Kitchen units: how to choose the best cabinets, worktops and doors

The quality and functionality of your kitchen units will make a huge difference to their longevity - and the price of installation. 

From granite or laminate worktops to chipboard or solid wood cabinets, we guide you through everything you need to know in terms of materials, durability and prices. 

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Types of kitchen worktops

The type of kitchen worktop you choose can make a big difference to the overall look and feel of your kitchen.

When picking a worktop, it is important to consider how much it will get used, the amount of maintenance you are willing to do, and your budget. 

Prices per square metre of worktop can range from £30 up to £300, so depending on the material you choose. 

Marble and granite are the most expensive; laminated chipboard or MDF are cheaper. 

Most worktops are 20-40mm thick (most commonly 28mm or 38mm), and 600mm or 900mm wide. You can also get a bespoke worktop made to your specifications.

Laminate kitchen worktops

Laminate worktops are made from MDF or chipboard wrapped in a laminate surface (a type of plastic). 

This makes them water resistant, hygienic and durable, although they can get scratched if you use knives to chop directly on them.

Pros

• One of the cheapest worktop options
• Highly customisable - the laminate can be printed to look similar to pricier materials such as granite, marble and wood.
• Durable and easy to clean 
• Relatively environmentally friendly, especially if you chose recycled options

Cons

• May have visible seams 
• Can look less expensive than other options

Wooden kitchen worktops

Typical choices for a wood kitchen worktop include maple, oak and cherry.

Depending on the type of wood you choose, they are less durable than other types of worktop, but they can be sanded and resealed to remove imperfections. 

Pros

• Relatively inexpensive (depending on the type of wood you choose)
• Aesthetically pleasing and full of character
• Can be relatively environmentally friendly if you chose a responsibly managed forest

Cons

• Prone to scratches, staining and water damage
• Require regular oiling and sealing; you will also need to sand scratches and dents
• They can warp if they're stored improperly before installation - check them thoroughly when they are delivered 

Granite kitchen worktops

Granite is a natural stone quarried from the earth. Granite worktops come in a range of colours including black, cream and pink. 

They are very hard-wearing and resistant to heat and scratches.

Pros

• Highly durable - you can even place hot pans directly onto the surface
• Beautiful appearance of natural stone

Cons

• Requires periodic sealing 
• Granite is a non-renewable natural stone; it requires a lot of energy and generates a lot of pollutants during extraction and transportation
• You will need to hire a professional to fit the worktop as it requires specialist tools

Solid surface kitchen worktops

Solid surface worktops are fully synthetic. They are made of a blend of resins, minerals and pigments, which is why they’re available in a huge range of colours and patterns. 

Pros

• There are a huge range of options for colour and patterns
• Very durable
• Maintenance is relatively easy - but you can sand and refinish if you want to keep them looking new

Cons

• Often energy-intensive to produce, so not the most eco friendly option

Quartz kitchen worktops

Engineered quartz - a combination of quartz crystals, resins and pigments - makes for a highly durable kitchen worktop, although it’s not as tough as granite. 

Pros

• Highly durable
• Doesn’t require much maintenance
• Can mimic the appearance of natural stone, but costs less
• Can be more eco-friendly if you chose recycled quartz options

Cons

• Although it’s cheaper than natural stone, it is more expensive than other options
• Quartz mining can be polluting and the surface is energy-intensive to produce

Marble kitchen worktops

Marble is an expensive kitchen worktop option. Not only is it beautiful, supplies are finite and extracting marble and converting it into slabs is an energy-intensive process.

It is softer and more porous than other types of stone, so it’s prone to scratches, dents and staining. It requires regular cleaning and sealing to maintain it.

Pros

• A luxurious worktop option that can add value to your property

Cons

• Very expensive 
• Requires regular sealing and a lot of care
• Extraction of marble is energy-intensive and polluting

Take a look at our kitchen design ideas and plan your budget with our kitchen costs guide.

How to choose the best kitchen cabinets

Together with your worktop, kitchen cupboards and drawers are key to the functionality of your space.

It is important to choose high-quality cabinets that will stand up to everyday use. There are several indicators of cabinet quality that you can consider when making your purchase.

Kitchen cabinet material

Laminate-covered chipboard or MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is the most popular material for kitchen cabinets. 

You can choose from plain matt or gloss laminate finishes, or those that replicate other materials, such as wood. 

Chipboard carcasses are the cheapest units, and many of the kitchens from big-name brands are made partly of chipboard.

MDF is higher density and therefore stronger than chipboard. It tends to be more water resistant, so units that use it are likely to be slightly more expensive than chipboard.

Solid wood kitchen units are more expensive than chipboard or MDF cabinets. They are both beautiful and highly durable, but much more expensive than other options. 

Most solid wood units arrive pre-assembled (and glued together), making them very strong and rigid.

Cabinet thickness

A typical kitchen cabinet is between 15-19mm thick, with most being around 18mm.

Thicker cabinets will both feel more luxurious and are more durable. However, they are also more expensive. 

Type of joints

The quality and sturdiness of your cabinets will also depend on the types of joints used. 

Generally speaking, there are three types:

• Wooden dowels glued into holes
• Wooden dowels secured in holes with two or three screws
• Wooden dowels secured in holes with two sets of metal studs and cams. Cams are discs that secure the dowel in place once inserted into the holes and turned 90 degrees.

The latter option is the strongest. Factory-assembled options will typically use studs and cams to secure their units. 

Our kitchen planning and layout ideas will help you make the most of your space.

Which? kitchen cabinet tests

In January and February 2023, we asked 4,378 Which? members who've bought a new kitchen in the past 10 years to tell us about their experience – from the level of customer service they received to how well the kitchen has lasted. 

We also assessed kitchen units from the big-name brands in our lab.

Which? members can log in to find out which types of kitchen cabinets fared best in our lab tests, and how thick kitchen cabinets should be.

If you're not a Which? member, join Which? to access our kitchens reviews.

Discover the best and worst kitchen brands according to our surveys and lab tests.

Types of kitchen cabinet

Shaker cabinets

• Shaker cabinets are characterised by a flat-panelled door with a recessed centre panel
• They work well in traditional and contemporary kitchens 

Flat-panel/ slab cabinets

• Slab doors are completely smooth
• They are good for creating a modern and minimalist look
• They are marginally easier to clean than a more decorative design

Inset cabinets

• Inset kitchen cabinet doors fit flush with the cabinet frame. When the door is closed, it does not protrude from the cabinet
• These cabinets look sleek and can work in all styles of kitchen
• However, they require a high degree of precision to create 

Open shelving

• Cabinets with open shelving add a modern and airy feel to the kitchen
• However, they require careful organisation and maintenance

Glass-fronted cabinets

• Similar to open-shelving, glass fronted cabinets allow you to display your kitchen utensils and add an airy feel to the kitchen
• However, glass fittings require a lot of maintenance to keep them clean 

Find a reliable kitchen fitter with Which? Trusted Traders. All our professionals are thoroughly vetted, so you can be confident in your choice.