3 Best Helium Antennas in 2023 Reviewed

 

Are you looking for the best helium antenna in 2023? If so, you're in the right place. These antennas continue to rise in popularity because of their low-cost, easy installation, and high speeds. 

However, finding the right one for your home or office isn't so easy. We've done the busy work for you and narrowed the competition to the best three around. 

In this guide, we'll look at our top three picks: the Panorama B4be-Helium, Sirio SCO-868-6, and PanoramaHS6E Helium Antenna. Then, we'll offer recommendations on things to know before buying a helium antenna, as well as the different types of antennas available to you. 

Let's dive in!

 

PANORAMA B4BE-HELIUM - Best Compact Discrete Design 

The Panorama B4be Helium is best known for its compact design and easy installation. This is an omnidirectional antenna with 2 dBi gain. You can expect the Panorama B4be to cover a wide frequency range of 698-960 MHz. 

The mounting brackets are discrete, allowing users to easily install using the included screws and wall plugs. For mast mounting, you will need a pipe clip or cable ties (not included). And the omnidirectional broadband antenna allows for easy placement in an elevated position so users can start receiving signals from all directions.

Have we mentioned the Panorama B4be is budget-friendly? 

Sold at a great price, you won't break the bank investing in this helium antenna. It's great for commercial or domestic use and can be installed either indoors or outdoors. It's also compatible with 2G, 3G, or 4G cellular modems, routers, and Machine to Machine (M2M) wireless connectivity applications. 

 

Verdict 

This antenna offers the best compact and discrete design. Don’t be put off by the low dBi, this is a high quality antenna and will work well for most set-up’s. It will also handle the most power of the antennas we have recommended which will compensate for the low dBi.  This wallet-friendly antenna can be installed indoors or outdoors. 

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SIRIO SCO-868-6 - Best Performance 

Sirio is a well-known name in the antenna world. Operating since 1972, they've scaled up their business throughout the years and now bring us the Sirio SCO-868-6, which offers the highest performance of our top 3 rated antennas. 

It's an omnidirectional helium antenna with linear vertical polarisation. It tunes to a frequency range of 868-870 MHz which is excellent if you're operating your Hotspot in Europe. It offers a high gain so that you are sure to reach long-distance Hotspot locations.

Moreover, this antenna can be mounted on the wall (screws not included) or, if preferred, mast installed (mast not supplied). Place the antenna at the highest vertical point possible for best results, preferably near a place with little to no obstruction.

 

Verdict 

You can't go wrong with this industry-leading helium antenna. Everything from the choice of materials and how the mount is engineered to its gain and frequency make this high-performance antenna worth buying. And, while it's a bit more expensive than the Panorama, you'll notice the improved performance is well worth the extra money. 

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Panorama HS6E HELIUM - Most Durable 

If durability is at the top of your list, look no further than the HS6E Helium antenna. 

Made from stainless steel and GRP, you can expect a product that'll last you for years to come. Not only does it score highest on this list when it comes to durability, but the HS6E is also easy to mount and offers great performance with high speeds.

You can easily mount this antenna using the wall mount brackets which are included. It offers a high 6 dBi gain with omnidirectional performance and high connection rates even in low coverage areas. And thanks to the light but robust duty base station, this antenna decreases the lifetime cost of M2M and LoRa applications. 

 

Verdict 

Not only does the HS6E helium antenna offer simple installation, but it's extremely durable. It's worth noting that you'll spend a little more on this antenna than you would for the others mentioned in this guide. It's made with durable stainless steel and GRP, so you can expect it to last you an extremely long time.

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What You Should Know Before Buying a Helium Antenna 

You need to consider a few things before you purchase a helium antenna. 

For example, picking out the right helium antenna can be difficult because you first need to determine what type of coverage area you live in. This will affect the signal reception. 

Factors that affect the strength and signal you'll get in a specific location include: 

• How high off the ground you install your antenna

• The type of building materials used in your home

• The number of broadcast towers from your location

• The directionality of broadcast towers from your location 

Knowing this information will help you determine what type of coverage area you require.

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Helium Antenna

Location: Where do you plan to mount?

The location of your helium antenna mainly depends on where you're able to place it. You want to put it at the highest vertical point possible. 

If you live in a house located in a suburban community, place it in your attic or, better yet, your roof. If you live in a flat or multi-purpose building, put it on or near a window with a clear view (no obstructions like trees or other structures). 

Gain: Do I need a high gain antenna?

Antenna gain refers to the ability of an antenna to radiate in any direction. It describes how much power is transmitted in any direction. The higher the dBi number, the higher the gain. 

This isn't to say you should go with the antenna that offers the most gain. It really just depends on where you live.

Also do not always trust the dBI gain that is being reported on the antenna.  Make sure that you are purchasing from a reliable and reputable supplier/manufacturer.

Lower gain is fine in flat terrain.  For example, let's say you live someplace where the land is flat. There are no buildings around you or any trees that obstruct your view. In this case, you can go with a low gain helium antenna that has anywhere from 2 to 4 dBi. 

Now, if you live somewhere with many trees, mountains, or high buildings, a 4-6 dBi will be a better fit. 

When it comes to an antenna for your helium, you don't need anything more than 6-8 dBi. 

Frequency: Where are your hotspots located?

It would be best if you choose an antenna that's compatible with your Helium network. This is determined by geography. 

For example, if you live in the UK, the network operates in the 869 MHz band. If you live in the USA or Canada, the network operates in the 915 Mhz band.

Therefore, depending on where your hotspots are located, you'll need an antenna that covers the right band. Many antennas like the Panorama B4be-Helium will cover the 869 and 915 MHz bands.

Here's a quick cheat sheet when it comes to frequencies in some parts of the world: 

• Europe: 868 MHz

• USA and Canada: 915 MHz

• China: 470 MHz

• Australia and New Zealand: 915 MHz

Omni and Directional Patterns: Which is best for you?

Directional antennas focus on transmitting power in one sole direction, while omnidirectional points signals in all directions. The benefit of a directional pattern is that it requires less transmitting power to achieve a good signal over great distances. The downfall? It requires a clear view of the sight for best results.

Omni-directional antennas hold the benefit that they direct signals everywhere with equal strength throughout 360 degrees. This makes them easier to install and you can place them anywhere (for best results place it at the highest vertical point possible). The downfall of these antennas is that they have a low gain compared to a directional antenna with a high gain. 

If you're looking for coverage from all directions, go with an omnidirectional antenna. If you need coverage from one particular direction, go with a directional antenna. Just keep in mind that directional antennas are more powerful but can be inconvenient in some situations because they only point in one direction.

Budget: How much are you willing to spend?

You can expect to pay anywhere from £30 to £200 when it comes to a helium antenna. The price tag reflects the different features in an antenna. For example, if it's designed for indoors/outdoors or if it's directional/omnidirectional. 

Different Types of Helium Antennas 

Users need to understand which of the following antennas are best suited for them: indoor or outdoor. 

Neither indoor antennas nor outdoor antennas mine better than the other. It just depends on what you need. 

Indoor Antennas

Indoor antennas are typically cheaper, safer to use, and require less wiring than outdoor solutions. For mining, many prefer indoor antennas because of their convenience. As long as you place it in a spot with a minimal obstruction like a window, you should be good to go. 

Outdoor Antennas 

Placing an antenna outdoors reduces barriers; however, you need to be sure you're mounting it properly to get the most out of it. Otherwise, you're missing out and leaving money on the table due to poor placement. Some people like to keep the hotspot indoors and then draw the antenna cable outside to increase the position.

If you choose to go with an outdoor antenna for helium mining, consider placing it on your roof or outside a window. Also, go with an industrial-grade antenna that is all-weather resistant and built to withstand the toughest conditions. 

The Takeaway

Helium hotspot networks continue to rise in popularity paving the way for helium antennas. If you're in the market for one, you know what to look for. 

First, decide if you want an indoor or outdoor antenna. An outdoor one will give you the best signal as long as it's installed properly, but an indoor one will be less expensive, safer, and easier to install. 

Then, figure out how much money you're willing to spend and where your hotspots are located. Keeping budget, location, gain, frequency, and pattern in mind will help you narrow down your selection, landing you the right helium antenna for your home.

If you're looking for a discrete, low-budget antenna that you can place either indoors or outdoors, go with the Panorama B4be-Helium. You'll enjoy the easy mounting and unobtrusive design paired with an amazing price.

For the highest performance omnidirectional antenna, consider the SIRIO SCO-868-6. It can be wall or mast mounted and features a high gain. 

And finally, if durability is at the top of your list, you can't go wrong with the HS6E HELIUM which is made from stainless steel and GRP.