What’s the best way to avoid a squeaky cabinet drawer slide or one that caves under the weight of your contents? These are all fears DIYers and experts have when installing their own drawer slides, which is why our woodworking team has set out to find the best options to not only avoid the above problems but also find one with a smooth gliding motion.
Reviews of the Top Cabinet Drawer Slides
1. Promark PRO100-22
The best drawer slides are the Promark PRO100-22 10-pack option. You get many side-mount drawer slides that are meant for heavy-duty purposes and support a 100-pound load. They can fully extend and the ball bearings make sure the sliding motion is smooth and silent.
You can count on the PRO100-22 side-mount drawer slides to deliver on the load support because they are BIFMA load tested for strength.
As for the construction, the heavy-duty drawer slides are made from cold-rolled steel that is zinc plated. The drawer slides have a black lever that makes mounting easier and more visible.
What We Like
- Cushioned feature
- Steel ball-bearing movement
- Cold-rolled steel construction
- Zinc plating
- 100-pound maximum load capacity
- Black levers
- Fully extends
- BIFMA load rated
- Excellent for face frame cabinets
What We Don’t Like
- May not come with instructions
- Need your own mounting hardware
2. Promark PMDS45-22
Our team’s priciest pick is the Promark PMDS45-22. These are also side-mound drawer slides made from cold-rolled steel with a heavy weight capacity of 100 pounds. What’s great about the drawer-slide 10-pack is each drawer slide is compatible with frameless and face frame cabinets.
Although the price is a bit higher, you get 10 pairs, a total of 20 drawer slides with your purchase, which makes it a great deal. Not only that, the high weight capacity of the side-mont drawer slides makes them great for a variety of applications including kitchen cabinets and those in your workshop.
What We Like
- High weight capacity
- Cold-rolled steel
- 10-pack
- For face frame and frameless cabinets
- Full-extension drawer slides
- Can be used with rear bracket mount brackets
- Smooth operation
What We Don’t Like
- Rear mounting brackets sold separately
- No mounting screws included
3. Liberty D68814C-W-TX
The Liberty D68814C-W-TX drawer slides are our construction team’s favorite because it comes with mounting hardware included and at a lower price than many other slides. They may not look as heavy-duty thanks to the white epoxy finish, but underneath the top layer is actually stamped steel.
These are self-closing drawer slides, which means they close on their own and stay firmly closed. They can support a load up to 50 pounds, which is great for average everyday use. These slides are side and bottom-mount drawer slides and then attach to the side of the drawer box.
What We Like
- Stamped steel
- White epoxy finish for a seamless look with white cabinets
- Comes with instructions and mounting hardware
- Self-closing
- 50-pound load
- Closes firmly
- Affordable price
What We Don’t Like
- Not full extension
- Only one color
4. Valisy B07VHBH2K2
For those who want a basic full extension drawer slide without a fancy finish, the Valisy B07VHBH2K2 is our team’s recommendation. For the price, they also come with reliable cabinet screws included but not the mounting brackets. Cold-rolled steel with zinc plating makes up the construction of the Valisy drawer slides and along with steel ball bearings, the operation is smooth and quiet.
The drawer slides disconnect easily with a lever and there are no distinct left and right as the drawer slides are non-handed and they come in a variety of sizes for various cabinets. They also support a weight limit of 100 pounds, which can hold very heavy items.
What We Like
- Necessary screws included
- Steel ball-bearing mechanism
- Lever disconnect
- Non-handed design
- High-grade cold-rolled steel
- Zinc plated
- Various sizes
- Full extension
- 100-pound load
What We Don’t Like
- Mounting brackets not included
- It may seem expensive to some
5. Liberty D80616C-ZP-W
The Liberty D80616C-ZP-W are ball-bearing drawer slides made from stamped steel with a zinc-plated finish. The drawer slides are rated for heavy-duty use with a weight capacity of up to 100 pounds.
The full-extension slides allow users to pull open the entire drawer and access all its contents without having to rummage. What’s excellent about these Liberty side-mount slides is they come with the necessary hardware for installation without the need for an extra trip to the hardware store.
Installation is easy as the side-mount drawer slides are already assembled and can be mounted right away.
What We Like
- Easy assembly
- Ball bearings
- Full extension drawer slides
- High-quality slides
- Smooth operation
- 100-pound load capacity
- Easy assembly
- Comes with mourning hardware
What We Don’t Like
- Not bottom-mounting drawer slides
- Not the best included screws
6. Zengest DSBL010
For DIYers and experts with dark-colored or black cabinets, the Zengest DSBL010 is the best side and bottom-mount drawer slides with dark electron plating. Underneath the plating is durable high-grade cold-rolled steel for ensured strength.
As heavy-duty drawer slides, the DSBL010 has a 100-pound weight capacity that still has a smooth opening and closing thanks to the steel ball-bearing mechanism.
You get the screws needed to secure the ball bearing slides on the inside of your drawer box and you can even use it in bathroom cabinets as the material will not rust.
What We Like
- Solid steel bearing shaft
- Side and bottom mount slide design
- Thicker material
- Electron plating
- 100-pound load
- Rustproof
- Versatile application
What We Don’t Like
- The fasteners included may not be universal
- It may work better with other screws
7. Baidi Soft Close Drawer Slide Rail 16 inch
Soft close drawer slides are preferred by consumers and builders alike, and the best soft close drawer slides are the ones from Baidi. They come in a variety of sizes, but keep in mind that the price is different for each.
The soft closing drawer slides are equipped with dampening features that make the operation very quiet. Amazingly, the soft-close drawer slide design is crafted from a single piece of cold-rolled steel, which gives it extra durability.
The black color is due to electrophoresis treatment that makes the Baidi soft-closing drawer slides rustproof for a variety of applications.
What We Like
- Noise dampening
- Soft-closing mechanism
- Anti-rust treatment
- Crafted from a single piece of cold-rolled steel
- Comes in many sizes
- Versatile application
- After-sales guarantee
What We Don’t Like
- Can be a bit stiff
- No mounting screws included
8. Amazon Basics AB5004-B18-5
Amazon Basics meets many consumers’ DIY needs with plenty of affordably-priced products. The AB5004-B18-5 are ball-bearing drawer slides and are smooth to open and close. They come with a nickel-steel plated finish and a load capacity of 100 pounds.
If you’re looking for ball-bearing slides that have mounting hardware included, then the Amazon Basics AB5004-B18-5 drawer slides are a top contender. These are side-mount slides that are a full extension to give users easy access to whatever is in the drawers.
The installation is very user-friendly as they come with release levers and work exceptionally well in face frame cabinets.
What We Like
- Nickel-plated steel finish
- Side-mount slides
- High-quality drawer slides
- Smooth ball bearings
- Durable
- Full extension
- Very user-friendly installation
- Hardware included
- 100-pound load capacity
What We Don’t Like
- Not an undermount slide design
- May bend a little fully extended depending on the load
9. Friho FRDSCH165-New
Next up is the Friho FRDSCH165-NEW side-mount drawer slides with a non-handed design and a positive stop. These side mount slides are 16-inches in total and come with the screws but not the hardware.
The electron plating over cold-rolled steel is what gives these slides a place on the best cabinet drawer slide list as the material is rustproof and durable. The drawer slides have steel ball bearings that make the opening and closing quieter and smoother.
The installation is so easy with the lever which can disconnect the side-mount drawer slides quickly.
What We Like
- Very durable construction
- Side-mount drawer slides
- Electron zinc coating
- Non-handed design
- Steel ball bearings
- Easy installation with lever
- Screws included
What We Don’t Like
- Hardware not included
- Not undermount slides or soft-closing slides
10. Btibpse Wooden Drawer Slides
Our DIY team saved the most unique option for last. The Btibpse slides are wooden drawer slides that fit well with wooden drawers. They are a side mount slide design that also works on the bottom as well. Made completely of kiln-dried hardwood, these slides come in a variety of sizes for an affordable price.
They work very well and are very classy and luxurious replacements for other side-mount slides in wooden cabinets. Keep in mind that the Btibpse Wooden Drawer Slides can be a bit thick, but they can handle everyday household uses inside wardrobes and wooden tables.
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What We Like
- Wood material
- Side mount drawer slides
- Works on the bottom as well
- Best for wooden furniture and cabinets
- Durable
What We Don’t Like
- May need lubrication
- A little thicker than other slides
Cabinet Drawer Slides Buyer’s Guide
The best cabinet drawer slide to use in your mini kitchen cabinet redesigning activity can come in many different materials, sizes, and finishes, so how do you choose the right one? You should start with identifying the type of drawer slides you need and then look at the size, load support, and material.
Slide Type
The first consideration is the type of drawer slide you go for, and that depends on how the slides are mounted. Take a look at your cabinet box to find out.
Side Mount
The most popular type of drawer slide are side-mount slides. As the name states, these drawer slides attach to the side of the cabinet box and drawers. Some people may think that side-mount slides cannot support as much weight as undermount slides, but that’s not true. Side-mount drawer slide models can still have a hefty load capacity.
Side mount slides come in pairs and operate on ball bearings [1] or rollers. Our construction team recommends a steel ball-bearing mechanism because it is quieter and smoother compared to rollers. However, you will find that roller slides are less expensive.
Our experts have mostly included ball-bearing slides not only because of the smooth operation but also because they can usually extend further as well, which makes the drawers easier to access. Most of them also have lever releases that make installation very easy.
One potential drawback, according to our experts, is the visibility of side-mount slides. Unlike undermount slides, side-mount slides are more noticeable as they are visible whenever the drawers are pulled open.
Undermount
Speaking of undermount designs, this type can bear a heavy load and the brackets mount to the side of the cabinet box but they attach to locking devices on the bottom of the drawers. They are quiet during operation and they do not detract from the appearance because these drawer slides are not visible when the drawer is pulled open.
You may find that undermount drawer slides are more expensive than the side options and they are found in more high-end furniture.
Center Mount
Under and side mount drawer slides come in pairs, but center mount drawer slide options come in a single unit. They are easier to install since they only have one piece, but our woodworking team says this type of drawer slide isn’t the best for support. The single piece makes it easier for the drawer to be off-balance, which can make the contents shift around.
Since one slide is responsible for supporting the entire weight of the drawer and its contents, center-mount slides are not the best if you’re looking for heavy load support. Who should go for center mount slides? Our team recommends center mount options for those who don’t have a lot of drawer space to support and want a more seamless appearance.
European
Lastly, we have the European drawer slides that attach to brackets on the side of the cabinet and the locking mechanism is on the bottom edge. Compared to other slides, European ones are easy to install and rather affordable, but they don’t have a high maximum load capacity, unlike under and side mounts, not all European mount-drawer slide designs are soft closing.
If you want soft-close drawers, our experts would recommend looking for soft-close slides in the form of side mounts. No matter what type of slide you go for, the installation shouldn’t take you a long time. There are units that come with nylon detachable snaps to make it easier.
Ones with elongated or bottom mount holes also make adjustment easier if necessary, which is very beneficial for full extension and soft-close slides.
Size
Drawer slides come in a wide variety of sizes ranging from 12 to 24 inches in length. The size you choose will depend on the size of your drawer as well as the type of cabinet you have, which our team will dive into more detail about later. Our team never recommends slides that are too long, because this makes the soft-close feature almost impossible to use.
If you want full extension with longer slides, then it’s very likely that the whole drawer and its contents will spill to the floor. However, it’s possible to go with slides that are shorter – but only if it isn’t by much.
Sometimes you can’t find the best drawer slide with a soft close feature in the type of mount you want at the right size, which is okay. We would suggest a maximum of 2-inch difference. For example, If you have a 20-inch drawer and purchase 18-inch soft-close slides, it can still work if you match up the edge of the soft-close slides to the front of the cabinet rather than the back.
Weight Capacity
You should then consider the weight capacity of the drawer slide. What do you plan on storing within the drawer? Our team says that no matter the weight capacity you choose, you must pick high-quality drawer slides. Luckily, high-quality drawer slides and the load capacity usually go hand-in-hand.
The more weight the slides can bear, the better, even if you don’t need it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. The weight capacity, as we mentioned, depends on the type of mount you pick. An under and side-mount drawer slide, or one that works both ways typically has higher load support.
Our construction team suggests going for at least 50 pounds for everyday use. If you plan on storing things that are slightly heavier, such as the cabinets in workshops and such, then go for 100 pounds. Most of the best drawer slides our team added to the list have 100-pound weight support, but there are ones that can handle even heavier contents but they come at higher prices.
Even though our experts suggested going for a higher weight load than you would need, most people would rarely require over 100 pounds.
Soft-Close
Most people, including all members of our woodworking team, prefer mounts with a soft-close mechanism. Keep in mind that it’s difficult to find a soft close slide European slide as they are most common in side-mount options.
Soft-close drawer slides are considered premium options. These types of slides have a soft-close mechanism that allows the slides to close smoothly and quietly without slamming shut. A soft-close drawer slide will have some resistance before the drawer hits the end and it will shit tightly on its own.
These slides are ideal, but as you can imagine, a soft-close drawer slide will be pricier than their counterparts. The soft closing feature is preferred, but keep in mind that they also take a bit more effort to pull open. By no means is it difficult, but it does require just a tad more force.
One more thing our experts ask our readers to keep in mind is that you won’t find a soft-close or self-close drawer slide that isn’t made out of metal, and it’s also difficult to find them in European options as we have mentioned above.
Ball-Bearing Mechanism
We mentioned the mechanisms a bit in the drawer slide type section, but our experts will dive into more detail about the ball-bearing mechanism, which is the recommended one. Smooth, quiet, and doesn’t require much force, ball bearings are the top pick even if they can cost a bit more.
All slides function on a sliding mechanism, with the exception of wooden slides that just slide on the wood itself. The roller mechanism is the cheapest, and they have tiny wheels that are made from plastic that guide the slide through the bracket. Since the little wheels on rollers are made from plastic, they are not as durable as ball bearings.
Ball bearings are usually steel, which makes them very sturdy and long-lasting. Yes, ball-bearing slides are more expensive, but the price is not sky high and is still relatively affordable. Our experts would recommend ball-bearing drawer slides if your budget can handle because they are not only more durable, but they are also smoother and quieter.
Ball-bearing mechanisms also tend to be lower maintenance as rollers may require lubrication from time to time. Although you may need to grease up metal slides no matter what, ball bearings will always be quieter.
For Frameless or Face Frame Cabinet?
As said, the type of cabinet you have will affect the size of your drawer slide. Do you have face frame cabinets or frameless cabinets?
Frameless cabinets see the drawer slides attach directly to the sides of the cabinet box, while face frame ones attach to the face frame and then the back.
What sets the two types of cabinets apart is one needs rear mounting brackets and one does not. The frameless cabinet is the one that requires rear mount brackets.
It’s easy to find the right length of slide for frameless cabinets because all you need to do is to measure the length of the drawer and the depth of the cabinet and subtract the thickness of the front.
Face frame cabinets need a rear mounting bracket, so you need to account for the size of the bracket as well as the front of the drawer. Our experts say these rear brackets are usually half an inch thick.
Brand/Manufacturer
Unfortunately, the brand matters when you’re purchasing drawer slides. In fact, it’s so important that our experts decided to address it in a separate section.
The material used, the price, certification, and the brand all indicate the quality of the drawer slides. The best cabinet drawer slides, regardless of manufacturer, will ideally be soft closing and crafted from durable metal with a protective coating.
There are brands such as Btipse that specialize in wooden slides. However, most drawer slides are metal. Wood slides will wear down more quickly and they are typically found on old-school traditional wooden furniture. They are very classic and luxurious, but they do not usually have full extension.
Wooden slides may give out under the weight of full extension, whereas metal drawer slides do not. Because of this, the slide length of wooden options is shorter.
Metal drawer slides are not as visually pleasing as wooden slides, but the durability alone makes them worth it. They are also much easier to install, so if you’re looking for no-hassle options, go for the metal units. Metal slides also give more versatility as some can be soft-close and others are regular.
If you’re worried about matching the drawer slides to your cabinets, our team says there are drawer slides that come in different finishes. You can find regular silver, white, or black. Not all brands will have finishes, so make sure the one you want does.
Well-known brands will command a higher price tag, but they also guarantee better construction. Certifcations such as BIFMA load testing or BHMA will give you further proof that the drawer slides are durable and long-lasting.
Trusted brands will also have better warranties, so our woodworking experts say that it is still entirely possible to find the best drawer slides with top quality that are not from mainstream brands.
Converting Old Drawers With Soft-Close Slides
We mentioned that soft-close drawer slides are ideal. Just because your existing drawers don’t have soft-close sides, it doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade them to enjoy this feature. Our experts say it’s possible to upgrade existing drawers with soft-close slides, but not all cabinets are compatible.
Firstly, you have to check whether or not you have a minimum side clearance of ½ an inch or if a soft close adapter can be installed. If so, the next step is to measure the length of the potential soft-close drawer slides and make sure they can be installed with your existing cabinet. Once you have everything, follow our steps below to get the soft-close drawer slides installed.
You will need the slides, mounting hardware, a drill for hole saw, and screwdriver. Unscrew the existing slides from the drawer and cabinet and turn the drawer on its side and place the soft-close drawer slides against the bottom or side of the drawer (depending on which type you buy), and line up the end with the front of the drawer and mark it down with a pencil.
Do the same on all the necessary sides of the drawer and install the soft-close drawer slides according to the instruction manual. The key is to make sure you’re installing the slides in a position that will keep the drawer level and will line it up properly. Once this is done, you can slide the drawer back in its place.
It’s also possible to adjust the closing speed of your drawer slide as some will come with adjustment tabs built-in. If you want to customize the closing force, then our experts recommend looking into this feature when choosing drawer slides.
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FAQ
How do I choose cabinet drawer slides?
You choose cabinet drawer slides by picking the type of mount, looking at the type of cabinet you have, identifying the size you need and the materials. You should also look at the weight capacity depending on what you plan to store in it and whether or not you want a soft close feature.
What are the different types of drawer slides?
There are side, under, center, and European-type drawer slides. The ones you should buy depend on your cabinet and the type of installation you want. Side and undermount options can handle heavier loads, but the other two may be more aesthetically pleasing to some.
Can drawer slides be longer than the drawer?
No, drawer slides should not be longer than the drawer. This is for safety reasons as well as for appearance. Yes, it may give you more extension, but the slides sticking out can be dangerous and it may not support the weight of your contents at full extension.
How do you install drawer slides on old cabinets?
You would install drawer slides on old cabinets by first determining the type. If your old cabinet has wooden slides, we suggest going for the same ones. Make sure the size is compatible and remove the old hardware before mounting the new ones and make sure everything is level.
Our Top Pick For a Cabinet Drawer Slide:
Promark PRO100-22
The best cabinet drawer slide is the Promark PRO100-22. It is a full-extension ball-bearing mechanism side-mount unit that comes in a pack of 10 – enough for 5 drawers. The construction is unbelievably tough with cold-rolled steel and zinc plating for extra protection against moisture. There is also a black lever for easy installation and the drawer opening is very smooth and quiet.
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