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The best boards make meat and vegetable prep easier — and protect your knives.
We updated this article in April 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Our original top-rated picks, selected by the Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, remain the same, though three were cut because they were sold out or discontinued.
We reach for cutting boards as often as we reach for our favorite kitchen knives. They provide a flat, sturdy surface for prepping ingredients while protecting counters from getting scratched. Some can double as a serving tray – or even work as plates when we're feeling lazy. They range in size from large enough to handle the perfect roast turkey to small enough to cut a lime for garnish and vary in thickness from a heavy-duty three inches to barely a millimeter. They also come in different materials like wood, plastic or bamboo.
Each year in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, we test hundreds of kitchen tools and gadgets using science-based testing methodology while keeping the home cook in mind. To find the best cutting board, we rounded up 39 of the newest, most unique and best-selling boards, and then narrowed our picks down to test 26 with the best variety of brands, shapes, sizes, materials and styles. We used sturdy Western-style knives and sharp, thin Japanese knives to slice ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, salami and carrots. We evaluated whether the cutting boards retained the tomato juices, whether they were easy to clean after getting cheese stuck to them and how well they handled hard, slippery ingredients. Here are the best cutting boards you can buy in 2022.
OXO cutting boards have been our favorite for years. We love how they grip the counter to prevent slipping and can be used for a variety of foods, from raw meat and chicken to fresh veggies since they're made of an easy-to-wash plastic that's dishwasher safe. They’re slim and lightweight, which makes cleanup easy – one of the most important factors for us when we review tools.
In our tests, we found the 13" x 9" board to be a little smaller than we're used to, but it grew on us very quickly, mostly because it fits into the dishwasher so easily. The board felt good on our knife and ingredients didn't roll around when we cut them. The juice groove, which is built in to only one side for added versatility, proves to be helpful when cutting juicy chicken and steak as well as tomatoes. The cutting board material does wear over time, but we've been using these almost daily for years and have yet to replace them. OXO also offers a large carving board, our preferred size for special occasions and large tasks. The Everyday Board included here can be purchased individually or as part of this multicolored set.
• Material: Plastic • Dimensions: 7.25" x 10.75" Prep Board and 9" x 12.9" Everyday Board • Care: Dishwasher safe
This Farberware Bamboo Cutting Board is a larger version of our previous best value pick, which is no longer made. It's longer (15" x 21" versus the previous 11" x 14") but still includes all the great features that tested well: It's thick, but lightweight and easy to move around for cleaning. It's also balanced, and the nonslip grips keep it from shifting during cutting.
In our tests, the bamboo was comfortable to cut on, was easy to clean and didn't stain. It didn't show many gashes, though cuts can become more prominent over time if not cared for properly. (In general, wood and bamboo need to be treated to prevent drying and cracking.) The size and design of this cutting board allows it to double as a serving board, whether using for charcuterie or a carved cut of meat. The juice groove is thin and not too deep, but helps trap liquid. • Material: Bamboo • Dimensions: 21.17" x 15.02" x 0.59" • Care: Hand wash only
This 15" x 20" cutting board claims to be nonporous and nonabsorbent for better peace of mind when using (after washing between uses) for various ingredients like meat, chicken and veggies. We love its large size and the well designed to collect juices. It’s also lightweight, which makes cleaning and storing easy (a common pain point with carving boards). Best part is that it's dishwasher safe, a huge pro when you're using it with meat.
The board is reversible; it can be flipped and used as an ungrooved pastry board designed for mixing or rolling out dough, an advantage of its nonabsorbent surface. In our tests, we needed to put a damp paper towel underneath it to prevent slipping, which is common and didn't deter us from using it. Over the years it has developed stains, but we still reach for it when we need to cut large pieces of food.
• Material: Plastic • Dimensions: 15" x 20" • Care: Dishwasher safe
Like maple, walnut and cherry wood, bamboo is dense and good at keeping water and juices out. It makes a good material for cutting boards because it’s lightweight and can be cleaned easily. If allowed to fully dry after washing, it requires little maintenance, although oiling bamboo every so often helps prevent cracking.
This three-piece set has stood the test of home use for years. The smallest size is good for quick prep work, while the biggest one is good for larger tasks; the middle is a good catch-all for everyday tasks like chopping carrots and onions. In our tests, we liked that the boards felt sturdy and didn’t move around when a wet paper towel was placed beneath them. We also liked the various sizes and built-in handle for portability. Sometimes the boards warped, but quickly reshaped after a quick wash and proper dry.
• Material: Bamboo • Dimensions: 8", 11" and 13" • Care: Hand wash only
Sometimes cute, small things seem too good to be true, but this foldable cutting board is an exception. The sides fold up so you can transfer chopped ingredients to the pot without spilling. It’s perfect for small tasks or cutting in batches. It moved around a little during our tests, but we liked the textured cutting surface and its innovative design. It was also very easy to clean and is dishwasher safe. After years of use, this cutting board is still in rotation in the Kitchen Appliances Lab. It makes a great prep board and is easy to carry to the table for eating from. It has not stained and doesn't show signs of wear.
• Material: Plastic • Dimensions: 8.75" x 0.5" x 15" • Care: Dishwasher safe
We had a hard time picking our favorite J.K. Adams cutting board out of the seven we tested. Overall, they were our top wooden boards in terms of design, portability and ease of cleaning. We loved that this Pro Classic 2.0 Maple Kitchen Prep Board has a slot for your phone or tablet for easy reference while cooking.
It's an inch thick but not too heavy. At 20" x 16", it still fits in a home sink for washing. It's made of maple, which is considered to be a softer wood, so it's gentle on knives but still durable. It makes for a good pastry board when working with flour and has held up to plenty of use over the years. It does, however, need to be treated to help prevent cracking. Over time, it has developed some stains, but they tend to go away as you wash it more.
• Material: Maple wood • Dimensions: 20" x 16" • Care: Dishwasher safe
Epicurean makes composite cutting boards that look and feel like wood but are thin, durable and can be washed like plastic. They come in a wide assortment of shapes and sizes. Our top pick is the Gourmet Series Cutting Board due to its size and versatility. At 14.5" x 11.25", it’s big enough to carve a whole chicken or roast with a wide well to catch the juices on one side, but thin and light enough to toss in the sink or dishwasher for easy cleanup. It can also be flipped for an even larger cutting surface that doesn't feature the juice groove. We liked how flat and sturdy it laid on the counter, even with a wet paper towel placed beneath it. These cutting boards have become a go-to item in the Kitchen Appliances Lab. They've stood up to years of use are easy to clean and store well.
• Material: Composite • Dimensions: 15" x 11" x 0.2" • Care: Dishwasher safe
If you’re looking for a cutting board to stay put on your counter, the Catskill Craftsmen Wood End Grain Cutting Slab is the board for your. The 18" x 18" board is 3 inches thick and weighs 27 pounds. Its large surface area is good for a big piece of meat or for prepping multiple foods at once.
Though it has handles for carrying, it’s not easy to move around and washing is tough. It’s made of end grain wood, which is considered long-lasting and very gentle on knives, but it requires oiling more often and with more oil than other types of cutting boards.
• Material: Natural hardwood • Dimensions: 18" x 18" x 3" • Care: Hand wash only
John Boos is known for durable wooden cutting boards and surfaces. We tested three different styles: the Walnut Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board, Cherry Rustic Edge Design Cutting Board and our pick here, the Maple Wood End Grain Round Chopping Block. We liked how thick and sturdy each board was, while still being light enough to move around and wash.
The built-in handles on the Walnut Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board made portability easier, and we couldn’t stop staring at — and touching! — the beautiful design. But we were impressed with how well the Maple Wood hid knife marks.
• Material: Maple • Dimensions: 18" x 18" x 3" • Care: Hand wash only
Cutting mats are often too flimsy, and their surfaces feel hard and slippery, like you're cutting directly on your counters. The Dexas Grippmat boards are different: They have textured surfaces and grips across the entire bottom. They’re also a little thicker than the mats we’re used to. They come in a pack of four and are color-coded, which can help prevent cross-contamination. We liked how easy they were to use and how they didn't move around during cutting. Plus, they’re dishwasher safe. They're still the cutting boards we reach for in a pinch or when handling raw meat and chicken. They line up in the dishwasher and take up very little space to store.
• Material: Plastic • Dimensions: 12" x 14" • Care: Dishwasher safe
We use cutting boards multiple times a day in the Kitchen Appliances Lab, so we have strong opinions on them based off of our side-by-side tests and continuous use in the office and at home. When we test cutting boards, we assess how they feel when using them with different knives, including sturdy Western-style knives, thin and sometimes brittle Japanese knives, serrated knives and paring knives. The cutting board should feel like it's absorbing the slice without fear of breaking or damaging the knife. We're checking whether the board shifts around during use and whether bits of the board flake off when facing a serrated knife.
In addition to using different knives, we cut hard, slippery ingredients on each, including carrots and salami — a good cutting board helps prevent items from sliding. We also cut juicy tomatoes to test the juice grooves and sticky cheese to see how well the boards clean up. Our top-performers remained in the lab and have been put to daily use since 2019. We periodically assess them for cuts and stains as well as ease of use. Over the years, we've become more interested in thinner, durable boards that are easy to wash and can be tossed in the dishwasher.
In our testing, we confirmed that a good cutting board lays flat on the counter and stays put. It’s also easy to clean and doesn’t retain odor or warp over time. Here's what to consider before buying:
✔️ Material: Cutting boards come in a variety of materials from plastic to wood and glass. Plastic cutting boards prove to be more versatile, in that they can be used with meat and vegetables and easily cleaned. Wood sometimes feels better and more gentle on your knife, but it can be heavy and more difficult to maintain because it often needs treating with oil to prevent cracking. Bamboo is a lightweight, easy-to-care for option, but it doesn't seem to last as long as other cutting board materials. We do NOT recommend ever using glass because it can dull your knife quickly and leave you at risk slippage and injury while slicing; glass cutting boards can also crack or shatter.
✔️ Size: We recommend choosing a cutting board that you can clean easily by fitting it in your sink or dishwasher if you have one, about 15 inches wide or smaller. Larger cutting boards have their place for big roasts or as a surface for rolling out dough, but they're bulky and not our everyday go-to. Smaller cutting boards come in handy when you need to cut something small and simple.
✔️ Cleanability: If you prefer using your dishwasher to clean up, opt for plastic or a composite material. Wooden cutting boards should not be put in the dishwasher because they can warp and will have a hard time drying completely, which could cause pre-mature molding and cracking.
✔️ Nonslip grip: Look for boards with a textured bottom or rubberized edge that can help the board stay put. You can certainly work like professionally trained cooks and place a dampened paper towel beneath your board to help it stay put, but we prefer not needing to take the extra step and waste paper towels.
✔️ Juice groove: Whether cutting meat or juicy fruits, we prefer using cutting boards with what we like to call a "moat" around the perimeter to catch liquids. If you using your cutting board primarily for carving meat, look for a board with a deeper moat/trench as well as a pour spout so you can easily drain collected juices.
Nicole Papantoniou conducted the most recent side-by-side cutting board test in the Kitchen Appliances Lab and continues to use the top-performers daily as she's an avid cook. She uses multiple cutting boards a day between her work and home life, so she understands the need for them to fit in the dishwasher or sink for cleaning. Nicole also loves her knives more than most things, so she won't recommend a cutting board that would damage them or that doesn't optimize her cooking experience.
She has a grand diplome in classic culinary arts from the former French Culinary Institute and a certificate in culinary nutrition from the former Natural Gourmet Institute, now both known as the Institute of Culinary Education.