Types of TV Wall Mounts

After purchasing a flat screen or plasma TV the first thing that comes to mind is how to mount it to the wall to save space, however there are many different kinds to choose from. The majority of television wall mounts, however fit under one of five main types. So if the independent research doesn't help find what you need look no further than right here. Here are the five main types of wall mounts in detail.

Fixed TV Wall Mounts

The first type of wall mount is the fixed kind. One of the most basic types fixed wall mounts are just that--fixed. It will stay in the spot you choose and not move. Move it only if the location isn't right. But by doing that you must move the whole bracket set. So be sure that it is in a location where the viewing experience will be great no matter where you sit. Also called "low profile wall mounts", fixed mounts are the easiest to install and the cheapest in price. They can be as low as $30, but you'll pay more for a more top of the line version. Get this wall mount if it is located in a room where there are no more than two main places to see the television. If you prefer a more movable wall mount for rotation, see below for more variation.

Tilt Wall Mounts for LCD TVs

The second type of wall mount is the tilt kind. It is just as the name implies. It is in a fixed position but it can be tilted to whatever angle you choose. Thanks to pivots inside the brackets on the mount the television moves up and down at angles up to 35 degrees. Do this to get the right angle for the best viewing experience, to adjust between sitting in a chair and sitting on the floor or to get rid of glare. Purchasing this type of wall mount will be a bit pricier than the fixed version but it might be well worth it starting at $35 and go up for a more top of the line version. The downside is that it only tilts up and down. There is no side to side/horizontal motion. Get this type if you want a little more control over where the TV needs to be positioned.

Swivel Mounts

The third type of wall mount is the swivel kind. This gives you more control than the tilt can give you. Of course you can tilt the television at up and down angles to the best viewing experience possible. What makes it stand out is the extra ways to turn it. With the swivel wall mount turn or pivot to the left and right. It works best when it positioned on a wall htat does not have an open corner where the TV's side would be visible. What makes the swivel not a good choice is how far the TV is from the wall. Because of the different ways of turning it there needs to be more room to achieve this. Buying the swivel wall mount is a bit pricier but it might be worth the price. It starts at $50 and it goes up for a more top of the line version. Get this wall mount if you want more control than just up and down motion.

Articulating TV Mounts

The articulating wall mount comes with all the turning features of the previous three but there is an added bonus. The actual pivot piece moves too. Having the actual piece move with the television makes the best viewing flexibility. Even though the piece can only move side to side that means that viewing can be seen from the far left and the far right of the room. Unfortunately, the downside to owning an articulating tv wall mount is the same as the swivel: the TV is too far away from the wall. Again, this is necessary to turn the TV from left to right and vice versa. This is the second most expensive wall mount on the market. The price range starts off with $75-$100 and can go up if you want a better one. Get this wall mount if you like viewing or sitting near the left or right edge of the wall.

Full Motion TV Wall Mounts

The full motion wall mount is the fifth type of common wall mounts. The newest to the game full motion mounts give televisions full range of motion. Move it any way you wish. Turn at angles that weren’t possible with the other wall mounts. In addition to the standard types of television tilting full motion wall mounts can move a full 360 degrees. Thanks to the arm connecting the television panel to the wall you can physically move the television from the wall or move it toward the wall. Like the swivel and articulating wall mounts the TV is far away from the wall. It is also the most complicated to install. The most expensive wall mount on the market the price range starts around $75-$150 and move up from there for fancier versions. For this kind of motion it may be worth it. Get this wall mount if you want complete control over how the television is pivoted or if you want to see the television from another room.

TV Ceiling Mount

Not exactly a wall mount, it's still a way to get the TV off the floor or off a shelf. There are two main types: the mount and the lift. The mount has one or two poles that lift the TV and hangs it in midair. Depending on what you purchase it can tilt or it can turn 360 degrees. Works best in a corner. The other kind is a lift. There are vertical and folding lifts. The vertical one raises and lowers the TV vertically. This works for heavier televisions. The folding lift does rotations while hanging from the ceiling. Price starts at $50 and up for fancier options. Get this kind of mount if the others seem daunting or if you want to think outside the box. The point of purchasing a wall mount is to save space. So above all, make sure that the wall mount you choose fits the area you want it in.