Why the mile rating on the box doesn't help
Antenna packages often promise a range in miles, but nobody checks those numbers. Antennas Direct says there is "no governing body or industry oversight to check the claims being made when it comes to TV antennas," and that the curvature of the Earth will block most broadcast signals at roughly 70 miles (Antennas Direct). Televes, an antenna maker, calls antenna range "more of a marketing term than a technical parameter" (Televes).
SiliconDust, which makes HDHomeRun tuners, goes further: an antenna advertised as 250, 500, 1,000 or 1,500 miles "is making a false claim" (SiliconDust). Even where a maker publishes mile figures, Channel Master says its own are "an approximation" based on a rating system from the Consumer Electronics Association (Channel Master).
What matters is how far your towers are, which directions they sit in, and whether any of your stations use VHF. Your city page shows all three.
The four types we recommend, and where
We sort every city into one of four types using the stations that carry ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS, as explained on our methodology page. Here is each type, what it is for, and the cities where it is our pick.
Indoor
A small antenna near a window. Winegard says indoor antennas "are suitable for locations with strong signal reception" (Winegard). We pick it when every main station is Strong, within 25 miles, and in roughly one direction.
Our pick in 34 cities: Atlanta, GA, South Fulton, GA, Sandy Springs, GA, Roswell, GA, Johns Creek, GA, Mableton, GA, Alpharetta, GA, Marietta, GA, Stonecrest, GA, Brookhaven, GA, Smyrna, GA, Dunwoody, GA, Denver, CO, Lakewood, CO, Arvada, CO, Westminster, CO, Centennial, CO, Phoenix, AZ, Mesa, AZ, Gilbert, AZ, Chandler, AZ, Glendale, AZ, Tempe, AZ, Goodyear, AZ, Avondale, AZ, Maricopa, AZ, Bellevue, WA, Everett, WA, Renton, WA, Kirkland, WA, Redmond, WA, Shoreline, WA, Sammamish, WA, Bothell, WA.
Multi-directional indoor
An indoor antenna that picks up signals from all around it. Channel Master says an omnidirectional antenna "receives signals from all directions" and works best within about 50 miles of the towers. We pick it when the main stations are Strong and close, but sit more than 90 degrees apart.
Our pick in 8 cities: Thornton, CO, Boulder, CO, Broomfield, CO, Seattle, WA, Kent, WA, Federal Way, WA, Auburn, WA, Burien, WA.
Attic or outdoor
A larger antenna mounted high. Channel Master "recommends an outdoor TV Antenna whenever possible," and Winegard's FreeVision manual notes that the higher the antenna is mounted, the better the signal. An attic is the easier choice, but Antennas Direct expects at least a 50% loss of signal through the roof (Antennas Direct FAQs). We pick this type when a main station is only Moderate or more than 25 miles away. Our attic antenna guide covers what blocks signal in an attic.
Our pick in 14 cities: Aurora, CO, Longmont, CO, Castle Rock, CO, Commerce City, CO, Parker, CO, Scottsdale, AZ, Peoria, AZ, Surprise, AZ, Buckeye, AZ, Queen Creek, AZ, Casa Grande, AZ, Tacoma, WA, Marysville, WA, Lakewood, WA.
Long-range outdoor
A large directional antenna on the roof or a mast. Winegard says directional antennas "focus on receiving signals from a specific direction," and that the farther away the towers, the more powerful and directional the antenna needs to be. Channel Master recommends a directional antenna for towers more than 50 miles away. We pick it when a main station is more than 45 miles away. Before you climb, read our outdoor installation safety guide.
Our pick in 4 cities: Greeley, CO, Loveland, CO, Lacey, WA, Olympia, WA.
Directional or multi-directional?
A directional antenna reaches farther but has to face the towers. A multi-directional antenna catches towers in several directions but gives up range. If your towers are spread out and far away, you may need a directional antenna aimed between them, or a rotator. Our guide on how to aim a TV antenna shows how to handle towers in different directions.
VHF changes the choice
Most stations broadcast on UHF, but some use VHF, and VHF needs a bigger antenna. Antennas Direct says VHF antennas are physically much larger than UHF ones, and TV Technology's Doug Lung wrote that small antennas claiming VHF compatibility "offer little gain at VHF" (TV Technology). If your city page lists a VHF station you want, choose an antenna rated for VHF. Our VHF antenna guide lists the stations.
Amplified or not?
Built-in amplifiers are not automatically better. SiliconDust says an antenna with a built-in amplifier "can make reception worse and may result in fewer channels," and Channel Master says an amplifier used when it isn't needed can add noise. Each city page says whether we'd try one. See how to boost antenna signal for details.
What the AntennaWeb color codes mean
Some antenna boxes carry a colored label. AntennaWeb explains these follow the CTA's color-code labeling standard for outdoor antennas: yellow for small multi-directional, green for medium multi-directional, light green for large multi-directional, red for medium directional, blue for medium directional with a preamplifier, and violet for large directional with a preamplifier (AntennaWeb). AntennaWeb's own predictions assume an antenna 30 feet or more above the ground.