When you live in a rural area, TV reception can be tricky. There are even situations where local cable service providers won’t offer their services where you live, making it difficult for you to watch TV. This is where an outdoor TV antenna comes in, enabling you to watch TV without paying for subscription services.

But before you get an outdoor TV antenna, you’ll want to consider your options. Do you get an outdoor one or an indoor one? What are the important considerations that you should keep in mind? We’ll also discuss specifications and considerations to make buying decisions easier.

Here's the list of the best outdoor TV antenna in the market this year!

1. Vansky Rural Tv Antenna 

Runner Up

The Tree New Bee amplified antenna is great for just about everyone.

A long enough coaxial cable is included so that you can quietly install this antenna. You will not need to point this antenna at any one place. The signal pickup has a 360° operation that you will be able to receive signals from all directions.

This antenna will be able to receive signals in HD quality and up to a range of 150 miles. It does include an amplifier that provides excellent gain. This means that you will be able to enjoy the excellent quality and sharpness of any image that you will be able to enjoy free, and high-quality television.

The interesting thing about it is that even though it is a directional antenna and comes with all the benefits of one, it has a motor that allows the entire antenna to rotate 360 degrees. Here, you may check benefits of an outdoor TV antenna. This way, you also get all the benefits of an omnidirectional antenna, without the downsides. The rotation is controlled with a remote, making things as simple as possible.

The antenna supports 720p, 1080i and 1080p signals, which is great. You can connect two TV sets to it, and there’s a built-in amplifier with super low noise. An excellent choice for the best outdoor TV antenna for rural areas.

2. Channel Master CM-4228HD

The best multidirectional option

The CM-4228HD is a great pick if you've got a few towers in a similar direction

Our runner-up comes from Channel Master, and is another great pick for people who have a broadcast tower nearby. It performs great, and has also been proven to last a good while as well.

This is a multidirectional antenna which receives signals from up to 180 degrees. There’s a 12dB gain on the antenna which results in up to 80 miles of range. It’s not as good as our top pick’s 150 miles, but if you have a broadcast tower nearby, that won’t be an issue.

Installation is simple, as it comes almost completely preassembled. This is another antenna that works with both VHF and UHF signals, and you’ll receive channels in uncompressed HD.

3. 1byone Amplified Omnidirectional

The most versatile option

The 1byone is simply perfect if you have multiple towers in your vicinity 

Even the omnidirectional tv antenna isn’t the best choice in all rural areas, but it actually works really well if you have a few towers nearby but in different directions. This is a very compact design, one which isn’t impacted as much by things such as rain or thunderstorms. There’s also the anti-UV coating which adds some shielding and reduces interference.

Install it outdoors, and you’re getting 150 miles of range. If you’re surrounded by towers, it’s great. You’ll be able to get UHF and VHF channels, as well as FM radio ones, and reception is possible with up to full HD video quality.

4. Antennas Direct 8 Element Bowtie

A timeless design that works great, but only with UHF channels

The 8 Element Bowtie is one of the most popular outdoor TV antennas nowadays. If you come across a guide on making your own antenna, chances are this is the inspiration for the guide. It comes with a 70 mile range and really easy installation.

Even though the antenna works great and can receive full HD, 1080p signal, it only works with UHF channels. For some, this may actually be enough, but we would’ve liked to see VHF, and potentially FM radio support.

In terms of construction and durability, the Bowtie is a champ. It’s made to last, and the lifetime warranty on parts only confirms that. If you’re after the best outdoor TV antenna for rural areas and want one made by a reputable manufacturer, this is a great option.

5. RCA Yagi

A very popular model with a great reputation

Another extremely popular option is RCA’s Yagi outdoor antenna. It’s a directional antenna that boasts over 70 miles of range, and has a really great reputation anywhere you look.

The antenna supports 1080i HDTV signals, and it has support for both UHF and VHF channels. The multi-element, cross-phase design gives you better reception, so you can have a better viewing experience.

In terms of build quality, the Yagi is excellent. It comes almost fully pre-assembled, and there’s a fold-out UHF reflector which easy-locks, as well as other elements that all snap-lock into place. Add to that the included mast, all the mounting hardware, and the transformer, and you’ll have the Yagi up and running in no time.

The promised 70-mile range is very close to what we got in ideal conditions. Even when the signal is over 50 miles away, we had a great signal, even with hills and other minor obstructions, which makes it perfect for rural areas.

It receives both UHF and VHF channels, and all of them are received in a surprisingly high quality. Setting it up is very easy, especially since it comes somewhat preassembled. With the included 75-ohm transformer, just about anyone can set it up.

Xtreme Signal’s HDB91X is a similar design to the RCA Yagi, making it a great alternative. The high-gain design allows the antenna to receive signals from over 70 miles away if you’re dealing with UHF signals, as well as from over 25 miles away if you have high band VHF signals.

It’s a completely weatherproof design which won’t be impacted as much from rain and thunderstorms, and you’ll still get the full range. It also has a 60 degree beam width, and you’re getting all the mounting hardware in the box.

Last but not least, we have a truly premium option by Winegard. It’s their HD8220U antenna from their Platinum series, a long range antenna which is 4K UHD ready. The range is over 65 miles, and you can receive both UHF and VHF signals. It’s also capable of ATSC 3.0, which will eventually add higher frame rates and 3D.

Make no mistake, this is a large antenna. However, it performs admirably, and is one of the best options if you want the best outdoor TV antenna for rural areas that can receive a 4K signal – none of the other competitors on our list can do that.

Even though the price may be a bit too high for some, make no mistake that you’re getting a very durable and high quality product. If you can afford it, it is more than worth it.

Things to Consider Before you Buy an Outdoor TV Antenna

Unfortunately, things aren’t as simple as just buying the antenna and watching everything your heart desires. There are limitations to consider, and some of them might make the purchase not worth it. Let’s see a few of these things that should be considered.

The first one is finding out what channels you can access. In rural areas, you’ll most likely get less channels than you would get in a metro area. This depends on how far you are from the broadcast tower, as well as the type of residence and how high you install the antenna. There are online tools that help you figure this out before you buy. Just type in your details, and you’ll get an estimate of the channels you would be able to watch.

The alleged power of an antenna is also a thing to consider. You should know, though, that what is advertised as power is actually the antenna gain, as an antenna doesn’t generate power. The gain has a huge impact on the reception, so pay attention to this.

Reception is key in rural areas, so you’ll want to go with either a rooftop installation, or an attic one. However, with an attic installation, make sure the antenna can easily penetrate the roof’s materials. If you have an aluminum roof, this is out of the question, and you must set it up outside.

Next, we have frequency. The TV channels broadcast over both UHF and VHF frequencies. If you want a larger number of channels, the antenna you buy should have both UHV and VHF capabilities. A single frequency range antenna is actually very restrictive, and we wouldn’t recommend it. While we’re at the frequencies, you should consider a directional versus a multi-directional antenna. A directional antenna will point towards a single direction and improve the signal coming from there. A multi-directional one, on the other hand, will receive signals from multiple directions at the same time.

Last but not least, you should consider interference and antenna height. This is a much larger issue in the cities than it is in rural areas. Interference is mostly a problem due to tall buildings, but you shouldn’t neglect electronic interference either. All of your appliances in the home, especially wireless ones, contribute to more electronic interference. However, placing your antenna outdoors, above the ground, can help quite a bit. You don’t have tall buildings in rural areas, so you’re good with that. Height does boost reception quality, though, because even trees and hills can deflect and weaken signals. Placing the antenna in an elevated space, such as the highest point of your rooftop, ensures best quality and

FAQs

Q: Can HDTV antennas receive signals in rural areas?

A: Absolutely! All of our featured antennas, as well as most modern antennas, are designed to pick up HD signals, as this has become the standard for Over-the-Air (OTA) broadcasts. Some stations have even started broadcasting in 4K, and certain antennas are already advertising their 8K compatibility, although this is currently more theoretical than practical.

Q: Are 100-mile antennas suitable for rural areas?

A: Yes, a 100-mile range is a common effective distance for many long-range antennas, and should work well for numerous rural locations. However, it is recommended to consult the FTC map or similar tools to ensure that your desired stations are within the antenna's coverage.

Q: How can I determine the best antenna for my rural location?

A: Numerous free tools are available to help you identify your nearest stations, which is the most effective method for determining the range, strength, and directionality of the antenna that will best suit your requirements.

Q: What factors should I consider when choosing a TV antenna for rural areas?

A: When selecting a TV antenna for rural areas, consider factors such as range, signal strength, directionality, and the type of antenna (indoor, outdoor, or attic). Additionally, check for any specific requirements like UHF or VHF reception based on your local station broadcasts.

A: While indoor antennas may work in some rural locations, they typically have a limited range and signal strength compared to outdoor or attic antennas. For better reception in rural areas, it is recommended to use an outdoor or attic antenna with a higher range and stronger signal capabilities.

Final thoughts on the best TV antennas for rural areas:

Over-the-Air (OTA) broadcasting is here to stay, and a roof-mounted TV antenna remains the top choice for accessing free, local content to complement your preferred streaming services. In rural locations, you will likely need a more robust solution than the sleek, window-mounted antennas popular in urban apartments. With a bit of extra effort installing the antenna on your roof or attic, you can enjoy all the local sports and news you desire in crystal-clear HD.