10 sleek floating entertainment centers worth checking out

What we gather around in our homes changes with the times. Way, way back it used to be a central fire pit. Then it became a fireplace. With electricity came the phonograph. Then, the radio took over. From there, it was a short hop to TV sets, which remain the common focal point today. 

Unlike most previous ages' focal points, TVs are typically displayed on separately purchased stands. The best of these stands are packed with storage options for other devices that connect to your TV, such as gaming consoles. These stands are often called entertainment centers.

In this article: Vicodabo Floating Entertainment Center, Mount-It! Floating Shelves and Modway Floating Entertainment Center.

What is a floating entertainment center?

Floating entertainment centers differ from other entertainment centers by being installed on the wall. This requires your TV to be wall-mounted too — even the most rigorously installed floating entertainment center can’t safely support the weight of a TV on top of everything else you keep on it.

Design-wise, floating entertainment centers are inherently modern and minimalistic because they're mounted instead of having feet. Most designs take this further by using plain colors, being asymmetrical or incorporating lights. Others attempt to counterbalance the modern aesthetic with rustic touches, such as looking like untreated wood.

Floating entertainment center types

There are three types of floating entertainment centers.

• Bar centers are the most common. As the name suggests, these have one long bar that typically rests underneath the TV. You can place them above the TV, but this can make them look like your TV is being forced downward by the center.
• Shelf centers are also what they sound like: shelves. The difference between any old shelf and entertainment shelves are that they tend to be able to hold more weight. These can be placed to the sides of your TV or underneath it.
• Surround centers envelop your TV rather than frame it. These come in two styles: a set of bars and shelves installed around the TV or one large piece with the TV installed in the center.

Size

The right floating entertainment center isn’t the biggest, but what looks best combined with your TV.

• Bar centers look best in one of three sizes compared to your TV. The most common approach is to use a bar that’s longer than your TV, typically 1.5 or 2 times longer. Otherwise, the bar should be as close as possible to either the TV's exact length or a third of its length.
• Shelf centers should be a little shorter or as close to the exact height of the TV as possible. Extra-tall shelves are typically used as pieces of a surround center, but you can use them outside surround centers if you like the “H” look. Be aware, however, that this can make your TV look smaller.
• Surround centers typically look best when the TV is nestled inside them at a roughly 2-to-1 ratio. Different ratios can be visually pleasing depending on how the center surrounds the TV.

Storage

Each type of floating entertainment center has its own storage considerations.

• Bar centers have the largest range of storage possibilities. All bars have the top plus a mix of cubbyholes, cabinets and drawers that make up the bar’s body.
• Shelf centers are simple; it’s a matter of how many shelves there are and their size.
• Surround centers typically have at least a top shelf or bar and a bottom bar. Most also have shelves on the side.

Best floating bar entertainment centers

Aheaplus Floating Entertainment Center

This center has two three-pronged outlets and three USB ports powered by a short cable, plus cable holes in the sides to ease cord management. It comes in 59- and 71-inch lengths and three colors.

Sold by Amazon

Fitueyes Floating Entertainment Center

It can be hung alone, but it’s also made to combine with a copy of itself to double the length. It comes in 13 designs, some of which include an LED light.

Sold by Amazon

Hoobro Floating Entertainment Center

This center’s asymmetrical design pushes the modern vibe. It has four three-pronged outlets in the center cubby to limit the spread of your cables. It comes in 59- and 71-inch lengths.

Sold by Amazon

ODK Floating Entertainment Center

Its stair-like steps help draw the eye up toward the TV. It also has LED lights in the center cubby. It comes in 51-, 59- and 71-inch lengths and black or rustic brown colors.

Sold by Amazon

Rolanstar Floating Entertainment Center

This center has LED lights to spice up your entertainment zone. The lights have 19 colors and 20 dynamic modes to choose from. It comes in 47- and 55-inch lengths and black, brown or white colors. 

Sold by Amazon

Vicodabo Floating Entertainment Center

This looks almost like a plane with its center-attached wing cubbies that are a perfect size to store controllers and remotes. Pair this with a TV that’s the exact length of the main center cubby. It comes in black and gray.

Sold by Amazon

Best floating shelf entertainment centers

Fenge Floating Shelves

The two shelves on this bracket can have their height adjusted to any point, and each shelf can hold up to 11 pounds. The back of the bracket is hollow, which allows you to hide your cables.

Sold by Amazon

Mount-It! Floating Shelves

This uses a large hollow-tube backing with equally large round holes above each shelf so cables can be run neatly behind it. It comes in single-, double- and triple-shelf forms.

Sold by Amazon

Best floating surround entertainment centers

Manhattan Comfort Floating Entertainment Center

This has a recessed top shelf and a recessed bottom shelf that’s bisected. There is also a sliding door for one cubby. It comes in five designs, including white and rustic brown.

Sold by Amazon

Modway Floating Entertainment Center

This center uses walnut for a natural approach. It has segmented top storage and bottom bar storage featuring sliding doors. It also has a built-in TV bracket, so you don’t need to buy extra equipment.

Sold by Amazon

Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews. 

Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. 

Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.