Choosing the wrong TV bracket is one of the most common mistakes we see. Someone buys a fixed bracket, mounts their TV above the fireplace, then realises they can't tilt it down and the viewing angle is terrible. Or they buy a full-motion arm for a TV that sits perfectly flat on a straight wall, paying three times the price for movement they'll never use.
There are three types of TV bracket, and each one suits a different situation. Here's a straightforward guide based on what actually works, from over 30 years of mounting TVs across Colchester and Essex.
Quick Recommendation
If you're unsure which bracket to choose, go with a tilt bracket. It covers most situations, sits almost as slim as a fixed bracket, and costs very little more. You might not need the tilt adjustment now, but you'll appreciate having the option if you ever rearrange the room or swap to a larger TV.
What Are the Three Types of TV Bracket?
Fixed Bracket
Slimmest, CheapestA fixed bracket holds the TV flat against the wall with no movement at all, typically 25 to 40mm proud of the surface. It's the slimmest, cheapest option and the easiest to fit.
It only works well when the TV is mounted at eye level and viewed straight on. If the screen ends up higher than ideal, such as above a fireplace, a fixed bracket leaves you looking up at an angle with no way to correct it.
Best for: a straight wall at the ideal viewing height, where the room is only ever watched from directly in front.
Tilting Bracket
Best All-RounderA tilting bracket lets the TV angle downward, typically 5 to 15 degrees, while sitting almost as close to the wall as a fixed bracket. It's the one we recommend most often.
The tilt corrects the viewing angle whenever the screen ends up above eye level, which is exactly what happens above a fireplace or on a tall chimney breast. It also cuts glare from windows or ceiling lights by angling the screen away from the light source.
Best for: above a fireplace, or any position higher than ideal eye level. Covers most rooms without paying for movement you won't use.
Full-Motion Bracket
Most FlexibleA full-motion (or cantilever) bracket extends the TV away from the wall on an articulated arm, letting you pull it out, swivel it side to side, and angle it up or down. Some extend 40 to 60cm from the wall.
It's the right choice for corner installations, rooms with seating at an angle to the TV, or where you want to pull the screen away from a hot chimney breast and turn it towards the sofa. It's also heavier and needs more precise fixing, since the leverage of a fully extended arm puts far more strain on the wall than a flat bracket does.
Best for: corners, awkward seating angles, or rooms where more than one viewing position matters.
Which Bracket Suits Your Room?
- Straight wall, watched from one spot: a fixed bracket does the job at the lowest cost.
- Above a fireplace or mounted higher than eye level: a tilting bracket, angled 5 to 15 degrees downward. See our TV height guide and fireplace mounting guide for the exact positioning.
- Corner position, or seating at an angle to the screen: a full-motion bracket, so the TV can be turned to face wherever you're sitting.
- Unsure: go with a tilting bracket. It's the sensible middle ground for most rooms.
VESA Patterns and Weight Ratings
Every bracket is rated for a VESA pattern (the screw-hole spacing on the back of the TV) and a maximum weight. Both need to match your TV, not just the screen size.
Smaller TVs (32 to 43 inches) typically use VESA 200x200 or smaller. Mid-size TVs (50 to 65 inches) commonly use VESA 300x300 or 400x400. Larger TVs (70 inches and up) often step up to VESA 600x400. Most "universal" brackets sold today cover everything up to 600x400 and rate for 40 to 50kg, which handles the vast majority of TVs sold in the last decade. See our FAQs below for how to check your own TV's VESA pattern.
On plasterboard walls, weight rating matters even more, since a full-motion bracket's extended arm puts far more leverage on the fixings than a flat bracket. Heavier TVs on full-motion brackets often need fixing into the timber studs behind the board rather than relying on plasterboard fixings alone.
Not Sure Which Bracket You Need?
Tell us the room, the TV size, and where it's going, and we'll recommend the right bracket before we arrive, no guesswork on the day. We carry fixed, tilting and full-motion brackets in a range of VESA sizes and weight ratings.
Roger has 30+ years' experience matching brackets to TVs across Colchester, Chelmsford, Braintree, Loughton and the rest of Essex. TV wall mounting starts from £100. Call 07860 645446 or get a free quote.
