With streaming prices adding up, it’s easy to forget there’s still a way to get a surprising amount of TV for free: an antenna.
And yes, the old-school rabbit ears still work. In fact, they worked better at my house than a newer flat antenna.
I recently talked with Tyler Kleinle, better known as Antenna Man on YouTube. He reviews antennas and helps people figure out how to get the best over-the-air reception.
His biggest advice is not to buy the first antenna that pops up in an online search. There are plenty of models making big promises about range and reception. Instead, he recommends sticking with established brands like RCA, Antennas Direct, ClearStream, Channel Master, Winegard and Televes.
Before buying anything, check RabbitEars.info. Enter your address and it will show nearby broadcast towers, the stations you might be able to receive, estimated signal strength and even the direction to point your antenna.
If you’re within about 30 miles of the broadcast towers, Tyler says an indoor antenna will often do the job. Farther away, you might need an outdoor antenna. Placement also matters. Moving an antenna just a foot or two can sometimes make a noticeable difference. An attic can also be a good option if you don’t want an antenna mounted on the roof.
I tested two of Tyler’s least expensive recommendations at my house: the Philips rabbit ears, which cost about $15, and the Channel Master FLATenna, which runs about $35.
Both easily picked up dozens of channels. But the surprise for me was that the cheap rabbit ears gave me more consistent reception. I also kind of like the retro look.
If you need something more powerful, Tyler also recommends ClearStream antennas, which are sold at Best Buy. They cost more than the basic indoor models I tested, but they’re worth considering if you’re farther from the broadcast towers or need a stronger setup.
One more thing: don’t automatically assume you need an amplifier. Tyler says amplifiers can sometimes introduce additional noise and actually make reception worse.
The appeal here is pretty simple. Buy the antenna once and local over-the-air channels are free after that. There’s no buffering, no monthly bill and no streaming blackout because two companies are fighting over a contract.
And with many NFL games and other major sporting events still airing on local broadcast networks, an antenna might be one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to your TV setup.