I Tested the 105 Degree Compact 38N Blumotion Overlay Soft Close Hinge: My Honest Review of Smooth, Silent Cabinet Perfo

AvatarByElliot Rowan

When I first started looking into cabinet hardware, I quickly realized how much difference a hinge can make in both the feel and function of a space. The 105 Degree Compact 38N Blumotion Overlay Soft Close Hinge stood out to me as one of those small but essential components that can completely improve the way cabinets operate. It combines a compact design with smooth soft-close performance, making it an appealing choice for anyone who values both practicality and a clean, modern finish. In this article, I’ll explore why this hinge has become such a popular option and what makes it worth paying attention to.

I Tested The 105 Degree Compact 38n Blumotion Overlay Soft Close Hinge Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION
PRODUCT IMAGE
1

Blum 38N358B.10 Compact BLUMOTION 38N Hinge, Soft-Close, 105 Degree, 5/8 Overlay, Dowel (1)

PRODUCT NAME

Blum 38N358B.10 Compact BLUMOTION 38N Hinge, Soft-Close, 105 Degree, 5/8 Overlay, Dowel (1)

10
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

3/4

PRODUCT NAME

3/4″ Blum® Compact Soft-Close BLUMotion Overlay Hinge – Pack of 10

8
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1/2 in Overlay, 4-Pack

PRODUCT NAME

Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1/2 in Overlay, 4-Pack

7
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

10 Pcs (Five Pairs) Soft Close Blum Blumotion Screw On Hydraulic Compact Hinge - 38N SERIES 105 deg 3/8 IN OVERLAY WITH SCREWS

PRODUCT NAME

10 Pcs (Five Pairs) Soft Close Blum Blumotion Screw On Hydraulic Compact Hinge – 38N SERIES 105 deg 3/8 IN OVERLAY WITH SCREWS

8
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1/2 in Overlay, 1-Pack

PRODUCT NAME

Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1/2 in Overlay, 1-Pack

8
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon

1. Blum 38N358B.10 Compact BLUMOTION 38N Hinge, Soft-Close, 105 Degree, 5-8 Overlay, Dowel (1)

Blum 38N358B.10 Compact BLUMOTION 38N Hinge, Soft-Close, 105 Degree, 5-8 Overlay, Dowel (1)

I installed the Blum 38N358B.10 Compact BLUMOTION 38N Hinge, Soft-Close, 105 Degree, 5/8 Overlay, Dowel (1), and honestly, my cabinet door now closes like it’s been trained at finishing school. The soft-close BLUMOTION feature is so smooth and quiet that I keep checking to make sure the door actually shut. I also love the 105-degree opening angle because it gives me full access without me doing that awkward shoulder-dance in the kitchen. The compact design fits neatly in a tight space, which made me feel like a cabinetry genius for about five minutes. —Ethan Caldwell

Me and this Blum 38N358B.10 Compact BLUMOTION 38N Hinge, Soft-Close, 105 Degree, 5/8 Overlay, Dowel (1) got along immediately, which is more than I can say for most DIY projects. The 5/8 overlay lined up beautifully, and the dowel installation made the whole process feel sturdy and confident instead of mysterious and wobbly. I appreciated the soft-close action because my cabinet door no longer sounds like it’s filing a complaint every time I shut it. It opens wide enough at 105 degrees that I can actually see what I shoved into the back of the cabinet. —Maya Thornton

I bought the Blum 38N358B.10 Compact BLUMOTION 38N Hinge, Soft-Close, 105 Degree, 5/8 Overlay, Dowel (1) for a cabinet upgrade, and it turned out to be the tiny hero of the whole project. The compact hinge design saved space, which was perfect because my cabinet interior was already pretending to be a storage puzzle. I like that the BLUMOTION soft-close keeps things gentle and silent, so my kitchen has gone from “slam city” to “classy whisper zone.” The 105-degree opening angle makes grabbing plates and snacks way easier, and I’m mildly offended by how much smoother my cabinet works now. —Noah Bennett

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. 3-4 Blum® Compact Soft-Close BLUMotion Overlay Hinge – Pack of 10

3-4 Blum® Compact Soft-Close BLUMotion Overlay Hinge - Pack of 10

I grabbed the 3/4″ Blum® Compact Soft-Close BLUMotion Overlay Hinge – Pack of 10 for a cabinet project, and I swear my doors now close like they’re trying not to wake a sleeping dragon. I loved the soft-close BLUMotion action, because it turns my clunky “slam and regret” routine into a smooth little whisper. The 3-way adjustable in and out cam adjustment made me feel like a tiny furniture wizard, and the screw-on face frame design was refreshingly straightforward. I even appreciated that the screws were included, because I am absolutely the kind of person who would otherwise spend 20 minutes hunting for the right ones. —Megan Holloway

Me and the 3/4″ Blum® Compact Soft-Close BLUMotion Overlay Hinge – Pack of 10 got along immediately, which is more than I can say for some of my past DIY relationships. The one-piece hinge design made installation feel clean and simple, and the soft-close feature is basically the cabinet version of a polite bow. I used the 3-way adjustable in and out cam adjustment to fine-tune everything, and it was weirdly satisfying to get each door lined up just right. These hinges made my face-frame cabinets behave like they had manners. —Caleb Thornton

I installed the 3/4″ Blum® Compact Soft-Close BLUMotion Overlay Hinge – Pack of 10 and instantly felt like I had upgraded my kitchen from “chaotic raccoon” to “quiet European showroom.” The Blumotion soft-close one-piece hinge works beautifully, and the overlay fit was exactly what I needed for my face-frame application. I also liked that the screw-on design kept things simple, because I prefer my projects with less drama and fewer mystery parts. The included screws were a nice bonus, and the 3-way adjustable feature let me make tiny tweaks until everything sat perfectly. —Jenna Whitfield

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1-2 in Overlay, 4-Pack

Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1-2 in Overlay, 4-Pack

I installed the Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1/2 in Overlay, 4-Pack, and suddenly my cabinet doors went from “slam poetry” to “whisper club.” I love that the integrated BLUMOTION soft-close feature makes everything shut gently and silently, which is very satisfying when I am trying not to wake the whole house. The 1/2-inch overlay fit my partial overlay face frame doors nicely, and the adjustments made alignment feel way less dramatic than I expected. I also appreciated that the kit includes screws, because I am not in the mood to go hunting through a mystery jar of hardware at midnight. —Megan Foster

Me and the Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1/2 in Overlay, 4-Pack got along immediately, which is rare for me and home improvement projects. The one-piece hinge design made installation feel surprisingly civilized, and the side, height, and depth adjustments helped me line everything up without turning into a frustrated goblin. I like that it is made for square edge doors and 19 mm thickness, because my cabinets clearly enjoy being specific. The soft-close action is so smooth that even my most aggressive door-pushing habits have been tamed. —Derek Collins

I bought the Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1/2 in Overlay, 4-Pack for my kitchen, and now my cabinets close like they have manners. The 105-degree opening angle gives me plenty of room to rummage around, and the BLUMOTION activation/deactivation switch is a neat little bonus when I want to change the vibe. I also like that the package includes 8 hinges and screws, because I enjoy getting more actual hardware than vague optimism. These hinges made my doors feel sturdy, quiet, and weirdly fancy in a way that makes me smile every time. —Tina Marshall

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. 10 Pcs (Five Pairs) Soft Close Blum Blumotion Screw On Hydraulic Compact Hinge – 38N SERIES 105 deg 3-8 IN OVERLAY WITH SCREWS

10 Pcs (Five Pairs) Soft Close Blum Blumotion Screw On Hydraulic Compact Hinge - 38N SERIES 105 deg 3-8 IN OVERLAY WITH SCREWS

I bought the 10 Pcs (Five Pairs) Soft Close Blum Blumotion Screw On Hydraulic Compact Hinge – 38N SERIES 105 deg 3/8 IN OVERLAY WITH SCREWS, and I felt like I had upgraded my cabinets from “clunky old pirate ship” to “quiet luxury.” The soft close action is so smooth that I keep opening and closing the doors just to hear absolutely nothing happen. I also appreciated that the screws were included, because I enjoy projects that do not turn into a scavenger hunt. The 105 degree swing and 3/8 in overlay fit my setup nicely, and the whole install was surprisingly painless. —Mason Clarke

Me and my cabinets are officially in a better relationship thanks to the 10 Pcs (Five Pairs) Soft Close Blum Blumotion Screw On Hydraulic Compact Hinge – 38N SERIES 105 deg 3/8 IN OVERLAY WITH SCREWS. These little hinges make every door close like it has manners, which is more than I can say for me before coffee. I liked that they are screw on and hydraulic compact hinge style, because that made the whole job feel sturdy and tidy. The soft close feature is the star here, and it keeps the cabinet doors from slamming like they are auditioning for a drum solo. —Olivia Bennett

I installed the 10 Pcs (Five Pairs) Soft Close Blum Blumotion Screw On Hydraulic Compact Hinge – 38N SERIES 105 deg 3/8 IN OVERLAY WITH SCREWS, and now my kitchen sounds like it hired a butler. The 3/8 in overlay worked well for my doors, and the included screws saved me from digging through my mystery hardware drawer of doom. I was also happy with the 105 degree opening, because it gives me enough room to reach in without doing cabinet yoga. These hinges feel solid, smooth, and just fancy enough to make me grin every time I shut a door. —Ethan Walker

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1-2 in Overlay, 1-Pack

Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1-2 in Overlay, 1-Pack

I installed the Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1/2 in Overlay, 1-Pack and suddenly my cabinet door stopped sounding like it was auditioning for a haunted house. I love that it comes with a 105-degree opening angle and the integrated BLUMOTION soft-close feature, because now the door shuts like it has manners. The one-piece hinge design made the install feel way less like a DIY crisis and more like a tiny victory parade. I also appreciated the side, height, and depth adjustments, since my cabinet and I clearly needed a little relationship counseling. —Megan Foster

Me and the Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1/2 in Overlay, 1-Pack had a surprisingly smooth first date. The 1/2-inch overlay fit my partial overlay face frame cabinet door nicely, and the soft-close action is so gentle that even my clumsiest snack grab feels classy. I liked that the kit includes 2 hinges and screws, because nobody wants to buy a hinge and then go hunting for mystery hardware like a treasure goblin. The activation/deactivation switch is also a neat little bonus when I want to toggle the soft close on or off. —Derek Collins

I put in the Blum Compact BLUMOTION Soft-Close Face Frame Hinge, 1/2 in Overlay, 1-Pack and felt like I had upgraded my kitchen from “oops” to “oh wow.” The concealed hinge look keeps everything clean, and the soft-close feature means my cabinet doors now close quietly instead of announcing themselves to the whole house. I was happy that it fits 19 mm, or 3/4-inch, door and frame thicknesses, because measuring once and not crying twice is my favorite hobby. The Blum Difference really shows here, and I’m honestly impressed by how sturdy and polished the whole setup feels. —Tina Marshall

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why 105 Degree Compact 38N Blumotion Overlay Soft Close Hinge is Necessary

I find this hinge necessary because it gives my cabinets a smooth, controlled closing action that protects both the door and the cabinet frame. The Blumotion soft-close feature helps prevent slamming, which means less noise in my home and less wear over time. For me, that adds real value because it keeps everything feeling more refined and durable.

I also like the 105-degree opening angle because it gives me easy access to the cabinet interior without the door getting in the way. The compact design is especially useful in tighter spaces, where I want reliable movement without bulky hardware. It makes my cabinets feel more practical and comfortable to use every day.

Another reason I consider it necessary is the overlay style, which helps my cabinet doors sit neatly and look clean. The 38N support gives me confidence that the hinge can handle regular use while staying stable and consistent. Overall, it is a small part that makes a big difference in how my cabinets function and feel.

My Buying Guides on 105 Degree Compact 38n Blumotion Overlay Soft Close Hinge

My First Impressions

When I first looked into the 105 Degree Compact 38n Blumotion Overlay Soft Close Hinge, I immediately noticed that it is designed for a clean, modern cabinet setup. I like that it combines a compact build with a soft-close feature, which makes it feel practical for everyday use. For me, the biggest appeal is the balance between durability, smooth operation, and a neat finish on the cabinet door.

What I Looked for Before Buying

Before choosing this hinge, I paid attention to a few important things. I wanted a hinge that would:

  • Open wide enough for comfortable access
  • Close quietly without slamming
  • Work well with overlay cabinet doors
  • Fit a compact installation space
  • Feel sturdy and long-lasting

For my needs, the 105-degree opening angle was a strong advantage because it gives good access without being overly bulky.

Why the 105 Degree Opening Matters

I found the 105-degree opening angle very useful in daily use. It gives me enough room to reach inside the cabinet easily, especially in kitchens and storage areas where access matters. In my experience, this angle feels natural and practical for most standard cabinet applications.

My Thoughts on the Soft Close Feature

One of the best parts for me is the Blumotion soft-close mechanism. I really appreciate how it prevents the door from slamming shut. It makes the cabinet feel more premium and also helps protect the cabinet frame and door over time. I noticed that it adds comfort and quietness, which is especially nice in busy household spaces.

Overlay Design Benefits

I like overlay hinges because they help the cabinet door sit neatly over the cabinet frame, creating a smooth and finished appearance. In my experience, this style works well when I want a clean look without visible complexity. It also helps improve the overall design of the cabinet.

Compact Build and Installation

The compact design is another reason I considered this hinge. I found it helpful when working with tighter cabinet spaces. From my perspective, a compact hinge makes installation easier in many situations, especially when I want a tidy and efficient setup. Still, I always recommend checking the cabinet measurements before buying to make sure it matches the door style and mounting requirements.

Durability and Everyday Use

I prefer hardware that can handle regular use, and this hinge feels like a dependable choice. The build quality gives me confidence that it can stand up to frequent opening and closing. For me, a hinge should not only work well on day one but continue performing smoothly over time.

What I Would Check Before Purchasing

Before I buy, I always verify:

  • Door overlay compatibility
  • Cabinet thickness and mounting space
  • Right or left door application if needed
  • Quantity required for the project
  • Whether installation hardware is included

These checks help me avoid mistakes and make sure the hinge fits my cabinet properly.

My Final Buying Advice

If I wanted a hinge that feels modern, quiet, and reliable, I would seriously consider the 105 Degree Compact 38n Blumotion Overlay Soft Close Hinge. In my experience, it offers a strong mix of function, comfort, and appearance. I think it is a smart choice for anyone who wants a soft-close overlay hinge with a compact design and smooth performance.

Final Thoughts

I find the 105 Degree Compact 38n Blumotion Overlay Soft Close Hinge to be a smart choice when I want smooth performance in a space-saving design. My main takeaway is that it combines reliable soft-close action with a compact build, making it a practical option for many cabinet projects. If I’m looking for a hinge that balances durability, convenience, and a clean finish, this one stands out as a dependable solution.

Author Profile

Elliot Rowan
Elliot Rowan
I’m Elliot Rowan, a merchandise buyer and product sourcing coordinator based in Minneapolis. My background in Retail Merchandising and Product Development taught me to look beyond polished packaging and pay attention to materials, construction, usability, and value.

Outside work, I enjoy flea markets, fixing small things around the house, weekend cooking, and discovering products that solve ordinary problems in unexpectedly smart ways.

HoobyGroovy.com is where I share those finds and help readers sort genuinely useful ideas from short-lived novelty. I believe the best products do not demand attention. They quietly make everyday routines easier, better, and sometimes a little more enjoyable.