Häcker concept130 or systemat? The in-depth comparison

Häcker offers two kitchen lines with concept130 and systemat that are based on the same 130 mm grid but set different priorities. concept130 is the versatile, easy-to-cost line for high-quality kitchens with a strong value-for-money ratio. systemat is the premium line for plans in which extra carcass heights and depths, exclusive drawer systems, special materials and architectural special solutions play a central role.

The difference in one sentence: concept130 offers a great many sensible options for a high-quality everyday kitchen; systemat extends this basis with more planning freedom, more exclusive materials and technical premium details.

Important: systemat is not automatically the better choice in every kitchen. The extra cost is worthwhile mainly when the additional options are actually used.

Häcker concept130 and systemat in a direct comparison

1. Carcass heights and ergonomics

Carcass height affects storage space, how the fronts are divided, and the possible working height. It must not be confused with the full working height. The plinth, worktop and any substructures still have to be added.

concept130 offers two base unit heights: 71.5 cm and 78 cm. Häcker also names ten different tall-unit heights. That already covers most ergonomic and spatial requirements well.

systemat extends this range with an 84.5 cm high base-unit carcass. According to Häcker, the tall units can reach up to 234 cm carcass height. The extra 84.5 cm carcass is especially interesting when a higher work surface is to be combined with a low plinth. At the same time, extra storage moves from the plinth into the actually usable furniture carcass.

For average body heights, the 78 cm carcass is often perfectly sufficient. The 84.5 cm carcass becomes relevant mainly for taller people, very low plinths, or kitchen islands that are deliberately planned high.

2. Cabinet depth and usable storage

For the internal organisation systems shown, concept130 offers carcass depths of 46 and 56 cm. The 56 cm version matches the usual depth of high-quality kitchen base units and already provides a lot of storage.

systemat extends the range depending on the drawer system to 46, 56, 61 and 71 cm. The extra depths of 61 and 71 cm can be realised with the SLD system. The Metro system remains limited to 35, 46 and 56 cm.

The 61 cm depth is particularly relevant in everyday use. Five extra centimetres can be enough to arrange two pots, storage containers or rows of plates more effectively one behind the other. Häcker expressly promotes the 61 cm drawers with the option of storing two cooking pots one behind the other.

More depth also means a greater demand on floor area. A 61 or 71 cm deep run projects further into the room, changes the circulation routes and may require a deeper worktop. In small kitchens the more compact 56 cm plan can therefore be more sensible.

3. Drawers and pull-outs

concept130 uses the Metro drawer system. It is available as Metro Line with a gallery rail, as a closed Metro Box and as a version with clear glass. Full extension, self-close and soft-close are part of the technical specification. The closed Metro Box drawer side is 16 mm thick.

systemat can also be specified with Metro, but additionally offers the exclusive SLD – SlimLine Drawer. The SLD drawer side is only 8 mm thick. It looks more delicate and takes up less space at the sides. SLD is also available in greater depths, with a glass drawer side and with drawer lighting.

Both systems sit at a high level for load capacity. The technical documents quote 40 kg for standard drawers and up to 70 kg for wide pull-outs, including front, handle and the unit's own weight. The added value of SLD therefore lies less in load capacity than in the slimmer drawer side, the greater choice of depths, the look and the lighting options.

4. Fronts, colours and materials

concept130 already covers a broad spectrum. That includes melamine-resin and laminate surfaces, lacquer laminates, matt and high-gloss lacquer, PerfectSense surfaces, wood decors and painted real-wood frame fronts. Häcker names 27 programmes plus a wide choice of coordinated colours and surfaces.

For robust family kitchens, laminate, melamine-resin and PerfectSense surfaces are often particularly sensible. They offer an easy-care alternative to more sensitive natural materials. concept130 also includes several modern country-style fronts and handleless ART programmes.

systemat extends this range with distinctly more pronounced premium and natural materials. These include linoleum, concrete, cement, stone veneer, slate veneer, special real-wood veneers and metallic surfaces.

On top of that comes a very large degree of colour customisation. Häcker names more than 1,900 NCS and around 190 RAL colour shades. A systemat kitchen can therefore be matched more precisely to wall colours, architecture and individual interior concepts.

The difference is therefore not “little choice versus a lot of choice”. concept130 offers a broad, well-structured series range. systemat additionally offers more material depth and distinctly more individual colour design.

5. Interior colours and design carcass

For concept130 the carcass colours Kristallweiß, Feineiche and Titan are available. In the project business Häcker names eleven carcass exterior colours; the interior colour concept is therefore more standardised than on systemat.

On systemat, design carcasses are available in Kristallweiß, Lichtgrau, Titan and Feineiche-natur. Interior, exterior and edge colour can be colour-matched to one another. Open cabinets, glass display units, tall-unit blocks and lit interiors therefore look more like complete living furniture.

The difference is less visible on closed cabinets. On glass cabinets, open shelves, Pocket Door niches and lit tall units, however, it can shape the entire appearance of the kitchen.

6. Planning variety and special solutions

concept130 works with a clear grid and programme logic. Two base unit heights, numerous tall-unit heights, different cabinet widths, handleless programmes, and kitchen and living furniture already allow very flexible planning.

systemat additionally offers extra carcass heights and depths, Pocket Doors, tandem swing-out pull-outs, special glass cabinets and more extensive interior-architecture solutions.

Pocket Doors are useful, for example, when electrical appliances, a coffee station or a complete work niche are to disappear behind large doors. When opened, the doors slide sideways into pockets. They therefore do not stand out into the room during use.

The tandem swing-out pull-out brings both inner shelves and door-mounted racks forward when opened. Stores are then clearer to see and easier to reach.

Such solutions are not necessary in order to plan a functional kitchen. In open-plan living kitchens, however, they can offer considerable design and organisational added value.

7. Handleless kitchens and lighting

Both product lines can be planned handleless. On concept130 ART the carcass sides are prepared for the recessed handle profiles. Different handle-profile colours and an optional lighting profile with adjustable colour temperature allow a high-quality, linear design.

systemat also offers handleless ART planning. In addition, SLD drawers can be specified with integrated lighting. The lighting is mounted on the carcass side and illuminates the open drawer.

Good lighting should not be understood only as a design effect. Task, niche, cabinet and drawer lighting improves orientation and makes deep or dark interiors more usable.

concept130 covers the essential lighting tasks. systemat offers additional ways to use light as part of the furniture architecture.

8. Price and value for money

A serious blanket price difference cannot be stated. Front material, worktop, appliances, cabinet types, interiors and specials influence the final price considerably.

Häcker assigns both product lines to the mid-range to premium segment, but expressly describes systemat as a premium kitchen line. From that it can be inferred that a comparably planned systemat kitchen is normally positioned higher than concept130. The actual difference depends on which premium features are selected.

concept130 is particularly attractive when the budget is to be invested specifically in high-quality electrical appliances, a better worktop, more drawers or extra cabinets.

systemat justifies the extra cost mainly when concrete additional functions are used:

• 61 or 71 cm deep drawers,
• the 84.5 cm carcass,
• SLD drawers,
• drawer lighting,
• individual RAL or NCS colours,
• design carcasses,
• special natural materials,
• Pocket Doors,
• elaborate glass-cabinet and living-space solutions.

If you choose systemat but then only plan standard depths, simple series fronts and Metro drawers, you only partly tap the possible added value of the line.

Which Häcker line is the right one?

concept130 is usually the better choice if:

• a very good value-for-money ratio is the priority,
• a robust family kitchen is being planned,
• 56 cm deep cabinets and Metro drawers are sufficient,
• the series and trend colours cover the design brief,
• no exceptional natural materials are needed,
• more of the budget should go into appliances, the worktop or extra cabinets.

systemat is usually the better choice if:

• 61 or 71 cm deep drawers bring a functional advantage,
• the 84.5 cm carcass is needed for ergonomics and storage,
• SLD drawers and drawer lighting are wanted,
• special materials or individual RAL and NCS colours are decisive,
• a consistently colour-matched design carcass is wanted,
• Pocket Doors, tandem systems or other special solutions are being planned,
• the kitchen is to be designed as individual architecture and living furniture.

Conclusion

concept130 is not a simple entry-level line, but a high-quality and very versatile kitchen series. For many households it offers the more economically sensible combination of quality, storage, design and price.

systemat is superior when a plan deliberately goes beyond the standard. The extra depths, the 84.5 cm carcass, SLD drawers, exclusive materials, design carcasses and special solutions create options that concept130 does not offer, or not in the same breadth.

The right decision therefore does not come from the question of which product line is generally better. What matters is which specific features bring measurable benefit in your own kitchen.

For individual advice on concept130 and systemat you can reach us at Contact.