For any new or aspiring CB radio owner, choosing the best short antenna is a fairly easy process in theory. Simply select the antenna that gives you the best range and you’ll be good to go.
However, since antennas that give the best range are usually the longer whip antennas, some people are bound to opt for shorter antennas that can still do the job because they experience less sway. That’s where stubby antennas come in.
A stubby antenna is great for anyone who is looking for a minimalist antenna that is also strong and durable. As there are plenty of stubby antennas to choose from, we figured it would be a great idea to review some of the best stubby antennas you can buy in 2022.
Our top pick for the best stubby antenna was the CravenSpeed Stubby antenna.
Have a Quick Look At Comparison Table of Best Short Antenna
Why Do You Need a Stubby Antenna?
You can think of a stubby antenna as a compact version of an antenna. As its name suggests, a stubby antenna is short and thick. This makes it sturdier than a whip antenna.
As a result, these types of antennas can survive extremely harsh weather conditions such as strong winds or heavy rain with ease and without sustaining any damage.
In addition, they are compact and occupy little space. This makes them some of the best low-profile antennas.
How We Picked The Best Short Antennas
Since all eleven stubby antennas are ideally short and thick, we picked them based on durability and ease of use. Stubby antennas should be easy to use and almost maintenance-free. As such, we were keen to select only the stubby antennas that reflected the same.
Additionally, we considered the prices of the antennas. However, we maintained our focus on the value for money that the radios offered. This means that some of the antennas we picked may be costly, but the majority of such antennas are usually the most feature-packed.
Our Reviews to Help Select The Best Short Antenna
CravenSpeed Stubby
Why stick to a long and conspicuous whip antenna when the CravenSpeed Stubby can improve the look of your vehicle? Standing 4″ tall, this stubby antenna will complement the design of most Ford Rangers and will almost feel like a better version of your stock antenna.
Key Features
- Made in the U.S. (Portland, Oregon)
- Metallic body
- 4″ tall
- Corrosion-proof body
- Built from billet 6061 aluminum
The CravenSpeed Stubby antenna’s body is made from aluminum which means that it is lightweight and you can count on its durability. The body is equally corrosion-proof, and this can be attributed to its powder coating which prevents its black textured finish from fading or peeling.
Installing the antenna is easy as well and will take you a matter of seconds since you won’t be needing any tools for the task. All this makes it a perfect replacement antenna in case you needed an antenna that has a good build quality and does not interfere with satellite services like Sirius Radio.
AntennaMastsRus Original 6 3/4 INCH Short Rubber Antenna
Made of USA 304 stainless steel, the AntennaMastsRus is a German-engineered short rubber stubby antenna that gives you the promised performance. It is slightly taller compared to the CravenSpeed Stubby antenna by 2 ¾ inches.
Key Features
- 6 ¾ inches tall
- USA-manufactured 304 stainless steel antenna thread
- Internal copper antenna
- EPDM rubber construction
- German engineered
Most of this antenna’s features are geared toward performance and this is evident from its quality finishing. For one, the AntennaMastRus uses an internal copper antenna which is highly conductive and will guarantee great reception despite its short height.
In addition, it uses USA 304 stainless steel for the antenna thread which is strong and durable. Antennas that use brass threading occasionally snap and leave behind broken pieces. However, the stainless steel that the AntennaMastRus uses coupled with its durable EPDM rubber ensures that it lasts longer.
Like the CravenSpeed Stubby antenna, you will also find that the AntennaMastRus is easy to install and is compatible with the Ford F-150.
Rydonair Flexible Rubber Antenna
The Rydonair flexible rubber antenna is one of the longer stubby antennas that you can get for your vehicle. It measures 13″ long and comes with a stylish look that will be the ideal replacement for your 31″ metal shaft antenna.
Key Features
- 13″ tall
- Flexible material (shape memory)
- Automotive grade rubber
- Ultra-conductive copper cord
- Brass stud
Much of Rydonair’s focus apart from the quality of its antenna seems to be its durability. This antenna comes with plenty of features that all point to strength and durability. For instance, the stud of the antenna is made by brass to prevent corrosion and to optimize signal transmission.
On the other hand, the premium rubber jacket that the stubby antenna comes with can also sustain extreme weather conditions while giving you the performance you deserve. The base of the antenna is made of aluminum which provides better strength than plastic.
In addition, it also has a carbon fiber column at the bottom which helps the base that holds on the mount. Since the antenna is 13″ tall, this stubby antenna can offer slightly better reception than other shorter stubby antennas.
Its easy installation process and its stylish look make it a great stubby antenna for any Ford F-150. However, it will also easily fit in the GMC Sierra or the Chevy Silverado.
CORKSPORT Mazda Billet Aluminum 2.75″ Stub Antenna
It is one of the shortest stubby antennas on the list, but it would be unfair to judge it based on its height. At just 2.75″ in length, the CorkSport Mazda Billet stub antenna is a low-profile antenna that may often go unnoticed on your vehicle. Its sleek design makes it the perfect stubby antenna for any minimalist.
Key Features
- Measures 2.75″ in length
- Made from billet aluminum
- Fits 2007+ Mazda, 2007+ Mazda 2
- Anodized black finish
- Durable finish
From its looks, you can easily tell that the CorkSport Mazda billet is a special kind of antenna as it is among the shortest stubby antennas we’ve reviewed so far, and it is perfect for Mazda vehicles.
However, we couldn’t help but notice the sleek design of the antenna which made it durable and long-lasting. The billet aluminum, for instance, gives the antenna an overall durable and long-lasting finish.
Since the installation process is very simple and may only require you to use a single screw, it won’t take long before you can appreciate its anodized black finish which makes it look premium.
CravenSpeed Bullet Style Stubby Antenn
This CravenSpeed bullet-style stubby antenna is unlike the first one we reviewed mainly because it comes with a different shape and size. It is a great replacement antenna for just about any Ford F-150.
Key Features
- Measures 5.4 inches in length
- USA made
- Billet aluminum
- Anodized
- Weighs 4 ounces
We really liked the look of the CravenSpeed bullet style stubby antenna because apart from being a low-profile antenna, it was one of the most unique antennas on our list. Its installation is similar to that of most of the other antennas as you only need to screw it in place and you’ll be done.
It is made from billet aluminum and then anodized with a durable black finish that prevents chipping and fading. It also comes with two corrosion resistant stainless-steel adapters which contribute to its durability.
KEYO1E AM/FM Radio Stubby Antenna
It comes as no surprise that the slogan of the KEYO1E is “short but more”. The antenna is slightly shorter than the CravenSpeed bullet style antenna by only 0.6 inches. However, it is the perfect antenna for any 2001-2021 Mini Cooper.
Key Features
- Highly conductive copper internals
- 4.9″ tall
- Tool-free installation
- Durable construction
- Weighs 1.12 ounces
We liked the KEYO1E because its new concept design focused on performance more than appearances. The antenna’s internal chip and copper coil give it an unmatched and superior reception despite being only 4.9″ tall.
In addition, it offers tools-free installation which means that you can install the antenna by hand, and you would take less than a minute to wrap everything up. However, this may depend on the vehicle since the antenna was mostly designed with the Mini Cooper in mind.
The antenna also doubles as a durable antenna mainly because it is made of strong ABS material. Its sleek and exquisite look makes it the ideal antenna that will blend in with your Mini Cooper.
Zoizocp 4.7 Inch Carbon Fiber Bullet Antenna
Apart from the Rydonair flexible rubber antenna, the Zoizocp bullet antenna is the only other antenna on our list that has certain components made from carbon fiber. This makes it super lightweight.
Key Features
- Measures 4.7 inches
- Uses internal aluminum coils
- Made from carbon fiber
- Weighs 2.4 ounces
- Comes with screws and rubber gaskets
While the first thing that draws most people to this antenna is the carbon fiber, the aluminum coils are the real gamechangers. They offer strong signal reception regardless of the weather condition and this means you can use this antenna virtually anywhere.
Additionally, the fact that the stubby antenna uses aluminum coils instead of copper coils makes it slightly cheaper. Copper may offer better conductivity and consequently better performance, but it increases the overall cost of the antenna.
The installation process for this antenna may differ from car to car since the Zoizocp bullet antenna is compatible with a wide variety of vehicles like Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Chevrolet, and Ford. Nevertheless, Zoizocp included four screws of different sizes to make the installation process easy regardless of the vehicle you own.
AntennaX Off-Road Antenna for Jeep Wrangler
Its name says it all. The AntennaX Off-Road antenna is one of the few stubby antennas that would really go well with your Jeep Wrangler. The fun part is that it can fit most Jeep Wranglers that date back from as early as 2007 all the way to 2021.
Key Features
- Low profile
- 13″ long
- Flexible rubber
- Plug and play
- Weighs 3.2 ounces
This is a plug-n-play type of antenna meaning that once you unwrap it and install it on your vehicle, you can instantly start using it without any fuss. It measures 13″ long like the Rydonair Flexible Rubber Antenna. However, it is super ideal for Jeep Wranglers and the Chevy 1500.
It is made of flexible rubber which gives it added protection from the elements and increases its durability as the antenna is partly flexible. One other thing to note about the AntennaX Off-Road Antenna is that it will not affect satellite services such as On-Star or Sirius XM radio since these usually use a separate antenna in your vehicle.
Ronin Factory Stubby Antenna for Ford Focus
Apart from the CravenSpeed Stubby antenna that we had reviewed earlier, Ronin Factory’s stubby antenna is another 4-inch long antenna that would go well with any Ford Focus RS or RT. It is a modern-looking antenna that comes with a few great features.
Key Features
- Measures 4″ long
- Anti-theft design
- 6061 billet aluminum
- Designed for FM
- Comes with the required tools for installation
Like many of the stubby antennas we’ve looked at, the Ronin Factory Stubby Antenna won’t require any adapters during installation since its installation is easy. You only have to manually screw the antenna in place before you can begin using it.
In addition, its anti-theft design can be attributed to its tough thread-locking compound which can deter people from snatching the antenna. This can be useful if you wish to place the antenna next to the vehicle’s door instead of the roof since the only way to remove it is by unscrewing it.
On the other hand, you should not expect the antenna to fade or chip away, and this is thanks to the 6061 billet aluminum construction and the anodized black finish which also protects it from the elements.
What to Consider Before Selecting The Best Short Antenna
There really shouldn’t be an excuse for picking a bad stubby antenna because if you at least know how to choose a good antenna for your CB radio, then you could equally pick a great stubby antenna for your CB radio.
Most people who search for stubby antennas are ideally looking for the best short antennas, and only stubby antennas should come to mind once you are searching. However, owing to the nature of stubby antennas, there are a few things you need to be keen on before you purchase the stubby antenna of choice.
Signal Quality
Short antennas are naturally known to offer less range than longer antennas. This means you need to be sure about the range you should be expecting from the antenna before you purchase it.
To get a good idea about a stubby antenna’s range, you should start out by finding out the frequency bands that the stubby antenna supports. Antennas that support a wide range of frequency bands indicate that they are capable of getting strong signals.
Durability
Though stubby antennas are more durable than longer antennas like whip antennas, not all stubby antennas have the same durability. The durability of the antennas usually depends on the materials used to make the stubby antenna in the first place.
Stubby antennas that have anodized coatings which makes them more durable than those that have powder coatings. As such, if you plan to be occasionally driving your vehicle in rain, then you should probably consider choosing an antenna with anodized coatings.
Antenna Length
True. All stubby antennas are short, but some are slightly taller than others. This extra height can be a deal breaker especially for people who want a taste of both worlds when it comes to performance and compactness. You should choose a long stubby antenna if you want a slightly better range. However, this does not always mean that a shorter stubby antenna will have inferior performance since it will depend on other factors such as the mount location.
Ease of Installation
You really shouldn’t break a sweat while installing a stubby antenna on your vehicle. Since they are compact, they often have few requirements during installation. However, some stubby antenna manufacturers usually go the extra mile and offer antenna mounting hardware for free. These are thus great choices whenever you don’t wish to spend an extra buck on accessories for your stubby antenna.
Mount Location
Where you place the stubby antenna will determine a few other things such as the length of coaxial cable required to run from the antenna to your CB radio. You thus need to have an idea about where you intend to place the stubby antenna lest you incur extra costs.
Conclusion
Stubby antennas are just like other antennas in terms of performance but with a few differences. Some of the stubby antennas actually perform better than the longer whip antennas. However, while you could easily settle on an antenna like the CravenSpeed Stubby antenna, you shouldn’t turn a blind eye to factors like signal quality and durability when you are searching for the best stubby antenna.