Cabinets can take up 40% of the budget on a typical kitchen remodel, according to Angi, the home services marketplace. That makes sense given their impact on the look and functionality of the space, not to mention the fact that they often last for decades.
Fortunately, kitchen cabinet manufacturers carry a diverse array of product lines to serve a wide range of renovation budgets, from $10K or less for a cost-conscious cosmetic makeover to $100K and up for high-end gut renos. Even better, our experts in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute found quality offerings at every price point during their latest evaluations.
Our top picks are divided into three categories: stock, semi-custom and custom. At the bottom of this guide, you'll find more information about how we selected these brands, plus expert advice for finding the perfect kitchen cabinets for your style and budget.
Best Stock Kitchen Cabinets
IKEA
Why we love it: The Swedish mass-retailer of ready-to-assemble furniture is also a one-stop shop for all your kitchen remodeling needs, including surprisingly durable and design-forward cabinets. The breadth of options isn’t what you’ll find from a semi-custom cabinet brand, but there are ways to personalize the stock units.
We chatted with Bellevue, Washington-based interior designer Anna Popov, who typically works with custom cabinets, about a recent experience designing a kitchen for a friend using IKEA cabinets. “There wasn’t a lot of room in the budget, but we were able to create a custom look with a few tricks of the trade,” she said. That included adding “flush fillers” to gaps between the cabinets and walls to make the units look built-in. Popov returns to the home every year for a holiday party and can attest to how well the kitchens have held up over time. “No one believes this is an IKEA kitchen,” she told us.
Tester notes: Like Popov, our engineers in the Good Housekeeping Institute have been impressed by the quality of IKEA's construction, which includes dovetail joinery and full-extension drawer glides. There’s no mistaking the melamine foil-fronted doors and drawers for real wood, nor are the MDF and particleboard boxes any substitute for solid wood. But if you’re able to embrace the contemporary IKEA look, the brand’s cabinets can form the foundation of a stylish kitchen that should hold up for many years.
“It's not a bad idea to explore the options in store and chat with an expert on the retailer’s planning services team to get some tips and finalize your design,” adds Monique Valeris, Good Housekeeping’s home design director.
- Pros: Excellent value, durable construction, short lead times
- Cons: Limited design choices, foil finishes, assembly required
- Price: $ — $$
Hampton Bay
Why we love it: Home centers are another good source of budget-friendly kitchen cabinets, both pre-assembled and flat-pack. For Home Depot shoppers, Hampton Bay is the brand we recommend, based on our extensive experience testing products from the manufacturer, from gazebos to patio heaters.
Hampton Bay products are value-driven, boasting simple designs and quality construction, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in the collection's stock cabinets. Design choices are limited, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, since kitchen trends these days are still geared towards clean, simple lines, whether in a classic Shaker style or contemporary slab-door cabinet.
Tester notes: The construction is not of the same quality as what we see with semi-custom cabinets, including more use of laminate and pocket-screw assembly instead of stronger dovetail joints. Still, our experts say budget cabinets from Hampton Bay should deliver many years of service.
Testers also praise the fact that the Home Depot provides free delivery, as well as optional installation through its network of certified installers. That means your new kitchen cabinets could be in place within a couple of weeks, compared with the many months of lead time required with semi-custom and custom units.
- Pros: Affordable prices, free delivery, short lead times
- Cons: Limited design options, engineered materials
- Cost: $$
Reform
Why we love it: In the same way that prefab modular homes have been embraced by contemporary design, Reform is a ready-to-assemble cabinet company that delivers a modern, European look. Options for doors and drawers range from brushed aluminum and polished stainless steel to more conventional wood veneers and painted panels. Whichever way you go, the streamlined design process happens mainly online, aided by visualization tools and other smart software. Once the design is finalized, delivery of the modular cabinets happens in 12 to 14 weeks.
Tester notes: Reform is a favorite with Good Housekeeping’s style mavens. “They have fun with color and it's a great option for modern design lovers,” said Valeris. Our home design director is partial to the Column collection, which is marked by smooth curves and unconventional center-post door handles. Users who have been through the digital consultation process called the experience pain-free and professional.
- Pros: Modern aesthetic, seamless online design and ordering
- Cons: Limited styles and long lead times, especially for modular units
- Price: $ – $$
Best Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Fabuwood
Why we like it: Fabuwood makes semi-custom cabinets, but when the company launched in 2009, its focus was stock cabinetry. Our experts see it as a bridge between the two categories — the go-to for quality semi-custom cabinets delivered faster than the competition and at a better price.
From its 1-million-square-foot production facility in Newark, NJ, Fabuwood ships cabinets in a range of styles nationwide. The marks of quality construction include solid wood door frames (around MDF panels) and durable factory finishes.
Tester notes: Several Good Housekeeping experts with discerning eyes have used Fabuwood on their kitchen remodels. That includes Elisabeth Engelhart, our visual style director, who used Fabuwood for her kitchen's Shaker-style cabinets in an off-white painted finish. “Sturdy construction, custom touches, and the finish has held up extremely well,” Engelhart reported. Plus, the cabinets were delivered in about five weeks — a much shorter lead time than other cabinet companies she considered using.
Good Housekeeping's Deputy Visual Director Ulrika Thunberg opted for the Luna Dove line, with its clean lines and polished finish. Thunberg is confident in the performance of Fabuwood, too. “We stayed in a sublet that had the same cabinets installed, so we were able to test run them and were very happy with the performance,” she said.
- Pros: Competitive prices, wide range of designs for stock units
- Cons: Engineered materials, limited sizes, longer lead times
- Price: $$ – $$$
Form Kitchens
Why we love it: Form Kitchens is a relatively new cabinet company with a direct-to-consumer model. The brand is the brainchild of Danny Soos, a London software engineer who, during his own remodeling experience, was frustrated that all the best-in-class cabinets he saw in showrooms were way beyond his budget. By eliminating the middle dealer and working directly with a German manufacturer, Form delivers sleek, European-style kitchens for a fraction of the cost of custom units.
While the company has limited showrooms in some major cities, you can order samples of its cabinets before finalizing your project, so you can see what the final finish and color will be. Form says it can deliver within 18 weeks of a project’s start date.
Tester notes: A Good Housekeeping expert who went with Form on her kitchen renovation was impressed by the experience and end results. "It’s platform-based, so all communication happens through the app or online," she said. "One standout was the ultra-talented designer, Bianca, who we got to work with. I also loved the exceptionally accurate 3D renderings they made of our space, which helped us choose lighting, countertops, hardware and more — even if we then had to order them all separately."
Explore Form Kitchens Cabinets
- Pros: Streamlined design process, intuitive app-based platform
- Cons: Longer lead times, installation not included
- Price: $$ — $$
Semihandmade
Why we love it: When Semihandmade launched in 2011, it was the big disruptor to the cabinet industry. Its then-novel approach of “hacking” IKEA cabinets enabled customers to buy just the cabinet boxes from the retailer before adding semi-custom doors, drawers, trim and hardware.
In 2021, the company started a sister brand called Boxi with a similar direct-to-consumer model as Form and Reform. Boxi customers choose from eight curated cabinet styles, including Shaker and slab, and provide basic dimensions of their space. Within four to 12 weeks, the assembled units are delivered. Boxi is aimed at DIY consumers who are up for the challenge of hanging their own cabinets, though it also has a network of installers you can hire.
Tester notes: As noted earlier, our experts have been impressed by the overall construction quality of IKEA cabinetry, and while upgrading to Semihandmade facades adds another $2,500 to $4,500 to the cost of the standard IKEA boxes, that can still save thousands on the total project cost. “Semihandmade is the perfect choice for someone who wants to personalize their kitchen style while staying on budget,” says Laura Millar, Good Housekeeping’s Assistant Lifestyle Editor. “I particularly love their Agave color cabinets in the beaded design."
- Pros: Personalized look at affordable prices
- Cons: Direct-to-consumer option limited to Western U.S. states
- Price: $$ — $$$
Wellborn Cabinet
Why we love it: Located in Ashland, Alabama, Wellborn is another major cabinet manufacturer that has built a reputation for quality and reliability over more than six decades. We know the brand well from attending trade shows like the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), where we've been able to get hands-on with the brand's latest design offerings. Because Wellborn is so established, it has a massive network of dealers and contractors to assist you through every phase of the project, from design to installation.
Tester notes: “Wellborn has one of the more extensive semi-custom cabinet lines covering both frameless and framed units,” said one of our expert testers. Wellborn's Estate line, for example, is available in both custom and semi-custom units, and comes in over 30,000 door styles, door materials and finish combinations. Through Wellborn’s partnership with Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Valspar paint companies, the color options are virtually limitless too.
- Pros: Established brand, nationwide distribution, offers design and installation
- Cons: Size limitations prevent fully built-in look
- Price: $$$
Best Custom Cabinets
Omega Cabinetry
Why we love it: Omega is the custom line of MasterBrand, one of the most established cabinet manufacturers in the U.S. So, while it delivers a truly custom product, with hand-crafted construction and top-quality materials and finishes, it also has the customer service infrastructure of a major corporation, including an extensive dealer network and stable supply chain.
Tester notes: Our experts like Omega’s wide range of cabinet styles, in both framed and frameless construction, making the brand a suitable option for just about any kind of home. Working with the company was "an easy and simple process that a rep from their team walked us through," said one tester who went with Omega cabinets on her recent kitchen remodel. She opted for Omega's Plainfield Shaker cabinets, an enduring style defined by clean, simple lines. It was eight weeks between order and delivery, a swift timeline for custom units. "The cabinets so far have been durable and look great," she said. "We have dark blue cabinets, which means that they can get a little scuffed sometimes, but we have a little blue touch-up pen that Omega gave us to make any marks go away fast."
- Pros: Wide range of styles, relatively quick lead times
- Cons: Higher price point
- Price: $$$ — $$$$
Rutt Cabinetry
Why we love it: If there’s a capital of cabinet making in the U.S., it’s Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with its centuries-old tradition of hand-crafted millwork carried out by the region’s Amish and Mennonite communities. Rutt Cabinetry was born out of this heritage back in 1951 and it still operates that way today out of its production center in New Holland, PA. Though Rutt’s manufacturing process has taken on new technologies, its cabinets are characterized by timeless craftmanship, including the use of hand-selected lumbers and oven-cured finishes with a clear conversion varnish to protect against stains and scratches. Bottom line: Rutt cabinets are beautifully built to last.
Tester notes: Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, used Rutt when she redid her kitchen 30 years ago. It was the only cabinet brand she considered, after she was lucky enough to visit the Pennsylvania factory and see the craftsmanship first-hand. “My kitchen is still as beautiful and functional as ever, even three decades later,” she said. “The cabinets don’t need to be replaced, but if I ever do another kitchen, I will definitely go with Rutt again."
- Pros: Artisan-level craftsmanship, certified to Environmental Stewardship Program
- Cons: Styles tend to skew more traditional
- Price: $$$ — $$$$
Local Millwork Shops
Local millwork shops are another excellent source of custom cabinets. These are typically privately owned businesses that specialize in the design and fabrication of cabinetry and other furniture. Each shop is unique, which is part of the appeal, but it also means you might need to do more legwork to find the right match. A smart strategy is to work with a kitchen designer who will have their own Rolodex of vendors.
To find a designer who can then connect you with their recommended local millwork shops, try the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) or the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), both of which have member directories on their websites. If you’re working with an architect on your kitchen renovation, they can also be a good source of local millworkers.
- Pros: Highly personalized service, locally sourced materials
- Cons: Referrals are mostly word-of-mouth, making shops harder to find
- Price: $$$$
How we chose kitchen cabinet brands
To assemble this list of top cabinet brands, we focused on manufacturers with strong reputations for quality and reliability, based on our Good Housekeeping Institute experts' many decades of home renovation product testing and reviews.
We assessed materials, methods of construction and available features, like internal organizers and integrated lighting. We also looked at customer service offerings, including the number of showrooms and support services around design and installation. Finally, we considered warranties since the extent to which a brand stands behind its product is always a good indication of its ability to hold up over the long haul.
What to look for in the best kitchen cabinets
Since the selection of kitchen cabinets is heavily price-driven, figuring out which category your budget falls into is an important first step. Then there are a couple of other factors to consider. Here’s what you need to know.
Pick the category
There are three main ones to choose from:
✔️ Stock Cabinets: These budget cabinets are the way to go if you don’t mind limited style and size options. They either come fully assembled or in flat-pack versions (also known as RTA, or ready-to-assemble) that will need to be put together onsite. The material is often veneered particleboard or a foil-covered medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panel. Though mass-produced, some stock cabinets are fairly durable, with dovetail joinery and full-extension drawer glides.
Cost: $100 to $300 per linear foot, installed, or $2,500 to $7,500 for an average kitchen
✔️ Semi-Custom Cabinets: These units come in more styles and configurations, so they’ll fit your kitchen more precisely, if not perfectly. Widths are usually in 1/4-inch increments, rather than the typical 3 inches you see with stock units. We think semi-custom is the best value option, hitting the sweet spot between price and performance. However, features and quality can vary considerably in this category, so be sure to go with a reputable brand, like those featured in this report.
Cost: $150 to $650 per linear foot, installed, or $4,000 to $16,000 for an average kitchen
✔️ Custom Cabinets: These top-of-the-line cabinets are hand-crafted to the exact dimensions of your kitchen, for a totally built-in look. You will be able to choose from any style, plus all the bells and whistles when it comes to features. The units are made from premium materials, including top-grade lumber, paints and stains.
Cost: $500 to 1,200-plus per linear foot, installed, or $15,000 to $30,000+ for an average kitchen
Select the style
There are two choices, framed and frameless:
✔️ Framed Cabinets: These cabinets consist of a box and face frame which the doors and drawers attach to. Their look is more traditional. The best face frame cabinets use a 3/4-inch solid wood face frame, making for an extremely stable and durable cabinet.
✔️ Frameless Cabinets: Also known as European-style, these cabinets eliminate the face frame and instead have doors and drawers that attach directly to the cabinet box. The result is a more contemporary look with easier access to the interiors. But frameless cabinets are not as rigid as framed units.
Choose the features
You will have the most options to choose from with custom units, but even budget cabinets today come with features that increase utility without a huge investment. Here are the ones our experts say add the most value:
✔️ Storage Accessories: Think about how you use your kitchen and which cabinet features will provide the most functionality. Retractable trash and recycling bins are storage options that most consumers appreciate. If you cook a lot, a tiered cutlery drawer or pull-out spice rack might make the most sense. If you’re short on pantry space, adding a Lazy Susan to a base corner cabinet might be worthwhile. “We did a tip-out tray in front of the kitchen sink and it’s where we hide our kitchen sponges,” said Forté, Good Housekeeping’s cleaning and organization pro.
✔️ Integrated Electronics: Built-in lighting has become very popular in recent years, including fixtures that turn on when a door or drawer is opened in a pantry or dark corner cabinet. Integrated under-cabinet lighting is great for adding essential task light to countertop work areas. Consider adding a USB port to a drawer or cabinet to charge your smartphone and other electronics.
✔️ Hardware Upgrades: Full-extension drawer guides function better than integrated side rails. Soft-close stops that prevent doors and drawers from slamming shut are another worthwhile upgrade, our experts say. As for handles and pulls, the choice of finish is an opportunity to tie the kitchen together by mixing and matching with the other finishes in the space, including those on faucets and light fixtures.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Dan DiClerico has covered the home improvement market for 25 years. In that time, he has written dozens of articles about kitchen cabinets for a variety of outlets, including This Old House, Martha Stewart Living and Consumer Reports. In 2022, he joined the Good Housekeeping Institute as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab. In his role, he oversees testing of kitchen cabinets, along with other remodeling products, like countertops, flooring and windows. Dan is also a serial remodeler, most recently completing the gut renovation of the 19th-century brownstone where he lives with his wife and kids. Dan is also a regular at housing trade shows, where he keeps up with the latest cabinet designs and innovations.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
