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ClearStream Eclipse Antenna Review
A simple antenna that doesn’t skimp on performance
By Jonno Hill Jonno Hill Writer Concordia University Jonno Hill is a writer who covers tech such as computers, gaming equipment, and cameras for Lifewire and publications including AskMen.com and PCMag.com. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on April 23, 2020 Tweet Share Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. 4.4 Clearstream ECLIPSE
Lifewire / Jonno Hill What We Like Simple design Great performance Less clutter What We Don't Like Can’t stand on its own Limited range The ClearStream Eclipse is a simple, easy-to-use indoor antenna that outperforms some of the competition for less money. View On Amazon View On EBay 4.4 Clearstream ECLIPSE
Lifewire / Jonno Hill View On Amazon View On EBay in this article Expand Design Setup Performance Range Price Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased the ClearStream Eclipse so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review. The ClearStream Eclipse is a very simple HDTV antenna suitable for use indoors and mostly in metropolitan areas. There are a dizzying amount of options to choose from in this best TV antenna space, but this antenna caught my attention by managing to acquire more channels in our signal test despite not requiring an external power source. Lifewire / Jonno Hill Design Inoffensive but unexceptional
The ClearStream Eclipse Antenna isn’t the most beautiful piece of hardware to ever grace my living room, but it’s inoffensive enough to not really be an issue. The antenna has a thin, flat, disc shape that is black on one side and white on the other. It is designed to be placed directly onto a flat surface, but you will probably be able to get away with a lot of different orientations depending on how close you are to the signal source. Setup Simple and easy
The ClearStream Eclipse Antenna has the simplest setup of all the HDTV antennas I’ve tested. There is no mounting hardware, no power adapter, and nothing else to worry about. The antenna comes with a strip of adhesive that can be used to affix it directly to a wall or other preferred surface. The ClearStream Eclipse Antenna had the best results of any unpowered antenna, even beating out a few of the powered ones. Luckily the ClearStream Eclipse Antenna comes with a 12ft coaxial cable, so next simply attach the cable to both the antenna and your TV. Make sure to run a channel scan first for best results. Performance Above average
I’ve tested a lot of similar antennas recently, and the ClearStream Eclipse Antenna had the best results of any unpowered antenna, even beating out a few of the powered ones. From my apartment, I was able to get acquire an average of 65 channels across all my tests. For reference, the worst-performing antenna found just 47, and the best, 76. Range Fair to middling
Antenna’s Direct rates the ClearStream Eclipse Antenna for up to 35 miles of range, although I’ve seen reports of people getting good results from further, or having trouble from much closer. My apartment is well within the supported range, so my sentiments reflect its use in city settings more than suburbs or exurbs. Lifewire / Jonno Hill Price Not bad for the performance
The ClearStream Eclipse Antenna lands at an MSRP of $40, putting it towards the high end of the price spectrum, especially where non-powered antennas are concerned. It did do one of the best jobs of supporting as many channels as possible, so the price is somewhat justified. Then again, every single one of the indoor antennas I’ve tested was able to handle the major network channels clearly and without issue, so a high channel number might not mean more than peace of mind in practical terms. ClearStream Eclipse Antenna vs Winegard FL5500A FlatWave Antenna
If my testing is any indication of broader performance, there is really no reason to get the Winegard FL5500A FlatWave Antenna instead of the ClearStream Eclipse. The Eclipse is over $10 cheaper ($40 vs $52), and managed to support 8 more channels on average. To add insult to injury, the Winegard FL5500A FlatWave Antenna is amplified using a USB power adapter, which adds a bit of clutter and complication to the overall setup. Final Verdict The best unpowered indoor antenna. The ClearStream Eclipse is one of the best options for buyers looking for a new indoor antenna. It performed better than a lot of the competition, despite being far simpler. Budget shoppers have other cheaper options to consider, but this one is perhaps the best combination of price, performance, and ease-of-use. Specs
Product Name ECLIPSE Product Brand Clearstream Price $40.00 Release Date June 2016 Weight 4 oz. Color Black Powered No Range 35 miles Warranty Lifetime parts Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Expert Tested: The 5 Best TV Antennas of 2022 All About Over-The-Air Antennas (OTA) Winegard FL5500A FlatWave Antenna Review: Decent Performance But Out Of Touch Pricing How to Choose an Outdoor Antenna The 7 Best Walmart TV Antennas of 2022 The 7 Best Attic Antennas of 2022 ClearStream 2V Indoor/Outdoor HDTV Antenna Review: Great Performance In An Unsightly Package Mohu Leaf 30 TV Antenna Review: A Good Combination Of Price And Performance How to Choose and Use the Best Over-the-Air Antenna for HDTV How to Improve Your Antenna for Better TV Reception SureCall Fusion4Home Yagi/Whip Kit Review: A Decent Booster For Medium-Sized Spaces HP Spectre x360 15t Touch Laptop Review: Fantastic Performance and an Attractive Design Get Better Wi-Fi: Here's The Best Place for Your Wireless Router Netgear Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Router Review: Blazing Fast Wi-Fi Speeds Mohu Blade TV Antenna Review: A Unique Design And Good Indoor Performance 1byone Digital Amplified Indoor HD TV Antenna Review: The Indoor Antenna Budget King Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies