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
- 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.
Best Overall: Epicurean Cutting Board
What We Like
- Durable yet lightweight
- Stain- and odor-resistant
- Great value
- Heat safe up to 350 degrees F; can be used as a trivet
What We Don’t Like
- 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.
Best Plastic for Meat: Dexas NSF Polysafe Pastry/Best Cutting Boards
What We Like
- Durable, streamlined design
- Juice groove for catching liquids
- Non-porous, stain-resistant surface
What We Don’t Like
- 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.
3 Set Cutting Boards for Kitchen
About this item
Warrior Strength – Impressive Yuck Defense: Warrior Strength TPR (Thermoplastic Resin) is where it’s at, and this plastic cutting board set proves it, defying even the hottest dishwashers & slipperiest surfaces, without warping, staining, slipping, dinging your knives, or leeching hidden yuck into your next meal; if only every decision you made was this easy!
Our Most Popular Set – 3 Chef Selected Sizes: Professional chefs and your family favorite cook agree that these dishwasher-safe cutting boards with juice groove combine the best of all worlds; a 10”x6” small cutting board for kitchen crumb defense, a 12.5”x 8” medium-large cutting board for prepping larger vegetables and meats, and a 16”x10” extra large cutting board; made for carving during memory-making get-togethers.
Leave the E.R. to the Actors – Non-Slip Cutting Board – Mess-Free Juice Grooves: It’s simply common sense that juice-slicked surfaces, exposed fingers, and razor-sharp knives don’t mix, so we combined ultra-deep liquid capture system with our unbeatable anti-slip rubber surround. So it grips the countertop, not slip while your fingers are under your knife.
Impact Energy Dispersing – Knife Edges Stay Sharp & Razor Smooth: TPR (Thermoplastic Resin) cutting board for meat and vegetables dynamic reflex capabilities effectively disperses impact energy away from your pricey cutlery investments, cushioning your knife with every cut – so your professional knife set stays ding, dent and knick free.
Make Magic, Mess Free: Dishwasher Safe Cutting Board boasts a Non-Porous Surface that easily rinses free from all dirt, grime, grease, and debris, leaving its heavy-duty surface like-new after every meal; simply hand wash or toss it into the dishwasher and watch it reappear like the day you bought it; even in hot water up to 243*F. Get it, love it, agree it’s the best you’ve ever used, or we’ll buy it back, question-free.
Best Value: OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
What We Like
- 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
What We Don’t Like
- 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 with 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.
Best Flexible: Cooler Kitchen Flexible Cutting Board Mats
What We Like
- Great value
- Color-coded for various uses
- Flexibility allows for folding/curling and transferring ingredients
- Compact design allows for easy storage
What We Don’t Like
- 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.
Best for Vegetables: Cup Board Pro
What We Like
- 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
What We Don’t Like
- 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.