What TV Mount Do I Need?
Fixed, tilt, full motion, and pull down mounts compared. Which one you actually need, what VESA means, and why most people buy more mount than they use.
For most living rooms, a fixed mount. It is the cheapest, it sits flattest against the wall, and it looks best. Choose a tilt mount if the TV will sit above eye level, such as over a fireplace. Choose full motion only if you genuinely watch from two very different positions in the room.
The short comparison
| Mount | What it does | Choose it when | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Holds the TV flat and still | You watch from one place facing the TV | No adjustment at all, and reaching the ports is awkward |
| Tilt | Angles the screen down | The TV sits above eye level | Tilts only, does not swing left or right |
| Full motion | Swings out, left, right, and tilts | You watch from two very different spots | Costs more, sits further off the wall, arm can sag on heavy panels |
| Pull down | Drops the TV down to eye level | High fireplace mantels | Most expensive, needs clearance, needs a solid wall |
Fixed mounts
The TV sits close to the wall, usually within an inch or two, and does not move. That flat look is why they photograph well and why most showroom installs use them.
The real drawback is access. With the TV that close to the wall, plugging something in later means unhooking it or working by feel. If you swap devices often, that is worth weighing.
Tilt mounts
A tilt mount lets the screen angle downward, typically five to fifteen degrees. That matters above eye level, because many panels wash out or lose contrast when viewed from below.
This is the right mount for above a fireplace, above a dresser in a bedroom, or anywhere the TV ends up higher than you would ideally put it. It does not lower the TV, it just points it at you.
Full motion mounts, and why most people do not need one
Full motion mounts swing out from the wall and rotate. They are the most bought and the most regretted.
Be honest about your room. If your sofa faces the TV and that is where everyone sits, the arm will be folded flat against the wall permanently, and you will have paid extra for a mount that holds the TV two inches further out than a fixed one would.
They earn their keep in real cases: an open plan room where you watch from both the kitchen and the sofa, a corner installation, or a room where you genuinely need to get behind the TV regularly.
VESA, plainly
VESA is just the spacing of the four threaded holes on the back of your TV, measured in millimetres. A TV listed as 400 x 400 has holes 400mm apart horizontally and vertically.
The mount has to match, or include an adapter. Common patterns run from 100 x 100 on small sets up to 800 x 400 on large ones. Your TV manual lists it, and so does the manufacturer's spec page.
Weight, not size, is the number that matters
Mount boxes lead with a screen size range because it sells. The number that decides safety is the weight rating.
Two 75 inch TVs can differ meaningfully in weight. Look up your TV's weight without the stand, and check it against the mount's rating with room to spare.
Stud spacing, the thing nobody checks
Studs in most homes sit 16 inches apart. A mount needs to catch at least one, ideally two, and the mount's plate has to be wide enough to reach them from where you want the TV centred.
This is the most common reason a TV cannot go exactly where someone wanted it. A wider mount plate usually solves it. On metal studs the hardware changes rather than the position.
Common buying mistakes
- Buying full motion for a room where nobody moves
- Matching the mount to screen size but not to the TV weight
- Not checking the VESA pattern before ordering
- Buying a mount too narrow to reach two studs from the desired position
- Buying a cheap mount for a very heavy panel, which is the one place not to save money
If you would rather not decide
Tell us the TV and the room and we will bring the right one. We supply and install a quality mount rated for your TV for a fixed $100, and it will be the type your room actually needs rather than the most expensive one.
Common questions
What is the difference between a fixed and a tilt TV mount?
A fixed mount holds the TV flat and still against the wall. A tilt mount lets the screen angle downward, which matters when the TV sits above eye level and would otherwise be viewed from below.
Do I need a full motion TV mount?
Probably not. If your seating faces the TV, the arm stays folded and you have paid extra for nothing. They are genuinely useful for open plan rooms, corner mounts, and where you need regular access behind the TV.
What is VESA?
The spacing of the four threaded mounting holes on the back of a TV, in millimetres. A 400 x 400 TV has holes 400mm apart both ways. The mount must match the pattern or include an adapter.
How do I know if a mount is strong enough?
Check the weight rating, not the screen size range. Look up your TV weight without its stand and pick a mount rated comfortably above it.
Ready to get your TV mounted?
Send your TV size and wall type and you will usually have a flat price back the same day. No site visit needed for most jobs.