The 10 Best Cutting Boards—From Kitchen Experts
Updated: Jan. 10, 2023
We asked kitchen experts for the best cutting board picks for your kitchen, from wood and plastic to glass and personalized options.
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As a Home Editor, I know that a cutting board is an overlooked kitchen work horse. Whether you’re working on a large counter space or preparing meals from a small kitchen island cart, finding the best cutting board for your cooking style is so important.
With so many styles, shapes and materials to choose from, its important to narrow down exactly which cutting board is right for you.
What to Look for When Buying the Best Cutting Board
To find the best cutting board, you’ll want to figure out what size and style works in your kitchen. If you have plenty of storage and cabinet space you’ll be able to store the heavier duty large wooden cutting boards, but if you have a tiny kitchen you’re going to fare best with compact and thin-profile board options. The best cutting board styles are the ones that you’ll be able to reach for easily, and then use over and over again.
“Usually I go for a wooden or plastic cutting board because they have a slightly softer texture that allows for better knife grip,” explains professional chef, Laura Pauli. “When you’re looking at a wood cutting board, aim for at least an inch thick. That’s a hallmark of better quality. For plastic cutting boards, you’re going to want to look for dishwasher-safe plastics. And, while I don’t usually chop or cut food on glass cutting boards because they have less knife grip, I do love using them in place of a typical cheese board because they’re so easy to clean.”
Evaluation Criteria
To pick the best cutting board, we looked at the materials used, overall value, ease of care and maintenance, user reviews and expert approval to determine the best cutting board picks. We also included Taste of Home Test Kitchen-approved picks that have been tried and vetted by our own editorial staff and culinary experts.
Best Non-Slip Cutting Board
OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board
This Test Kitchen Preferred pick made our list of the best loved gadgets every kitchen needs. It impressed our experts and will impress you with its easy use and even simpler cleanup. The OXO Utility Cutting Board is a dishwasher-safe option that makes chopping, slicing and dicing less tiresome. The non-porous construction locks out odors and potential stains from pigmented foods like beats and turmeric. The double-sided design offers a solid side for produce and a grooved side for animal proteins. There is even a drip catcher with easy-pour corners built-in. If you live in a cramped space and only have room for one small footprint cutting board, this is the one.
Pros:
What we liked about the OXO cutting board set:
- Dishwasher-safe
- Double-sided design offers two surface styles
- Non-porous plastic won’t trap odors, flavors or stains
- Affordable
Cons:
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Not ideal for extremely hot and fresh-out-of-the-oven cutting or carving
Best Wood Cutting Board
John Boos Block Chop-N-Slice Cutting Board
A heavy-duty wooden cutting board can hold up to a great deal of chopping and will last for decades. Just make sure you clean it correctly (and often). This impressive reversible model is made of natural maple wood and comes in a medium 20-by-15-inch size that nicely fits most kitchen counters. It’s big enough to accommodate chopping and slicing everything you might need for a large salad, and it can easily handle your Sunday night meal prep arrangements before a week of lunches heads into your best glass storage containers. Speaking of meal prep, check out this meal prep cutting board, too.
This model also has a nearly perfect 4.5-star Amazon rating thanks to over a thousand enthusiastic shopper reviews.
Pros:
What we like about the Block Chop-N-Slice:
- Natural, high-quality maple wood
- Medium 20×15-in. size
- Reversible
- Sustainable
Cons:
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Pricier than synthetic options
- Wood requires frequent maintenance
Best Personalized Cutting Board
Engraved Cutting Board
Etched into bamboo, natural walnut or maple wood, this personalized cutting board makes the perfect wedding or engagement gift for couples who love to cook. Over 35 pre-made or custom messages and artwork can be displayed on the board. All boards measure 14-by-10-inches.
Etsy reviewers like Keely, gush over the quality. She writes, “This cutting board was perfection! I gifted it to my boyfriend’s parents for Christmas and it was a huge hit! The engraving was outstanding, and the quality of the wood was great! Marc went out of his way to send me proofs prior to engraving to ensure that it was exactly what I wanted! I can’t recommend them enough!” Here’s how to make sure your cutting board lasts.
Pros:
What we like about the personalized cutting board:
- Budget-friendly personalized gift
- Huge variety of personalization options
- Natural walnut, bamboo or maple wood construction
Cons:
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Not dishwasher safe
- Wood requires frequent maintenance
Best on Amazon
Gorilla Grip Cutting Boards Set
This plastic Gorilla Grip cutting board set comes as a set of three easy-to-care for pieces that make kitchen prep a breeze. With over 40,000 customer reviews and a nearly perfect 4.5-star rating, you can be sure you’re going to love this affordable find no matter what type of kitchen you’re cooking in.
The cutting boards boast easy-grip handles, deep side grooves to collect juice and fluid run-off and dishwasher-safe materials that make cleanup quicker than ever. Choose from dozens of color options to best suit your personality and decor—or color code cutting boards that you only use for meat or fruit.
Pros:
What we liked about the Gorilla Grip cutting board set:
- Extremely affordable—each board works out to less than $14.
- Dishwasher-safe
- Dozens of color options for easy coding
- Non-slip gripping
- Juice grooves
Cons:
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Not ideal for extremely hot and fresh-out-of-the-oven cutting or carving
Best Bamboo Cutting Board
Utopia Kitchen Cutting Board Set
Lots of home chefs like bamboo cutting boards for their wood-look and lightweight, sustainable construction that stands up to heat. It’s also an affordable material, and this low priced Utopia Kitchen set is just the proof. Thousands of Amazon reviewers rave about how well this BPA-free option performs under the pressure of frequent chopping, cutting and knife action.
The highly-compressed bamboo is eco-friendly and resists cracking or breaking. The set features small, medium and large boards that makes everything from carving the Thanksgiving turkey to serving a cheese and crackers platter easy and elegant.
Pros:
What we liked about the bamboo cutting board set:
- Made from sustainable and eco-friendly bamboo
- Extremely affordable
- Includes three different sizes
Cons:
Consider these factors before you buy:
- If you use cutting boards frequently, bamboo versions need to be replaced every six to 12 months
Best Decorative Cutting Board
Pioneer Woman Chop Block
Believe it or not, you don’t have to spend a small fortune to get one of the best decorative cutting boards for your kitchen. This beautiful Pioneer Woman Chop Block offers display-worthy engraved detailing on each of its four sides and is made of a hearty bamboo that looks and feels like more expensive wood. The 12-by-18-inch size is big enough to slice through several steaks, but we love it as a gorgeous base for a charcuterie board meant to serve a large group. A bonus? Stash cheese knives in the board’s built-in small compartments.
Pros:
What we liked about the Pioneer Woman cutting board set:
- Affordable
- Thick wood-like bamboo construction
- Large 12×18-in. size
- High-end engraved detailing
- Built-in compartments for storing accessories
Cons:
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Not dishwasher safe
- Can absorb food flavors, stains and odors
Best Spiked Cutting Board
J.K. Adams Traditional Spiked Cutting Board
This very traditional-looking J.K. Adams cutting board has something you don’t often see in typical boards of its size—spikes. While they may seem a little intimidating, they’re your best friend if your kitchen is known for turning out large cuts of meat like roasts, turkey and lamb legs. Instead of battling your freshly-cooked meat with a sharp knife and other utensils, the spikes help hold the proteins in place so you can seamlessly slice through like a pro. It’s one of the best kitchen hacks professional chefs swear by.
The board itself is made of thick, durable maple wood and boasts a thicker-than-average size that measures 1.25-inches thick. The 14-by-20-inch sides also make carving larger cuts a breeze.
Pros:
What we like about the spiked cutting board:
- Thick 1.25-inch maple wood construction
- Spikes help meat and proteins stay put when you’re carving
- Large drip and juice catching grooves
Cons:
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Less ideal for food prep and typical chopping
Note: Make sure to click on the spiked board option on Wayfair’s website.
Best Food Prep Cutting Board
Viking Butcher Block Prep + Serving Board
This genius Viking butcher block-style cutting board offers all the usual bells and whistles of a high-end cutting board, with the added bonus of three very-convenient deep pockets. This style board is one Pauli stands behind thanks to the thicker, solid wood construction and compartments for items like chopped onions, sliced peppers and more.
“It’s important to choose a wood cutting board that is thick enough that it won’t buckle after getting wet a few times,” Pauli says, adding that, “Even if you’re not running a cutting board under water, your fruits, vegetables and meat have their own natural moisture that can cause the board to warp. A thicker, solid piece of wood will stand up to this for far longer.”
Pros:
What we like about the Viking cutting board:
- Large 20-x-14×1.5-in. size
- Solid acacia wood
- Built-in storage compartments for chopped veggies, herbs and more
- Water and bacteria resistant board
Cons:
Consider these factors before you buy:
- More complicated to wash
Best Cutting Board for Farmhouse-Style Kitchens
Cow-Shaped Cutting Board
Joanna Gaines brought farmhouse-chic style back, both in and out of the kitchen. Match her style by using this cow-shaped cutting board for meal prep. You’ll proudly display this novelty piece even when you’re not using it, but it’s also an excellent serving and prep choice thanks to 100% maple wood construction. And last but not least: it’s made in the USA.
Pros:
What we like about the cow-shaped cutting board:
- Conversation-starting cow shape
- Large 20-in. size
- Real maple wood construction
- Made in the USA
- Mineral oil finish
Cons:
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Not as thick as some other wooden boards, and may be prone to warping sooner as a result
- Unique shape yields smaller usable space
Best Glass Cutting Board
Glass Christam Cutting Board
This trendy kitchen showpiece offers just the type of modern design you’d love to give (or receive) as a gift. The Glass Christam cutting board is actually made of digitally printed tempered glass to look like natural marble without being nearly as delicate or porous. It’s also scratch and stain resistant. The nearly 12-inch length makes it compact enough for even small kitchens, and yes—it fits right into most dishwashers with ease.
Because it doesn’t offer the same knife grip as a wood or plastic cutting board, you’ll want to save this option for your most beautiful fruit platters and cheese arrangements.
Pros:
What we like about the glass cutting board:
- 11.5-x-8-in. size is ideal for even small kitchens
- Perfect for cutting and serving raw food, fruits, vegetables and cheeses.
- Tempered glass is break, scratch and stain resistant.
- Dishwasher-safe
- Trendy marble design
Cons:
Consider these factors before you buy:
- Glass offers less knife grip than wood or plastic, so you’ll want to skip major cutting and chopping projects on this board
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