Wood, Plastic or Composite: Which Cutting Board Belongs on Your Counter?

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The best cutting board is usually two cutting boards. The FDA recommends one board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry and seafood, so most kitchens end up with a plastic board that can go through the dishwasher and a wood board that is kinder to good knives and looks good on the table.

We compared seven boards and sets sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store and listed in stock when we checked: an OXO plastic board, a Gorilla Grip plastic set, a Royal Craft Wood bamboo set, an Epicurean paper-composite board, a Ziruma acacia board and two end grain boards in walnut and maple. We quote dishwasher, BPA-free and warranty claims exactly as each listing gives them and flag what is missing.

Below the picks, you’ll find a buying guide on wood, plastic and composite, plus the cleaning habits that matter more than the board itself.

Our Top Cutting Board Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. OXO Good Grips Plastic Utility Cutting Board: Best Overall

OXO’s Good Grips Utility Cutting Board is a large plastic board, 10.39 by 14.78 inches, that OXO describes as ideal for big meals. Both sides are usable, and the listing calls the surfaces non-porous, says they resist odors and claims they won’t dull knife blades.

Day to day, the details are what you notice. Non-slip feet keep the board from skating across the counter while you chop and slice. A drip-catcher runs around the surface to hold juice from tomatoes, citrus or a resting roast, and easy-pour corners let you tip that liquid into a pan or the sink instead of across the counter. The soft, tapered edges double as handles for carrying the board to the stove.

Because it is double-sided and non-porous, it works well as the “raw meat” board in a two-board kitchen. The listing gives a size field of 14.75 by 10.4 by 0.5 inches and a weight of 1.53 pounds, light enough to lift to the sink with one hand. The bullets do not mention the dishwasher, BPA or a warranty term, so check OXO’s care card before machine washing.

It suits most home cooks who want a single reliable plastic board for daily vegetables and proteins, especially anyone tired of a board that slides. Pair it with a wood or composite board for bread and ready-to-eat foods.

Why we like it

• Non-slip feet
• Drip-catcher with pour corners
• Double-sided, odor-resistant surface

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t say whether it is dishwasher safe, and no warranty term is given.

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2. Gorilla Grip Cutting Board Set of 3: Best Cutting Board Set

Gorilla Grip’s set includes three plastic cutting boards: a large 16 by 11.2 inches, a medium 13.8 by 9.6 inches and a small 11.8 by 8 inches. Each is 0.37 inches thick, and the listing gives a combined weight of 4.25 pounds. Our pick is the black version.

Three boards make it easy to keep tasks apart. You can give raw chicken its own board, chop salad on another and slice bread or cheese on the third. Each board has deep grooves that Gorilla Grip says help catch messy juices, and a slip-resistant handle and rubber border that the brand says reduce sliding on the counter.

The listing says the boards are dishwasher safe, unlike wood or bamboo, and need no oiling or special maintenance. Gorilla Grip describes a nonporous surface that won’t splinter or peel, says each board is tested to comply with US regulations to be BPA free and food grade, and calls the set “3rd Party Tested” for durability without naming the test. The brand also suggests the boards as a charcuterie board or a cutting mat.

It suits families, new cooks and anyone setting up a first kitchen who wants a full set they can run through the dishwasher after raw meat. Thin plastic boards are light to move but will show knife marks over time, so plan to replace them when grooves get deep.

Why we like it

• Three sizes in one set
• Dishwasher safe
• Rubber border for grip

Watch out for

At 0.37 inches, these are thin boards, and the durability testing isn’t described.

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3. Royal Craft Wood Bamboo Cutting Board Set of 3: Best Bamboo Set

Royal Craft Wood’s set is three bamboo cutting boards in sizes the brand calls ideal for every task: 15 by 10 inches, 12 by 8 inches and 9 by 6 inches. The listing describes 100% natural bamboo that is pre-oiled and carbonized, which gives the boards their darker brown color.

The small board handles a quick apple or lime, the medium suits vegetables, and the large one takes carving, rolling dough or a charcuterie spread. Each board has a deep juice groove around the edge to catch liquid, and built-in side handles that make it easy to carry food from counter to table or to slide chopped onions into a pan.

Royal Craft Wood says the bamboo resists cracking, warping and water absorption, and that a protective finish prevents water and odor absorption. It calls the surface knife-friendly and resistant to stains and odors. For care, the listing says to hand wash with mild soap and warm water. The bullets mention a 1-year warranty, a money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support, though the warranty field itself is empty.

It suits cooks who want a matching set for produce, bread and entertaining at a low price, and who don’t mind hand washing. Many kitchens keep a dishwasher-safe plastic board alongside it for raw meat.

Why we like it

• Top seller in its category
• Three sizes with juice grooves
• Handles for serving

Watch out for

Bamboo boards here are hand wash only, and the listing doesn’t mention feet or grip pads.

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4. Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board, 11.5 x 9 in: Best Composite

Epicurean’s Kitchen Series board is made from what the brand calls paper composite material, a natural material that behaves a bit like wood. This one measures 11.5 by 9 inches, about the size of a sheet of paper, and the natural color will develop a deep patina over time, which Epicurean says doesn’t affect performance.

It is thin and light, so it lives in a drawer or hangs from its built-in thumb hole rather than taking up counter space. Both sides are usable, and Epicurean’s reminder is simple: don’t forget to flip it. That makes it easy to use one side for onions and the other for fruit, or to grab it for a quick sandwich or cheese plate.

The listing says the board is dishwasher safe and that restaurants and home chefs have run this material through home and commercial dishwashers for decades. Epicurean also says the board helps keep knives sharper longer and that you should expect knives to lightly score the surface, a sign the board is protecting the edge. The listing states it is made in the USA, and it recommends measuring your dishwasher before ordering.

It suits small kitchens, apartment cooks and anyone who wants a light board they can toss in the dishwasher after raw meat. Cooks who carve roasts will want something larger with a groove.

Why we like it

• Dishwasher safe composite
• Very light and thin
• Made in the USA

Watch out for

It’s small, has no groove or feet, and its color changes with use.

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5. Ziruma Acacia Wood Cutting Board, 16 x 11 in: Best Wood Cutting Board

Ziruma’s board is a single piece of solid acacia, 16 by 11 inches. Its main selling point is the finish: Ziruma conditions the wood with unbleached beeswax, flaxseed oil and lemon oil, and says it never uses petroleum byproducts like mineral oil and contains no synthetic coatings or PFAS.

For everyday use, it is a classic wood board for vegetables, herbs, bread and cooked meats. Ziruma says the board is thicker than most for stability during chopping and carving, and that its solid weight keeps it from sliding around. The listing gives the weight as 2.9 pounds, enough to sit still without being a chore to lift.

Ziruma says acacia has the right balance of density and softness to help preserve a knife’s edge, and it claims acacia’s natural tannins and oils make it less likely to harbor bacteria or mold. The listing also says the wood is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. There is a measurement conflict: the bullets describe a 1-inch thick board, while the size field lists 1.5 inches.

It suits cooks who prefer wood, care about what the board is finished with, and want a medium-large size for daily prep and serving. The bullets don’t spell out care steps, so check with Ziruma on washing and how often to re-condition the finish.

Why we like it

• Beeswax and plant-oil finish
• FSC certified wood, per listing
• Sturdy 16 x 11 in size

Watch out for

The listing gives two different thicknesses and no care instructions or groove.

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6. THETCHRY Walnut End Grain Cutting Board, 17 x 13 in: Best End Grain Value

THETCHRY’s board is an end grain walnut block measuring 17 by 13 by 1 inches. End grain means the wood fibers face up, and THETCHRY calls the result “self-healing”: the blade cuts between the fibers, which close up again, so the brand says the surface holds up to heavy cutting and keeps knives sharp.

Around the edge runs a deep juice groove that THETCHRY says holds up to 3 ounces of liquid, enough for a sliced roast or juicy tomatoes. One side has a multi-functional sorting compartment, a recessed area where you can slide chopped onion or garlic out of the way while you keep cutting, then sweep it into the pan.

The board comes with stick-on rubber non-slip feet, which the listing says reduce the risk of injury from a sliding board. THETCHRY says each board is coated with natural beeswax oil before it leaves the factory, without chemical coating, and calls it waterproof and stain-resistant. The listing notes that natural wood color varies between batches. It doesn’t give a weight or care instructions.

It suits home cooks who want the look and knife feel of end grain on a big board without stepping up to premium pricing, and who also want a board that doubles as a charcuterie tray for parties.

Why we like it

• End grain walnut
• 3 oz juice groove
• Feet and side compartment

Watch out for

Weight and care steps are missing from the listing, and the color will vary.

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7. Bevel & Bond Maple End-Grain Cutting Board: Best Premium End Grain

Bevel & Bond’s board is a 17 by 13 inch end grain block of North American hard maple, 1.75 inches thick and 10 pounds. The listing says each one is handcrafted in the USA by local woodworkers, and the brand calls maple the gold standard for cutting boards: dense enough to last but gentle on knives.

Ten pounds is the point. Bevel & Bond says the weight keeps the board planted under heavy pressure, and rubber feet hold it on the counter while letting air flow underneath. A deep juice groove catches runoff from roasts and whole chickens, and finger grips on both sides help you lift it to the table for carving.

Care is spelled out: hand wash with warm soapy water and towel dry, never put it in the dishwasher and never soak it. The board arrives pre-conditioned with a mineral oil finish, and the brand recommends a monthly coat of its Board Balm. The bullets describe a 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects and a free tin of Board Balm when you register, though the warranty field itself is empty.

It suits cooks who carve often, break down chickens or simply want one heirloom-style board that stays on the counter. Anyone short on space or strength may find 10 pounds too much to move to the sink every day.

Why we like it

• Thick, USA-made maple end grain
• 5-year warranty in bullets
• Feet, groove and finger grips

Watch out for

It’s heavy, needs regular conditioning and costs the most here.

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How We Chose the Best Cutting Boards

We kept to boards that were in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store when we checked, chose one product per brand, and compared only what each listing says:

• Material: plastic, bamboo, paper composite, edge grain wood or end grain wood, in the listing’s words.
• Cleaning: whether the listing calls the board dishwasher safe, or asks for hand washing and oiling.
• Stability: non-slip feet, rubber borders and weight.
• Juice control: grooves, drip-catchers and pour corners.
• Size, thickness and warranty: as listed, with conflicts and empty fields flagged.

Six of the seven picks fell in our lowest price tier when we checked; only the Bevel & Bond maple board sits higher.

Cutting Board Buying Guide

Best Plastic Cutting Board

Plastic boards are light, cheap and, when the listing says so, dishwasher safe. The Gorilla Grip set states it is dishwasher safe and BPA free. The OXO Utility board has non-slip feet and a drip-catcher, but its listing doesn’t mention the dishwasher. Replace plastic boards when knife grooves get deep and hard to clean.

Best Wood Cutting Board

Wood is the choice for bread, herbs and serving, and many cooks prefer how it feels under a knife. The Ziruma acacia board is finished with beeswax and plant oils, and the Royal Craft Wood bamboo set comes pre-oiled. None of the wood or bamboo listings here calls its board dishwasher safe; Royal Craft Wood asks for hand washing, and Bevel & Bond asks for towel drying and monthly conditioning.

Best End Grain Cutting Board

End grain boards are built from blocks with the fibers facing up. THETCHRY and Bevel & Bond both describe a “self-healing” surface where the knife slips between fibers. Expect weight: the Bevel & Bond block is listed at 10 pounds and 1.75 inches thick. Both include feet and a juice groove, which help when carving.

Best Cutting Board Set

A set makes separate boards for raw meat and produce easy. The Gorilla Grip set gives you three plastic sizes that go in the dishwasher, while the Royal Craft Wood set gives you three bamboo sizes with handles and grooves for produce and serving. Many kitchens use one of each.

Best Dishwasher Safe Cutting Board

Among our picks, only the Gorilla Grip set and the Epicurean composite board are described as dishwasher safe in their listings. Epicurean says its paper composite has been run through home and commercial dishwashers for decades, and recommends measuring your dishwasher before ordering. Bevel & Bond says never to put its board in the dishwasher.

Juice Grooves, Feet and Knife Care

A juice groove keeps meat juices off the counter, and feet or a rubber border keep the board from sliding. A steady board matters as much as a sharp knife. If you’re upgrading your blades, see our kitchen knife set guide and our knife sharpener guide to keep edges in shape.

Cross-Contamination and Kitchen Safety

The board you buy matters less than how you use and clean it. These points come from FDA guidance we read; the USDA FSIS cutting board page didn’t load for us, so we relied on the FDA:

• Use separate boards. The FDA’s safe food handling page says to use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry and seafood.
• Wash with hot, soapy water. The same page says to wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item.
• Keep raw juices away from ready-to-eat food. In its food safety tips, the FDA suggests one board only for foods that will be cooked and another for foods that won’t, such as raw fruits and vegetables.
• Protect your hands. A board that slides is a knife hazard. Choose a board with feet or a rubber border, and consider cut-resistant gloves for mandolines and boning work.

Kitchen injuries and accidents can raise questions about medical payments and liability coverage, and only your policy answers them, so ask your agent. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide covers the basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cutting board for most kitchens?

The OXO Good Grips Utility board is our overall pick: a large, double-sided, non-porous plastic board with non-slip feet and a drip-catcher. Pair it with a wood or composite board so raw meat and ready-to-eat food stay on separate surfaces.

What is the best wood cutting board?

For an everyday edge grain board, the Ziruma acacia board has a beeswax and plant-oil finish and FSC certified wood, per its listing. For end grain, the THETCHRY walnut board is the value pick and the Bevel & Bond maple block is the premium choice.

Is an end grain cutting board worth it?

End grain boards are thicker and heavier, and makers such as THETCHRY and Bevel & Bond say the fibers close up after cuts. They suit frequent carving and heavy chopping, but they need hand washing and regular oiling.

Which cutting boards are dishwasher safe?

Among our picks, the Gorilla Grip plastic set and the Epicurean paper composite board are described as dishwasher safe. The wood and bamboo boards here are hand wash only, and the OXO listing doesn’t say either way.

Should I use a separate cutting board for raw meat?

Yes. The FDA recommends one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry and seafood, and washing boards with hot soapy water after each food item. A set such as the Gorilla Grip makes that easy.

The Bottom Line

The OXO Good Grips Utility board is the best cutting board for everyday prep, with non-slip feet and a drip-catcher. Add the Gorilla Grip set if you want dishwasher-safe boards for raw meat, or the Royal Craft Wood bamboo set for produce and serving. The Epicurean composite is the light, dishwasher-safe option, Ziruma suits wood fans, and the THETCHRY and Bevel & Bond end grain boards are for cooks who carve often.

Wondering how your homeowners policy handles a kitchen accident or injury? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or set up a free coverage review.