The best caravan TV aerial allows us to enjoy a picture-perfect image when we’re pitched up in our tourers.
Many of the best caravan TVs come with a built-in Freeview tuner, meaning you can plug in your caravan aerial and start enjoying television. They are available in a few different guises, coming as an indoor tabletop aerial, a roof-mounted aerial or an external aerial.
The most common type is a roof-mounted omnidirectional caravan aerial. Anyone who has previously pitched up at one of the best caravan sites will likely have seen many of these. They have the benefit of being straightforward and speedy to set up – however, the reception can be hit and miss at times, and it will also need to be carefully tuned in upon arrival.
There are also directional aerials, where reception is focused on one direction. This can result in stronger reception, but it takes longer to set up and also means you’ll need to know (or at least have a vague idea) where the TV mast is.
In this guide, we’re sharing our pick for the best caravan aerial, so you can have a seamless viewing experience, with products from brands such as Avtex and Vision Plus featuring.
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What is the best aerial for a caravan?
Vision Plus Status 350 Omni-Directional Digital TV Antenna
Mercury 120.910UK
Avtex STH3000 Digital Caravan TV Aerial
Vision Plus Status 355
Vision Plus Status 570 Directional TV and Radio Antenna
Sniper Automotive Portable Digital TV Aerial
The best caravan TV aerial – our top picks:
Vision Plus Status 350 Omni-Directional Digital TV Antenna
Reason to buy:
- Good cable length, ideal for digital TV
Reason to avoid:
- Doesn’t receive DAB radio or FM signals
We think the Status 350 is a well designed option if you’re looking for a caravan TV aerial that is suited to digital television. However, we should point out that unlike the Status 355 that features further down our list, the Status 350 doesn’t receive FM or DAB radio signals, something which could be a deciding factor for some.
However, the omnidirectional TV aerial does come with a VP2 TV signal amplifier, while we reckon the five metre integrated coaxial cable will provide plenty of flexibility for creating the viewing experience that best suits you. If you want even more versatility, a model with a 10-metre cable is also available.
The TV aerial comes with three fitting options. These include the permanent option, a 25mm mast fitting and, lastly, a suction pad fitting.
Mercury 120.910UK
Reason to buy:
- Comes with a splitter, good six metre cable, built-in amplifier
Reason to avoid:
Suitable for HDTV digital TV and DAB/FM radio signals, this outdoor aerial from Mercury comes with a built-in amplifier which should help you achieve a good picture.
The supplied clamp will let you mount it on a pole that is up to 38mmØ. The kit also includes a splitter that will let you connect a second radio or TV too, while we like how the six metre connection cable offers some useful flexibility to create a setup best suited to your tourer’s arrangement.
Vision Plus Status 355
- Weight:
Reason to buy:
- Suitable for digital TV and FM Dab Radio
Reason to avoid:
- Not suited to those after a directional aerial
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy digital television and radio on tour, this could be the device for you.
This caravan TV aerial from Vision Plus is not only suitable for digital TV, but also for FM DAB Radio (88-108 Mhz). The omni-directional device also comes with a power amplifier to help you achieve the best picture. It can be fitted to the roof of your tourer or mast mounted, while there’s also an optional sucker mount.
We like that you have the opportunity to adjust the angle too, taking any sloping surfaces into account.
It comes with a five metre cable, making it easier to position your TV in your place of choice within your tourer.
Avtex STH3000 Digital Caravan TV Aerial
Reason to buy:
- Very lightweight
Reason to avoid:
- Cable is only three metres
Avtex is a well known name in the electronic world, and it’s not surprising that they’ve made an appearance here, through the STH3000 Digital Caravan TV Aerial. We like how lightweight the device is, coming in at only 0.29kg. We also like that it is small in size and simple to use – essentials, we think, when you’re on tour.
It comes with an integrated 20db amplifier and a 12/24v DC power inserter.
The waterproof product also has a UV resistant housing for added benefits. The one thing we would highlight with it is that the supplied cable is only three metres long, so you will need to ensure this will reach where you want to place your TV.
Vision Plus Status 570 Directional TV and Radio Antenna
- Weight:
Reason to buy:
- LED indicator makes it straightforward to tell signal strength
Reason to avoid:
- Directional option requires an idea of where the TV mast is
Our third Vision Plus model to make it onto our round up of the best caravan TV aerials is a directional option. The slim and compact Status 570 is ideal if you’re looking for a Digital TV directional aerial that also provides DAB & FM reception.
One thing we really like is the LED indicator; this will swap between red, yellow and green, based on the strength of the signal. The aerial also includes the VP5 Digital TV Amplifier and the integral Signal Finder.
Sniper Automotive Portable Digital TV Aerial
Reason to buy:
- Budget-friendly price
Reason to avoid:
- No amplifier
We think this omni-directional Freeview DVB-T and DAB Antenna is ideal for anyone who wants a portable aerial for a caravan at a bargain price.
Thanks to its magnetic base, it can sit on the roof of your caravan, and the protective rubber cup will help to prevent any marks being left on the surface of your ‘van.
It comes with a five metre lead too, that is also fitted with a TV Co-axial connector.
How to choose the best caravan TV aerial
The crux of this decision comes down to whether you’d prefer an omnidirectional caravan aerial or a directional caravan TV aerial. Both types have their own pros and cons.
Starting with an omnidirectional caravan TV aerial, these generally look like plastic discs and are commonly seen at campsites. Capable of simultaneously receiving a signal from every direction, these aerials are quick to install and set up – then, once in position, you can leave it to it. However, the downside of an omnidirectional aerial is it can struggle to get a good picture in an area with weaker reception – here, an amplifier will be required, which some of the options in our guide come with.
The other type is a directional caravan aerial. These focus reception in a single direction, making reception both stronger and more reliable. However, the downside here is you’ll need to have an idea of where the TV mast is, and it can take a few minutes to set up once you’re pitched up.
How to get a good TV signal in a caravan
The method for achieving a good TV signal will, in part, depend on whether you go for an omnidirectional caravan aerial or a directional caravan aerial. If you’ve opted for an omnidirectional aerial, you’ll need to see whether or not it comes with an amplifier – if it doesn’t, it’s well worth investing in one. These can boost the incoming signal so it has the required strength for your TV. However, a note of caution – these could end up boosting unwanted signals as well, something which can be an issue if you’re in a more built-up or urban setting.
When it comes to directional caravan TV aerials, you’ll need to have an idea as to where you should be pointing it – and whether to put it vertically or horizontally. You may be surprised by the difference the orientation can have, potentially deciding whether the channels are only found intermittently – or not at all.
To identify where the signal is, you can consider buying a TV strength meter. These work by finding the direction the signal is coming from – to use, just plug it in where the TV is connected in your tourer and then rotate the aerial until the signal levels change – you’ll then know where the mast is. At this point, you can lock the aerial into position and make tweaks to the orientation as required. Then remove the meter and tune the TV.
An amplifier can also help here if it has a built-in signal meter, simply requiring the rotation of the aerial until the indicator changes colour.
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