TV Mounts & Stands

TV mounts and stands for clean wall and floor installations

The TV mount or stand is the part that decides whether a TV install looks finished or messy. Sloppy brackets, the wrong VESA (mounting standard) pattern or insufficient weight rating undo the work of choosing a good TV. The category covers wall mounts in three main formats and free-standing alternatives for rooms where wall mounting is not practical.

What this category covers

Fixed flat wall mounts that hold the TV close to the wall; tilting mounts that angle the screen down for installations above eye level; full-motion articulating arms that swing the TV out of the wall and rotate; recessed in-wall mounts for ultra-flush installs; and free-standing TV stands and rolling carts for trade shows and shared rooms.

How to choose a TV mount

Confirm the TV's VESA pattern and weight

Every TV lists its VESA mounting pattern (the spacing of mounting holes on the back) and its weight without stand. Common VESA sizes are 100x100, 200x200, 300x300, 400x300, 400x400, 600x400 and 800x400 mm, scaling with TV size. The mount must match the VESA pattern and have a weight rating above the TV's weight. Modern mounts often support ranges (for example 100x100 to 600x400).

Pick fixed, tilt, or full-motion

Fixed mounts hold the TV flat to the wall and are the cheapest, lowest-profile and most reliable. Tilting mounts angle the screen 5 to 15 degrees downward, useful for TVs above eye level (above a fireplace, in a hospital ward). Full-motion mounts extend, swivel and tilt; they suit rooms where the seating area changes or the TV serves multiple viewing positions.

Account for the wall and the studs

TV mounts attach to wall studs (drywall) or directly to brick and concrete with the right anchors. A 65-inch TV plus mount can weigh 30 to 40 kg, which drywall alone cannot support; the mount needs to span at least one stud and ideally two. For brick walls, masonry anchors rated for the load are essential.

Plan cable management

Wall-mounted TVs look professional only with cables hidden. In-wall cable raceways run HDMI and power inside the wall; surface raceways are an easier alternative. Some mounts include cable channels along the arm; others leave cable management as a separate job.

Key features to compare

Distance from the wall

Fixed mounts hold the TV 2 to 4 cm from the wall. Tilting mounts add a few centimetres for the tilt mechanism. Full-motion mounts retract close to the wall and extend 30 to 70 cm out. Choose based on whether ports on the back of the TV need access without removing the TV.

Tilt and swivel range

Tilt range is usually 5 to 15 degrees. Swivel range on full-motion mounts is 90 to 180 degrees. Specify based on the room layout and viewing positions.

Locking and security

For shared and public spaces (hospitals, schools, shop floors), locking mounts prevent casual theft and accidental removal.

What to check before buying

• TV's VESA pattern and weight (without stand)?
• Wall type: drywall with studs, masonry, plasterboard partition?
• Fixed, tilt or full-motion based on room and viewing positions?
• Cable management plan (in-wall, surface raceway, hidden via mount)?
• Service access to the back of the TV after install?

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my TV's VESA pattern?

Check the back of the TV; the four mounting screw holes form a rectangle, and the spacing in millimetres (vertical and horizontal) is the VESA pattern. The TV's spec sheet also lists it. Most current TVs use 200x200, 400x400 or 600x400 mm depending on size.

Can a 65-inch TV hang on plasterboard?

Not directly, with regular plasterboard anchors. The mount needs to attach to wall studs behind the plasterboard, or to a metal stud-finder-located bar. For solid masonry, the right anchors handle the load. For ungainly plasterboard partitions without studs near the install location, a free-standing TV stand is safer.

Are full-motion mounts better than fixed?

Different. Fixed mounts are cheaper, more reliable, lower-profile and easier to install. Full-motion mounts add real flexibility for shared rooms where the TV serves multiple viewing positions, at the cost of price, weight on the wall and a slightly less clean look. Most home installs do fine with fixed or tilt; full-motion is worth its price in specific rooms.

How heavy can a TV mount be?

Common consumer mounts handle 30 to 50 kg, covering most TVs up to 75 inches. Larger and heavier TVs need mounts rated to 60 kg and above. Always specify a mount with a weight rating comfortably above the TV's weight; running close to the limit reduces safety margin.

Do I need a professional installer for wall mounting?

For one or two TVs in a home, DIY install with the right tools and a level is fine. For multiple installs, brick walls, recessed mounts or commercial-scale jobs, a professional installer's tools (laser levels, magnetic stud finders, hammer drills) and time make the result cleaner.