Cutting boards can be used for slicing meat or chopping vegetables. “I recommend having a few different cutting boards that you can use for different items that range in size and materials,” says cookbook author and recipe developer Alexis deBoschnek. To help you figure out which products are right for you, we’ve rounded up 15 of the very best cutting boards on the market right now, including options in a wide variety of sizes, materials, and price ranges. Our top pick is the Oxo Good Grips 2-Piece Plastic Cutting Board Set because it’s durable, versatile, and widely available. Read on for our full list of the best cutting boards. Keep In Mind: They’re not quite as big as other boards. These boards are double-sided and made from a durable plastic material that won’t dull knife blades, and the soft edges double as convenient handles. The cutting boards also feature drip-catchers and easy-pour corners so you can keep prep work mess to a minimum. The boards also have non-slip feet, which will keep them steady and in place on your counter as you work. Two different sizes are included, and both are dishwasher safe. The cutting boards are also odor-resistant so you don’t have to worry about smells getting trapped as you cook. Because of its versatility, affordable price, and helpful features, the Oxo Good Grips Two-Piece Plastic Cutting Board Set is our top pick for the best cutting board. Price at time of publish: $24 Product Details: Dimensions: 7.25 x 10.75 inches; 9 x 12.9 inches | Material: Plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Keep In Mind: It doesn’t have a non-slip bottom. This cutting board is dishwasher safe and designed in a neutral white color, so it’ll blend in with the rest of your kitchen items. It’s thicker than many other boards of its size, which helps when you’re dealing with tricky food items, and it won’t wear down knives quickly. Keep in mind that because it doesn’t have a non-slip bottom, you’ll need to put a bit of effort in to keep it steady as you work. It may not boast special features like easy-pour corners or drip catchers, but if you’re looking for a basic, low-cost cutting board that’ll hold up as you slice, dice, mince, and more, this is the best option for you. Price at time of publish: $4 Product Details: Dimensions: 11 x 8.05 x .4 inches | Material: Plastic |Dishwasher Safe: Yes Keep In Mind: It requires hand washing and regular oiling. Due to its ample size, you can use it for all your cooking prep and other work without needing to constantly clear it off. Because it’s made from wood, it’s great for keeping knives sharp and can be used for so many different cooking-related tasks. It does need to be hand washed and oiled regularly to stay clean and in good shape, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll be glad you did, as this is an elegant and sturdy board that’ll surely last for years to come. Price at time of publish: $198 Product Details: Dimensions: 24 x 18 x 1.5 inches | Material: Cherry wood | Dishwasher Safe: No Keep In Mind: It’s a little pricey and needs to be hand washed. Made from maple wood, this lovely board comes in a large size, so you can fit plenty of items on it without risking anything touching or falling off. Hand grips are carved right into the sides, so carrying it around the kitchen isn’t a hassle. It’s also an NSF-certified board and was designed with professional kitchens in mind. Because this board is made from wood, you’ll need to season it with oil before using it, and keep it clean by hand washing it on a regular basis. It’s also a little pricier than some other options, so keep that in mind when making your purchasing decision. If you’re okay with the cost and care, though, you won’t regret picking up this gorgeous board. Price at time of publish: $180 Product Details: Dimensions: 20 x 15 x 1.5 inches | Material: Maple wood | Dishwasher Safe: No Keep In Mind: It’s heavy and more expensive than most cutting boards on our list. The board features a deep trench around the edges that’s meant for keeping juices from pouring over the sides and onto your countertops. The board also features inset handles that allow you to carry it around with minimal hassle. You can also flip the cutting board over and use the other side as a serving platter once your meals are finished being made. You do need to hand wash this board to keep it clean, but it dries quickly and doesn’t require too much regular maintenance. It is fairly heavy at 5.6 pounds, so if you need something more lightweight another option may be better suited for you. Price at time of publish: $95 Product Details: Dimensions: 17 x 12 x 1.25 inches | Material: Walnut | Dishwasher Safe: No Keep In Mind: It’s thinner than some other boards of its size. Although it’s designed to fit right on top of the brand’s convection oven, you can place it down on any surface and it’ll stay there sturdily, thanks to its built-in silicone feet on the base. These feet not only keep the board stable, but they protect the surface underneath from being scratched or harmed as you work. The board can also be used as a trivet to protect your table or countertop from heat damage when holding hot foods. This lovely board features recessed handles underneath to help you carry the board with ease, and the bamboo has a nice light wood coloring that will look neutral and classic amongst all your other kitchen supplies. On the downside, it is a bit thinner than some other boards of its size, and it requires hand washing. But if you’re okay with those aspects, then this is the best bamboo cutting board for you. Price at time of publish: $40 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 10 x 1.25 inches | Material: Bamboo | Dishwasher Safe: No Keep In Mind: It’s not as sturdy or durable as some other wood boards. You can get the board laser-engraved with names, initials, dates, and even messages or quotes. The board comes with three quote options to choose from, or you can provide your own, which will be written in an elegant script. In addition to this great feature, the board also features handles that are easy to grip and carry. It also has a deep groove for catching juices and staving off messes. Because it’s made of wood, it can’t go in the dishwasher, so it will need to be hand washed. Price at time of publish: $68 Product Details: Dimensions: 16 x 21 x .75 inches | Material: Maple wood | Dishwasher Safe: No Keep In Mind: It might not fit every sink size. You can use your sink area as a workspace, keeping your countertops free for other tasks and items. And best of all, when you need to clean off the board, just brush the garbage straight into the sink’s drain, saving you a trip to the garbage can. This rectangular board is made from bamboo wood, which is non-porous and helps prevent odors and stains over time. It features built-in grooves meant to capture liquids before they escape off the edges, and the material is durable and heavy-duty enough to keep knives sharp and warping at bay. Keep in mind that the board might not fit every sink size, so make sure your measurements sync up before adding to your cart. Price at time of publish: $40 Product Details: Dimensions: 17 x 12.5 x .1 inches | Material: Bamboo | Dishwasher Safe: No Keep In Mind: They don’t have non-slip feet, so they might slide a bit. The boards are made from bamboo wood that’s meant to last for years and help keep knives sharp. The boards all contain a deep groove around the edges for juices, and they are odor and stain resistant. Plus, the boards are all doubled-sided, so you can use them for both prep work and serving. There are also handles built into the sides for hassle-free carrying. The boards are hand-wash only, and although the wood is thick, they don’t have anything extra underneath to keep them from sliding as you work. All in all, however, they make for a reliable set that will come in handy often. Price at time of publish: $42 Product Details: Dimensions: 12 x 8 x .6 inches; 9 x 6 x .6 inches; 18 x 12 x .75 inches; 15 x 10 x .6 inches | Material: Bamboo | Dishwasher Safe: No Keep In Mind: It’s thinner and smaller than some similar boards. Made from acacia wood, this cutting board features a stainless steel handle on one side, as well as a groove on the other side that you can use to transport the board from counter to sink with total ease. You can also use the handle to hang the board in your kitchen for a space-saving solution. Additionally, this durable board is designed to keep knives from getting dull over time, and as mentioned, there’s a drainage groove that helps capture liquid and help prevent spills over the sides. It’s reversible, too, so you can use the non-prep side as a serving tray. Best of all, it’s dishwasher safe, saving you plenty of time and effort you would’ve spent hand washing the board. Just keep in mind that it is a bit smaller and thinner than some other wood boards, and while it can go in the dishwasher safely, as said, it’ll ultimately last longer if you do wipe it off after each use yourself. Price at time of publish: $27 Product Details: Dimensions: 15 x 10 x .63 inches | Material: Acacia wood | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Keep In Mind: It doesn’t have drainage grooves. This board’s rubber material is antimicrobial and easy on knives, keeping them sharp and preventing damage. The board is also stain- and odor-resistant, not to mention highly resistant to scratches. The board comes in a beige color that will blend in with all your other kitchen utensils, and it’s standard size, so you can use it with plenty of food items without things getting too crowded. It isn’t dishwasher safe, so hand-washing is necessary (you can also use bleach if needed.) It doesn’t have any feet to help grip the counter nor does it have drainage grooves. But because of its simple yet durable design, it’s our top pick for the best rubber cutting board. Price at time of publish: $73 Product Details: Dimensions: 16.5 x 9.8 x .6 inches | Material: Rubber | Dishwasher Safe: No Keep In Mind: None of the boards are particularly large or thick. In addition to their convenient design, these boards are eye-catching, with each one coming in a different vibrant color. You can choose from four varieties so you can pick the color scheme you like best. The BPA-free cutting boards are also non-porous and non-absorbent, meaning they’ll keep knives from dulling. Caring for them is simple since they can go right into the dishwasher. However, the boards aren’t the biggest or thickest options out there, and they don’t have grooves so juices can spill a bit as you work. They are quite inexpensive, though, and fun to look at and use. And since they are so thin, they don’t take up much storage space. Price at time of publish: $20 Product Details: Dimensions: 14 x 11.5 x .1 inches | Material: Plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Keep In Mind: It’s pricey and should be hand washed. This board is reversible so you can use the other side as a serving tray, and it’s attractive enough with its natural hardwood material that you’ll want to show it off. The board features a drainage groove around all sides that will capture liquids. It’s also notably thicker than many other cutting boards out there, which helps keep it durable and long-lasting. This cutting board is made of wood, so hand washing it is recommended. This is one of the most expensive cutting boards on our list, but because of its size and sturdiness, it’s the best large cutting board for those needing extra space. Price at time of publish: $158 Product Details: Dimensions: 20 x 30 x 1.5 inches | Material: Wood | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Keep In Mind: They’re not as thick or durable as some cooks might want. Because of their small size, these boards are also great to take on the go, such as on a camping trip or on vacation. They’re made from lightweight bamboo wood and have a curved rectangular shape, making them ideal for cutting everything from breads to fruits to cheese. They’re also inexpensive, so you can stock up on a few if you want more than just the two. The boards aren’t especially thick or as durable as other options, and you should avoid putting them in the dishwasher if you want them to last long without any warping. As long as you’re okay with that, these tiny and convenient boards should make a worthy addition to your kitchen. Price at time of publish: $12 Product Details: Dimensions: 7 x 7 x .36 inches | Material: Bamboo | Dishwasher Safe: No Keep In Mind: It should be hand washed and oiled regularly. Because of its round shape, it’s perfect for cutting circular foods like pizza, but it can also be used as a charcuterie board. This is a reversible board, with both sides usable for cutting or serving. Its large size provides all the space you should need for dealing with larger items, and its above-average thickness will keep it steady on your counter and easy to maneuver. Take note, however, that it must be hand washed and should be regularly oiled (the brand recommends using their Boos Block oil), so there is a bit of maintenance required. But the regular maintenance will help extend the life of your cutting board, so it’s well worth the extra steps. Price at time of publish: $111 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 1.5 inches | Material: Cherry wood | Dishwasher Safe: No
What to Know About Cutting Boards Before Shopping
Dimensions
Cutting boards come in all different sizes, so when shopping, make sure to check if the dimensions fit your cooking needs and kitchen size. If you’re a cook who tends to juggle many items at once and has plenty of counter space, opt for a larger board. If you mainly deal with tinier foods or need to save space in your kitchen, pick a smaller board. Pay attention to the thickness of each board, too, as thicker boards are usually more durable.
Material
The most popular materials for cutting boards are wood, rubber, and plastic. Which one you opt for depends on your needs; most wood boards are durable and keep knives sharp, but usually require frequent maintenance. Bamboo wood is a top choice for a cutting board because of its long-lasting and naturally antimicrobial properties. Walnut is another durable pick since it is self healing and elegant to look at. Plastic and rubber boards are often more affordably priced and are dishwasher-safe, making them less maintenance than wood. However, they can warp more easily and might not be as long lasting.
Dishwasher Safe
As mentioned, plastic and rubber cutting boards are typically dishwasher-safe, while most wood boards typically require hand washing and oiling on occasion. When shopping, decide how much time and effort you want to put into maintaining and cleaning your cutting board.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the most hygienic cutting board material?
As stated by the USDA, plastic and wood boards are equally hygienic; what sets them apart is how often and well you keep them clean. Wood is naturally antimicrobial, but requires handwashing, while plastic can collect bacteria but can be placed in the dishwasher for a deep cleanse.
Is a wood or plastic cutting board better?
Neither material is better than the other, as “they each serve different uses,” explains deBoschnek. “Since flavors can easily be imparted onto the wood, I primarily use it for something like slicing a crusty loaf of bread, or cutting up fruit,” she says. “I stick to plastic for ingredients that may be particularly pungent, like onions, or that need to be thoroughly sanitized, like drying a piece of steak with a paper towel.”
Can you use a cutting board that’s scratched/chipped?
Although it may not seem like a big deal, deBoschnek suggests avoiding using a damaged cutting board. “I wouldn’t recommend it,” deBoschnek says. “A deeply scratched or chipped cutting board can hoard harmful bacteria that’s hard to wash away.”
Who We Are
This article was written by Rachel Simon, a writer for Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, The New York Times, and many other publications. She frequently covers home products and did significant research on cutting boards for this story, including speaking to cookbook author and recipe developer Alexis deBoschnek.
