Best Cutting Boards Under $20

A cutting board is one of those kitchen workhorses that gets used every single day — chopping vegetables, slicing bread, portioning meat, even serving cheese. And yet, most people either make do with a flimsy board that slides around the counter or overspend on a fancy end-grain hardwood slab that belongs in a design magazine. The good news is that the $20-and-under range contains genuinely excellent cutting boards that cover everyday cooking needs without compromise.

We evaluated three boards that take different approaches: the ergonomic OXO Good Grips board with its non-slip feet, the utilitarian Farberware poly board built for durability and easy cleaning, and a bamboo option for cooks who want something more eco-friendly and gentler on knife edges. Here's how they compare across function, durability, and value.

---

Quick Comparison

| Board | Material | Size | Approx. Price | |---|---|---|---| | OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board | Polypropylene | 10.5" × 14.5" | ~$16.99 | | Farberware Poly Cutting Board | Polypropylene | 11" × 14" | ~$12.99 | | Totally Bamboo Cutting Board | Bamboo | 12" × 8" | ~$14.99 |

---

1. OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board — Best Overall

Approx. price: ~$16.99 | Check current price on Amazon → →

The OXO Good Grips cutting board earns its "best overall" label through a handful of thoughtful design details that you notice immediately in use. Rubber feet on all four corners grip the counter firmly — no more board sliding mid-chop, a genuine safety concern on smooth countertops. A juice groove runs around the perimeter to catch liquids from fruits and meats, keeping your counter clean. And a built-in handle makes it easy to carry to the sink or flip over to use the other side.

The polypropylene surface is knife-friendly — softer than glass or ceramic (both of which dull blades fast) but durable enough to handle years of daily use without deep gouging. It's dishwasher-safe on the top rack, which matters for food safety when you're switching between raw meat and produce.

At roughly $17, this sits near the top of the $20 budget, but the quality and durability justify it. This is a board designed to last several years with regular use, not one you'll replace in six months. One honest caveat: the board can develop stains over time, particularly from beets, turmeric, and berries — that's a material limitation of light-colored polypropylene, not an OXO-specific flaw.

Pros:

• Non-slip rubber feet keep board stable on smooth countertops
• Juice groove catches liquids — great for carving meat or cutting citrus
• Reversible with easy-carry handle
• Dishwasher-safe for thorough food-safe cleaning
• Durable polypropylene is gentle on knife edges

Cons:

• Light color stains with beets, turmeric, or berries
• Sits near the top of the $20 budget
• No hanging hole — storage requires drawer or shelf space
• Medium size may feel small for larger cutting tasks

---

2. Farberware Poly Cutting Board — Best Budget Pick

Approx. price: ~$12.99 | Check current price on Amazon → →

The Farberware poly cutting board is the no-frills workhorse of this lineup. What you get is a straightforward, flat polypropylene board at a price well under $15 — the kind of board you can buy in multiples to have one dedicated to raw meat and another for produce without blowing your budget. It's lightweight, easy to clean, dishwasher-safe, and has a hanging hole for convenient storage on a hook or peg board.

Farberware has been making kitchen tools since 1900, and this board reflects their approach to function-first design. There's no juice groove, no rubber feet, and no handle — just a clean flat surface in a practical size. For light prep work and everyday chopping, it does exactly what it needs to do.

The lack of non-slip feet is the most significant trade-off compared to the OXO board. On a tile or granite countertop, this board can shift while you're cutting, which is frustrating and potentially unsafe during heavy use. A simple fix is to place a damp kitchen towel underneath — it grips the counter and stabilizes the board effectively. Just worth knowing before you buy.

Pros:

• Most affordable option at under $13
• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
• Hanging hole for convenient storage
• Inexpensive enough to buy multiples for dedicated use (meat vs. produce)

Cons:

• No non-slip feet — slides on smooth countertops without a towel underneath
• No juice groove — liquids run off the board freely
• Thinner construction than the OXO; shows wear faster under heavy use
• Basic aesthetic; purely functional appearance

---

3. Totally Bamboo Cutting Board — Best Eco-Friendly Pick

Approx. price: ~$14.99 | Check current price on Amazon → →

Bamboo cutting boards occupy an interesting middle ground between plastic and wood. Bamboo is a grass (not hardwood), which makes it a fast-growing, renewable resource — a genuine environmental advantage over traditional wood boards. It's also harder than many softwoods, which means it resists surface scratching better than plastic over time, and many cooks find the natural aesthetic far more appealing on the counter or as a serving surface.

The Totally Bamboo board is a popular entry in this category, offering a smooth surface, good density, and a hanging hole for storage. It works well for fruits, vegetables, bread, and light prep. It has a more refined look than plastic boards, making it functional as a serving board for charcuterie or cheese as well.

The honest caveat: bamboo boards require occasional maintenance. Unlike plastic, they should not go in the dishwasher — the heat and moisture will warp and crack the board over time. They benefit from periodic oiling with food-grade mineral oil to prevent drying and splitting. If you're looking for completely maintenance-free, this isn't it. And bamboo's hardness, while good for surface durability, is actually harder on knife edges than softer plastic — not ideal if you're using premium chef's knives.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly and sustainably sourced bamboo
• More attractive than plastic — doubles as a serving board
• Resists surface scratching better than softer plastics
• Natural material won't absorb synthetic odors or flavors

Cons:

• Not dishwasher-safe — hand wash only
• Requires periodic oiling to prevent warping and splitting
• Harder surface dulls knife edges faster than poly boards
• Can warp if left wet or exposed to extreme temperature changes

---

Bottom Line

The OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board is the best all-around choice for most cooks — the non-slip feet and juice groove solve real everyday problems, and the polypropylene construction is genuinely durable under daily use. If you're on a tighter budget or want multiples for food safety segregation, the Farberware Poly Board gets the job done reliably for under $13 — just keep a damp towel handy. And if you prefer natural materials and don't mind a bit of maintenance, the Totally Bamboo Board is a beautiful and eco-conscious choice that doubles as a serving board.

Any of these will outperform the flimsy boards that ship with discount knife sets. Under $20, you're not making a sacrifice — you're making a smart buy.

---

All prices are approximate and may vary. Always verify current pricing on Amazon before purchasing.