Best End Grain Cutting Boards Reviewed

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Closeup of end grain cutting board

These boards are prized for their great looks and excellent performance

Extremely popular for their amazing looks and generational durability, end grain cutting boards are made with many short pieces of hardwood that are grafted together into a checkerboard pattern. Aesthetically, these boards are cherished by wood enthusiasts for their character and contrasting colors.

Functionally, end grain cutting boards have fibrous surfaces that help knife edges to sink into the wood fibers as you cut. After cutting, the fibers close up naturally. This results in longer-lasting boards that are resistant to cuts, scratches and warping.

Because of their great looks, durability and self-healing properties, these are considered the Rolls-Royce of the cutting board world. Aside from buying one for your family, they make excellent gifts that will give the recipient years of use. 

Below, we answer common questions about these prized boards, and then review 10 of the best end grain models in detail. 

What is the best wood for cutting boards in general?

What is the best wood for end grain cutting boards?

What's the difference between end grain and edge grain cutting boards?

How do you clean these boards?

What are the best end grain cutting boards?

Top 10 Best End Grain Cutting Boards

Mountain Woods Acacia End Grain Cutting Board with Juice Groove

#10th Rated
Mountain Woods cutting board

This Acacia Cutting Board with Juice Groove is designed to give you a convenient food preparation process. Since it is made of the finest dark Acacia, you can be assured that it is durable and long-lasting, and it doesn’t make your knife blunt like what other regular boards do.

Key features and specifications

  • Item size: 19 x 13 x 1.5 inch
  • Item weight: 6.9 lbs
  • Material used: Acacia 
  • Doesn’t dull knife
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Designed with juice groove

Pros

  • Can be easily cleaned with warm soapy water
  • Simple oil application will retain luster and will keep the wood from splitting and warping
  • Made from premium Acacia for superb durability 

Cons

  • Wood-made cutting boards have the tendency to crack, split, and warp when dry. Applying beeswax can prevent it from happening
  • It is quite heavy for outdoor cooking; purchasing the smaller sizes of this board is recommended

Why You Should Buy This Product?
This Acacia hardwood from Mountain Woods is made of the finest quality and design, making it easier to handle and use. Its advantages outweigh its downsides, thus making this end grain cutting board popular in the market.

End Grain Bamboo Cutting Board | Professional, Antibacterial Butcher Block | Non-Slip Rubber Feet by Top Notch Kitchenware

#9th Rated
Large End Grain Bamboo Cutting Board

This large bamboo-made end grain cutting board is made with eco-friendly bamboo cuttings. It won’t cut knife as what other types of cutting boards do. Made with rubber grips, this board keeps itself from slipping while slicing on it. Also, it can be used as a serving tray for food and beverages.

Key features and specifications

  • Item size: 6 x 11.9 x 1.5 inch
  • Item weight: 6.2 lbs
  • Material used: Bamboo
  • Eco-friendly checkered design bamboo
  • Thick and durable
  • With antibacterial properties
  • FDA certified
  • Multi-functional

Pros

  • Provides strong resistance from warping, splitting, and cracking unlike other regular boards
  • The rubber grips prevent the board from slipping
  • Non-porous, thus making it hard for bacteria to grow in between wood fibers
  • Lowest record in terms of toxicity

Cons

  • Needs regular polishing and oil application to avoid cracking of the board surface
  • Why You Should Buy This Product?
    Bamboo cuttings are the newest trend today when it comes to making cutting boards. Why? It is because of the durability and anti-microbial properties that this grass possesses. Also, Bamboo-made boards are more eco-friendly and affordable for the majority of the market. So, having this kind of cutting board in your kitchen is a wise investment.

    Hardwood Chef Acacia Premium Thick End Grain Cutting Board Butcher Block with Groove

    #8th Rated
    Hardwood Chef Premium Thick Acacia Wood End Grain Cutting Board Butcher Block with Groove

    This thick Acacia end grain cutting board from Hardwood Chef Premium is crafted with perfection. Built durable, it resists warping, as well as making your knife dull over time. Soaking it before using it for the first time will make your cutting board last longer.

    Key features and specifications

    • Item size: 16 x 1.8 x 12 inch
    • Item weight: 6.2 lbs
    • Material used: Acacia 
    • Contains grooves to catch liquids from sliced food
    • Durable; doesn’t warp easily
    • Doesn’t dull knife
    • With natural glistening features

    Pros

  • Catch food juices when slicing, thus making your countertop clean
  • Made of hardwood yet doesn’t dull knife
  • Doesn’t warp or split easily
  • Size is fit for preparing large meals
  • Best gift option during weddings and anniversaries
  • Cons

  • May contain or develop hairline cracks over time but is not significant enough to get worried about. Soaking it with oil and drying over the daytime will make it last longer
  • Why You Should Buy This Product?
    Having this Acacia-made end grain cutting board in your kitchen can be one of the best investments. With its durable and easy-handling features, this wooden board can be a great kitchen partner anytime! Taking care of this simply elegant cutting board is the best way to make it last long!

    End Grain Butcher’s Block 15 x 15 x 2 (Maple)

    #7th Rated
    Maple end grain cutting board

    Crafted by intricate wood master Michigan Maple Block, this maple hardwood end grain cutting board gives you the convenience and efficiency that you deserve in preparing your food. Whether you chop raw meat or slice soft and luscious veggies and fruits, this wooden board will never make your knife blunt. Regular washing and oil application will make it lasts longer as well.

    Key features and specifications

  • Item Size: 15 x 15 x 2 inch
  • Item Weight: 11 lbs.
  • Material Used: Hard maple of Northern Michigan
  • Reversible
  • Lightweight
  • Pros

  • Easy to clean with soapy water; air drying is recommended to prevent microbial growth
  • Lightweight yet durable since it is made of maple hardwood
  • Doesn’t make your knife blunt over time
  • Simple oil application will make the wood to last
  • Cons

    • Warping and splitting might happen to wooden cutting boards, especially when they are not used for a week or so. However, soaking it with beeswax and letting it dry outside will keep the board in shape
    • Costly than other types of cutting boards

    Why You Should Buy This Product?
    Lightweight despite its solid material, easy to clean and maintain, and convenient to store, this maple-made end grain cutting board is one of the best kitchen essentials you can have. Investing on high-quality boards like this one can save you hundreds of bucks from food wastage and blunt knives.

    John Boos Maple Reversible End Grain Butcher Block Cutting Board, 20″x 15″ x 2.25 Inches

    #6th Rated
    ohn Boos Block CCB2015-225 Classic Reversible Maple Wood End Grain Chopping Block

    This end grain cutting board from John Boos is designed using a hard rock maple in a highly sophisticated process to give you the best tool in your kitchen. With its oil-finished surface, cutting meat, slicing veggies and fruits, and mincing spicy herbs will not dull your knife that fast as other cutting boards do. With proper handling and care, your piece of cutting block from John Boos will give you the surest food prep convenience.

    Key features and specifications

  • Item size: 20 x 15 x 2.2 inch
  • Item weight: 18.8 lbs.
  • Material used: hard rock maple
  • Designed with hand grips for easy handling
  • Designed for reversible use
  • Works for different food preparation tasks such as cutting meat, vegetables, and fruits, as well as mincing herbs
  • Can be cleaned by washing it with soapy water and drying it outside or with the use of a paper towel
  • With natural oil finish
  • Pros

  • Solid and heavy, doesn’t move around as you chop and slice ingredients
  • Intricately glued end grain to resist impact
  • Comes in different sizes
  • Reversible
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Doesn’t dull knife
  • Cons

    • Warping and cracking are possible for wood-made cutting boards. However, treating them can lengthen its durability and efficiency
    • A little bit heavy for outdoor cooking

    Why You Should Buy This Product?
    John Boos cutting boards are made from the finest materials to give you high-quality end grain cutting boards. Made with sophistication, this product doesn’t just possess elegant looks but efficiency-based features like hard surface, hand grooves for easy handling, and convenience for cleaning and maintaining. Make this cutting block one of your most trusted kitchen tools!

    Ironwood Gourmet 28218 Square End Grain Chef’s Board (Acacia)

    #5th Rated
    Ironwood Gourmet 28218 Square Charleston End Grain Chef's Board

    This medium-sized end grain acacia cutting board made will make food preparation a convenient pleasure. Since this is made of wood, you are assured that it can be resilient to wear and tear, yet doesn’t dull your knife. One of the unique features of Acacia is its ability to glimmer when light is reflected on the surface of the board.

    Key features and specifications

  • Item size: 14 x 14 x 1.2 inch
  • Item Weight: 5.2 lbs.
  • Material Used: Acacia 
  • Multifunctional
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Light yet durable
  • Pros

  • Can be used for serving food and beverages and cutting ingredients
  • Doesn’t dull your knife
  • Washing with warm soapy water and applying oil will make the board last long
  • Air drying prevents microbial growth as moisture is wicked inside the wood
  • Cons

    • May contain excess glue when unpacking the board. However, scraping or sanding will prepare your board for everyday use
    • Since the board is made of wood, warping and cracking may result due to leaving it dry and unused for a longer period of time. Applying beeswax regularly will prevent this from happening.

    Why You Should Buy This Product?
    Acacia is one of the best wood types to be used in making cutting boards. Having it crafted in an end grain manufacturing process will make the wood more durable than any other types of cutting boards and butcher blocks. With proper care and handling, this cutting board will serve you a long time.

    Ironwood Gourmet 28218 Square Charleston Acacia End Grain Chef's Board
    Acacia provides deep, contrasting grains and superior hardness that gets crafted by a small team of artisans. The result is a stunningly attractive multi-function board that serves as a cutting tool, prep station and serving platter.

    End Grain Cutting Board 20 x 15 x 3 1/2 (Maple)

    #4th Rated
    Maple end grain cutting board

    This end grain cutting board is crafted from the hardwood maple of Northern Michigan and is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). Designed with a ⅜” radius top and bottom smooth edges that make handling safe and easy.

    Key features and specifications

  • Item Size: 25.4 x 15 x 3.6 inch
  • Item Weight: 27.3 lbs
  • Material Used: Maple hardwood
  • Mineral oil finish
  • Pros

  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Air dry to keep bacteria from growing in between cuts
  • Made of solid, heavy, durable maple hardwood
  • Doesn’t dull knife
  • Crafted to last longer than other types of cutting boards
  • Cons

  • Needs a lot of mineral oil to maintain luster and to avoid splitting and warping
  • A little bit costly compared to other end grain cutting boards
  • May be heavier than other wood cutting boards which make it a little bit unwieldy when cooking outdoor
  • Why You Should Buy This Product?
    Having a durable cutting board that is end grain-manufactured assures you of a convenient meal preparation. Added with its knife-friendly features, this end grain ultra-hard maple cutting block has potential to be one of your best kitchen investments.

    Heim Concept 1PC Premium Large [17″ x 12″ x 2″] Organic Bamboo Butcher Block Chopping Board Cutting Board, Professional Grade

    #3rd Rated
    Heim Concept 1PC Premium Large [17" x 12" x 2"] Organic Bamboo Butcher Block Chopping Board Cutting Board

    Since this end grain bamboo cutting board is made of the organic non-porous Moso bamboo species, it is proven to resist the growth of bacteria in between wood fibers. Also, this cutting board is made and certified to be BPA-free and toxin-free. It is multi-functional – best for cutlery and chopping.

    Key features and specifications

  • Item Size: 2 x 12 x 17 inch
  • Item Weight: 9.4 lbs
  • Material Used: Bamboo
  • Can be used as a serving tray
  • With antibacterial properties
  • FDA certified
  • Won’t dull your knife
  • Pros

  • Doesn’t get greasy even when used with meat and other fatty ingredients
  • Easy to clean and maintain; doesn’t warp
  • Oil application can make the board last longer
  • Cons

  • Absorbs a little bit of the pungent smell of onions. However, washing it with warm soapy water will do the trick
  • Bamboo-made cutting boards as expected won’t last long like a hardwood board does. Nonetheless, it is durability and of excellent grade.
  • Why You Should Buy This Product?
    This bamboo end-grain cutting board from Heim Concept is one of the best cutting boards to use when you opt to use organic materials. With the bamboo’s ability to resist stains and warping, you can be assured that you get the best kitchen partner.

    Catskill Craftsmen Super Slab with Finger Grooves

    #2nd Rated
    Catskill Craftsmen Super Slab with Finger Grooves

    Catskill Craftsmen Super Slab with Finger Grooves end grain cutting board is made to be one of the best kitchen essentials that you can have. It is oiled finish, thus preventing your knife from becoming blunt. Also, it comes with an easy slip finger slots design for easy handling.

    Key features and specifications

  • Item Size: 20 x 20 x 3 inch
  • Item Weight: 24 lbs.
  • Oiled finish
  • Board can be turned the other way around
  • Easy to handle
  • Pros

  • Sanded to satin-smooth finish
  • Made of hardwood but doesn’t dull knives
  • In a large size fit for large meal preparation
  • Applying mineral oil and walnut oil will make the board harder over time
  • Cons

  • Rough surface upon unpacking; needs a little bit of sanding and oiling
  • Needs a larger storing space when not in use
  • Why You Should Buy This Product?
    This is an easy-to-handle end-grain cutting board and is fit for preparing large meals. Made of hardwood, easy to clean and maintain, and easy to store despite its huge size. Simple washing with warm soapy water and oil application will make the board last longer.

    Ironwood Gourmet 28217 End Grain Prep Station (Acacia)

    #1st Rated
     Ironwood Gourmet 28217 Large End Grain Prep Station, Acacia Wood

    This end grain cutting board is made of Acacia and boasts a unique “Chatoyancy” feature (shimmering effect) under different lighting conditions. Since it is made of a cost-effective material, you can be assured that the board can withstand wear and tear from regular use. Also, this Acacia-made cutting board is easy to maintain and clean with just the use of warm soapy water and air drying.

    Key features and specifications

  • Size: 14 x 14 x 1.25 inch and 20 x 14 x 1.25 inch
  • Item weight: 7.2 lbs.
  • Material: Acacia hardwood
  • With “Chatoyancy” features
  • Can be easily cleaned using only warm soapy water
  • Can be used as a prep station, serving, and cutting board
  • Pros

  • Multi-functional board that can be used for both cutlery, cutting and serving
  • Long lasting cutting board that repel knife edges for a longer period of time
  • Will always look new as long as proper handling and maintenance is done – like rubbing it with Ironwood Butcher Block Oil to maintain luster
  • Cons

  • Contains excess glue upon unpacking, thus needs a little scraping using a petty knife, applying of mineral oil and beeswax, and allowing to air dry as it is recommended to make the board lustrous over time
  • Because it is made of wood, warping may be possible. However, placing the board on a mat and air drying after use can minimize the problem.
  • Why You Should Buy This Product?
    This end grain cutting board from is made with the finest Acacia hardwood that will give you a durable kitchen partner. It is easy to handle, easy to clean, and will deter splitting. With these qualities, you can call it a worthy investment.

    Conclusion

    Now that we have made clear the advantages of end grain cutting boards and also the best types of wood used, it’s time to make a decision. All ten of the cutting boards featured on this list are excellent. However, it comes down to personal preference.

    First, determine what type of wood you prefer:

    • Bamboo: sustainably produced, attractive, the hardest of the three types
    • Maple: extremely popular; almost as hard as bamboo; very dense and heavy 
    • Acacia: great looking, slightly softer than the others yet extremely strong

    Second, choose an ideal size. If you entertain guests often and have space in your kitchen, choose a larger board that can double as a serving tray. Alternatively, if space is tight, choose a smaller one. 

    Finally, choose a price range. Our top-10 list includes a variety of options from $35 to $200. The cheaper boards will work great. The more expensive ones will decorate your kitchen, impress your dinner guests and ultimately become heirlooms to pass down through generations.