7 Best Cutting Boards of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
We chopped beets, parsley, garlic and potatoes to find the best cutting boards and butcher block.
Tested by Layla Khoury-Hanold
Cutting boards are a must-have in any kitchen prep arsenal, but finding the right cutting board can be as tricky as finding the right pair of pants — you need it to be an ideal size, the right material and it must look and feel good, too. To help you find your best board, we chopped beets, diced potatoes, minced garlic and rough-chopped parsley to bring you our top picks for best-in-class cutting boards.
Our Top Cutting Board Picks
Layla Khoury-Hanold
How We Tested
We purchased 14 top-rated cutting boards according to various online sites, reviews and bestseller rankings. Within those two categories, we purchased cutting boards at various price points and sizes. For each board, we diced potatoes to test stability, roughly chopped parsley to test the board’s surface, made a garlic paste to test for smell resistance and diced beets to test stain resistance.
- Stability: We tested the board's stability by dicing a russet potato and observing how much the board moved around. We then added a wet paper towel underneath the board to stabilize it further, then continued dicing the potato and observed if the wet paper towel made a difference in the stability level.
- Surface: We tested the surface of the board by roughly chopping parsley to see how easily the knife glided along the surface, whether it made clean cuts and whether parsley got stuck in any grooves on the board’s surface. We also observed if the chopped parsley stained the board before and after washing.
- Smell Resistance: We made a garlic paste on each board (finely mincing garlic, sprinkling with salt and dragging the flat blade of the knife over multiple times to form a paste) and left it on the board for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes had elapsed, we washed the board and noted how pungent the board smelled (mild, moderate or severe). We then smelled the board again the next day to see if the pungency level had changed. If the board was dishwasher safe, we ran it through the dishwasher that same day and assessed the pungency level the next day.
- Stain Resistance: We chopped beets and spread the flesh over one half of the board, left it for 20 minutes, removed the beets and observed if the board was stained before and after hand washing and, if so, how severely. If the board was dishwasher safe, we ran it through the dishwasher that same day and assessed the stain level the next day and noted any visible difference.
Layla Khoury-Hanold
We hand-washed each board and observed how easy it was to wash, considering factors such as size, weight and how much power was required to clean the board. We used the dishwasher for any that claimed to be dishwasher-safe and found that all five plastic boards with this claim lived up to the promise. There was no warping, discoloration or any other changes in the board’s appearance or functionality. We also tested any additional claims on packaging or accompanying printed materials, such as if the board was slip-resistant, heat-resistant or suggested remedies for stain removal.
- Durable yet lightweight
- Stain- and odor-resistant
- Great value
- Heat safe up to 350 degrees F; can be used as a trivet
- Needs to be stabilized with wet paper towel underneath for tasks like dicing
Made from paper composite, this board is technically neither plastic nor wood. The manufacturer describes the material as a preferred cutting surface in commercial kitchens and is the same material used on skateboard ramps, watercraft components and home siding. We found the material to be as durable as advertised, which helped earn this board top marks across all categories, especially surface, stain-resistance and smell-resistance. The smooth surface made it easy to chop parsley, there were no beet stains and there was only a faint smell of garlic after handwashing, which disappeared after a run through the dishwasher. We noticed that the board slid around a little bit while dicing but was fully stabilized with a wet paper towel underneath.
We tested the 8-inch by 6-inch sizes, which were very easy to hand wash and store (there’s a thumb hole to hang it from a hook). We think this board offers great value for the $12.99 price tag. If you’re looking for a little bit larger surface area, the manufacturer also offers a 9-by-11.5-inch board that retails for $21.99. It’s also worth noting that we tested the "nutmeg" colored board (it comes in other, lighter finishes as well, so we can’t vouch for stain resistance on those). The board also claimed to be heat-resistant up to 350 degrees, which held up when we rested a 350-degree cast iron skillet on top for 30 minutes. Afterward, the board was warm to the touch without markings or warping, making this board a great utility board, too.
- Material Paper composite
- Size 8” x 6” x 0.25” (Also available in 11.5” x 9” x 0.25“)
- Dishwasher-Safe Yes
- Durable, streamlined design
- Juice groove for catching liquids
- Non-porous, stain-resistant surface
- Mostly slip-free, but needs wet paper towel underneath for complete stabilization
This board won out overall among the plastic boards we tested by scoring high marks for size, stability and stain removal. It’s also a great value. We felt its size — 12 inches by 18 inches by 3/8 inches — offered ample cutting surface area even with a juice groove around the edge (which also caught a few errant pieces of parsley during chopping). Note: The size we tested at the time of originally publishing this review is no longer listed as an option on Amazon, but this cutting board comes in several similar size options.
Compared to the other plastic boards we tested, this one slid around minimally while dicing a potato and it was completely stabilized with a wet paper towel underneath. The sleek surface made chopping parsley a cinch and made washing it by hand easy. The board’s non-porous surface means we didn’t see any staining after chopping beets. We did notice a moderate smell of parsley and garlic after hand-washing the board, but the odors were completely gone after the board took a spin through the dishwasher.
While plastic boards aren’t typically renowned for their aesthetic — it’s a piece of plastic after all — we found this one to have a simple, clean design. Its slim profile also makes it easy to find storage in a large kitchen drawer or stash it propped up in a cupboard.
- Material Plastic
- Size 8.5” x 11” x 0.4”, 9.5” x 15” x 0.4”, 11” x 14.5” x 0.4”, 14” x 17” x 0.04”, 15” x 20” x 0.04”
- Dishwasher-Safe Yes
- Lightweight yet sturdy construction
- Dual-sided board design; smooth side for produce, grooved side for meat
- Includes one prep board and one everyday board
- Non-porous, stain-resistant surface
- Requires wet paper towel underneath to stabilize board
This lightweight yet sturdy board offers ample cutting surface and solid performance while being easy on your wallet. Its thoughtful design includes a double-sided construction, with a solid side for produce and a grooved side for meat with a drip catcher and easy-pour corners, plus tapered handles for ease of lifting and transporting. Although the manufacturer claims that it has non-slip edges, we found that we still needed to stabilize the board with a damp paper towel underneath. Other than that, it proved to be sturdy, slip-proof and durable throughout testing.
We appreciated that the non-porous surface was stain-resistant to the beets and parsley we chopped, though there was a faint smell of garlic after making a garlic paste, but the smell had dissipated by the next day. The board is easy to handwash but is also dishwasher safe. Overall, if you’re in the market for a workhorse plastic cutting board that won’t break the bank, this is your best bet.
- Material Plastic
- Size 10.75” x 7.25” x (prep board); 12.9” x 9” (everyday board)
- Dishwasher-Safe Yes
- Great value
- Color-coded for various uses
- Flexibility allows for folding/curling and transferring ingredients
- Compact design allows for easy storage
- Need to use a damp paper towel to stabilize boards and prevent slipping
These plastic cutting mats are made from food-grade plastic and come in a set of four, color-coded for various uses: vegetables, poultry, fish and beef. Although the manufacturer claims that the waffle edge makes it secure, we found we needed to stabilize the mats with a damp paper towel to prevent them from slipping around while cutting. It made clean cuts without making grooves in the material and proved to be stain-resistant during the beet test. We also like that the mats’ flexibility makes them easy to fold for transferring chopped ingredients to bowls or stovetops. The mats wash up easily but are dishwasher safe too, which is helpful for eliminating residual odors from ingredients such as garlic. The mats stack easily in a kitchen drawer or in a cupboard. Overall, the modest price tag makes these boards a great value for money.
- Material Plastic
- Size 15” x 11.5” x 0.04”
- Dishwasher-Safe Yes
- Durable construction
- Non-slip stabilization ensures even, safe cutting
- Detachable, foldable tray for prepped ingredients allows ease of transfer
- Non-porous surface is odor-resistant
- Higher price tag
We love this wood cutting board for its clean design and durable construction. The non-slip silicone feet kept the board in place (even without a paper towel underneath for stabilization), which made it easy and safe for chopping. The CupBoard Pro also comes with a detachable tray for prepped ingredients, making it easy to transfer cut-up veggies from board to stovetop. The tray also collapses for easy storage. The non-porous wood fiber ensured that no unwanted smells were absorbed, making it well-suited for chopping aromatics such as onions, garlic and shallots. It was also resistant to stains, which is a boon for chopping produce such as beets, carrots, sweet potatoes or herbs such as parsley or basil. The board and tray wash up easily with soap and water but are also dishwasher-safe.
- Material Wood
- Size 16” x 15” x 0.5” (including tray; 11” without tray)
- Dishwasher-Safe Yes
- Stable and durable construction
- Dual-sided, one smooth, the other with juice groove
- Beautiful design and well-made
- Expensive
- Hand-wash only
- Requires maintenance
This board is a bit of an investment, but it’s a well-made, functional piece that’s built to last and beautiful enough to leave out on the counter (if you have room). It has two sides, one with a grooved side, ideal for cutting watermelon or carving steak, and one with a smooth side, ideal for chopping veggies or using as a serving board. We found the board to be very stable; we did not experience any shifting around while chopping vegetables and herbs. The board was resistant to stains, but we did find that it retained some garlic and parsley smells after completing those tests. The board is hand-wash only. Though the board has heft, it isn’t so heavy and large that it’s unwieldy to wash in the sink and it washed up beautifully after each test. The board comes with a bottle of wood oil, which the manufacturer recommends applying regularly to extend its life and add luster. It comes in walnut or ebonized white oak. Share your email address with Material to be the first to know when it's back in stock.
- Material Wood
- Size 17” x 12” x 1”
- Dishwasher-Safe No
- Beautiful finish and design
- Sturdy, well-crafted construction
- Convenient carrying handles
- Great value
- Hand-wash only
If you’re in the market for a butcher block, the Made In Butcher Block wins out. You’ve probably seen a lot of legacy butcher block brands that tend to run more expensive, but we found that this more budget-friendly board (it retails for $129), works just as well, if not better. Because of its size — it measures 17.75 inches long by 11.75 inches wide by 1.6 inches thick — it offered plenty of surface area, along with a generous juice groove. But its not-too-huge size, plus convenient carrying handles, also means it’s easier to clean and easier to transport and maneuver when hand washing. Wooden boards tend to stain easily, and we liked that this brand acknowledged that up front, giving us a helpful remedy for using baking soda to clean and remove stains. (Though the stain removal tip was helpful, we wouldn’t recommend chopping beets on this block.) And with its beautiful finish and design, we can totally envision using it to serve a centerpiece-worthy roast or party-ready charcuterie board. Plus, if you’re going to leave it out on your counter, it better be nice to look at, right? Enter your email on the site to get first access to the cutting board when it's back in stock.
- Material Wood
- Size 17.75” x 11.75” x 1.6”
- Dishwasher-Safe No
Things to Consider When Buying a Cutting Board
- Plastic Boards: When it comes to cutting board materials, plastic ones are a workhorse for chopping and slicing produce, mincing garlic and herbs and cutting meat, plus they have the added benefit of being dishwasher-safe. On the downside, they tend to be harder on your knives (the grooves they create can harbor bacteria), and they aren’t particularly attractive.
- Wood Boards: Wooden boards are typically more aesthetically pleasing, extra durable and less hard on your knives over time, though they do require a little extra TLC by way of a mineral oil rub. Wooden boards often double as serving boards too, going from kitchen counter to dining room table to serve everything from crudité and charcuterie to roasts and party platters.
- Extra Features: Other cutting board features to consider include a groove around the board for catching juices, tapered sides or handles for ease of carrying and weight and size for both ease of manipulation and storage.
- Durability: There are also important factors including stability and stain and odor resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cutting board is best?
The best cutting board depends on a variety of factors, including price, intended use, storage space, preferred material and required maintenance. According to the USDA, consumers can opt for either wood or a nonporous surface cutting board such as plastic, marble, glass or pyroceramic, noting that nonporous surfaces are easier to clean than wood. The USDA also notes that bamboo cutting boards are harder and less porous than hardwoods, absorb very little moisture and resist scarring from knives, so they tend to be more bacteria resistant than other woods. Most nonporous cutting board materials such as plastic or glass are dishwasher safe, making it a good option for easy washing, and don’t require any additional maintenance. Most wooden cutting boards are hand-wash only and require periodic application of food-safe mineral oil to ensure they retain their moisture and prevent bacteria from developing.
How many cutting boards do you need?
The USDA recommends having at least two cutting boards, one for cutting fresh produce and bread and a second for raw meat, poultry and seafood to help prevent cross-contamination from bacteria.
How should you wash a cutting board?
Cutting boards should be handwashed with warm, soapy water, ensuring that all the surfaces, grooves and edges are thoroughly cleaned, then rinsed with clear running water. Many cutting boards, including those made from bamboo or wood, should be dried with a kitchen towel or clean paper towel right away. Dry the cutting board upright to ensure that it dries evenly.
Some cutting boards are dishwasher safe, including those made from plastic, non-porous acrylic, glass, wood and paper composite. Check the product’s user guide to ensure the cutting board is dishwasher safe and always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendation for the best way to wash and care for that brand’s cutting board.
How should you care for a cutting board?
Some cutting boards, like those made from bamboo or wood, require you to rub the boards with food-safe mineral oil about once a month to help retain moisture, promote durability and prevent bacteria from developing.
To keep your cutting board in the best condition, store them vertically to allow for air flow and drying. Try storing cutting boards propped up at a slant on your counter or in a cabinet or store them in a cutting board rack or plate stand. If you notice that your cutting board is worn out, warped or has deep, hard-to-clean grooves, it’s time to replace it.
How should you sanitize a cutting board?
Both plastic and wooden cutting boards can be sanitized with either bleach or a vinegar-baking soda paste. Per the USDA, cutting boards can be sanitized by making a solution with 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Then, flood the surface of the cutting board with the bleach solution and allow it to stand for several minutes before rinsing it with clear water. Allow the board to air dry or pat dry with clean paper towels, depending on the board’s material.
You can also sanitize cutting boards by mixing equal parts vinegar and baking soda to make a paste. Apply the paste to the board and let it sit for about 5 minutes, then wash it with warm, soapy water and rinse with clear water.
Can you cut raw meat on a wooden cutting board?
Yes, you can cut raw meat on a wooden cutting board but designate one cutting board for raw meat and proteins to avoid cross-contamination. Avoid letting any juices to pool on the board as these can be quickly absorbed into the wood, making it more difficult to wash and sanitize. Wash the board right away with hot, soapy water. You can also sanitize a wooden cutting board with bleach or by applying a vinegar-baking soda paste.
Why You Should Trust Our Tester
Layla Khoury-Hanold is a James Beard Award nominated journalist with more than 12 years’ experience covering food, travel and lifestyle. She has been a contributing writer at Food Network since 2015 where she has written over 300 stories spanning dining and food trends, restaurant and travel guides, shopping guides and product testing. Her rigorous product testing for Food Network has included ice cream makers, cutting boards, toasters, pasta makers, chef’s knives and springform pans, for which she made dozens of cheesecakes to find the best of the best.
Why You Should Trust Food Network Shopping Experts
Food Network Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are tested in real home kitchens that reflect real-world use cases. Our testers follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing the best products, our testers evaluate all of the testing data and take into consideration many factors including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. The products covered on FoodNetwork.com are chosen completely independently by our editors without any outside influence. Our editors do not accept products in exchange for a positive review or promised coverage.
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