You love listening to the radio, right? Okay, Spotify and podcasts are fun, but there's no reason why you wouldn't tune into your local radio stations now and again. So if the time has come for you to replace your car's radio antenna, we've got it covered. Our latest guide looks at the popular radio antenna choices for some cars, to help you choose the best aftermarket car antenna.
Solid performer
Short and sweet
Bullet-shaped
Stock alternative
Another strong choice
Rydonair Antenna Compatible with Jeep Wrangler JK JKU JL JLU Rubicon Sahara (2007-2020) | 13 inches Flexible Rubber Antenna Replacement | Designed for Optimized FM/AM Reception
Stubby Antenna for the MINI Cooper 2001-2020 | 4 inches by CravenSpeed
RONIN FACTORY Bullet Antenna for Dodge RAM & Ford F150 F250 F350 Super Duty Ford Raptor Trucks - Anti-Theft Design - Short Replacement Antenna 1997 - Current
AntennaMastsRus - Made In USA - 4 Inch Black Aluminum Antenna is Compatible with Ford F-150 (2009-2020)
RYDONAIR Antenna Compatible with Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra/Denali, 13 inches Flexible Rubber Antenna Replacement for All Chevy & GMC Trucks Model Years - Designed for Optimized FM/AM Reception
Jeep Wrangler; 2007 - 2020
MINI various models (2014 - 2020; check with seller)
Dodge Ram (1994 - 2019)/ Ford F-Series (1997 - 2019)
Chevrolet and GMC; Check with seller
We strive to always give you genuine, accurate information. To do this, all of mechanicguides.com reviews are based on market research, expert input, and practical experience. This knowledge comes from a team of automotive journalists and an independent mechanic, Steve "Whip" Whipple who has 11 years of experience in the auto industry. For more information, see here.
The 13-inch antenna from Rydonair is made for the Jeep Wrangler (compatibility details mentioned below). This works well as a stock replacement not only because of its comparatively better looks but also because it doesn't skimp on features. You've got weather-resistance, it's flexible so it won't break when bent (to a degree), and comes with a strong performance promise.
Comes with Aluminum base and brass stud
It's easy to install - you just need to screw it into the existing antenna mount, and voila, you get a better-looking replacement. It has an aluminum base, which performs better than plastic ones. The rubber jacket on the antenna protects it from a variety of weather conditions. Its stud is made of brass and thus not only helps in signal transmission but has some resistance to corrosion as well. And that's not all: there's also a carbon fiber column at the bottom. This adds to the look and helps hold the base and the antenna together.
Said to offer better performance than other aftermarket replacements (both short and rubber antennas), the Rydonair Antenna for Jeep Wrangler is a good choice. It is compatible with the Jeep Wrangler JK (previous generation), Wrangler JL (current one), and the new Jeep Gladiator truck. The compatible model years for the Jeep Wrangler are 2007 - 2020. If you don't have a Jeep, don't worry. Rydonair has antennas for a wide range of vehicles . We also talk about the Rydonair antenna for Chevrolet and GMC trucks later on in this review.
The seller offers a 1-year warranty on the product. If you have any concerns or queries, drop the seller a message before making the purchase. It's a very popular model and users have liked it. The reception itself (radio reception) is great, the installation is very easy, and it scores well in the looks department as well.
The CravenSpeed antenna for the MINI might not be a fashion accessory for a highly fashionable car, but it sure isn't a conventional-looking replacement. The short antenna is made out of billet aluminum, has corrosion-resistant threads, and is finished in a black powder coat that's bound to last a long time. That looks like a win-win scene since it's functional but looks great as well.
Works with the factory base
CravenSpeed maintains that the antenna is made to last forever and its textured finish won't fade, break, or chip. And it doesn't miss its primary objective - the reception is said to be good. It's easy to install - works with the factory base without an issue. And the best thing is that it works on a variety of models: the Countryman, Clubman Coupe, Cabriolet, and even the Roadster (remember that?).
It's a stylish short antenna that seems to work well. The added durability and long-lasting finish make this MINI antenna a worthy purchase. According to CravenSpeed, it's made for the MINI Cooper (various models) made during the model years 2014 - 2020. That compatibility is slightly different from what the listing suggests (2001 - 2020), so check with the seller before making the purchase. Like the previous Rydonair antenna, if you don't have a MINI, you're not out of luck. CravenSpeed offers their Stubby Antenna for a wide range of vehicles as well .
CravenSpeed very coolly mentions that for the warranty the 'time period is infinite'. But since the Amazon listing doesn't have any information on that, we'd suggest you check about this with the seller. The user response to the antenna has been great, with some appreciating not just the build but also the customer service. Some useful advice from a customer: be careful with the antenna in a car wash - it doesn't bend. A very few users have mentioned that they'd have liked the reception to be better.
The Ronin Factory Bullet Antenna is, as the name suggests, a bullet-shaped antenna. It's compatible with two rival truck brands and is backed by easy installation, among other useful features. The high-quality antenna also comes with the same dimensions as a real 50-caliber bullet mentions Ronin Factory. We'll leave it up to you to decide if this is amazing or just a little bit "too much" for your liking.
It's made of aluminum (6061 solid billet aluminum), has an anodized black finish (which won't chip or fade), and is car-wash safe. Its use won't affect XM, Bluetooth, or satellite radio. The only color it's available in is black. It looks good - even if you aren't too keen on the shape. The installation is said to be easy - it can be screwed in place of the existing antenna. The antenna comes with the necessary hardware required for installation - including Allen wrenches.
Its design might polarize people, but it's a high-quality product. It's said to be compatible with all 1994 - 2019 Dodge Ram trucks and 1997 - 2019 Ford F-Series trucks. In addition to that, Ronin Factory also mentions that the Dakota and Durango products that have hood-mounted antennas are compatible. On the Ford side of things, the F-150, F-250, F-250, Super Duty, and even the Raptor are compatible. And if you're disappointed that there isn't a bullet-shaped antenna for you, you might be wrong. Ronin Factory offers the antenna for other brands as well.
Drop the seller a message about compatibility - and don't forget to ask about the warranty, since the listing has no information about that. Users are largely happy with it, although some mention a loss in reception.
Made for the Ford F-150 (compatibility details below), the AntennaMastsRus is an inexpensive alternative to the stock antenna. It's available in a wide range of colors, and not just that, you can choose its material (aluminum, rubber, etc.), style (standard, bottle-opener, all-terrain), and even the length (starting from 4 inches and going all the way to 31 inches). The one we have here is a 4-inch aluminum model that's priced reasonably well and comes with a similar list of features to larger, more expensive units.
Peel-resistant coating
It's made from 6061 aluminum and is anodized for a long-lasting finish. The coating doesn't peel or flake and gives the antenna a nice, vivid metallic appearance. Having said that, the antenna might look cool but like most other smaller ones, it might offer a slightly lower performance in getting both AM and FM signals. Installation is simple and you can replace the existing factory antenna with this one with ease.
The reassuring thing about the antenna is that if you have issues in getting signals clearly, the brand offers hassle-free returns. There's no information about the warranty, so drop the seller a message about that and the returns policy as well. In terms of compatibility, the Amazon listing suggests the aluminum antenna fits the 2009 - 2020 Ford F-150 truck. Users have been largely positive about this.
The other Rydonair antenna on this list is made for the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Denali trucks. It comes with the promise of performing better than other low-profile antennas, for both FM and AM bands. There are two antenna lengths available - a 13-inch one and a longer 7-inch one. This is a 13-inch model and is said to enhance the looks of the truck along with offering a decent radio performance.
Withstands harsh weather
And that's not all, the Rydonair antenna comes with premium construction and outer material of rubber. That gives the antenna an ability to withstand harsh weather. It also aids the durability, along with making it flexible - it springs back to its original shape when bent. That means you don't have to worry too much about it bending and breaking. Having said that, it's not infinitely bendable, so don't use it as a catapult. The installation is said to be easy; you can use your existing antenna mounts and screw it on in seconds.
The Rydonair antenna is made for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500, and also the GMC Sierra/Denali. The listing suggests that all model years are compatible. So to make sure, ask the seller before making the purchase. Ask about the warranty as well, since the listing has no official information about that. Users have been happy with the antenna - in regards to the reception, styling, ease of installation, etc.
What is the best aftermarket antenna?
The thing about aftermarket car antennas is that it's not the easiest task to find the best balance between looks and reception. Some models offer amazing looks since they come in interesting shapes or are short/almost inconspicuous. On the other hand, some models exhibit great reception but are tall, and they end up looking a bit too noticeable for some people's liking. Keep in mind that if you don't have the spec'd vehicle for the antenna, most likely the brand has one for your vehicle too. You'll just have to do a little digging.
Our chosen one here, the Rydonair antenna (for Jeep) proves to be a good balance. It looks decent and also offers good reception as well. It's got a rubber jacket, has an aluminum base, and is made to withstand heavy weather. It's also bendable to a large extent, which ensures you are less likely to break it. There's another version available for Chevrolet vehicles as well.
Then there's the AntennaMastsRus antenna . It works well as a stock replacement, is available in a large variety of colors and shapes. The model we've chosen is made of aluminum and comes in a nice metallic finish as well. But if you're after more style, and have a stylish car like the MINI, the Cravenspeed antenna deserves your time and money. It's made for the MINI, replaces the standard antenna, looks good, is built well, and can be screwed on to the standard antenna slot. The bullet-shaped Ronin Factory antenna deserves a special mention. It's going to be polarizing because of its shape, but if style is all that matters to you, this could be the antenna for your vehicle. It replicates the looks of a real bullet and is compatible with both Ford and Dodge Ram trucks.
If you're looking for Hidden Car Radio Antennas, we have a guide for you too.
