Installing an antenna comes with a whole slate of benefits. Depending on where you live, this low-cost equipment can unlock free access to dozens of stations, up to as many as 150 in some locations. Plus, an antenna can deliver better picture quality to your screen, and, with lots of no-cost sports coverage, free over the air (OTA) television can be a money-saving alternative to the premium sports packages offered by cable companies.
Whether you’re deciding to cut the cord altogether, scale back on your paid streaming services or just want to expand your channel access, installing an antenna is the way to go. But one decision you need to make when shopping for an antenna: Should you opt for an indoor or an outdoor antenna? Both categories of equipment have a unique set of pros and cons.
Before you narrow down your search for a new antenna, here’s what you need to know about choosing between indoor and outdoor antennas for free OTA.
Pros and Cons of An Indoor Antenna
Indoor antennas often work best placed by windows
In a nutshell: Indoor antennas are typically smaller and less cumbersome than their outdoor alternatives, but they also tend to be less powerful. Still, they’re most the practical solution for many people, especially those who live in urban settings.
Here are the pros:
The set-up is easy. Our testers have found that oftentimes indoor antennas have a user-friendly, plug-and-play type of set-up. Without the requirement of extra tools and DIY skills, indoor antennas can often be up and running within 5-10 minutes.
The antennas are small and compact. When compared to outdoor antennas, the indoor equipment is smaller and lightweight.. Pro tip: If you’re shopping for an indoor antenna, look to see if any installation equipment comes with the indoor antenna, such as mounting hardware or adhesive Command Strips.
They’re great for apartments. If you live in an apartment building or in an urban area, and you don’t have access to the roof, an indoor antenna is the way to go, points out Antennas Direct. The good news here is if you’re living in an urban area, you’re likely near broadcast towers where you can probably pick up a good number of stations.
Here are the cons:
Indoor antennas are weaker. Indoor antennas will only work reliably if you live within 20 miles of the broadcast tower, says Tyler Kleinle, who runs the “Antenna Man” channel on YouTube and previously ran an antenna installation business. “Beyond that, you’ll likely need an attic or outdoor setup,” he says.
Housing materials can block indoor signals. When you’re using an indoor TV antenna, common building materials like brick, metal siding and stucco can reduce the incoming signal and make it difficult to receive some channels. Electrical items inside your home, including things like blenders, microwaves and even LED light bulbs, can disrupt your signal, according to the Antenna Man.
Indoor antennas can add some visual clutter. Yes, some indoor antennas are discreet. There are even some that are flat, resembling a mouse pad, placemat or sheet of paper. The antennas with sleeker designs don’t add much visual clutter and can strategically blend in with your home decor. But to get the best signal, you often need to place them on your window or set them on your entertainment consoles and the extra cords can add a little visual clutter to your space.
Pros and Cons of An Outdoor Antenna
Outdoor antenna
In a nutshell: Outdoor antennas tend to outperform indoor antennas, but the set-up is much more involved and costly.
Here are the pros:
You’ll get more channels: The biggest pro of a an outdoor antenna is that without any housing materials in the way, you should be able to pick up far more channels. While indoor antennas can pick up channels from broadcast stations within a 20-mile radius, the reach of an outdoor antenna is about 60 to 100 miles, according to KillTheCableBill.com. Because of this, outdoor antennas can be a worthwhile investment for those who live in rural areas.
You’ll get a stronger signal: Compared to indoor TV antennas, outdoor antennas have better sight of the transmitter, which gives way to a better signal quality. This could translate to fewer signal glitches when you’re watching TV.
You don’t “see” the antenna when you’re inside: Really, this could fall into the pro or con category. An outdoor antenna is out of sight out of mind when you’re indoors. But, the clunkier ones can be a bit of an eyesore on your rooftop. However, worth noting: HOAs, which can limit everything from the paint color of your door to your landscaping, mostly cannot limit antennas because of FCC regulations.
Here are the cons:
They’re difficult to install. Unlike the intuitive setup of indoor models, setting up an outdoor antenna will likely involve hiring a professional. Otherwise, you’ll need to break out the ladder and toolbox, and be comfortable installing a TV antenna on your rooftop. This project includes several tasks and tools, including mounting your antenna to your rooftop or chimney and running a coaxial cable from your rooftop antenna to the TV in your home.
You’ll need weather sealants: You’ll need to apply various kinds of sealants to waterproof any openings or holes drilled during the installation, according to an installation guide from Long Range Signal. This could include things like silicone caulk, roofing tar and moisture-proof sealing tape. Also you’ll want to weatherproof your coaxial cables because moisture can disrupt the signal.
They’re more expensive: The costs of TV antennas range. However, many of the indoor models are in the $20-30 range. But most outdoor antennas come with a higher cost. While you can find some in the $40-$50 range, many are price between $100-$200. Plus, you’ll need to factor in the cost of installation if you’re not installing the equipment yourself. However, this is a one-time cost and you’ll be able to enjoy access to free TV and save money on cable bills over time.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Antennas
Consider direction. No matter if you have an indoor or outdoor antenna, you’ll want to consider the direction of broadcast stations and position your antenna in the direction in which the signal originates. This information can be found on antennaweb.org. If you have an indoor antenna should be placed near a wall or window pointed in the direction of the broadcast towers of ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, Kleine says. If possible, you’ll want to place our antenna higher in your home, perhaps an attic or near a second story window, recommends Consumer Reports. This will add an extra step, though, as you’ll need to run a cable through your home. However, it’s most convenient to place an antenna in the same room as a TV. Near windows and higher on the wall near the ceiling may be best, but it’s worth playing around with the positioning to see where your antenna picks up the most channels. If you have an outdoor antenna, you can talk with your neighbors who already have antennas installed to see which direction worked best. Also, while you’re installing an outdoor antenna, be sure to have someone on the ground to do a channel scan and check different positions of your antenna before mounting it.
Perform frequent channel scans. You’ll need to do this when you first set up your antenna, but you may be missing out on some channels that you can pick up at a later date.
Try an amplified antenna model. An amp can help boost signal strength to your indoor antennas, potentially giving you better picture quality and access to more channels, according to Consumer Reports.
The bottom line: Regardless if you go with an indoor or outdoor antenna, you’ll be able to access TV for free. But circumstances like where you live and how much time and money you want to invest in an antenna can all dictate whether you should opt for an indoor or outdoor antenna.