Drawer that screeches every time you open it? Total kitchen mood killer. Swap in the right drawer slides, and your cabinet upgrade is done before you finish your morning coffee. Below, we’re breaking down roller runner, ball-bearing slides, and under-mount slides—comparing price, load capacity, how far they extend, and how easy they are to install,so you buy once and glide smooth forever.
Roller Runner – The €8 Hero
Roller runner are the cheapest drawer slides you’ll find,just €8 a pair,and they work like a charm for light jobs. They’ve got two plastic wheels in a steel channel: screw the cabinet strip level, clip the drawer strip underneath, drop the drawer in, and push to lock. You get 80% extension (so the last 20% stays inside) and 25kg load capacity,plenty for toy boxes or garage storage. The gap tolerance is forgiving, too,beginners can knock out a cabinet upgrade with roller runner in 15 minutes flat. The only downsides? No soft-close, and they’re not built for heavy pots. But for price-critical jobs, roller runner are the fastest drawer slides fix around.
Ball-Bearing Slides – The Sweet Spot
Ball-bearing slides are the sweet spot for most folks,steel balls in a grease channel make them glide like glass, and they handle up to 45kg. Full-extension versions pull all the way out, so you can reach every last spatula in the back; partial-extension is a little cheaper if you don’t need full access. There’s a spring lever to pop the inner part off, which is handy for finishing the drawer. The catch? You need a 1mm ±0.5mm side gap,use a scrap piece of wood as a ledge when driving the first screw, then level and lock the rear. Add soft-close if you hate slamming drawers. At €15–€40 a pair, ball-bearing slides are the go-to drawer slides for kitchen cabinet upgrade,reliable, affordable, and easy enough for intermediate DIYers.
Under-Mount Slides – Invisible Luxury
Under-mount slides are for when you want that high-end, hidden look,they tuck under the drawer, so you see zero hardware, and you get maximum drawer width. Mechanisms like Quadro or Tandem handle 50kg and come with soft-close drawer slides standard. But they’re pricier (starting at €45 a pair) and trickier to install: the drawer bottom needs a 16mm recess, side thickness has to be within 0.2mm, and you need a jig for precise drilling. Mount the locking device to the cabinet side, hook the under-mount slides on, tweak the tilt screws until the gap’s as thin as a business card, then lock all screws. It’s extra work, but under-mount slides deliver showroom-worthy motion,perfect for a high-end cabinet upgrade that wows.
Quick Pick Matrix
Roller runner | Ball-bearing slides | Under-mount slides | |
Price(pair) | €8 | €15-€40 | €45+ |
Load | 25kg | 45kg | 50kg |
Extension | 80% | 100% | 100% |
Skill Level | Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced |
Just match the column to your budget and DIY skill,no matter which you pick, you’ll still get a solid cabinet upgrade. And remember: all three are better than the squeaky old drawer slides you’re replacing! Install Hacks
First hack: Measure your drawer length, then subtract 10mm before ordering any drawer slides—this avoids last-minute cuts. Second: Make a story stick (a thin piece of wood marked with front and back positions) to keep heights even left and right. Third: Clamp a batten across the cabinet opening, rest the slide on it while driving the first screw—gravity won’t mess with your level. For under-mount slides, use one screw to hold them first, tweak the tilt ¼-turn at a time until the gap’s perfect, then lock the rest. Once installed, vacuum debris yearly and spray with dry Teflon—your drawer slides will stay smooth for years.
Cost vs. Value
Roller runner save cash for garage or utility cabinets, but you’ll end up kneeling to reach the back. Ball-bearing slides add just enough cost to boost kitchen resale value,they’re the “no-regret” pick. Under-mount slides bump project cost by 15%, but that showroom feel can make a client say “yes” instantly. Think of any cabinet upgrade as a 20-year investment: good drawer slides don’t just work better,they pay for themselves in less frustration and longer life. Conclusion
If you’re looking for drawer slides that check all boxes,durability, smoothness, and perfect fit for any cabinet upgrade,Ficgoal’s lineup has you covered. From budget-friendly roller runner to high-end under-mount slides, every Ficgoal product is tested for load and longevity, making your cabinet upgrade hassle-free and long-lasting.