Choosing the right cutting board material can have an impact on your food preparation experience and the cleanliness of your kitchen, so it’s important to weigh your options when purchasing this kitchen essential. In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of common types of cutting boards to help you find the best cutting board material for your home.

Common Cutting Board Materials

Cutting boards come in a variety of materials ranging from decorative marble to lightweight plastic. These materials include wood, bamboo, marble, granite, glass, acrylic, and silicone – each with its own benefits and drawbacks.

Stone Cutting Boards

Pros: Stone cutting boards – typically made of marble or granite – are aesthetically pleasing, extremely durable, and easy to clean. Stone is a nonporous material that won’t absorb bacteria or food stains, so these cutting boards are a very hygienic option and can be placed in the dishwasher for extra sanitation.

Cons: While stone is great for durability, this hard material will dull your knives faster than other materials and make a lot of noise when used for chopping. Cutting boards made of stone can also be heavy and difficult to store, so they are often left out on display instead. This is something to keep in mind if you have limited counter space in your kitchen.

Tip!

Choose a cutting board without engravings on it. While they look nice as decor, engraved cutting boards can be difficult to clean thoroughly and end up harboring bacteria.

Glass Cutting Boards

Pros: Like stone, glass and tempered glass are nonporous and dishwasher-safe materials, making them easy to keep clean and maintain their appearance over time. Glass also tends to be less expensive and more lightweight than stone, so it’s a great budget-friendly option for small kitchens.

Cons: However, glass is also a hard material that can be loud and hard on knives. Though durable for food preparation, glass cutting boards can break easily if dropped, becoming a safety hazard in the kitchen.

Tip!

Glass and stone cutting boards can be slippery on countertops. Choose a cutting board with a nonslip bottom for an easy chopping experience.

Wood Cutting Boards

Pros: As far as cutting board materials go, wood offers lightweight durability that is simultaneously gentle on knives. They are an ecologically friendly and aesthetically pleasing option that can double as a charcuterie board or serving tray.

Cons: Though wood cutting boards have natural antibacterial properties, over time they can develop deep scratches that harbor bacteria. Wood is also a more porous material that acquires stains over time if not cleaned properly after each use. Unfortunately, wood is not dishwasher-safe and requires some extra maintenance like oiling to ensure longevity.

Plastic Cutting Boards

Pros: Plastic is typically the least expensive cutting board material and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Plastic cutting boards are sometimes color-coded so you can separate your food groups and ensure there is no cross-contamination, and some styles are thin and flexible for simple storage.

Cons: However, plastic scratches more easily than wood and can result in deep cuts where bacteria can hide – making plastic cutting boards even less eco-friendly because they need to be replaced more frequently. Recent studies have found that plastic cutting boards can also be a significant source of microplastics in your food, making it a less healthy cutting board material.

Tip!

Look for BPA-free plastic cutting boards for a safe and healthy option for your family.

For more information to help you decide on the perfect cutting board, read How to Find the Best Cutting Board for You.

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