The 10 Best Ceiling TV Mounts
Special Honors
Firgelli Automations Motorized Flip Down What’s that noise? Not the sound of your TV moving into place, because the Firgelli Automations Motorized Flip Down moves both smoothly and quietly. It’s offered in two sizes and is powder-coated for longevity. firgelliauto.com
Auton Rack-and-Pinion Style The Auton Rack-and-Pinion Style is no simple option, but is instead a drop-down motorized lift that will actually conceal your television in the ceiling when it’s not in use. As you might imagine, this makes it pricey, but if you’re creating a true home theater environment, the cost may be justified. auton.com
Editor's Notes
November 06, 2020:
After reviewing the previous list, we found that it mostly stands as is. We did discover the Mount-It! Flip Down, which is very similar to the Impact Mounts Folding, but is compatible with a wider range of tv sizes and VESA patterns for roughly the same price. There have also been some minor changes in terms of ranking, putting a bit more emphasis on versatility of products.
In general, the most important thing to look for in a mount is compatibility. If you can't use it with your television, all other features are inconsequential, so be sure to confirm that the size and weight limits are suitable for your set. If you're hanging a particularly large model, the Cheetah APLCMB and Sanus Flat Panel can each support 70-inch screens, and over 150 pounds. If you're working with a TV that's under 40 inches, the InstallerParts Mount and Mount-It! Flip Down should be perfectly suitable for your needs. Just be sure to verify the VESA pattern of your set is supported, first.
If you're working with vaulted ceilings and are certain you don't want a wall mount, we recommend either the Cheetah APLCMB, StarTech Long Pole or VideoSecu Adjustable, which all have hinges near where they connect to the ceiling, allowing them to hang at different angles. You may also want to think about cable management, since you may not want a lot of wires dangling from the ceiling. The Atdec Telehook and Mount-It! MI-506 allow you to pass cords through the tube of the arm, keeping them neat and tidy.
August 13, 2019:
Although we’ve kept ceiling mounts that are compatible with a range of televisions, you’ll still want to check that your particular TV's size and VESA interface is suitable for the model you choose. And it probably goes without saying, but ceiling mounts require particular care in installation to prevent any unfortunate accidents. With that said, we still like the StarTech Long Pole and Mount It MI-506 for both home and business applications. The former is excellent for large spaces, as its name suggests, but it’s also available in other sizes. We’ve kept the VideoSecu Adjustable, as well, although some users dislike that you need a wrench to adjust its tilt and swivel. That means it may be best for those who are organized enough to keep such a tool on hand. Finally, we opted to add a selection for curved TVs, the Loctek CM3. It’s not the most intuitive to install, but once it’s in place, you can count on it for a comfortable viewing experience.
How To Mount Your TV
The plate should be extremely secure when you're finished; even the slightest amount of give is unacceptable.
Mounting your flat-screen TV to the ceiling might make you nervous. After all, you spent quite a bit of money on that set, and putting it up high just looks more precarious than attaching it to the wall — and the last thing you want is to end up in the ER wearing your TV as a hat.
Mounting a TV to the ceiling can be just as safe as putting it on the wall, however — provided you do it correctly.
The first thing to do is inspect the TV you're going to be mounting. They're not all identical on the back, so make sure the hardware you bought will fit before you start drilling holes.
Also, make sure that the spot you've chosen is suitable. This is important, as you don't want to get halfway through the job and realize that there's not an outlet anywhere near where the TV is being placed. Find a spot that's both comfortable for viewing and convenient for installation. Remember to leave room for accessories, if you use them.
Once you've got a general area staked out, break out your stud finder and find a beam. This is important, as you don't want to anchor it to drywall, unless you want to find yourself eventually sweeping your TV off the floor.
You'll likely have to drill into the beam, as it's going to be hard to screw the hardware in without pilot holes. You can also drill holes to run wires though if you want it to look extremely sleek.
Next, screw in the mounting plate where your holes are. The plate should be extremely secure when you're finished; even the slightest amount of give is unacceptable.
Connect the brackets to your TV, and then assemble everything together. Test the tightness of the installation again, with the same zero-tolerance approach for wiggling.
On the other hand, if things seem a little loose, be sure to offer your mother-in-law a seat under the television...
Is the Ceiling Really The Best Location?
Finding the right spot to put your TV is as much an art as it is a science. So, before you start putting holes in your ceiling, it's worth asking whether the ceiling is even the best place for it. Let's look at the pros and cons, shall we?
One of the biggest things that can ruin your watching experience is glare from the sun. While it's certainly possible to still get a glare on a ceiling-mounted TV, it's less likely, as you can usually place the set higher than where light comes through your windows.
That's great if you have lots of art you want to display, or if you're just terrified of someone bumping into it.
Also, the further you sit from the screen, the harder it is to detect the differences in resolution. This can work either for or against you. If you put it in a position where you have to sit far away from it, you'll be sacrificing some picture quality. However, since ceilings are pretty wide-open spaces, you should have plenty of quality options in terms of placement, and many mounts have swivel arms that let you easily adjust the screen's location.
Speaking of those wide-open spaces, attaching your box to the ceiling should free up space on your walls. That's great if you have lots of art you want to display, or if you're just terrified of someone bumping into it.
Of course, that doesn't mean that ceiling-mounting your screen is without drawbacks. It's a pain to install, and it can be terrifying if you're not confident in what you're doing. You'll have to damage your ceiling as well, so it may not be ideal if you're planning to eventually move and want to get your security deposit back.
Whether or not to mount your TV to the ceiling depends on a variety of factors, but it's certainly convenient — once it's up, of course. It may be worth your while to just hire a professional to install it, as that can save you a ton of stress and hassle.
Or you could just put a mattress underneath it. Your call.
Dangers of Too Much TV
You already know that spending time watching the boob tube is bad for you. But just how bad is it, really?
Watching TV can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, which in turn can lead to blood clots, heart disease, and more. It's easy enough to let an entire day go by without exercise when you don't have multiple seasons of your favorite shows to watch, so if you struggle with motivation, you might want to limit your time in front of the screen.
If you can use it to unwind without going overboard, knock yourself out.
Also, watching late at night can interfere with your sleep patterns — and we're not just talking about the "one more episode before bed" phenomenon. All of that artificial light tells your brain that it's daytime, so it starts to suppress the production of melatonin, thereby throwing off your circadian rhythm. It's basically self-induced jet lag.
All that being said, there are some reasons to consider keeping your TV around.
Being able to curl up in bed and retreat into the warming glow of your favorite programs is obviously a fantastic stress reliever, and we know what stress can do to the human body. If you have a stressful life — and you're responsible with your viewing habits — then a little TV might help.
Plus, watching TV is enjoyable, and a good way to spend time with your family. Having shared shows to watch can deepen the bond between you, as well as provide some fun go-to inside jokes.
Ultimately, whether or not to bring a television into your home depends on your situation — and your self-discipline. If you can use it to unwind without going overboard, knock yourself out.
We mean that figuratively. If you're passing out every time you stand up, it may be time to cut back a little.