By core material/wood type (the biggest factor affecting price and performance)
Solid poplar core: Soft, light, cheap, easy to work with; but low density, average nail-holding power and moisture resistance, suitable for wardrobes, backs, and shelves in dry areas.
Solid eucalyptus core: High density, hard, strong nail-holding power, good moisture and deformation resistance, more suitable for the south/kitchen dry areas/balconies/high cabinets, but a bit pricey.
Pine core: Has a pine scent and clear grain, good toughness; but contains resin, and if not properly dried, the resin can seep and affect the finish.
Birch core: Dense, hard, strong load-bearing capacity, mostly northern species, good for heavy-duty furniture.
Poplar-eucalyptus mixed core: Alternate/combined poplar and eucalyptus, balancing cost and strength, the most common mid-range option in the market.
Mixed wood/eucalyptus-poplar mixed core: Cheap, quality depends on control; avoid lots of wood varieties, many joints, or chaotic stresses.
Multi-layer bamboo board: Bamboo core, hard, good moisture resistance, useful in the humid southern regions.
Classified by layers/thickness
Plywood usually has an odd number of layers, with the grain of adjacent layers perpendicular to each other:
3 layers: thin sheets, 3–5mm, used for veneer base, packaging, and lining
5 layers: 9–12mm, for standard cabinet or decoration base
7–9 layers: 15–18mm, mainstream for whole-house custom wardrobes and kitchen cabinets
11 layers and above: thicker and more stable, for heavy furniture, construction templates, marine plywood, or moisture-resistant boards
