If you've ever grabbed a spare chair or even a heavy book to prop a door open, it might be time for you to invest in a door stop. On the flip side, door stops can also protect your walls from doors flying open and leaving dents, marks, or even holes.
While there are two main door stop families – baseboard and hinge pin – all you really need to understand are the main types in each and their unique functions. Magnetic, rubber wedge, and weighted door stops serve to prop open doors. A spring stopper is meant to absorb the shock of opening a door, while a hinge pin works for adjusting how far a door can swing open. No matter your needs, we carefully researched and found the best option for each type of door stop. 9mm cotton rope
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
What we like: Pliable, quick installation, bulk amount
If protecting your walls from doors slamming open is your main objective, this spring door stop is an easy option that offers good value. There are just two pieces that require installation for a simple setup. All you need to do is drill a small hole to screw the base piece into. Once that's secure, simply fasten the 3.19 x 0.93 x 0.93-inch door stopper onto the base piece using clockwise turns – and voila. This product comes with 15 door stops total in three sleek colors, including chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, and satin nickel, making it easy to match your aesthetic needs throughout your entire home or office.
What we like: Sturdy, adjustable, drill-free installation
Similar to the spring door stop, the hinge pin can stave off door slams that could damage your walls. While this prevents ruining your walls, the rubber tip, pin hole, and gasket accents ensure the hinge won't harm your door either. One of the main advantages of this hinge pin stopper is that it doesn't require any drilling and fits right into your existing door hinge. A twist of the threaded screw can adjust the angle of your door swing to your liking. As for appearance and material, these door stops are made of a durable metal-zinc alloy and come in satin nickel, black, brass, oil-rubbed bronze, and white.
What we like: Strong hold, two easy installation options, can be purchased in a single pack
Both sleek and versatile, this door stop works well on heavy doors thanks to the powerful magnet inside. The great thing about magnetic door stops is that there's really no chance of them slipping and sliding like other types of door stops. This one is composed of two pieces: the baseplate and the actual door stop. You can fasten both to the wall or the floor, and set it up using a drill and screws or the accompanying adhesive sticker. Just keep in mind that the 3M stickies might not work well on drywall, cement, latex paint, or uneven surfaces. The only potential downside here is that it only comes in stainless steel. While this gives it added durability, it may not match perfectly with your other fixtures. On the plus side, it can be ordered as a single door stop or as a pack of two or six.
What we like: No installation, an array of colors, stackable, complimentary holders
If you don't want to start making permanent changes to your walls, a classic rubber door stop wedge is a convenient and familiar design that works just fine. Its core function is to hold doors open, rather than shield your walls from swinging doors. These lightweight rubber wedges are versatile and easy to move around. The fun variety of color offerings range from neutrals like gray, white, and black to bold colors like orange and red. The pack of three door stops also comes with three complimentary plastic holders so that you don't lose those little wedges. Another noteworthy feature is the product's stackability. Each stopper is one inch tall, but you can position one on top of the other to accommodate a two-inch gap, and then fasten them together with the included clip.
What we like: Both ornamental and practical, light enough to pick up, versatile color options
Door stops come in all shapes and sizes and go far beyond the typical wedge or hinge. Weighted stoppers are multi-functional since they can successfully keep your door ajar while also serving as room decor. This one in particular stands out because of its simple but elegant design. While it has a nautical-esque vibe, the ivory and navy blue color options can really work just about anywhere. It's not too bulky or heavy either, coming in at 6.25 x 6.25 x 6.25 inches and four pounds. The weight and handle of this stopper make it easy to move around; however, for some, four pounds might not fit the bill.
cotton rope by the foot You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.