Boosting your signal: Best indoor DAB aerials
Contributing Editor
The best indoor DAB aerial can breathe new life into your radio system, giving you more channels and tunes to listen to. The question is, which Indoor DAB radio aerial is best for you?
DAB is the future of radio connectivity in the UK. With the right DAB connection, you can listen to countless stations with high-definition clarity, overcoming the various issues typically aligned with FM and AM radios.
The only problem?
While many of the leading radios on the market today come with DAB and DAB+ signals, they don’t always deliver the excellent connections that you would expect. That’s because there are still a number of things that can reduce your chances of catching the DAB frequency.
If you’re located in a less urban part of the country, for instance, where there aren’t a lot of radio towers nearby, then you’re going to need a little help to boost your DAB signal. Fortunately, an indoor DAB aerial could be just the solution that you’ve been searching for.
The best indoor DAB aerial can make it easier to listen to the channels that you enjoy most, without distortion or lag. Additionally, many of the leading indoor DAB aerials on the market also make it easier to access free television channels too.
Here’s our top contenders of the best indoor DAB radio aerials on the market for 2020.
1. Philex 27741HS indoor DAB aerial
The Philex digital radio aerial is one of the simplest options on the market today. There are no fancy design aspects to consider, and no impressive bells and whistles like added television signals. However, if all you need is something that’s going to help you get the best DAB radio connection for a low price, then we think this product is worth a look.
Not only is the Philex slim-line and easy to fit into any part of your home, but it’s also designed for user-friendly performance. The aerial connects to a 1 metre cable and links to an F socket. Hidden behind your television or a cabinet, you might not even notice this sleek aerial in your home.
Additionally, this non-amplified Philex digital radio aerial booster is available for less than £15, offering features like:
- Full DAB frequency response
- 12-month warranty
- Compatibility with iStar radio wireless system
- 1 metre cable
- 45cm height
A quick and convenient way to update your DAB radio and access more content, the Philex aerial is perfect for any consumer who wants a quick solution to their listening problems. Thanks to the simple connection, this product should work with most DAB radios.
Pros:
- Easy to use and simple design
- 1-metre cable
- Works seamlessly with wireless radios
- 12-month warranty included
Cons:
- Very basic
- No special features
2. Dkoski digital radio aerial antenna
Similar to the Philex aerial outlined above, the Dkoski is a very basic indoor DAB aerial, intended for people who don’t want to spend a fortune on improving their FM and DAB radio connection. This compact antenna slides up to reveal 12 separate sections, so you can make it as long or as short as you need.
Additionally, the fact that the Dkoski indoor DAB radio aerial comes with an F socket connection makes it a breeze to use.
Regardless of what kind of DAB radio you’re trying to enhance with this piece of kit, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a socket that fits. The Dkoski works with everything from Ruark, to Roberts, Philips, Pure, and many other leading brands.
Available for under £10, features include:
- FM and digital radio aerial booster
- Works with all leading brands
- High-quality materials throughout
- Easy to use and extendable
- Ideal replacement for a broken aerial
While most of the leading DAB radios on the market today will already feature an indoor DAB aerial similar to this one, the Dkoski is a great and affordable purchase for those who need an aerial replacement. Additionally, you can screw this aerial onto any radio system that requires a quick boost, whether you’re indoors or on the go.
Pros:
- Durable materials
- High-quality and convenient design
- Easy to use with leading brand radios
- Cheap and simple
Cons:
- Very basic design
- May break when fully extended if exposed to pressure
3. RGTech Monarch 50
For many customers, the best indoor DAB aerial will be one of the two options that we’ve already covered above. If you’re looking for something cheap and simple that boosts your DAB connection and nothing else, then you don’t need to spend more than £10 to £15.
However, if you want to make the most of your indoor connectivity with something a little more advanced, there is a wide selection of options available.
For instance, the RGTech Monarch indoor aerial was designed by NASA scientists to help you improve your access to signals ranging from HD TV to FM, VHF, and DAB radio. There’s a 50-mile reception range with this indoor digital radio aerial, and the device works in homes, offices, and cars alike. You also get a five-year warranty as standard and a 30-day testing period.
For less than £25, this digital radio aerial booster comes with features like:
- Enhanced 4G mobile filters
- Improved television signals
- Support for DAB and FM radio
- 50-mile reception range
- Integrated ultra-wideband technology
- Works in homes, cars, yachts, offices, and more
- 30-day money-back guarantee and 5 year warranty period
The RGTech Monarch stands out as one of the best indoor DAB radio aerials because it delivers fantastic DAB connections, then so much more too. If you want something easy to connect to your television or radio for instantly enhanced entertainment, this could be the perfect product for you.
The standard F connector means that you won’t have any trouble using this product with any device, from the Pure Elan BT3 to the Roberts Play.
Another neat thing about this aerial is that it looks fantastic. The slim black design is ideal for anyone who wants a futuristic and tech-savvy living room.
Pros:
- Attractive design
- 5-year warranty
- Boosts DAB and TV signals
- Easy installation
- 50-mile reception
Cons:
- Needs to be retuned regularly
- Quite a large base makes it hard to find a space for your aerial
4. Ancable digital radio aerial antenna
The Ancable digital radio aerial booster is another example of a primary antenna option for customers who need a quick and simple way to boost their radio connection. However, the most compelling feature of this particular product, in our opinion, is its versatility.
While most indoor DAB aerial options come with an F connection, which works with the majority of DAB radios, the Ancable antenna goes above and beyond.
To offer universal compatibility with all devices, this product comes with three kinds of adapter, including PAL male, PAL female, and a 3.5mm adapter that can plug into an aux-in or headphone adapter.
This means that you’re sure to find something that works with your radio, no matter which brand you’ve bought from.
For a little over £10, you get features like:
- Full range of DAB channels and FM radio
- High-quality design with brass copper material
- Universal compatibility with 3 kinds of adapter
- Easy installation compared to most standard antennas
- 12-month warranty included
Using this telescopic DAB aerial indoors is unlikely to boost your television reception or give you access to new channels that you didn’t have before, like the RGTech option that we covered above.
However, if you’re just looking for the best DAB aerial, the Ancable is a excellent choice. Both reliable and durable, this antenna will get the job done with any radio set you can think of.
We’re particularly impressed by the fact that all Ancable products come with a no-questions-asked 12-month warranty, so you’re protected regardless of what happens with your purchase.
Pros:
- 12-month warranty
- Universal compatibility with multiple adapters
- High-quality and durable design
- Easy to use
Cons:
- No features for televisions
- Too long for some customers.
5. RGTech Monarch multi-directional
Let’s take a look at another product from the RGTech Monarch range, designed for indoor signal enhancement. This Indoor multidirectional radio antenna looks more like a soundbar than an aerial at first glance.
However, that’s just because it’s intended to blend seamlessly into any room design without being overly obvious.
This digital radio aerial booster features the same impressive design as the other Monarch product that we reviewed above, supported by NASA scientists. With this device, you can listen to DAB and DAB+ radio with unprecedented quality and access a full 60-mile reception range.
The product works both indoors and outdoors, depending on your needs.
For less than £20, you get features like:
- 15-foot coaxial cable
- Durable design
- Flat, thin design that fits in a range of rooms
- Risk-free purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Five-year warranty
- Plug and scan easy installation
- 60-mile reception range
- Works for DAB, FM, and HD digital radio
While the alternative RGTech on this list is like to be one of the best indoor DAB aerials for customers in search of support for both television and radio, this multi-directional device is specifically focused on radio.
If you want to ramp up your reception for HD digital radio, DAB, and DAB+, the NASA technology in this antenna is sure to give you the help that you need.
Once again, you get a 5-year warranty included with your purchase, and the plug and play design means that you don’t need to be a tech expert to begin using this device either!
Pros:
- mile reception range
- DAB, DAB+, FM, AM and digital radio boost
- 5-year warranty and a 30-day guarantee
- Works indoors and outdoors
- Designed by NASA scientists
Cons:
- No television boost
- Quite bulky compared to some antennas
6. Getlink HDTV antenna with DAB booster
At first glance, the Getlink HDTV antenna doesn’t look like much of a standard aerial. This device is an ultra-thin black screen that you can place on the wall of your home, just behind your television and radio system.
The lightweight and ultra-thin design make this product particularly appealing for people who want the benefits of a digital radio aerial booster without the unattractive aesthetic.
Created to provide ultra-strong reception for people who want to access more digital Freeview channels, the Getlink antenna is more for television lovers than radio aficionados.
However, if you’re going to get the best of both worlds with this product, then you can. The Getlink boosts DAB and FM radios just as well as television channels.
For a little under £18, features include:
- Lightweight and ultra-thin design
- Offers access to free television channels
- Doesn’t look obvious in your home
- 3 metres coaxial cable included
- Super strong signal reception
- 1080 UHD reception
- DAB and FM digital radio aerial booster
- Easy to use
If you want a product that can act as both the best indoor DAB aerial for your family and a fantastic TV booster too, then this could be the perfect purchase for you.
Although you might need to spend an hour or two figuring out how to use the antenna at first – as it’s a little different from a standard aerial – it’s well worth the effort.
The super-strong signal reception on this HDTV antenna also means that you can access signals for more than 50 miles – which is great for people who aren’t very close to a radio transmitting tower.
Pros:
- 50 mile + radio reception
- 1080 UHD reception for TV
- 3 metres coaxial cable included
- Unique and attractive design
- Great for TV and radio
Cons:
- A little complex at first
- Designed more for TV than radio
7. High Gain Freeview and digital radio aerial
The High Gain Freeview TV aerial looks a bit like an old-fashioned gaming joystick at first glance – so it’s likely to come as a surprise for people in search of the right DAB digital radio aerial.
However, despite its somewhat bizarre design, this product can give you the signal boost that you need for excellent content wherever you are.
The High Gain aerial by August is one of the leading products on the market for people who want to unlick 4K and SD free television, as well as DAB radio.
You can use this device both indoors and indoors, and there’s a magnetic surface on the bottom of the base in case you want to attach the product to the top of your car.
For a little over £10, you’ll get features like:
- Digital reception optimised
- Magnetic base for use on your car
- Compact and lightweight – ideal for portable TVs
- Standard coaxial cable included
- 4.9ft cable allows for easy positioning
- DAB and television signal boosting
Created for people in a range of environments that want to make sure that they’re unlocking all of the entertainment options available to them, the High Gain aerial is a versatile device.
This digital radio aerial and television antenna can be taken with you on the move or used indoors to give you a wide range of new channels to browse through each day.
We liked the fact that this device was plug-and-play ready. However, it’s worth noting that you will need to check the input on your radio before you buy this product, as there are no adapters available.
Pros:
- Excellent for radio and television
- Portable and lightweight
- Works indoors and outdoors
- Optimised for enhanced digital reception
- Unique design
Cons:
- No adapters included
- Seems to be better for car use than indoor use
8. RGTech transparent indoor DAB aerial
The RGTech Monarch line is packed full of aerial options for people who want to access the widest selection of television and radio content in their homes.
However, one thing you might have noticed when looking at the other reviews that we’ve provided into these aerials, is that they’re often quite eye-catching.
Though sleek and lightweight, the antennas are designed for aesthetic appeal.
While it’s great to have a modern piece of tech in your home sometimes, there are instances when you might want your antenna to simply blend into the background.
If that’s the case for you, then you’re likely to prefer the transparent indoor DAB aerial from RGTech. This paper-thin antenna can blend into the wall behind your radio, without drawing unnecessary attention.
Available for a price of just under £25, it offers features like:
- 4G phone signal boosting
- Multidirectional reception with 50-mile reception range
- Integrated ultra-wideband technology
- Support for HD Freeview channels
- DAB and FM radio reception boosting
- Five year warranty period
- No power supply required
- Plug and play simplicity
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Like most of the products available from RGTech today, this transparent indoor DAB radio aerial is designed to work in a range of unique environments, branching from yacht walls to offices and homes.
Additionally, the 15-foot long coaxial cable included with this device means that you should have no problem finding a place to position the device.
Pros:
- Excellent transparent design
- Great for television and radio boosting
- Supports 4G phone signals
- Works in a range of environments
Cons:
- Included sticky pads aren’t great
- Range is better upstairs than downstairs
9. One for All amplified digital radio aerial booster
Finally, we come to the One for All amplified digital radio aerial antenna. Standing out as one of the best indoor DAB radio aerials on the market, this product provides state-of-the-art reception in any home, with a unique design that’s sure to get people talking when they come to visit your home.
This modern aerial has been specifically optimised to capture both DAB radio signals, and HD television.
Whether you want to access the latest selection of DAB channels on your DAB radio, or you want to tap into new Freeview programs, the One for All amplified aerial has you covered.
There’s also a unique 3G and 4G block filter included with this device that ensures the best possible reception, no matter the situation.
For a little less than £30, you’ll get features like:
- Excellent 0-15 mile reception range
- 4.89 feet coaxial cable
- Curved discrete design
- 3G/4G LTE filter
- Freeview access
- DAB and HD TV optimised
- Easy to use design
With a plug-and-play performance that allows you to start scanning for channels as soon as you take the product out of its box, the One For All indoor antenna is a great addition to any home.
This device will give an instant boost to your viewing and listening potential, no matter what you’re looking for in terms of entertainment.
We were particularly impressed by the unique 3G/4G filter that helps to stop disruption from harming the signal on your radio when you’re using your phone at the same time.
Pros:
- Unique filter included
- Interesting curved design
- Significant reception range
- Excellent DAB and TV booster
Cons:
- Reception range could be bigger
- Product takes up a lot of space
Choosing the best indoor DAB radio aerial
Not everyone with a DAB radio will necessarily need an aerial or antenna.
DAB is a very popular radio technology because it often allows for access to a wider range of channels with less disturbance.
However, depending on where you live and what kind of product you’re using to listen to the radio, there’s still a chance that you could struggle to get the connection that you need.
Before you select the best indoor DAB aerials for your needs, it’s worth figuring out why you need a signal booster in the first place.
For instance:
Geography
Depending on where you live in the country, there’s a chance that your signal might be lower than it should be. You can see where your local radio transmitter is here, and get an insight into how many miles of range you need from the best digital radio aerial at the same time. Remember, the further away from cities you are, the harder it is to connect to both DAB and FM.
Interference
Sometimes, the problem with your connection doesn’t have anything to do with where you live. Instead, it’s an issue caused by how many devices you have connected to various signals in your home. For instance, if you’re running a wireless laptop and a Smart TV at the same time as your DAB radio, then you might get some interference. In that case, you need an indoor DAB radio aerial with a filter to block out the excess signals.
An old radio
If you have an old radio that’s been with you for quite some time, it could be that the aerial that came built into that product is now broken or doesn’t work as well as it should. If that’s the case, purchasing an additional digital radio aerial to replace the old one could give new life to your radio set.
Using the right DAB aerial indoors can instantly enhance your listening experience and ensure that you can tap into the channels that you like without disruption.
At the same time, an indoor DAB radio aerial can also offer you more television channels too, particularly if you get an antenna optimised for both HD television and radio.
Securing your signal with the best indoor DAB aerial
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for the best indoor DAB aerial. Your choice will be based on a series of factors, including what kind of functionality you need from the best DAB aerial.
For many people reading this article, the number one choice will be something like the Philex – a simple product that makes it easy to upgrade your DAB connection in seconds. However, other customers might prefer an antenna that gives them the best of both worlds – radio and television in one.
Our favourite DAB radio aerial for indoor use has to be the One for All amplified antenna. Although this product is a little bit bulkier and somewhat more expensive than some of the other best indoor DAB radio aerials that we covered, it offers excellent range and performance.
The 3G/4G LTE filter built into the aerial also means that you can listen to the music and shows that you love with very little interference too.
How will you be boosting your signals?
Radio Fidelity: For the love of radio.
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