Identify Your Needs and Wants
Before considering the best cabinet hinges available it is important to think about their application for your project and if you want.
Some Considerations
Are The Cabinets DIY or Purchased?
If you are buying cabinet doors they are most likely to be predrilled to accept a certain type of hinge. If this is your situation I recommend that you decide on the type of hinge you wish to purchase before selecting cabinets to make certain they will work together.
If I am building DIY doors I buy standard style as no special tools are required other than a screwdriver or a drill with a bit to install the screws. Many hinges sold require special tools to router out special shapes where much of the hinges are embedded into the cabinet door.
Do You Want the Cabinets to Close Slowly?
Slow-close hinges are more popular than ever and the trend is expected to continue for kitchen cabinets and drawers. Slow close is less critical if you are building or buying cabinets for garage storage, gun cabinet, and stereo storage in the living room.
Adjustable or Non-Adjustable
Unfortunately, the quality of prebuild cabinets is declining and cabinet doors do not line up exactly. This is why it is important to buy hinges that are adjustable left to right and also the depth to allow the door to close flush to the cabinet frames.
I installed many kitchen cabinets from Ikea and Home Depot over the years. Thankfully, both had adjustable hinges because about 15% of the doors needed adjusting. I spent three months installing Home Depot kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and I would have lost my mind if they were not adjustable!
Self Closing, Soft Closing, or Free Floating?
Self-closing
If your budget is unlimited the self-closing models are a great option and you never need to scold the children or husband to close the doors! But these cost about $20 for two heavy-duty hinges of good quality, which is only one door.
I wish I had spent the extra money on these when I renovated my house and kitchen. I purchased Home Depot cabinets that required assembly and I think the couple that purchased the house would have loved this option.
Budget range for two hinges (per door): $4 – $20
Best Cheap Self-Closing Hinges for Cabinet Doors
Under $4 hidden ones are available as an Amazon’s Choice and available here.
- Full-surface application, no mortising required
- Tight pin hinge with enclosed spring for either…
- Designed for screen and lightweight utility doors
- Manufactured from steel
Under $2 for black face mount variable highly rated option on Amazon here.
- Matte Black finish.(total of 20 hinges)
- Designed for 3/8″ inset cabinets only
- High quality stainless steel screw and door bumper…
- Variable inset hinge attaches to inside of cabinet…
- Self-closing hinge, automatically pull door shut
Best Self-Closing Hinges for Heavy Doors
$20 ones are heavy-duty, are rated higher, and have eight screws per hinge and are available here.
- These automatic door closer hinges are made from a…
- Doors will close automatically: No more forgetting…
- For use on exterior or interior doors. Designed to…
- Our 4″ x 4″ mortise spring hinges with 5/8″ radius…
- UL listed for positive pressure fire test.
These are flush-mount style and can also be used on interior and exterior heavy storage cabinet doors, full-size man doors, and lumber gate doors. These are too heavy and expensive for kitchen cabinet doors.
These are also speed adjustable so the door or cabinet can be set to close slower or faster.
Soft Closing
This design automatically slows the rate at which the door closes so it does not slam against the cabinet frame. I am most familiar with this style as I have installed hundreds over the years as a carpenter and kitchen cabinet installer.
The good ones are also adjustable in every direction (4D or four-dimensional and do not need the doors pre-drilled. And the best ones are strong and hold their position. Cheap ones need constant adjustments like many I installed over the years.
One of the best ones that I have used is about $5 each and you can see them here on Amazon.
- 【4D Smart Adjustable】 These are different from…
- 【2 opening angles】The cabinet hinge can stop…
- 【Soft Closing Function】 The hinge has a…
- 【High Quality】The material of our cabinet…
- 【Perfect Service】If you have any questions,…
Invisible or Visible
My parent’s kitchen cabinets were hand-built in the mid-1970s and they feature beautiful decorative steel hinges installed on the cabinet faces. They are free-floating so there is no soft close option.
And I can’t believe that the same style is still available (see them here). My Dad is cheap and does not want to renovate the kitchen so I won’t show him that they are in style again!
- Note: The 3 1/2″x1 1/2″ hinge is only suitable for…
- Durable design: Embedded cabinet hinges are made…
- Hassle-Free Installation: We provide screws…
- Stylish Vintage Design: The 3 1/2 in x1 1/2 in H…
- Versatile Use: Our flush mount door hinges work…
I like to think about future needs so if I am researching the best hinges I consider how long I am going to be the owner.
If I think I am selling the house in a few years I make sure I purchase hinges that most potential buyers want. It is better to spend a little more money now since the kitchen is the most important room to potential home buyers.
Conclusion
I hope you have made the list of best cabinet hinges in 2023. Feel free to ask in comments if you still have any doubts.
