Full-motion TV wall mounts, also known as articulating TV wall mounts, are a type of mounting bracket designed to support a TV while providing a wide range of motion. While they're typically used in living rooms, they're especially valuable in adaptable spaces such as kitchens where viewing angles frequently shift.
In this guide, we'll explore the best full-motion wall mount options available and provide tips to consider during your selection and installation process.
Reasons Full Motion TV Wall Mounts Are Better
Compared to stationary mounts, full motion articulating mounts provide a number of advantages:
- Allow you to easily adjust the viewing angle for optimal viewing from anywhere in the room. This is useful if you have multiple seating areas or tend to move around.
- Can pull the TV several feet away from the wall for a more immersive, theater-like experience.
- Great for tight spaces like kitchens where people are often moving around and need flexible viewing angles.
- Allow you to angle the TV to avoid glare from windows and ambient light sources.
In most cases, full motion mounts don‘t cost significantly more than stationary options. Considering the flexibility they provide, we think they are an obvious better choice for many homeowners.
The 7 Best Full-Motion TV Wall Mounts
Based on availability, price, features, and customer reviews, we recommend the following articulating TV mounts:
#1 Best Overall: USX MOUNT XML008-K
The USX MOUNT XML008-K is compatible with TVs 47" to 84" up to 132 pounds, and it offers some of the smoothest full motion capabilities. Dual arms provide enhanced stability and support.
Best Budget: Perlesmith Swivel TV Wall Mount
For under $30, the Perlesmith Swivel Mount gets top marks for its sturdy dual-arm bracket and easy installation. While motion is limited to swiveling, it‘s an excellent affordable option.
Best Outdoor: Mount Plus Weatherproof TV Wall Mount
Specifically designed for outdoor use, the Mount Plus has special rustproofing and weatherproofing that allows permanent installation on a covered patio or porch. The articulating arm offers smooth full motion.
Best Extra-Large TVs: Mounting Dream MD2413-MX
With support for massive TVs up to 130 inches and 176 pounds, the MD2413-MX is built for today‘s plus-sized screens. The 24-inch articulated arm offers any viewing angle.
Best Gaming: VideoSecu Articulating TV Wall Mount
With a full 90 degrees of swivel rotation and 17 degrees of tilt, the VideoSecu mount is ideal for angling your TV perfectly no matter where players are seated. The dual arms provide stability for large screens.
Best Corner TV Mount: WALI Corner TV Mount
Save space by mounting your TV in the corner! This mount fits virtually seamless where two walls meet and offers full articulating motion.
Best Under $50: Perlesmith Universal TV Mount
For less than $50, you can enjoy flexible swiveling and tilting motion. Smooth adjustment makes it easy to reduce glare or accommodate shifting positions. It handles TVs up to 65".
Choosing the Right Full Motion Wall Mount
When selecting an articulating TV wall mount, there are three main factors to evaluate:
TV Size and Weight Capacity
It‘s critical to choose a mount rated for your TV‘s weight with compatible VESA sizes. Confirm your exact model‘s specs before purchasing. Many mounts fit a range of sizes, but maximum weight capacity varies significantly.
Viewing Needs
Consider seating arrangements, lighting, glare, and expected viewer movement to determine ideal motion range. For example, swiveling ability opens up corner placement while significant extension pulls TVs further from the wall for immersive viewing.
Features
Many mounts include cable management channels to hide cords and some have theft-deterrent features for outdoor use. If you‘ll be installing in drywall alone, ensure the mount has adequate support – dual arms generally provide the most stability.
Tips for Installing Your Full Motion TV Wall Mount
Follow these best practices for smooth installation and setup:
- Use a mount finder or stud finder to identify exact stud locations
- Follow all safety guidelines for height, weight capacity and connection points
- Have a friend help align and secure TV during the mounting process
- Use cable ties, clips and channels to organize cords in back
- Slowly check full range of motion before finalizing to ensure adequate clearance
If your mount begins sagging over time, carefully tighten bolts or replace with larger lag screws for enhanced durability.
Alternative Spaces to Use a Full Motion Wall Mount
While we mostly envision wall mounts in living rooms, the flexible positioning they provide can be useful in other rooms including:
- Kitchen – Easily adjust angle for visibility from countertops or tables
- Bedrooms – Pull away from wall for movie watching in bed
- Gaming rooms – Swivel for ideal viewing angles in multi-player setups
- Bathrooms – Tilt to avoid steam or moisture damage over time
- Offices – Use as adjustable external monitor for desktop computers
- Garages or covered patios – Outdoor models allow permanent exterior installation
So don‘t limit yourself to the living room – a full motion mount can make your TV more functional anywhere you need flexible placement.
TV Viewing Habits and Statistics
Understanding how viewers watch TV and their pain points can help guide your full motion mount choice:
- According to Nielsen, the average American watches over 4 hours of TV per day
- Viewing on secondary devices like smartphones and tablets is growing quickly – up 70% since 2012
- Surveys show that glare from sunlight is a top annoyance and distraction for TV viewers
- Average TV screen sizes continue to get larger year-over-year, with many now exceeding 60 inches
Keep these trends and pain points in mind as you evaluate mounting options. The ability to reposition and tilt your display based on ambient lighting and seating arrangements is becoming more crucial than ever before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do curved TVs need special wall mounts?
Since the only curved part is the screen itself, you do not need a special wall mount bracket for a curved TV. Simply ensure compatibility with VESA sizes and weight capacity as you would for a flat screen TV.
Is it harder to mount a curved TV?
Mounting a curved TV is not inherently more difficult than a flat screen. The installation process is essentially the same.
Is a full-motion TV wall mount worth it?
We think the flexibility provided by full motion mounts is well worth the small price difference from stationary mounts in most cases. As TVs get ever larger, the ability to easily adjust viewing angles becomes more important for adequate visibility.
With their increased range of motion, full-motion TV wall mounts provide the flexibility needed to get the perfect viewing angle in any room. Carefully evaluate your display size, room dynamics, seating options and more when selecting the ideal mount. Proper installation is also key – be sure to use the right hardware and get help positioning your TV. Follow the tips in this guide and your new mount will provide an optimal TV experience for years to come.
