Best Outdoor TV Aerial for Freeview UK

It was Queen Latifah who said, “I don’t care how much money you have, free stuff is always a good thing”.

Freeview currently serves 52 million households and a peak of 85 million viewers. It was the first digital television service to be launched in the UK, and is now the most widely used.

The free-to-air digital television platform Freeview launched on 1 April 2002 as an extension to the ITV Digital service, which launched in 2001 and was operating on the Astra 1L satellite. Freeview replaced ITV Digital, with a complement of seven Digital Television Multiplexes, now covering England, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, although it did not cover Wales, despite having been approved for roll-out by the UK government in late 1998. Freeview launched on Sky Digital platforms on 1 October 2003.

From the poor peasant on the street to the all high popes in the Vatican, everybody loves a freebie. No matter how much you have in your wallet, it always feels good to get a handout or a giveaway. The thought of getting a freebie alone sends happy feelings through one’s soul; you can’t deny that happy feeling. And that’s one of the best things about living in the UK, as you’d get to enjoy a lot of freebies. But even at that, information still remains key.

Top 10 Outdoor TV Aerial for Freeview UK

1. Outdoor Aerial, SLx Digidome For TV Digital Freeview HD 360° Omni Directional Amplified Antenna with Integrated 4G Filter and Full Installation Kit,White 

Everybody loves a gadget that is as small as fitting in the palm of your hand. And in SLx Digidome, you have arguably the most compact aerial ever. Thanks to its small size and being an omnidirectional aerial, it can be used in any setting, be it in your home, office or even caravans.

And one more info, it has a very low profile, so you have nothing to worry about if your area has any law against aerial heights.

Features

• LTE800 4G filter
• VHF and UHF signals
• 360 omnidirectional technology

2. Labgear Outdoor TV Aerial LAB450T

The LABGear LAB450T may be a high gain aerial, but unlike other aerials of its class, it is still incredibly compact.

As a professional high grade wideband aerial, its flexibility means it can be used in a diverse range of signal areas. And due to its high gain (14.5 dBi), it’s perfect for areas where signal strength is not so strong or is even weak.

Its efficiency and effectiveness mean that it offers the opportunity to over 173 channels no matter where you are in the UK.

Features 

• Wideband size
• Frequency Range of 470 – 790 MHz
• 14.5 dBi gain
• 4G LTE800 filter

3. Sniper UK Automotive Portable Car and Camps TV Aerial

Talking about aerials that you can take on a road trip, The Sniper Automotive Portable TV Aerial is your go-to guy. Thanks to its portability, you don’t actually need to “install” it per se, as all you need to do is plug it into your TV via the coaxial cable and you are good to go. And with its magnetic base, you can easily attach it on top of your vehicle without any adhesives or screws.

It is perfect for open spaces, hence it is ideal as a TV aerial for camping and other outdoor activities.

Features

• Omnidirectional portable aerial
• 5 inches high in height
• 5 metre TV coaxial cable included
• Provides DVB-T TV, DAB Radio, Freeview

4. SLx UK Digital TV Aerial

Another wonderful digital TV aerials money can buy in the UK. In the league of TV aerials, it’s top-of-the-table, thanks to its impressive signal performance that keeps it in a class of its own, to the point it is quite effective when every other aerial seems to be lacking.

I mean the SLx Digital TV aerial has an all-time high gain of 15 dBi, virtually more than every other aerial for Freeview. Its directivity is improved by the installation of the two reflector booms. In addition to that, its tilting mast clamp facilitates ease of fine-tuning the aerial’s orientation.

In all honesty, it is a bit enormous, unlike some other Freeview aerials, but be that as it may, installing it is not an uphill task. In the kit provided, everything (central pole and fittings, aerial cable, etc.) you’ll ever need in mounting it in your home is contained.

All in all, the SLx Digital TV Aerial is a superb choice if you want an aerial that will maximize the free digital TV channels in your area.

Features

• Wideband in size
• 15 dBi
• LTE800/4G filter for frequencies above 790 MHz

5. SAC Electronics UK 7-Element TV Aerial

Aha! Now I’ve got to the most affordable one. With just around £10, the SAC Electronics 7-Element TV Aerial is a real bargain that will enhance your Freeview TV experience.

The SAC Electronics 7-Element TV Aerial is one of the most affordable antennas you’ll come across in the UK. It is a dirt-cheap way to improve your TV’s Freeview reception.

You may ask, why is it so cheap? Well, it’s down to the fact that it is lightweight and compact, just 47cm long. And that makes it very flexible for use at home, in a caravan, in a boat, anywhere!

With a 9 dB, it may be in the mid-range among aerials in the market. However, don’t let your spirit get dampened, it does wonder when it is used as a boost in vicinities where you’re already getting a decent signal strength, but feel like improving the reception.

Features

• 9 dB gain
• 470 – 786 MHz
• 47 cm in length

6. The Exceptional DVB66 Portable Digital TV Aerial with Magnetic Base

Do you know why the DVB66 Portable model by Chaowei is your best bet if you are looking for a Freeview aerial? Its reliability in high-quality service while broadcasting uncompressed full HD channels is second to none!

Add to it its exquisite design and compactness, and you have an aerial that will be perfect for both your indoor and outdoor appliances and scenery.

Since its surrounding cable is just 2 metres (6’5″), it makes it quite portable, hence your ideal aerial to catch Freeview channels everywhere you go.

Features

• Compact
• Exquisite design
• 360 omnidirectional VHF and UHF receiving components

7. One for All SV9455 Amplified Outdoor Digital Freeview Aerial

If you want one of the most powerful and durable aerials for outdoors, then the One for All SV9455 is the aerial you are looking for.

Talking about capabilities, it gains up to 52 dB, making it able to capture in full 4K HD and digital TV signals, as well as DAB+ radio. Not just that, it is also future proof, meaning that it never gets outdated but instead remains compatible with newer standards like DVB-T2.

In addition to its enormous power, it has a surprisingly compact frame too. And with its recherché design, it can be mistaken for a home router instead of a mere antenna.

Features

• 52 dB
• Ideal Max Reception Range: 50 km
• 4G LTE filter
• 4K Ultra HD compatible

8. The Excellent 27900KTR TriStar Digital TV Freeview Aerial Compact By SLx

The SLx TriStar Digital TV Aerial offers you the opportunity of excellence in receiving Freeview channels even in spaces where signals are usually weak, making it ideal for outdoor environments.

With its integrated 4G filter, it militates against the interference of mobile phones and other digital devices. Hence a good signal is assured every given time.

Furthermore, directivity is improved through the large reflector in its high gain aerial kit. And the picture quality is further enhanced by the fact that its simplicity is impedance matched, while the connection uses an F-connector.

Features

• 4G LTE Filter
• Large reflector
• F-Connector

9. The Prime 27884D4 4G Freeview Filtered Loft & Outdoor 48 Element Aerial By SLx

With a high gain of 48 elements, the SLx Prime 27884D4 promotes a full reception scale that is tailormade for Freeview.

Talking about durability, its overall dimensions of 50 x 30 x 30 cm with a 1.6 kg in weight means that rain, heat or even wind has nothing on the aerial.

And to cap it up, the 4G filter means that signals from mobile phones won’t interfere with the antenna. Hence an impressive sound and picture quality are assured.

Oh, there’s also a bonus, the aerial is A++ rated, meaning that is very efficient for managing energy consumption.

Features

• High gain of 48
• 4G LTE filter
• A++ for mimimal energy consumption
• 50 x 30 x 30 cm and weighing 1.6 kg

10. The Innovative UK Freeview Outdoor TV Antenna for HDTV/DVB-T Receiver By 1 by One

Who wouldn’t love an aerial equipped with superior quality which endures all weather conditions? I’m talking about rain, snow, wind or heat.

Furthermore, unlike usual aerials that are too gigantic and complicated to install, it is super easy to mount no matter where you want it mounted – balcony, roof, even on your attic!

Features

• Anti-UV coating and waterproof design
• Integrated LTE filter

Outdoor TV Aerial for Freeview UK Buying Guide

Since I’ve provided you with ten aerials for Freeview in the UK, it becomes of high preponderance that you know the features you should look out for when next you hit the market to buy a new aerial for Freeview or when next you are shopping in your favourite online store.

To avoid making mistakes, the following guides will be of utmost help to you as you try to buy a TV antenna that provides both good picture and topnotch sound quality.

Frequency

It is a no-brainer that an aerial works by detecting radio waves which are transmitted in frequencies or bands. Therefore, one must find out the frequency of the nearest transmitter. With the knowledge of your area’s frequency group, it will help you to know the outdoor aerial that will be perfect for your TV.

Size

Aerials usually come in two major of sizes: wideband or compact group aerials. Whereas the wideband aerials are usually bigger and designed to capture a wider range of signals, the compact group aerials are smaller in size and save space. So, choose the one that is best suited for you.

Gain and directivity

This refers to how sensitive an aerial is in picking up signals for a certain direction. In summary, the higher the gain of an aerial, the more it can pick up signals from different locations. This said gain is measured in decibels (dB).

Interference Proof

It is of paramount that you note that TV/radio signals are not the only signals in the air; there are diverse mobile networks and LTE too. And these other signals may interfere with the aerial. Hence it is important that your aerial picks up only the TV signals it needs and nothing else.

And to make this happen, the aerial needs to have a filter installed that specifically blocks 4G/LTE signals from interfering with your TV/radio signals. The absence of these other signals ensures a top-notch picture quality.

Indoor or outdoor 

As the names imply, there are aerials suitable for indoors and those perfect for outdoors, and in this article, I dealt specifically with those that are ideal for outdoor, however, while buying an aerial product, it is important you note whether it is outdoor or indoor, depending on what you are looking for. The major difference between the two is the distance suitability.

Whereas indoor aerials can receive signals from transmitting towers that are as far as 25 km and are easier to install since they don’t need to be mounted, on the other hand, an outdoor aerial can obtain signals for distances as far as 50 km and can be mounted on walls, windows, railings, roofs fences, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every outdoor aerial come with a 4G/LTE filter?

No, not all of them come with a 4G/LTE filter. But these days, most outdoor aerials have such filter to prevent signal interference.

Which TV aerial is best for Freeview digital TV in 2020?

As far as 2020 is concerned, the best aerial for digital TV is the DVB66 Portable Aerial by Chaowei, which is Number 6 on the list I provided.

Are there aerials with a three-year warranty?

None, I can think of. Most aerials come with a 12-month warranty. The highest you can get is a 24-month warranty.

Do I need an aerial with a flat cabinet?

UK aerials have been specially designed so that the minimum clearance between the aerial and the TV cabinet is just 90mm. To achieve this high clearance level we have a special design and manufacturing process for the cabinet. The current versions of the cabinets are available in heights from just 22 to 50 cm.

Why do my aerials only get two channels?

UK aerial may only receive two channels – but what channels it receives depends on whether it is equipped with vertical or horizontal polarisation. A horizontal-polarisation aerial, therefore, will always receive only Channel 1 and Channel 2, which are the top and bottom of the colour channels, while a vertical-polarisation aerial will receive all channels but may also receive some of the middle colour channels – so it will not always be completely correct. Most people will just want to get two channels on their aerials. However if you are trying to receive a different spectrum of signals, or if you would like to have a bigger aerial, we can also fit one of our taller aerials with horizontal-polarisation.

How do I get a flat type aerial with different height antennas?

To have a flat type aerial we have now produced a couple of shorter aluminium versions of the aerials. The difference is that they have flat tops on the vertical-polarisation aerials and short parallel-polarisation tops on the horizontal-polarisation aerials.

Conclusion

Like my late grandfather always said, “too many words do not feel the basket”.

I’ve provided the best products as far as Freeview outdoor aerial is concerned in the UK, so I hope you make the best of this freebie, bearing in mind that everyone loves a free gift. I wouldn’t want to make a choice for you, but if you insist I make a choice you, then I’d advise you to go for the DVB66 Portable Aerial by Chaowei.

I made sure I handpicked the best aerials that will help you catch all the free channels you never thought you could lay your hands on. Make the best of this opportunity, and have a great day!