8 Best Cutting Boards, According to Testing

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 we consider 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 against our knives and ingredients didn't roll around when we cut them. The juice groove, which is built into only one side for added versatility, proves to be helpful when cutting juicy chicken, steak and 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.

This Farberware Bamboo Cutting Board is a larger version of our previous best value pick, which has been discontinued. It's longer than some of our testers were used to using (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 cutting boards need to be treated to prevent drying and cracking. The size and design of this cutting board allow it to double as a serving board for charcuterie or a carved cut of meat. The juice groove is thin and not too deep but helps trap some liquid.

This 15" x 20" cutting board claims to be nonporous and nonabsorbent for better peace of mind when using it to cut raw meat. (Just remember to always wash it between uses!) We love its large size and the trough designed to collect juices. It’s also lightweight, which makes cleaning and storing easy (a common pain point with carving boards). The best part is that it's certified dishwasher safe according to the National Science Foundation, a huge pro for sanitizing it after cutting 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.

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 these maple boards come in a set of multiple sizes.

These maple boards are gentle on knives, and the included sizes are sturdy and durable but can fit into a home sink for easy washing. Our testers found that this style of board from J.K. Adams is great for pastry when working with flour. They do, however, need to be treated to help prevent cracking. Over time, J.K. Adams' boards have developed some stains, but they tend to go away as you wash them more.

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 with a wide well to catch the juices on one side, but it's 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 felt on the counter, even with a wet paper towel placed beneath it. While pricier than other cutting boards, these have become a go-to item in the Kitchen Appliances Lab. They've stood up to years of use and are easy to clean and store. The larger version of this board even received a Good Housekeeping 2023 Kitchen Gear Award.

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 nice 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 handles for portability. Sometimes the boards warped, but quickly reshaped after a quick wash and proper dry.

This gorgeous wooden cutting board is another winner of Good Housekeeping's 2023 Kitchen Gear Awards for its durability, sleek design and the unique feature of feet that raise it off the counter for easy drying and additional air circulation.

Because it’s made of end-grain wood, this board should be long-lasting and very gentle on knives, but it may require oiling more often and with more oil than other types of cutting boards. Testers found it to be heavier and more expensive than other boards they tried, making it a little trickier to wash and maneuver around the kitchen, but the quality and durability of the board made up for it. Testers were excited to cut veggies on it and then display it in their kitchens.

Cutting mats are often too flimsy, and their surfaces feel hard and slippery like you're cutting directly on your counter. 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.