The 6 Best Cable Amplifiers
Updated by · How we research
Cable drop amps rarely speed up internet, and some weaken uploads. Six compared on gain, outputs and modem ports; the Antronix MRA4-8 leads for four TVs. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A plain four-way splitter costs about 7 decibels, and a cable drop amp makes up for that loss and for long coax runs, so every TV in the house gets a clean picture. It can't fix a noisy line from your provider, though, and on a line that's already strong, too much gain can overload a TV or cable box.
From the manual
- Antronix's five-year warranty applies to the amplifier only. pp. 1, 3
- Power comes from the supplied 12-volt adapter, or over a TV line through an optional ARPI-2000 inserter; /ACP kits include one. p. 3
- Built for indoor or outdoor mounting, with sealed brass ports and a working range of minus 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. pp. 1, 3
- All ports face one way, so it fits a cable company's outdoor box with the cables hanging down. p. 1
Why the Antronix MRA4-8 is our top pick
For TVs, our pick adds real signal where the runner-up only breaks even. Each of its four outputs is rated at plus 7.5 decibels from 52 to 1,002 MHz,1 while our runner-up, the Antronix VRA900B, is rated at about 0 decibels on each of its eight.2 Used in place of a four-way splitter, it gives every TV more signal than reaches the wall, not just the same. Its noise figure is under 3 decibels against the runner-up's 7,1,2 so it adds less noise to weak channels, and its data sheet carries a five-year warranty on the amp.1
The trade-off is the upload. Our pick doesn't amplify the modem's 5 to 42 MHz band and can lose up to 8.3 decibels there,1 so the modem belongs on its own split ahead of the amp, as Speedguide advises.3 The runner-up amplifies uploads back to unity on all eight outputs and adds a passive VoIP port that keeps a modem or phone adapter connected when the power fails.2
So our pick suits homes where the TVs need the help and the modem can sit before the amp. If a modem or voice line must run through the amp, or you need more than four outputs, the runner-up is the safer choice.
| Antronix MRA4-8 | Antronix VRA900B | |
|---|---|---|
| TV gain per output | +7.5 dB nominal | 0 dB, ±1 |
| Noise figure | Under 3 dB | 7 dB |
| Upload path | Loses up to 8.3 dB | Unity, 0 dB ±1 |
| Passive modem port | None | Yes, about 4 dB loss |
| Warranty on the data sheet | 5 years, amp only | Not stated |
Sources
- Antronix MRA4-8 1MRA series data sheet (PDF), pp. 2, 3
- Antronix VRA900B 2Data sheet, December 2011 (PDF, archived), pp. 1–2, 2
- 3Speedguide: Should I use a cable amplifier?
From the manual
- The VoIP port is passive, losing about 4 decibels, so a modem or phone adapter there stays connected when the power fails. pp. 1-2
- Power comes from a 12-volt adapter; an optional ARPI-2000 inserter can feed it over a coax line instead. p. 1
Compare the specs
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Product | TV outputs | TV gain (dB) | Upload path (dB) | Top frequency (MHz) | Passive modem port | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Antronix MRA4-8 | 4 | +7.5 nominal | −8.3 max loss | 1,002 | No | 5 years, amp only |
| 2. Antronix VRA900B | 8 | 0 ±1 | 0 ±1, amplified | 1,002 | Yes, 4 dB loss | — |
| 3. PCT-VC-5U | 4 | +0.5 typical | +0.5 typical | 1,002 | Yes, 4.8 dB loss | — |
| 4. Antronix MRA1-15 | 1 | +14.5 nominal | −1.2 max loss | 1,002 | No | 5 years, amp only |
| 5. Arris BDA-42-4-AR-R | 4 | +7.5 nominal | +2.5 nominal | 1,000 | No | — |
| 6. Antennas Direct JUICE4 | 4 | +8.5 (7 above 1 GHz) | −7.8 typical loss | 1,220 | No | 90 days |
Gains are each maker's nominal or typical figure per TV output; a minus sign on the upload path means loss. The modem port's loss applies with or without power. Warranty shows only where the maker's own document states it.
Sources
From the manual
- PCT reserves the modem port for the modem or phone adapter carrying voice; it's passive, with about 4.8 decibels of loss. p. 1; data sheet, p. 2
- The PCT-MPI-1G power inserter isn't included; you need it only to power the amp over a TV line. p. 1
From the manual
- The /ACP kit adds a power inserter, so the amp can sit at the cable entry and draw power from a TV room. p. 3
- Every RF port and the adapter are rated for a 6 kV surge, and the five-year warranty covers the amplifier only. pp. 1, 3
From the manual
- Arris says to mount it as close to the cable entrance as possible; an optional BDP-100/PI inserter powers it from a TV room. p. 6
- Cap every unused output with a 75-ohm terminator, and check that the LED lights to confirm it has power. p. 5
- Heat shortens its life, so Arris asks for airflow around it when it's mounted inside a cabinet or closed box. p. 5
- The active-return model runs on an 18-volt supply and draws up to 9 watts. data sheet, p. 4
From the manual
- Sealed against dust and splashes, yet the sheet warns against direct rain; the maker suggests outdoor use only under an eave. instruction sheet; product page
- The included power supply is for indoor use only. instruction sheet
- The 90-day warranty needs proof of purchase from an authorized dealer and doesn't cover removal or reinstallation costs. instruction sheet
Editor's Notes
November 4, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
We read the makers' data sheets or spec pages for all six picks, plus the installation guides for the PCT and Arris amps, and added a spec table, a section on why the MRA4-8 leads, and notes from those documents. The gain figures now follow the data sheets, so the MRA4-8 and MRA1-15 read 7.5 and 14.5 decibels, and the JUICE4's published boost and upload loss replace our line that its label gave neither.
October 15, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
The Antronix MRA4-8 now comes first. It takes the place of a four-way splitter and gives each TV a little more signal than reaches the wall. Much of the 2021 version no longer held up. The Channel Master CM-3412, PCT-MA2-2P and Antennas Direct CDA4 aren't available anymore, and we couldn't find a current listing for the AllAboutAdapters RFMP-W50, a 50-decibel unit built for apartment buildings anyway. The PCT VC-9U is still around, but its price has climbed to several times what it was, and the Antronix VRA900B does the same job with eight unity-gain outputs and a modem port. We added that one, the Antronix MRA4-8, the PCT-VC-5U and the Antennas Direct JUICE4, and kept the Antronix MRA1-15 and the Arris BDA-42-4-AR-R.
We also corrected a claim the old page made: these amps rarely improve internet. Most pass the upload signal without boosting it, and some cut it.
Earlier notes
July 2, 2021, by Christopher Thomas:
We made three additions this time around, and one of them should satisfy just about any needs. The PCT VC-9U is ideal for homes with multiple devices to connect, while the Antronix MRA1-15 is perfect for those with just a single cable box and TV to hook up. At the other end of the spectrum and meant for more large-scale setups, the AllAboutAdapters RFMP-W50 has the power to overcome all the passive signal drain from multi-unit buildings.
February 8, 2020, by Kaivaan Kermani:
Firstly, you need to ensure that any amplifier is bi-directional, meaning that it supports both the upstream frequency band (~54-1000Mhz) and return frequency band (~5-42Mhz). [2026 update: the 54-1000 MHz band is the downstream, or forward, band that carries TV into the house; the upstream is the 5-42 MHz return band that carries uploads, and passive return amps boost only the forward band.] Aside from the fact that cheaper models like the 1byOne High Gain 0570, which I had to remove are often built poorly and can end up adding a lot of noise to your TV signal, they are also only made for signal-boosting antennas and satellites, and are incompatible with cable services, since they don’t support the return frequency band that is essential to using a cable box. So, in place of the 1byOne model, I’ve introduced the Channel Master CM-3410 Mini, which is an ultra-small, single-output PR (Passive Return) bi-directional model.
Secondly, this list had only PR bi-directional models, which means that the amplification only occurs on the upstream. These models are the most commonly-sold type, and they’re what you’d be looking for to boost your TV signal. However, an AR (Active Return) bi-directional model, which amplifies both the upstream and return bands, may be useful in certain situations, like when your home has multiple TV systems and you find that you’re having problems with DVR or accessing certain features from your cable provider. I’ve therefore swapped out some of the old PR amplifiers and added some newer options like the PCT-MA2-2P and Antennas Direct CDA4, and I’ve also included the compact PCT MA-B1015 as an AR amplifier. Do note however that AR amplifiers are not designed to be used with satellites and antennas, as they can end up blocking the signal.
While it’s alright to go amplifier shopping if you’re versed with technicalities of the subject, if you’re inexperienced then my honest advice would be to contact your cable company regarding any signal quality issues, as they will help diagnose your issues and recommend the right amplifier for your needs. You may, for instance, only be experiencing issues with your channels at higher frequencies, because of long cables - a situation which would call for a tilt amplifier, not a PR amplifier. You also need a decibel level that is relatively close to the signal strength of your incoming cable signal in order to avoid further distortion, but most high-quality models like the ones we recommend should be fine.
Ironically, passive return amplifiers with multiple ports significantly increase return signal losses, which almost makes it better to use active returns in these situations, provided you aren’t hooking up to an antenna or dish system. If you have a large multi-port PR device, and you find that your ability to access cable features is slow or your DVR is lagging, then you may need to swap out your passive for an AR model like Arris 4-Port and use an additional coax splitter if necessary.
How Much Signal Do You Need?
Long runs of coax lose more, especially at the top of the band.
Every time you split a cable line, each branch loses signal. Pick My Modem puts the loss at about 3.5 decibels for a two-way splitter, 7 for a four-way and 11 for an eight-way. Long runs of coax lose more, especially at the top of the band. A drop amp sits where the cable enters the house, before any splitting, and makes up that loss.
There are two kinds. Unity-gain amps, like the Antronix VRA900B and PCT-VC-5U, are rated at about 0 decibels on every output: each room gets about what arrives at the house, as if there were no splitter at all. Amps with real gain, like the Antronix MRA4-8 (about plus 7.5 on each output) and MRA1-15 (about plus 14.5), add signal on top of that. More isn't always better. Too much gain on a strong line can overload a TV or cable box, so pick the smallest amp that covers your splits.
An amp only boosts what it receives, noise included. If the picture breaks up because the signal arriving at the house is poor, ask your provider to check the line first, as Speedguide advises. For an over-the-air antenna instead of cable, see our TV antenna amplifier picks.
Will An Amplifier Help Your Internet?
Usually not. A cable modem's upload travels the other way, in the 5 to 42 MHz return band. Most drop amps pass that band without amplifying it, and some cut it: the MRA4-8's data sheet allows up to 8.3 decibels of loss there. Amps also add noise. Speedguide recommends leaving a working modem alone and, if you add an amp, splitting the modem off before it so the amp only feeds TVs. Bypass amps like the VRA900B and PCT-VC-5U do this for you with a passive modem port, which keeps passing signal during a power cut, as Pick My Modem explains.
Active-return amps, like the Arris BDA-42-4-AR-R, do boost the upload. That can help a modem that's straining to reach the provider, but it can hurt one that isn't. Check the signal levels on your modem's status page and ask your provider before you install one.
Cable networks are also changing. Ron Hranac, an SCTE Fellow who was then a technical marketing engineer at Cisco, explained in SCTE's Broadband Library in February 2020 that today's mid-split plan carries uploads from 5 to 85 MHz and high-split from 5 to 204 MHz, and that some networks are now designed to reach 1.2 GHz or higher. Every amp here has its filters set for a 42 MHz return, and most stop near 1 GHz, so check with your provider before installing one, especially after a service upgrade.
MoCA, Grounding And Safety
MoCA adapters send home networking over the same coax at frequencies up to about 1,675 MHz, according to HomeTechOps. Gear rated only to about 1 GHz can block that, and so can an amp's gain stage. Matthew Shapson, director of marketing at Amphenol Broadband Solutions and a patent holder who has worked on its amplifier and passive lines, wrote in SCTE's Broadband Library in August 2018 that in house amps, MoCA signals "get eaten alive when they hit the active gain stage." The sellers of the VRA900B and PCT-VC-5U say those models aren't MoCA compatible. If you use MoCA, look for an amp built with a MoCA path, such as Antronix's MVRA902B or the MoCA bypass models in PCT International's range, and fit a point-of-entry (POE) filter where the cable enters the house to keep the MoCA signal inside.
Most drop amps have a ground screw. Bond it to the same ground as the cable line's entry, and cap unused ports with the terminators that come in most kits. These amps need a wall outlet for their power adapter, and none is built for satellite systems, which use frequencies above these amps' range.
How we researched this
We compared 15 cable and coax amplifiers, then read the makers' documents for the six picks: Antronix's MRA series data sheet (MRA4-8 and MRA1-15) and VRA900B data sheet, PCT's bypass amplifier data sheet and installation guide, Arris's BDA data sheet and installation instructions, and Antennas Direct's JUICE4 spec page and instruction sheet. Speedguide and Pick My Modem shaped the advice on modems and splitter loss, and SCTE Broadband Library articles by Ron Hranac and Matthew Shapson informed the sections on upload bands and MoCA. Searches of the CPSC and Health Canada recall databases on November 4, 2026, found no recalls for Antronix, PCT, Arris or Antennas Direct.
Sources (17)
- Speedguide: Should I use a cable amplifier?
- Pick My Modem: cable modem and TV signal amplifiers
- Ron Hranac, SCTE Broadband Library: Understanding band splits in two-way networks (2020)
- Matthew Shapson, SCTE Broadband Library: MoCA changing CPE installations (2018)
- HomeTechOps: MoCA Ethernet over coax setup
- Antronix: MRA series (MRA1-15, MRA4-8) data sheet (PDF)
- Antronix: VRA900B data sheet, 2011 (PDF, archived)
- Antronix: MVRA902B MoCA VoIP amplifier data sheet (PDF)
- PCT International amplifiers
- PCT International: bypass amplifiers data sheet (PDF, archived)
- PCT International: PCT-VC-xP / xU installation guide (PDF)
- Arris: BDA drop amplifier data sheet, 2016 (PDF, archived)
- Arris: BDA installation instructions (PDF)
- Antennas Direct: JUICE4 product page
- Antennas Direct: JUICE4 instruction sheet (PDF)
- CPSC recalls
- Health Canada recalls and safety alerts
Frequently asked questions
Will a cable amplifier speed up my internet?
Usually not. Most amps don't boost the upload band, and they add noise. Keep the modem on its own split before the amp, or on a bypass amp's modem port, and ask your provider to check a weak line.
What's the difference between passive and active return?
A passive return amp lets the 5 to 42 MHz upload signal through without amplifying it, often with some loss. An active return amp boosts it, which can help a weak modem but can also push noise upstream.
What does unity gain mean?
A unity-gain amp is rated at 0 decibels on each output. It cancels the splitter's loss so every room gets about what arrives at the house, but it doesn't add signal.
Where should I install a cable amplifier?
Where the cable enters the house, before any splitters, with the modem split off first or on the amp's modem port. Bond the amp's ground screw to the cable line's ground.
Does a cable amplifier work with MoCA?
Only if it's sold as MoCA compatible or has a MoCA bypass. Standard amps rated to about 1 GHz can block MoCA, which runs up to about 1,675 MHz. Add a POE filter at the entry point.
Can I use a cable amplifier with an antenna or satellite?
Not with satellite. Some, like the Antennas Direct JUICE4, work with antennas, but active-return cable amps aren't recommended for them. See our TV antenna amplifier page for antenna setups.
