Different Types of TV Wall Brackets Explained: Fixed, Tilt, and Full-Motion

Mounting your telly on the wall seems straightforward until you’re standing in the bracket aisle, completely overwhelmed by the options. Fixed, tilt, full-motion, articulating, cantilever — it’s like they’ve invented a new language just to sell you a bit of metal. Having wrestled with more wall mounts than I care to remember (and yes, I’ve definitely sworn at a few), I reckon it’s time to break down exactly what these different types actually do & why you might choose one over another.

The truth is, most people grab the cheapest bracket they can find, then spend the next five years craning their necks or squinting through glare because they didn’t think it through properly. Don’t be that person.

Fixed Wall Brackets: The No-Nonsense Option

Fixed brackets are exactly what they sound like — your TV goes up, stays put, and that’s that. No movement, no adjustments, no fancy mechanisms. Just a solid bit of kit that holds your television flush against the wall like a piece of artwork.

These mounts are brilliant for specific situations. If you’ve got a room where everyone sits directly in front of the telly, a fixed bracket makes perfect sense. They’re also incredibly slim — we’re talking about maybe 2-3cm from wall to screen — which gives you that sleek, modern look that interior designers bang on about.

But here’s the thing: fixed brackets are unforgiving. Get the height wrong, and you’re stuck with it. Position it where afternoon sunlight creates glare, and you’ll be watching TV with sunglasses on. I learned this the hard way in my first flat, where I mounted a 32-inch screen perfectly level but forgot to consider that the sofa was lower than I’d measured from. Spent two years with a crick in my neck before I finally moved house.

Price-wise, fixed brackets are your cheapest option. You can pick up a decent one for £15-30, depending on your TV size. They’re also the most reliable — fewer moving parts means fewer things that can break or work loose over time.

Tilt Brackets: The Goldilocks Solution

Tilt brackets add one crucial movement: they let you angle your TV up or down. Usually, you get about 15-20 degrees of adjustment, which might not sound like much but can make a massive difference to your viewing experience.

This is where things get interesting. Mount your TV slightly higher than eye level (which often looks better in a room), then tilt it down toward your seating area. It’s like having a cinema screen that’s perfectly angled for your specific setup. Plus, you can adjust the tilt to reduce glare from windows or lights — something that’s saved my bacon countless times during afternoon football matches.

The adjustment mechanism is usually a simple allen key affair, though some fancier models let you make changes by hand. Once you’ve found your sweet spot, most brackets lock into position, so you don’t have to worry about the TV gradually tilting over time.

Tilt brackets add maybe 5-8cm to your wall distance, which is still pretty slim. They’re slightly more expensive than fixed mounts — expect to pay £25-60 for a quality one — but the flexibility is often worth it. I’d argue they’re the sweet spot for most people: more versatile than fixed, less complicated than full-motion.

Full-Motion Brackets: Maximum Flexibility

Full-motion brackets (sometimes called articulating or cantilever mounts) are the Swiss Army knives of TV mounting. They extend, swivel, tilt, and generally move in ways that seem almost magical when you first use one.

These mounts use extending arms that can pull your TV out from the wall by 30-60cm, then swivel it left or right by up to 180 degrees. Combined with tilt functionality, you can position your screen almost anywhere within a surprisingly large area. It’s like having a TV on a very sophisticated, very strong robotic arm.

The benefits are obvious: you can angle the TV toward different seating areas, pull it out to avoid glare, or even swivel it to face the kitchen while you’re cooking. In open-plan living spaces, this flexibility is genuinely game-changing. You can mount the TV in the optimal position for the room’s layout, then adjust it as needed for different activities.

But (and there’s always a but) full-motion brackets aren’t perfect. They’re bulkier when extended, they cost more (£50-150+ for decent ones), and they can be more complex to install properly. The extra weight and leverage mean you need to be absolutely certain about your wall’s strength & the quality of your fixings.

Weight Capacity and Size Considerations

Here’s something that catches people out: just because a bracket says it fits your TV size doesn’t mean it’s the right choice. A 55-inch TV can weigh anywhere from 15kg to 25kg, depending on the technology and build quality.

Always check the weight rating, not just the size compatibility. I’ve seen brackets rated for 65-inch TVs that can only handle 20kg — fine for some models, disaster for others. When in doubt, go for a bracket rated well above your TV’s weight. The extra strength doesn’t cost much more and gives you peace of mind.

The VESA mounting pattern is another crucial consideration. This refers to the spacing of the mounting holes on the back of your TV. Most brackets accommodate multiple VESA patterns, but it’s worth double-checking before you buy. Common patterns include 200x200mm, 400x400mm, and 600x400mm.

Don’t forget about cable management either. Thicker, more complex brackets often have better cable routing options, which can make a significant difference to your finished installation’s appearance.

Wall Type and Installation Requirements

Your wall type matters more than most people realise. Solid brick or concrete walls can handle almost any bracket and TV combination. Plasterboard walls are trickier — you’ll need to hit the studs (the wooden or metal framework behind the plasterboard) or use specialist fixings.

For lightweight TVs and fixed brackets, decent plasterboard fixings might suffice. But for larger screens or full-motion brackets, you really need to secure into the studs. The forces involved when extending and swiveling a heavy TV are substantial, and you don’t want to discover your wall’s limitations the hard way.

Some brackets come with different types of fixings included, but don’t assume they’re suitable for your specific wall. A £5 investment in proper rawl plugs or coach screws can save you from a very expensive mistake.

Professional TV installation starts to make sense for heavier TVs or complex brackets. Yes, it costs extra (typically £50-150), but the peace of mind and warranty coverage can be worth it, especially if you’re not confident about your DIY skills.

Choosing the Right Bracket for Your Situation

So which type should you choose? It depends on your specific circumstances, but here’s how I’d approach the decision.

Fixed brackets make sense if you have a dedicated TV room with fixed seating, your TV position is perfect, and you want the slimmest possible profile. They’re also ideal for bedrooms or secondary TVs where you prioritise simplicity and cost.

Tilt brackets are probably the best choice for most living rooms. They give you enough adjustment to handle different seating heights and lighting conditions without the complexity of full motion. If you mount your TV above a fireplace or higher on the wall, the tilt function becomes essential.

Full-motion brackets justify their extra cost and complexity in open-plan spaces, rooms with multiple seating areas, or situations where you need maximum flexibility. They’re also brilliant for corner installations where you might want to angle the TV toward different parts of the room.

Think about your specific usage patterns too. Do you watch TV from different positions? Do you have glare issues at certain times of day? Will you want to adjust the viewing angle for different types of content? These factors should influence your choice more than the price difference.

Quality and Brand Considerations

Not all brackets are created equal, and this isn’t an area where you want to cut corners too dramatically. Cheap brackets can work fine for smaller TVs, but as screen sizes and weights increase, build quality becomes crucial.

Look for brands like Vogel’s, Sanus, or Invision if you want proven quality. These companies specialise in mounting solutions and generally offer better build quality, clearer instructions, and more comprehensive fixing kits. Yes, you’ll pay more than for a generic bracket from an online marketplace, but the difference in quality is usually obvious.

Pay attention to the bracket’s construction too. Solid steel construction, smooth movement mechanisms, and quality fixings are all signs of a bracket that’ll last. Avoid anything that feels flimsy or has plastic components in critical areas.

Warranty coverage varies significantly between brands and price points. A longer warranty often indicates the manufacturer’s confidence in their product, and it provides valuable protection for your investment.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right TV bracket isn’t rocket science, but it deserves more thought than most people give it. The £20-50 difference between bracket types is negligible compared to the cost of your TV, and the impact on your viewing experience can be substantial.

My advice? Unless you have very specific requirements that demand a fixed mount, go for a tilt bracket as your default choice. They offer the best balance of flexibility, cost, and simplicity for most situations. Consider full-motion only if you genuinely need the extra flexibility — they’re impressive but not always necessary.

Whatever you choose, invest in proper installation. A perfectly mounted TV on a quality bracket is one of those home improvements that you’ll appreciate every single day. Get it wrong, and you’ll be reminded of your mistake every time you watch television.