Indoor Antenna Vs Outdoor Antenna: Which to Choose?
                     Indoor Antenna Vs Outdoor Antenna: Which to 
Choose? 
With the variety of antennas available on the market, it can be challenging to 
decide which one to choose for your specific purpose. Especially if you don't know 
the difference between indoor and outdoor antennas. In this blog, we will discuss 
indoor antenna vs outdoor antenna to make your decision easier on which to 
choose. Let's get started! 
What is an Indoor Antenna? 
An indoor antenna, as you can tell by its name, is made for indoor usage. It is a 
compact antenna designed to be used inside a building. It is best suited to facilitate 
signals in the areas where it can be placed near a window for easy installation and 
the convenience of the user. The examples of the indoor antenna are loop antennas, 
smart antennas, paddle antennas, and others. These wireless solutions are generally 
less expensive and compact. They are not designed for outdoor purposes, so they 
lack waterproofing. 
Many industries utilize indoor antennas for various purposes, as they help many 
enterprises in building communication through mobile phones or televisions. They 
are used in vending machines and kiosks for magnetic card reading to facilitate 
payment with credit cards. These antennas are also used in smart cities to power 
smart lighting and other applications. 
What is an Outdoor Antenna? 
On the other hand, an outdoor antenna is an antenna that is mounted outside. They 
are often seen on the rooftops to receive weaker signals that can be blocked by 
buildings. The examples of the outdoor antenna are the Yagi Uda antenna, the 
parabolic dish antenna, the LPDA antenna, and others. These antennas are 
weather-resistant to withstand wind, sun, and rain. They are designed to provide 
better signal reception over longer distances. Outdoor antennas are generally more 
expensive, and they need expert-guided installation to perform optimally. 
Outdoor antennas are used for a wide range of purposes. They are used for 
maintaining public safety for emergency services like police and fire departments. 
These are seen in transportation, especially trains and subways. Many notable 
industries in the Internet of Things (IoT) use them to get enhanced wireless 
connectivity. 
The Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Antennas 
As we have discussed about antennas, now will mentioned the difference indoor 
and outdoor antennas basis on their key features. Therefore, you can choose the 
right one according to your unique requirements: 
Device Compatibility 
One of the most important considerations is device compatibility. An Indoor 
antenna is best compatible with devices that are also designed for indoor usage. 
For example, wifi routers and GPS systems. Some indoor antennas are also 
designed to work with devices that can handle dual-band signals. These antennas 
are ideal for close-range reception and are easy to set up. 
An Outdoor antenna is compatible with the devices that have external antenna 
ports, such as industrial access points and cellular modems. These antennas are 
designed for specific frequencies like 4 LTE and 5 GHz. They are best for long-
range signal reception and are more durable. 
Frequency 
An Indoor antenna varies on the basis of its frequency. They can be utilized as both 
a VHF antenna and a UHF antenna. But they are limited to the indoor 
environment, and signals can be weak because of the blockages from the walls and 
electronics. The type of indoor antenna will decide its frequency, many being less 
effective on certain bands compared to the outdoor antennas. 
An outdoor antenna can capture higher bands of frequencies, including UHF and 
VHF, because of its placement and size. They offer superior reception because 
they are placed in the open. A well-placed outdoor VHF antenna or UHF antenna 
can handle better frequencies than an indoor antenna. 
Gain 
A low gain is usually sufficient for the indoor antennas because they are designed 
to provide signals in low coverage, like in the home or office. To cover a small 
area, many of the indoor antennas are omnidirectional. These omnidirectional 
antennas have lower gain, and they facilitate signals in all directions. 
Outdoor antennas have a higher gain value as they are designed to capture the 
signals from longer distances. To achieve this, most of them are directional 
antennas that provide signals in a specified direction. 
Durability and Weather Resistance 
Indoor antennas are not made to resist different weather conditions, so they can't 
handle the physical stresses of wind, sun, and rain. They are lightweight and are 
not made up of UV-resistant or corrosion-resistant materials. If they are placed 
outside, they will degrade rapidly and will not be as durable as when they are kept 
indoors. For example indoor digital TV antenna.  
Outdoor antennas are designed to handle the harsh weather conditions, and they 
can function well in rain, sun, and wind. They are generally made up of fiberglass 
and stainless steel to resist vibration and impact. Outdoor antennas have a higher 
lifespan with occasional maintenance. For example outdoor TV antenna. 
Installation 
Indoor antennas are simple to install inside the building. They are ideally installed 
near the window and as high as possible to receive the smooth signals. Indoor 
antennas are widely seen in urban areas where signals are stronger and the outdoor 
installation is not feasible. They are well-suited for many purposes, like retail, 
logistics, healthcare tracking, and more. 
Outdoor antennas are difficult to install and usually need expert assistance. They 
are installed outside on the rooftop, mast, or attic. These are best suited for the 
areas where a stronger and more reliable signal is needed, like radar systems, radio 
astronomy, large-scale wifi, and more.  
Winding Up 
All in all, you need to consider various factors before making your choice for the 
right antenna. Both the indoor antenna and outdoor antenna are essential in 
different settings to ensure smooth signals and better wireless connectivity. The 
former is designed for use within four walls, while the latter is made for 
installation out in the open. You should select the right antenna on the basis of 
your unique set of needs. If you want to go for custom antenna designing, then it's 
best that you reach out to an custom antenna manufacturer around you.