In this guide, you can check out our preferred picks for the best aerial boosters for Freeview HD. We will also answer a handful of frequently asked questions regarding aerial boosters and signal coverage.
Freeview gets you 70 standard channels and 15 HD channels for free in the United Kingdom. However, getting a strong aerial reception can be quite flaky, especially if you live in a remote location where Freeview coverage isn’t the best.
Weak signals cause channels to look blocky, pixelated and sometimes result in no audio. You may run into issues where you don’t get nearly as many channels as Freeview claimed, not even the high-definition ones. If your area is under the broadcast zone, external noise or interference can also be a diminishing factor.
All the aerial signal issues related to Freeview are resolvable nonetheless, and the remedy is relatively cost-effective. We are talking about aerial signal boosters that can potentially improve aerial reception and get you access to the Freeview HD channels.
Best Aerial Boosters for Freeview HD
Below are our selections for the best aerial booster you can buy today for Freeview HD. However, bear in mind that you don’t necessarily need one to improve Freeview signal strength. You can skip to the later section for detailed information on when to get an aerial booster and more.
Do note that all the following aerial boosters use female to female coaxial ports, so you will most likely need an additional male coaxial cable for connection.
1. SLx 27828HSR 2-Way Aerial Amplifier For Freeview & HD
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SLx is a renowned UK-based manufacturer of AV accessories, and the SLx 27828HSR is one of the brand’s entry-level aerial signal boosters in the market. It only costs £12 on Amazon UK, has very positive ratings, and is backed by a 12-month warranty. If you are looking for an affordable aerial amplifier, this is it.
The following unit comes with two coaxial outputs, so you can use it to get over-the-air Freeview channels on two separate compatible receivers or televisions from a single antenna.
The amplifier has a variable gain of up to 16 dB, which you can manually adjust for maximum reception. The frequency range of 87 to 782 MHz also makes it RED (Radio Equipment Directive) compliant. Besides, it has a 4G filter (45 dB protection) built-in to reduce interference from LTE 800 MHz cellular band and prevent channel loss.
This aerial amplifier unit from SLx also comes with a stealthy gunmetal finish, allowing you to hide it behind your other AV devices easily. The brand claims to use ultrasonic molding for the mains plug that reduces the possibility of EM interference. The ports are also individually labeled so that you know where to plug the aerial antenna and the Freeview receiver.
It’s worth mentioning that you can get the SLx 27828HSR amplifier + 1.8 aerial cable bundle for only £16. In case you have multiple Freeview receivers or TVs in your house, the 4-Way SLx 27820HSR w/ 25-meter coaxial cable is also a good deal.
2. One For All SV9601 Signal Booster
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The One For All SV9601 is another aerial signal booster in this list that amplifies the over-the-air and increases the Freeview channel selection. It also prevents quality loss caused by long coaxial cable and unwanted EM waves.
Unlike the SLx 27828HSR, the SV9601 aerial signal booster only has one output. However, it has a 88-790 MHz frequency range and a fixed 23 dB gain. The following unit also an integrated 4G filter that filters out mobile network bands and improves the aerial reception.
Thanks to the preassigned mounting holes, you can easily install the SV9601 on the wall and plug it into a nearby power outlet. A power adapter is included with the unit. The red LED indicator on the booster tells you whether it’s receiving power or not.
If you don’t have access to Freeview HD channels with your current aerial setup, you should definitely give the One For All SV9601 signal booster a try. It’s priced at only £10 and is relatively straightforward to install.
The brand also sells 2-Way and 4-Way variants with the respective model numbers: SV9602 and SV9604. A 1-year manufacturer warranty covers all the models.
3. SLx 27815HSR USB-powered Signal Booster
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The 27815HSR aerial signal booster from SLx fits right in your palm. Its low-profile design makes it easier to place behind your furniture. You can either leave the signal booster hanging or use the supplied sticky pads to attach it to the back of the TV.
You also can plug the device into one of your TV’s USB ports to feed power to it. It doesn’t require an external power supply. If your TV doesn’t have USB ports, you can also power the aerial booster with a 5V USB wall adapter.
As usual, the SLx 27815HSR has an 88 to 782 MHz frequency range, with a typical gain of 20 dB, 75 ohms of impedance, and a noise figure of less than 2 dB.
Its robust specifications put it right in line with other amplifiers that reliably deliver high-definition Freeview channels. Like the previous two aerial boosters in the list, the USB-powered unit also incorporates a 4G filter, providing up to 45 dB protection against LTE cellular signals.
Although the following aerial booster only has a single coaxial-out plug, many of you will probably purchase it for its compactness. For a price tag of £13.50, the SLx 27815HSR is a stellar product in its class.
4. SLx 27813HSR 4-Way Compact Aerial Booster
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Our final pick in this list is also from SLx. The 27813HSR aerial booster offers four coaxial outputs, so you can get Freeview HD channels on up to four receivers or televisions in your home. Surprisingly, it only costs £12 on Amazon UK.
According to SLx, the 27813HSR is RED-complaint, meaning it’s effective against external noises. Its adequate frequency range meets the requirements for Freeview HD broadcasts and has an 11 dB typical gain. On top of everything, it has built-in 4G interference protection.
You can either place the unit on a flat surface or mount it on the wall. It provides easy access to the coaxial-outs and antenna-in ports, and all of them are correctly labeled. The aerial booster is supplied with a 12V DC power adapter.
Once again, it’s worth noting that SLx offers a full 12-month warranty on their aerial boosters and other products. The SLx 27813HSR is no exception in that regard.
Things to Consider when buying an Aerial Booster for Freeview HD
The products we have chosen to feature in the above list of best aerial boosters are ideal for those looking to tune into Freeview HD channels. However, you should be aware of a few things when buying an aerial booster from the market.
The first factor is the signal gain, which should be at least 10 dB for optimal picture and audio quality. It won’t matter much if you plan to install the aerial booster close to your Freeview receiver or TV, as the signals don’t need to go far.
But, in case you want to run a relatively long cable from the booster to another side of your house, consider buying an aerial amplifier that offers a bit more than 10 dB signal gain. The stronger the gain, the better the channel quality will be.
If you have multiple Freeview-compatible receivers or televisions in your house, keep an eye out for the number of coaxial outputs on an aerial booster. You can have up to eight coaxial-outs on a unit, but they don’t come cheap. Furthermore, you will need to invest extra in high-grade coaxial cables.
When shopping for an aerial booster, make sure to buy one with an integrated 4G filter. It prevents LTE mobile bands from causing interference to over-the-air channel reception in congested areas, and you get a crystal-clear output.
When should you use an Aerial Booster?
An aerial booster comes in handy when the signal from the antenna to the receiver is simply too weak. The signal degradation is generally caused by unregulated power delivery or a poorly shielded coaxial cable. The cable length also affects the signal quality.
An aerial booster improves the quality of the Freeview channel signals by providing regulated power, filtering external noise, and reducing EM interference. Plus, you can connect multiple Freeview receivers to a booster without a noticeable quality loss.
Aerial boosters can sometimes also give you more channels, but it mostly depends on the antenna placement and tuner hardware. As long as the signal quality is somewhere between 50% to 100%, you should be able to tune into most Freeview channels in your area.
Are Indoor Aerials with built-in Boosters any Good?
Indoor aerial is inferior to outdoor aerial, but they provide optimal signal reception as long as you are within Freeview’s serviceable area. Some of them also include an aerial booster, improving the channel quality by eliminating external interferences.
Indoor Freeview aerials with built-in signal amplifiers are moderately priced and available in several form factors. Whether you live in an apartment or an area with too many obstructions in between, an indoor aerial with integrated boosters should work just fine.
If you seek reliability, a mini-outdoor aerial is a worthwhile purchase. The DigiDome from SLx is a tad pricier than indoor aerials, but it’s straightforward and intuitive to set up. Its omnidirectional amplified antenna offers robust Freeview HD reception, and the dome design doesn’t look out of place. Besides, the aerial comes with a complete installation kit and a 10-meter coaxial cable.
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Wrap Up
This is where we wrap up this guide. If you decide to purchase one of the following aerial boosters for Freeview HD, please let us know about your experience with the particular model in the comments. We are also here for you to answer your questions.
Your genuine feedback is what drives us forward to produce more informational guides like this one. While you are here, be sure to check out our other guides on similar topics!
