The Ideal TV Height and Angle for the Best Viewing Experience

Picture the scene. You’ve just splashed out on a brand new 4K smart TV. It’s the end of the day and you’ve kicked back with a cold one and the one(s) you love, excited to catch the latest must-see movie.

The thing is, you asked a couple of friends to quickly mount your brand-spanking-new TV. And it’s then, as the opening credits start to roll, that you realize your neck’s going to be aching by the time the second act rolls around.

TV height may seem like a simple thing, but get it wrong and your precious downtime will literally become a pain in the neck.

So... don’t get it wrong; get it right. Here’s how.

What should you do before you mount a TV?

First things first, before you even buy the TV, you should be sure you’re getting the right size TV for your room and its layout. BuddyCompany expert Fredrik has a crafty little tip:

“Cut out a piece of cardboard in the size of the TV you are considering buying and place it on the wall to see if it is large enough.”

Apart from size, you’ll want to make sure you place your TV near an antenna wall socket and plug socket. Also, think about the lighting in the room – mounting the TV in a place that isn’t exposed to direct sunlight will help to avoid glare and create a better viewing experience, for example. Lastly, make sure you reserve a spot for a soundbar and components like streaming boxes, games consoles and DVD/Blu-ray players – leaving enough space for a floating shelf underneath is a good idea. 

Once you’ve picked your TV’s perfect size and location, make sure to get a feel for the perfect precise height and angle. Simply ask your family or friends to hold the TV up in the potential mounting position, while you sit on the sofa and find the position that provides the optimal viewing experience.

What’s the ideal TV height?

According to Fredrik, your TV should be mounted so that the center of the screen is around eye-height. “When you look at the TV, you should be looking straight at the center. Forgetting this is a common mistake and many people often place the TV too high up on the wall.”

Of course, it depends on the size of the TV. “If you measure a seated adult on a sofa, then the eye height will usually be 110 cm,” says Fredrik. “So, the middle of the TV should be at 110 cm. This is usually the case if the lower edge of the TV is mounted 50 cm above the floor.”

It also comes down to the layout of your room – it’s not always possible to mount a TV at eye-height, for example. In this case, mounting a TV higher up on the wall is fine, as long as it’s not past a certain viewing angle (see our next point).

What’s the ideal viewing angle for a TV?

When watching TV, the optimal vertical viewing angle is between 0 and 15º. This ensures the best viewing experience and maximum comfort - there is a reason why nobody ever wants to sit in the first row in the cinema! 

If you’re mounting your TV in the bedroom, the ideal angle changes. It’ll need to be mounted higher up on the wall – over 100 cm, preferably with a slope of 95–100º. You can also buy adjustable brackets to easily set the correct TV angle and height.

Is it easy to mount a TV? Can the average person do it?

While it’s not mission impossible, mounting a TV is definitely not something that should be taken lightly. It is not easy to mount a TV and we recommend having an expert like a TechBuddy do it for you. But if you take your time with the job and make sure you’ve got the right tools for the job, the average person can do it. 

You will need help though – mounting a TV is not a solo operation. In terms of tools, Fredrik recommends a spirit level to keep things nice and straight, tools for plaster or drywall anchors and a drill. “The type of drill that is needed depends on the type of wall you have,” he says. “If it is concrete, a hammer drill is needed.” For plaster walls, a standard drill is fine. You’ll also need a screwdriver, a tape measure and a TV mounting bracket.

And don’t forget to buy a cable detector to avoid drilling into any electrical wires!

Can you mount a TV on any wall?

The most common wall types are concrete, brick and stud walls. All these types can support the weight of a TV, although you’ll need to be especially careful with brick and stud walls.

If you have a brick wall, get heavy-duty brick wall anchors to mount your TV. Also, make sure you drill into brick and not mortar, as your TV will be much more secure.

Stud walls are constructed from drywall/plasterboard with stud frames underneath. These stud frames are strong enough to support the weight of a TV. Use a stud finder to locate them. 

However, most of the time you can't find studs in the spot where you want to install the TV mounting bracket so you’d have to place it onto the drywall/plasterboard. BuddyCompany does not recommend mounting your TV directly into drywall/plasterboard. Even with the special anchors, the material isn’t designed to take the weight of a TV. 

It’s really not worth taking a chance with an expensive piece of kit like a TV. If you can’t find a stud when trying to mount your TV, call a Buddy – we’ll be happy to help!

Get the best out of your TV viewing experience

Give your downtime the respect it deserves and make sure your TV is mounted at the perfect height and angle. Remember… if in doubt, call the experts! Book a Buddy today and you can enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows in perfect comfort in no time.