Shopping The 9 Best Wood Cutting Boards of 2023 The Material Angled Board is our top pick thanks to its spill-proof edge and durable walnut construction. By Kate McGregor Kate McGregor Kate McGregor is a freelance design writer based in Brooklyn, New York. She has written for both print and digital publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, House Beautiful, and Architectural Digest’s Clever. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 7, 2023 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Real Simple / Reese Herrington A favorite among chefs and home cooks, wood cutting boards are great because they're long-lasting, easy on knives, and firm enough for precise cutting. Whether you're slicing vegetables or sawing through a loaf of crusty bread, wooden cutting boards are a must-have in your kitchen lineup. To find the best wood cutting boards, we researched hundreds of brands while considering qualities such as wood type, grain, and size. We also enlisted the advice of professional chef and cookbook author Leah Cohen. “I think every type of cutting board serves a different purpose,” Cohen says. “While plastic is more easily sanitized, wood is much more durable.” Our top pick is the Angled Board by Material for its spill-proof edge, versatile size, and quality walnut construction. Our Top Picks Best Overall Wood Cutting Board: Material The Angled Board at Anthropologie Jump to Review Best Budget Wood Cutting Board: Teakhaus Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board at The Container Store Jump to Review Best Splurge Wood Cutting Board: Crate & Barrel Reversible Maple Cutting Board at Crate & Barrel Jump to Review Best Wood Cutting Board for Meat: Lipper International Acacia Wood Cutting Board at Amazon Jump to Review Best Wood Cutting Board Set: Brabantia Chopping Board Set at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Bamboo Wood Cutting Board: Grove Co. Bamboo Prep Board at Grove.co Jump to Review Best Small Wood Cutting Board: John Boos Maple Cutting Board With Eased Corners at Butcherblockco.com Jump to Review Best Monogrammed Wood Cutting Board: Timbermade Shop Personalized Checkerboard Butcher Block at Etsy Jump to Review Best Wood Cutting Board With Handle: Sur La Table Maple Everyday Cutting Board at Sur La Table Jump to Review Best Overall Wood Cutting Board Material The Angled Board Material View On Anthropologie View On Materialkitchen.com Who it’s for: People who want a versatile and high-quality cutting board. Who it isn’t for: People who want a small cutting board. A professional chef favorite for a reason, the Material The Angled Board is our best wooden cutting board for any and all occasions. Crafted from sturdy and sustainably-sourced walnut, the board offers one grooved side and one smooth side. But our favorite element has to be the angled edge, designed to catch and move scraps and cuttings without having to scrape your precious knives along the wood. Price at time of publish: $95 Product Details: Dimensions: 17 x 12 x 1 inchesWood Type: WalnutGrain: Edge Best Budget Wood Cutting Board Teakhaus Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board Sur La Table View On The Container Store View On Sur La Table View On World Market Who it’s for: People who want a high-quality cutting board that won’t break the bank. Who it isn’t for: People who need a large work surface or prefer end-grain. Budget-friendly without sacrificing quality, the Teakhaus Edge-Grain Reversible cutting board is ideal for beginner chefs and pros alike. Often seen in chic outdoor furniture, teak wood is equally as durable in the kitchen. We like that you can flip sides and transition from vegetables to meat without washing up in between. Price at time of publish: $38 Product Details: Dimensions: 12 x 16 x 0.75 inchesWood Type: TeakGrain: Edge Best Splurge Wood Cutting Board Crate & Barrel Reversible Maple Cutting Board Crate & Barrel View On Crate & Barrel Who it’s for: People who want a high-quality, durable cutting surface. Who it isn’t for: People who prefer end-grain cutting boards or those with smaller budgets. Already know you love wooden cutting boards? Level up your culinary arsenal with Crate & Barrel’s splurge-worthy maple cutting board. The end grain gives a stunning, brick-like pattern and is easier on your knives than cutting boards with an edge grain. Plus, carved indentations on the sides allow for easier picking up and moving. Price at time of publish: $200 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 13 x 1.5 inchesWood Type: MapleGrain: End How to Oil Your Wood Furniture and Cutting Boards Best Wood Cutting Board for Meat Lipper International Acacia Wood Cutting Board Lipper International View On Amazon View On Wayfair Who it’s for: Those who want a cutting board that can handle vegetables and meat. Who it isn’t for: People who want an edge grain cutting board. With a large, inset groove, the Lipper International Acacia cutting board is our pick for the best cutting board for meat. The groove catches everything from juices to off-cuts and doubles as a handle when maneuvering or cleaning. Crafted from durable acacia, the wood’s tight pores mean minimal bacteria soak in for an easy clean. Price at time of publish: $60 Product Details: Dimensions: 20 x 15 x 1.5 inchesWood Type: AcaciaGrain: Flat A Foldable Cutting Board—and More Clever Items to Simplify Your Life Best Wood Cutting Board Set Brabantia Chopping Board Set Pottery Barn View On Wayfair View On Allmodern.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue Who it’s for: People who want a set of specialized cutting boards that are the same size. Who it isn’t for: People who want a one-and-done, large cutting board. Crafted for vegetables, bread, and meat, this Brabantia set comes with three medium-sized cutting boards—each with a distinct function. The bread board has pinstriped grooves designed to catch crumbs, the vegetable board has an angled catch-all for chopped pieces, and the meat board has angled grooves to direct juices away from you while carving. Price at time of publish: $103 Product Details: Dimensions: 15.75 x 10 x 2.5 inchesWood Type: BeechGrain: Not listed Best Bamboo Wood Cutting Board Grove Co. Bamboo Prep Board Grove Co. View On Grove.co Who it’s for: People who want an eco-friendly, small cutting board. Who it isn’t for: People who want a grooved or larger working surface. Compact and sustainably sourced, the Grove Collaborative Prep Board is ideal for everyday work. Its small frame is great for apartment kitchens, and the lightweight frame allows you to carry it from room to room while serving without strain. Plus, bamboo is often considered an environmentally friendly material due to how fast it grows. Price at time of publish: $13 Product Details: Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 x 0.55 inchesWood Type: BambooGrain: Not listed Best Small Wood Cutting Board John Boos Maple Cutting Board With Eased Corners John Boos View On Butcherblockco.com View On Johnboos.com Who it’s for: People lacking storage space or those who don’t need a large cutting board. Who it isn’t for: People who need a larger work area or a grooved surface. Small but mighty, the John Boos Maple Cutting Board is our pick for the best small wood cutting board. At just 10 inches square, the compact frame is ideal for small apartments or those looking to dip their toes into the wooden cutting board world. The maple build is durable, and the edge grain ensures your knives will stay sharp no matter what your recipe calls for. Price at time of publish: $37 Product Details: Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 1 inchesWood Type: MapleGrain: Edge Amazon Shoppers Say This Time-Saving Cutting Board Is a 'Meal Prepping Must-Have' Best Monogrammed Wood Cutting Board Timbermade Shop Personalized Checkerboard Butcher Block Etsy View On Etsy Who it’s for: People who want a unique and customizable cutting board. Who it isn’t for: People who need a wood cutting board ASAP. If you are looking for a gift or a statement piece, this checkerboard cutting board by TimbermadeShop on Etsy is a showstopper. Its mix of dark and light hickory wood makes a trendy checkerboard pattern, while the monogram adds a bit of flair. It is equally durable and stylish for a design you won’t mind leaving out on the counter. Price at time of publish: $60 Product Details: Dimensions: 10 x 15 inchesWood Type: HickoryGrain: Mix Best Wood Cutting Board With Handle Sur La Table Maple Everyday Cutting Board Sur La Table View On Sur La Table Who it’s for: People who want a small, moveable cutting board. Who it isn’t for: People who want more prep space or a grooved surface. Simple yet effective, the Sur La Table Maple Everyday cutting board is great for just that, everyday use. We love that it has a rounded handle, which makes it easy to grab and carry. The strong maple construction ensures no warping or liquid soak-up, and the board’s mid-size frame is easy to store. Price at time of publish: $59 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 9 x 0.75 inchesWood Type: MapleGrain: Not listed The 9 Best Knife Sets of 2023 Final Verdict Material’s The Angled Board is our top pick for its dual sides (one smooth and one with a handy groove), versatility, and sustainably-sourced wood. For anyone shopping on a budget, consider the Teakhaus Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board—it has a durable edge grain, sustainably sourced wood, and reversible sides. How to Shop for Wood Cutting Boards Like a Pro Grain End-grain cutting boards are easier on your knives but can be prone to bowing or expanding without regular upkeep. Edge grain, on the other hand, is more likely to show knife marks and wear (you’re cutting on top of the wood grain rather than between) but is easier to sanitize because it soaks up less water. While there are benefits to both grains, Cohen believes there's a clear winner. “While both options are beautiful, I am an end-grain girl all the way,” she explains. “It's more durable, shows less wear and tear, and is better on your knives.” Wood Type Non-porous woods are the way to go when shopping for a wooden cutting board. The harder the wood, the less prone to warping and splitting it is. “Maple, cherry, and beech are all good options for wooden cutting boards because they are dense, closed grains,” Cohen says. “And they have small pores which are good at blocking bacteria.” Size and Weight According to Cohen, the ideal size and weight of your wood cutting board largely depend on the size of your kitchen. On average, smaller boards will be lighter but have a limited capacity when chopping and dicing. Cohen’s perfect working size is around 20 inches by 15 inches—ample space to chop and prep without feeling too crowded. It’s also important to consider the size and weight if you’re going to use the cutting board for serving, like a charcuterie board. Questions You Might Ask Which wood is the best for a cutting board? Any dense type of wood is ideal when choosing a cutting board. Woods with small, tight grains and pores like acacia, maple, cherry, and beech are considered the best options. These cutting boards are durable and will hold their shape and quality for years, while softer woods like pine and oak will show too many knife scratches and nicks. Open types, like ash and red oak, are partial to staining and warping. What woods should not be used for cutting boards? “When looking for a quality cutting board, people should avoid woods that are too hard like mahogany and rosewood, or open-pored woods like ash and red oak,” Cohen says. Too-hard wood will damage your knives quickly, breaking them or dulling them out, while open-pored woods will soak up bacteria, making them unsafe to reuse regularly, or take in too much water and warp over time. Are wood cutting boards better than plastic? Each type of cutting board serves a different purpose. Plastic cutting boards are often dishwasher safe, meaning they are much easier to clean and sanitize, which is especially important after cutting raw meats. On the other hand, wooden cutting boards are more durable and better for the environment. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Kate McGregor, a freelance design and home goods writer with vast experience in researching and sourcing the best home products. For expert tips, she consulted Leah Cohen, a professional chef and cookbook author who uses her cutting boards daily. The 8 Best Chef’s Knives of 2023 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit