TV wall mount buying guide
Which type of mount is right for your installation?
In this article: We'll give you an overview of the different types of TV wall mounts...
... with illustrations to show how they work.
One of the things that makes flat-panel TVs so appealing is their shallow depth and light weight, which allow them to be mounted on a wall.
Since very few TVs include their own wall-mounting hardware, you'll have to purchase a mount separately. We'll cover the different types below so you know what to look for.
Mounting your TV to a wall gives you a very clean, safe, and space-efficient installation.
Wall-mount types
TV wall-mounts range from basic fixed-mount designs to those with nearly unlimited flexibility for positioning your TV.
Think about what you want your bracket to be able to do.
Do you want to be able to adjust the TV to get a better view from different seats?
Would you like to be able to angle the TV for optimum viewing, yet also have it hug the wall when not in use?
Fixed mounts
Fixed mounts are the simplest, lowest-cost type of mount. They place the TV closer to the wall than other mount types.
This type of mount is a good choice if you'll be sitting directly in front of the TV, and can position the TV at the ideal height, with the center of the screen at about eye-level when you're seated.
A fixed wall mount has no angle adjustments — the TV screen's position is parallel to the wall.
Tilt mounts
By providing vertical angle adjustment, a tilt mount makes it easy to compensate for a TV positioned above the optimum viewing level. The tilt mechanism causes the TV to be spaced a bit further out from the wall — typically at least 2".
Tilt mounts are a smart choice for TVs placed above a fireplace or high on a bedroom wall. The angle adjustment can also help reduce screen reflections from windows or room lights.
The ability to adjust the angle of your TV screen can not only reduce glare, it also lets you tilt the TV up for easy cable connections.
Full-motion mounts
By adding side-to-side swivel adjustment, full-motion mounts are a smart solution when a TV needs to be angled to provide the best viewing. It's also great for rooms with more than one usual viewing spot.
Full-motion mounts combine up/down tilt with side-to-side swivel, for maximum positioning versatility.
Fireplace mounts
Mounting a TV above a fireplace is a popular option, but over time, watching it can literally be a pain in the neck.
With a fireplace mount, you can easily pull your TV out and down over the mantel when you want to watch.
A fireplace mount lets you bring your TV down to eye level.
Ceiling mounts
In some situations (say you're dealing with a brick wall), a wall mount just won't work, but a ceiling mount will.
If you can't mount your TV to a wall, you can always suspend it from your ceiling.
Installation tips
If you're wondering what it takes to install a TV wall mount, check out our how-to guide and video on TV wall-mounting.
Personalized advice from our team of experts
Have questions about which type of mount would best suit your TV and viewing preferences? Our expert Advisors know the gear inside and out. Contact us today
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Meet Steve Kindig
Steve Kindig wrote about audio/video gear for Crutchfield from 1985 until his retirement in 2020.
Even though Steve has retired from Crutchfield, he's a self-proclaimed audio/video geek for life. He's been an audiophile since high school, and a videophile since the introduction of HDTVS and high-def programming.
Steve is a volunteer DJ at community radio station WTJU, where he's a regular host of the American folk show "Atlantic Weekly," as well as the world music program "Beyond Borders," where he gets to share his love of African music.
Steve is also a board member of the Prism Coffeehouse in Charlottesville. They produce a series of concerts featuring traditional and acoustic music, and he helps out with sales or anything else that needs doing in exchange for getting to hear live music almost every week.
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