What's the difference between a basic TV mount and a more expensive one?
When it comes to mounting a TV, the quality of the bracket you choose can make a significant difference in the final installation. We’ve installed countless TVs, speakers and projectors, and one thing we've learned is that not all brackets are created equal. In this blog, we'll explain the key differences between using a high-quality bracket, versus opting for a cheaper alternative, and why it matters for your TV set up. On a job however, there can be room for both types so what we install on the day would be discussed and decided upon by you and we would go through all options at the time.
1. Build Quality and Materials
High-quality TV brackets like those from Sanus are made from durable, heavy-duty materials such as high-grade steel or aluminium. These materials ensure the bracket can handle the weight of your TV and provide long-term reliability. They’re built to last and reduce the risk of bends or cracks, even after years of use. This is important as many job now involves TVs of 55" +.
Cheaper alternatives often use lower-grade materials to keep costs down. While they may still hold your TV initially, over time, the materials might weaken or corrode, leading to potential safety issues. They’re less resistant to wear and tear, which means they’re more prone to failure, especially with heavier or larger TVs. However on something like a 42" or 21" TV in a corner of a kitchen, they would work absolutely fine.
2. Weight Capacity
High-end brands offer a wide range of brackets with carefully tested weight capacities. You can be confident that if the bracket is rated for your TV size, it will safely support it. This peace of mind is critical, particularly for larger TVs (50" and above) where a secure hold is essential.
Lower-end brackets often provide weight ratings as well, but these might not be as rigorously tested. In some cases, a basic bracket may struggle to support TVs at the upper end of its claimed range, increasing the risk of the TV pulling away from the wall over time.
3. Ease of Installation
Premium TV brackets are designed with ease of installation in mind. They often come with detailed instructions, high-quality mounting hardware, and smart features such as built-in level adjustments, tilt mechanisms, and cable management solutions. These features make installation faster, smoother, and more precise.
Cheaper brackets often cut corners in these areas. The installation instructions could be unclear or poorly translated, and the mounting hardware may not be as robust. Adjustments like tilt and levelling may also be less refined, which can result in more time-consuming and frustrating installations.
4. Adjustment and Flexibility
High-quality brackets offer a wide range of adjustability, allowing for easy tilting, swivelling, and levelling, even after installation. This makes it simple to get the perfect viewing angle and adjust it as needed, providing optimal comfort and reducing glare. If you change TV or sofa position, it could be handy a year or two down the line to make these adjustments.
With lower-priced alternatives, the range of motion and flexibility is often limited. Once installed, making adjustments can be difficult or even impossible. You might not get the level of fine-tuning that something like a Sanus bracket provides, leading to a subpar viewing experience.
5. Safety Features
Safety is a priority for premium brands. They often include features like locking mechanisms, anti-tip designs, and reinforced mounting points to ensure that your TV stays securely attached to the wall, even in high-traffic areas or homes with children or pets. Sanus also offer a 10 year guarantee with their brackets.
While many cheaper brackets still offer basic safety features, they may not provide the same level of protection. The risk of the TV slipping or the bracket failing under stress is higher with budget options, especially over time. Please note it's more of an issue with areas where they could get moved, pushed rather than if they're somewhere where the TV wouldn't get any movement at all.
6. Aesthetic and Design
A premium bracket is not just functional—it’s designed to complement the sleek aesthetics of modern TVs. Sanus brackets tend to have a low-profile design that keeps the TV close to the wall, hiding bulky hardware and giving a clean, professional look to the installation. They also come in a range of options such as a built in sound bar bracket. They also offer a wider full motion arm with a sleeker look and less parts.
Lower-priced options may prioritise function over form, often resulting in bulkier designs that stick out from the wall or have visible hardware. This can detract from the sleek appearance of your TV setup.
7. Cost vs. Long-term Value
There’s no denying that Sanus brackets come with a higher price tag, but this is a case where you truly get what you pay for. The durability, safety, ease of use, and long-term reliability make them a worthwhile investment. You’re less likely to experience issues down the line, and the chances of needing to replace or repair the bracket are minimal.
While a basic bracket may seem like a good deal initially, the lower upfront cost could lead to higher expenses later. If the bracket fails or doesn’t provide the right support, you could face additional repair costs, or worse, damage to your TV or wall. Over time, the extra hassle and potential risks may outweigh the initial savings.
Conclusion
We believe that using a high-quality TV bracket makes all the difference when it comes to both the safety and the overall satisfaction of your TV installation but we also believe that every job is unique to you. We offer a wide range of brackets from companies like Sanus, Mountsure, B-Tech, Ventry and Prosignal, all offer various benefits depending on the install. Our installers will assess the TV (size and weight), the wall, the cabling, where it's going in the house, what it's being used for, all different aspects of the installation before advising you about what the best bracket will be.
We offer a free TV and audio installation estimate so f in doubt, get in touch!
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