How we test kitchens

Our lab experts assess kitchen units from big-name brands, including B&Q, Howdens, Ikea and Wickes, to find out how well they're made. We also ask thousands of people to share their experiences of the brand they bought their kitchen from.

Rigorous testing and research enable us to recommend Best Buy kitchens that are practical and durable, from brands that offer good customer service. 

This guide explains our testing process in more detail. 

To find out the results of our testing, read our guide to the best kitchen brands 

Testing kitchens in the lab

How we install kitchens

For each kitchen range we test, we look at a drawer unit, a floor cupboard unit and a wall unit (both with shelves). 

If the kitchen units are flat-packed, they're assembled in lab conditions. All the units are attached to a wall, as they would be in a normal kitchen. 

We evaluate the ease of the installation process while we assemble and install the kitchens, including the clarity of instructions and whether the correct equipment is provided. 

However, we don't include the installation rating in the overall score, as many factors affect the process, including whether you choose to install the kitchen yourself. 

How we test kitchens

We run 19 tests on our kitchens, focused on four main areas: 

• Unit quality Units lose marks if they have sharp corners, irregularities or imperfections (such as splinters). They gain marks for good build quality and good interiors. 
• Loading of units Units score well if we can repeatedly apply a lot of weight to the worktop and shelving without any movement, instability or damage.  
• Drawers and runners: Units gain marks if the runners have a soft-close mechanism and the drawers open and close smoothly. They lose marks if the drawers can be removed easily (ie, when they're fully open). 
• Hinges: Units gain marks if the hinges have a soft-close mechanism and can bear a lot of weight.  

How we produce the lab assessment score

Once all the kitchens have been assessed, we generate scores for each of the four areas we test. These are then combined to create an overall lab assessment score. 

The scores are weighted based on the factors that are most important when assessing the best kitchen:

• Unit quality: 40%
• Loading of shelves and drawers: 40%
• Drawers and runners: 10%
• Hinges: 10%

This means the quality of the hinges has less impact on the lab assessment score than the quality of the unit.

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The customer survey

We sent out a survey to Which? Connect members and members of the public who've bought a kitchen in the past 10 years. 

We asked them to rate specific aspects of their kitchen, including quality, durability and value for money.

We also asked them to provide two overall ratings: how satisfied they are with their kitchen and how likely they'd be to recommend the brand to a friend. 

These two ratings are then combined to give each brand a customer score. 

Our latest survey was conducted in February and March 2025. In total, 4,580 people provided evaluations of their kitchen. 

The overall kitchen score

The final stage of our testing process is creating an overall score for each kitchen. 

We combine the kitchens' lab assessment scores and the overall feedback the brands received in our customer survey.

If a brand has more than one kitchen range (for instance, Ikea has the Enhet, Metod and Knoxhult), these ranges will have the same customer survey score but different lab assessment scores. 

This is because the survey is conducted at brand level but the ranges are assessed separately in the lab.

Our reader survey also revealed the 7 things people regret most about their kitchen design 

Best Buy kitchens

Kitchens are eligible to be a Best Buy if they fulfil the following criteria: 

• an overall score of 78% or above
• a customer score of at least 70%
• at least three stars in all the areas we asked customers to rate in our survey.

The results

Our latest survey was conducted in February and March 2025.

We assessed some of the most popular kitchen brands, including Howdens, Magnet and Wren Kitchens.

Lab test scores for the kitchen units varied significantly, ranging from 89% to 54%.

Customer survey scores ranged from 80% to 65%, and two brands received two stars out of five for customer service.

Six kitchen ranges from four brands received a Best Buy recommendation.

To discover the lab test results and customer survey scores for each brand, read our guide to the best kitchens.