Cabinet Reviews. Below are our 2022 updated kitchen cabinet reviews for the top selling cabinet manufacturers in the United States and how they rate for construction quality and for value considering the price point of each cabinet line. Price point is rated from 1 to 6 with 6 being the most expensive custom cabinetry on the market. These cabinet reviews were compiled and rated by our team of highly experienced kitchen designers.
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Main Line Kitchen Design is a cabinet dealer located in the suburbs of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. OUR SERVICE AREA IS WITHIN A TWO-HOUR DRIVE OF OUR BALA CYNWYD PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE.
Warning
If you are comparing cabinet brands, CLICK HERE first! Price comparing your design at different dealers often leads you down a bad road.
How the ratings work
Cabinet reviews assume each cabinet brand is upgraded to the top level of construction available, usually all plywood construction. A grade of A for construction quality will not be quite equal across different price levels, as the more expensive price point cabinets will have far nicer finishes and construction options.
Note: The highest grade for Quality in any frameless European style cabinet line is a B. While frameless cabinetry is easier to access and is sleeker looking, it is also less durable than the best made framed cabinetry.
The Value Grade
The value grade we give is not a rating about the quality of the cabinetry but a rating of how good an investment a cabinet line is considering its cost. For example, many of the most expensive well-made cabinet lines receive lower cabinet reviews even though as designers we think the cabinetry is the best in its class. These lines receive lower grades on value because there are competitors offering the same quality at slightly lower prices. If price is no object, then we recommend ignoring the value rating in the cabinetry priced in the 6-price point.
ALSO PLEASE NOTE:
The finish on painted cabinetry is less durable than stained cabinetry on ALL cabinet brands. SO DO NOT:
1) Purchase expensive cabinetry believing the finish will be more durable
2) Blame less expensive cabinet brands for being responsible for paint chipping, scratching, or being damaged by water. All painted cabinet have this issue, but finishes can be easily repaired by professionals.
Disclosure
Main Line kitchen design acknowledges that we are dealers for the following cabinet lines: Wellsford, Bishop, Brighton, Fabuwood, and Timberlake and Cubitac. While we could be prejudiced towards reviewing these cabinet lines more favorably, we have tried to be impartial. However, since the cabinet lines we carry were chosen specifically for their construction quality and value, it makes sense that we rate them well.
CABINET REVIEWS (RATINGS)
| Cabinet line | Price level 1-6 | Quality | Value |
| 21st Century | 1 | A | A- |
| Adelphia Kitchens | 3 | B | B |
| Adornus (frameless) | 3 | B | B |
| Alusso by Adornus (frameless) | 3 | B | B |
| All Wood – framed | 2 | A | A |
| All Wood – frameless | 1 | C | C |
| American Woodmark | 3 | B+ | B |
| Aristocraft | 2 | C | C |
| Belmont 1900 Series Frameless | 4 | B | B+ |
| Bertch | 4 | A | A- |
| Bishop | 4 | A+ | B++ |
| Bishop Frameless | 5 | B | A |
| B.J. Tidwell Cabinetry | 3 | B | C+ |
| Bremtown | 6 | A+ | B |
| Bridgewood Framed | 5 | A | A |
| Bridgewood Frameless | 5 | B | A |
| Brighton | 5 | A- | A+ |
| Brookhaven | 5.5 | A | B |
| Brubaker | 5 | A | A |
| Cabico | 4 | B | B |
| Cabinet Depot | 2 | B+ | B+ |
| Candlelight | 4 | A | A |
| Canyon Creek | 3 | B | B |
| CliqStudios Reopened | 2.5 | B+ | ? |
| CNC | 1.5 | A- | A- |
| Collier | 5 | A | B- |
| Craft-Made Cabinetry framed | 5 | A | A |
| Crestwood Framed | 5 | A | A |
| Crestwood Frameless | 5 | B | A- |
| CrownPoint Cabinetry (framed) | 5.5 | A+ | A |
| CrownPoint (frameless) | 5.5 | B | A |
| Crystal custom | 5 | A | A |
| Crystal semi-custom | 4 | B+ | B+ |
| Cubitac | 1.5 | A | A |
| Cuisine Ideale (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| Decora | 4.5 | A | B |
| Designers Choice | 4 | A | A |
| Design-Craft | 4 | B | B- |
| Diamond | 4 | B+ | B+ |
| Diamond Now Stock | 1 | B | B |
| Durasupreme | 5 | B+ | B- |
| Durasupreme frameless | 3 | C | C |
| Dynasty by Omega (frameless) | 4 | B | B+ |
| Dynasty by Omega (framed) | 4 | A | A-/B+ |
| Dynasty Pinnacle (framed) | 5 | A | B |
| Echelon Cabinetry | 2 | B- | C |
| Eclipse by Shiloh | 4.5 | B- / C+ | B |
| Eurocraft Frameless | 3.5 | C | C+ |
| Executive (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| Fabuwood | 2 | A | A |
| Fabuwood (frameless) | 2 | B- | B |
| Fieldstone | 4.5 | A- | B+ |
| Forevermark | 1.5 | B+ | B |
| Grabill | 6 | A+ | B |
| Great Northern Classic | 5 | A | A |
| Green Forest | 2 | A | A- |
| Haas | 3 | B | B |
| Hampton Bay (frameless stock) | 1 | D | C+ |
| Hanssem framed | 1 | B- | C+ |
| Holiday (frameless) | 3 | C | supply |
| Holiday Kitchens | 4 | A | problems |
| Homecrest | 3 | B+ | B+ |
| Homestead Custom | 4 | A | A- |
| Ideal Cabinetry | 2 | B | A- |
| IKEA (frameless) | 1 | D | C |
| Innovation | 2 | C | C |
| JSI Cabinetry | 1 | B+ | B+ |
| J&K Cabinets | 2 | A+ | A- |
| Kabinart | 3 | C+ | D |
| Kemper | 4 | B+ | B+ |
| Kitchen Compact | 2 | B- | C- |
| Kitchencraft (frameless) | 3 | C | B |
| Kith | 3 | B+ | C+ |
| Koch Classic | 4 | A- | A- |
| Kountry Kraft (framed) | 6 | A | B |
| Kountry Kraft (frameless) | 6 | B | B |
| Kountry Wood | 2 | C | C |
| Kraftmaid | 4 | A- | A- |
| Kraftmaid Vantage | 4 | A- | A |
| Legacy | 2.5 | B+ | B |
| Legacy Presidential | 3 | A | B |
| LifeArt | 1 | C+ | A |
| Luxor Collection Frameless | 4 | B | B |
| Marsh | 2 | B | B |
| Marsh (frameless) | 2 | B- | B |
| MasterCraft | 2 | B | B |
| Medallion (Now owed by ACPI ) | 5 | B+ | B |
| Merillat | 2 | C | D |
| Merit Kitchens | 4 | B+ | B |
| Mid Continent with all plywood upgrade | 3 | B | B |
| Mouser | 5 | A | A- |
| Mouser (frameless) | 5 | B | A |
| NatureKast Waterproof Cabinets | 5 | A | A |
| Norcraft (every upgrade used) | 3 | B | D |
| Ovation | 4 | B | C |
| Plain and Fancy | 6 | A | B+ |
| Plato Woodwork | 5 | A | A |
| Poggenpohl (frameless) | 6 | B | C |
| ProCraft | 1 | A | A- |
| QCCI Quality Custom | 6+ | A+ | A- |
| QuakerMaid (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| RiverRun Cabinetry | 3.75 | B | B- |
| R.D. Henry | 4 | A | A |
| Rutt | 6 | A+ | A |
| Schrock | 4 | B+/ A- | B+/ A- |
| Schuler | 5 | A- | B+ |
| Shenandoah | 3 | B+ | B |
| Shiloh | 4 | C | C |
| Showplace | 4 | A | B++ |
| ShowplaceEVO (frameless) | 3.5 | B | B+ |
| Siematic | 5.5 | B | C |
| Signature Custom | 5 | A+ | A+ |
| Siteline Cabinetry | 3.5 | B- | C |
| Solid Wood Cabinets | Closed | Bankrupt | |
| St. Martin (frameless) | 3.5 | B | A |
| Starmark Plywood upgrade | 5 | B+ | B |
| Starmark inset or 3/4″ back panel | 5 | A+ | A |
| Stylecraft | 6 | A | A |
| Tedd Wood | 5 | A | A |
| Thomasville* | 4 | B+/A- | B+/A- |
| Thomasville Nouvell | 3 | D | D |
| Timberlake | 3 | B+ | B |
| Tru Cabinetry | 3 | B | B+/ A- |
| Ultracraft (frameless) | 2 | C | C |
| Ultracraft 3/4 ply upgrade | 3 | B | B+/A- |
| Urban Effects (frameless) | 3.75 | C- | D |
| Village | 5 | A | A |
| Waypoint | 3 | B+ | B |
| Wellborn | 4 and 5 | A | A |
| Wellborn Forrest | 3.5 | B+ | B+ |
| Wellsford | 5 | A+ | A+ |
| Wellsford (frameless) | 5 | B | A- |
| Wolf | 2 | A | B+ |
| Wolf Signature Series | 3.5 | A- | C+ |
| Woodharbor | 5 | B+ | C |
| Woodmode | 6 | A | A- |
| Yorktowne (Now owed by ACPI ) | 4 | B+ | B+ |
Outside our service area?
FOR PEOPLE OUTSIDE OUR SERVICE AREA OF WITHIN A TWO-HOUR DRIVE OF OUR BALA CYNWYD PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE, HERE IS A LINK TO RECOMMENDED DEALERS IN OTHER AREAS. GOOD DEALERS CLOSE TO YOU CAN BETTER ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT’S AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA.
All the designers helped create these cabinet reviews have greater than 20 years’ experience in our industry. When possible, all construction specifics were double checked on the web sites for each cabinet line.
Related Blogs below:
2015 Popular Kitchen Cabinetry Brand Comparison. – (mainlinekitchendesign.com)
What Kitchen Cabinet Brand is the Best for Me? – (mainlinekitchendesign.com)
140 Replies to “Cabinet Reviews for 2022. Ratings for Kitchen Cabinet Brands.”
Patti woodford
We purchased kitchen cabinets by kemper. Finish quality is horrible. They are painted but should at least be 1st quality upon delivery.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Patti,
I’m not sure without seeing the issues, but, customers’ expectations with painted cabinets are often unrealistic. On an inexpensive US brand like Kemper you should expect to see the lines on the doors where the outside door frame is assembled. Also seams on the cabinet frames will be detectable. Expect some of these joints to open slightly over time and need touch up. Some shipping damage is not unusual with all cabinet brands, particularly less expensive brands, and backorders are also possible due to remaining supply chain issues.
Clay
My head is spinning after weeks of interviewing cabinets dealers and designers. I’m looking for a specific shade of painted sage green. However both Lowes (Shenandoah) and Home Depot (American Woodmark) carry it. I’m terrified of the subcontractors used by the big box stores. So far I’m having a harder time finding it at a independent dealer — the only one I have found carries Waypoint (a lower end American Woodmark). You give all 3 comparable reviews — do you consider the B+ and B bad reviews?
This is just a color for a pantry and my island and the perimeter will be boring white shaker. This is also what we consider to be our forever home and kitchen to last us decades. I’m planning to upgrade under the sink to plywood. Or I would love to go with Kraftmaid — but they don’t have the right shade of green — is it better to stink with them and do a custom match on the island and pantry? Is Kraftmaid overkill for white shaker as I would be paying for options I don’t need? Your advice is great, but all the information makes me second guess myself.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Clay,
Timberlake at a private dealer is the same cabinet line as Shenendoah at Lowes and American Woodmark at The Home Depot. We sell Timberlake but always upgraded to all plywood construction. It is a big mistake to only upgrade a sink cabinet to plywood. We also sell Fabuwood which is 25% less than Timberlake and comes automatically with all plywood construction. Fabuwood now does custom colors for 35% more. Since the majority of your kitchen is white you would save money ordering Fabuwood. Upgraded both bands are well made. The Fabuwood paint job is slightly nicer looking.
I am starting to think that all my responses to blogs should end with this paragraph I posted in my last two responses:
Of course, as always people worry about cabinet quality and price far more than they are concerned about their designs. This is because they aren’t designers themselves and have no idea how bad their designs are. If you listen to one of our podcasts that usually is a central issue. This one is a good one for that issue:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/calls-with-paul-the-kitchen-design-podcast-episode-20/
Dave
Hello Paul,
I am looking for inset raised panel cabinets. I have narrowed down to Fieldstone or Starmark. Obviously looking for the best cabinet at the best price. I did look at Omega, decora and shiloh.
I would love to get your opinion on this.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Dave,
Both those brands used to be made in the same factory and are very similar. Upgraded to the same construction there should be little difference. As I just responded to another comment. . .
Of course, as always people worry about cabinet quality and price far more than they are concerned about their designs. This is because they aren’t designers themselves and have no idea how bad their designs are. If you listen to one of our podcasts that usually is a central issue. This one is a good one for that issue:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/calls-with-paul-the-kitchen-design-podcast-episode-20/
Anne
Hi Paul,
I cannot tell you how often I’ve consulted your website! I’m grateful for all of the information provided….thank you!! I paid for a kitchen design from Unique Kitchen and Baths with the hope of buying their cabinets for my kitchen. The price was very high and there were uneven gaps in the cabinets in the showroom. By the way, that wouldn’t bother me since I think it lends a handmade look but not for the price. Additionally, they didn’t/wouldn’t dimension any of the cabinetry in the plan I purchased. I understand that they wouldn’t want me to compare pricing but I’m not sure who wouldn’t price compare given the expense. I have also received pricing for Medallion Platinum, Woodland and Wellborn, all inset shaker door style, very price competitive with one another and 30% less expensive than UKB. With quartz countertops, my pricing is still less than the just cabinet price of UKB. I’m curious of your thoughts. My objective is all wood cabinet quality construction.
PS I wish I was in your area, but I checked and you’re 4 hours and 18 minutes away.
PSS I read your recent comments about Woodland and I agree.
PSS The reps for Woodland and Medallion were incredibly responsive and provided dimensioned layouts without charge and without me asking for them.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Anne,
In inset shaker door styles there will be a huge variation in price since only custom cabinet brands will do that style particularly well. Medallion would be an entry level price cabinet for doing an inset or beaded inset style. I have no idea what kind of cabinets UKB sells so it’s impossible to comment.
Of course, as always people worry about cabinet quality and price far more than they are concerned about their designs. This is because they aren’t designers themselves and have no idea how bad their designs are. If you listen to one of our podcasts that usually is a central issue. This one is a good one for that issue:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/calls-with-paul-the-kitchen-design-podcast-episode-20/
Subra
Hello Paul:
Wanted your opinion on Cambria Quartz vs MSI Calacatta ; Cambria is offering a lifetime warranty but do either make encounter significant problems over their normal use to justify the warranty and associated premium pricing for Cambria?
Thanks
Subra
Joseph Babcock
Any thoughts on Maplevilles cabinets? Superficially looks similar to j&k (painted birch construction, soft close, plywood sides > 1/2 inch), but since RTA probably less used by professionals. Appealing in the sense of being less expensive for inset look than custom …
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Joseph,
Inset and RTA do not belong in the same sentence. Building inset cabinetry requires precise construction because the gaps between the doors and the face frames of the cabinet must be almost perfect to look right. Even in higher end semi-custom cabinetry like the Bishop line we carry I think its better to spens a little more and get use a custom cabinet brand if you are choosing inset or beaded inset cabinetry. Even the reps for the less expensive brands that do inset encourage dealers to stear customers away from inset cabinetry in their lines. They know that there will be customer satisfaction issues and lots of site visits on their part required.
J&K sells a full overlay door that mimics the beaded inset look. I would go no lower in price than that in my quest to get an inset look cheaply.
Joseph Babcock
Thank you Paul – this (and really everything on this site) are a superb resource. Amazing how many design mistakes one finds on Houzz after reading your tips.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Thanks Joseph. You are right about Houzz. We actually use the photos from cabinet dealers and designers on Houzz to help screen out companies and to create a list of designers and dealers that we recommend outside our service area. Surprisingly 80% of kitchen designers show mistakes in the designs that they post on Houzz. Here’s a link to the places that we found around the United States that met our criteria for quality design and cabinetry. Plus, they get good reviews on Google.
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/recommended-kitchen-designers-cabinet-dealers-outside-service-area/