Blum 71B3550 CLIP top BLUMOTION Soft-Close Hinge Review (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
DIYPicks is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate and affiliate of home-improvement retailers, we may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site — at no extra cost to you. This never affects our recommendations.
- Soft close
- Frameless cabinets
- Face frame cabinets
- Kitchen reno
Blum's 71B3550 CLIP top BLUMOTION is the reference-standard concealed euro hinge, with an integrated damper for a quiet 110-degree soft close and a tool-free clip-on that snaps doors off for painting. But it costs 3-5x generic hinges, needs a 35mm Forstner bore, and this full-overlay version means other layouts are sold separately.
Pros
- Integrated BLUMOTION damper gives a genuinely quiet, consistent close that lasts years
- Tool-free CLIP top lets you snap the door on/off in seconds and adjust 3 ways (height, depth, side)
- A built-in switch disables soft-close on light/small doors that would otherwise bounce open
Cons
- Costs 3-5x more than generic self-close hinges, which adds up over a full kitchen
- Requires a 35mm Forstner bore — no jig or drill press means messy, off-center cups
- Full-overlay version only; you must buy half-overlay/inset variants separately for other cabinet layouts
Specifications
| Type | Concealed euro/clip-on hinge |
|---|---|
| Overlay | Full overlay |
| Soft-close | Yes (integrated BLUMOTION, switch to disable) |
| Opening | 110° |
| Mount | Clip-on, screw-on baseplate |
| Cup/Bore | 35mm bore, 13mm cup depth |
| Fits | Frameless or face-frame; doors up to 1 in thick |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does CLIP top actually change day to day?
- You can snap the door on and off the baseplate in seconds without tools, then adjust three ways — height, depth and side. On a kitchen full of doors that turns alignment from a chore into a quick pass.
- Can you turn the soft-close off?
- Yes. There is a built-in switch that disables the damper, which matters on light or small doors that soft-close would push back open instead of pulling shut.
- What do you need to install these hinges?
- A 35mm Forstner bore at 13mm depth. Without a jig or drill press the cups end up messy and off-center, which is the usual reason a euro-hinge install goes wrong. Note this is the full-overlay version — half-overlay and inset are separate parts.