By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
Howdens Joinery kitchens review
Howdens is perceived by many as an expensive kitchen brand, and since many of us shop on price, costs are important.
But value for money matters too, as does customer service and durability.
That's why we asses kitchen brands in two ways – via a lab assessment of the units and a Which? member survey that gathers data on customer satisfaction.
Howdens have three kitchen ranges (Handleless, Ready Assembled and Flatpack), and we put them all through our rigorous lab tests. The Handleless and Ready Assembled ranges come pre-assembled. The Flatpack range offers a more affordable price point.
We also surveyed Which? members with one of their kitchens to see whether or not they're satisfied. Read our full Howdens kitchens review to find out how they scored.
To see how Howdens compares with Wren and other popular companies, visit our guide to the best kitchen brands
Howdens kitchens overall scores
We tested 19 kitchen ranges from various brands, giving them an overall score based on expert lab assessment results and customer survey data from real owners.
Log in or join Which? to reveal the results for Howdens
| Howdens range | Overall score | Lab score | Customer score | Customer service | Durability | Visit retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handleless | Howdens Handleless kitchens | |||||
| Ready Assembled | Howdens Ready Assembled kitchens | |||||
| Flatpack | Howdens Flatpack kitchens |
Table notes: The overall score is based on the lab assessment of the units (60% weighting) and feedback from our customer survey (40% weighting), which incorporates the customer score, plus ratings for the level of customer service and durability. The customer survey was conducted online in February 2023 among 4,253 Which? members who have bought a new kitchen in the past 10 years. Howdens sample size: 983.
Two of Howdens' kitchens scored identically, while the other lost marks in our lab assessment.
The best kitchen we assessed achieved an overall score of 81%. Our five best kitchen suppliers all scored over 75%.
At the bottom end of the table, our lowest-scoring kitchen earned 59%. In fact, eight kitchens from four brands all got scores of less than 70%.
Be inspired to make home improvements. Sign up for our Home newsletter – it's free monthly
Howdens kitchens lab test scores
Our expert lab tests are specially designed to test how kitchens will stand up to everyday use.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal the results
| Kitchen range | Lab score | Quality of units | Loading shelves | Drawers and runners | Hinges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handleless | |||||
| Ready Assembled | |||||
| Flatpack |
Table notes: Lab assessment scores are calculated based on a kitchen’s performance in 19 tests across four key areas - quality of units, loading shelves, drawers and runners and hinges. Ratings are combined to create an overall assessment score.
Two of Howdens' ranges scored identically in our lab tests.
The other lost some marks for quality of units and hinges.
Find out how we test kitchens in our lab
Howdens kitchens customer score
We spoke to Which? members with a Howdens kitchen to find out how owners rate them.
Log in now to or join Which? find out how Howdens is rated by its customers
| Customer survey category | Scores and ratings |
|---|---|
| Customer score | |
| Customer service | |
| Quality of cupboards, doors, drawers and worktops | |
| Quality of finish | |
| How well cupboards, doors, drawers and worktops lasted | |
| Value for money |
Table notes: Customer score is a combined score based on customer ratings of satisfaction with their kitchen and likelihood of recommending to a friend. The customer survey was conducted online in February 2023 among 4,253 Which? members who have bought a new kitchen in the past 10 years. Howdens sample size: 983.
Our top overall scorer achieved an outstanding score of 86% in our customer survey.
At the other end of the table, some of the brands we assessed scored less than 65% overall – including some two-star ratings.
Our reader survey also revealed the 7 things people regret most about their kitchen design
Howdens kitchen installation
Howdens doesn’t install kitchens and you can’t install them yourself.
Howdens can guide you through the process of finding a trader if you need help.
Alternatively, you can use our free Which? Trusted Traders service to find a reliable trader.
How much does it cost to fit a Howdens kitchen?
To find out how much the average kitchen installation costs in 2025, we consulted the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database.
They told us that the total cost of labour should be 20-30% of your total spend.
Log in now to or join Which? find out how much you can expect to spend on labour when renovating your kitchen
We recommend that you always get at least three quotes from different traders before you start any job, and get a fixed price contract if possible (this means the prices can not go up expect in pre-agreed circumstances).
Which? members can see a full breakdown of how much a new kitchen costs in 2025, including for labour, kitchen islands and worktops
Howdens kitchens cost
We reached out to Howdens to ask for prices for their different kitchen ranges. They said that, since they only deal with tradespeople, they cannot give us a price directly.
We do have prices for other brands, including Ikea, Magnet and DIY Kitchens – check out their pages for further information.
Howdens kitchens pros and cons
Log in now to or join Which? to see the pros and cons of Howdens kitchens.
Updating your appliances as well? See our best kitchen appliances, a round-up including the best and worst cookers, fridges and more
How to buy a Howdens kitchen
Howdens Joinery is a trade kitchen supplier, which means it sells to tradespeople only.
That means you need to find a builder before you start on the Howdens buying journey. The process in full is as follows:
- Find a builder - Howdens won't sell to non-professionals, so you need to find an installer before starting work on your new kitchen.
- Choose your kitchen - Get to know Howdens’ ranges and the type of kitchen you want, so you have an idea of what your interested in before your appointment. Either browse online at howdens.com or find your nearest depot.
- Design your kitchen - Book a design appointment with Howdens to decide on your new kitchen.
- Installation - The kitchen will be delivered to your house and can be installed by your trader.
Howdens kitchen designs
Howdens makes 10 ranges of kitchen, based on three types of unit (or kitchen carcasses): Flatpack, Handleless and Ready Assembled.
These types of unit all come in traditional Shaker and modern slab designs.
The Flatpack kitchen is the cheapest option. Howdens also recommends these units if your kitchen is difficult to access or you are short on space.
The Ready Assembled or Handleless units achieved identical scores in our lab tests, so if you're looking for a more premium range, you can choose based on whether or not you want handles or a sleek finish.
Howdens’ kitchens come in a range of colours. Some are even available in 24 paint-to-order colours.
You can also customise the finish of your cabinets with one of seven choices, including gloss, ultra gloss, matt and textured finishes.
Howdens design services
Howdens has a free personal design service online to help you plan your kitchen. Book online at howdens.com to consult a designer for expert advice on planning, layout and style, either via video chat or at a Howdens depot.
Howdens' designers can also carry out at-home assessments during which they will measure your kitchen. You can choose to have a 3D plan of your kitchen to help you visualise the final look.
Howdens kitchen unit sizes
All of Howdens kitchens come in a huge range of sizes, including half-height and highline options.
They make standard widths (including 500mm and 600mm) and in-between sizes (like 350mm and 450mm) for a custom fit. However, you should note that their flatpack units are less customisable.
Howdens kitchen guarantees
Howdens offers a 25-year guarantee on its kitchen cabinets, a five-year guarantee for doors and a one-year guarantee for worktops.
The guarantee mostly covers defects in the manufacturing process or raw materials.
Make sure you keep your proof of purchase, as you'll need it to make a claim. Even if the kitchen was bought by a Howdens' account holder, you can contact Howdens direct.
Find out more at howdens.com
Looking for an independent kitchen specialist? Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable kitchen designer, fitter or refurbishment professional near you:
This article uses insights from the Which? Connect panel, collected from research activities with our members. Find out how to get involved