2018 Kitchen Cabinet Rankings
Below are our kitchen cabinet rankings from 2018 for the top selling cabinet manufacturers in the United States. Cabinet brands are rated 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 cabinetry on the market.
If you are outside our service area, we are happy to answer any questions on this blog’s comment forum. But please do not contact us on our website’s contact page.
READ THE MOST RECENT 2024 RANKINGS HERE
Cabinet Reviews: Ratings for the top 100 cabinet brands.
All the designers that gave us input on the cabinet lines below have greater than 20 years’ experience in our industry. When possible, all construction specifics were double checked on the websites for each cabinet line.
Main Line kitchen design acknowledges that we are dealers for the following cabinet lines: Wellsford, Bishop, Brighton, Fabuwood, Legacy Presidential, and CNC. We could be prejudiced towards ranking these cabinet lines more favorably, but we have tried to be impartial. However, since the cabinet lines we carry were chosen specifically for their construction quality and value, our ranking them well should not be a surprise.
OUR KITCHEN CABINET RANKINGS assume each line is upgraded to the top level of construction available.
A grade of A for construction quality will not be 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 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 marks on value even though as designers we think the cabinetry is the best in its class. These lines receive lower grades on value simply because there are competitors offering the same quality at slightly lower prices.
Cabinet Lines
| Cabinet line | Price level 1-6 | Quality | Value |
| 21st Century | 1 | A | A- |
| 6 Square | 2 | B+ | B+ |
| Adelphia Kitchens | 3 | B | B |
| Adormus (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 |
| Bertch | 4 | A | A- |
| Bishop | 4 | A | A- |
| Bishop Frameless | 5 | B | B+ |
| Bremtown | 6 | A+ | B |
| Brighton | 4 | A | A+ |
| Brookhaven | closed | A | B |
| Brubaker | 5 | A | A |
| Cabico | 4 | B | B |
| Candlelight | 4 | A | A |
| Canyon Creek | 3 | B | B |
| CNC | 1 | B+ | B |
| Collier | 5 | A | B- |
| Crystal | 5 | A | A |
| Decora | 4 | A | A |
| Desginers Choice | 4 | A | A |
| Design-Craft | 4 | B | B |
| Diamond | 4 | B | B |
| Durasupreme | 5 | B+ | B |
| Durasupreme frameless | 3 | C | C |
| Dynasty by Omega (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| Dynasty Pinnacle (framed) | 5 | A | B |
| Echelon Cabinetry | 2 | B- | C |
| Executive (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| Fabuwood | 2 | A | A |
| Fabuwood (frameless) | 3 | B | B |
| Fieldstone | 4 | A | B+ |
| Grabill | 6 | A+ | B |
| Haas | 3 | B | B |
| Hanssem framed | 1 | B+ | B+ |
| Holiday (frameless) | 3 | C | C |
| Holiday Kitchens | 4 | A | A |
| 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+ |
| Kabinart | 3 | C+ | D |
| Kemper | 3 | B | C |
| Kitchencraft (frameless) | 3 | C | B |
| Kith | 3 | B+ | C+ |
| Kountry Kraft (framed) | 6 | A | B |
| Kountry Kraft (frameless) | 6 | B | B |
| Kountry Wood | 2 | C | C |
| Kraftmaid | 4 | A- | A |
| Legacy | 3 | B+ | B |
| LifeArt | 1 | C+ | A |
| Marsh | 2 | B | B |
| Marsh (frameless) | 2 | B- | B |
| Medallion | 5 | B+ | B |
| Merillat | 2 | C | D |
| Merit Kitchens | 4 | B+ | B |
| Mid Continent | 2 | C | C |
| Mouser | 5 | A | A- |
| Mouser (frameless) | 5 | B | A |
| Ovation | 4 | B | C |
| Plain and Fancy | 6 | A | B+ |
| Plato Woodwork | 4 | A | A |
| Poggenpohl (frameless) | 6 | B | C |
| QuakerMaid (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| RD Henry | 4 | A | A |
| Rutt | 6 | A+ | A |
| Schrock | 3 | B | B |
| Schuler | 5 | B+ | B |
| Shenandoah | 3 | B | B |
| Shiloh | 4 | C | C |
| Showplace | 3 | B+ | B- |
| Siematic | 6 | B | C |
| Signature Custom | 5 | A+ | A+ |
| Solid Wood Cabinets | 1 | A- | A- |
| St. Martin (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| Starmark | 4 | A | B+ |
| Stylecraft | 5 | A | A |
| Thomasville* | 4 | B | B |
| Timberlake | 3 | B | B |
| Ultracraft (frameless) | 2 | C | C |
| Village | 5 | A | A |
| Waypoint | 2 | B | B |
| Wellborn | 4 and 5 | A | A |
| Wellsford | 5 | A+ | A+ |
| Wolf | 2 | A | B+ |
| Woodharbor | 4 | B+ | C |
| Woodmode | closed | A | A- |
| Yorktowne Now an Elkay CO | 4 | B+ | B |
* Note: Home Depot can change who manufactures this line although Masterbrands has been manufacturing the line under the Thomasville name for over ten years.
Remember, that choosing the designer, the cabinet dealer, and the installer you are working with is just as important as the cabinet line.
Do you need a more general review of cabinetry from 2015 explaining types of cabinetry construction?
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/2015-popular-kitchen-cabinetry-brand-comparison/
For those interested in Cabinet Off Gassing, VOC’s, and Carb2 Compliance, here is our take on the fumes your new cabinets can emit:
Cabinet Off Gassing, Carb2 Compliance, and VOC’s.
1 Replies to “Kitchen Cabinet Rankings for 2018. Updated Reviews for the Top Selling Cabinet Brands.”
Jim
You rate Crystal very well (A for Quality and A for Value). There are a lot of negative reviews over at Houzz, but it’s entirely unclear whether those people ordered a lower-quality line or if it’s just a coincidence. Any concerns with Crystal, the current rating notwithstanding?
ITSAdmin
Hi Jim,
Crystal has several lines and many upgrades. If you upgrade to their better construction, they are a great cabinet. People on Houzz give terrible advice. Very few true professionals ever comment, and nonprofessionals don’t really know what they are talking about. If I want to know about well made cars, ask a mechanic not someone who drives one.
ITSAdmin
Crystal has several lines and many upgrades. If you upgrade to their better construction, they are a great cabinet. People on Houzz give terrible advice. Very few true professionals ever comment, and nonprofessionals don’t really know what they are talking about. If I want to know about well made cars, ask a mechanic not someone who drives one.
J
Hello,
This post is very helpful as we consider our kitchen and bath remodel. Are you familiar with Columbia Cabinets and if so, where would they fit on your list? Thank you.
J
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi J,
Columbia says nothing about how they make cabinets on their website. So I can’t rate them but some things on the site are concerning.
JL
Hi there, I am interested in Columbia cabinets as well. You mentioned some things on their site are concerning. What are the concerning issues?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
JL
Frameless cabinets from Canada are lesser made more expensive alternatives to better made US brands. They do not say on their site how they are made and if they can be upgraded to plywood. With so many great brands to buy why choose this one? The other person asking about this brand was recommended to it by an architect and interior designers. That bodes poorly as those professions generally know nothing about cabinetry and do not value durability. They all love IKEA too.
Sue
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
I am installing a basement kitchen and don’t want to spend a lot of money. Would you ever consider RTA cabinets for this area? Have you heard of any that I could consider? I’ve heard MDF in the center of a raised panel would be best for cost and humidity. I’m considering birch due to cost though I prefer maple. At most 1-2 people will be living there. Fabuwood doesn’t really have traditional styles, but I would rather choose cabinets that will last than to get what I personally like. Traditional style seems to be out sadly.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Sue,
We rate J&K well. Check lead times. Raised panel is not needed unless it’s what you like. They are less popular. Read our 2021 reviews for updated ratings
Sue
Hi,
Thank you for your thorough and informative website. What do you think of J&K Cabinetry or Cubitec? They seem to have the desired features. I’m guessing RTA cabinets are NOT recommended even if they have the features desired since the nuances of planning a kitchen can lead to errors.
Jennifer
I am planning a kitchen renovation and the contractor and designer first recommend Bishop cabinets. But the cost seemed over my budget. I asked if there was a less expensive choice, and they then suggested Mantra. But it seems like Mantra does not have as many options, like glass front doors. I am feeling lost as to how to pick a cabinet. I am not used to buying something sight unseen in person. This is a condo kitchen, so not huge, but I want something decent quality but not top of the line expensive. What are your thoughts on Bishop cabinets vs Mantra? Are Bishop cabinets good quality in your opinion? Thank you so much!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Jennifer,
Bishop is a great cabinet and we carry them so we must like them. Mantra is an inexpensive Masterbrand line that I don’t know. Unfortunately like most Masterbrands products they are not transparent and tell you nothing about how the cabinet is made on the website, so I can’t advise on them. However there are many brands well made and less expensive than Bishop. I don’t know what door style and finish you are considering so I can’t advise you there other than to say that for an inexpensive Painted Shaker cabinet I like Fabuwood best. For a less expensive stained cabinet HomeCrest or Timberlake are good choices. Here is a link to our most up to date cabinet reviews:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/kitchen-cabinet-ratings-for-2020-updated-reviews-for-the-top-selling-cabinet-brands/
Frank
Hi any feedback on Tuscany Hills Cabinetry ? Price, quality? They are sold exclusively to Costco members.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Frank,
I’m not even going to look up Tuscany Hills as the cabinet quality is meaningless. You SHOULDN’T be having your kitchen designed by Costco. The design itself is the most important element in your kitchen. If you did it, our your contractor did it, or you are keeping the design you presently have, all those scenarios are very troubling, having Costco help you is just begging for a bad kitchen.
Mitch
Do you know anything about the quality of Mantra (Masterbrand line)? We’re trying to decide between this and River Run. Thank you.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Mitch,
Sorry don’t know either line. If you called on a Friday 2-4 pm EST we could research it.
Jennifer Doherty
Hi,
In 2018 I remodeled my small kitchen with white Wolf overlay cabinets and a navy Schrok island. All cabinetry cost $5800. I’ve since moved and am about to remodel another small kitchen but am planning on living here much longer so we want a better quality inset cabinets. We have a quote from Brighton for $14,000 for a kitchen approximately the same dimensions. Does this seem correct? Is Brighton and inset cabinets that much better/expensive? We’re waiting on a quote for Starmark from a different vendor but I wondered if you had any advice.
Thanks,
Jen D
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Jen,
Custom cabinets can be very different for a similar size kitchen. Wainscoting end and back panels and many other features can add to costs so it’s impossible for me to say. I would say that $14,000 for a inset custom kitchen is low so it must be a very small kitchen.
Terri
Hi Paul,
Thank you for this insightful cabinetry review!
We are currently working with a design-build firm that deals with Wellborn cabinetry. Can you specify, as it applies to Wellborn, the 4 and 5 price rating as it pertains to the 5 Quality/Value rating? Is their semi-custom line as good as their custom line? When would you advise a client to use inset versus overlay?
I have read that many KDs use inset on the uppers and overlay on the lower cabinets. Curious to hear your thoughts on Wellborn’s various lines and inset vs overlay…
Many thanks!
Terri
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Teri,
I have never heard of using inset cabinetry on upper cabinets and overlay cabinets below. That would be an odd choice IMO. Darker colors below and lighter colors above is popular. Or a different door style for an island is also done frequently. But different door styles for upper and lower cabinets especially mixing inset and full overlay is just breaking style convention to be different. Many designers like doing seemingly wacky things. Using many different metals in a kitchen or lining subway tiles up instead of staggering the grout lines are popular “look at me I’m different” design choices.
If you are a genius like a Leonardo da Vinci you can break all the rules effectively. However the kitchen designers that tend to break the rules are rarely da Vinci’s. The best designers only break the rules to get some advantage over a lesser disadvantage. This style rule breaking is gratuitous and is usually symptomatic of a certain type of kitchen designer that ignores construction and common sense functionality in favor of gadgets and buzz words. I know this sounds sexist but both male and female designers lean towards having different sets of weaknesses. Male designers might do this because they are inexperienced and don’t know any better, while female designers might be doing this as a statement, because they think they know better. Either reason I find very troubling.
Wellborn is a good cabinet line. For painted door styles their less expensive lines are often not as good values as a line like Fabuwood, Wolf, or other US import brands. For their custom and inset lines they are also sometimes beaten out in value buy Custom brands that specialize in inset and beaded inset styles. Overall though they are incredibly versatile as a brand and upgraded well built.
Lori Robbins
Any info on Boss Cabinets made in New Hyde Park , NY
Thank you
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Lori,
Never heard of them. Look like a small custom shop.
Gene
Fashion cabinets are said to have been in production for decades, out of the state of UT. I don’t see a rating for them; are they under a former name or simply not been reviewed?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Gene,
Sorry, I have never heard of Fashion Cabinets. Their website gives no information on their construction and they are not listed in the Kitchen and Bath Buying Guide that Kitchen and Bath Design News puts out listing the most popular 160 cabinet brands.
Julia
Paul,
This page is so helpful. Most other articles/webpages avoid being direct about the different brands. I also appreciate your advice about being realistic in regard to what your are purchasing. That is where I need help. We are using cabinets to build a home office/craft room. The cabinets will be white and will cover 11 linear feet in an L-shape with wall cabinets & shelves only above the long wall. We don’t want to break the bank. In your experience what would be a couple of good options.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Julia I’m replying to your second comment.
Russ
Looking to remodel 2 small bathrooms, one his and hers bathroom and a master bathroom. Have looked at Decora, Miralis, Woodmode, Elmwood and Siteline. I have spoken to three different designers/suppliers. We like the slab look with and without a textured finish. Favorite so far for the master is a birdseye maple finish engineered wood finish from Woodmode, but it seems quite a bit more pricy than similar engineered wood offerings (although not birds eye maple) from the other cabinet makers. Am I missing something here ?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
No as you have surmised birdseye maple and Woodmode are expensive
KarenM
Thank you for the quick response!! I am planning on doing white/off white in both rooms. Homecrest is considerably cheaper for the kitchen but not the bathroom and I definitely want better cabinets in the kitchen so I’ll get Koch or Crestwood. Are either of those better for white paint finishes and does it NOT matter that Koch is not plywood?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Karen,
They are close but I do not know their finishes well enough to judge. You can though. It’s somply a matter of which you like best they are both equally durable.
KarenM
Hi Paul – all of this information is so helpful. I’m trying to take it all in but am wondering. We are remodeling our master bathroom and kitchen. The cabinet lines we’re looking at are Crestwood (likely the Core line), Koch Classic, Shiloh or Homecrest.
I think Crestwood and Shiloh are all plywood construction but not sure of thickness. Koch and Homecrest are not but were reviewed highly on your list.
Which of these would you choose – Crestwood is the highest by a fair amount – and if we don’t need something as high quality in the bathroom would you choose something different for that room?
Thank you.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Karen,
Shilo is the only cabinet line not reviewed well by us due to their insufficient hanging rail. If they changed this they would get good reviews. I have even instructed homeowners that liked their very nice door styles and finishes to fix the cabinet construction themselves.
Crestwood and Koch get great reviews on our new 2020 cabinet review. Homecrest gets slightly lower reviews but still very good ones. Homecrest is less expensive though and a good value for stained finishes.
I’d pick Crestwood or Koch for the kitchen if you can afford it, and Homecrest where you want to save.
Paul McAlary
Hi Mitul,
Upgraded they are all pretty equal in construction and so well constructed. Price wise usually Kraftmaid is less because it is not as custom a line as Starmark or Brighton. Brighton is usually the best value for a painted cabinet and Starmark has the nicest stained finishes. So if the pricing is the same I’d pick Brighton for a painted cabinet which is why we carry them.
Mitul
Thank you for the information. It was very helpful.
What would you recommend or what would be your preference if you had to pick one of the 3 cabinets lines from below given that I am getting the same or pretty similar price quotes from all 3 vendors.
Kraftmaid (Lowes)
Brighton (Independent cabinet company)
Starmark (Independent cabinet company)
Which one would you pick 1st to go with and why?
Thank you,
M