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Whether you prepare meals on a daily basis or just a few times per week, it’s essential to have a reliable cutting board for your food prep demands. You may not need to buy the most expensive or biggest cutting board to get the job done, but it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each type of board. Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of cutting boards on the market.
Wood cutting boards stand out for their sturdiness and versatility. You can use most wooden boards for chopping up onions, veggies, and meat. Most wood surfaces are hard enough to stay relatively sturdy on the counter, yet soft enough to avoid damaging knife edges. They also tend not to scar as much as softer surfaces. If you’re looking for the sturdiest surface that’s safest for knives, look for an end-grain wood cutting board. Whether you choose a traditional or end-grain wood board, it’s essential to oil it regularly to protect it from warping or staining. Most wood cutting boards are not dishwasher safe.
Heavy.com Tech 10 Best Cutting Boards: Compare & Save. This colorful set of cutting mats makes it easy to avoid cross-contamination while keeping track of which mats are used for specific types.
Bamboo is another popular choice, particularly among eco-conscious consumers. It’s a hard grass material that doesn’t require chemicals and is a sustainable resource. Bamboo tends to be moisture resistant, meaning that won’t stain or hold onto bacteria. This type of surface also holds up well to repeated use and doesn’t scar much.
If you prefer to use a cutting board a few times per week and want to be able to stick it directly in the dishwasher for cleaning, consider a plastic cutting board. While plastic boards generally have softer surfaces, which can scratch and dull knife blades over time, they are an affordable alternative to pricier cutting boards. Polyethylene material stands out for its stain-resistant properties and the fact that it’s quite easy to clean. It’s important to note that plastic cutting boards can melt when exposed to higher temperatures, such as placing a hot pot or pan onto the surface.
A less common option is a glass cutting board. While this type of cutting board looks nice, its harder surface can quickly damage knife blades. Additionally, glass can get quite slippery, especially when wet. This type of cutting board is best for light use, especially if you want a surface that can also be used for serving.
We’ve rounded up our top picks for the best cutting boards below. If you don’t see the right one for you, check out a wider selection of cutting boards on Amazon to find what you need.
1. Utopia Kitchen Bamboo Cutting Board
Utopia Kitchen
The Utopia Kitchen Bamboo Cutting Board is made with a durable, high density bamboo that’s built for sustainability and minimal maintenance. This cutting board is ideal for a variety of foods, from fruit to baked goods to meat. One advantage of bamboo wood is that it’s lightweight yet durable. The surface is resistant to scars from repeated knife cuts and won’t damage knife blades. You can clean it with warm water and soap. Grooves along the sides keep juice from spilling onto your counters.
Price: $15.49 (61 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Utopia Kitchen Bamboo Cutting Board here.
Pros:
- Durable bamboo material
- Resistant to scars from knife blades
- Can be cleaned with warm water and soap
Cons:
- May slip on some surfaces
- A few mention a lingering wooden smell
- Some caution the finish is a bit rough
Find more Utopia Kitchen Bamboo Cutting Board information and reviews here.
2. Farberware Glass Cutting Board
The Farberware Glass Cutting Board is an affordable option for those who are looking for a glass cutting board. Its tempered glass surface protects surfaces from hot dishes. It also has a non-skid trim to hold the board securely in place as you prepare food. The surface is break resistant for added convenience. While it can go in the dishwasher, hand washing is recommended.
Price: $9.31
Buy the Farberware Glass Cutting Board here.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Protects surfaces from hot dishes
- Non-skid trim
Cons:
- Best if hand washed
- Some find the rough surface a bit tedious for cutting
- Doesn’t have ridges to collect juice
Find more Farberware Glass Cutting Board information and reviews here.
3. OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board
OXO
This utility cutting board is made with a durable polypropylene material, making it ideal for cutting up fruits, vegetables, meat, and other types of food. One side is equipped with juice grooves to help minimize messes. There are also non-slip edges for your safety. The handles are soft and tapered to make carrying simpler. This cutting board is dishwasher safe.
Price: $14.99
Buy the OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board here.
Pros:
- Durable polypropylene construction
- Non-slip edges
- Juice grooves
Cons:
- Surface can scratch over time
- A few caution it can slide around on slippery surfaces
- Some wish the juice grooves were deeper
Find more OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board information and reviews here.
4. John Boos Maple Wood Cutting Board
Its larger size may make it a bit tougher to clean, but the John Boos Maple Wood Cutting Board is durable enough to withstand food preparation such as chopping, cutting, slicing, and cleaving. This particular board is nearly 2.5 inches thick and comes with hand grips on both ends for easier carrying and lifting. The board is reversible and features a stylish and durable hard maple construction. Both sides are flat. Hand washing is recommended, as is regular oiling for best results.
Price: $94.72 (15 percent off MSRP)
Buy the John Boos Maple Wood Cutting Board here.
Pros:
- Durable maple wood construction
- Large work surface
- Solid maple wood material
Cons:
- No juice edges
- A bit large/bulky
- Shallow hand grips
Find more John Boos Maple Wood Cutting Board information and reviews here.
5. Totally Bamboo Cutting Board Set
The three-piece Totally Bamboo Cutting Board Set includes one larger board along with medium and small boards. You can use the two larger boards for chopping up vegetables and slicing meat, while the small board is ideal for serving appetizers and chopping garnishes. Each board is made with organic Moso bamboo material without chemicals. This particular type of bamboo is said to be up to 16 percent stronger than maple wood. To care for the boards, just hand wash after use and periodically oil each one.
A dual-tone set of three boards is also available.
Price: $12.99
Buy the Totally Bamboo Cutting Board Set here.
Pros:
- Includes three sizes
- Made with organic materials
- Available in two styles
Cons:
- A handful caution the surface is rough
- Lacks juice edges
- Smallest board doesn’t have a handle
Find more Totally Bamboo Cutting Board Set information and reviews here.
6. CounterArt Flexible Cutting Mat
CounterArt
This colorful set of cutting mats makes it easy to avoid cross-contamination while keeping track of which mats are used for specific types of foods thanks to food icons. The flexible material rolls up easily and comes with microbial protection. Additionally, the softer surface won’t dull knife blades. Each mat is dishwasher safe.
Price: $10.57
Buy the CounterArt Flexible Cutting Mat here.
Pros:
- Comes in four colors
- Each mat has a designated food icon
- Softer surface won’t dull knife blades
Cons:
- Tends to slide during use
- Surface can scratch
- A few mention they won’t stay flat
Find more CounterArt Flexible Cutting Mat information and reviews here.
7. Gorilla Grip Cutting Boards
If you’re tired of having your cutting board slip out from underneath as you chop, dice, and prepare foods, consider this set of three Gorilla Grip Cutting Boards. Each board comes with strong grippers to remain securely in place as you prepare food. Additionally, the boards have deep grooves to catch juices. The boards are made with BPA-free non-porous material that won’t crack or peel over time. You can place these boards in the dishwasher for an easy clean-up.
Price: $19.99 (50 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Gorilla Grip Cutting Boards here.
Pros:
- Strong grips keep boards from slipping
- Three distinct sizes
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- May slide a bit on granite counters
- Surface can get scratched
- A few mention the white surface can stain
Find more Gorilla Grip Cutting Boards information and reviews here.
8. Prepworks by Progressive Cutting Board
The Prepworks by Progressive Cutting Board is a basic and affordable cutting board made with durable polyethylene. Customers appreciate the versatile size along with reservoir edges for collecting excess liquids. An easy-grip handle lets you pick up and transport the cutting board as needed, as well as hang it up for storage. If you detest the thought of cleaning by hand, you’ll appreciate that this board is dishwasher safe.
Price: $16.54
Buy the Prepworks by Progressive Cutting Board here.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Reservoir edges
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Prone to staining
- Surface tends to scratch over time
- Can slip a bit
Find more Prepworks by Progressive Cutting Board information and reviews here.
9. CC Boards Bamboo Cutting Board Set
The CC Boards Bamboo Cutting Board Set includes a large, medium, and small board. Each board comes with ridges to collect excess liquids and a handle for easy lifting and carrying. A durable bamboo construction makes each board strong enough to withstand most food prep jobs. Choose from the flat side for more cutting space or the side with juice grooves. To clean, just hand wash the boards with soap and water.
Price: $31.97 (30 percent off MSRP)
Buy the CC Boards Bamboo Cutting Board Set here.
Pros:
- Includes three sizes
- Each board has juice ridges and a carrying handle
- Double sided
Cons:
- Some caution the surface can scratch over time
- A few mention the surface is a bit rough
- Lacks non-slip grips
Find more CC Boards Bamboo Cutting Board Set information and reviews here.
10. Hardwood Chef Acacia Wood Cutting Board
Its larger size may make it a bit bulky for storage, but its good looks might convince you to leave this cutting board out on the kitchen counter even when you’re not using it. This cutting board is made with eye-catching acacia wood, which also stands out for its durability. Additionally, end grain wood is gentler on knife blades and won’t dull them as quickly. The cutting board is just under 2 inches thick and features a nonslip finish along with deep juice grooves.
Price: $79.95
Buy the Hardwood Chef Acacia Wood Cutting Board here.
Pros:
- Eye-catching design
- Nonslip finish
- Easy on knife blades
Cons:
- A bit heavy/bulky
- Some caution it slides a bit
- Large size can make hand washing tedious