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Mohu Leaf

*Est. $40

Reviewed

November 2012

by ConsumerSearch

Best indoor UHF TV antenna

Pros

Relatively attractive and easy to hide
Decent effective range
Doesn't require frequent repositioning

Cons

Might not work better than other, cheaper antennas
Not a great performer for VHF channels

Where to Buy

for $38.71

Our Analysis
Specs
3,567 Amazon Reviews

Bottom Line

The paper-thin, easy-to-hide Mohu Leaf will deliver powerful digital TV signals to your set without overpowering your room.

Performance

The Mohu Leaf delivers what it promises. Since the earliest days of TV, the marketing of "gimmick" TV antennas has been far more based on fantasy than on actual performance. Maybe that's why some are truly shocked that the paper-thin Mohu Leaf actually does what it's intended to. The company says this antenna is designed for UHF channels primarily, but can receive VHF channels in areas where signal strength is high, and that's confirmed in reviews. The omnidirectional design means you can just put it in place and forget it. A version that includes a signal amplifier is available, as well, although reviewers question whether the slightly increased performance of the Leaf Plus (*Est. $75) is worth its higher cost.

Aesthetics

Disappearing act. Its super-thin depth makes it easier for the Mohu Leaf to blend into a typical room than most other DTV antennas. One side is black, the other is white, and you can show off the side that better fits your décor. The alternative is to hide it behind your TV, which is what several reviewers do. But there's a caveat: Although the Leaf seems less placement-sensitive than some DTV antennas, the short 6-foot cord somewhat limits your options. If that's a problem, you can extend the cord yourself easily enough, or spend an extra $10 for the Leaf Ltd. (*Est. $40), which has a 16-foot cable and adds a molded stand to the basic Leaf antenna.

Value

Good performer, but cheaper antennas might perform just as well. Reviews say the Mohu Leaf largely delivers what it promises, especially for UHF reception. However, whether it performs better than some cheaper antennas like the RadioShack Budget TV Antenna (*Est. $15) is more a factor of where you live relative to your TV broadcasters than anything else. If some stations in your area still use VHF, other antennas -- including that budget RadioShack model -- might be better choices. That said, the more unobtrusive design of the Leaf might make its price premium worthwhile to some.

Mohu Leaf Paper-Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna - Made in USA

from Amazon.com

New: $49.99 $38.35

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Leaf Plus Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna

from Amazon.com

New: $90.36 $47.00

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

Mohu Leaf Paper-Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna - Made in USA

(3,567 reviews)
Buy new: $49.99 $37.75 38 Used & new from $28.02

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Our Sources

1. HDTVExpert.com

Review Credibility: Excellent Currently, no expert reviewer spends more time delving into the performance of indoor DTV antennas than Putman. In this face-off -- the third he has run and re-run in 2012 -- he puts six models through their paces and thoroughly documents the results. After all is said and done, the Mohu Leaf gets the edge: It's small, good-looking (relatively speaking) and a reliable performer when used in a number of locations.

Review: Indoor DTV Antennas -- The Third Time's the Charm, Pete Putman, July 31, 2012

2. HomeTheaterReview.com

Review Credibility: Excellent This review covers the Leaf Ltd. -- which adds a molded stand and a 16-foot cable to the basic Mohu Leaf -- and the Leaf Plus, a version of the antenna that adds a signal amplifier. Maxwell tests them in a couple of locations in her home, and both perform reasonably well. However, the Leaf Ltd. gets top billing, at least for those who live no more than 35 miles from TV transmitters.

Review: Mohu Leaf Ltd. Indoor HDTV Antenna Reviewed, Adrienne Maxwell, Sept. 18, 2012

3. TechHive.com

Review Credibility: Excellent The Mohu Leaf doesn't quite win the performance crown in this head-to-head comparison of five indoor antennas. However, Albro calls it the "best choice if you care about how your living room looks," and it performs well enough to finish in second overall.

Review: Kiss Your Cable Bill Goodbye With These HDTV Antennas, Edward N. Albro, Dec. 19, 2011

4. TechNewsDaily.com

Review Credibility: Very Good While this review is longer on background on the Mohu Leaf than on actual testing, the antenna does get put through its paces. Murphy can pull in 50 stations at her New York location, and she appreciates that the Leaf needs no repositioning.

Review: Review: Why New Mohu Leaf Antenna Is Worth the Hype, Samantha Murphy, Nov. 15, 2011

5. About.com

Review Credibility: Very Good Like the review at TechNewsDaily.com, this one spends a lot of time on the whys and wherefores of the Mohu Leaf before addressing how the antenna performs. Goldberg admits that his "ideal" location relative to the TV transmitters in New York City make a full evaluation a bit unfair, but the antenna does work very well. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Review: Hands-On Review: Mohu Leaf HDTV Antenna, Ron Goldberg, Not Dated

6. Amazon.com

Review Credibility: Very Good More than 1,725 owners post opinions of the Mohu Leaf, and it earns 4.2 stars out of 5. While most enthusiastically praise the antenna, there are a fair number of disappointed buyers, many foiled by the geography of where they live. Others say the Leaf works, but not any better than other antennas.

Review: Paper Thin Leaf Indoor HDTV Antenna, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of November 2012

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