The best TV antennas in 2026: Consumer Reports

Cable replacement services like Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV don't always carry local channels in every market. An indoor antenna picks up that local programming for free, but a weak model can leave entire channels out of reach.

Consumer Reports tested indoor antennas for VHF, UHF and NextGen TV channel reception, so shoppers can find a model that pulls in their local stations.

Credit: Antop

The Antop Mini Big Boy AT-406BV costs $85 to $100 and pulled in 5 VHF channels, 13 UHF channels and 11 NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' testing, a haul stronger than every other model in this lineup. CR noted its removable inline amplifier adjusts for short- or long-range reception, and extendable rods help with VHF pickup specifically. The antenna carries a coating built to resist sun and weather damage for outdoor use, though it also works on a tabletop, wall or attic indoors, and Antop says it was the first brand to add a built-in filter blocking 3G and 4G interference. Buyers get a mounting stand, a power adapter, roughly 33 feet of cable and hardware for pole installation in the box.

Credit: Amazon

The ClearStream Eclipse from Antennas Direct costs $55 and matched the Antop Mini Big Boy's reception in Consumer Reports' testing, pulling in 5 VHF channels, 13 UHF channels and 11 NextGen TV channels despite skipping an amplifier entirely. CR noted the panel flips to show black on one face and white on the other, and mounts by pressing flat against a window or wall with double-sided tape included in the box. The company also sells an amplified version for about $20 more with a claimed 35-mile range, compared with 25 miles for this base model. A roughly 12-foot cable that detaches for storage and hardware for mounting round out what's included.

Credit: Amazon

The Mohu Curve costs $80 and pulled in 4 VHF channels, 12 UHF channels and 11 NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' testing. CR noted its soft gray finish and curved shape give it more style than many indoor antennas, and its removable inline USB-powered amplifier backs a claimed 60-mile range, matching the company's Mohu Leaf model. It comes with an adaptable stand for a tabletop or wall and a 10-foot coaxial cable. CR pointed out it's grown harder to find compared with a year ago, as the Mohu Gateway appears to be replacing it in the lineup.

Credit: Amazon

The ClearStream 2Max costs $80 to $100, among the pricier models in this lineup, and pulled in 5 VHF channels, 11 UHF channels and 11 NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' testing. CR noted its tall figure-8 shape unfolds a pair of arms that pivot open and lock into place, making it one of the larger antennas tested and one of the few suited for both indoor and outdoor use, with better reception typically found outside. This unamplified model skips the need for an AC outlet and includes a tabletop stand for indoor use plus a nearly 2-foot adjustable pole and clamp for mounting outside. ClearStream claims a 60-mile reception range.

Credit: Antop

The Antop HD Smart Bar AT-500SBS pulled in 5 VHF channels, 13 UHF channels and 11 NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' testing, matching the Antop Mini Big Boy's reception, though CR didn't publish a full written review of this particular model. It's an amplified antenna with a claimed range of up to 80 miles and a built-in dial for adjusting amplifier strength between short and long range. Independent retailer listings put its price in the $60 to $70 range, and it includes an AC power adapter along with coaxial cables for connecting to a TV. Shoppers considering this model may want to check current reviews elsewhere, since CR's own writeup here covers only its test scores.

Credit: Amazon

The ClearStream Max-V costs $70 and pulled in 4 VHF channels, 10 UHF channels and 11 NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' testing. CR described it as a simplified take on the ClearStream 2Max, sharing the same tall figure-8 shape with arms that pivot open and lock into place, though this version skips amplification entirely. It comes with a metal bracket for mounting on an indoor or outdoor wall and hardware for attaching to an existing mast or fitting into an attic, and buyers can add an indoor base stand or amplifier separately. CR noted it's one of the few models in this lineup that doesn't include any coaxial cable, and it claims a 60-mile range.

Credit: Amazon

The Philips Modern Loop costs just $13 to $15 and pulled in 4 VHF channels, 10 UHF channels and 11 NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' testing. CR called it a throwback to old-school rabbit-ear antennas, dressed up with a loop design and adjustable chrome dipoles that extend up to 15 inches, and noted the antenna punches above its low price given those results. Its claimed range tops out at 30 miles, and CR found the included 4-foot cable was short enough that testers needed a longer one to position the antenna near a window. The compact design suggests Philips built it for placement close to the TV instead of across a room.

Credit: Amazon

The Channel Master Flatenna costs $30 to $35 and pulled in 2 VHF channels, 9 UHF channels and 11 NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' testing. CR described the design as thin and flat, similar to the Mohu Leaf, and noted it can be painted to match a room's decor. It comes with roughly 12 feet of cable that unplugs for storage plus adhesive strips for mounting, and CR observed the cable felt thicker than many others, likely offering better shielding against interference. Testing the antenna outside a window picked up 26 additional ATSC 1.0 channels beyond its claimed 35-mile indoor range.

Credit: Amazon

The Mohu Leaf 50 costs $50 and pulled in 2 VHF channels, 9 UHF channels and 6 NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' testing, despite a claimed 60-mile range that CR called stronger than any other antenna in the company's indoor lineup. CR found this model picked up a higher number of stations when testers switched its removable inline amplifier off, though results can vary by location. Power can come from an AC wall outlet or a TV's USB connection, and the panel flips to show black on one face or white on the other, with both sides paintable to blend into a wall. The box includes roughly 12 feet of main cable, a separate amplifier with its own cable, a shorter USB cable, a power adapter and hardware for mounting.

Credit: Amazon

The Winegard FlatWave costs $60 and pulled in 1 VHF channel, 9 UHF channels and no NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' testing. CR noted its super-thin, flat design mounts on a wall or window using included adhesive strips, and its integrated amplifier draws power from a TV's USB port or an AC outlet using the included adapter. It comes with a 3-foot USB cable and an 18.5-foot coaxial cable, longer than many competing models, and claims a 55-mile range. Winegard also offers a free signal-finder app that maps nearby broadcast towers and available channels.

Credit: Walmart

The Gesobyte Amplified TV Antenna costs $30 and pulled in 1 VHF channel, 8 UHF channels and no NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' first-time test of the model. CR noted the built-in amplifier includes short- and long-range switches, with the company recommending short range within 35 miles of a broadcast tower despite a claimed reach of up to 550 miles. Filtering technology is said to block cellular and FM signals from interfering with reception, and the antenna includes an 18-foot coaxial cable, longer than many others in this lineup. It can run on USB-C power or an AC adapter, though CR noted availability has been spotty at some retailers recently.

Credit: Best Buy

The Best Buy $BBY Essentials Thin Indoor TV Antenna costs just $20, priced lower than every other model in this lineup, and pulled in 7 VHF channels, 7 UHF channels and 7 NextGen TV channels in Consumer Reports' testing. CR described its slim panel, black on one side and white on the other, as similar to several other antennas tested, suitable for mounting on a wall or window. It comes with a 10-foot coaxial cable, shorter than many competing models, and claims a 35-mile reception range. Despite its low price, CR's channel counts show it held its own against pricier antennas in this lineup.