7 best antenna amplifiers

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The antenna does not always perfectly cope with the stable reception of the television signal. What to do in this case? Buying a new, more powerful antenna? Perhaps this is a good option, but very expensive. That is why we decided to talk about amplifiers for antennas. They allow you to receive even the weakest signal when the TV tower is many kilometers from your place of residence. At the same time, we will briefly talk about how to approach the choice of such a device.

How to choose an antenna amplifier?

Any antenna tries to amplify the received signal. Without this, you would have been waiting for continuous interference. Cheap antennas produce only passive amplification – this is done by the metal parts of the structure. In fact, this is often quite enough, especially if the TV tower is located relatively nearby. But if you live in a rural area, several tens of kilometers from the tower, you will need an active amplifier. Residents of the lower floors of high-rise buildings may also have problems – the signal to them breaks through with significant losses.

Now in stores you can easily find indoor and outdoor antennas with a built-in amplifier. But why spend a lot of money if you already have an antenna? In this case, it is easier to purchase an amplifier for her – you just need to understand how to choose it.

1. First, you need to understand that any active amplifier requires electricity. To obtain it, a 5, 9 or 12 volt network adapter is used. However, some models can receive power through the antenna cable – in this case, you need to make sure that the TV can transmit it. Another difference between one model and another may lie in the housing used. The fact is that some amplifiers are designed to be placed on an outdoor antenna – such a device must have a waterproof case, otherwise it will fail after the first rain. Well, if you want to strengthen an indoor antenna, then no moisture protection is needed. But try to place the amplifier at least a few meters from the TV. Otherwise, the purchased device may begin to amplify not only the useful signal, but also noise.
2. Perhaps one of the main characteristics of the accessories we are considering today is the gain. You don't need to chase the biggest number. Instead, find out the distance to the nearest TV center – this can be done, for example, by looking at the digital TV coverage map in Russia. If the tower is hundreds of kilometers away, then you really need the maximum gain. In other cases, it can play negatively – the picture will be supplied with unnecessary noise. However, many modern models are equipped with a gain control. This means that a person can change the gain, focusing on how the antenna and TV behave. Please note that it is usually impossible to completely get rid of signal amplification. Therefore, even the most 'sophisticated' amplifier cannot be used near a television tower – it will certainly provide the picture with noise.
3. Amplifiers for antennas differ among themselves and the supported frequencies. Most often, users make their choice in favor of wideband models – they are also called universal, since they amplify almost all existing frequencies. However, finding the wrong amplifier is now almost impossible. Their producers understand that now everyone is switching to digital TV, which is broadcast at strictly defined frequencies.
4. The most expensive antenna amplifiers can act as a signal splitter. There is more than one output connector on their case. This allows you to connect two, three or even four TVs to it at once. Of course, instead, you could use the common dividers available at many radio stores. But do not forget that signal degradation occurs on such dividers. In the amplifier, nothing of the kind is observed, no matter how many TVs you connect.

On the Internet, you can find instructions for self-assembly of the amplifier for the antenna. But we recommend that you not bother. Believe me, you will spend a lot of time on this. It is much easier to choose one of those amplifiers that are considered in our rating. The issue of saving is also not worth it, because the price tags of such devices are rarely at all high. The exception is models intended for professional use – they usually serve to amplify a by no means television signal. Our selection starts with just such devices.

Rating of the best amplifiers for antennas

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Rating of the best amplifiers for antennas	1	Terra HS004	RUB 3,540
	2	Alcad AI-400	2 350 rub.
	3	WISI VM 8351	RUB 2 800
	4	Lans lx-50	RUB 1,400
	5	Remo BAS-8102-01	RUB 499
	6	Anteks AX-C20U	450 RUB
	7	Remo USSH-5V	113 RUB

Terra HS004

Rating: 4.9

A very expensive amplifier. Its high cost is due to the fact that it is designed to amplify a wide variety of frequencies. The reliable die-cast case also played a role in raising the price tag. It is almost impossible to disable Terra HS004 – there is even protection against voltage surges here.

This amplifier is mainly used by owners of walkie-talkies. This is evidenced by the ability to work with the VHF and UHF bands. The good news is that this model can split these ranges, allowing you to separately adjust the gain for each of them. To be precise, the device has frequencies from 47 to 862 MHz. The gain is adjustable from 34 to 44 dB. However, the specialist will not be surprised that the VHF range is subject to greater amplification than UHF.

This model is powered by an ordinary plug that plugs into an outlet. Therefore, the miniature power supply is located inside the device itself – this is good news. As for the noise, its level does not even reach six decibels.

The amplifier is capable of operating at a wide variety of temperatures – even in 20-degree frost. However, as such, moisture protection is not here. On the contrary, the case has a large number of ventilation holes, thanks to which the device hardly heats up. It turns out that placing the amplifier outside the room is not recommended.

A nice bonus is the presence of lugs here, thanks to which the Terra HS004 is fixed somewhere on the wall with ordinary screws or bolts. In a word, this is an excellent copy for some special services and other organizations that are regularly faced with the need to improve the quality of signal reception in the VHF and UHF bands. However, digital television broadcasts in the same ranges, so the amplifier works with it as well. But does it make sense to buy such an expensive device to amplify an indoor antenna?

We draw your attention to the existence of a model named Terra HS004L. It differs from its counterpart only in the presence of a filter for suppressing LTE signals.

Advantages

• Can be mounted on a wall or any other surface;
• Division into sub-bands;
• There is a version with an LTE signal suppression filter;
• Power supply possible via RF input;
• There is protection;
• There is a DC overload indicator;
• There is a test connector at the output;
• Excellent die-cast body;
• High gain;
• A large number of connection points can be implemented.

disadvantages

• Very high cost.

Alcad AI-400

Rating: 4.8

Another very expensive amplifier for television and some other signals in our rating. There are also a number of holes on its body, thanks to which ventilation is realized. This means that you cannot use the device outdoors – rain and snow will quickly organize corrosion, after which the amplifier will not work.

Alcad AI-400 is quite different from the model discussed above. First, there are four exits at once. This allows you to connect up to four TVs to the amplifier without using a signal divider. Of course, such an accessory costs a penny, but one must not forget that some signal loss occurs at each divider. Secondly, and this is already a negative feature of the device, there are no ears for screwing the amplifier to any surface. Thirdly, this product turned out to be lighter – its weight does not exceed 580 g. And this did not affect the quality of the design – only an emergency situation, such as a lightning strike into the antenna, can disable the amplifier.

This model operates in two bands, including 40-318 MHz and 470-862 MHz. Unfortunately, they are not split for better amplification. This suggests that the product was not created for professional use in tandem with a radio station, but specifically to amplify the television signal. The device copes with this task almost perfectly, as evidenced by at least the gain, which varies from 20 to 28 dB, depending on the frequency range. Some gain control is also available here. It allows you to use the accessory anywhere, no matter how far from the TV center you are. The noise figure here does not exceed 4.2 dB, which is also good news. The return loss is about 10 dB.

Please note that the product does not support cable frequencies. This means that it will not allow the cable operator's signal to be split across multiple TVs. But on the other hand, the components inside do not have to strain too much – the board is unlikely to burn out even after a few years.

Advantages

• Long service life;
• A large number of outputs;
• Decent gain
• Gain adjustment is possible;
• All possible frequencies of digital TV are supported;
• Very low noise figure.

disadvantages

• The price cannot be called low;
• Cannot be fixed to the surface with screws;
• No overload indicator.

WISI VM 8351

Rating: 4.7

This amplifier, also included in our rating, differs from the previously reviewed models in its modern round case. All the insides are hidden under white plastic, only a few connectors are brought out. However, the kit contains not only this very white box. Also, the buyer will receive a more familiar metal product, on which the gain control and a pair of jacks are located. We can say that the white device plays the role of a power supply and a separator, and the amplifier is just a metal box.

This device has a small indicator that signals that it is receiving electricity. If suddenly something happens with the aforementioned power supply, then you will immediately understand it. However, the reliability of the product is quite high. The German brand tries not to let its customers down. However, his products are still not perfect. In particular, here you can find fault with the gain control. It is very small, which makes the older person unlikely to cope with its turn. However, this operation is carried out only once, after which you can forget about the regulator.

This amplifier is exclusively designed to operate in the UHF range (470-790 MHz). Digital TV in our country is broadcast in it, so there is no need to worry. As for the gain, its adjustment is carried out in the range from 15 to 35 dB. The noise figure of this accessory does not exceed 3.5 dB.

Advantages

• Gain control available;
• Reliable construction;
• Low noise figure;
• Very high gain.

disadvantages

• In fact, the kit consists of several devices at once;
• Few connectors;
• High price.

Lans lx-50

Rating: 4.6

Another rather small amplifier for the antenna. It already costs significantly less money – in Russian online stores they ask for about 1100 rubles for it. It is clear that such an accessory could not fail to receive a number of simplifications. In particular, the fact that the device cannot play the role of a divider is immediately striking – there is only one input and output F-connector on its body. The body, by the way, is metal. The design looks solid, but we would be careful not to place the amplifier anywhere outside the room – it is possible that raindrops will find their way into the accessory.

Despite the low cost, the device received a gain regulator. This means that the accessory can be used at very different distances from the TV center.

The main advantage of this model is its versatility. The amplifier is broadband. This means that it supports multiple ranges at once. As a result, frequencies from 47 to 862 MHz are stably processed by them. The accessory is powered by a traditional 220 V. When ordering, be sure to make sure that you will also receive a power supply!

Advantages

• Reliable build;
• High gain;
• A large number of frequencies are supported;
• The gain can be adjusted;
• Small size.

disadvantages

• Few connectors;
• Noise figure – unknown;
• Only one F-outlet.

Remo BAS-8102-01

Rating: 4.3

The smallest signal booster in our ranking. Yes, and the most affordable. And it's not even the price tag of 500 rubles. It was just that the models discussed above were quite difficult to acquire – they are sold only in specialized online stores that sell antennas and appropriate accessories. Well, Remo BAS-8102-01 can be found in many large retail chains – for example, in DNS or M.Video. However, the widespread use in no way means that the device turned out to be flawless. Otherwise, we would have started our story with him.

The accessory turned out to be very small. In fact, it looks like a small USB stick. Inside is a tiny board that provides, according to the manufacturer, a signal gain of 16 dB. In fact, the coefficient is less, so you should not try to achieve something with such an amplifier if the television tower is located a hundred kilometers from you. But even more, someone will be disappointed by the complete lack of gain control.

As you already understood, the product requires a power supply unit with a USB connector. Fortunately, there is one in the kit, so there is no need to worry. And if your TV has a USB socket, then you can power the amplifier from it. There are two wires coming out of the unit with a USB plug. At the end of one there is an input for a television antenna, while the other is inserted into the corresponding socket on the television. Everything is very simple!

The amplifier is broadband. It is capable of operating at frequencies from 48.5 to 862 MHz. Somewhere in this range are the frequencies on which digital TV channels are broadcast. The noise figure here does not exceed 3 dB, which can be considered an excellent result. Well, the input and output resistance is 75 ohms.

Some online stores write that the device has two outputs. This, as can be seen from the photo of the amplifier, is not the case. If you want to connect a second TV to the antenna, you still need a signal divider. Also, the product suffers from poor quality assembly. Buyers say that in some copies, the central wire of the coaxial output is corny not soldered to the board! If you are faced with just such a problem, then you can either return the purchase to the store, or disassemble the device to solder a small wire. Unfortunately, even after that, you can still damage the accessory if you regularly remove it from the USB port. The fact is that they use plastic of terrible quality, which quickly deteriorates. In a word, the manufacturer saved a lot, which did not benefit the product.

Advantages

• Very low cost;
• Simplest operation;
• The set includes a power supply;
• Can be powered from the TV itself;
• A large number of frequencies are supported;
• Low noise figure.

disadvantages

• Not very high signal gain;
• Lousy assembly of many copies;
• Cannot act as a signal divider;
• The gain is not regulated in any way.

Anteks AX-C20U

Rating: 4.3

Another tiny antenna amplifier in our ranking. Its cost, as you might guess, also does not exceed 500 rubles. The construction here is already different. This amplifier has no specific resistance wires. Instead, the customer will find a tiny box with input and output connectors on both ends. And that's it! Do I need to say that even an elderly person can cope with connecting an antenna to such an amplifier? However, there is one drawback in this design. You will have to get a cable from the amplifier to the TV. But this is only if we compare the device with the REMO product discussed above. As you may have noticed, the rest of the antenna amplifiers are also supplied without any wires.

Despite its diminutive size, the product offers a gain of 20 dB. The figure named by the manufacturer is close to the truth, because the device really does a good job with its task. The noise figure here is no more than 3 dB, which can also be considered an excellent result. In short, it is an excellent choice for those who live at a great distance from the TV center! But do not forget that to connect two or more TVs you will need signal dividers, which can negate the operation of the amplifier.

If you thought that the product was completely devoid of flaws, then we hasten to disappoint you. Unfortunately, the owner of this accessory will face certain difficulties with the power supply. It is received through the antenna input. This means that you will have to get an AX-TVI USB power injector. However, many modern TVs are able to independently supply 5-volt electricity to their antenna input. Also, almost all digital set-top boxes designed to receive a signal in the DVB-T2 format have this opportunity.

This model serves to amplify the signal in the frequency range from 470 to 862 MHz. Therefore, it is ideal for stable viewing of digital TV, but it makes no sense to demand anything more from it.

Advantages

• Miniature sizes;
• High gain;
• High-quality assembly;
• Amplifies the frequencies of digital TV;
• Very low cost;
• Protection against sudden voltage surges has been implemented.

disadvantages

• No gain adjustment;
• Few connectors;
• Antenna cable power supply is required (strictly 5V).

Remo USSH-5V

Rating: 4.2

Another antenna amplifier in our rating, present on the shelves of some large retail chains. It is also the cheapest – you can buy it for only 250 rubles. For this money, you get an accessory that is comparable in size to any adapter. It consists of only two parts. The first is the amplifier itself with an input for the cable stretching from the antenna – the microcircuit is hidden under a black plastic case. The second part is a simple white F-type plastic plug that plugs into the TV antenna socket. These two parts are connected to each other by a very short wire – its length does not even reach ten centimeters.

The use of the accessory is as simple as possible. The owner needs to insert the product into the TV, after which all that remains is to connect the antenna. Perhaps the only serious drawback is associated with the second step. The fact is that the connector here turned out to be wider than it should be. If you accidentally pull on the antenna wire, the plug may pop out of the socket. However, this does not apply to all copies – it is not without reason that some reviews are purely positive.

Despite the miniature size, the signal amplification here corresponds to the declared one, or is close to it. Some device owners write that the acceptance rate has increased by 10-15%, while others report an even more commendable result. And almost no one had such an amplifier that did not give at least some effect. An exception to the rule is those people whose antenna has already been equipped with an amplifier – this device will not work in tandem with such a device.

The rest of the device is unlikely to surprise with anything. Like all the other models considered in this rating, it is considered broadband. This means that they support frequencies of 48.5-862 MHz. Therefore, the amplifier can be used to watch digital TV. Well, the main drawback of the device lies in the absence of a separate connector for generating electricity. It turns out that the amplifier can only be used in tandem with those set-top boxes or TVs that are capable of providing power to their antenna connector. But on the other hand, the device does not need an AC adapter – no wire needs to be pulled to the outlet.

Advantages

• Very small dimensions;
• Extremely low cost;
• Stable support for all digital TV frequencies;
• Decent gain, close to the stated;
• Quite decent build quality for most of the samples.

disadvantages

• Only one antenna output;
• No gain control;
• You need power supply via an antenna cable (strictly 5 V).

Conclusion

Now you know how to choose the perfect antenna amplifier. You also got acquainted with the amplifiers themselves – it seems to us that we have told about all the best models available on the Russian market. And do not forget that many modern antennas do not need such a device at all – they are endowed with a built-in amplifier.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.