
The Best Kitchen Countertops For Your Kitchen (And How to Choose)
April 19, 2023

If you’re remodeling your kitchen or thinking about it, you’re probably wondering what the best kitchen countertops for your kitchen are. People decide to remodel their kitchens for many different reasons. Some do so to up the resale value of their home. Others do so because their current kitchen simply does not meet their needs any longer.
No matter your reasoning, if you are renovating your kitchen, you know that there are many important decisions to make. These decisions range from the literally big (which refrigerator style should we get?) to the literally small (which cabinet hinges look best?)
One of the most important decisions you make when you remodel your kitchen, though, is which type of countertop to use. After all, the countertop often takes up the most space in the entire room. Plus, it is usually right at eye level. But, you need the countertop to be functional as well.
So, which is the best kitchen countertop material for you? Check out our guide below. That way, you can choose the one that is right for you.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Kitchen Countertops
In order to know the best kitchen countertops for your needs, you have to really think deeply about those needs. To do so, you really have to answer four main questions:
- Do you cook and/or bake a lot?
- Do you have children and pets? If so, do they tend to spend time in the kitchen, potentially spilling on, chipping, or scratching your countertop?
- What do you think will look best in your home? (In particular, think about design and color.)
- What is your budget? (Side note: if your budget is modest, check out these great suggestions from HGTV.)
Once you have answered these questions, you will have a pretty good sense of how important some of the following elements will be in finding the best kitchen countertops for your kitchen:
- Stain resistance
- Heat resistance
- Scratch and chip resistance
- Maintenance needed
- Normal wear and tear over time
- Aesthetic
- Cost
Once you have a sense of where you stand on these various criteria about kitchen countertops, you can make a more informed choice. To find out where different surfaces perform in each category, dive more deeply into our list of the best kitchen countertops material below.

Best Kitchen Countertops Material: Pros and Cons
There are many different materials you can use for your kitchen countertops. However, below we have listed the most common types. Generally speaking, you should be able to find the perfect fit with one of these types. After all, there is a reason that they are the most common materials used. They are, quite simply, the best kitchen countertops material available.
Marble
Pros: Marble is considered one of the most beautiful kitchen countertop materials and can up your home’s resale value. It is also durable, as it is heat-resistant and rarely cracks. As such, bakers love marble countertops.
Cons: Because it is considered luxurious, marble is usually very expensive. It also can scratch and stain pretty easily. To avoid the scratches or stains, you need consistent sealing, which adds to the cost. Similarly, the material is so heavy that you will need a professional installation, adding more to the cost.
Granite
Pros: Granite is very similar to marble in many ways, so much of what was said above can be restated here. One added benefit is that it does not scratch as easily as marble.
Cons: Again, the downside to granite is very similar to marble, just amplified. (Granite usually costs even more and is even heavier.) One more drawback is that granite chips fairly easily. Corners and edges are particularly prone to chipping, so granite is not the best countertop material for all kitchen layouts.
Quartz
Pros: Quartz offers many of the same advantages as marble and granite while being more cost-effective and lower-maintenance. It is beautiful and durable. It resists mold and mildew as well as scratches and stains.
Cons: Quartz is not very heat-resistant, so it’s not the right fit for some families. Also, direct sunlight can cause the colors to fade, so depending on your layout, quartz may not be the best kitchen countertop material for you. Like granite, quartz is known to chip, especially on corners and edges.
Soapstone or Limestone
Pros: Soapstone and limestone are two more beautiful-looking natural surfaces. They have a versatile look which fits most kitchens. Similar to most other stones, they are heat-resistant.
Cons: Both soapstone and limestone are relatively soft surfaces. This can lead to some disadvantages over other stones. For example, they scratch more easily and need to be treated with sanding and mineral oil (or with sealing). Heavy objects can also damage soapstone or limestone countertops more than other materials. This Consumer Reports review gives a great overview of the concerns.
Laminate
Pros: The main draw for laminate countertops is that they are more affordable than other types. The material itself is cheaper, and so is the installation. Also, laminate is pretty low-maintenance. It cleans easily and doesn’t require sealant to resist stains, mold, and mildew.
Cons: Laminate is not nearly as durable as the other types on our list. Laminate countertops will get damaged pretty easily by heat or by sharp knives, and they also will start to peel after a few years, especially if there is any water damage.. Plus, because they are cheaper, you won’t up your resale value much with new laminate countertops.
Butcher Block/Wood
Pros: Wood countertops add a ton of natural warmth to any kitchen’s look. Plus, they are the most environmentally friendly option, as they can be recycled and can be made from recycled material.
Cons: Like a few others on this list, the biggest drawback for wood is that it isn’t as naturally durable. To protect your wood countertop, you will need to do some oiling (to help lessen stains and water damage.) You also will need to do some sanding on occasion to repair scratches or nicks. Wood countertops are also not heat resistant at all.
Of course, almost all of these kitchen countertop materials come in a variety of colors and styles. This page has a great look at some of the various selections available within each type.
Next Steps to Picking Out the Kitchen Countertop Material of Your Dreams
If you are thinking about remodeling your space, you definitely want the best kitchen countertop material. If these choices seem overwhelming, the expert designers at Heitmeyer are here to help. Contact Heitmeyer for a consultation, and we can help you pick out the best material for your kitchen countertop.

Heitmeyer Building & Design is a Construction company with over 100 years of experience in commercial construction and residential construction located in Pickerington, Ohio.
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