The most durable countertops are those made from granite, which is a natural stone that’s extremely heat-resistant, resists scratches very well, and stands up well to stains and impact. Granite is the most popular kitchen countertop material and has the best overall durability, but other options are even more resistant to certain types of damage.
Understanding your choices and how they compare can help you make the best decision for your new kitchen countertops.
Quick Takeaways
For general durability and in most kitchens, granite is the most durable kitchen countertop material.
Quartz countertops are a close runner-up, and they’re 30% to 50% less expensive than granite, making them better for homeowners on a tighter budget.
Stainless steel is the best option for heat and stain resistance, but it won’t match all home styles.
1. Granite
When it comes to durability, granite is the clear winner. It can withstand extreme heat, so it won’t burn or discolor even if you place a hot pan on it after cooking, and you never have to worry about a pot boiling over onto the material.
Granite is a natural stone that is technically porous and prone to staining. However, it’s less porous than most other stone countertops, so you’d have a very hard time staining it, even if you spilled coffee or red wine on it and took your time cleaning it up. It also has natural color variations, so small stains may not even be noticeable if they do occur.
Granite has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it ties with quartz and quartzite for the toughest countertop material made from natural stone. It’s virtually impossible to break or chip during normal use.
High-quality granite countertops are more expensive than some other durable options, but they last for 100 years or more. Over that time, it’s a good idea to reseal your countertops once annually to improve their stain resistance. Aside from that, maintenance is non-existent.
2. Quartzite
Quartzite countertops are also slabs cut from natural stone, much like granite. Quartzite has a similar heat resistance to granite, so while you should use trivets when placing hot pots or pans down to be safe, the countertops typically won’t burn or discolor from brief exposure to high heat.
Quartzite stone is also minimally porous, so staining won’t be an issue in most cases. However, if a stain does occur, it will typically be more obvious than it would on granite since the material tends to have a lighter color and veining that can show staining more readily.
On the Mohs hardness scale, quartzite is a 7, so it offers the same maximum resistance to cracking and chipping that granite provides. Under normal use and with proper maintenance, quartzite countertops can easily last 100 years or more.
Also similar to granite, you should seal your quartzite countertops once a year to improve stain resistance. Otherwise, maintenance and cleaning are a breeze.
3. Quartz
Quartz countertops are engineered stone countertops made with quartzite, resin, and pigments. The introduction of resin makes them more prone to damage from heat, so you should always use trivets or pot holders to protect your countertops from hot pans or dishes.
The resin itself can also stain, although you shouldn’t run into issues if you clean up spills and messes promptly. Substances with a high acidity, like tomato sauce and lemon juice, can react with the resin and make it more likely to stain, but again, cleanliness will leave your quartz countertops stain-free for a lifetime.
Quartz countertops are about as hard as natural quartzite, so they have a similar resistance to cracking and chipping. They’re also scratch-resistant, so they’ll stand up to daily wear and tear, too.
One benefit of quartz countertops is that you don’t need to seal them, so if you’re looking for a truly maintenance-free countertop material that’s still more durable than most others, quartz might be the way to go.
4. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel countertops are virtually impervious to heat damage, so you can comfortably place hot pots and pans directly on them without any risk of damage. This is one reason they’re a popular countertop option in commercial kitchen design.
Stainless steel is also non-porous and nearly impossible to stain, so even the most acidic ingredients in the kitchen won’t leave any discoloration behind.
Stainless steel can dent from impact, but it’s very resistant to scratching.
Maintenance is more or less non-existent, although you will find that you’ll need to clean these countertops more often to keep them free from water stains and visible fingerprints.
5. Marble
Marble is the most popular countertop material for luxury kitchen remodels, and while it’s not as durable as granite, quartz, or quartzite, it’s still a long-lasting option that adds a touch of opulence to your kitchen space.
Marble is fairly resistant to heat, and it usually won’t discolor if you place a hot pan on it momentarily. However, burn marks are possible, so you should always use trivets to preserve marble countertops.
This material is more prone to staining and discoloration from exposure to UV light than many other natural stones, so you should be diligent about cleaning up spills quickly, especially if it’s an acidic liquid.
Marble has a hardness rating of 3 on the Mohs scale, so it’s also easier to scratch than the previously mentioned materials. However, it’s significantly harder than laminate and other budget countertop materials, and you can get 100 years or more from marble with good care.
To reduce the risk of staining and discoloration, plan on resealing your marble countertops one to two times a year. Aside from that, cleaning is easy, and the surface is relatively low-maintenance.
6. Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tile countertops are actually made from porcelain tiles, which are more durable than the ceramic tiles used in kitchen backsplashes. Porcelain tile countertops mesh well with certain aesthetics, like cottage and farmhouse decor, and they’re more durable than butcher block countertops that fit with similar styles.
Porcelain has extreme heat resistance, so you never need to worry about burn or scorch marks from hot cookware. It also has a high density, and the clay is glazed, which makes the tiles more or less stain-proof. However, the grout lines between the tiles will stain quite easily, even if you’re quick about cleaning up messes. You can have a professional seal the grout to reduce the risk of staining, and you can also regrout the tiles if stains do set in.
Porcelain has a hardness of between 5 and 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means it will resist scratching well. It can crack and chip from impact, though, so it’s less durable than natural stone in that regard.
Maintenance will be higher for the grout between the tiles than for most other countertop materials. With routine cleaning and sealing, though, porcelain tiles can last a lifetime.
Comparison of Durable Countertop Materials
Here’s how the most durable countertops stack up:
The Bottom Line: What Makes a Countertop Durable?
Five key things determine a countertop’s durability:
Heat resistance to prevent burn marks from hot cookware
Stain resistance to prevent staining from spills
Hardness to resist scratching, cracking, and chipping/denting
Ease of cleaning
Ongoing maintenance
The most resilient kitchen countertop — granite — combines all five for extreme durability and a lifespan of over 100 years.
FAQ: Most Durable Countertops
Stainless steel countertops are the easiest to maintain. You don’t need to seal them, they never discolor, they won’t burn from hot cookware, and they’re nearly impossible to stain, even with prolonged exposure to acidic foods and beverages. They’re also easy to clean, and it’s safe to use just about any household cleaner on them. The only downside is that the surface will show water marks and fingerprints more readily, so routine cleaning is necessary.
Quartz countertops can stand up to moderate heat, but the resin in the material can burn and scorch if you leave hot pots and pans on them. Always place trivets under hot dishes or cookware to protect your quartz countertops.
Granite is the hardest-wearing countertop material and is the most durable option for a high-traffic area like a home kitchen. It’s extremely hard and will resist scratching, chipping, and cracking better than any other material. It’s also nearly impervious to water, which means it won’t stain, and it’s easy to clean.
Granite is widely considered the best countertop material, which is a big reason why it’s also the most popular. However, you should consider your specific lifestyle to find the best material for your home. For example, stainless steel, if it fits your decor style, is more stain-resistant and heat-resistant than granite, which could make it a better choice if you’re a home chef. If you’re on a tight budget, a laminate countertop is the most cost-effective option, but it has low durability, while quartz and solid surface countertops represent a good middle ground.
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.