Which TV wall mount is best?
Most modern flat-screen TVs don’t include a mount, so if you want to install the TV on a wall, you will need to purchase one separately. There are several designs to choose from, depending on your needs. Some are fixed in one position, whereas others are highly adjustable.
To avoid damage, it is imperative that a wall mount has the correct weight capacity and mounting configuration for the TV it will hold. An excellent choice is the VideoSecu Full-Motion Articulating TV Wall Mount. It is available in several different sizes for televisions up to 88 inches. It can extend 14 inches from the wall and includes all the necessary hardware for installation. Alternatively, depending on the TV size, there are many other wall mounts worthy of consideration.
What to know before you buy a TV wall mount
Types of wall mounts
First and foremost, buyers need to decide what they are looking for in a wall mount. Some are just simple fixed brackets that mount the television flush to the wall, whereas others allow the TV to tilt up and down or pivot left and right. The most versatile mounts have an articulating arm that can extend from the wall, allowing the TV to be viewed from various different positions around the room.
Size
Modern flat-screen TVs are slim and relatively lightweight, and therefore the mount doesn’t need to be excessively large. Buyers should always check the manufacturer’s maximum weight limit against the model of TV to be sure the mount has a sufficient weight capacity.
Mounting holes
Another key factor is the mounting hole pattern. Many TVs and mounts use standardized VESA sizings, but some do not. For this reason, it is important to measure the distance between the four holes on the back of the television before purchasing a wall mount.
What to look for in a quality TV wall mount
Material and construction
A wall mount, especially one that can extend from the wall, needs to be durable to prevent accidents and damage. High-gauge steel is a common choice for mounts for heavier televisions. Additionally, If the mount extends, then a model with twin arms will spread the weight more evenly and keep the TV stable.
Installation
It is imperative that the mount be installed securely on the wall. If you intend to mount the bracket on drywall then make sure at least two of the fasteners are screwed into a stud. On solid walls, standard rawl plugs and fasteners should be sufficient.
Cables
Before attaching the television to the mount, connect all the relevant cables to the ports on the back of the TV, as this can often be quite difficult once the TV is mounted. Also worth noting, some wall mounts incorporate a cable management system that keeps them neatly together and out of sight.
How much you can expect to spend on a TV wall mount
A fixed mount is usually the cheapest, and for these models there are many options under $50. Buyers seeking a mount durable enough for a large TV with extendable arms should expect to pay between $50 and $150.
TV wall mount FAQ
What is the correct height for a TV wall mount?
A. As a rule of thumb, the larger the TV, the higher on the wall it should be mounted. Accepted guidance is that a 42-inch television should be mounted at 56 inches from the floor to the TV center, and a 70 -inch TV should be about 67 inches from the floor to center.
Can a TV wall mount be used inside a cabinet?
A. There are lots of different ways to configure a wall mount. If the cabinet is made from solid material, then it shouldn’t be a problem. Alternatively, a good-quality cabinet maker can strengthen your furniture to prevent accidents.
I have an old TV. Will it fit a modern TV mount?
A. Most modern wall mounts can accept a wide variety of flat-screen TVs, even older ones. However, old televisions tend to be quite heavy, so be sure to check the weight capacity and mount hole configuration of the bracket first.
What are the best TV wall mounts to buy?
Top TV wall mount
VideoSecu Full-Motion Articulating TV Wall Mount
VideoSecu Full-Motion Articulating TV Wall Mount
What you need to know: This heavy-duty bracket is made from high-gauge steel and extends 14 inches from the wall.
What you’ll love: It has several different mounting points for different-size televisions and a 125-pound capacity. It includes an HDMI cable.
What you should consider: The mounting bracket will be visible with screens of less than 37 inches diagonal.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Shop Now
Top TV wall mount for the money
Yes4All Tilt TV Wall Mount Bracket
Yes4All Tilt TV Wall Mount Bracket
What you need to know: This fixed bracket has a low profile and sits just 1.5 inches from the wall.
What you’ll love: It is suitable for most 20-to-47-inch TVs. The viewing angle can be tilted up to 15 degrees, the mount has a quick release for easy removal.
What you should consider: The supplied wall anchors are not the best quality.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Shop Now
Worth checking out
Mount-It! Long-Extension TV Mount
Mount-It! Long-Extension TV Mount
What you need to know: Ideal for large, heavy televisions, this mount can accept up to a 90-inch TV and has a 176-pound weight capacity.
What you’ll love: It can tilt and swivel and has a 36-inch extension. It sits at just over 3 inches from the wall when fully retracted and has a cable management system to keep everything tidy.
What you should consider: It is too big for televisions under 50 inches.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
Shop Now
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Chris Gillespie writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Share this post:
Expert Shopper › TVs
10 smart TVs that cost less than $500
by Jordan C Woika
April 14, 2023
TV technology has improved to the point where most of the best features are no longer gated behind exorbitant prices. Features like 4K resolution, large screens, high dynamic range and a high count of ports can easily be found for under $500, though you may not be able to get all of these features together at that price point. The most cutting-edge features, such as 8K resolution and curved screens, aren’t available for under $500.
In this article: LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV and TCL Smart TV.
Smart features
Smart TVs are so named because they can connect to the internet. They leverage that ability in different ways.
The main way is by streaming all your favorite content, usually by having an app for each service that can be downloaded from the TV brand’s online store. Smart TV manufacturers without stores instead include pre-installed streaming curating services, such as Apple TV, Google TV or Roku TV.
Some smart TVs are also compatible with smart assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Using microphones in the TV or remote, you can tell these assistants to tune to certain channels or pull up a show from one of your streaming services without having to wade through several menus.
Size
TVs, whether they’re smart or 20 years old, measure screen size on the diagonal. Size isn’t a limiting factor for smart TVs under $500, you can find them as small as 25 inches or as large as 50-plus inches. That said, extra-large smart TVs might have lesser resolution to stay at a sub-$500 price.
Resolution
For smart TVs under $500, there are three resolution points to choose from.
High-definition: This is the lowest-resolution tier, but it is all you need if you’re on the tightest budget. Most TV channels broadcast video in HD.
Full high-definition: If you want the biggest possible screen for under $500, you’ll likely need one with this middle-tier resolution. Most streaming services offer HD and Full HD quality streams.
Ultra high-definition: Ultra HD, or 4K, is the highest resolution you’ll find in smart TVs under $500, though you’ll likely need to sacrifice maximum screen size to get it. Ultra HD has four times the pixel count of Full HD, hence the “4K” nickname.
Other image quality features
Two of the current major image quality features are Dolby Vision and high dynamic range.
Dolby Vision lets a TV display images with greater depth, higher contrast and a wider range of color. Essentially, it makes your TV look closer to the quality you find in high-end theaters. However, the image also needs to be Dolby Vision-compatible.
High dynamic range is similar but simpler than Dolby Vision and can be used in tandem with it. HDR improves the image’s contrast. In other words: The darks look darker, and the brights look brighter.
Ports
Smart TVs are technically just extra-large computer monitors, though they have built-in technology that lets you use them without plugging in any other devices. But most people want to hook up devices like Blu-ray players, cable boxes and game consoles, so double-check the range of ports a smart TV offers to ensure you have enough.
The most common ports are HDMI, the current cable standard. Other ports to prioritize include USB to power devices, headphone jacks and LAN cables for wired internet connections.
Best smart TVs under $500
Best Amazon Fire 4-Series Smart TV
Amazon Fire 4-Series Smart TV
This TV has Ultra HD resolution and HDR support. The remote has a microphone and built-in Alexa compatibility. It has many ports, including four HDMI ports. It comes in 43-, 50- and 55-inch sizes.
Sold by Amazon
Shop now
Best Hisense Smart TV
Hisense Smart TV
This TV has Ultra HD resolution and Dolby Vision and HDR compatibility. It has built-in Roku TV service and is Alexa compatible. It comes in 43-, 50-, 55- and 65-inch sizes.
Sold by Amazon
Shop now
Best Insignia Smart TV
Insignia Smart TV
This is an excellent smart TV for those on particularly strict budgets, as you get a 32-inch screen with Full HD resolution, built-in Fire TV service and Alexa compatibility for less than $200. It has three HDMI ports and a USB port.
Sold by Amazon
Shop now
Best LG Smart TV
LG Smart TV
This Ultra HD TV is built for console gamers with a 120-hertz refresh rate, low latency and a game optimizer. It comes in 43-, 50- and 55-inch sizes for under $500.
Sold by Amazon
Shop now
Best RCA Smart TV
RCA Smart TV
This 58-inch TV has Ultra HD resolution and HDR support plus a built-in Roku TV service. There are plenty of ports for hooking up a game console or Blu-ray player.
Sold by Amazon
Shop now
Best Samsung Smart TV
Samsung Smart TV
This TV has Ultra HD resolution and HDR support, and it is compatible with a range of smart assistants. Ports available include three HDMIs and a LAN. It comes in 43-, 50- and 55-inch sizes for under $500.
Sold by Amazon
Shop now
Best Sony Smart TV
Sony Smart TV
This TV’s 32-inch size and HD resolution make it perfect for channel surfing. The built-in Google TV service and Google Assistant compatibility make it equally well-suited to streaming if you don’t pay for high-resolution content.
Sold by Amazon
Shop now
Best TCL Smart TV
TCL Smart TV
This 40-inch TV offers Full HD resolution and has built-in Roku TV service. Its ports include a USB, three HDMI (with one supporting enhanced audio return), an AV and a headphone jack.
Sold by Amazon
Shop now
Best Toshiba Smart TV
Toshiba Smart TV
This TV offers Ultra HD resolution and support for Dolby Vision and HDR. It has old-school RCA ports, four HDMI ports and two USB ports. It comes in 43-, 50- and 65-inch sizes.
Sold by Amazon
Shop now
Best Vizio Smart TV
Vizio Smart TV
This 43-inch TV has Full HD resolution and is controllable by voice using either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. A mobile app lets you control the TV from your phone.
Sold by Amazon
Shop now
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
Expert Shopper › TVs
Best TV deals for Prime Day 2022
by Chris Thomas
June 12, 2022
Prime Day 2022 features great TV deals
Electronics, especially TVs, are the most heavily discounted items during most online retail buying holidays. That holds true during Amazon’s Prime Day. And unlike some retailers and events, Prime Day TV discounts almost always apply to common TV models with easy-to-find specs, instead of the one-off, subpar TVs sometimes offered during the holiday season.
While predicting Prime Day discounts isn’t an exact science, there are some key indicators as to which TVs will see significant price cuts.
What is Amazon Prime Day?
July 15, 2015, marked the first Prime Day celebration of the 20th anniversary of Amazon’s online sales. It’s no longer specifically marketed as an anniversary party, but it still usually takes place around that day. The dates have changed for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year it’s returning to the normal time of year.
When is Prime Day 2022?
Amazon has long since confirmed that Prime Day 2022 will occur in July. This confirmation happened during an earnings call to shareholders, so you can be 100% confident that it’s valid. However, the exact date remains unknown. Based on historical trends, it will almost certainly be after July 11. For that matter, it will last for two days, and it’s likely to not take place on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. That leaves July 11 to 14 and July 18 to 21 as the most probable windows for Prime Day 2022.
Do I need Amazon Prime to get Prime Day deals?
Yes. To a large extent, that’s part of the point. But you don’t have to be a long-term subscriber or commit to an extended membership. If July is your first and last month as an Amazon Prime member, you’ll still have access to the same deals as everyone else.
How do I find hidden Prime Day deals?
One way to find hidden deals all year long is shopping with Amazon Alexa. Using any Alexa-enabled device, simply ask, “Alexa, what are today’s deals?” and you’ll find many sales only accessible by voice control.
There’s also a novel and lesser-known Alexa function that alerts you as specific Prime Day deals go live. This one only works with the latest-generation Amazon Echo and Echo Show smart speakers and smart displays. If you have one of those devices, you can enter the settings and enable “Deal Recommendations.” Once that’s turned on, Alexa will send notifications when discounts hit any product you’ve saved or added to your wish list or shopping cart.
To be clear, Alexa only scans for discounts on items you’ve saved in one of those three ways. To take advantage of this feature, you’ll need to set aside some time to scour your most wanted products at least 24 hours before the event begins.