The Best TV Stands

Buying Guide for TV Stands

Why buy a TV stand?

If you mount your TV to the wall, you risk it coming loose or falling off and shattering. Mounting a TV also involves an installation process and drilling holes in your wall, which might not even be an option if you rent your home. TV stands also allow you to change the direction that your TV is facing, with some types even giving you the option of angling it up or down. Most also come with built-in shelving, compartments, or drawers to provide you with extra storage space and/or display shelves for cable boxes, video game systems, remotes, and other items. And since they’re available in various materials, finishes, and colors, you can easily match them to your decor.

What should you look for in a TV stand?

• Size: Size is possibly the most important consideration when choosing a TV stand. You’ll want to consider both the height and width of a TV stand. Widthwise, you should ensure that your stand is at least as wide as your television screen, preferably wider if you want some extra room on the sides for other items. If you aren’t sure how wide your TV is, be sure to measure it before you pick a stand. Note that TV width is measured diagonally, from corner to corner, while TV stands are measured by width, so a stand that measures 55 inches will actually be slightly wider than a 55-inch TV. Bracket TV stands might only hold TVs of a certain size, which will be listed in their product description. The height is more of a personal preference. There are plenty of TV stands out there, so pick one that best matches your seat’s height and your preferred viewing angle. Also, keep in mind that some mounting bracket TV stands let you move the TV’s height up or down once it’s in place.
• Type: There are several different types of TV stands from which you’ll be able to choose. Entertainment stands, mounting bracket stands, corner stands, and hutches are the main options that you’ll be able to find. Entertainment centers have two or three rows of drawers, cubbies, or shelves stacked on top of each other for storage space, with the TV resting on the top row. They give you easy access to any cords and wires running to and from the television. Corner stands are almost identical except that they’re triangular in shape so as to fit in the corner of a room instead of being square or rectangular like entertainment centers. Bracket stands let you mount the TV onto some sort of frame or holder, which is attached to a small support stand or feet. These save space but will need to be placed on top of a table, countertop, or shelf. Hutches are basically bigger entertainment centers with taller shelving and enclosed space all around the television. They make the TV less of a central focus point, provide lots of extra shelf space, and could have doors that close over the TV when it’s not in use.
• Material and Style: Metal and wood are going to be your main material choices for a TV stand. Consider the look and style of your home and which room you plan to place the stand in and pick your material accordingly. Wood is great for a more classic or rustic look. Hardwood will match most decor and never goes out of style. Cherry, oak, maple, and mahogany wood are also common choices for TV stands. The variety offered by wooden TV stands makes it easy to find a design, color, and price that best suits your needs. Metal stands provide more of a modern look thanks to their sharp and sleek lines. Many will have a chrome or powder finish for a shinier or more enhanced appearance. This might increase their durability as well. Note that mounting bracket stands only come in metal, not wood.

Does the type of TV you own matter when picking out a TV stand?

It depends on which sort of TV stand you decide to spring for. With entertainment stands and hutches, it’s not going to make much of a difference what type of TV you own. Some do have weight capacity limits, though, so you’ll want to make sure that your TV isn’t too large or too heavy to fit on top of the stand. The TV type doesn’t matter much for corner stands, either, although they’re not generally great for larger TVs of any sort. Bracket stands tend to only be able to hold flatscreen TVs, and they aren’t compatible with any sort of curved-screen TV. Some are also only designed to work with certain brands of flatscreens, so be sure to check their listing before you buy.

Our Picks for the Most Supportive TV Stands

Pros: This TV stand won’t only match a various array of decor styles, but it’s also available in 15 different color choices, so you should have no trouble finding the shade that perfectly suits your living room or den. It’s also available in multiple design and size options to better fit your space. There are four holes in the back, one in each cubby, to run cable wires through in an organized manner, and the two interior shelves are adjustable and even removable.

Cons: There are weight limits to consider before buying this stand. It can’t support any TV that weighs over 65 pounds, with a total top surface weight capacity of 150 pounds, and 30 pounds each for the cubby shelves. Putting it together will require some assembly, and you might need to provide some of your own wood glue to complete it. The MDF material is heavy and, while fairly durable, is more easily scratched or damaged than regular hardwood.

Bottom Line: This classically designed TV stand with four big cubby holes will never go out of style, and with so many color options, it’s certain to match just about any decor or aesthetic. If you want a TV stand that provides extra storage and display space, this is a great choice, as the cubbies have enough room for cable boxes, consoles, games, and more. But if your TV weighs over 65 pounds, or you want a stand that comes ready-made, this probably isn’t the model for you. You might also want to seek out a slightly more durable model if you have a couple of raucous kids or cats that like to scratch furniture.

 

Pros: If you own a 37- to 55-inch flat-panel LCD, LED, or plasma TV in need of a mounting bracket stand, consider this black tempered glass model. Secure and stable, it can support TVs weighing up to 88 pounds and is compatible with most major brands, including Samsung, Sony, LG, Toshiba, Sharp, and more. There are two different mounting bracket options, so you can pick whichever best suits your television, and three possible height settings, so you can modify your TV to your preferred height. The price is highly affordable, especially considering all the upsides to this particular stand.

Cons: Obviously, if your TV is wider than 55 inches, you’re out of luck, as this stand isn’t large enough to hold it regardless of the TV type or brand. Since this is a mounting bracket stand, it doesn’t provide you with any extra storage space or display shelves to hold your consoles or cable box. And while it does offer a degree of wire organization, you won’t be able to fully tuck away or completely hide your TV cables and wires with this stand alone.

Bottom Line: If you have a smaller TV, whether as your main TV or as a secondary one in your bedroom or kitchen, you can’t go wrong with this stand. Unlike some other mounting bracket style stands, it can function as a stand on its own or be placed on top of a desk, counter, or table. This makes it a great choice for smaller living spaces like dorms, too. The only reason that small TV owners might want to pass on this model is if they have a lot of cables and wires from cable boxes, gaming systems, sound systems, etc., and want a TV stand that better hides them away. 

 

Pros: The see-through glass mounting bracket is modern and aesthetically pleasing, capable of supporting a 77-inch TV weighing as much as 100 pounds. The feet are made of solid steel, with anti-slip pads that keep your television from tipping over or sliding off tabletops and that protect your furniture from scratches to boot. The flat design of the feet is also a great spot to place and cradle AV components like soundbars. Their premium, powder-coated finish ensures that the stand’s sharp, slick, modern look will last longer. And the overall price is pretty low compared to most TV stands for bigger TVs.

Cons: While this TV stand is great for large TVs, it does have a size restriction in the other direction. If your TV is less than 49 inches wide, it’s unfortunately too small to properly fit the stand. It also doesn’t offer any avenues for wire and cable organization or for management or hiding. Most of the attachment hardware required for installation comes included with your purchase, but you’ll need to provide your own screwdriver. You might end up needing to purchase a new screwdriver if you don’t already own the properly sized tool.

Bottom Line: TVs are more widely available in bigger sizes than ever before. If you have a big television, you need a sturdy stand to support it properly. This glass and steel model proves that “big” doesn’t have to mean bulky or clunky. If you want a stand that’s compact, minimalist, or streamlined, you’ll love this TV stand, especially since it’s incredibly sturdy for its size. However, it’s not great for small TVs or for anyone who wants to ensure that their TV cables and wires are hidden away or won’t tangle. And unlike some other bracket-style mounts, this one will need to balance on top of a desk or shelf. It’s not really a great standalone stand.

 

Pros: The four cubbies are a perfect place to store cable boxes, soundbars, gaming systems, and similar AV components. The integrated cable management system along the back of the shelves allows you to run wires through for a more direct connection as well as hide them from sight. You can display items in the two top cubbies or hide your AV system and shelving as desired behind the barn-style double doors on the side compartments. Either way, there’s plenty of storage space available. The built-in fireplace adds an extra rustic touch. Although it’s powered by electricity, it looks very realistic and gives off actual heat like a real fireplace. It comes with a remote control to adjust the light and temperature, and the LED lights that power it can last for up to 50,000 hours (the equivalent of almost 6 years).

Cons: As lovely as the rustic style of this TV stand is, it’s not the right choice for every home. The design isn’t going to suit or blend in with every single type of decor. And while not ridiculously expensive, the built-in electric fireplace does drive up the cost of this stand by a decent amount. Thus, this model will cost a bit more than the average TV stand, even when compared to other hutches and furniture-style stands. If your TV has a screen that’s more than 60 inches wide, it will simply be too big to safely sit atop this stand.

Bottom Line: Farmhouse interior decoration is extremely popular right now. If your living room or den is done up in this style, this TV stand will fit right in with rustic, barnyard, and almost any other vintage aesthetics. It’s also a great choice for homes that aren’t equipped with a fireplace or that could use some extra heating in the colder months. If your home is done up in a more modern or minimalist style, however, you’ll probably want to pass on this one. And if you already have a fireplace in your living room (or in whatever room you plan to place your new TV stand), this might not be the right look for you, either. Unlike the side compartments, the fireplace can’t be covered by the stand’s door, so it’s always visible.

 

Pros: This bracket mount TV stand is designed to have a near-universal fit. It can hold most LCD or LED flatscreen TVs between 40 and 86 inches in size, with an impressive 132-pound weight capacity. It has assured compatibility with most major brands, like Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Toshiba, Panasonic, TCL, and more. You can adjust the TV to sit higher or lower, with five different height positions, so there’s sure to be one that’s perfect for your TV. And unlike with many bracket TV stands, you have the option to adjust the viewing angle as well as the height of your TV. It can be tilted up to 55 degrees to either the left or right side. There’s an integrated port along the back to keep your cables and wires contained for a cleaner, more organized look.

Cons: While some bracket-style TV stands work just fine as the main stand, this one is designed for tabletop use. In other words, it should sit on top of a table, shelf, or similar spot. It’s not going to work as well resting directly on the floor. The cable management is effective for keeping wires in place and preventing them from tangling, but it doesn’t completely hide them from view, unlike more furniture-like models. Additionally, there isn’t a locking mechanism, which owners of larger TVs tend to prefer for the added stability and security (and thus, peace of mind) that it provides.

Bottom Line: If you’re feeling uncertain about finding a TV stand that fits your television properly, this model should put those fears to rest. Unless you have a very small (by modern standards) TV, it should fit nicely into this bracket-style stand, regardless of brand. The combination of height and angle adjustments is also a great choice for anyone who’s concerned about craning and hurting their neck while watching TV, or who has to place their television at any odd spot or angle. This also makes it a great bedroom TV stand, since you can adjust your TV to face you as you’re folding laundry, getting ready for bed, or doing other similar tasks. But if you want a TV stand with a built-in storage place, or you don’t have a good tabletop spot in which to put this stand, you’ll probably want to spring for a more furniture-like model.

Final Thoughts

TV stands are a great way to keep your television screen at a comfortable viewing angle for your neck, prevent glares while watching TV, and, depending on the type, make your living space more organized-looking and give you extra storage space. They can also offer a level of adjustability that simply mounting a TV or resting it on top of a fireplace or countertop can’t match, and they can help protect your TV when it’s not in use. Therefore, a high-quality TV stand is a worthwhile investment for your living space, no matter where you live or what type of TV you own.