Indoor vs Outdoor Antennas: How to Choose the Best One
Are you in the market for a new TV antenna and wondering which one to install? Do you feel as if you’re torn between indoor vs outdoor antennas? If so, then you should learn how to choose the best one and find the right fit for your needs.
There are several things that you should consider before you choose an indoor or outdoor antenna for your home, such as your proximity to a tower, your living situation, whether you share with others, etc.
See below for an in-depth guide on how to choose the best TV antenna for your situation.
1. What is Your Budget?
As with most people that are looking for TV antennas, you might be interested in finding the best price for your situation. That brings you to decide whether or not to pick an outdoor or indoor TV antenna.
Did you know that most local channels are actually free? It’s the cable bill that causes them to cost you to watch. As long as you purchase an antenna of some kind, the channels will be free from that day forward.
Start this process by creating a budget. How much can you realistically afford in an indoor or outdoor TV antenna?
Generally speaking, outdoor antennas cost more than indoor TV antennas. Outdoor antennas are usually priced at $100 or more. That price depends on the brand, size, quality, reputation, and so on.
As for indoor antennas, you can usually find great deals on trusted brands for anywhere around $20 to $40. Again, that price depends on several different factors.
Here’s what we suggest: if you know yourself to be close to a TV broadcast tower, then an indoor TV antenna is the best deal. It costs less and you’ll get great quality.
If there isn’t a broadcast tower nearby, then an outdoor will suit you better, even though they cost more. That lower-priced indoor antenna won’t do you much good without a strong signal close by.
2. Proximity to a Broadcast Tower
As we just mentioned, your proximity to a TV broadcast tower should play a huge factor in whether or not you buy an indoor or outdoor TV antenna.
If you’re further away from a broadcast tower, then you’ll need to invest in an outdoor TV antenna, as they have a stronger signal and can catch the broadcast tower’s radiofrequency. This will give you much better viewing quality and enhance your viewing experience.
But if you’re closer to a broadcast TV tower, then an indoor TV antenna will certainly do the trick.
So, how can you be sure where your local broadcast tower is? There are a few sites online that offer this service for free. Use them to find the closest TV tower. If the tower is over 35 miles or so away, then we recommend an outdoor antenna.
Be sure to follow this link for more information on how you can decide which is the best TV antenna for your needs. That way, you can have more confidence in your purchase.
3. Your Living Situation
There are certain living situations in which one type of TV antenna might not be a credible option for you.
For example, if you live in a dorm, apartment, condo, or some other type of living complex situation, then an indoor TV antenna is your only option. Your complex won’t let you install an outdoor antenna on its premises.
For those of you that live further away from the city or a close neighborhood, then an indoor TV antenna wouldn’t serve you any good. In fact, it might not pick up a signal at all.
We highly suggest that those of you that live in the country or rural communities invest in outdoor antennas. They’ll give you a higher return on your investment and ensure that you get the signal you need for a better viewing experience. Better safe than sorry!
4. Installation Time
As you might expect, outdoor TV antennas require a lot more installation, than an indoor TV antenna would.
For indoor TV antennas, you can set them virtually anywhere in the living room and get a great quality on your TV (assuming, once again, that you’re close to a broadcast tower).
With outdoor TV antennas, you’ll have to set the antenna up outside your home. For best results, you’ll have to give the placement of the outdoor antenna a fair bit of thought.
For example, you’ll want to help it steer clear of trees, walls, or larger buildings that stand in between it and the direction of the TV broadcast tower you’re aiming it at.
5. How Often Do You Watch TV?
This might be the most important question of all. How often do you truly watch TV? If your answer is “a majority of the time”, then you’ll want to invest in an outdoor TV antenna or maybe even cable, if it makes sense for you.
If you don’t watch TV but an hour or two a night, then an indoor TV antenna will fulfill your needs without having to pay over $100 for it.
That said, both offer a great deal. All you have to do is pay a one-time upfront fee, then you get free channels from that day on.
Indoor Vs Outdoor Antennas: Choose the Best Fit for Your Situation
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how you can choose between indoor vs outdoor antennas, be sure to use it to the best of your ability.
Use all the factors above to find the right fit. If you have a list of shows you watch each week, then you’ll want to give it more thought than the occasional viewer.
Be sure to browse our website for more articles on TV antennas, as well as a plethora of other topics that you’ll find helpful.
