How to Choose the Right Wall Mount for Your Needs

Your Guide to buying the best Wall Mounts

Overview

A wall mount is an essential accessory for any home theater system, allowing you to easily mount your TV on the wall for an optimal viewing experience. When shopping for a wall mount, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind, including compatibility with the TV you own, the type of mount, and the mounting hardware you need. This wall mount buying guide will provide you with all the information you need to find the perfect mount for your home theater system.

Key features

  1. Size: Choose a wall mount that is sized appropriately for the TV or monitor you plan to hang. Make sure to measure the width and height of your TV or monitor to ensure the wall mount is compatible.
  2. Mount Type: Full-motion mounts are the most versatile, as they allow for side-to-side and up-and-down motion. Fixed mounts do not move and are the most basic, but they often cost less. Tilting wall mounts provide limited up-and-down movement for smaller TVs.
  3. Weight Capacity: Be sure to choose a wall mount that can safely hold your TV or monitor. Check the maximum weight capacity of the wall mount against the weight of your TV or monitor.
  4. VESA Compatibility: Most wall mounts list the VESA compatibility. VESA is a standard used to measure the distance between the mounting holes on the back of the TV or monitor. Ensure the wall mount is compatible with your TV or monitor's VESA pattern.
  5. Installation: Wall mounts typically come with installation instructions. Be sure to read the instructions carefully before beginning, and consider hiring a professional for any parts of the installation that seem challenging or complicated.

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Important considerations

Pros

  • Ease of Installation: Wall mounts are easy to install, typically requiring only a few basic tools for mounting.
  • Adaptability: Wall mounts are easily adjustable and can fit most sizes of TVs.
  • Design: Wall mounts come in a variety of designs, allowing you to customize the look of your TV.
  • Space: Wall mounts save floor space and allow for better organization of your entertainment area.
  • Safety: Wall mounts provide additional security for your TV, preventing it from being knocked over or damaged.
  • Versatility: Wall mounts can be used to mount other items such as speakers, monitors, and more.

Cons

  • Cost of Wall Mount: Wall mounts can be quite pricey, depending on the size and type. It is important to consider the cost of the wall mount, as well as other related installation costs, before making a purchase.
  • Installation Difficulty: Installing a wall mount can be a difficult job for the average homeowner. It is important to know your own skill level and to understand the difficulty level of installing a wall mount before making a purchase.
  • Security: Wall mounts can be easily tampered with and removed from the wall. It is important to consider how secure the mounting system is and decide if additional security measures, such as a lock, are necessary.
  • Size: Wall mounts are available in different sizes to accommodate different television models. It is important to make sure the wall mount is the right size for the television it will be holding.
  • Mounting Location: The location of the wall mount is important to consider. Be sure there is adequate space for the wall mount to fit and that the wall mount is securely attached to the wall.
  • Flexibility: Wall mounts are generally not very flexible, so it is important to make sure the wall mount is adjustable so that the television can be moved into the correct viewing position.

Best alternatives

  1. Flat Screen TV Stand: This is a stand that holds flat-screen TVs and can be placed on the floor or a table. It is a great alternative to wall mounting when you don't want to mount your TV.
  2. TV Brackets: A bracket is an attachment that connects to the back of a TV to securely hold it to the wall. It is great for when you want a more permanent solution for mounting your TV.
  3. TV Wall Plate: A wall plate is used to mount a TV to a wall. It is secured to the wall with screws and then the TV can be attached to the plate. It is an ideal solution for when you need to mount the TV in an area where you don't have access to the back of the TV.
  4. TV Ceiling Mount: A ceiling mount is a way to mount a TV to the ceiling. It is great for when you don't have much wall space or don't want to mount the TV on the wall. It can also be used to mount a projector.
  5. TV Shelf: A TV shelf is a great alternative to wall mounting when you want to save wall space. It is a shelf that attaches to the wall and can hold a TV. It is ideal for small spaces or when you need to mount multiple TVs in a single area.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Screws - Small screws used to attach the mount to the wall.
  • Level - A device used to ensure the mount is level.
  • Anchors - Small anchors used to secure the mount to the wall.
  • Stud Finder - A device used to locate studs in the wall.
  • Stud Bolts - Bolts used to secure the mount to a stud.
  • Drill - A tool used to drill any necessary holes.
  • Wall Mount - The device used to securely mount a television.

Common questions

  1. What types of wall mounts are available? Wall mounts come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Common types include flat, tilt, full motion, articulating, and speciality mounts.
  2. What types of TVs are compatible with wall mounts? Wall mounts are typically compatible with most flat screen TVs, including LCD, LED, and Plasma TVs.
  3. What is the VESA standard and why is it important to wall mounts? The VESA standard refers to the distance between the screw holes on the back of the TV. It is important to select a wall mount with the correct VESA size to ensure the mount is compatible with your TV.
  4. What should I consider when selecting a wall mount? When selecting a wall mount, consider the TV's size, weight, VESA size, the desired mounting style (e.g. tilt or full motion), the weight capacity of the wall mount, and the total distance from the wall.
  5. Do I need to hire a professional to install a wall mount? It is recommended to hire a professional to install a wall mount. Make sure to check the manufacturer's instructions for your specific wall mount for any special requirements or tools that may be needed.

Trivia

An interesting story about wall mounts is that they can actually make a home more energy efficient. By mounting a flat-screen TV to the wall, it can reduce the amount of energy used up by more than 20%. This was first discovered in a study conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which found that wall-mounted TVs used about 20% less electricity than TVs placed on stands. Furthermore, wall-mounted TVs require no additional energy to cool them, as they are not in direct contact with the ground, which can reduce a home's overall energy consumption. Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.