If you have already purchased one of the best TV antennas for your new (or old) television, you may have realized that you'll need a coaxial cable to connect your antenna to your television. Luckily, selecting a coaxial cable is generally straightforward, making it an easy step in your setup process. Unless you wish to dive into the technical specifics, the most challenging part of the selection process will likely be determining the appropriate length of cable you need.
With this guidance, you're well-equipped to choose the right coaxial cable for your needs, enhancing your TV viewing experience with clear signals and reliable connectivity.
Most reliable coaxial cable for antennas
Monoprice RG6
- Easy to get the size you need
- Excellent signal quality
- CL2 safety rating
- Affordable pricing
- Finicky connectors
| Specification: | |
| Type | RG6 |
| Length | Best: 6 foot, Range: 1.5 – 100 feet |
| Shielding | Quad shield |
The Monoprice RG6 coaxial cable features a classic design that allows for easy connections. It has a 75 Ohm impedance and an F-type connector, which are standard specifications for TV and antenna coaxial cables. The cable includes a quad shield for excellent signal quality and is rated CL2, making it safe for in-wall installations.
Monoprice offers the RG6 in a wide range of lengths, from 1.5 feet to 100 feet. However, we recommend the 6-foot version as the most suitable size. Smaller lengths can be challenging to work with due to their somewhat finicky connections, while larger lengths, although usable, are better suited for other products.
Best for outdoor antennas coaxial cable for antennas
Cimple Co RG11
- Thick build of wire
- Silver ends
- UL and ETL listed for safety
- Stiff (typical of RG11 antennas)
| Specification: | |
| Type | RG11 |
| Length | Best: 50 foot, Range: 3 – 200 feet |
| Shielding | Tri shield |
If you're looking for a cable for your outdoor antenna or satellite dish, the Cimple Co RG11 is an excellent choice. This cable features RG11 wiring, which is thicker than RG6 and is designed to maintain signal strength over longer distances, especially when used outdoors.
The Cimple Co RG11 is weather-resistant, UV-resistant, and equipped with silver connectors. The cable's diameter is approximately 0.4 inches due to its triple shielding, which also makes it somewhat stiff—a characteristic common to RG11 cables. While this stiffness can be frustrating at times, it contributes to the cable's durability.
We recommend purchasing at least the 50-foot version of the Cimple Co RG11, but lengths are available up to 200 feet. Don't hesitate to choose a longer length to give yourself some extra room.
Best quality coaxial cable for antennas
Philips SWX9444B
- Highly durable
- Features customer support and lifetime limited warranty
- Made safe
- Works well
- One size only
| Specification: | |
| Type | RG6 |
| Length | 6 foot |
| Shielding | Quad shield |
The Philips SWX9444B coaxial cable is ideal for indoor TV antennas. It is built with durable materials and features strong connections at both ends. The cable incorporates an interference-resistant quad shield design, is UL listed, and is fire retardant. One noteworthy aspect of this cable is that Philips offers customer support and provides a lifetime limited warranty. While it is an affordable option, this support adds value. However, it’s important to note that this cable is only available in one length: six feet, which may limit its effectiveness for some specific use cases.
Best weather-sealed coaxial cable
G-Plug RG6
- Rubber O-ring
- Highly rated
- Reliable connection
- Great service
- Slightly costlier than other RG6 cables
If you are concerned about weather-related issues due to constant rain and humidity, the G-Plug, made with nickel-plated brass and featuring a double O-ring design, will effectively keep moisture out, making it ideal for outdoor antennas. In case of any problems, the G-Plug comes with solid guarantees. For instance, you can return an undamaged G-Plug to the company for any reason within 30 days for a full refund. Additionally, the company offers a 12-month warranty, providing a full replacement if anything goes wrong. These two assurances, combined with the excellent quality of the coaxial cable, have kept customers satisfied, making this one of the highest-rated coaxial cables for antennas.
Best budget coaxial cable for antennas
GE RG6
- Great price at any length
- Simple, screw-in and use design
- Only dual shield
- Indoor use only
- Not suitable for in-wall installation
| Specification: | |
| Type | RG6 |
| Length | Range: 6 – 50 foot |
| Shielding | Dual shield |
For a much simpler coaxial cable strictly for your indoor TV antenna, check out GE’s RG6 cable. It’s simple and suitable for out of the wall indoor connections, but the price is quite low. Even the 50 foot version of the GE RG6 is on the low end of the price spectrum (but you should still try to get the smallest compatible wire available). Otherwise, this is a highly affordable coaxial cable for your indoor antenna that you can just screw in to install and start watching right away. Customers praise this coaxial cable for its high value.
How we chose these coaxial cables
The best coaxial cables for antennas were chosen based on their performance in keeping out interference, having decent variation in lengths, and (for some) their performance outdoors. For nearly all situations, you'll want a coaxial cable that is 75 ohms of resistance and uses F-type connectors. Here are some other things to keep in mind when making your own selection:
Cable type
The two main types of coaxial cables recommended for antennas are RG6 and RG11. RG6 cables are generally the preferred choice, while RG11 cables are also useful, particularly in outdoor settings since they provide a reliable signal over longer distances. However, RG11 cables are thicker and stiffer, which can make them challenging to maneuver around tight corners. As a result, you might need a longer cable than anticipated if you choose RG11. For indoor antennas, it’s best to stick with RG6.
Cable length
When choosing HDMI cables, it’s commonly advised to select the shortest cable possible to ensure the best signal quality. However, keep in mind that the cables can be quite stiff, which means you might need more length than you initially anticipated. This is especially true if you decide to use an RG11 cable.
Shielding
Coaxial cables come in different types of shielding, primarily categorized as dual, tri, or quad shield. The main purpose of this shielding is to reduce interference, rather than to protect the wire itself, although it does provide some level of protection. While quad shielding offers the highest level of protection against interference, lower levels of shielding, such as dual or tri, can be used for shorter cables without encountering significant issues.
Safety
When using coaxial cable for in-wall installations or outdoor applications, it’s important to check for safety ratings. Look for cables that have a CL2 or CL3 rating for in-wall use. Additionally, some coaxial cables are UL or ETL listed, indicating that they have met rigorous safety standards and have received certification.
