- First decide: assembled (higher price, no labour) vs RTA (lower price, you build the boxes).
- Then check the box: plywood boxes hold up better than particleboard, especially at the sink.
- Assembled + design help: CliqStudios, Cabinets.com.
- RTA, lower cost: The RTA Store, RTA Cabinet Store, Kitchen Cabinet Kings, Lily Ann Cabinets, The Cabinet Joint.
- Want to see it in person: Cabinets To Go (stores), Lily Ann Cabinets (two showrooms).
- Made-to-order / higher-end: Barker Cabinets (longer lead time).
- Order free samples and use a free 3D design tool before committing — both are standard now.
Buying kitchen cabinets online can save a lot over a big-box store or a local kitchen dealer, but the companies differ more than their websites suggest — in how the cabinets arrive, what the boxes are made of, how much design help you get, and how long you wait. Here's how the main online cabinet companies compare in 2026, and how to pick the right one for your kitchen.
How to Choose Where to Buy
Five factors separate these companies:
- Assembled vs. RTA. Assembled cabinets cost more but arrive ready to hang. RTA (ready-to-assemble) cabinets ship flat and cost less, but you (or your installer) build each box — a few hours per cabinet.
- Box construction. Plywood boxes hold screws and survive a leak better than particleboard. See cabinet box materials compared.
- Design help. Some companies give you a dedicated designer and a rendered 3D plan; others are self-serve with an online planner.
- Lead time. Ranges from a few days (quick-ship stock) to 6–8 weeks (made-to-order). Cabinets are usually the long pole in a remodel schedule.
- Samples and returns. A free full-size sample door and a clear return policy matter when you're choosing a finish from a screen.
The Companies at a Glance
| Company | Model | Where sold | Design help | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lily Ann Cabinets | RTA | Online + 2 showrooms (Adrian MI, Tampa FL) | Free 3D design; free samples | 7-core plywood boxes, dovetail drawers, value pricing |
| The RTA Store | RTA + assembled | Online | Design assistance | Large style range, frequent promotions |
| RTA Cabinet Store | RTA + assembled | Online | Design + measure help | Quick-ship program (~3 business days on select lines) |
| Cabinets.com | RTA + assembled | Online | Free design services | Wide selection, strong site tools |
| Cabinets To Go | Assembled + RTA | Online + physical stores | In-store + online design | Showrooms you can walk into; kitchen + bath + counters |
| Kitchen Cabinet Kings | RTA + assembled | Online | Free design service | Affordable, ~7–14 business-day shipping |
| The Cabinet Joint | RTA | Online | "Cabinet Coach" design help | Guided RTA process, ships flat |
| CliqStudios | Assembled | Online | Dedicated designer + 3D plan | Assembled cabinets with a designer, regular sales |
| Barker Cabinets | Made-to-order (RTA) | Online | Online configurator | Mid-to-higher-end, full-access frameless; longer lead time (~6–8 wk) |
Compiled from each company's published information and third-party coverage, September 2026. Models, store counts, lead times and promotions change — confirm current details on the company's own site before ordering.
Company by Company
Lily Ann Cabinets
RTA cabinets with 7-core furniture-grade plywood boxes and dovetailed drawer boxes, sold online and through two physical showrooms (Adrian, Michigan and Tampa, Florida). Free full-size sample doors and a free 3D design service. Positioned on value — plywood-box construction at a price closer to particleboard lines. Best for buyers who want a plywood box and are comfortable assembling (or hiring an installer). See the RTA cabinet range and customer reviews.
The RTA Store
A large online RTA (and assembled) seller with a wide style range and frequent sitewide promotions. Design assistance is available. Best for buyers who want lots of door-style and finish options and are price-shopping across sales.
RTA Cabinet Store
A separate company from The RTA Store (the names cause constant confusion). Sells RTA and assembled cabinets, with design and measurement help and a quick-ship program that moves selected lines out of the warehouse in about three business days. Best when speed matters.
Cabinets.com
One of the larger online cabinet retailers, offering both RTA and assembled cabinets, free design services, and well-developed website planning tools. Best for a self-directed buyer who still wants a designer to check the plan.
Cabinets To Go
The main online cabinet company with a national footprint of physical stores, so you can see and touch the product before buying. Sells assembled and RTA cabinets plus countertops, vanities and flooring. Best for buyers who want to shop in person and buy everything in one place.
Kitchen Cabinet Kings
An affordable online seller of RTA and assembled cabinets with a free design service and roughly one-to-two-week shipping. Best for a budget-conscious buyer who wants design help included.
The Cabinet Joint
An RTA seller built around a guided process — a "Cabinet Coach" walks you through design and ordering, and the cabinets ship flat. Best for a first-time RTA buyer who wants hand-holding.
CliqStudios
Sells assembled cabinets only, paired with a dedicated designer and a 3D plan, and runs frequent promotions. Best for buyers who don't want to assemble anything and value a single designer contact.
Barker Cabinets
Made-to-order, full-access (frameless) cabinets in the mid-to-higher-end range, ordered through an online configurator, with a longer lead time (often six to eight weeks). Best for buyers who want frameless construction and precise sizing and can wait.
Comparing quotes? Get Lily Ann's free
A free 3D design and a real quote for a full plywood-box RTA cabinet set — so you can put Lily Ann side by side with any other quote before you decide. Free samples too.
Frequently Asked Questions
There isn't one answer — it depends on whether you want assembled or RTA cabinets and how much design help you want. CliqStudios and Cabinets.com are common picks for assembled cabinets with a designer; The RTA Store, RTA Cabinet Store, Kitchen Cabinet Kings and Lily Ann Cabinets for lower-cost RTA; Cabinets To Go if you want a showroom; Barker for made-to-order frameless.
Ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets bought online, in a stock size and finish, with no design upgrade — you save on assembly labour and dealer markup. Reusing your existing layout (so no cabinets are custom-sized) and assembling them yourself pushes the cost down further.
In the online RTA segment, the value comparison usually comes down to box construction: a plywood box at a price near particleboard lines is the sweet spot. Compare the box material, the drawer-box joinery (dovetail vs stapled), the hinge and slide brand, and the warranty rather than the sticker price alone.
Cabinets.com is one of the larger, established online cabinet retailers, with both RTA and assembled options and free design services. As with any online cabinet purchase, order a sample door first, confirm the box material on the line you're considering, and read recent customer reviews for shipping-damage and customer-service patterns.
They're built differently. IKEA uses a particleboard box with a suspension-rail hanging system and is well regarded for the price; Home Depot sells a range of brands from stock particleboard to semi-custom plywood, so "Home Depot quality" depends entirely on the line. Dedicated online RTA sellers often offer a plywood box at a comparable price to both.
Assembled cabinets arrive built and ready to hang; you pay more but skip the labour. Ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets ship flat in boxes and you assemble each one — typically with cam locks or dovetail joints, wood glue and a screw gun, a few hours per cabinet. The cabinet parts and hardware are the same; you're paying for someone else's time or doing it yourself.
Stock quick-ship lines can leave the warehouse in about three business days; typical online RTA orders arrive in one to two weeks; made-to-order lines run six to eight weeks. Order cabinets before you demo the old kitchen — their lead time usually sets the whole remodel schedule.
Yes. Screen colour is unreliable for wood stains and painted finishes, and a full-size sample door also shows you the construction, weight and hardware. Most online cabinet companies offer free or low-cost sample doors — get two or three finalists before committing to a whole kitchen.
Yes — most online cabinet companies offer some form of it, ranging from a self-serve online planner to a dedicated designer who produces a rendered 3D plan and an itemised quote. Free 3D design is standard among the major RTA sellers, including Lily Ann Cabinets.
Often, yes — a dedicated online RTA seller cuts the showroom and dealer markup, and RTA shipping is cheaper than shipping assembled boxes. The saving is largest on plywood-box lines, where online RTA prices can sit close to big-box particleboard pricing. Compare the box material, not just the per-cabinet price.
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