Wall-Mounted vs. Stand TVs: Pros, Cons, and Setup Tips
Posted on February 19, 2026 By Chris D.
Your TV should be the grand entertainment centerpiece of any room you put it in. However, setting up a TV isn't quite as simple as it might seem. You're going to have to make a bunch of decisions just to choose the right TV for you, and then once you have it you have to make one of the most important decisions of all: Should you wall-mount your TV or put it on a TV stand? We're here to break down the pros and cons of wall-mounted and stand TVs so you'll be informed before you commit to either.
Wall-Mounted TVs
Wall-mounted TVs are, as their name implies, meant to be mounted on your wall to give you a comfortable, elevated viewing experience without the need for a stand.
Pros
Wall-mounted TVs come with many pros:
- They unlock a variety of great viewing angles, especially since many TV wall mounts are able to swivel.
- You can also adjust many of them at will through the use of a large, adjustable arm that connects them to the wall.
- Wall mounts are also secured into the wall, so it's very unlikely for your TV to fall, even if disturbed.
- It also helps that nearly every flat panel TV is wall mountable, so you should be able to wall mount your TV no matter which one you have.
- Some more premium models can mount nearly flush with the wall, giving them a seamless, design-forward style that will wow your guests.
Cons
There are a few things to consider when debating getting a TV wall mount though.
- Wall-mounted TVs require tools and need to be screwed in, leaving holes in the wall, making them less convenient for use in an apartment or dorm.
- It also tends to be harder to reach the ports on a wall-mounted TV, but a swivel, full motion, or cantilever wall mount would absolutely alleviate this issue.
Setup Tips
If you do go ahead with a TV wall mount, we've got some tips to help make sure it goes up properly. First, make sure to choose the right mount for you, whether that's a full motion TV wall mount, a tilt TV mount, or a fixed TV mount. Next, choose a spot on the wall to mount it. As a general rule of thumb, make sure the bottom of the TV is no higher than your eye level when sitting down, and the top should be no higher than eye level when standing up. This will help ensure that your TV is at a great viewing angle. Once you've chosen the right spot on the wall, it's time to fasten the mount, at which point you're probably going to need at least a screwdriver, a level, and an extra pair of hands from a helpful friend or family member. Finally, it's time to deal with the cable management. You can get yourself some cable covers or run the cables through your wall if possible.
Stand TVs
Stand TVs are much simpler than wall-mounted TVs. All you'll need to set it up is a TV stand, available in a variety of styles to choose from.
Pros
Simplicity is the name of the game with stand TVs and many of their pros reflect that.
- It's a lot easier to put a TV up on a TV stand than it is to install a whole mount into your wall.
- The setup process will be relatively short, and there are a wide variety of TV stands in virtually any style you could ever need to match your home.
- Rather than having to install anything, all you'll need is a couple of helpers to move the stand in and potentially put some parts together.
- Some of the stands themselves also come with additional features like extra storage space for cables, physical media, or a video game console.
- There are also TV stands with flat panel mounts that combine the convenience of a TV stand with the elevated viewing angles that come with wall mounts. These units come with a flat panel mount that extends up from the TV stand, so you won't need to install anything into a wall, but you'll still have that wall mounted look.
Cons
Of course, there are still cons to consider that come with TV stands.
- One drawback that comes with many TV stand setups is that most can't have their viewing angles adjusted as much as a wall-mounted TV can, at least not as easily. Unless you have a hybrid TV stand, which can swivel, you'd likely have to move the whole unit to change the angle.
- If you live in a home with small children, stand TVs might also be less secure than a wall-mounted model. They usually aren't held down in any way to the TV stand, meaning it's possible that one jostle could send your TV tumbling.
Setup Tips
Though the process of setting up a stand TV is far simpler than that of a wall-mounted TV, you still have a few decisions to make before you power it on. You're going to need to find a TV stand with the right height and style for your space. Once you commit to a stand, you're probably not going to want to go through the hassle of changing it out, especially if it's a large one with storage compartments. For a stand TV you can follow different eye-level guidelines. Make sure the center of the TV is aligned with your seated eye-level for optimal viewing.
No matter which TV setup you commit to, you've got countless hours of comfortable viewing in your future. The key is choosing the option that best complements your space. With the right setup, you'll be more excited than ever to kick back and enjoy your favorite show, knowing everything in your space is exactly where it should be.
