Top 15 Best Cutting Boards
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Buying the best cutting board is a great journey that you need to hop on once a year. You can start the journey with an affordable medium-sized board and see how it works. Then, after a year, you can add more features with some twists and turns because it’s time to replace the old board for health concerns.
When you know what feature contributes to a great board, let’s make the adventure more exciting with new material or new cutting purposes like chopping or carving. At the same time, don’t put the old board in the bin immediately but add new meaning to it.
Each time you buy a cutting board, check the best cutting boards available, and start the journey. To bring the intriguing part, I’ve compiled a list of 15 popular cutting boards right below. Check it now!
Benefits of Cutting Board
Besides the main purpose of cutting board, you will get amazed with other benefits the cutting board brings to your kitchen
Food Preparation
Cutting board is a flat board for cutting or chopping ingredients. If you cut your ingredients on the counter’s surface, your knife will get dull easily.
Décor for Your Kitchen
The temporarily used board can add beauty to your kitchen. The dark cutting board is an excellent contrast to your white countertop. If you are looking for a rustic vibe, use the wooden board. When you want to replace the old board with the new one, recycle the board by turning it into a new décor item in your bedroom, or garden.
Type of Cutting Board
Cutting board is classified into four main types, which based on its material. Wood needs the most maintenance, which followed by bamboo, composite and plastic.
- Wood lasts longer and preserves the knife edge better than plastic boards. However, it eats more oil, needs proper maintenance, and not dishwasher safe. The porous surface absorbs water, oil, and even bacteria.
- Bamboo is more environmentally friendly because the easy to grow grass is a renewable resource, which can be grown quicker than wood. Therefore, it comes with lower price. However, the hard surface may dull knife, contain bacteria, and not dishwasher safe.
- Composite is the combination of resins and wood fibers, which makes the cutting board more durable and suitable for heavy duty use.
- Plastic is easier to sanitize but the grooves after cutting can leave space for bacteria. The busy users can put plastic board in the dishwasher. The downside is plastic is not good for maintaining knife’s edge.
What is The Best Cutting Board?
The best cutting board is defined based on its purposes. If you prefer chopping vegetables over slicing meat, your choice is much affordable than the butcher block. The list below relies on cutting purposes.
- Best Overall: John Boos Walnut Wood Edge Grain Cutting Board
”Thick block to withstand deep cut, doesn’t dull the blade edge, handles for a comfortable grip, durable with frequent oil application.” - Best Budget: OXO Good Grips Cutting and Carving Board
”Affordable price, soft handles, rubber feet, thick board, dishwasher safe.” - Best Design: Mevell Walnut Cutting Board
”Attractive appearance, hands grip, reversible with one flat size, durable.” - Best Wooden: John Boos Chop-N-Slice Reversible Cutting Board
”Doesn’t slip, antimicrobial for hygiene, attractive design.” - Best Composite: Epicurean Gourmet Series Cutting Board
”Heat resistant, dishwasher-safe, hanging hole, juice groove on one side, hard cutting surface.” - Best for Meat: Teakhaus Rectangle Cutting Carving Board
”Thick butcher clock, edge grain structure, teak wood for moisture resistant, requires less mineral oil, handle grip.” - Best for Vegetables: Dexas Heavy Duty Grippmat Flexible Cutting Board
”Doesn’t slide thanks to textured surfaces, hanging holes, four different boards, easy-to-fold boards, doesn’t dull knives.” - Best for Serving: Totally Bamboo 3-Piece Set Cutting Board
”Affordable price with three-piece set, reversible boards, lightweight, hanging holes, serving and cutting purposes.” - Best for Carving: J.K. Adams Large Reversible Maple Cutting Carving Board
”Nice deep grooves, not too heavy for this size, durable, great for chopping vegetables, meat, large wedge to grip the roasts.” - Best with Trays: Simpli Better Bamboo Cutting Board
”4 convenient plastic containers with lids, rubber feet, indented handles, dishwasher-safe compartments.” - Best Multi-Purpose: Lipper International Bamboo Wood Cutting Board
”Different labels on each mat, open back design, rubber feet, stores mats inside the board, easy to wash.”
Cutting Board Comparison Chart
The best cutting board list starts with the environmentally-friendly bamboo board, which followed by composite, wood, and plastic boards. Only composite and plastic boards are dishwasher-safe.
Top 15 Best Cutting Boards Reviews
If you are eco-friendly users, the boards you need are at the top of the best cutting board list. The wood boards take up most of the list because of durable performance and appealing appearance.
1. Totally Bamboo Kauai Cutting Board
Totally Bamboo’s headquarter locates in San Macros, California. The company uses the bamboo grown in the Hawaiian Islands.
The rectangular board is reversible with a two-tone color scheme. To prevent splitting over time, you should use food-grade mineral oil to sweep it. If you use it more frequently, apply a thick coat of mineral oil and the colors will be rich again.
The board is heavy enough (2.42 pounds). You won’t damage your knife with the hard surface of bamboo. The groove, however, is not deep enough for catching juice.
Key Features
- Reversible board
- Two-tone color scheme
- Juice groove
Product Specifications
| Brand | Totally Bamboo |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 14.5 x 11.5 x 0.8 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | No |
| Warranty | 1 month |
Pros
- Two-tone color
- The right size, weight
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Shallow groove
- Fall apart side pieces
2. Totally Bamboo 3-Piece Set Cutting Board
(Best for Serving)
This set from Totally Bamboo has three pieces for serving and cutting. The two large boards with handles is 13 inches and 11 inches. The smallest 8-inch board is for slicing garnishes or serving cheeses.
The flat grain construction with 0.375-inch thick is not sturdy enough for heavy duty cutting. Similar to the previous product, this set needs oiling regularly to prevent cracking. Affordable Moso bamboo requires great maintenance.
Apart from three different sizes, you can also use both sides of the board, so cutting raw and cooked food becomes super convenient. However, the downsides are no feet, no grip or no juice groove.
Key Features
- 2 boards for cutting, 1 board for serving
- Flat grain boards
- Reversible boards
Product Specifications
| Brand | Totally Bamboo |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 13 x 9.5 x 1 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | No |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Pros
- Affordable price with three-piece set
- Reversible boards
- Lightweight
- Hanging holes
- Serving and cutting purposes
Cons
- Easy to get crack without regular maintenance
- No feet, no grip, no groove
Watch this video to see the review of Totally Bamboo 3 Piece Cutting Board Set:
3. Freshware Premium Bamboo Cutting Board
Freshware manufactured natural bamboo cutting board in China. One side is carved with a deep run-off, while the other side is flat for cutting other ingredients.
Only one pound, you can wash this lightweight board easily. However, remember to apply oil after washing, or else it will split. The board is solid enough to handle serious chopping and doesn’t slip off the counter.
Key Features
- Deep juice canal on one side
- Reversible boards
- Lightweight board
Product Specifications
| Brand | Freshware |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 12 x 8 x 0.5 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | No |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros
- Deep juice groove
- Light enough to handle
- Doesn’t slip
Cons
- Warp, and split over time
4. Simpli Better Bamboo Cutting Board
(Best with Trays)
Big mess when chopping vegetables? This bamboo board with trays by Simpli Better will solve your problem.
The cutting board is designed like a box with big opening for scraping the food into plastic container. You put on the lid and all can go directly into the fridge. Four compartments can fit snuggly in the cutting board.
The rubber feet along with indented handles make chopping and preparing ingredients much easier. The width of the whole board is 16 inches, but with the 3.25-inch opening, the cutting area is narrowed down to around 12 inches.
One side has a juice canal for cutting meat, and the other side can be used for chopping veggies.
Key Features
- Board box with big opening
- 4 plastic trays with lids
- Rubber feet
- Indented handles
- Reversible board
Product Specifications
| Brand | Simpli Better |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 16 x 10.5 x 3.5 |
| Feet | Yes |
| Grip | Yes |
| Warranty | No information |
Pros
- 4 convenient plastic containers with lids
- Rubber feet to stay on the counter
- Indented handles
- Dishwasher-safe compartments
Cons
- Split on the edge
- Thin plastic containers
Watch this video to see the review of Simpli Better Bamboo Cutting Board:
5. Lipper International Bamboo Wood Cutting Board
(Best Multi-Purpose)
This multipurpose bamboo cutting board will surprise you because it comes with six poly mats for different cutting purposes.
The label on each mat will help you know when to use which. The small details from this board come extra convenience for you. The back of the board has an open design for nice ventilation and is attached with four rubber feet.
One side of the board features the handle and the other has hole for inserting the mat. When not using, you can store the poly mats inside the board. What’s more, the mat can be used alone without slipping on the surface because of its waffle gripped bottom.
Key Features
- Six poly mats with different colors and labels
- Open back design
- Rubber feet
- Handle grip
- Waffle gripped bottom mats
Product Specifications
| Brand | Lipper International |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 13.1 x 16 x 1.6 |
| Feet | Yes |
| Grip | Yes |
| Warranty | No information |
Pros
- Different labels on each mat
- Open back design
- Rubber feet stays firmly on the surface
- Storing mats inside the board
- Easy to wash
Cons
- Gets crack
6. Epicurean Gourmet Series Cutting Board
(Best Composite)
Don’t worry about the manufacturing of this board. Every Epicurean product is made in the U.S.A. If you want to add great color to your kitchen, see three color combinations which are available in four sizes.
Richlite – the natural compressed wood fibers and resins is the material for this 18×13 inches board. One side of the board is formed with black core around the perimeter to catch the juice. The other side is flat without the groove.
The 350-degree heat resistant feature is for holding the hot pan. The 3/8-inch thick board is dishwasher safe without being warped. You can also hang the board with a small hole. The hard surface only leaves some scratches and will not dull your knives.
Key Features
- Black core on one side
- Heat resistant
- Dishwasher safe
- Hanging hole
Product Specifications
| Brand | Epicurean |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 13 x 18 x 0.4 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | No |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros
- Heat resistant
- Dishwasher-safe
- Hanging hole
- Juice groove on one side
- Hard cutting surface
Cons
- Gets warped over time
Watch this video to see the review of Epicurean Cutting Boards:
7. Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board
Similar to the Gourmet series, the kitchen series from Epicurean also features Richlite cutting boards with smooth surface on both sides.
I really like the slate color in this series because of its great contrast to my white counter. The lightweight cutting board is dishwasher-safe with its composite material.
Only 0.2-inch thick, this board is more likely to warp if you don’t dry it. If you have a hectic schedule, the composite board is totally for you because it requires less maintenance than the wood counterparts.
The board is also heat resistant and easy to hang with the hole on edge. You should place a cloth underneath the board to prevent it from slipping.
Key Features
- Beautiful color
- Heat resistant
- Dishwasher safe
Product Specifications
| Brand | Epicurean |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 11.5 x 9 x 0.2 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | No |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros
- Heat-resistant
- Hanging hole
- Light weight
Cons
- Warps in dishwasher
- Spins on the counter
8. Mevell Walnut Cutting Board
(Best Design)
Mevell cutting board manufactures this board in Canada from black walnut wood. The board is reversible with one flat side, and one carved side for juice.
The edge grain board is 0.75-inch thick with hands grip on sides. The nice-looking board is pre-oiled beforehand. The deep wood finish makes the board look gorgeous.
The knife marks are not visible in this board and your knifes won’t get dull because of its knife friendly surface.
Key Features
- Pre-oiled board
- Deep wood finish
- Reversible board with one flat side
Product Specifications
| Brand | Mevell |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 17x11x0.75 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Pros
- Attractive appearance
- Hands grip
- Reversible with one flat size
- Durable
Cons
- Warps over time
9. Teakhaus Rectangle Carving and Cutting Board
(Best for Meat)
If you fell in love with this brown wooden board at the first sight, check your kitchen storage area or sink’s dimension first. There are two sizes available: 20″ x 15″ x 1.5″, or 24″ x 18″ x 1.5″.
This heavy-duty butcher block is heavy to move even with the support of the handgrip. However, you will be amazed by how the board absorbs oils – just more reasons to love this board. The teak wood with high oil content is resistant to moisture.
In other words, it doesn’t drink in water and requires small amount of oil for seasoning. You get an appealing board with less maintenance, less warping and splitting. The edge grain structure is less likely to crack over time and varies in color. Both sides are carved with juice canal.
Key Features
- Teak wood for high oil content
- Edge grain woodcuts
- Reversible board with juice canal on both sides
Product Specifications
| Brand | Teakhaus |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 24 x 18 x 1.5 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | Yes |
| Warranty | No information |
Pros
- Thick butcher clock
- Edge grain structure
- Teak wood for moisture resistant
- Requires less mineral oil
- Handle grip for easy cleaning and moving
Cons
- Rough drip groove
- Crack during shipping
See why American Kitchen Test choose this board as their favorite cutting board:
10. J.K. Adams Large Reversible Maple Carving Cutting Board
(Best for Carving)
This thick board from J.K. Adams is exclusive with big indentation for holding poultry or roasts – yay for roast lovers.
Both sides are carved with deep gravy groove – 1/2-inch thick. The water-resistant adhesive makes the board less like to crack. The weight is decent enough so the board won’t slip into your toe. However, you have to use all your strength to carry this board with no hand grip.
This board is for carving and cutting ingredients as well, a 2-in-1 board. The surface eats a lot of mineral oil, so prepare for regular oil application.
Key Features
- Big indentation for carving
- Deep groove on both sides
- Water-resistant adhesive
Product Specifications
| Brand | J.K. Adams |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 20 x 14 x 1.2 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | No |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros
- Nice deep grooves
- Not too heavy for this size
- Durable
- Great for chopping vegetables, meat
- Large wedge to grip the roasts
Cons
- No hand grips for moving turkey-laden board
- Eats up mineral oil
Watch this video to see the review of J.K. Adams Reversible Carving Board:
11. John Boos Walnut Wood Edge Grain Cutting Board
(Best Overall)
John Boos wood edge grain cutting block is available in many colors: walnut, maple and cherry. But I prefer the dark maple board with the vintage accent to the kitchen.
Every single butcher block from John Boos is made in Effingham, Illinois. This board is made from solid American black walnut wood with edge grain woodcuts. The walnut board is strong and stable.
You can use both flat sides but there is no drip groove. Thanks to the handles on each end, you can move this 1.5-inch block easily. Worry about the split? Season the board with John Boos oil frequently. The blade won’t get dull as it sinks into the wood.
Key Features
- Many colors available
- Edge grain woodcuts
- Grip handles
Product Specifications
| Brand | John Boos |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 20 x 15 x 1.5 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Pros
- Thick block to withstand deep cut
- Doesn’t dull the blade edge
- Handles for comfortable grip
- Durable with frequent oil application
Cons
- No juice canals
- Doesn’t wobble
12. John Boos Chop-N-Slice Reversible Cutting Board
(Best Wooden)
If you prefer edge grain block, John Boos butcher block and cutting board can fit your choice. Made from Northern hard rock maple wood, this board is harder than teak wood.
John Boos chooses hard rock maple because it is antimicrobial with special enzymes. Apply the Boos oil as an additional barrier to prevent cross contamination. The reversible board has no juice groove.
Because the board gets dry and split, the tip is to apply a generous coat of oil to extend the lifespan of the board. The downside is it warps over time.
Key Features
- Antimicrobial maple wood
- Edge grain butcher block
- Reversible board
Product Specifications
| Brand | John Boos |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 24 x 18 x 1.5 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | No |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Pros
- Doesn’t slip
- Antimicrobial for hygiene
- Attractive design
Cons
- No juice canals
- Warps over time
- Needs regular oil application
13. OXO Good Grips Cutting and Carving Board
(Best Budget)
You will be amazed by the tapered black handles on the sides of OXO cutting board. The handles are different from other boards.
This polypropylene board has small rubber feet on the corners to stay firmly on the counter. Because of its material, you can put the board into dishwasher to let it take care of the board.
The large cutting surface with juice groove can hold many ingredients. However, a very sharp knife can cut into the board and leave clear marks but it doesn’t get dull. What’s more, the affordable price is perfect for your limited budget.
Key Features
- Tapered black handles
- Rubber feet
- Dishwasher-safe
Product Specifications
| Brand | OXO |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 21 x 14.5 x 0.5 |
| Feet | Yes |
| Grip | Yes |
| Warranty | No information |
Pros
- Affordable price
- Soft handles
- Rubber feet
- Thick board
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Scratches after usage
Watch this video to see the review of OXO Good Grips Non-Slip Cutting Boards:
14. Progressive International Prep Solutions Cutting Board
Progressive International board is made from polyethylene, which contributes to its low price. If you don’t want to wash the board, it is dishwasher safe with a large handle for hanging above your sink.
The white color may make you worried about staining after cutting colored ingredients like tomatoes, or beet. It gets stain a bit but bleach cleanser spray can fix the stain. The board’s size 17.4 x 11.2 is the right size for cutting and dishwasher.
Similar to Epicurean Gourmet Series Cutting Board, this board has a juice canal on one side and flat surface for preparing ingredients on the other side. If this model had feet around the corners, it would sit on the countertop.
Key Features
- Large handle
- Reversible board
- Dishwasher-safe
Product Specifications
| Brand | Progressive International |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 17.4 x 11.2 x 0.5 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | Yes |
| Warranty | No information |
Pros
- Good size for cutting and cleaning
- Reversible board
- Large hanging hole
- Easy to clean
- No odor
Cons
- No feet
- Gets stain a bit
15. Dexas Heavy Duty Grippmat Flexible Cutting Board
(Best for Vegetables)
The board set consists of four cutting board with different colors. One side is for cutting without juice groove while the other side has a non-slip surface to put on the counter.
If you want to scrape the veggies into the pan, the easy-to-fold board funnels prepped ingredients for you. The lightweight board is made from plastic to be dishwasher safe and BPA free.
The cutting surface has honeycomb texture, which is beneficial for cutting but not sliding the knives on hard surface. However, you should use the brush to clean the board properly.
Key Features
- Four different cutting boards
- Non-slip surface to sit on the counter
- Easy to fold
- Honeycomb texture cutting surface
Product Specifications
| Brand | Dexas |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Size (inches) | 17.4 x 11.2 x 0.5 |
| Feet | No |
| Grip | Yes |
| Warranty | No information |
Pros
- Doesn’t slide thanks to textured surfaces
- Hanging holes
- Four different boards
- Easy-to-fold boards
- Doesn’t dull knives
Cons
- Not deep enough for sweet cut
- Can get warp
What to Look for in a Cutting Board?
The best cutting board should have a large cutting surface but still fit into your kitchen sink. With heavy wooden block, you should consider how to hold the board more easily. Other features are listed below.
Cutting Surface
Some boards are reversible to help prevent cross-contamination. Furthermore, you can decide on which side is for cutting juicy meat with the deep juice groove or the label, which side is for chopping vegetables.
However, not every board is carved with deep drip groove. If you prefer the large cutting surface, think beforehand where to store it.
Ease of Use
The overweight hard to carry board isn’t fit for your hand. You can place it near the sink to clean it more easily. However, during the cleaning process, weight is another important factor to consider. Don’t pain your wrist while washing the board.
Hands Grip
Most of the wood and bamboo boards have side handles because of its weight. The composite features the hanging hole, which can be useful for carrying also.
Feet
If you worry about the board spinning on the counter or slipping to your toes, choose the board with rubber feet. The reversible wood board usually lacks this feature but it is heavy enough to sit on the counter.
You can place a cloth underneath to stabilize the cutting board. Another advantage of the non-slip feet is it raises the board off the counter, which is beneficial for picking the board up.
Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Cutting Board
Whether you are busy or not, you always need to spend time on maintaining the kitchen cooking tools, especially the expensive ones. The lifespan of a cutting board depends not only on its material but also on your maintenance.
The general tip for every type of board is rubbing sea salt over the board surface. After that, rub lemon over the salty surface, and rinse it with hot water. Use the cloth to absorb all the water. Let it dry.
- Wood board needs the most maintenance with regular oil application. The thicker the board, the more oil you need to season. After using, you should wash it immediately to prevent the juice or water soak into the wood. Rubbing the board with oil keeps it less susceptible to warping and splitting.
- Plastic gets stain easily but it is dishwasher safe. If you chop beet or colored food on the board, spray bleach cleanser to fix the stain.
- Composite board is dishwasher safe. However, some boards warp easily when washed in the machine because the composite board is rather thin.
- Bamboo needs seasoning before the first use. After that, it requires less oil seasoning than wood boards. The downside is bamboo boards is not dishwasher friendly.
FAQs
This part will resolve some questions relating to before and after buying the best cutting board. Unlike other cooking utensils, you have to regularly change the cutting board or use some tools to sanitize the board.
My Top Pick
After reading the buying guide, what are the most important features to a cutting board that you can think of? To me, it’s durability and how easy it is to use the board. Therefore, I choose John Boos Walnut Wood Edge Grain because of its long-lasting performance.
Moreover, this thick butcher block adds a great accent to my kitchen and doesn’t dull the kitchen knives. Finally, the handles work well for such massive woodblock.
If you have such a busy schedule but still want to have the most durable cutting board, what is your option? Tell me in the comment section below.
