Far from the towers, the right antenna, mounted high and paired with a good preamp, is the difference between a handful of channels and all of them. These long-range picks from Channel Master, Antennas Direct, and Winegard are sorted by distance and tower direction.
For homes 70 to 100 miles from the towers, the Channel Master Masterpiece 100 (~$189) is the best TV antenna for rural areas: 16 dB of UHF gain and all three bands, including Lo-VHF.
If your towers are in several directions, the EXTREMEtenna 80 (~$149) covers a 180° arc, and the Antennas Direct DB8e (~$121), the antenna we use at home, can aim its two panels at two cities. Add a low-noise preamp like the Winegard Boost XT (~$52). Find your towers first on our free antenna pointing map.
In rural areas, the right antenna depends on three things: how far the towers are, whether they're all in one direction, and which bands your stations use. Enter your address in our free antenna pointing map to see all three. It lists each tower's distance and compass heading, its RF channel and band (UHF, Hi-VHF, or Lo-VHF), and an estimated signal strength.
| Antenna | Type | Rated range | Lo-VHF | Hi-VHF | UHF | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Master Masterpiece 100 | Directional | 100 mi | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$189 |
| Channel Master EXTREMEtenna 80 | 180° multi-directional | 80 mi | — | Yes | Yes | ~$149 |
| Antennas Direct DB8e | Two aimable panels | 70+ mi | — | Add-on kit | Yes | ~$121 |
| Channel Master Pro-Model | Directional | 70+ mi | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~$149 |
| Winegard YA-7000 | Directional Yagi | 70 mi | — | Yes | Yes | ~$70 |
Range ratings assume a clear line of sight from a rooftop. Hills and trees between you and the tower can cut them sharply, so at rural distances, mounting height and a good preamp matter as much as the antenna itself.
The highest-gain antenna we recommend and the one to get when your towers are 70 to 100 miles away in one general direction. Its log-periodic design delivers 16 dB of UHF gain and 10 dB on VHF and covers all three bands, including Lo-VHF. Pair it with a low-noise preamp and mount it as high as you safely can.
Worth knowing: it's 116 inches long and needs a sturdy mast. It's directional, so towers in different directions need a rotator. At fringe distances, no antenna can guarantee reception over hills.
Check price at Channel Master Not currently sold new on Amazon. Price shown is Channel Master's list price.Rural homes often have towers in two or three different cities. This 8-bay antenna covers a wide 180° arc while still pulling 12 dB of UHF gain, so you can often skip the rotator. Its 18 dB front-to-back ratio rejects signals from behind, which helps with reflections.
Worth knowing: at 41 by 33 inches, it's a roof or mast antenna. There's no Lo-VHF, and Hi-VHF gain is modest.
Check price at Channel Master Not currently sold new on Amazon. Price shown is Channel Master's list price.The antenna we use at home. The DB8e's two bowtie panels pivot independently, up to 180° apart, so you can aim one at each group of towers without a rotator. With the panels aimed together, it has a 17.4 dBi peak gain, which makes it one of the strongest UHF antennas you can buy. It's a popular choice for homes caught between two cities.
Worth knowing: it receives UHF only out of the box; a VHF kit is sold separately. Splitting the panels to two directions lowers the gain in each. It's about 37 by 50 inches, and the mast is sold separately.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.A professional-grade aluminum antenna made in Chandler, Arizona, and tuned for today's TV frequencies. It receives every band, including Lo-VHF, and it's upgradeable: bolt on UHF or VHF extension sections later to add up to 30 miles of range.
Worth knowing: it's directional, so it needs careful aiming and works best with stations within about 30° of each other. The mounting pole is sold separately.
Check price at Channel Master Not currently sold new on Amazon. Price shown is Channel Master's list price.When all your towers are in roughly the same direction, a Yagi gets you the most range for the money. Winegard's Classic Series design has a high front-to-back ratio, which rejects signals from behind and helps with reflections, and its fold-and-lock elements make assembly quick.
Worth knowing: it must be aimed accurately, and it doesn't cover Lo-VHF. The YA7000C version adds Lo-VHF.
Check price at Winegard Not currently sold new on Amazon. Price shown is Winegard's list price.At rural distances, a mast-mounted preamplifier is usually worth it. It boosts the weak signal right at the antenna, before your coax run and splitters lose part of it. The Winegard Boost XT (~$52) has a very low 1 dB noise figure and amplifies VHF and UHF separately. If you live near a cell tower, add an LTE/5G filter ahead of the preamp. Our TV antenna amplifier guide covers both, plus distribution amps for several TVs.