What is the difference between side mount and undermount drawer slides?

Side mount slides fix to the drawer sides and cabinet walls — easy to fit and tolerant of cabinet tolerances. Undermount slides sit beneath the drawer box, hide the hardware for a cleaner look, and need a compatible drawer box with the right reveal. AOLISHENG builds both: side-mount heavy-duty series (2053 / 2576 / 7625) and undermount soft-close series (MK316 / U4510K).

What does full extension mean compared with 3/4 extension?

3/4 extension leaves the back of the drawer still inside the cabinet; full extension brings the whole drawer clear of the cabinet face so you can reach the back corner. Most AOLISHENG heavy-duty and soft-close series are full extension.

How do I choose the load rating for a drawer slide?

Add the heaviest realistic contents, then add 25–30% headroom so the slide is not run at 100% of its rating every day. AOLISHENG ratings run from 100 lb (U1245) through 265 lb (2053 family), 330 lb (2071), 500 lb (2576 family) up to 770 lb (AQ7625K3 twin-slide).

What are soft-close drawer slides and when do I need them?

Soft-close slides use a damper that pulls the drawer shut in the last few centimetres, preventing slamming. They are most noticeable on kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and also reduce the shock load that gradually loosens a carcass. AOLISHENG soft-close options include K2053, U4510K and MK316.

Are stainless steel slides worth it for outdoor or marine use?

Yes — whenever the slide is exposed to weather, salt air, humidity or frequent wash-down (outdoor kitchens, marine galleys, food-prep, coastal installs). AOLISHENG stainless options include W2053, W2576, W5115 and U4510K.

Which AOLISHENG series number maps to which spec?

The stamped codes read: 1245 = 100 lb stainless side mount; 4510 = 100 lb stainless; 5115 = 150 lb; 2053 = 265 lb; 2071 = 330 lb; 2576 = 500 lb; 7625 = 770 lb twin-slide. Remove the drawer and read the code on the inner rail, or send a photo and AOLISHENG will match it.

Can heavy-duty slides be used in RVs, trucks and vehicles?

Yes, with a locking slide so the drawer cannot slide open under braking or cornering. Use locking series such as D5115, D2053 or D7625 for any moving-vehicle storage.

Drawer Slide Guides, Heavyduty Basic, Household

Soft Close vs Push to Open vs Locking Drawer Slides

Posted by

Aolisheng

September 17, 2026

On September 12, 2026

Soft close, push to open and locking are the three features buyers ask about most — and they solve different problems. Picking the wrong one means a drawer that does not behave the way the end user expects.

Soft Close Drawer Slides

Soft close dampens the final few inches so the drawer pulls itself shut quietly. It is the default for kitchens, bedrooms and any furniture where noise and slamming matter. Soft close slides pair well with side-mount and undermount builds.

Push to Open Drawer Slides

Push to open lets the user open the drawer with a press and no handle, which suits handleless kitchen fronts and minimalist cabinetry. Some AOLISHENG models combine both — push to open to release, soft close on the way back. See the push to open range.

Locking Drawer Slides

Locking slides hold the drawer shut in the closed position and, on some models, hold it open when extended. They are the right call for anything that moves: RV and camper drawers, truck toolboxes, service vehicles and workshop carts. Without a lock, a drawer on a rough road becomes a projectile.

Which One Should You Specify?

Quiet home and office furniture → soft close.
Handleless, press-to-open fronts → push to open (or combined push + soft close).
Anything that moves or tips → locking, sized from the heavy-duty range.

Need help matching a feature to your cabinet opening? Request a quote and our team will confirm the model from your dimensions.

Which AOLISHENG series delivers each closing action

Soft-close, push-to-open and locking are three separate mechanisms, and our range covers them at different load ratings. Load ratings are per pair.

Action	Series	Load rating	Product page
Soft-close, undermount	MK316	80 lb (approx 36 kg)	View product
Soft-close, side-mount	K1245	100 lb (approx 45 kg)	View product
Soft-close, stainless side-mount	U4510K	100 lb (approx 45 kg)	View product
Soft-close, heavy-duty side-mount	K2053	265 lb (120 kg)	View product
Push-to-open with soft-close	P4510	100 lb (approx 45 kg)	View product
Push-to-open, full extension	F1245	100 lb (approx 45 kg)	View product
Locking, medium duty	D5115	150 lb (68 kg)	View product
Locking, heavy duty	D7625	500 lb (approx 227 kg)	View product

Choosing between the three

Soft-close damps the final closing movement so the drawer cannot slam. Best for kitchens, bathrooms and bedroom furniture where noise matters. Available from 80 lb (MK316) through 265 lb (K2053).
Push-to-open releases the drawer when you press the front, so no handle is needed. Best for handle-free furniture and flush facades. P4510 combines push-to-open with soft-close.
Locking holds the drawer shut until you release the lever. Best for vehicles, mobile workshops and anything that vibrates or tilts in transit. Available at 150 lb (D5115) and 500 lb (D7625).
Locking and soft-close do the same job in different directions: one stops the drawer opening on its own, the other controls how it closes. Our 76 mm locking series (A7625, 220 kg per the ALS 2026 catalogue) is the heaviest option that can be specified with a lock.

Need the same action at a rating that is not listed here? The made-to-order lines cover locking, undermount and double-stack builds, or send us the specification.

AOLISHENG slides by opening action

Each of the three actions below is a real, stocked model. Sizes and pair packs are listed on the product page, and the whole family shares the same mounting pattern within a series.

Request a quote Talk to an engineer

Browse the full range: Soft Close Drawer Slides · Drawer slide buyers guide