Euro Slides Are Budget-Friendly And Easy To Install On Drawers, But Should You Opt For Something Else?

After figuring out the difference between drawer slides and glides, Euro slides are many homeowners' choice for a number of reasons. Also called epoxy-coated utility slides, they are budget-friendly, easy to install, and get the job done. You can even add their self-closing feature to that list of perks. But, before you stock up on these no-frills slides, it's worth asking if Euro slides really the best option for your projects or if you should opt for something else. While these slides can be affordable and DIY-friendly, they come with trade-offs you should know about.

Drawers with Euro slides typically have an annoying ¾ extension. This means they don't open all the way, making it difficult to reach items at the back. If you want to get a version of the slides that allows full drawer extension, it can be expensive. These slides also come with a roller-type sliding mechanism, which can become noisy or misaligned over time, especially with frequent use. 

Another limitation of Euro slides is the usable space of your drawer. Since these slides are side-mounted, they take up part of the space inside the drawer opening (½ inch on each side), meaning the width of your drawer box has to be an inch smaller to fit. This side-mounted design means the slides are visible when the drawer is open, which can be a downside if you prefer a sleek, hidden hardware look. For high-end cabinetry or modern furniture designs, their exposed appearance might not be the most aesthetically pleasing. 

Thankfully, Euro slides aren't the only drawer slides available. Under-mount drawer slides solve the problems of limited drawer extension, space utilization, and aesthetics. For starters, the slides are mounted underneath the drawer rather than to its sides This ensures they don't take up drawer space like Euro slides. Plus, they're hidden, guaranteeing you the sleek look of a modern drawer. Also, an under-mount slide allows full extension of the drawer box, so even kids with tiny arms can reach the end of the drawer. 

Ball-bearing slides are another side-mounted option with their biggest perk in their name. They rely on ball bearings, which reduce the friction that occurs when opening and closing the drawers. This allows smooth sliding and a soft close with little to no noise. This mechanism also allows your drawers to have full extension or even over-travel, where the drawer extends beyond the cabinet's edge. Ball-bearing slides are versatile and can be mounted underneath or on the sides of the drawer. Also, if you're guilty of cramming lots of stuff into your drawers, you're better off with these slides with their high load capacity. 

Finally, a center-mount slide is okay if you're installing smaller drawers that won't hold much. It comes as a single slide that's mounted in the middle under the drawer. This placement makes it great for people looking for a discreet option, and it's quite easy to install, too. 

You first need to factor in how much weight these slides will be holding since there are different weight ratings for different drawer slides. Most slides (except center-mount) can typically hold from 75 to 100 pounds, and some ball-bearing options are even capable of carrying 500 pounds. For drawers that will hold heavy items (tools, dishes, books), prioritize slides with a high weight rating. 

Next, consider access. If you hate digging around in the back of a drawer, full-extension and over-travel slides are a game-changer. Undermount and ball-bearing slides offer full extension, with the latter also offering over-travel. Euro slides and center-mounted slides commonly come as ¾ extension. 

Then, there's the look. Do you want the hardware to disappear, or are you okay with visible slides? Undermount options keep everything hidden, while side-mount slides (including Euro and ball-bearing) stay in view. For a polished, high-end finish, hidden hardware is often worth the extra cost and installation effort. Your pocket should also be considered when choosing drawer slides. Undermount is the costliest of the three categories, while center-mount is usually the most affordable option.

At the end of the day, the right drawer runner for your project depends on your priorities. If you're building simple, low-cost storage, Euro slides might be fine. But, if you want drawers that are easy to use, function flawlessly, and last for years, it's worth stepping up to something better.