Over the years I’ve reviewed close to a dozen indoor HD TV antennas. Some were from popular brands like Channel Master and others were from off name brands on Amazon with dubious claims. I was on a quest to find the perfect indoor HD TV antenna.

I live in an urban area, so for a better understanding of how well these antennas work I decided to test them in rural settings as well. Most of the antennas worked pretty well in an urban area, though many of the indoor antennas did have a problem picking up VHF channels, especially channels over 35 miles away.

In rural areas you’re better off using a paper clip attached to a speaker wire because indoor antennas are pretty much useless. Amplifier or no amplifier. My rural tests were all done outdoors with clear skies and no trees around. Most rural areas are just too far from the tv towers.

What’s the Best HDTV Antenna for Rural Areas?

• First thing you should do is visit a website that allows you to view the distance between your home and your local tv towers. DTVmaps.gov and antennaweb.org are good ones.
• Next, find the appropriate outdoor antenna for your situation. An outdoor antenna is the only way you can get a reliable and consistent signal.
• A good reliable name brand can cost between $100 and $200. But it’s worth it to not have a choppy signal.

What’s the Best HDTV Antenna for Urban Areas?

• First, never trust or buy an indoor antenna that claims to have a range of over 65 miles. It’s simple not possible. They may work and they may not. I had one that stopped working completely after one year.
• Determine how far you are from the tv towers. If you live in an apartment or condo you may want to look at what direction the signals are coming from because your building may be blocking your favorite channel. You’d be save going with a name brand indoor antenna with a 65 mile range.
• Urban antenna users have a lot more options. Antenna cost could range from $10 to $90.