A soundbar is a must for a complete at-home theater experience, but there’s no need to sacrifice your limited cabinet space for higher-quality sound. A soundbar mount featuring durable construction, customizable configurations and easy setup can transform your movie nights, gaming and even everyday streaming without sacrificing the look of your entertainment center. If you’re looking for the best soundbar mount for your TV, the Mounting Dream Soundbar TV and Soundbar Mount offers four mounting options plus 180-degree swiveling extension plates for increased flexibility.
What to know before you buy a soundbar mount
Your TV’s placement
Hopefully, your TV is already mounted or placed at roughly the level of a seated adult for the most comfortable viewing experience. Your sound should come from the same place. If your TV is wall-mounted, you can mount your soundbar above or below your TV. If you have your TV on an articulating arm wall mount, you’ll want a soundbar mount that can attach to the arm so your sound and picture come from the same direction. Some soundbar mounts even let you attach your soundbar directly to your TV, though audio purists recommend installing your soundbar 5 to 6 inches away from your TV for best acoustics.
Your soundbar and TV specifications
Measuring and weighing both your soundbar and your TV is vital to make sure you purchase a mount that’s going to securely hold them. Many universal soundbar mounts are available, but it’s important to pick one that can support the weight of your soundbar without flexing or dropping.
Your DIY capabilities
Some soundbar mounts are more user-friendly than others and depending on your TV’s placement, you may have unattractive exposed cables to deal with. Be honest with yourself about your DIY skills and whether you want to enlist professional installation help.
Soundbar mount features
Installation kit
Many, but not all, soundbar mounts come with everything you need to mount the soundbar to either the TV or your wall. This includes parts like bolts, wing nuts and anchors as well as the mount brackets themselves. Make sure you’re able to mount your soundbar on at least one wall stud and use anchors for extra stability.
Universal brackets
While many brands manufacture both TVs and soundbars, as well as mounts specific to those models, you may be mixing and matching your brands and trying to find a mounting solution for your measurements. A universal soundbar mount offers installation options to fit almost any brand of TV or soundbar. They also enable you to upgrade your system in the future without having to worry about buying a new mount as well.
Adjustable configurations
An adjustable soundbar mount can help improve both sound quality and aesthetics by letting you move the soundbar to exactly where you want it, whether that’s above the TV or underneath it. Some soundbar mounts, categorized as “shelf speaker mounts,” feature adjustable brackets that can accommodate bulkier, heavier speakers as well as soundbars.
Soundbar mount cost
Basic soundbar mounts can be found for as little as $10, with more comprehensive mounts costing up to $60.
Soundbar mount FAQ
Where should I mount my soundbar?
A. If you’ve ever tried to watch TV on a screen that was mounted too high, you’ll know how uncomfortable it is on your neck and eyes. Sound won’t affect your ears so dramatically, but you’ll get a better acoustical experience if your sound is coming from ear level. If possible, mount your TV at your seated eye level and mount your soundbar below the TV.
How do I hide the wires from my soundbar to my TV?
A. If you’re mounting your TV and soundbar in hopes of reducing clutter, you’ll also have to find a way to hide the cables from view. The most elegant option is to hide the wires behind your drywall using an in-wall wire hiding kit, but this can be challenging for even handy homeowners. Zip ties or cable organizers can help minimize the appearance of cables if you’re not in a position to cut into your walls. Cable channels or raceways can also help you organize and conceal cables with minimal DIY skills required.
Which soundbar mount should I get?
Best of the best soundbar mount
Mounting Dream Soundbar TV and Soundbar Mount: available at Amazon
Our take: No matter how you want your entertainment center set up, this customizable mount can probably make it happen.
What we like: This universal mount can connect a wide variety of soundbars up to 15 pounds, including those with mounting holes on the bottom, to almost any preexisting TV mount. It offers four mounting options plus 180-degree swiveling extension plates for more flexibility in mounting your soundbar.
What we dislike: Some users needed to purchase better-fitting screws for their setup. The plates may sag holding heavier soundbars mounted underneath the TV.
Best bang for your buck soundbar mount
WALI Sound Bar Mount Bracket: available at Amazon
Our take: This simple mounting system works for TVs measuring 32 to 70 inches and soundbars that weigh up to 33 pounds.
What we like: It’s easy to install and comes with a variety of screws and washers to help you find the right fit for your TV. Its slim profile makes it a great choice if your TV is mounted on an adjustable arm.
What we dislike: The brackets are on the thin side, making them better suited to lightweight soundbars.
Honorable mention soundbar mount
Echogear Universal Soundbar Wall Mount Bracket: available at Amazon
Our take: For a simple, low-profile setup, this pair of brackets adjusts to a depth of 6.6 inches to accommodate soundbars with up-firing sound.
What we like: It comes with everything you need for installation, including drywall anchors. The bracket includes optional screws to secure your soundbar to the holder. The brackets can support soundbars weighing up to 20 pounds.
What we dislike: Some users were concerned that the brackets did not feel sturdy enough when fully extended.
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Laura Duerr is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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