Below is our comprehensive ratings for the top selling cabinet manufacturers in the United States and how they rank for construction quality and for value considering the price point of each cabinet line. Price point is ranked 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.
03-07-2022 NOTICE Many less expensive brands priced at the 1 and 2 level presently have OUT OF STOCK ISSUES AND EXTENDED DELAYS Check with dealers for timelines. Generally, most higher end semi-custom brands at the 3 and 4 price point now take from 8 weeks to 14 weeks or longer. Most high-end and custom brands at the 5 or 6 price point now take 18 to 24 weeks, some even longer.
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.
Call in to our Helpline and Podcast Fridays 2-4 pm Eastern Standard Time to ask cabinetry and design questions. Have designs ready to email for layout advice. Call 610-500-4071
Warning
If you are price comparing cabinet lines please click here and read this first. Price comparing your design at different dealers often leads you down a bad road.
How the ratings work
We rate cabinetry assuming each line is upgraded to the top level of construction available, usually all plywood construction. 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 it’s 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 it’s class. These lines receive lower grades on value simply 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.
Disclosure
Main Line kitchen design acknowledges that we are dealers for the following cabinet lines: Wellsford, Bishop, Brighton, Fabuwood, Legacy Presidential, Timberlake and CNC. We could be prejudiced towards ranking these 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.
CABINET RATINGS
| Cabinet line | Price level 1-6 | Quality | Value |
| 21st Century | 1 | A | A- |
| 6Square Out of Business | 2 | ||
| 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 |
| 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 Prestige and Imperial | 1.5 | A- | A- |
| Cuisine Ideale (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| Decora | 4.5 | A | B |
| Desginers 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) | Disc | Disc | Disc |
| 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 | A- | B+ |
| Merillat | 2 | C | D |
| Merit Kitchens | 4 | B+ | B |
| Mid Continent | 2 | C | C |
| 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 standard | 5 | C | C |
| 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 | 2 | 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 | A- | 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 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 web sites for each cabinet line.
1 Replies to “Kitchen Cabinet ratings for 2022. Reviews for the top selling cabinet brands.”
Teresa
Would you move your store here? Hmm, okay, then insted perhaps some ideas? the best of course would be, how do i choose a kitchen designer with your expertise?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Teresa,
You can call into our Friday helpline and Podcast. Or we list some places here:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/recommended-kitchen-designers-cabinet-dealers-outside-service-area/
I always check the reviews on Google for any place I would consider working with.
Marilyn
Hi. Thank you so much for the information you provide on this website. It is very helpful. My designer is recommending Columbia Cabinets (Abbotsford, Canada). She says they are a better quality cabinet than what box stores provide, and currently lower priced because they haven’t caught up to the Covid increases in the US. I can’t find any information on the construction of the cabinets anywhere on the internet. Additionally, the manufacturer is located outside of the US. How much information should I expect to get from my designer? Also, can I expect cabinet specs before I agree to purchase? Do you have any thoughts on these cabinets? We are looking to spend about $15K.
Thanks again.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Marilyn,
I don’t think that designer is too transparent. The cabinets look like frameless cabinetry so they can’t get better B for construction from us but if you are getting slab door that might be what you want. The fact that they are touting being carb compliant after everyone was legally obligated to be suggests that Columbia is also not being transparent.
Serena
What are your thoughts on Highland Cabinets?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Serena,
They look like a nice US assembled import brand. Based on their colors and their distribution they might be rebranded Procraft cabinetry with a smaller catalogue of door styles. Many of these brands are having backorder issues. Ask the cabinet dealer about availability.
Darrin
We noticed in your grade of Merillat that you have it as a 2 on cost and gave it a C and D and quality and value. Did you review Merillat Basics, Merillat Classic or Merillat Masterpiece? We have seen negative reviews online but can’t tell which line folks are refering to. We don’t care as much about custom design or style but want to find a product that is consistently well built. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Darrin,
According to the Merillat website if you don’t upgrade to plywood even the Masterpiece line is a D or F under our rating system. Upgraded to plywood the back of the cabinets are still inferior and don’t rate well. There are less expensive brands made 200% better. I would highly recommend AGAINST buying these cabinets for anything other than a home flip.
Dara
Hello, my local cabinet seller/maker/installer is working with the brand Bridgewood. I see that you have not reviewed Bridgewood in this blog post. Can you offer any insights into the quality and value of this brand? Additionally, the person suggested I not go with painted cabinets – he feels they get worn-out looking too quickly. However, I don’t think stained cabinets would look good in my kitchen because we are planning on using butcher block counters and cork flooring with a wood grain look, so it would end up looking like wood top to bottom. Any thoughts/insights?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Dara,
Upgraded to plywood construction Bridgewood gets top grades for construction in both their framed and frameless box. Since I don’t know the pricing and their finishes or how much they customize I can’t grade them for price or value. Upgraded they are very well made. If you got a price for a similar line that would help us get closer to rating them.
Dan C
Hi there
We are working on a larger kitchen renovation. We were advised that the Omega was 30% more for our design choices over the Schrock.
I am trying to determine if the build quality is any different. We plan PM being here 15+ years. Have 3 kids. And are not highly concerned about the money, though I don’t want to buy the higher price just because.
Any insight. Price equal is there a true increase of quality in your opinion? Are the box, doors, drawers all equal?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Dan,
Omega makes a lot of different cabinets with different types of construction so comparing them to upgraded Schrock that really has only one all plywood upgrade is difficult. In the framed Dynasty by Omega the cabinetry is a little bit better constructed but not very different. The price difference is because there are so many mnore door styles and finishes. Plus the finishes are a little nicer looking. Durability really isn’t a factor when choosing between the framed upgraded Omega and Schrock.
Carol Grierson
Hello, today I received a bathroom vanity cabinet, Homecrest brand. I am in a house I purchased 4 years ago. I built a house back in 2000 and used an independent designer shop and installed Kraftmaid in the whole house. Those cabinets are still beautiful and still performing as new in the kitchen and bathrooms. My son lives there now and a busy, boisterous 6 year old boy lives there, as well as a teenager. In deciding on a bathroom vanity cabinet for my current house, I got in touch with a local kitchen/bath design shop as I didn’t want the goods from Home depot for the reason of quality construction. So, my first impression of Homecrest is some disappointment in that the “full overlay” doors have a gap, the drawer hardware was loose and has plastic parts, and albeit slight puddling marks of stain, which will not eventually be seen when the top goes on. I did order dovetailed drawers and plywood box construction, in what is now called frame less. I paid a nice amount for this cabinet, even adding a side wood panel. It’s nice looking to be sure. It will be installed in the coming days and I’ll know more then. I’m going to be remodeling the kitchen in the next year. I have followed Kraftmaid on FB (online posts have not been favorable to the company, and I know to take with a grain of salt), and I know of course that they aren’t sold via independent design shops any longer but in the big box stores now, i.e. Home Depot, etc…and with store staff as the designer. After saying all this, I am curious about the quality of the Kraftmaid cabinets, hardware as well as construction, and the all important finishing today, year 2022 as it compared to year 2000? I’m also aware of parent company being sold in recent times, and I still note they continue to publish a message about a long timeline, now attributed to the trucking shortages. Can you comment to this issue? Thanks.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Carol,
You are confused on several points. First Kraftmaid is still sold at local independent dealers besides both home centers. The Kraftmaid Vantage line sold at independent dealers is simply upgrades everyone should be picking pre-selected. Full overlay doors on Framed cabinets are the same size. Possibly the gap just needs to be adjusted. Neither Homecrest or Kraftmaid makes a frameless line. There is no difference in available quality between home centers and independent dealer if you pay for the upgrades. Homecrest is a 25% less expensive brand than Kraftmaid so you should never have expected a better cabinet in Homecrest than Kraftmaid. Finally Kraftmaid as with other lines is having supply chain and delivery issues but I wouldn’t put stock in customer reviews as homeowners often get confused and have unrealistic expectations. The Kraftmaid finishes are the same in today as they were in 2000, although the company is not a customer service oriented as they once were. Expect delays in this environment.
Marina
Hi Paul,
We have an 18×18 kitchen and are looking for a more traditional design. Came down to either 21st century perla cabinet and k&b crème glaze cabinets. Difference is of 5k between the two with k&b being more. I was told that the only difference between them is k&b is a solid wood door and 21st century has solid wood with an mdf panel.
Just want your take on the two brands. 5k isn’t little money for me but if the difference in quality is significant, I guess I wouldn’t mind paying the 5k. Want something of good quality that won’t start coming apart in an year or two.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Marina,
First It looks like you are selecting a mitered door style with an off white painted finish. I would always recommend not doing this as over time the seams on the doors will open from expansion and contraction. A mortise and tenon door style is much better for a light painted door. However in these inexpensive brands that may not be available.
Also this French country door style hasn’t been popular for 20 years so be aware that there is little resale value with a style that isn’t very popular.
I have never heard of the K&B brand cabinets and when I Google them no website comes up so I can’t advise other than to say I find that troubling.
As always, please consider that most home owners focus on Brand when design is what they should be considering first. Both of these lines are not usually carried at better cabinet dealerships so the kitchen designers that work there are often not that great. How good your designer is determines how good an investment you are making. You might want to consider showing us your design on our Friday helpline and podcast just to make sure that your design doesn’t break any of the rules less experienced designers routinely make.
Drew
Hey Paul,
Do you sell much painted Timberlake, or do you mostly only use them for maple and cherry? I’m looking for an affordable semi-custom line that can do custom colors but not end up in MDF land on painted doors.
Angela
What is the scale for the price? In other words, what is the difference between 1 and and 5? Is 1 cheaper?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Angela,
1 is cheaper. Probably at least half the price of a 5. 6 can be go up to VERY HIGH prices
Craig
Have you heard of Makellos Cabinetry and what would you rate them?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Craig,
Sorry never heard of Makellos. They are sold out of our area so that doesn’t bode well. They look like an inexpensive import being assembled in Philadelphia.
LMM
We have worked with a recommended kitchen designer on a kitchen/dining room remodel. We really like and appreciate her design which includes things we wouldn’t have thought of. We chose the Signature line of cabinetry while in her showroom. I see Signature rated A+ on your list. The price quote is higher than we hoped. As an alternative at 10-15% of the Signature cost, her studio also carries Siteline which isn’t rated very well on your list. As a 3rd option, my husband has explored KraftMaid at Home Depot. I also note that we are looking at greige Shaker style which you have suggested isn’t worth paying for at higher-priced lines. We want high quality as we are planning to stay here for another 20 years, but have a lot of other house projects (HVAC, windows, etc.) we need to do in our old New England home as well. Thanks in advance!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi LMM,
Homeowners constantly ask us what’s the best cabinet for their money. The answer is very complicated and not the simplistic answer people look for. There are inexpensive well-made brands that offer standard cabinet sizing in popular door styles and finishes. Shaker white or grey colors are the best example. These US owned brands have their doors and fronts built and finished outside the US where labor is a fraction of the cost. We think Fabuwood is the best of these brands, but there are many very similar other brands as well.
If you want light-stained finishes, wood species like cherry, maple, quartersawn or riffed oak, hickory and other woods these less expensive mass-produced brands will not offer these choices and so you mut spend more. Spending 25% more will place you in a cabinet brand that probably offers some these type choices in a well-built cabinet, but the quality of the finish will be less attractive because the labor costs and material costs coming from the US are so much higher. For example, we sell Timberlake (also sold as American Woodmark at The Home Depot and Shenendoah at Lowes) but there are many other brands like Homecrest that will offer more colors, door styles, wood species and some additional sizing. These brands are the best choice for people on a budget that want what the less expensive brands don’t offer. But you will usually be taking a significant step down in the looks of the finish particularly on a painted cabinet.
Only after you spend about 50% more on cabinets does the overall finish rival the less expensive better made brands. But once you are spending this much the cabinet brand will offer nearly custom sizing, almost unlimited finishes, and a dizzying combination of door styles and wood species.
Finally, once you spend 60% more than the less expensive well-made brands like Fabuwood you will begin to reach the price level of near custom and custom cabinetry. These type bands will build almost any cabinetry you want in any size, color, wood species, and with special finish techniques, like distressing, glazing, rubbed of edges, and brush strokes in their paint. Cerused riffed oak finishes that are popular now become available in these lines.
Once you are in these VERY expensive brands the more expensive the brand generally the more beautiful the finish. The cabinetry in the most expensive brands is really fine furniture.
All this being said if you want the same thing that most people want IE shaker full overlay white or off-white cabinets, and your design requires no unusual sizing you would be throwing money away getting the most expensive brands.
So, selecting the cabinet brand that is best for a customer is the function of a dozen criteria’s which is why Main Line Kitchen Design carries 8 nationally distributed cabinet brands across nearly all price points. Each line offers a niche that will be right for some customers. From people flipping homes or renting them to people with nearly unlimited budgets looking for the most custom designs, styling, and materials.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Elaine,
Rift cut white oak is an expensive selection. I can’t even imagine a company selling that wood species and not having a plywood upgrade. Any other brand you select will probably have everything you need. Quartersawn Oak will look very similar, and cost a little less. We like the Brighton line we carry but there are many good brands that will offer this.