Melamine is the best choice of cabinet interior. It's more moisture resistant and easier to clean than any paint or clearcoat. Both cabinet choices are kinda, eh. Look further afield for betterquality.

I love melamine interiors, even in expensive wood cabinets. They're just so easy to care for as Sophie said. I have a modern kitchen, so my drawers are the kind that are metal and melamine, and I love them.

My Henrybuilt cabinets had melamine on plywood.

Sophie-does the melamine-is-best include Ikea? Our last house had Ikea boxes and after seven years, I could see the seam at some edges kind of split apart.

My folks have custom plywood (I think) cabinet boxes from 1980 and they have held up so nicely. I'm inclined to go the plywood route based on my observation. However, Ikea is a constant temptation because it's so darn cheap.