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Best chopping boards 2024: plastic, wood and bamboo options for easy meal prep
Which chopping board is best? A beautifully crafted wooden board that looks stunning on your worktop or a utilitarian slab of easy-clean plastic? Here’s our pick of the best chopping boards, plus how to choose the right one for your kitchen.
By Gemma Lumley | Last updated Feb 15, 2024
The best chopping board will be anti-slip, odour resistant and knife friendly. It will make cooking for your family a pleasure, providing a sturdy surface for meal prep while being pleasing to the eye.
Crafted from hardwearing wood, bamboo or plastic, a chopping board is a true kitchen staple that deserves a place in your cupboards alongside the best frying pan and wok. They provide a place to cut and prep your ingredients, while protecting your counters from getting scratched, which is particularly essential if you're working with knives that have just been treated with a knife sharpener.
To help you pick the right one, we have worked hard to help you find the best chopping boards, from cheap and cheerful to beautiful pieces of oiled wood. We have spent hours investigating Mumsnet forum users' independent and honest recommendations, consulted with domestic technology expert websites and scrutinised verified consumer reviews on retailer sites to ensure every recommendation we make is the best of its kind.
There are chopping boards to suit all budgets, and many feature useful extras like drip grooves and non-slip bases. Whatever your requirements, you’ll find an impressive cutting board to add to your kitchen on our shortlist.
Best chopping board: at a glance
Best overall: Joseph Joseph Chop2Pot Large Chopping Board, £15
Best budget: KitchenAid Classic Non-Slip Chopping Board, £12
Best wooden: Harcas Oak Wooden Chopping Board, £22
Best for bread: Architec EcoSmart Poly-Flax Recycled Cutting Board, £26
Best set: Joseph Joseph Folio Chopping Board Set, £46
Best for meat: Salter Bamboo Wood Carving And Chopping Board, £14
Best bamboo: IKEA LÄMPLIG Bamboo Chopping Board, £15
Best eco-friendly: Smidge Slice Chopping Board, £18
Best butcher's block: T&G Tuscany Acacia Wood Chopping Board, £54
Best dishwasher safe: OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board, £17
1. Best overall chopping board: Joseph Joseph Chop2Pot Large Chopping Board
Price on writing: £15 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: Polypropylene | Size: H7 x W45 x D26.3cm | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
What we like
Clever design
Durable against knives
Dishwasher safe
What we don’t like
Food debris can get trapped in the folds
What Mumsnet users say
“I've always put my JJ chopping boards in the dishwasher. Nothing has happened to them in six years.” (Brand tried and tested by Mumsnet user ScotsBaby2)
Our verdict
The Joseph Joseph Chop2Pot Chopping Board is a fantastic invention that makes cooking that tiny bit easier. When flat, the textured surface prevents slippage and is durable against knife marks.
When the food is chopped, this clever board’s sides fold up to create a funnel to transfer ingredients into your saucepan and waste into the compost tub or bin. It is easy to clean and can be popped in the dishwasher.
We're impressed by the size of this board. It's big enough to prepare a large meal but would slide neatly down the side of a cupboard. It’s excellent value too; we recommend buying a few to create your own colour-coded, food-safe set.
2. Best budget chopping board: KitchenAid Classic Non-Slip Chopping Board
Price on writing: £12 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: BPA-free, polypropylene plastic | Size: 20 x 25cm | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
What we like
Great value
Robust
Lifetime warranty
What we don’t like
Mundane design
Quite small
Our verdict
The KitchenAid Classic Non-Slip Chopping Board is made from sturdy BPA-free plastic. It has rubber edges that provide impressive grip, so there’s no sliding across the worktop. This board is excellent value and even comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Practical rather than stylish, this board is a helpful size, big enough for preparing a standard meal yet small enough to slip into the dishwasher or cupboard. If you're prepping large amounts of food, you may find it on the small side, however, but there is a larger 35 x 28cm version available for £18.
This type of board is knife friendly and won’t scar easily, so it will look great for years. If you’re preparing meat or juicy fruit and veg, the handy drip groove will move the liquid away from the food too, creating less mess and making it easier to drain.
Related: Discover the best can openers, as recommended by Mumsnetters
3. Best wooden chopping board: Harcas Oak Wooden Chopping Board
Price on writing: £22 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Oak | Size: 45 x 30 x 2cm | Dishwasher safe?: No
What we like
Attractive design
Knife friendly
Drip groove
What we don’t like
Hand wash only
Our verdict
The Harcas Oak Chopping Board would look great in a traditional kitchen and would work as a serving platter and a chopping board. It's a brilliant price for such a generously-sized board.
Consumer reviewers liked the sturdy weight of the board and the simple-to-attach non-slip feet. It’s unsuitable for the dishwasher, as is the case with all wood chopping boards, but it is easy to wipe clean or hand wash in warm soapy water.
If you’re carving a juicy roast or chopping ripe tomatoes, you’ll appreciate the drip groove, which drains away liquid, preventing mess during food prep and when tidying away.
4. Best stylish chopping board for bread: Architec EcoSmart Poly-Flax Recycled Cutting Board
Price on writing: £26 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Recycled plastic | Size: 40.64 x 30.48 x 1.27 cm | Dishwasher safe?: No
What we like
Environmentally friendly recycled and recyclable material
Hardwearing
Comes in three colours so you can make a food-safe set
What we don’t like
Hand wash only
Expensive
What Mumsnet users say
“These are brilliant for bread.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn)
Our verdict
The Architec EcoSmart Poly-Flax Recycled Cutting Board is ideal for eco-conscious families. It is lovingly crafted from recycled plastic by a zero-waste factory in the US, so you have all the benefits of this robust material without the guilt.
This chopping board is expensive; however, it’s excellent quality and will last for years of everyday use. Reviewers liked the practical size but found it slipped when chopping, so you may need a wet tea towel underneath when using sharp knives.
We like the earthy colour; it would hide stains and look fantastic in a country-style kitchen. It also comes in a bright red and green so you could have one for cooked meat, one for raw and the other for fruit and veg.
5. Best chopping board set: Joseph Joseph Folio Chopping Board Set
Price on writing: £46 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Plastic | Size: 35.71 x 26.19 x 7.62 cm | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
What we like
Makes it easy to practise food safety
Attractive design
Good value
What we don’t like
Hand wash only
Initial outlay is high but offers good value
Our verdict
From their kitchen scales to their salt and pepper grinders, Mumsnetters can't get enough of Joseph Joseph, and this is the second offering from the brand featured on our list.
We love that this nifty set will prevent cross-contamination in a busy family kitchen. Colour-coded and with illustrations of the type of foods for which they should be used exclusively, they are great for teaching children about food safety.
The storage case is sturdy, it keeps the boards neat, and they slip easily in and out. The bright colours and cream case will look great on display, and the whole set can be wiped clean or washed in hot soapy water.
Some reviewers expected the set to be bigger, though they acknowledge this meant it was easier to store. The initial investment is higher than most chopping boards, but the set is excellent value as you get four boards.
6. Best chopping board for meat: Salter Bamboo Wood Carving And Chopping Board
Price on writing: £14 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Bamboo | Size: 40 x 30 x 2 cm | Dishwasher safe?: No
What we like
Attractive design
Practical
Double sided
What we don’t like
Hand wash only
What Mumsnet users say
“Some of the few quality items I own and love are... solid wooden chopping boards.” (Type of chopping board suggested by Mumsnet user 78thcat)
Our verdict
If your family loves a roast dinner, you’ll be delighted with the Salter Bamboo Carving and Chopping Board. It has spikes to keep the joint in place once it's ready to be transferred from your roasting tin and a groove for juice drainage, so it can rest and reach optimum deliciousness.
Made from hardwearing bamboo, this board is stylish as well as practical and, despite its size, is lightweight, so it's easy to transport from the kitchen to the lunch table. Flip the board for a flat surface if you’re chopping veg rather than carving meat.
This board is a thing of beauty that will become an essential part of Sunday lunch for many years to come. It is also fantastic value and is made from sustainable bamboo.
7. Best bamboo chopping board: IKEA LÄMPLIG Bamboo Chopping Board
Price on writing: £15 | Buy now from IKEA
Key specs
Material: Bamboo | Size: 46 x 53 x 1.8cm | Dishwasher safe?: No
What we like
Great value
Generous work surface
Drip groove
What we don’t like
Hand wash only
Our verdict
The IKEA LÄMPLIG is made from sustainable bamboo, so it’s an environmentally-friendly choice. It’s big too, so it is a versatile option that can be used as a chopping board, serving platter or an extra piece of worktop.
We love the lip, which can sit over a counter edge and hold it firmly in place as you slice, dice and chop. It also has a drip groove, which minimises mess and allows meat to rest.
The LÄMPLIG looks elegant and will suit most kitchens. Reviewers were delighted with the quality and value of this affordable chopping board, with many of them snapping up more than one!
8. Best eco-friendly chopping board: Smidge Slice Chopping Board
Price on writing: £18 | Buy now from Harts of Stur
Key specs
Material: Salvaged paper | Size: 29 x 22 x 0.6cm | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
What we like
Environmentally friendly
Dishwasher safe
Oven safe to 240°C
What we don’t like
Small
Our verdict
The Smidge Slice Chopping Board is made from salvaged and recycled paper to fit perfectly into an environmentally-friendly household. It’s pretty small though, but it is great for kitchens where storage is limited.
Unlike most non-plastic chopping boards, you can put the Smidge Slice in the dishwasher, a brilliant feature if you like cooking with fragrant foods such as garlic or garam masala and need a hot wash to remove the smell or stains.
We love that this board can also go in the oven. If you're melting a camembert or roasting some veg, use this, and it will double up as a serving platter. We're also impressed with the low price; most sustainable products are fairly expensive.
9. Best butchers block chopping board: T&G Tuscany Acacia Wood Chopping Board
Price on writing: £54 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Acacia wood | Size: 45 x 30 x 4 cm | Dishwasher safe?: No
What we like
Beautiful design
Finger groove handles
Large
What we don’t like
Expensive
Hand wash only
Our verdict
The T&G Tuscany Acacia Chopping Board is beautifully designed and would look great as a feature in a farmhouse kitchen. This board will be ideal if you’re looking for a wedding or housewarming gift.
This fantastic chopping board is the perfect size for preparing large meals or for use as a cheese or charcuterie platter at a dinner party. The recessed handles will help you transport the food safely.
Wooden boards like this need oiling; however, the protective coating means this is only needed a few times a month. This small amount of maintenance and keeping it out of the dishwasher will mean this gorgeous board will last for decades.
10. Best dishwasher-safe chopping board: OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board
Price on writing: £17 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Plastic | Size: 37.3 x 26.2 x 1.3 cm | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
What we like
Easy to clean
Resists odours and stains
Knife friendly
What we don’t like
Uninspiring design
Our verdict
Like Joseph Joseph, OXO is go-to brand for kitchen supplies for Mumsnetters (they take the top spot on both our best egg poachers and mandoline slicers pages).
This Utility Board from the brand has lots of practical features we love. It has superior non-slip edges, so you can use your sharpest knives without worry, and it won’t blunt them, either. In addition, the non-porous plastic resists stains and smells.
We're thrilled it has a deep drip groove and easy-pour corners, so the juice from a resting steak or ripe tomato won’t spill onto your worktop and can be disposed of without faff and mess. It can also be put in the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning.
This board has basic styling, though it will look great if you have a minimalist kitchen. It is also compact enough to slide neatly into the side of a cupboard. We also like the price; it’s remarkably low considering the many useful features of this board.
How to choose the best chopping board for you
The best type of chopping board for you depends on the food you eat, your style of cooking and your kitchen design. Here’s what you should consider before choosing a new chopping board:
Material: Plastic, oak, bamboo, and recycled products are all popular materials for chopping boards. Wood looks lovely and is kind to your knives, but it is rarely dishwasher-proof and can need oiling to stop it from cracking. Plastic, such as polypropylene, is easy to clean and long-lasting. Bamboo is light, attractive to look at and relatively simple to maintain. However, it's less robust than harder wood. The biggest tip? Avoid glass; it can slip across the worktop, is prone to shattering and will blunt knife blades.
Ease of cleaning: Plastic is dishwasher-proof but can be wiped down in moments and washed in hot soapy water. Remember to buy a size of board that will sit neatly in your dishwasher. Wooden cutting boards will warp in the high temperatures inside a dishwasher; they are also slow to dry, so they shouldn’t be soaked as they will crack and develop mould.
Non-slip: A chopping board should stay put as you prepare root veg or carve a meat joint. Anti-slip feet, a textured base or rubber around the edge will help to keep a board in place. If you struggle with your chopping board moving across the worktop at a crucial moment in a recipe, use a dampened tea towel underneath for extra grip.
Design: A practical white plastic chopping board is ideal if it lives in a cupboard. However, if your new chopping board is a feature, wood and bamboo will look fantastic in a shaker style or farmhouse kitchen, whereas brightly coloured or blackboards will look better in a modern or minimalist room.
Size: If your family loves a massive Sunday roast or you’re an enthusiastic home baker, bigger is better. Make sure your new chopping board fits in the dishwasher or cupboard. Small chop boards are helpful for exclusive use with highly scented foods such as onion and garlic.
Drip groove: A juice groove is handy when carving meat or wet foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits. Tip the board slightly, and the liquid will run into the groove, so there’s less mess.
Carving section: A patch of spikes in the middle of your chopping board will hold your joint in place while carving. It is also a brilliant way to present the meat at Sunday lunch, especially if you like to carve it at the table.
Which chopping board should I buy?
If you want a solid wood chopping board that will look fabulous on your worktop, we love the T&G Acacia Wood Chopping Board and the Harcas Oak Chopping Board. They are beautiful, won’t slip and make excellent serving boards for everything from a charcuterie platter to a Sunday roast.
If a chopping board that is easy to clean and affordable is more important to you, choose a plastic option such as the dishwasher-proof OXO Good Grips Chopping Board or the non-slip technology of the KitchenAid Non-Slip Chopping Board.
Cooking should be a joy, and all your kitchen tools need to work hard to simplify the process; that’s why we were delighted with the Joseph Joseph range. Their Chop2Go board folds so you can slide your ingredients into the pan, and the Folio Set makes separating raw meat and fish, cooked meat and fish and veg a cinch.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
Mumsnet users love cooking for their families and friends and have lots of opinions on the best tools for the job. So, the first stop on our journey to find the best chopping boards was the Mumsnet user forums. We carefully analysed feedback from Mumsnetters to see which cutting boards or styles they have put through their paces, and still rate after extensive regular use.
Expert opinions
Next, we scrutinised the reviews and feedback from trusted food experts. We want to be sure that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we focused on award-winning chopping boards and those well thought of by chefs, industry professionals and food writers.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, in our definitive list of the best chopping boards available in the UK, we investigated comprehensive customer reviews on retailer websites such as Amazon, John Lewis and Partners and Argos.
About the author
Gemma Lumley is a Content Writer for Mumsnet; she writes consumer, home and lifestyle articles and specialises in product round-ups and reviews.
With many years of experience as a content and copywriter for her family business Urban Media Publishing, Gemma has written articles and blogs on travel, the outdoor industry, parenting and finance.
Gemma is a mum of two grown-up children, has two dogs and a tortoise. When she isn’t writing in-depth product round-ups, Gemma loves to hike and enjoy the great outdoors.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust, and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is crucial to us, so we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that offer the best value to most parents – the ones our writers recommend to their friends and family.
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