Three Types of Door Handles: A Chinese Supplier’s Guide to Choosing the Right One
Wondering about the three main types of door handles? As a Chinese door hardware supplier, we break down lever, knob, and pull handles—their uses, pros, and how to pick the best for your needs.
When it comes to door hardware, handles are the unsung heroes of functionality and style. As a Chinese door handle supplier with 12 years of experience, we’ve shipped millions of handles to clients worldwide—from homeowners in the U.S. to hoteliers in Europe. One question we get daily: “What are the three main types of door handles?” Today, we’re answering that, plus sharing expert tips on which type fits your project. Let’s start with the basics.
1. Lever Handles: The Versatile Workhorse
Lever handles are the most popular type in both residential and commercial spaces—and for good reason. They consist of a horizontal lever (or “arm”) attached to a base plate (called a “rose”) that mounts to the door. Here’s why they’re a top pick:
Key Features & Uses
Easy to use: Perfect for kids, the elderly, or anyone with limited hand strength (no twisting required).
Security: Levers often pair with mortise locks (heavy-duty locks common in Chinese high-rise apartments) for extra safety.
Style variety: From modern matte black levers to classic bronze designs, there’s a lever for every aesthetic.
In China, we supply lever handles to 80% of our residential clients. For example, our brushed nickel lever handle is a bestseller—it’s durable, rust-resistant, and fits both interior and exterior doors.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Ergonomic, secure, wide style range.
Cons: Slightly more expensive than knobs; levers can break if forced (we use zinc alloy to prevent this).
2. Knob Handles: The Timeless Classic
Knob handles are the traditional choice—round or oval knobs that you twist to open the door. They’re simple, affordable, and never go out of style.
Key Features & Uses
Budget-friendly: Ideal for rental properties or budget renovations.
Space-saving: Knobs don’t protrude as much as levers, making them great for narrow hallways.
Residential focus: Most common in bedrooms, bathrooms, and closets.
Our plastic knob handles are a hit with global clients—they cost 30% less than metal knobs and come in 10+ colors. For high-traffic areas, we recommend our stainless steel knobs (rust-proof and scratch-resistant).
Pros & Cons
Pros: Affordable, space-saving, easy to install.
Cons: Harder to use for people with hand issues; less secure than levers (we add anti-theft pins to our metal knobs).
3. Pull Handles: The Modern Statement Maker
Pull handles (also called “push-pull handles”) are long, horizontal bars that you pull (or push) to open the door. They’re the go-to for modern spaces and commercial buildings.
Key Features & Uses
Commercial grade: Common in offices, hotels, and hospitals (they’re easy to clean and durable).
Design forward: Pull handles add a sleek, minimalist look to any door—think glass doors in a luxury hotel.
Heavy-duty: Our aluminum pull handles can support up to 100kg of force (perfect for high-traffic areas).
We recently supplied 500 aluminum pull handles to a hotel in Dubai—they paired them with glass doors for a futuristic vibe.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Durable, easy to clean, modern design.
Cons: Expensive; requires precise installation (we include a mounting template to help).
How Chinese Suppliers Help You Choose the Right Type
As a supplier, our job is to match you with the perfect handle. Here’s how we do it:
Customization Options
We offer custom sizes, finishes, and even logo engravings. For example, if you need a 600mm pull handle for your office’s glass door, we’ll make it. We also offer custom colors—our matte black pull handles are trending in 2024.
Free Samples
Before you place a bulk order, we send free samples. A restaurant chain in Canada once ordered 200 lever handles but changed to pull handles after testing our sample—they realized pull handles were easier for customers to use.
Pre-Sale Consultation
Our team asks 4 key questions to guide your choice:
Space type: Residential or commercial?
User needs: Do you have kids/elderly users?
Budget: Are you looking for affordable or premium options?
Style: Modern, classic, or minimalist?
This ensures you get the right handle for your project.
Expert Tips for Buyers
From our 12 years of experience, here are 3 tips to avoid mistakes:
Match handle to door type: Use levers for exterior doors (security), knobs for bedrooms (affordability), and pull handles for glass doors (style).
Check durability: For high-traffic areas, choose metal handles (zinc alloy or stainless steel) over plastic.
Ask about installation: We include free installation tools with every order—no need to buy extra hardware.
Conclusion
The three main types of door handles—levers, knobs, and pulls—each have their own strengths. Levers are versatile and secure, knobs are affordable and timeless, and pulls are modern and durable. As a Chinese supplier, we’re here to help you pick the right one for your project.
Whether you’re renovating your home or managing a commercial build, contact us today for free samples and expert advice. We ship to 50+ countries, with 2-day express delivery for urgent orders.