Because the ideal projector location relative to the screen can be complicated by room features like ceiling height, availability of space to mount on the ceiling (e.g. ceiling fans or light fixtures in the way) and distance to the walls, there are lots of different options to consider. Whether you need a ceiling mount or a wall mount, flush with the ceiling or extended, here are our picks for some of the best projector mounts and what they have to offer.
List of the 11 Best Projector Mounts:
Most of these are designed to support ceiling-mounted projectors, but there are also options for setups requiring wall mounting either from the side of the room, the front, or the back. There are also extendable options for ceiling-mounted projectors, which come in handy for those of you with high ceilings, and even a drop-ceiling option in which installation is a total non-issue. When it comes to weight, heavier projectors require sturdier mounts, and so some mounts that specialize in heavier units are sprinkled in as well. For details on each mount and why you might choose it, read ahead.
What We Like
You can’t argue with this price, and it’s the icing on the cake that something in this price range does the main job: holding the projector up, while also having some added creature comforts like enough tilt and swivel to fine-tune the projector’s aim after installation. The 30lb capacity is enough for most consumer projectors, and the universal bracket should enable you to sidestep any compatibility issues.
What We Don’t Like
The look is pretty garish, all metal fasteners and bolts that give this the feel of something cheap. It is cheap, though, and the placement of the bracket means you’ll almost never see it, so that’s probably not a problem for most. Only the one height–6 inches from the ceiling–so you’ll need to make sure your ceiling is the right height first.
Peerless-AV PRGS-UNV Precision Projector Mount
What We Like
One of the only units that mounts flush, providing a super-clean look. The universal bracket and whiz-bang image adjustment tech mean you will have plenty of room to fine-tune and adjust the image after the projector is installed. The weight capacity of 50lbs is suitable for most high-end projectors.
What We Don’t Like
A little costlier than most of the other ceiling mounts due to the patented precision gears and flush mounting that, considering how much you will need to use them, add questionable value. The flush mounting might add complications for heat dissipation from the projector. In that case, do your research in our other guide so you know what other types meet your needs.
Kanto P101W Universal Projector Mount
What We Like
This unit sports a universal bracket and is easier on the eyes than some of the other ceiling mount units on the list, especially when it comes to the actual bracket where it’s fastened to the ceiling, where the curved steel plate comes off as downright elegant compared to some of the other more austere mounting plates. The included extension tubes that allow this mount to go from 3 to 9 inches from the ceiling will probably be just enough for most people, and at a price that is easy on the pocket-book.
What We Don’t Like
Listed weight capacity of 22lb is much less than most other options on the list. This might not be a big deal depending on your projector–many projectors will be below that mark, but high-end units, or units with other equipment hidden in the ceiling like bundles of cables or wireless transmitters will need to factor that extra weight in.
Mount-It! Universal Compact Projector Ceiling Mount
What We Like
If you’re going for simplicity, it doesn’t get much more bare bones than this. Unlike almost every other option on this list, the Mount-It! Compact Ceiling Mount doesn’t even have a coat of paint on it, with the no-fuss connectors sporting the chrome look of naked steel. The savings are passed right on to you, with this coming in as one of the cheapest options on the list.
What We Don’t Like
The universal bracket design has less tilt options than some of the other units on the list, and the compact size is NOT a one-size-fits-all solution. If your ceiling is not the right height to use this mount with your projector, there is no option to adjust the height. For that reason, this might not be a good fit.
Universal Projector Drop-in Ceiling Mount
What We Like
This unit solves a unique problem really well, which is getting a mount to work with a drop ceiling. The alternative is getting down and dirty with a drop ceiling tile, which is not the ideal construction material to do anything more advanced than cut to shape. A bootleg option might be installing a mount into plywood and painting it, but this Amer ceiling mount already has a universal bracket built in, not to mention it’s easy on the eyes. This unit also has a channel for cable management built in, and optional poles for height adjustment!
What We Don’t Like
Doesn’t solve the projector mount problem for anyone except those with a drop ceiling. The price is…premium.
VIVO Universal Extending Height Adjustable Ceiling Projector Mount
What We Like
Great price for a great looking unit, with a universal mount and tilt/swivel settings that you can play with after getting the projector to the right height. The simple mounting solution to the ceiling means you won’t have to spend half a day just getting it in and, with a 30lb weight limit, the stakes aren’t too high to get the mount right.
What We Don’t Like
Fixed telescoping starting length means that you can extend it, but only starting at 15 inches. This might be a problem for those who have a ceiling that is already kind of low–be sure to measure twice ahead of time if you’re considering this unit, because by starting at 15in length and extending to only 23 inches from the ceiling, it actually only has a range of 8 inches to play with.
Monoprice 106529 Ceiling Bracket with Swivel Rotation for Projectors
What We Like
The Rolls Royce of telescoping ceiling mounts, though you wouldn’t know it from the price. This unit boasts a universal mounting bracket, three feet of vertical extension, and a whopping 50 lb capacity. Again, plenty of fine-tuning controls at the projector mount location, with the ability to tilt and swivel as needed.
What We Don’t Like
The installation will likely be a bear to get all of that 50lb of expected capacity…be ready to climb in your attic and don’t cut any corners.
IMUE Combination Universal Ceiling/Wall Mountable Projector Mount (33lb capacity)
What We Like
The white is a good look here, and universal brackets mean compatibility likely won’t be an issue. The unique feature of this model (and the next) is the ability to be used as either a ceiling or a wall mount. I don’t think many people will be adjusting this on the fly…but it may be a good choice if you want to simply buy a mount now and figure out where it needs to go later.
What We Don’t Like
33 lb limit may restrict from using some high-end projectors. The benefit of being able to be used as either a ceiling OR a wall mount may have a kind of limitation…in the game of projector mounting, you want the setup to be stable, and because this unit can do either or, you have to wonder how sturdy those joints are that allow the configuration to swap to wall-mounted (more on wall mounts and how they should be set up in our guide).
Mount-It! Combination Universal Ceiling/Wall Mountable Projector Mount (44lb capacity)
What We Like
Like the IMUE, this unit is adjustable to be either a ceiling mount or wall mount, and the increased weight capacity of 44 lbs means it can handle some projectors the IMUE can’t. Again, universal brackets mean no fussing with specialized projector mounting systems.
What We Don’t Like
This unit’s not going to win any awards for design with it’s very stripped-down aesthetic. And, as with the IMUE above, you have to wonder what you’re losing in joint strength when you gain the ability to swap from ceiling to wall mounting ability.
WALI CS201-1 Floating Wall Mounted Shelf with Strengthened Tempered Glass
What We Like
It doesn’t get much more simple than a shelf parked on the wall. If your setup requires the projector be wall-mounted, and the size of the room allows you to wall mount on the back wall directly across from the screen, this level of simplicity is probably going to catch your eye. Expandable with up to 3 shelves for all the other devices you’d like to hook up, which means this is one of the few mounts that tries to solve the wiring problem too by allowing you to have the video sources near the projector.
What We Don’t Like
This won’t fit many setups, and with no telescoping ability it’s really a matter of if you’re room size is already just right. Might require a projector with more correction ability since there is nothing to adjust on the mount. No six-axis tilting here!
Elitech Short Throw Projector Universal Wall Mount
What We Like
The black coating should look very good in any home theater, something especially important to think about in the context of wall-mounted projectors because that wall-mounted arm is projecting into the room and possibly your sight-line. The design is simple and clean, with not too much visual clutter, and the universal bracket shouldn’t cause problems with most mainstream projectors. The advertised 56-inch extension length is one of the longest in this product niche, which calls into question the manufacturer’s description of this as a “short throw” mount. Sure, you throw is limited to 56 inches if you have the arm mounted on the same wall as the projector screen, but mount it on one of the side walls of your home theater and fix the angle with keystone correction and you will likely have a much longer throw distance to work with.
What We Don’t Like
This bare-bones mount is going to look like a metal plate bolted into the wall…because it is. When the lights are off, this is no problem, and even when they’re on it’s not like anybody is going to be looking at the projector mount too closely. But when all the other components of your setup, from the screen, the choice of paint, and addition of acoustic panels are perfectly engineered to provide the optimal home theater experience, it just doesn’t feel finished to have exposed fasteners like this. The telescoping arm looks robust enough, but with a load capacity of 25lbs high-end projectors, and 3D projectors – (everything you need to know about 3D projectors in our guide) – may need a stronger mount.
Other Thoughts
Once you have a projector mount picked out, be sure to stop and consider what cable management strategy you’ll move forward with, and also whether you’ll decide to mount it on the ceiling which is a common practice (that we also have a guide on). You can consider using wireless transmitters which can add weight but make it much easier for flush-mounting solutions like the Peerless-AV Precision Mount. or wall mounting options like the Elitech Short Throw Mount, where your only other option is going spiral any cords around the extending arm. If you’re still deciding on a projector, check out our recommended projectors page!
