Best TV Wall Mount: A Guide to Installing Your Flat-Screen TV
- hmdesigns007
- Jan 19, 2019
- 3 min read
The introduction of flat-screen TVs made it possible to save tons of space by mounting your TV on a wall of your choice. Today, there are so many options for wall-mounting hardware for a TV that buying one can be a daunting task.
Fortunately, we did the research for you to narrow down the list to the five best TV wall mounts. They are:
Selecting the right one means you’ll be able to use it for years, even if you change your television. Knowing how to install it is also important, so we’ve provided some installation tips for you as well. Here are three features worth considering when choosing the best TV wall mount.
Ease of Installation and Adjustment
To best protect your TV and ensure years of use, a TV wall mount needs to be installed properly. This means that the mount should be screwed into a wall’s studs, which are the wood frame behind the drywall that are strong enough to hold the weight of a television.
Studs run vertically and are usually spaced 16 inches apart. The best way to find where the studs lie behind drywall is by using a magnetic or electronic stud finder that, when run along the wall, will signal when it finds wood. A less-accurate way to find the wall studs is to knock on the wall and listen for the sound of dense (versus hollow) spots.
A good TV wall mount is designed to not only be durable but also make installation simple. The best TV wall mounts will come with an installation kit that includes many of the following components:
A wall stud finderScrews and anchors for various types of walls (drywall, brick, concrete, wood)A cable management system to hide and organize cables and wiresA bubble level to make level installation easyHorizontal sliding bars or a rail design that make TV leveling (vertically and horizontally) possible once it is hung
A horizontal bar allows a mounted TV to slide several inches to the left or right from where the mount is hung. The bar feature is a great solution when the wall studs are not centered on the wall, but you want to center your TV.
If a stud finder or level are not part of the TV wall mount kit of your choice, avoid the guesswork by buying them.
Weight Capacity
Most TV wall mounts today are “universal,” meaning they are capable of holding most flat screens ranging in size from 30 inches to more than 60 inches (measured diagonally). If your TV is smaller or larger, you’ll probably need a special mount designed for that size television.
The difference between universal mounts lies in the weight rating. The same size wall mount can be built for different TV weights. When choosing the best one for your space, go with a quality mount rated for the most weight possible. The materials used in a heavier-rated mount are better quality, designed to hold more weight. So you’ll be able to reuse it for future TVs, even if they’re bigger and heavier than your existing TV.
Swivel Feature
A swivel or articulating feature is essential, even if you don’t think you need it. Especially in smaller apartments or open lofts, it’s nice to be able to turn your flat-screen TV toward another room or living space. Even if you don’t expect to use it in this way, the ability to angle your TV even a few degrees may make all the difference in the world when there’s glare on your screen.
All swivel features are not built equally. Some articulating units, especially when using a larger TV, angle only a few degrees. Take a good look at the specs on a mount when making your choice. Also, consider that the greater the angle, the less of a profile the TV wall mount may be. The versatility of a full-motion TV wall mount may extend your TV several inches out from the wall.
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