Stainless Steel vs Wood Cutting Board: Which Is Better?
By Raimundo Oliveira, founder & editor · Published · Updated · Products hand-picked and curated, updated daily
A stainless steel cutting board is more hygienic and needs no oiling, but it dulls knives faster than wood. The Matsato 304 stainless steel board ($39.99) is dishwasher safe; pair it with a ceramic sharpener.
Our picks at a glance
- Best steel board on its own: Matsato Stainless Steel Cutting Board 14.1 x 9.6 in — 304 stainless steel, 14.1 x 9.6 in, dishwasher safe. (USD 39.99, reference 2026-11-12)
- Best gift set: Matsato Chef Knife & Stainless Steel Cutting Board Set — 6.3-inch chef knife with an oak handle plus the steel board. (USD 67.98, reference 2026-11-12)
- Best with the Osuren handle: Matsato Osuren Chef Knife & Cutting Board Set — Osuren chef knife plus a no-oil steel board. (USD 59.36, reference 2026-11-12)
- Must-have companion: Matsato Knife Sharpener with Ceramic Rods — Keeps edges sharp if you cut on steel often. (USD 25.99, reference 2026-11-12)
Matsato Stainless Steel Cutting Board 14.1 x 9.6 in
A one-piece food-grade 304 stainless steel cutting board that is non-porous, double-sided and dishwasher safe.
Matsato Chef Knife & Stainless Steel Cutting Board Set
A 6.3 in Japanese-steel chef knife with an oak handle, paired with a double-sided 304 stainless steel cutting board.
Matsato Osuren Chef Knife & Cutting Board Set
The 6.3 in Osuren chef knife paired with a 14.1 x 9.6 in double-sided 304 stainless steel cutting board.
Matsato Knife Sharpener with Ceramic Rods
A compact manual knife sharpener with ceramic rods in a carbonized beech wood body and a non-slip base.
A stainless steel board wins on hygiene and maintenance; a wood board wins on knife care and grip. The right choice depends on what you cut most. Prices below were checked on November 12, 2026.
How we chose
We used the published specifications of the Matsato 304 stainless steel board and the knife-and-board sets. We have not tested these products.
Why people choose stainless steel
- It does not absorb juices or odors, which helps with raw meat and fish
- It will not warp or crack, and it is dishwasher safe
- No oiling needed, and the cold surface helps when rolling pastry
The trade-offs
- Steel is harder than wood, so knife edges dull faster
- It can be noisier and more slippery than wood; a damp towel underneath helps
A practical setup
Use the steel board for raw meat, fish and pastry, and keep a wood or plastic board for long vegetable prep. Touch up your knife edge more often if you cut on steel daily.
Frequently asked questions
Is a stainless steel cutting board bad for knives?
It is harder than wood, so edges dull faster. Regular touch-ups with a ceramic sharpener offset that.
Is stainless steel more hygienic than wood?
Steel does not absorb juices or odors and is dishwasher safe, which makes it easy to clean after raw meat.
What size is the Matsato steel board?
It measures 14.1 x 9.6 in (35.8 x 24.4 cm) and is made of 304 stainless steel.
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