The 9 Best Wood Cutting Boards of 2023
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Real Simple / Reese Herrington
Fact checked by Emily Estep
Wood cutting boards are a favorite among chefs for good reasons—they are durable and long-lasting, easy on knives, yet firm enough for precise cutting. From slicing vegetables to sawing through a loaf of crusty bread, wooden cutting boards are a must-have in your kitchen lineup.
“Every type of cutting board serves a different purpose,” says professional chef and cookbook author Leah Cohen. “While plastic is more easily sanitized, wood is much more durable.”
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 Cohen for her expert insight on finding the right wood cutting board to suit your kitchen and cooking preferences.
Best Overall Wood Cutting Board: Material The Angled Board
What Stands Out
It’s versatile and has angled edges that are convenient for catching scraps.
What Could Be Improved
Its large size may not fit easily in smaller cabinets, and it isn’t suitable for chopping highly acidic foods.
A professional chef favorite for a reason, the Material's 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, suitable for both kitchen prep and serving. 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. Each board has a slightly unique wash, adding a personal element to the classic kitchen staple. Note: the naturally stained wood is not suitable for preparing highly acidic foods.
Price at time of publish: $115
Dimensions: 17 x 12 x 1 inches | Wood Type: Walnut | Grain: Edge
Best Budget Wood Cutting Board: Teakhaus Essential Wood Cutting Board
What Stands Out
It's very lightweight.
What Could Be Improved
The surface may feel small if you’re cutting large quantities of food.
Budget-friendly without sacrificing quality, the Teakhaus Essential 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. This basic cutting board is super lightweight at just two pounds, and it's a great option for the casual home cook who typically chops fruits and veggies. It's a bit small though, so it's not for dealing with larger food quantities.
Price at time of publish: $32
Dimensions: 16 x 11 x 0.55 inches | Wood Type: Teak | Grain: Edge
Best Splurge Wood Cutting Board: Crate & Barrel Reversible Maple Cutting Board
What Stands Out
The durable board comes in four colors to complement any kitchen aesthetic and includes carved indentations for easy transportation.
What Could Be Improved
It may feel unnecessarily pricey if you aren’t an avid chef.
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, whether you are passing out hors d’oeuvres or relocating between countertops. Available in maple grain, walnut grain, acacia, and teak, this board is a functional kitchen necessity you’ll be proud to display on your countertop.
Price at time of publish: $200
Dimensions: 18 x 13 x 1.5 inches | Wood Type: Maple | Grain: End
Best Bamboo Cutting Board: Greener Chef Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board
What Stands Out
This cutting board is eco-friendly and available in a variety of sizes.
What Could Be Improved
It's not very stylish.
Compact and made of eco-friendly bamboo, the Greener Chef Bamboo Cutting Board is ideal for everyday work. It's available in a whopping nine sizes ranging from small (12 x 9 inches) to 4XL (36 x 24 inches). Grooves along the board’s perimeter can collect juices and prevent messy spills, so it's suitable for just about any type of food prep. And the best part? Bamboo is one of the only wood cutting boards that doesn’t require special oils or treatments. Neat and easy, this hassle-free cutting block is a great addition to any kitchen.
Price at time of publish: From $17
Dimensions: 9 sizes ranging from 12 x 9 inches to 36 x 24 inches | Wood Type: Bamboo | Grain: Not listed
Best Small Wood Cutting Board: John Boos Maple Cutting Board With Eased Corners
What Stands Out
Its compact size makes it easy to store.
What Could Be Improved
It's expensive for such a small cutting board.
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 toe into the wooden cutting board world. Plus, its lightweight design makes it easy to flip over one-handed, making the prep process even more effortless.
While we wish the board had wells to collect excess juices, its smooth surface can double as a serving platter. The maple build is also durable, and the edge grain ensures your knives will stay sharp no matter what your recipe calls for. While the board’s small surface area may be less suitable for cooking for large groups, we think it’s the perfect size for preparing quick, single-serve meals or snacks.
Price at time of publish: $49
Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 1 inches | Wood Type: Maple | Grain: Edge
Best Wood Cutting Board Set: Brabantia Chopping Board Set
What Stands Out
With three specialized boards, these boards make it easy to avoid cross-contamination.
What Could Be Improved
Each board is the same size, which might not be useful for some people.
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. These specialized boards can also streamline the meal prep process, allowing you to divide and conquer responsibilities with a sous chef.
Price at time of publish: $102
Dimensions: 15.8 x 9.8 x 2.4 inches | Wood Type: Beech | Grain: Edge
Best Wood Cutting Board for Meat: Lipper International Acacia Wood Cutting Board
What Stands Out
The versatile cutting board can handle both vegetables and meat.
What Could Be Improved
Its durability makes it a bit heavy, so it may be inconvenient to transport.
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. The 1.5 inch thick wood is durable enough for chopping even the thickest cuts of meat, and the board’s inset handles allow you to easily carry it from counter to counter. Crafted from durable acacia, each board varies slightly in appearance. Plus, the wood’s tight pores mean minimal bacteria soak in for an easy clean.
Price at time of publish: $64
Dimensions: 20 x 15 x 1.5 inches | Wood Type: Acacia | Grain: Flat
Best Wood Cutting Board With Handle: Sur La Table Maple Everyday Cutting Board
What Stands Out
Its handle makes it easily portable.
What Could Be Improved
The small surface and handle cut out doesn’t offer a huge amount of prep space.
Simple yet effective, the Sur La Table Maple Everyday cutting board is great for just that: everyday use. The strong maple construction ensures no warping or liquid absorption, the rounded handle is easy to grab, and the board’s mid-size frame is easy to store. Its reversible design features one grooved side to catch runoff, and one flat side for daily prepping and serving. Plus, the board’s built-in handle makes it ideal for entertaining and serving.
Price at time of publish: $59
Dimensions: 18 x 9 inches | Wood Type: Maple | Grain: Edge
Best Monogrammed Wood Cutting Board: Timbermade Shop Personalized Checkerboard Butcher Block
What Stands Out
It can be personalized, making it perfect to display on the counter or gift to a home chef.
What Could Be Improved
It may take a while to arrive.
If you are looking for a gift or a statement piece, this checkerboard cutting board by Timber Made Shop 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: From $65
Dimensions: 10 x 15 inches | Wood Type: Hickory | Grain: Mix
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 Essential Wood Cutting Board—it has a durable edge grain and is practical for the infrequent home cook.
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, Leah Cohen, professional chef and cookbook author, 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 depends on the size of your kitchen. Smaller boards will typically be lighter than larger ones, but will 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, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. For expert tips, McGregor consulted Leah Cohen, a professional chef and cookbook author who uses her cutting boards daily.
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