Which TV Mount Do You Need?

Split angled image of three different setups of TV mounts featured at HIDEit HQ. A tilt mount, fixed mount, and full-motion tilt mount are pictured.

Looking to wall mount your TV but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re looking to hide tech devices or display your gaming gear, we’ve got tips to help you chose which style of TV mount will work best for your dream setup.

THE BASICS

When wall mounting a TV, take into consideration your wall space, location and the material you're mounting into. If you're installing into drywall, WE RECOMMEND STUD MOUNTINGThe weight of a TV is too much for drywall anchors alone. It's better to be safe than sorry; don't make an expensive mistake! 

If you're installing into another material, visit your local hardware store for proper hardware and installation recommendations.

You’ll also want to find the mount that fits the size of your TV. TV mounts are rated for a size range -- 32’’ to 55’’ TVs or 55’’ to 85’’ TVs, for example. Make sure you plan accordingly. 

You’ll want to make sure it can hold the weight of your TV, too. Thinner TVs are the new normal, but that doesn’t always translate to a lighter one. You want to make sure whichever mount you pick can support the weight. You can find out how heavy your TV is in the owner’s guide and how much the mount can support typically on the box or install instructions.

With that out of the way, what’s next? Choosing the right mount type for your setup.

TO DISPLAY YOUR DEVICES

If you’re looking to DISPLAYit, getting a fixed TV wall mount is the perfect solution.

As the name suggests, a fixed mount doesn’t allow for movement of the TV once it’s on the wall, which is the best option if you’re looking to save space. It keeps your TV as flush to the wall as possible. Fixed mounts are also budget-friendly, so if you’re looking to save some cash, start here!

HIDEit Mounts Gamer WallHIDEit HQ's Display Wall has fixed mounts to DISPLAYit

Something to keep in mind: since the mount doesn’t move, make sure you place the TV at the correct height. Typically you’ll want the TV to be eye level with where you’re sitting.

There are a few downsides to a fixed mount. The biggest downside is you’re only able to display your devices instead of being able to hide them! Since the TV is flush with the wall, there isn’t much space to place your favorite gaming consoles or cable boxes behind it. And in some cases, you might not have the space for cables or wires.

You’ll also want to think about where your connections are with a fixed TV mount. If the TV doesn’t have HDMI ports on the side, you might struggle to get the cables connected correctly. There’s more planning to these than you might think!

TO HIDE YOUR DEVICES

When you want to HIDEit, choose a tilt TV wall mount!

A tilt mount is the next step up from a fixed mount. A tilt mount looks and functions similarly to a fixed mount but has a degree of tilt motion. Most tilt mounts provide you a 5-10 degree movement up or down, which is usually enough to help reduce glare. This also gives you more freedom when planning your setup, so you don’t have to worry as much about the TV being at eye level. 

HIDEIt Mounts HQ TV with a tilt mount and Mac MiniWe have a Mac Mini attached to a TV for meetings with enough space with a tilt mount.

A tilt mount gives you a small amount of space behind the TV to hide a few devices, such as an Apple TV 4K or your Spectrum cable box. If your TV’s connection ports are behind the TV, having a tilt mount means you’ll have an easier time getting access to them as well.

FOR FULL CONTROL

If you want to DISPLAYit, HIDEit or BOTH choose a full-motion TV wall mount!

A full-motion mount, commonly called an articulating TV mount, gives you the freedom to move your TV away from the wall (up to 20 inches for most mounts), swivel left and right, and allow you to tilt for a better viewing angle. You’ll be able to easily store a larger device like a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.

This amount of movement gives you more options for how and where you mount your TV and is perfect if you have multiple viewing spots.

HIDEit Mount HQ TV with full motion TV mount
One of our setups at HIDEit HQ.

We recommend picking up a full-motion mount if you want complete control of your setup. The extra space behind the TV is valuable for storage and ease of access, plus you can essentially customize your setup for the best viewing experience in mind. 

Gadgets+ Universal TV Wall Mount for 32 inch to 55 inch TVsGadgets+ Universal TV Wall Mount

What mount do we recommend? Check out the new Gadgets+ Universal TV Wall Mount. Designed to fit TVs from 32’’ up to 55’’, this full-motion mount provides you with the flexibility to mount anywhere in your room and create the ultimate setup! You already use HIDEit to mount your consoles and cable boxes, now let Gadgets+ help with mounting your TV.

Hopefully, that helps answer some of your questions about which TV mount to pick. Before purchasing, you’ll want to make sure you buy a TV mount that fits the size screen and weight, but you’ll also want to think about where you’re watching TV and if you want to store anything behind the screen (which you should!).