansky Outdoor Antenna is similar to the PBD with a remote-controlled, 360° motor and weatherproof design and 150-mile range, but provides a wider working frequency (especially VHF) at 40~300MHz VHF and 470~890MHz UHF. It also sports similar 2-TV compatibility without any need for a splitter or adapter.
This, coupled with the fact that it costs $30 make the Vansky a pretty clear frontrunner for users interested in an outdoor antenna for VHF frequency.
7. GE Pro Outdoor Antenna
- Brand: GE
- Price: $39.96
- Type: Outdoor Antenna
While the GE Pro offers a considerably shorter range than some of the other options on this list (70 miles), it remains one of the most popular outdoor antennas on the market and boasts a healthy customerbase of well-satisfied users. With 4K compatibility and multi-TV compatibility, quality-wise the GE is pretty hard to beat.
What really makes the GE Pro shine is the US-based tech support known for its commitment to helping users maximize their viewing experience — a boon difficult to put a number on when it comes to sensitive tech like antennas.
8. Luxtronic HDTV Antenna
- Brand: Luxtronic
- Price: $16.99
- Type: Indoor
The Luxtronic HDTV Antenna is a dirt-cheap, extra-versatile antenna to suit every situation. Its 360° omnidirectional reception and magnetic base make it effective and easy to mount pretty much anywhere, letting you find the best spot in your house/RV/office with ease. It also happens to be powered through the coaxial cable itself, making it even more portable and easy to install.
The only arguable drawback to the Luxtronic is its somewhat reduced signal range at about 50 miles. That said, if you’re within reach of the transmitter, the Luxtronic provides pretty much the best bang for your buck when it comes to HDTV antennas.
9. 1 By One TV Antenna
- Brand: 1 By One
- Price: $23.99
- Type: Indoor
The 1 By One TV Antenna is similar to some of the earlier entries on our list, but offers the same long-range reception at a lower price point than is usual for its features.
With an IC-chip powered smart switch for short-range enhancement, the 1 By One TV antenna affords users crystal-clear picture quality in the sub-35 mile range and excellent overall reach compared to similarly priced antennas. You’d be hard-pressed to find an antenna with a similar design and feature-range as the 1 BY One below $25.
Haven’t found the antenna you’re looking for? Give us some background into the specifics of your situation and we’ll come back with a few suggestions with your particular needs in mind!
