The best kitchen countertop material for most kitchens is granite, which balances affordability, durability, and visual appeal. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all material, and the options available each provide different benefits and drawbacks. Laminate countertops are the best option for budget-friendly kitchen remodels, while marble is a popular upgrade from granite for greater durability and aesthetics, especially in luxury kitchens.
Quick Takeaways
Granite is the most popular kitchen countertop material, as it’s mid-range when it comes to affordability but can still last a lifetime and look beautiful with proper care.
Granite and marble are the most durable countertop materials that will resist scratches, cracks, discoloration, and damage from heat.
Butcher block and concrete countertops bring a unique appearance to your kitchen, but they stain more easily than other materials and require more maintenance.
1. Granite
Granite is the most popular kitchen countertop material because it’s extremely durable and can be affordable, depending on the thickness and the color options you choose. Most homeowners spend between $70 and $140 per square foot for a granite countertop, which puts the cost for an average-sized kitchen between $2,100 and $4,200.
Granite is a naturally occurring stone that delivers in the aesthetic department. Colors can vary widely for customization, and most people love the natural look of the vein pattern. It can match a variety of kitchen styles, too, so it’s a versatile option that can fit with just about any decor.
Granite is non-porous, so it won’t stain easily, and it can withstand extreme temperatures, so it won’t burn or discolor even if you place a hot pan directly on your counter. The material is also easy to clean, although you should avoid abrasive cleaners to prevent scratching. This material can easily last for 100 years or more, even in busy kitchens.
Much like most other materials, light-colored granite can discolor over time, especially with exposure to sunlight, but the natural variation in the surface pattern can hide discoloration well.
2. Quartz or Quartzite
Quartz and quartzite are some of the most popular kitchen countertop materials for homeowners on a budget. The materials are more expensive than laminate, but they’re more durable and more visually appealing, and they tend to be 30% to 50% less expensive than granite and marble countertops.
Quartzite is a naturally occurring stone that has some vein patterns to create a beautiful aesthetic, while quartz is a manufactured composite material that contains quartzite and has a uniform color. Quartz is an engineered stone that’s more resistant to discoloration, while quartzite is more resistant to heat, although both options will resist burning if you place a hot pan on them momentarily.
Both materials are relatively scratch-resistant, too, and with proper maintenance, they can last for 100 years or more.
Quartzite countertops cost between $60 and $100 per square foot, and quartz countertops cost between $50 and $75 per square foot. The average countertop installation costs for a complete kitchen for quartzite and quartz sit at $2,400 and $1,800, respectively.
3. Marble
Marble is often the best material for kitchen countertops in high-end or luxury kitchens. It has an unmatched visual appeal with natural veining that screams opulence.
Marble comes in a few color variations, although white with grey or black veins is the most common and most affordable. Still, marble is the most expensive countertop material, with prices ranging from $70 to $190 per square foot. For an average kitchen, your total would be between $2,100 and $5,700.
Much like granite, marble is very resilient to scratching and heat, so it will very likely stand the test of time in a busy kitchen. It can last for 100 years or more, even with regular use. However, it’s more porous and can stain, and stains can show more easily due to the lighter color.
Aside from the high initial cost, you should consider that marble can discolor over time, especially in a sun-filled kitchen. It’s usually white with less veining than granite, so yellowing can be more obvious than it would be with granite. You can apply a UV-blocking coating to avoid discoloration, but you’ll have to reapply it once or twice a year for the best results.
4. Solid-Surface Material
Solid-surface countertops — sometimes referred to by a specific brand name, Corian — are made from natural minerals and strengthening resins. Because they’re not solid slabs cut from natural stone like granite and marble, they’re less expensive. You can expect to pay between $50 and $140 per square foot for a solid-surface countertop, or between $1,500 and $4,200 to install them throughout a standard-size kitchen.
Solid-surface countertops can come in a variety of colors, but the entire surface will be a single color with little to no variation. They aren’t as appealing as granite or marble since they lack the natural stone veining.
While they’re more affordable than solid stone, they’re also not as durable. They can burn, melt, and discolor from heat, so you should always avoid placing hot pots and pans on them. The resin in the countertop also makes them softer than natural stone countertops, so they’re more prone to scratching. They are, however, less porous, so they resist stains very well.
5. Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is a popular kitchen countertop material for certain interior decor styles, including farmhouse, Mediterranean, cottage, and coastal. While most people refer to this countertop as “ceramic tile,” it’s actually best and more common to use porcelain tile, which is more resistant to cracking and scratching.
Much like on a tile kitchen floor or tile backsplash, your professional will install individual tiles with grout lines running between them, which gives you near-unlimited options for colors and patterns. Material costs will be lower than with most other kitchen countertop options, and while the labor cost to lay the tiles is pricey, the total cost will still be relatively low. Expect to pay between $40 and $60 per square foot for materials and labor, or between $1,200 and $1,800 to install throughout a standard kitchen.
Glazed porcelain tile is virtually stain-proof, but the grout between the tiles can stain quite easily. You can touch up the grout lines or even regrout as a DIY project or for a few hundred dollars if the stains start to detract from the look of your countertops.
Porcelain tiles are also highly heat resistant, so you can safely place hot pans directly on them for short periods without any risk.
6. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel countertops are some of the most durable. They will never burn or discolor even from extended exposure to hot pots and pans, and they stand up well to scratching. The name actually comes from the material’s rust resistance, but stainless steel will also never stain from food or spilled liquids, and it’s one of the few countertop materials that won’t discolor from exposure to direct sunlight.
As is the case with tile countertops, stainless steel counters won’t fit into all home decor styles. They create a cold and industrial look, so they’re suitable for modern and some contemporary homes, but they’ll look out of place with most other styles.
Stainless steel is a breeze to clean and disinfect, although you may find yourself scrubbing the counters more frequently to get rid of water spots and hide fingerprints.
Stainless steel countertops can be affordable, costing as little as $80 per square foot, or $2,400 to install in a standard kitchen. Thicker steel gets expensive, though, so you could pay up to $190 per square foot.
7. Butcher Block
Butcher block countertops are made from wood strips laminated together. They look natural, and the wood grain variations can add a lot of beauty to your kitchen. They’re a staple for certain home styles and can add depth and warmth to a home sporting farmhouse or cottage decor. However, they may look out of place in other styles.
Wood countertops scratch more easily than most other materials, and they aren’t heat resistant, so you should avoid placing hot pans directly on the surface. They can also discolor with exposure to sunlight.
Another downside is that wood is very porous, so it can stain easily, and the pores can harbor bacteria and mold. It’s crucial to reseal butcher block countertops two to three times a year, which means maintenance is going to be more intensive and more costly than it would with most other options.
While wood can stain and scratch with relative ease, you can sand down the surface and refinish it to make it look like new again. Doing so is an easy DIY job, too, so you can save on maintenance and replacement costs if you have the necessary tools.
Butcher block countertops can range from $50 to $150 per square foot, depending on the species of wood and the thickness. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $4,500 to install them in a standard-size kitchen.
8. Concrete
Concrete countertops are another unique option for more modern or industrial kitchens, but they won’t fit with all interior styles. However, you can stain concrete, which can help it blend in a bit better, and it gives you some room to customize.
Concrete is a porous material, so it will stain more readily than some other kitchen countertop materials. You’ll need to apply a concrete sealer to avoid staining, and you’ll need to reapply one to two times a year. Even then, staining is possible, so you should take care to avoid spills and clean them up quickly if and when they do happen.
Concrete is highly heat-resistant, so you can temporarily place hot pans directly on them without damaging them. It’s also a hard material that’s naturally scratch-resistant, but you should still avoid scrubbing with abrasive cleaners.
Concrete countertops can range widely in price, with most homeowners paying between $50 and $150 per square foot, depending on thickness and customization options. For a standard kitchen, you’re looking at a total of $1,500 to $4,500.
One other thing to note is that concrete countertops are very heavy. High-quality kitchen cabinets made from plywood shouldn’t have any issues supporting them, but installing them over cabinets made from MDF or particle board can be problematic.
9. Laminate
Laminate is the best kitchen countertop material for homeowners looking to keep kitchen renovation costs to a minimum, as it’s the most affordable option. Laminate countertops cost between $8 and $30 per square foot, so installing them throughout a standard kitchen will total between $240 and $900.
Laminate countertops are made from particle board, resins, and plastics, which makes them very lightweight and the best option if you have less-supportive lower cabinets made from MDF or particle board. The materials also make it non-porous, so it resists stains well.
Laminate countertops come with some pretty significant drawbacks. While they’re the most affordable countertop material, they’re also the least durable. They can scratch quite easily, they will quickly burn and discolor if you place hot pans on them, and they only last for a maximum of 20 to 30 years.
Laminate is also regarded as one of the least appealing countertop materials, so you should avoid this option if you’re going for a mid-range or luxury kitchen remodel.
What Is the Best Material for Kitchen Countertops?
Generally speaking, granite is the best material for kitchen countertops, and it’s also the most popular. However, there are a few key things to consider to make sure you get the best material for your particular kitchen.
Scratch resistance: Your countertops will see a lot of action from hands, cookware, utensils, and more. A scratch-resistant material like granite, marble, quartz, or quartzite will help keep your countertops looking like new for longer.
Heat resistance: Some options, like laminate, wood, and solid-surface countertops, will burn, discolor, or melt if you place a hot pan directly on them. Choose granite, marble, concrete, or stainless steel to avoid that issue entirely.
Stain resistance: Some countertop materials, like wood, concrete, and the grout between ceramic tiles, will stain quickly. If you don’t want to worry about spills or cleaning them up immediately, go with a non-porous material, like granite, stainless steel, quartz/quartzite, or solid-surface material.
Lifespan: To get the most value for your money, balance upfront costs with longevity. Laminate is the most affordable but lasts about a fifth as long as more expensive granite, quartz/quartzite, and marble.
Visual appeal: Durability may be more important in your home, but you should still choose a material that looks good and matches your home’s aesthetic. Consider hiring a kitchen designer to help you choose the best material for your space.
Budget: Consider your kitchen remodel budget when deciding on counters. Expect to put around 15 to 25% of your total budget toward new kitchen countertops.
FAQ: Best Kitchen Countertops
Granite countertops are considered the best countertops for kitchens. They edge out quartz due to a higher stain resistance, better visual appeal, and better resistance to discoloration.
Laminate countertops are the least expensive, costing as little as $8 per square foot. They cost around a tenth or less of what you’d pay for most other countertop materials. However, they are also the least durable option, and most homeowners find them to be the least visually appealing.
Solid-surface or Corian countertops resemble quartz and are around 30% less expensive. Solid-surface countertops scratch more easily, though, and they have a single, uniform color that may not be as appealing as the variation in quartz countertops.
Dan was a property manager from 2015 to 2020, during which time he managed and oversaw the upkeep and repairs of over 2,000 residential properties. He uses that experience, as well as his extensive DIY knowledge, to bring reliable information to homeowners about renovations and home-related projects. Since 2020, he has been using his experience to write about home improvement, and his work has appeared on sites like USA Today, CNN, Angi, and Today’s Homeowner.