Living in small spaces or rooms with knee walls can make it a challenge to find a place to mount a flat-screen TV. Fortunately, there are mounting kits that allow a TV to hang from the ceiling.
Some ceiling mount kits include poles that extend more than 3 feet from the ceiling, while others offer full-motion brackets for hanging TVs from angled ceilings. Higher-end motorized kits allow a TV to move from an out-of-the-way position flush against the ceiling to a viewing position via remote control. These mounts allow you to level, rotate, and adjust a TV’s viewing angle for the optimal viewing position.
This guide showcases the different types of TV ceiling mounts along with important factors to consider when shopping. To help make the search easier, here is a list of some of the best ceiling TV mounts on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: MVP Mounts Adjustable Ceiling TV Mount Bracket
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Wali TV Ceiling Mount Adjustable Bracket
- BEST FLIP-DOWN: Vivo Electric Flip-Down Ceiling Mount
- BEST DROP-DOWN: VideoSecu Adjustable Ceiling TV Mount
- BEST FULL-MOTION: Perlesmith Multi-Adjustable Ceiling TV Mount
- BEST FOR HIGH CEILINGS: Barkan Full Motion TV Ceiling Mount
How We Chose the Best Ceiling TV Mount
Our list of recommendations is the result of a meticulous evaluation process; we aimed to cater to diverse preferences and requirements when mounting a TV. In our research, we made sure to look at both motorized and manual options to provide choices that align with varying user preferences. We also considered different ceiling types, ensuring compatibility across surfaces.
Our recommendations factored in ideal TV placement for optimal viewing angles in various settings. TV size and weight limits were paramount in our evaluation, guaranteeing secure and hassle-free installations. Our chosen ceiling TV mounts showcase ease of installation, ensuring that users, regardless of their technical expertise, can effortlessly set up these mounts and embark on an enhanced TV viewing experience.
Our Top Picks
The TV mounts below represent some of the best products in their class. Any of the following ceiling TV mounts may suit your needs.
Photo: amazon.com
With its strong steel construction and wide range of adjustment, this ceiling mount is a suitable option for smaller homes. This stout pole supports 14- to 42-inch LCD, LED, and plasma TVs weighing up to 66 pounds. A 360-degree swivel and a tilt feature that allows for a 5- to 20-degree adjustment allow you to position the TV for viewing from virtually anywhere in the room.
The pole also hides the unsightly cables in the pipeline, creating a streamlined look. The kit’s versatile mounting bracket is compatible with the most common TV mounting hole patterns. This mount has a height range that extends from 21 inches to a maximum height of 35 inches. With a joint at the base of the mount that allows you to adjust the pole’s angle, the mount is suitable for use with both horizontal and inclined ceilings.
Product Specs
- Compatible TV size: 14 to 42 inches
- Height adjustment: 21 to 35 inches
- Weight limit: 66 pounds
Pros
- Flexible installation options for multiple ceiling types and angles
- Can tilt and swivel the TV screen to cover most parts of the room
- Easy to install; comes with all hardware for several material types
Cons
- May tend to wiggle when being tilted or rotated
- Installation is easy, but the instructions are written poorly
Get the MVP Mounts ceiling TV mount at Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
With a weight capacity of 110 pounds, this TV mount provides a sturdy means of mounting a TV from the ceiling at an affordable price. This mount fits 23- to 43-inch TVs and offers full-motion adjustment, making it suitable for rooms with pitched ceilings. With its ability to tilt up to 25 degrees and rotate a full 360 degrees, this TV can be positioned for easy viewing from virtually anywhere in a room.
The bracket that mounts to the ceiling is adjustable from left to right to allow for leveling the TV. An incremental height adjustment of 18 inches to 25.9 inches allows for use in rooms with high ceilings. This model will fit the mounting pattern of most TVs that range from 23 to 43 inches.
Product Specs
- Compatible TV size: 23 to 43 inches
- Height adjustment: 18 to 25.9 inches
- Weight limit: 110 pounds
Pros
- Sturdy design can mount heavier TVs up to 110 pounds
- Impressive height-adjustment options; suitable for high ceilings
- Video Electronics Standards Association backplate is compatible with most TV models; simple installation
Cons
- Included bolts are quite short and may not fit all TVs
Get the Wali TV ceiling mount at Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
This motorized TV mount has the ability to drop down from the ceiling at the push of a button, making it one of the top space-saving TV mounts, not to mention one of the best for impressing guests. When not in use, the TV rests flat against the ceiling. When it’s time to watch TV, the mount lowers the TV into a viewing position via remote.
The mount includes programmable tilt settings from 0 to 75 degrees and leveling settings up to 2 degrees in either direction. This stout mount, which is compatible with the most common mounting patterns, is capable of handling TVs up to 77 pounds in sizes ranging from 32 to 70 inches. With a broad range of height adjustment from 4 to 26 inches, this mount is suitable for rooms with both low and high ceilings.
Product Specs
- Compatible TV size: 32 to 70 inches
- Height adjustment: 4 to 26 inches
- Weight limit: 77 pounds
Pros
- Can be a great space saver for smaller rooms
- Motorized movement feels smooth and professional
- Easily installs on both flat and vaulted ceilings
Cons
Get the Vivo ceiling TV mount at Amazon, Walmart, or Vivo.
Photo: amazon.com
With its broad range of height options, high weight capacity, and tilt ability, this model is a worthy choice for mounting a TV from a high ceiling. Adjustable height for this TV ranges from 19.4 to 34.7 inches in 2-inch increments, allowing you to set it at just the right viewing height.
The screen tilts forward up to 15 degrees and swivels 360 degrees, making it viewable from virtually anywhere in a room. The angle of the ceiling plate is adjustable, allowing the TV to mount to a flat or sloped ceiling. This TV also offers a wide range of rotation so you can set it in landscape or portrait position. With its sturdy steel pole, this TV mount has a capacity of 66 pounds and will fit most screen sizes, from 26 to 65 inches.
Product Specs
- Compatible TV size: 26 to 65 inches
- Height adjustment: 19.4 to 34.7 inches
- Weight limit: 66 pounds
Pros
- Adjustable mounting plate can fit most TV models
- Provides good tilting options at both the top and bottom
- Pole can be extended further for higher ceilings (sold separately)
Cons
- Pole may not be thick enough for seamless cable management
Get the VideoSecu ceiling TV mount at Amazon or VideoSecu.
Photo: amazon.com
This full-motion TV mount offers a wide range of adjustability, making it a suitable choice for small spaces. With six height positions, this TV mount can hang from a minimum of 19.69 inches from the ceiling to a maximum 29.61 inches. A swivel mount allows the TV to rotate a full 360 degrees, making it viewable from virtually anywhere in the room, while an adjustable ceiling bracket makes it ideal for pitched ceiling. A tilt adjuster allows for up to 10 degrees of pitch while a leveling feature lets the TV rotate up to 3 degrees in either direction, helping to accommodate for inconsistencies in the ceiling.
This sturdy mount boasts a weight capacity of 110 pounds. The universal ceiling mount fits TVs ranging from 26 to 65 inches and fits most mounting patterns. The center tube conveniently hides cables for a clean look.
Product Specs
- Compatible TV size: 26 to 65 inches
- Height adjustment: 19.69 to 29.61 inches
- Weight limit: 110 pounds
Pros
- Easily tilts up to 3 degrees to correct for unlevel installation
- Solid bracket can hold larger TVs up to 110 pounds
- Great adjustability; can be installed on both flat and slanted ceilings
Cons
- Can feel a little less stable when holding its max TV size (65 inches)
Get the Perlesmith ceiling TV mount at Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
With a maximum distance of 38 inches from the ceiling, this TV mount hangs low enough to suit rooms with high ceilings. The telescopic height adjuster can extend from 16.1 inches to 38 inches in increments of 2 inches. Its steel construction allows it to support up to 88 pounds and TVs ranging in size from 13 to 65 inches.
The mount rotates 160 degrees and tilts from 0 to 25 degrees, allowing a wide range of adjustment for many viewing positions. A leveling adjustment allows the TV to rotate 5 degrees in either direction. This mount also includes a special design that makes it compatible with curved-screen as well as flat-screen TVs, making it one of the more versatile mounts available.
Product Specs
- Compatible TV size: 13 to 65 inches
- Height adjustment: 16.1 to 38 inches
- Weight limit: 88 pounds
Pros
- Backplate is highly adjustable and can fit almost any TV brand
- Innovative design also allows for mounting curved TVs
- Thick pole offers great cable-management opportunities
Cons
- Height adjustments can only be made during installation
Get the Barkan ceiling TV mount at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Target.
What to Consider When Choosing a Ceiling TV Mount
Like TV wall mount kits, ceiling TV mounts come in different designs to suit different needs. Read on to learn more about the different mount types as well as some of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a ceiling TV mount.
Motorized vs. Manual
There are three main types of ceiling mounts: flip-down, drop-down, and full-motion.
- Flip-Down. Flip-down ceiling TV mounts offer excellent space savings. Flip-down mounts include a remote-control-operated motor that allows it to move between an open and closed position. When not in use, the flip-down mounts hold the TV in an out-of-the-way horizontal position against the ceiling. When you’re ready to watch TV, a button on the remote moves the TV into an operating position. A flip-down mount is a great option for small homes and apartments.
- Drop-Down. This type of TV mount consists of a metal pole attached to a bracket on the ceiling. The TV mounts to a bracket at the end of the pole. This type of mount is adjustable, allowing the TV to hang from the ceiling by as little as a few inches to as much as 3 feet. These TV mounts allow you to adjust the tilt of the TV from zero to as much as 25 degrees and can rotate 360 degrees. This type of mount also has leveling adjusters that allow the TV to rotate to the left or right 3 to 5 degrees. Drop-down mounts are a good option for rooms with high ceilings or limited wall space.
- Full-Motion. A full-motion TV mount is similar to a drop-down mount. This type of mount also consists of a metal pole that extends from the ceiling. Like a drop-down mount, the bracket that attaches to the back of the TV includes adjustments for tilt and leveling. But, unlike a standard drop-down mount, a full-motion mount also allows the angle of the pole to be adjusted at the bracket that holds it to the ceiling. This makes a full-motion TV mount ideal for mounting TVs to angled ceilings, such as in a second-story room with a low knee wall.
Ceiling Type and Placement
It’s crucial to select the mount that best suits the type of ceiling in a room. For high ceilings, a drop-down mount with a length range that will allow the TV to descend to the optimal height for viewing may work best. For angled ceilings, a full-motion mount will compensate for the pitch of the ceiling. To maximize the space in a room, consider a motorized mount that moves the TV to an out-of-the-way position when not in use.
Finding the proper placement for a TV is crucial to ensure the best viewing experience. First, identify the main viewing position. Then determine where the mount should go so the TV can best be viewed from that position. Also, take into account how accessories such as a home stereo system will connect to the TV.
TV Size
TV size is important to consider as it determines the best height and position for the mount. A good rule of thumb is that the TV display should fill about 30 degrees of the viewer’s field of vision. The distance between the TV and the seating area will affect this relationship. With this in mind, a 43-inch TV is ideal for viewing distances between 5 feet and 6.5 feet. When that distance increases to 6.5 feet to 8 feet, a 50- to 55-inch TV would be best. While it’s doubtful that a small home will comfortably fit a TV larger than 55 inches, a 60- to 65-inch TV is best viewed from a distance of 8 to 9.5 feet.
Weight Limit
TV mounts have maximum amounts of weight they can safely support. Adhering to the weight limit of a mount is the difference between safely supporting your TV and ending up with a shattered TV on the floor, or worse, a shattered TV and an injured viewer.
Most ceiling mounts have weight limits that far exceed the weight of even the largest flat-screen TVs. Weight capacities generally range from 66 to 100 pounds.
Installation
When installing a ceiling mount, it’s important to follow a few safety guidelines to prevent injury and protect your investment. Make sure you have the proper tools, including a ladder, stud finder, pencil, screwdriver, drill, and wrench or ratchet.
Before purchasing a ceiling mount, measure the mounting pattern on the back of the TV and check the specifications of the mount to ensure they are compatible.
If possible, install the mount into a ceiling joist, which provides the most sturdy support for the weight of a TV. If installing into drywall, be sure to use the proper anchors or mounting plate, as drywall alone is not enough to support the weight of a TV.
TVs are heavy, so it’s essential to have an extra set of hands during installation to either hold the ladder or help hoist the TV to the mount.
When making wire connections for a streaming media player or surround sound stereo speakers, make sure the TV is not plugged in to prevent the risk of electric shock or damage to the TV.
FAQs
It’s crucial to closely follow installation guidelines when mounting a TV to the ceiling. Ahead, find answers to commonly asked questions about this installation process.
Q. Can you mount a TV on the ceiling?
A quality ceiling TV mount will allow you to safely attach a TV to the ceiling. Following the installation instructions carefully and using the proper hardware will prevent the TV and mount from falling down and causing damage or injury.
Q. Can you mount a TV without anchors?
You can install a TV without anchors if you mount it to ceiling joists or wall studs. Mounting a TV that is not supported by studs or joists without anchors can cause the TV to fall, resulting in damage or injury.
Q. Can you mount a TV without drilling?
You can mount a TV without drilling by using a threaded drywall anchor, a hammer, and a power screwdriver. A threaded drywall anchor has a pointy tip and threading like a screw that allows you to drive it into the wall with a power screwdriver.
After locating the position for the mounting hardware, use the hammer to tap the tip of the drywall anchor into the wall. Then use the power driver with a Phillips head screwdriver tip to drive the anchor into the wall. The anchor is now ready to receive the kit’s mounting hardware.
Q. How do you mount a TV on the ceiling?
Mount the TV to the ceiling using a quality ceiling TV mounting kit. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully to ensure a safe installation. Once you’ve decided where to install the ceiling mounting kit, use the bracket to mark the spots where you will mount it to the ceiling. If you are not installing the mounting kit to a ceiling joist, make sure to use anchors or a mounting plate to provide adequate support for the mounting kit and TV.
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