TechJunkie Expert Recommendations
TechJunkie is supported by our readers. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Read More.
We live in a day and age where people ditched cable TV and opted for subscription-based TV streaming services instead. Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu are some examples of such services, and while there are millions of people who use them, we’re sure there are still people who prefer old-school ways. Some of you might want to save money by using your TV antenna to watch your favorite channels. You can watch PBS, CBS, ABC, Fox, or NBC without worrying if your TV gets an internet connection or not. Unfortunately, the performance of your antenna depends on whether your area has good reception. The good thing is that you can find many TV antenna amplifiers on the market. These will help you get the best signal reception possible, and they will stop you from experiencing any signal loss. It would be best to choose a compact amplifier, so it doesn’t take much space wherever you set up your TV antenna. Here are some of the best amplifiers you can buy for your TV antenna in 2022.
The Antennas Direct 4-Port TV Distribution Amplifier is an excellent choice for boosting the signal of several TVs in their home. This amplifier can connect to up to four TVs at once. It distributes the signal among the TVs, and each port of the amplifier gives 7.5dB of amplification. The unit is compact and only weighs around 1.2 pounds. You can choose to put it either indoors or outdoors because of its weatherproof design. This amplifier isn’t only suitable for residential properties; you can also use it in sports bars or retail stores with several TV units. Its affordable price makes it a good deal, but we wish it had surge control capabilities. The amplifier might break if your house is ever struck by lightning. The Antennas Direct can also heat up quickly, so you have to be extra careful when using it. Aside from the distribution amplifier, you also get an instruction manual and a 3-foot coaxial power supply cable. The same company also offers an amplifier capable of connecting to up to 8 TVs.
The Channel Master Ultra Mini 2 is an HDTV signal distribution amplifier that connects two TVs. It doesn’t disappoint when it comes to boosting your TV’s digital and analog signals, thanks to its amplification of 11.5 dB. Aside from increasing the signal strength of your antenna, it also helps get rid of pixelation, and you might even get more channels. Its two-port design makes sense because you usually need a splitter if you want to connect several TVs to an amplifier. The Ultra Mini 2 is a fantastic choice for people living in small spaces because you can mount it on any surface. It features a cast aluminum housing, and its powder-coated finish gives it a more premium look. The amplifier is weather-sealed, so it will still survive if you put it outdoors. The other valuable features are flexible powering options, fantastic surge suppression, and low noise. The Ultra Mini 2 meets the U.S. and international standards, and it’s compatible with all F-type fittings. You get the amplifier, power adapter, 6-foot RG6 coaxial cable, and a user guide upon purchase. Channel Master also sells 1-port, 4-port, and 8-port variants if you don’t like a two-port design.
The Reliable Cable Products 9-Port Antenna Amplifier might mislead you at first because it might have “9-port” in its name, but you only get a total of eight amplified output ports with Active Return. All the ports in this amplifier are lossless, and they give a boost of 4.5 dB each. Its powder coating is durable, so it can withstand some harsh weather conditions. The housing is also resistant to rust or salt fog. You also don’t need to worry if you hear a thunderstorm coming because the amplifier has a built-in 6 kV surge protector. The adaptor that comes with it is also PTC short-circuit protected UL listed. It also features a modem port that you can use for VoIP equipment. All the ports are evenly spaced, and they’re all CamPort auto seizing F-ports. The Reliable Cable Products 9-Port Antenna Amplifier doesn’t have any connection cable, but you get three F59 terminators. You’re also able to use it from any location if you invest in a power inserter. Customers will also get a 5-year manufacturer warranty for their amplifiers.
The Antronix Four Output Amplifier does a fantastic job of boosting the signal of your TV antenna because of its four +7.5db ports. It distributes better signals to up to four TVs in your house and helps decrease any image pixelation. The amplifier can also make your cable modem performance better. It surpasses all SCTE standards, and it even enhances your HDTV reception. This amplifier will work with OTA antenna reception and any standard or digital cable TV services. The only time the Antronix Four Output Amplifier won’t be the right choice for you is if your system already had a previous amplifier or pre-amplifier. Lightning strikes got nothing on this amplifier because of its 6 kV surge protection. You also won’t encounter any corrosion issues because of its nickel-plated housing. The amplifier doesn’t come with coaxial cables in the package, but you get a PTC short-circuit protected UL listed adaptor. The adaptor has a self-resetting circuit protection feature that keeps it safe during any short-circuits you may experience. The Antronix Four Output Amplifier has a patented CamPort, which gives you an auto-seizing F-port.
If you live in a busy urban area and hate how your TV signal gets affected by any cell interference, you would like the PingBingDing PBD HDTV TV Antenna Amplifier because it has a built-in 4G LTE filter. The filter decreases any picture pixelation your TV might get. It’s compatible with any antenna that hasn’t been amplified yet. It might even give you more channels. The gain ratings this amplifier gives you are impressive because you get 25dB for UHF frequencies and 16dB for VHF frequencies. Upon purchasing, you will get a free 5-foot RG6 coaxial cable, a power insert, a UL adaptor, and a USB power cable. The PingBingDing PBD HDTV TV isn’t ideal for people with more than two TVs because it only comes with two ports. This amplifier isn’t compatible with indoor or active antennas, so you can only use it with a passive antenna. It would be best to test your antenna indoors before mounting it outside your home.
The Winegard LNA-200 Boost XT HDTV Preamplifier and TV Antenna Amplifier is a band for the buck because of all the valuable features it comes with. It has a built-in Bandpass, a filter that helps eliminate any RF interference. The amplifier also comes with TwinAmp technology that separately amplifies the VHF and UHF signals. It will give you the lowest noise and the best performance possible. This amplifier has a maximum gain rating of 20dB. The Boost XT will only work with your antenna if it’s a passive/non-amplified antenna. It also helps decrease pixelation and signal dropout with Clear Circuit Technology. Along with the amplifier, customers will also get a free power inserter, hose clamps, and a 110v adapter. You will get your money’s worth when you opt for this amplifier since Winegard is well-known for creating trustworthy products. The design of the Boost XT is compact, but it wasn’t built for extreme weather conditions. It would help if you only used this amplifier indoors, where it will be guaranteed protected.
If you’re on an extremely tight budget and don’t want to spend big bucks on an antenna amplifier, you can purchase the GE Indoor TV Antenna Amplifier. We only suggest picking this if you plan to use it for one indoor passive/non-amplified TV antenna. Aside from a signal boost, the GE Indoor TV Antenna Amplifier will also enhance your UHF reception, VHF reception, and signal-to-noise ratio. Setting the amplifier up isn’t rocket science because all you need to do is connect it to your indoor TV and antenna, and plug its AC power adaptor into a wall outlet. The amplifier has a lightweight and slim design, and it’s Full 1080p HD compatible. This amplifier’s deal-breakers are you can only use it indoors and the coaxial cable doesn’t fit perfectly at times.
If you don’t see an app that should be here, let us know what it is