10 best indoor antennas

*Review of the best according to the editorial. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective, not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to purchase. Before buying, it is necessary to consult with a specialist.

Room antennas operate in the decimeter or meter band, and some are also capable of catching FM waves. They’re also capable of capturing converted digital broadcasts. Due to their compact size, it is easy to find room for them in the room and it is not necessary to climb on the roof. This is a practical option for getting a signal for the TV at the cottage or a rental apartment. The device will not be stolen, and you can always take it with you when you move. What indoor antennas are the most popular in Russia and why, our experts considered.

How to choose a room antenna for the TV

Let’s briefly consider what parameters to pay attention to when choosing an antenna for indoor use:

1. What broadcast standards and bands it works with. There are models designed for VHF. It’s 2-meter long, high range waves that catch well out of town. Others only work in UHF. These are 80-centimeter waves, and their range is much shorter – it is desirable to be in the city limits. In addition to analog broadcasting, some models are capable of capturing open digital channels.
2. The presence of a built-in amplifier and its power.If the TV is far from the tower or even out of town, an amplifier is needed. Its power comes in 10 to 50 dB. The higher the number, the better.
3. Cable length to TVu. A cable is provided to transmit the electrical signal to the TV. It comes in lengths from 1 to 3 meters. If the device does not catch near the TV, you will have to carry it around the room. It is convenient to do it with a long wire, because you do not need to move the TV set.
4. Installation method.Some devices are hung up on the steppe

And you’ll need to drill a hole in a concrete slab or masonry. Others can be installed on the windowsill or the TV itself, if the surface allows it.

Review of the best indoor antennas

In compiling a list of the best indoor models we were guided by customer reviews, product prevalence, performance and sales statistics. All this helped to identify the most popular items, of which you will already be easier to choose a room antenna for your purposes.

LUMAX DA1502A

Rating: 4.9

The antenna measures 28x13x14 cm and weighs 700 g. The flat rectangle can be placed on a window sill or hung from a mast. The product comes with a 3 m cable leading to the TV, which is convenient for connecting. 5 V voltage is supplied through the USB connector, but the power supply itself with the antenna is not supplied. But it can even be connected to a laptop or computer. Reviews show that in the city the antenna catches excellent, some manage to catch even 20 channels. Owners also say that the signal is good at the summer houses outside Moscow up to 30 km away from MKAD, but at 60 km away from the city the signal is too bad and the choice of channels is very narrow. Setting up the device is easy and all functions work.

The best aerial for indoor use that perfectly captures digital broadcasts. The device captures the air in DVB-T and T2 broadcasting format. The antenna has a built-in 28dB amplifier, which greatly improves signal quality. Amplifier really works, because without it out of town signal strength 0%.

Advantages

• Long cable 3m;
• Has a built-in amplifier;
• Captures digital broadcasting;
• USB power connection.

Flaws

• high cost;
• Strong interference at a distance of 60 km from the city.

HARPER ADVB-1420

Rating: 4.8

The indoor antenna is also capable of working with open digital channels, as well as catching analog broadcasting. This model is also useful for searching radio channels. The indoor unit has one vertical ring and two “antennae” to capture the signal. It is easy to install on the window sill – nothing needs to be fixed, so even an inexperienced user can cope with the connection. Antenna supplied with cable 1.3 m, so the TV must be near the window or you will have to buy a wire.

Room model stands out with an active signal amplifier with 30 dB power. This increases the sensitivity of the device and makes the image quality clearer. Even if there is a multi-story block in the way between the TV and the TV tower, the antenna will do its job.

Advantages

• easy connection;
• powerful amplifier;
• Does not take up much space;
• Simply mounts to the window sill.

Disadvantages

• short cable 1.3 m;
• high cost.

HARPER ADVB-2969

Rating: 4.7

This is another room model from the Harper brand that is in high demand. It works with FM, UHF, VHF and DVT bands. The unit has a built-in 30 dB amplifier, but the cable to the TV here is even shorter – 1 m. Thanks to the compact form factor it easily fits on the windowsill. Like the room model described above, it does not need to be mounted. Simple settings make it easy to connect.

In the reviews, customers are happy about the sturdy body and good amplifier. Its power can be adjusted with a rotary switch, which helps fine-tune the reception. “Whiskers” on the antenna are pretty strong and won’t fall off even if the room unit accidentally falls off. The power supply is built into the housing, so there is only one plug that fits into the socket. The antenna has a switch, which means you don’t have to unplug anything to turn off the power.

Advantages

• modern laconic design;
• easy to set up;
• easy to install;
• confident reception;
• catches the radio.

Disadvantages

• 1 m cable
• Blue LED bulb shines very brightly.

BBK DA20

Rating: 4.7

Flat indoor antenna from the world brand BBK has the dimensions 34h9h0.1 cm, so it fits easily on a window, wall or windowsill. Due to its slim construction it doesn’t stick out and looks very stylish. At first glance, it is not even clear that this antenna. Reviews show that the performance of the device is as claimed, and it receives waves even better than the more powerful room models, whose performance is clearly overstated in the description. The device picks up the first batch of digital signals and 3 digital radios perfectly. But owners report that for high quality pictures (not to bounce), you need to place the device by the window.

Indoor television antenna stands out for a wide variety of working formats. It can receive the following broadcast standards: ATSC, DVB-T, DVB-T2, DMB-T/H, ISDB, as well as VHF and UHF. With it, the chances of catching many more channels increase.

Advantages

• 22dB amplifier;
• compact housing;
• large selection of working formats;
• does not make any noise.

Disadvantages

• does not pick up the regular radio;
• for ideal reception should be located near the window;
• high cost.

Delta K131A.03

Rating: 4.6

Indoor active antenna made in the classical style with a central bar and cross bars to enhance the sensitivity. It is adjustable from 0 to 25 degrees vertically to direct the trap more precisely to the tower. Room model is suitable for receiving digital and analog broadcasting. The device connects to a 12V power supply. In reviews, users report that the device picks up both direct and reflected signals, even if the TV tower is located on the other side of a high-rise. The board inside the antenna is well soldered, but on the separator some contacts are weak.

Antenna for indoor use is distinguished by the increased power of the built-in active amplifier. Its indication is 40 dB. While this is not the limit of what is possible, it is higher than other products in the review and will help you catch broadcasts better if there are many obstacles on the way from the TV tower to your house.

Advantages

• confidently catches the channels;
• There is an adjustable angle of inclination;
• receives even a reflected signal.

Disadvantages

• Not very attractive appearance;
• Weak contacts on the separator;
• It is necessary to screw the connector to the TV set by yourself;
• flimsy plastic.

Selenga 103A

Rating: 4.5

Room type antenna is shaped like a rectangle with diagonal inserts inside. They serve as an additional shield that increases the sensitivity of the trap. Receives the device decimeter waves of analog broadcasting and open digital channels. Active amplifier with 33 dB power provides a more stable picture. Reviews show that at a distance of up to 32 kilometers from the tower antenna copes well and picks up about 30 channels. Even the person, who doesn’t know anything about radio engineering, can easily cope with the connection.

One of the features of the indoor active antenna is power supply from the TV cable. It carries the signal converted to electrical pulses to one side, and the other side carries the voltage to operate. It eliminates the need to pull an additional wire to the antenna, especially if there is no outlet nearby.

Advantages

• Sensitivity gain up to 33 dB;
• small size;
• Can be hung on a nail;
• Power from a television wire.

Disadvantages

• Some out-of-towners have poor reception;
• Can be interfered with in bad weather.

Delta Digital.5V

Rating: 4.4

Room compact antenna has a flat rectangular shape and can be mounted to a bracket or wall. It looks very aesthetically pleasing, so it is not only suitable for country houses. Supplied with a 3 m cable to connect to the TV. The indoor device receives voltage from the set-top box, but it must have a power supply function. Built-in amplifier has a power of 22 dB. Except DVB-T the apparatus works with UHF. In reviews of owners praise autodetect function, which finds all available broadcasts.

Active indoor antenna provides catching up to 30 digital open channels, as directly indicated on the packaging. In addition, the device is excellent in the decimeter band 470-790 MHz, capturing up to 60 channels. If you are far away from the tower and “digital” is not available to you, use this room unit.

Advantages

• Can be mounted to a wall or on a bracket;
• Long wire 3 m
• powered from the TV set-top box;
• low weight 200g.

Disadvantages

• No voltage is supplied from the TV – only through the set-top box.

Remo BAS-5107-DX Mini digital

Rating: 4.3

The company “REMO” – One of the leaders in the production of small room antennas. The BAS-5107 is designed for the decimeter band, as well as for searching open digital broadcasts. The built-in 33 dB amplifier significantly increases the sensitivity of the device. Comes with a cable of 1.8 m, which allows you to connect the antenna to the TV at a distance without moving the electrical appliances to the window. The device is connected directly to the network with 220 V power, and internally converts it to 12 V. From the reviews, you can see that the best reception quality will be when the antenna is up to 10 km away from the repeater.

Among the small indoor antennas, this is one of the most compact. It has literally one loop and a base, occupying 17x26x4 cm. The unit can be placed discreetly behind the TV or on the windowsill. Thanks to the white color it is almost invisible.

Advantages

• Shows the picture without distortion;
• affordable price;
• Blends in well with a white TV or window sill.

Disadvantages

• Effective only up to 10 km from the tower.

Selenga 105A

Rating: 4.2

The antenna is made with the dimensions 22x19x18 cm and plugged into a wall socket for later downgrading to 12 V. Built-in amplifier provides up to 12dB increase in sensitivity. Shielded ring and two “tendrils” are used to receive waves. Room model is designed for VHF / UHF bands and digital standards T1 and T2. Resistance of 75 ohms gives optimum impedance and reflects the signal back less.

In the reviews, some have reported that the antenna was able to catch up to 10 channels, while being 70 km from Moscow. In the near suburbs up to 20 km it gives out 20 channels and 3 digital radios stably. The product is also praised for its beautiful design with a triangular body and blue backlight, which blends well with modern televisions.

Advantages

• built-in amplifier;
• beautiful design;
• minimum setup.

Disadvantages

• short wire 1.5 m;
• weak attachment “tendrils”.

Locus L 941.10 KEYMAN

Rating: 4.1

Completes the review room budget antenna, made of steel. It sits on a bent bracket and has a series of transverse “whiskers” to increase sensitivity. Room model of directional type needs to be aimed at the TV tower, and it is desirable that the window faces the TV tower. To improve the signal an 11dB amplifier is provided. The antenna does well in its UHF range and finds DVB digital broadcasts. In reviews, users note the increased durability of the design, so it can be safely ordered in online stores from afar. Only a couple of “whiskers” will be damaged in transit at most, but this is easy to straighten out. Owners also like the sharpness of the image without blocks and stable positioning of the device due to the rubber tips.

We singled out the antenna for room installation as the best value for the price, while maintaining the quality of performance. Undoubtedly, there are cheaper options, but they can not catch even in the city center. The same device finds its 20 channels well, although it costs 250-490 rubles, but it requires living in the city limits.

Advantages

• anti-slip pads on the feet;
• Stably stands on the TV or windowsill;
• solid metal construction;
• the image without squares.

Disadvantages

• short wire 1.2 m;
• without power supply;
• not very attractive appearance.