Wickes offers 15mm carcasses with own-brand drawers at retail prices, while Magnet provides rigid construction with Blum drawers as standard through 150+ showrooms. However, for homeowners who want the best of both worlds — Blum hardware plus 18mm solid backs, fully bespoke sizing, and genuine trade pricing — SJB Trade Kitchens delivers a superior specification at 30-50% less than high street prices, with delivery from just 10 working days.
Wickes vs Magnet Kitchens: A Detailed Comparison for UK Homeowners
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Quick Answer: Wickes vs Magnet Kitchens
- Wickes: 15mm carcasses, own-brand drawers, retail pricing with frequent sales, rigid and flat-pack
- Magnet: Rigid construction, Blum drawers as standard, showroom-based pricing, 150+ UK locations
- SJB Trade Kitchens: 18mm Egger/Kronospan carcasses, 18mm solid backs, Blum Antaro standard, rigid only, fully bespoke, 10-day delivery, 30-50% cheaper than high street
- Key difference: Magnet has better hardware than Wickes, but SJB matches Magnet’s Blum drawers while adding 18mm solid backs and fully bespoke sizing at significantly lower prices.
Is Wickes or Magnet Better for a New Kitchen?
Wickes and Magnet are both well-known high street kitchen brands that sell direct to consumers through their respective store and showroom networks. Wickes operates as a general home improvement retailer with a kitchen department, while Magnet is a dedicated kitchen specialist with over 150 showrooms across the UK. Both are accessible to homeowners without a trade account, but their specifications, pricing models, and overall value propositions differ significantly.
SJB Trade Kitchens provides an independent, fact-based comparison of both brands. As a supply-only kitchen specialist based in Oldham, Greater Manchester, with over 20 years of industry experience, Steve Ball has seen thousands of kitchens from every major brand — and understands exactly where each one excels and where it falls short. This guide compares Wickes and Magnet on the specifications that actually matter, and explains why SJB consistently delivers a better kitchen at a better price. See also our Wickes kitchens alternative page and trade price kitchens guide for more information.
Wickes vs Magnet vs SJB — Full Specification Comparison
| Feature | Wickes | Magnet | SJB Trade Kitchens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carcass Thickness | Typically 15mm | 18mm | 18mm Egger/Kronospan |
| Back Panels | 3-6mm hardboard | Thinner backs (typical) | 18mm Solid |
| Construction | Rigid and flat-pack options | Rigid construction | Rigid pre-built only |
| Drawer Boxes | Own brand systems | Blum drawers as standard | Blum Antaro as standard |
| Pricing Model | Retail with promotional sales | Showroom pricing with upsells | Transparent trade prices — 30-50% cheaper than high street |
| Lead Time | Typically 6-8 weeks | Typically 3-5 weeks | From 10 working days |
| Custom Sizing | Standard sizes only | Limited bespoke options | Fully bespoke — custom heights, depths, widths |
| Soft Close | Available on some ranges | Blum soft close included | Blum soft close on every door and drawer |
| Google Reviews | Mixed (varies by store) | Mixed (varies by showroom) | 40 reviews, 5-star rating |
Are Wickes Kitchens Good Quality? The 15mm Carcass Issue
Wickes kitchens present a fundamental specification problem that goes beyond surface-level aesthetics. Their carcasses are typically just 15mm thick — noticeably thinner than the 18mm standard used by trade-focused suppliers and premium brands like Magnet. The back panels are even more concerning at just 3-6mm hardboard, which provides minimal structural reinforcement and is vulnerable to moisture damage, bowing, and deterioration over time. In the warm, humid environment of a busy kitchen, these thin panels simply do not offer the long-term durability that homeowners expect from a significant investment.
Wickes uses their own branded drawer systems rather than industry-standard Blum hardware, which means the smooth, reliable operation that premium drawers provide is not guaranteed. Their pricing model relies heavily on promotional sales, seasonal discounts, and rotating offers that make it difficult to determine the true cost of a kitchen. Custom sizing is largely unavailable — Wickes offers mostly standard sizes, leaving homeowners with non-standard rooms facing compromises with filler panels and awkward gaps. Lead times of 6-8 weeks compound the frustration, particularly for those coordinating multiple trades. For a different comparison angle, see our DIY Kitchens vs Wickes page.
Is Magnet Better Than Wickes? Where Magnet Falls Short
Magnet kitchens benefit from using Blum drawers as standard, which is a genuine positive and a clear step up from Wickes’ own-brand systems. Their rigid construction and 18mm carcasses also represent a higher build specification. However, Magnet’s overall offering still falls short in several important areas that homeowners should consider carefully before committing.
Magnet’s back panels are thinner than the full 18mm solid backs provided by SJB, which compromises long-term structural integrity — particularly in wall-mounted units that bear significant weight. Magnet’s showroom-based pricing model can be misleading, with frequent upsells and add-ons that inflate the overall cost beyond the initial quote. Customers commonly report feeling pressured in showroom environments where the focus is on closing a sale rather than providing genuine, impartial guidance. Bespoke sizing options are limited compared to a true made-to-order service, and while Magnet’s lead times of 3-5 weeks are better than Wickes, they still cannot match SJB’s 10 working day turnaround. For another perspective, see our DIY Kitchens vs Magnet comparison.
Why SJB Trade Kitchens Outperforms Both Wickes and Magnet
Magnet’s Hardware Plus Unbeatable Build Quality
SJB Trade Kitchens delivers where both Wickes and Magnet fall short. Every SJB kitchen features 18mm Egger/Kronospan carcasses with full 18mm solid backs — a specification that neither competitor can match. While Magnet does use Blum drawers, SJB goes further with Blum Antaro soft-close drawer boxes as standard on every kitchen, with upgrades to Legrabox and dovetail solid oak available for customers who want the ultimate in drawer quality. The 18mm solid backs provide structural rigidity that thinner panels simply cannot replicate, especially on wall units carrying heavy crockery and cookware.
Fully Bespoke — Your Room, Your Measurements
Every kitchen is made to order with fully bespoke sizing — custom heights, depths, and widths — at no additional cost. This means your kitchen fits your room perfectly, eliminating the filler panels and awkward gaps that standard-sized units from Wickes and Magnet often require. Whether you have an alcove that needs a 437mm wide base unit or a ceiling height that demands 950mm wall cabinets, SJB builds to your exact specifications. Delivery takes from just 10 working days nationwide, beating both Wickes’ 6-8 weeks and Magnet’s 3-5 weeks.
Trade Prices Without the Showroom Markup
SJB’s transparent trade pricing is typically 30-50% cheaper than high street showroom prices, and significantly better value than both Wickes retail prices and Magnet showroom prices. There are no promotional sales, no was/now pricing, no upsells, and no showroom pressure — just honest, consistent pricing from Steve Ball, an independent kitchen specialist with over 20 years of experience who is personally accountable for every order. SJB has earned 40 Google reviews with a perfect 5-star rating.
Supply-Only Freedom and Expert Guidance
SJB operates as a supply-only specialist, giving you complete freedom to choose your own fitter. This is a major advantage for homeowners who already have a trusted installer or builder. Whether you have a quote from Wickes, Magnet, or both, Steve will provide a free like-for-like comparison showing exactly where the savings and quality improvements lie. Call 0161 509 4221 or email info@sjball.uk to get started.
From Design to Reality: See the Difference
Every SJB kitchen starts with a detailed CAD design so you can see exactly how your finished kitchen will look before a single unit is ordered. Here is what that looks like in practice.
The CAD design produced by Steve before the kitchen was ordered
The finished kitchen installed by the customer – exactly as designed
“Steve is absolutely epic! Really nice guy. 100% genuine and to be trusted. Really easy to work with. Couldn’t do enough and always on hand.
The kitchen was amazing quality and the kitchen looked exactly like the images he produced on his computer. The units came ready built which saved a lot of time! Even if you’re not a joiner it was really easy to assemble and fit.
The kitchen is great quality and a VERY competitive price! 100% recommended! Thank you so much!”
— Scott, verified SJB Trade Kitchens customer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What Our Customers Say
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Magnet generally offers better hardware with Blum drawers as standard and 18mm carcasses, while Wickes uses own-brand drawer systems and typically 15mm carcasses. However, both use thinner back panels than SJB Trade Kitchens. SJB provides 18mm carcasses, full 18mm solid backs, and Blum Antaro drawers as standard — outperforming both on overall build quality and long-term durability.
Wickes tends to position itself as the more budget-friendly option with frequent promotional sales, while Magnet’s showroom pricing can escalate with upsells and add-ons. However, SJB Trade Kitchens offers transparent trade pricing that is typically 30-50% cheaper than high street showrooms, providing genuinely better value than both without compromising on quality or specification.
Yes — SJB Trade Kitchens uses Blum Antaro soft-close drawer boxes as standard on every kitchen, the same trusted brand used by Magnet. SJB also offers upgrades to Blum Legrabox and dovetail solid oak drawers for customers who want premium options. Wickes uses their own brand drawer systems which do not match Blum’s quality and reliability.
Absolutely. Every SJB kitchen is made to order with fully bespoke sizing — custom heights, depths, and widths at no extra cost. Wickes offers mostly standard sizes, and Magnet’s bespoke options are limited and often carry additional charges. SJB’s approach means your kitchen fits your room perfectly, regardless of property type.
SJB delivers nationwide from just 10 working days — faster than both Wickes (typically 6-8 weeks) and Magnet (typically 3-5 weeks). Despite the faster turnaround, every SJB kitchen is made to order with fully bespoke sizing, so you are not compromising on customisation for speed.
Get Your Free Quote or Quote Comparison
Got a quote from Wickes or Magnet? Upload it below and Steve will come back with a like-for-like comparison — usually within 24 hours. Call 0161 509 4221 or email info@sjball.uk.
SJB Trade Kitchens is an independent kitchen specialist. All competitor names are used for comparative purposes only based on publicly available specifications. SJB Trade Kitchens is not affiliated with Wickes, Howdens, Wren Kitchens, Magnet, or DIY Kitchens.
