Self-Close Drawers vs. Soft-Close Drawers

Self-Close

• Self-closing drawers can have metal or wooden drawer-slide mechanisms. Metal slides allow you to close a drawer without the assistance of a shock-absorbing spring mechanism and eliminate any slamming sound. A drawer with wood slides has no built-in glide mechanisms to assist closing. Self-closing metal slides are typically found in newer furniture and cabinetry, while wood glides are more common in antique and vintage furniture.

Soft-Close

• A soft-close drawer has a spring that absorbs shocks at the end of the drawer slide. When you close the drawer, the glide on the track meets up with the shock-absorbing spring, and the drawer closes softly all by itself.

Similarities

• Self-closing and soft-closing mechanisms are two standard options in newer kitchen and bathroom fixtures, as well as furniture pieces such as dressers and buffets. They are also common in office furniture. Self-closing and soft-closing drawers use metal slides, as opposed to wood slides. Although you can use knobs or handles with these drawers, you don't have to. For example, self-closing and soft-closing drawers can be touch-release. They open with a gentle push.

Differences

• A self-closing drawer with a standard wood or metal glide mechanism can be more difficult to use than a soft-closing drawer if you have difficulty using your hands or arms. You have to keep a self-close drawer on the track as you’re opening and closing it. Soft-closing drawers require less physical exertion and attention. Shifting and manipulating self-closing drawers so that they stay on track also weakens the integrity of the screws and hardware over time, and you might have to tighten or replace screws.