Vanity Mart vs Victorian Plumbing: Which Vanity Unit Brand is Better?

If you have been shopping online for bathroom vanity units in the UK, chances are you’ve come across both Vanity Mart and Victorian Plumbing.

These two brands couldn't be more different. Victorian Plumbing is a big brand in bathroom products, with hundreds of products and a 25-year track record. Vanity Mart is newer, smaller, and laser-focused on just vanity units. 

So which one should get your money?

This comparison breaks down everything: products, pricing, shipping, returns, and the real customer service experience. No fluff, just the facts you need to know before you make your next purchase.

Quick Comparison: Vanity Mart vs Victorian Plumbing

Vanity Mart Product Overview

Vanity Mart specializes exclusively in bathroom vanity units. The company doesn't sell toilets, taps, showers, or other bathroom products (for now). This focused strategy allows them to concentrate on quality and consistency within their specific product category.

Product Range & Sizing Options

The range includes four size options: 400mm, 500mm, and 600mm. Two mounting styles: wall-hung and floor-standing. Color choices include white, grey, blue, and green.

This selection covers almost all standard UK bathroom requirements. A 500mm vanity suits most family bathrooms, while 400mm units work well for cloakrooms and smaller spaces like downstairs. The color options include neutral tones alongside two accent colors for design flexibility.

However, if you are looking for larger sizes, corner units, double-basin configurations, or traditional styling, you won't find suitable options in this range.

Build Quality & Materials

Vanity Mart uses high-quality painted waterproof MDF across all of their units. Floor-standing models feature 18mm thick front and side panels, with 16mm on the remaining panels. Wall-hung models include 18mm front panels and 16mm side panels, with moisture-resistant 16mm PB board for internal components.

All units include premium ceramic basins with one tap hole. Hardware comes from DTC, a reputable mid-range manufacturer. Floor-standing units also feature soft-close hinges, while wall-hung models include soft-close drawers with full-extension slides.

Wall-hung units incorporate a U-shaped cutout on the top drawer to accommodate plumbing connections. The handle-less drawer fronts create a clean, modern appearance. Units include a white stone countertop, with the ceramic basin shipped separately so they don't get damaged while shipping.

All products arrive flat-packed with numbered components and detailed assembly instructions.

Design & Color Options

The design looks modern and simple. Clean lines, handle-less drawers on wall-hung units, and modern styling define the range. These units complement modern and latest bathroom designs effectively.

Buyers looking for traditional, Victorian-style, or rustic options will need to look elsewhere.

The four available colors cover essential choices: white (classic neutral), grey (modern neutral), blue (cool accent), and green (natural accent). Wood effects, black, cream, and other specialty finishes are not available.

Price Range

Vanity Mart products are priced between £100 and £190, positioning them in the budget-to-mid-range market segment.

This pricing reflects quality materials and reliable hardware without premium brand markup. The range offers value-focused options for buyers prioritizing quality construction or homeowners renting their house at accessible prices.

What Vanity Mart Doesn't Offer

Understanding what Vanity Mart doesn't provide helps buyers determine if it's the right choice for their needs.

Limited size options: The range stops at 600mm width. You won't find 800mm, 900mm, double-basin configurations, or combination units.

Modern styling only: Traditional, Victorian, rustic, or period-style designs are not available.

No immediate availability: With no physical showroom, buyers cannot view products in person or arrange same-day collections. The minimum delivery timeframe is 3-5 days.

Remote customer service: Support is only available via email and live chat. Phone support and face-to-face consultations are not offered.

No financing options: Payment plans and 0% finance arrangements are not available. Full payment is required at the time of purchase. Since products are budget-friendly, you won't be needing any finance agreement.

Single product category: As a vanity unit specialist, the company doesn't supply other bathroom products for now. Complete bathroom renovations require sourcing additional items from other suppliers.

Victorian Plumbing Product Overview

Victorian Plumbing is a big bathroom retailer offering a wide variety of vanity units alongside toilets, baths, showers, taps, radiators, and accessories. The company markets itself as the UK's largest bathroom retailer and has been in business for more than 25 years.

Product Range & Variety

The vanity unit selection includes eight main categories: freestanding, wall-mounted, cloakroom, corner, countertop, traditional, double sink, and combination units.

Sizes range from compact 400mm cloakroom units to 1800mm+ double-basin configurations. Sixteen color options are available, including white, grey, black, blue, brown, cream, graphite, green, light grey, matt white, oak, orange, pink, walnut, and wood effect finishes.

Design styles span modern, traditional, rustic, and period styles. The wide catalog provides options for virtually any bathroom style or size requirement.

This level of choice helps buyers with specific requirements. However, it also means you spend more time comparing products before you decide.

Quality Levels & Materials

The quality of Victorian Plumbing products varies depending on both price and brand.

Budget own-brand units are typically made from 16mm MDF and fitted with ceramic basins. These provide practical, affordable solutions but may not match the durability of other premium brands. Some installers and customers have reported shorter product lifespans, citing issues such as loosening hinges, warping, and finish deterioration over time.

On the other hand, premium branded products from well-known manufacturers like Grohe and Hudson Reed generally feature superior construction and higher-grade materials, resulting in a longer service life and better overall performance.

For buyers, the main challenge lies in identifying these quality differences across the price range. To ensure good value, it’s important to review specifications, materials, and customer feedback before making a purchase.

Brand Selection

Victorian Plumbing stocks both its own branded products and established premium manufacturers. This method provides options across different price points and quality levels.

Budget-conscious buyers can select own-brand units with clear cost savings. Those prioritizing longevity and build quality can choose recognized brand names with established reputations.

The middle price range requires careful checking, as quality and value can vary significantly between similar-priced products from different brands.

Price Range

Victorian Plumbing vanity units range from £99.95 to £3,291, covering budget, mid-range, and luxury price points for each type of customer.

Entry-level pricing competes with budget retailers, while high-end options match luxury bathroom specialists. The extensive price range accommodates different budgets but requires research to ensure value at any given price point.

What Victorian Plumbing Doesn't Do Well

Even though they have a well-established presence and extensive product range, Victorian Plumbing faces challenges in several operational areas based on customer feedback and reviews from Reddit and Trustpilot.

Customer Service Challenges

Victorian Plumbing does not offer phone support. Customer service is limited to email (info@victorianplumbing.co.uk) and live chat.

Customer reviews on their Trustpilot and some Reddit conversations show that email responses can take several days, with some queries only receiving automated replies. Live chat experiences also vary, with wait times increasing during busy periods and inconsistent quality of support.

When issues arise, the lack of phone support and variable response times can create frustration for customers seeking timely solutions.

Delivery Concerns

Customer feedback frequently mentions delivery-related issues. These include damaged items upon arrival, suggesting packaging may not always provide enough protection for heavy bathroom products.

Delivery time on their policy page is stated as 2-7 working days, but customer reports indicate actual delivery can extend beyond this window, especially to remote locations.

Express delivery options are available but with an additional cost (£6.95-£49.95), though this only affects the speed rather than packaging quality or damage prevention.

Remote area surcharges apply to locations including the Highlands, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and Northern Ireland, significantly increasing delivery costs for these regions.

Returns and Refund Process

Victorian Plumbing provides a 30-day return time. However, customer experiences with the returns process reveal several issues.

For change-of-mind returns, customers bear all return shipping costs. For heavy vanity units, these costs can be substantial. Return approval is required before sending items back.

Damaged items must be reported within 48 hours of delivery. Missing this small window may leave customers without recourse for damaged products.

Refund processing takes up to 10+ working days after the company receives returns. Customer reviews mention disputes over item condition, processing delays beyond stated timeframes, and difficulty obtaining approved refunds.

While the policy appears reasonable in writing, practical implementation creates challenges that affect customer satisfaction.

Quality Consistency

The extensive product range creates variability in quality across different price points and brands. Feedback from installers and daily users indicates that their own-brand products have shorter lifespans and poor quality. Premium branded items generally perform well.

Product descriptions don't always clearly differentiate quality levels between similar-priced items. This requires buyers to invest significant time researching specifications, reading reviews, and comparing brand reputations before making their final decision.

Delivery Cost Structure

Standard shipping costs from £2.94 to £49.95 depending on item size and distance. Free delivery applies only to orders over £499.

For single vanity unit purchases typically priced below £499, delivery charges add £10-£50 to the total cost. Some buyers add unnecessary items to reach the free delivery threshold, ultimately spending more than intended.

Shipping & Delivery Comparison

Shipping Costs

Vanity Mart offers free shipping on all orders to UK addresses, regardless of order value or item size. No minimum spend requirement applies.

Victorian Plumbing charges £2.94 for small items, scaling up to £49.95 for pallet deliveries. Free delivery is available only on orders exceeding £499. Remote areas incur additional surcharges.

For a typical £150 vanity unit, Vanity Mart delivers at no extra cost. Victorian Plumbing adds approximately £10-£20 to the total, depending on the specific item's shipping category.

Delivery Speed & Reliability

Vanity Mart processes your order within one business day and delivers via DPD within 3-5 business days after dispatching. The total timeline for delivery from warehouse to customer is 4-6 days. Orders placed after 5pm process the following business day.

Victorian Plumbing standard delivery is quoted as 2-7 working days. Customer feedback indicates actual delivery often requires the full 7 days or longer. Express options cost £6.95-£49.95 extra but don't address packaging or damage concerns.

Vanity Mart's narrower delivery window provides more predictability. Victorian Plumbing's wider timeframe creates less certainty about actual arrival dates.

Packaging & Damage Prevention

Vanity Mart ships vanity units and basins with protective packaging materials. Vanity and basin units are shipped separately in different packaging on the same day to reduce damage risk during transit. All orders include DPD tracking.

Victorian Plumbing packaging quality varies across products. Customer reviews frequently mention items arriving damaged, indicating inconsistent protection for heavy bathroom products. Tracking is provided but doesn't prevent damage issues.

Proper packaging is essential for items weighing 20-40kg. Vanity Mart's method of separating delicate components and using adequate protection reduces the risk of damage. Victorian Plumbing's inconsistent packaging contributes to customer dissatisfaction.

Returns & Customer Service Comparison

Return Policies

Vanity Mart provides a 30-day return window from delivery. Damaged or incorrect items receive free return shipping with full refunds (must report within 48 hours with photographic evidence). Change-of-mind returns can cost you a £16 return shipping and restocking fee, deducted from the refund. Items must remain unused in original packaging. Returns require contacting support@vanitymart.co.uk first. You will be provided a return label by the company and the item will be picked up from you the next working day.

Victorian Plumbing also offers a 30-day return window. Damaged items must be reported within 48 hours. Change-of-mind returns require customers to arrange and pay for all return shipping, potentially costing £50 or more for heavy vanity units. Refunds process within 10 working days after receiving returns. Return approval is required before sending items.

Both companies offer a 30-day return policy, but the practical experience differs. Vanity Mart's fixed £16 fee for unwanted returns provides cost predictability. Victorian Plumbing requires customers to arrange courier services and absorb potentially higher costs.

Customer Service Accessibility

Vanity Mart provides support via email (support@vanitymart.co.uk) and live chat. Email responses typically arrive within 24-48 hours. Phone support is not available yet.

Victorian Plumbing also offers email (info@victorianplumbing.co.uk) and live chat. Email response targets are stated as 2 days but customer feedback indicates variable actual response times. Live chat availability depends on queue length. Phone support is not available.

Neither company provides phone support, which some customers find limiting. The distinction lies in responsiveness. Vanity Mart's smaller scale appears to enable more consistent response times based on stated policies. Victorian Plumbing's size and volume create communication bottlenecks reflected in customer feedback.

Refund Processing

Vanity Mart issues refunds within 10 business days of receiving returned items. The £16 fee for change-of-mind returns is automatically deducted from the refund amount. Faulty or incorrect items receive full refunds without deductions.

Victorian Plumbing processes refunds within 10 working days after receiving returns. Customer feedback suggests actual processing sometimes extends beyond this timeframe, with disputes over item condition causing additional delays.

While both companies state 10-day processing times, Vanity Mart's clear fee structure and streamlined process creates more predictability. Victorian Plumbing's customer feedback indicates the process can be more complicated in practice.

Which Brand Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on specific needs and priorities.

Choose Vanity Mart if:

• You need a modern vanity unit in standard sizes (400mm-600mm)

• Free delivery is important for budget planning

• You prefer transparent, predictable pricing without hidden costs

• Consistent quality matters more than extensive choice

• A curated selection appeals more than browsing hundreds of options

• Reliable delivery timeframes (4-6 days) suit your project schedule

• Email and chat support meet your service expectations

• Your budget falls in the £100-£190 range

Choose Victorian Plumbing if:

• You require sizes outside Vanity Mart's range (corner units, 800mm+, double basins)

• Traditional or period-style designs match your bathroom design

• You're completing a full bathroom renovation and prefer a single supplier

• Viewing products in person at their Formby showroom is important

• 0% financing options are necessary for your purchase

• You're willing to research thoroughly to identify quality products in their extensive range

• Premium luxury brands appeal to you and fit your budget

• You're purchasing £499+ in products to qualify for free delivery

The only difference is strategy.

Vanity Mart offers focused simplicity and consistent value within a specific product category. Victorian Plumbing provides comprehensive selection and full bathroom solutions across varied quality and price levels.

Neither brand is universally superior. They serve different customer needs and priorities.

For buyers seeking a straightforward modern vanity unit at a fair price with free delivery and transparent returns, Vanity Mart is your go-to choice. The focused range eliminates extensive research while maintaining quality standards.

For buyers with specific requirements outside Vanity Mart's range, or those renovating entire bathrooms, Victorian Plumbing's wide collection justifies the additional research and potential delivery costs.