Looking to upgrade your gaming setup? Mounting your TV or monitor is a great way to give your setup a more professional look and save space. However, you’ll need to do a bit of research before you buy any mount. Choosing the right TV mount will ensure optimal comfort, functionality, and aesthetics. These are the basics you should know and the top considerations to make before buying a TV mount for your gaming setup.
Understanding Different Types of TV Mounts
Before diving into the specifics of your setup, let’s cover the various types of TV mounts available on the market:
- Fixed mounts: These mounts hold your TV flat against the wall and offer no adjustability. They are the most basic and affordable option. And according to Selby Acoustics, they are the most popular selling TV mounts. Might not be versatile enough for most people, but a great money-saver if you don’t need to adjust your TV. They also tend to be super flush with the wall because of reduced hardware.
- Tilting TV mounts: This type allows you to tilt the TV up or down, which can be useful for reducing glare or accommodating various seating heights.
- Full-motion (articulating) TV mounts: These mounts offer the greatest flexibility, with the ability to swivel, tilt, and extend the TV away from the wall. This is ideal for rooms with multiple viewing angles or seating areas.
- Ceiling TV mounts: These mounts suspend the TV from the ceiling, providing a unique viewing experience and saving wall space.
Assessing Your Gaming Setup
Picking the right mount is all about the specifics of your setup. You might be tempted to just get the best full-motion mount and call it a day, but we encourage you to hesitate before doing so. If you don’t really need a fancy full-motion mount, you’ll be wasting your money, and you might not be happy with how bulky it is once it’s actually installed. Instead, consider these key aspects about your setup before choosing a mount:
- Room size and dimensions: Measure the available space and consider the distance between your seating area and the TV to ensure comfortable viewing.
- Seating arrangements and viewing angles: Take into account the number of seats, their positions, and the preferred viewing angles for each. Do you like to sit in different locations while gaming, do you have company often, or is your gaming limited to one position? Is there natural light in the room that sometimes reflects off the TV?
- Positioning of gaming consoles and equipment: Consider where your gaming consoles, sound systems, and other equipment will be placed relative to the TV.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a TV Mount
Now you should have a good understanding of your setup, and you may already know which mount type you want. Of course, there are more decisions to make once you’ve chosen a mount type. Consider the following when picking a specific mount:
Compatibility with TV size and weight
This is the most important factor to consider for any mount. Be sure you understand the size and weight limitations of the mount you’re buying. If you don’t follow your mount’s limitations, it could end with a broken TV and a very sad gamer. You should know the exact size and weight of your TV and double-check that it falls within the limits of the mount you buy.
Adjustability and flexibility
Once you assess your setup, you can determine the amount of flexibility that you need in a mount. If you want to accommodate various seating arrangements, you’ll likely want a full-motion mount. Pay attention to the specific swivel range of each mount and make sure it is wide enough to reach each viewing angle comfortably. It’s a good idea to “test” the swivel range by holding up a tape measure that’s the width of your TV in the approximate location that the mount will be. Many people see the pivot or swivel range of, say, 90 degrees and assume they’ll be able to twist the TV that much. However, in practice, depending on the size of the TV, the sides will likely hit the wall at a certain point if the mount doesn’t come out far enough. This is why it’s important to do a “test” run to get a good idea of how far you’ll actually be able to adjust.
Cable management and ease of installation
Look for mounts with built-in cable management systems and straightforward installation processes. Typically, your cables will have to run farther distances once you mount your TV on the wall, and this might be unsightly. If you don’t get a mount with cable management solutions then have a plan for your cable organization.
Durability and build quality
Invest in a TV mount made from high-quality materials to ensure longevity and reliable support for your TV. Once installed, your TV probably won’t move much, so it’s easy to forget that there is constant strain being put on the mount every day. Over time, this strain builds, so it’s important to have a mount made of strong materials that won’t start to break after just a year.
In addition to these key factors, there are some additional considerations to make that can help you decide which mount is best for you:
- Think about future upgrades and changes to your gaming setup when selecting a TV mount, as you may need additional flexibility or compatibility down the road.
- Opt for a mount with built-in features such as a bubble level or a soundbar mount to streamline your gaming area.
- Consult professional installation services if necessary to ensure the safe and proper installation of your TV mount.
- Make sure that the retailer you’re buying from provides detailed information about the mount and its capabilities. An established retailer will provide full specifications on the adjustability of the mount, the materials, size, supported TV measurements, and included hardware.
Selecting the right TV mount for your gaming setup is a crucial step in creating a comfortable and immersive gaming environment. By considering your unique gaming needs and preferences, you can make an informed decision that will enhance your gaming experience for years to come.