What's the difference between tilt and swivel mounts?
When shopping for a TV wall mount, two of the most common options you’ll come across are tilt mounts and swivel mounts (often called full-motion mounts). While they sound similar, they offer very different levels of movement and flexibility — and choosing the wrong one for your space can lead to neck strain, glare, or wasted money.
At Express Mounting, we help homeowners throughout Atlanta, GA make the right call for their TV setup, whether it’s a cozy bedroom wall or a big-screen in a family room with windows all around. In this guide, we’ll break down how tilt and swivel mounts differ, when to use each one, and which is right for your room and viewing habits.
What is a tilt TV mount?
A tilt TV mount allows you to angle your television up or down vertically, but it remains fixed from side to side. This makes it ideal for mounting TVs above eye level, such as over a fireplace or higher on a bedroom wall.
Tilt mounts are simple, sturdy, and great for reducing screen glare caused by overhead lights or sunny windows. If your seating is directly in front of the TV, a tilt mount offers a clean look and a comfortable angle without the complexity of more adjustable hardware.
Best for:
- Mounting a TV above a fireplace
- Bedrooms or rooms with high viewing positions
- Reducing glare from windows or ceiling lights
Pros:
- Quick and easy to install
- Allows vertical adjustment for better viewing angles
- Slim profile keeps TV close to the wall
- Often less expensive than full-motion mounts
Cons:
- No side-to-side movement
- Limited flexibility if your seating changes
- Less ideal for open spaces or multiple viewing positions
Pro tip: A tilt mount is perfect when the TV will mostly be watched from one main spot — like the couch, bed, or recliner directly across from the screen.
What is a swivel (full-motion) TV mount?
A swivel TV mount, also known as a full-motion or articulating mount, allows you to do it all: tilt the screen up or down, swivel it left or right, and in most cases, extend it out from the wall and rotate the angle. This makes it ideal for rooms with multiple viewing angles, unusual layouts, or corner placements.
With a swivel mount, you can adjust your TV throughout the day — say, if you watch from the sofa in the afternoon and the kitchen island at night. It’s the most versatile mount type available and a game-changer in flexible spaces.
Best for:
- Corner TV mounts
- Open-concept layouts with multiple seating zones
- Viewers who need to adjust angles regularly
- Accessing ports and HDMI connections behind the TV
Pros:
- Maximum adjustability and freedom of movement
- Great for large rooms or unconventional layouts
- Makes it easy to access rear TV inputs
- Offers the best possible viewing comfort for everyone in the room
Cons:
- Bulkier profile (TV sits further off the wall)
- Can be more complex to install
- Usually higher in cost than tilt-only brackets
- Requires more planning for cable concealment
Pro tip: Swivel mounts are great for large family rooms, kitchens, and game rooms where people view the screen from multiple directions or change positions often.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Tilt Mount | Swivel (Full-Motion) Mount |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical tilt (up/down) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Side-to-side swivel | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Pulls out from wall | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Ideal for above fireplaces | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Works in corner placements | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Best for multiple viewers | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Slim, low-profile design | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (extends outward) |
| Easier DIY install | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (requires more precision) |
Which one is right for you?
The best TV mount for your setup depends entirely on your space, how you watch TV, and where you sit.
✅ Choose a tilt mount if:
- Your TV is being mounted above eye level
- You want a clean, minimal appearance
- The TV will always be viewed from one spot
- You’re looking for a budget-friendly solution
- You don’t need to access the back of the TV frequently
✅ Choose a swivel (full-motion) mount if:
- Your seating area is off to the side
- You want to mount the TV in a corner or angled wall
- You need frequent access to cables or ports
- You like to reposition the screen throughout the day
- Your space is open-concept or shared between multiple rooms
Still not sure? That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Why Atlanta homeowners trust Express Mounting
At Express Mounting, we’ve helped thousands of customers choose and install the perfect TV mount for their space. We don’t just bolt your TV to a wall — we assess the room layout, sunlight, seating arrangement, and wall type to recommend the mount that will work best long-term.
Our installers are trained to work with brick, concrete, drywall, fireplaces, and even tricky corners — and we always bring the right tools and mounts for the job.
✅ Flat, tilt, and full-motion mounts available
✅ TV mounting on any surface: brick, drywall, concrete, fireplace
✅ Custom cable concealment options
✅ Clean, fast, and insured installations
✅ Honest recommendations — no upselling
Ready to mount your TV?
Don’t settle for a poor viewing angle or struggle with the wrong bracket. We’ll help you make the right choice, and we’ll install it safely and cleanly — guaranteed.
👉 Visit ExpressMounting.com to request a quote or schedule your installation in Atlanta, GA and surrounding areas.
📍 Express Mounting – The go-to choice for tilt and swivel TV mounting done right.