Undermounts are easier to keep clean; there's no rim to collect gunk.

Self-rimming sinks drop in & are easier to install, so they should be less expensive.

IMHO -
This depends on the countertop product that you will be
using. For example: If you are going to be using a Plastic
Laminate - a self rimming sink would be the way I'd go.

On the other hand, for pretty much all of the other products
that you could choose from - like Solid Surface, Engineered Quartz,
Natural Stone, Butcher Block, Stainless Steel, Concrete, Recycled
Glass & Concrete - an undermount or a self rimming sink can
be used with great success.

Most people like the undermount "style" because of the ease of cleaning
and wiping stuff off of the counters and right into the sink
without hitting a "lip" or "rim" of the self rimming style
of sink.

Generally - what I tell folks is that the more money you spend
on your project, the more likelyhood that undermount sinks
will be a wiser investment... Don't yield to the temptation of
wanting to "save" a little money........ (that is - unless
you absolutely have to cut costs somewhere)

Example:

What do you think is the ratio of people that order a Mercedes Benz
from the factory in Germany - and opt for the "power windows" package
instead of getting the base grade "hand crank up" manual windows???
IMHO - prolly like.....99.999%

Bottom line - depending on the kind of product that you'll
be using will have a lot to do with your final decision as to
whether a self rimming sink or an undermount will be best for you,
your project's overall "look" and of course - your budget.

HTH

kevin

I think that an undermount sink needs to be installed so that there's a little lip of the countertop that hangs over the inside edge of the sink, though. That way, you don't see the seam where sink and counter meet. I've seen them where it's all flush and then you see the seam and tbat seam will collect gunk. I've seen that too, in sinks that have been installed for a while, and it's not pretty either. Bottom line, make sure your installer knows how to measure for the opening.

We used the Kohler Archer self rimming sinks in the master bathroom for 2 reasons. The style was perfect for the type of bathroom we were doing and we splurged on a marble countertop and didn't want handsoap dispensers and other wet things constantly sitting on the marble. We recently stayed at a super luxury resort on a business trip and they had done exactly the same thing in their spa type bath which is a different style from mine which is generally (I think) a kind of 1930's style. Anyway the self rimming type of sink can really make a design statement and also be practical.