A tilting TV wall mount offers a few advantages over the standard fixed TV mount.
The extra flexibility provided may not seem like much, but there are reasons why this type of mount may be a better choice for you than a low-profile alternative.
If you want to understand the other types of wall mounts, go to the best TV wall mount buying guide – which offers a broad introduction to TV wall mounts and considers all your options.
However, this article will discuss the pros and cons of the tilt TV mount and looks at a few reasons why it may be the best choice for your room.
Tilting Wall Mount Comparison Table
- TV Sizes: 37-70 Inch
- Max Weight: 132 lbs
- VESA: 200x100 to 600x400
- TV Sizes: 23-55 Inch
- Max Weight: 115 lbs
- VESA: 75x75 to 400x400
- TV Sizes: 32-90 Inch
- Max Weight: 165 lbs
- VESA: 100x100 to 600x400
What is a Tilting TV Wall Mount?
A tilting TV wall mount allows the TV screen to be tilted up or down at an angle.
The tilt angle is usually restricted to around 7 or 8°, although this does vary between models.
You may also find that the amount of movement is different between up and down – so consider this if you know that you are more likely to require an up or down angle.
Tilting mounts have many of the advantages of the low-profile fixed tv wall mount – such as a discrete installation – but the added movement can be advantageous in some situations.
They are also called angled TV wall mounts.
The picture here of the Mounting Dream MD2268 tilt TV wall mount shows an example of this type of wall mount.
Image Credit: Mounting Dream
As you can see, it is similar to a fixed wall mount, but the brackets allow you to angle the screen up or down.
The Benefits of Tilting the TV
Why would a tilting mount be preferable over one in a fixed position?
The main advantage is adjusting the angle of the TV screen relative to your viewing position.
If the places where you can install your TV are limited, then being able to move the screen can help to overcome this.
For example, you may have to install the TV slightly higher than you want – maybe due to the position of shelving or a fireplace.
In this case, you could tilt the screen downwards to face your seating position directly.
This should give an improved picture compared to viewing it at a slight angle.
This is especially important for LED screens which can lose color accuracy and contrast if you view them at an angle.
The better-quality modern LED screens suffer less from this issue than cheaper models – but color washout is still a big problem for many TVs.
Obviously, there is a similar solution if the screen has to be installed slightly lower than you would ideally like. You would then angle the screen upwards a little to get the perfect view.
The ability to angle the screen can also be helpful if you have bright daylight or direct sunlight in your room.
You may have a situation where you need to adjust the screen slightly in the daytime to avoid glare from the windows – and this may change throughout the day as the sun moves position.
Therefore, the option to vary the angle of the TV screen during the day can really save you an annoying problem.
Of course, it isn’t just sunlight that can cause glare on the screen. Room lighting will also cause issues if they are in a tricky position.
So, you can also have glare issues in the evening when the curtains are closed but the lights are on.
Easier Cable Installation
Moving the TV angle can also help when installing the cabling for your system.
With a fixed TV wall mount, it may be necessary to connect all the cabling before you hang the TV on the wall – because it can be challenging to connect the cables once the TV is in place.
With a tilting screen, you can angle the screen up while it is in position on the wall and have much easier access for connecting and replacing cables.
You may not appreciate this until you have to do it, but it can make life much easier.
Image Credit: PERLESMITH
The PERLESMITH PSMTK1 tilting TV wall mount, pictured above, supports TVs from 23-55 inches with a maximum weight of 115 lbs.
The mount can tilt up to 7° – both up and down – which could be really useful when connecting the cabling.
Of course, you won’t necessarily have a problem. It will depend on the design of the screen and the location of the connectors.
If the connections are positioned on the side of your TV, then this might not be an issue.
But, it is something you might want to consider when choosing your TV – and your wall mount.
Consider the Cost
The main downside of a tilt TV mount is that it will generally be more expensive than a fixed wall mount.
Although, if you shop around, the difference can be slight.
Having said that, it might be worth paying slightly more if you will benefit from the advantages mentioned above.
A tilting wall mount will also not have the added flexibility of an articulating tv swivel mount, so you would need to decide if you need this extra movement or not.
It will depend on the situation in your room and if you will need to move the TV’s position once it is on the wall.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Tilting Wall Mounts
Advantages:
- allows for the screen to be angled up or down
- good for rooms with windows that cause screen glare
- easier to install and replace cables than a fixed wall mount
- allows for a low-profile installation close to the wall
Disadvantages:
- might be more expensive than a fixed wall mount
- limited options to adjust the screen position compared to an articulating mount
- unable to place in the corner of a room
What Else Should You Consider When Buying a TV Wall Mount?
The wall mount type is the primary consideration when purchasing a television mount.
However, once you have settled on buying an angled TV wall mount, you need to also think about:
- The wall type: some mounts are only suitable for certain types of walls. Check if the mount will fix on concrete, brick or wall studs – and how far apart should the wall studs be?
- The VESA configuration: your TV will have one or two sets of mounting holes – known as the VESA specification. Check the mount you buy will fit with the VESA spacing of your TV.
Once you work out these issues, you should have no problems installing whichever wall mount you buy.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a simple method for placing your TV on a wall, then a tilting TV wall mount may be just what you need.
If you don’t require the TV to be adjustable for many different viewing positions, your primary choice is between a fixed wall mount and a tilting one.
As you have seen, the tilting version gives you a little more flexibility than the fixed flat version, so you will need to decide if you will find the extra movement useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, if you have some more questions, you will find the answers here.
What’s the Difference Between a Fixed and Tilt TV Mount?
The main difference between a fixed TV mount and a tilting version is the movement of the TV screen. Although a few models allow some lateral adjustment, a TV attached to a fixed wall mount cannot be moved. Whereas a tilting mount allows screen adjustment up or down – which can help remove glare from bright lights.
Should a Wall-Mounted TV Be Tilted?
A wall-mounted TV should only be tilted when glare from room lights or nearby windows creates a problem viewing the screen. If there are no problems with room reflections and the TV is installed at eye level, there should be no need to tilt the screen.
Tilt vs. Full Motion TV Mount – Which One Do You Need?
A tilt TV mount is ideal for installing your television close to the wall while allowing minor adjustments to avoid screen reflections. A full-motion mount allows for greater screen positioning in several directions and is necessary for mounting a TV in a corner.
About The Author
Paul started the Home Cinema Guide to help less-experienced users get the most out of today's audio-visual technology. He has been a sound, lighting and audio-visual engineer for around 20 years. At home, he has spent more time than is probably healthy installing, configuring, testing, de-rigging, fixing, tweaking, re-installing again (and sometimes using) various pieces of hi-fi and home cinema equipment. You can find out more here.
