The Best USB TV Tuners

Watch free TV on your computer

By
David Beren
David Beren
Writer
  • Nova Southeastern University

David Beren is a former tech and commerce writer for Lifewire with 10+ years' experience. He has written and managed content for companies like T-Mobile, Sprint, and TracFone Wireless and contributor for sites like WebGeekStuff and MakeTechEasier.

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Updated on December 17, 2024

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Hauppauge TV tuner plugged into a computer.
Hauppauge TV tuner plugged into a computer. Photo:

Hauppauge

The best USB TV tuners allow you to watch television on your computer for free. You can easily watch TV on the go or bounce from room to room without missing a second of your favorite programs.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Hauppauge 1191 WinTV-HVR-955Q at Walmart $92
Jump to Review
Best for Tablets & Phones:
AllAboutAdapters Digital TV Tuner at Amazon $30
Jump to Review

Best Overall

Hauppauge 1191 WinTV-HVR-955Q

Hauppauge 1191 WinTV-HVR-955Q
PHOTO: Courtesy of Amazon
$92 at Walmart $89 at B&H Photo Video
Pros

  • Easy to install

  • Built-in recorder

Cons

  • Pricy

The Hauppauge WinTV HD TV Tuner is among the most popular on the market. It offers a suite of features to make watching and recording live TV easy. Installation is a breeze on any Windows laptop or desktop, and Hauppauge's tuning software, WinTV, is intuitive and easy to navigate. Thus, finding and recording programming requires no learning curve.

It records a program with the click of a mouse button and even allows you to watch another program while the first one records. The included antenna makes channel discovery as easy as possible, with onboard HDTV, analog, and QAM cable TV capabilities.

Once setup is complete, you can watch channels in a window for easy multitasking or full screen. The included WinTV application allows you to playback recorded programs.

Meanwhile, ATSC HDTV brings free over-the-air digital TV at 1080i resolution on any PC screen on any of its 1,500 available TV stations broadcast in 200 cities nationwide.

Best for Tablets & Phones

AllAboutAdapters Digital TV Tuner

AllAboutAdapters USB Digital ATSC Clear QAM TV Tuner
PHOTO: Amazon
$30 at Amazon
Pros

  • Quick setup

  • Included antenna works well

  • Priced right

Cons

  • Mixed user reviews about software stability

  • Must have a disc drive to install the software

The AllAboutAdapters USB Digital ATSC Clear QAM TV tuner is a budget-friendly option for cord-cutters looking for a quick and easy way to get up and running with free TV programming.

The USB-based ATSC SD/HD TV tuner connects to Windows laptops and desktop PCs and offers free over-the-air digital programming across North America.

The ClearQAM tuner can decode unencrypted QAM channels and offers local broadcast stations, public-access channels, or private QAM channels. While the price is wallet-friendly, the TV tuner has closed captions, electronic programming, pauses, rewinds, fast-forwards, and skipping commercials.

The TV tuner directly supports burn-to-disc and offers the option to record instantly in real time or schedule recordings in advance. Its output is 1080p Full HD.

FAQ
  • How do USB digital TV tuners work?

    USB TV tuners act as antennas for your monitor, PC, or laptop, letting you watch free TV channels on devices even if you don't have a cable provider. Getting it to work is pretty simple; you only need to plug it into a USB port.

  • Can you use a USB TV tuner with a monitor?

    Unfortunately, using a TV tuner without a monitor is impossible. A TV tuner isn't a streaming device like a Chromecast. Even if your monitor has a USB port, you'll still need to put your laptop or PC to make it work.

  • What USB TV tuners work with NextPVR?

    NextPVR is a personal video recorder program for Windows, Linux, and Mac. It allows you to watch and record live TV. If you want to use it with a USB TV tuner, it's just a matter of getting it properly installed and configured and then using the TV tuner you choose. If your USB TV tuner works with your laptop or PC, it should work alright with NextPVR.

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