ANT-CS8268 Antenna review: Don't trust the box

You might assume that all of the best TV antennas will more or less pick up the same number of channels and the same channel quality. But that isn't exactly the case: The Axevoi ANT-CS8268 is built to be the go-to option for cord-cutters who simply want great reception and don't want to think too hard about picking an antenna.

Just don't believe what it says on the box. This antenna is billed as offering a "3,200-plus-mile" reception range, which physically isn't possible because TV signals would be blocked by the actual curvature of the Earth. Maybe they mean square miles? It’s definitely not clear on the listings.

Setting aside the silly claims about range, is this antenna actually worth considering? Or should you go for a different model? I've been testing it to find out.

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ANT-CS8268 Antenna review: Price and availability

The ANT-CS8268 sells broadly across the major e-commerce platforms, and costs around $65 on Amazon, at least at the time of this writing. That puts it in the mid-range of pricing and above models from the likes of Channel Master, but well below premium VHF-focused outdoor models.

The antenna is widely available, so it shouldn't be hard to find if you're interested in buying it.

ANT-CS8268 Antenna review: Design and setup

The ANT-CS8268 is a flat panel made of ABS plastic, measuring 9.41 x 5.55 x 0.52 inches. It's thicker than the paper-thin antenna models that have become more popular over the past few years, like those from the likes of Channel Master, but it's still relatively thin.

The antenna has a little stand that pops out on the back of it, though I found it to be flimsy and difficult to keep in place. There are also small holes on the back of the antenna which you can use to mount it to a wall with nails or screws. Included in the box are both adhesive and drywall hooks and screws if you need them.

The antenna has a 4-meter coaxial cable that's fixed, so you can't remove it. If it breaks, you'll need to buy a new antenna altogether. That's a little disappointing. While I'm glad the cable is pretty long, fixed cables can make placement more complicated — not to mention the fact that they limit repairability.

Also in the box is the small amplifier, which is powered by a standard USB connection (use the USB port on the back of your TV if you have one available). The amplifier has a small switch on it for so-called short and long range amplification.

Setting it all up is extremely easy and took less than five minutes. Once you figure out where and how you want to place the antenna, you'll connect the amplifier to your TV through the coaxial port and the USB port for power. Then connect the antenna to the amplifier, scan for channels on your TV, and you should be good to go.

ANT-CS8268 Antenna review: Performance and reception

Okay, so the antenna certainly can't reach radios 3,200 miles away. But it does actually perform decently well, regardless. The ANT-CS8268 covers both VHF (170-240MHz) and UHF (470-860MHz) bands and it supports the major global terrestrial standards — ATSC, DVB-T/T2, ISDB-T, and DTMB.

I pulled in 90 channels with the antenna unamplified, 71 with the short-range amplifier setting, and 79 with the long-range option. The catch is that "channels picked up" and "channels worth watching" are not the same thing. A fair number of those 90 were too noisy to actually watch, and the count alone oversells what you're really getting. Around 40 of the channels it pulled were actually watchable – less than half.

For comparison, I tested the $35 Channel Master FLATenna 35 in the same spot. It pulled 83 channels, and I found it offered a higher-quality signal across the board.

In a typical suburban setup within about 25 miles of the towers, the ANT-CS8268 should reliably connect to a good 20 channels or so with enough signal strength to watch without too much distraction.

The amplifier is a double-edged sword. The 25dB inline amp is likely to improve weak-channel retention if you're in a fringe or rural area. But if you're close to the towers, leaving it on actively hurts your signal. Strong signals overload the amp and degrade the picture, so you have to manually toggle it off.

Placement, of course, matters a lot too, as it does with any indoor entry. It'll perform at its best near a window or at least mounted high on a wall. And, the signal can be degraded by obstacles, including things like concrete. Not only that, but if you're far enough away from towers, your signal could dramatically change depending on the weather.

Verdict

For an urban or suburban cord-cutter living within 15 to 25 miles of the towers, the ANT-CS8268 is a solid antenna. It looks nice enough, and performs decently well, and while I would have liked a removable cable, at least the fixed one is long enough for most.

Ultimately, in my specific area, the much cheaper Channel Master FLATenna 35 performed better, getting a higher quality signal much of the time. That doesn't necessarily mean that everyone will have the same experience, though, as things vary a lot depending on proximity to towers and the geography that your home is in.

Additionally, if you are willing to put something on the roof of your home, you might find that you can get something more powerful at a similar price, though that, of course, only covers the antenna itself and not the other wiring you'll need in your home. If you already have that infrastructure set up for a roof-mounted antenna, though, there are probably other options worth considering. If you’re willing to go all out, you could get an antenna like the Antop AT-800SBS HD Smart Panel Antenna, which we’ve found to be the best indoor/outdoor antenna, but comes at a higher price.