The 4 Best Indoor HDTV Antennas of 2025
Top pick
Countless flat indoor TV antennas are available, and most of them work pretty well, but the Channel Master FLATenna passive antenna performed just a little better than the others we tested.
It pulled in the most channels in our tests. Across our six reception tests in three cities, it averaged 43.5 channels, 1.8 channels more than our runner-up, the Best Buy Essentials Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna.
Whether we were in line-of-sight with the transmitters on Orcas Island, off the shore of Bellingham, Washington, or trying to pick up Portland, Oregon’s TV signals from rolling hills far across the Columbia River, the FLATenna was always either the best or one of the best.
The amplified version can improve long-range reception. Channel Master’s FLATenna+ is the same antenna packaged with a tiny amplifier that screws onto the FLATenna’s threaded output connector, plus a similarly small USB-powered interface box, a charger, and an extra cable.
In our tests, at shorter range, using the amplifier substantially reduced the number of channels we received. For example, in our two Portland-area tests, we got fewer than half as many channels using the amp. But in our longest-range test, separated from the transmitter by 26.2 miles and numerous obstructions, the amp increased the number of channels received to 28 channels, versus just 20 without the amp.
The amplifier is also available separately, so you can buy the passive version and add the amp later if you move, but buying it separately is more expensive.
You have plenty of installation options. Like most flat antennas, the FLATenna is black on one side and white on the other; you can choose whichever side looks better, and the antenna is also paintable. It measures 13.5 by 9.625 inches and comes with adhesive strips for attaching it to a window or wall. But unlike most flat antennas, it also has little holes that you can use for mounting it with tacks or pushpins, which should provide more secure mounting than the adhesive strips can.
The FLATenna’s 12-foot cable is detachable, so you can easily substitute a longer or shorter cable or replace it if it gets damaged. The cable is much sturdier than most, tipped with metal compression connectors instead of the usual cheap molded connectors.
If you opt for the amplified version, the amp can draw power from most TVs’ powered USB ports, so it doesn’t need a power outlet.
One advantage of buying from an antenna specialist such as Channel Master is that the company can offer expert customer support to help you get the best reception — something you probably can’t get from cheap off-brands or a major retailer like Best Buy.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The supplied cable is very stiff. Getting the cable to lie flat on a floor or snug up against the back of a TV cabinet can be a challenge.
It’s pricier than most passive flat antennas. The FLATenna costs 40% to 100% more than most passive flat antennas, including our runner-up. However, the difference typically amounts to $10 or $15, which we wouldn’t hesitate to spend for the prospect of getting a few more channels.
