One-stage Vs. Two-stage Hinges and Buying Guide

Hinges may seem inconspicuous, but they are the heart of the smooth opening and closing of furniture and cabinets. The two mainstream types of buffer hinges, ​​one-stage force​​ and ​​two-stage force​​, directly determine the smoothness and quietness of each opening and closing.

As a professional furniture hinge manufacturer, today, we will thoroughly understand the difference between them and teach you how to choose the right hinge.

Core Difference: The Buffer Mechanism Is Very Different

One-stage Hinge

​​Principle: As soon as the door is opened (no matter how small the angle is), the spring is immediately stretched or compressed and begins to store closing energy. When you let go at any opening angle, the stored energy is released instantly, driving the door to rebound quickly and directly to the closed position.

Experience: There is no deceleration mechanism in the door closing process. The door relies on the kinetic energy of the spring and the inertia of the door panel to hit the cabinet, producing a “bang” noise and vibration.

Two-stage Hinge

​​Principle: The two-stage force hinge achieves segmented control through internal mechanical structure: when the door is opened to a small angle (about<30 °), the spring stores force, and when released, it automatically closes; After exceeding the critical angle (>30 °), the spring force is instantly released, and the cabinet door can hover freely in any position. When closing the door, gently push the door panel back to a small angle, and the spring will restart the closing action.

Experience: The entire opening and closing process is smooth, soft, and quiet, with an elegant effect close to automatic rebound. Whether opening or closing the door, there is no obvious jerking sensation, and users can hardly feel the sudden change in resistance, which is closer to the ideal state of “one click automatic”, and can achieve automatic hovering beyond a certain angle.

Identify Priority Needs

Looking for the ultimate opening and closing experience, silent and silent, and arbitrary hovering? → ​​Decisively choose the second-stage force! ​​ (First choice for high-end cabinets, wardrobes, and frequently used drawer doors)

Limited budget, low requirements, and low-frequency use of ordinary cabinet doors? → You can also consider the first-stage force, but be sure to choose a brand with reliable quality.

Final Thoughts

One- and two-stage hinges play important roles in different applications. By understanding the differences and considering your specific needs (load, motion, and user experience), you can make the best choice for your product.

If you are unsure which hinge is right for your application, feel free to contact our team. We offer a variety of customizable hinge solutions to meet your project needs.