Your options: Some can take more wear and tear

Quartz

Price $40 to $100 per sq. ft.

Best for busy kitchens and bathrooms. It's stain- and heat-resistant and low- maintenance. It doesn't need sealing and is available in vibrant colors and in styles that mimic natural stone.

But edges and corners can chip. Rounded edges help. Stone finishes can appear more uniform than natural.

Granite

Price $40 to $100 per sq. ft.

Best for a natural stone look. It can withstand heavy use in a kitchen or bathroom. It resists stains when it's properly sealed and also resists heat and scratches.

But it can chip and needs resealing to protect it from stains. Appearance can differ from samples, so it's best to choose at the stone yard.

Recycled glass

Price $60 to $120 per sq. ft.

Best for a contemporary look when it's made with large shards, or it can resemble solid surfacing when it's finely ground. Resistant to heat, cuts, and scratches.

But chips and stains can be a problem. Unlike other recycled-glass counters we tested, Cosentino's Eco line developed a thin crack during our heat tests.

Laminate

Price $10 to $40 per sq. ft.

Best for a wide variety of colors and patterns at a budget-friendly price. It's excellent at resisting stains and heat damage and is simple to install.

But it's easily scratched by knives and isn't repairable. Most laminates have visible seams, though post-formed (seamless) options are available.

Tile (ceramic or porcelain)

Price $5 to $30 per sq. ft.

Best for use near stoves because it's heat-resistant. It comes in many colors and patterns.

But it chips. The grout between tiles stains, even when it's sealed, and can mildew. Poor installation can increase those problems. Thinner grout lines and darker grout may help.

Solid surfacing

Price $35 to $100 per sq. ft.

Best for seamless installations, especially in bathrooms. Many colors and styles are available, including those that mimic concrete, stone, and quartz. It's stain-resistant, and small nicks and scratches can be repaired.

But it's easily scratched. Stone finishes can look more uniform than natural.

Soapstone

Price $50 to $100 per sq. ft.

Best for adding the beauty of stone to a low-traffic kitchen. It withstands heat very well, and small scratches can be repaired. Slabs vary, so go to a stone yard.

But it's easily sliced, scratched, and nicked. Stain resistance is so-so, and it needs to be periodically rubbed with mineral oil.

Concrete

Price $60 to $120 per sq. ft.

Best for customizing. It can be dyed or textured.

But it can develop cracks. Its durability depends on the fabricator's skill and the sealers used. Topical sealers, which resist stains but not heat, are best for bathrooms. Penetrating sealers resist heat but not stains and must be reapplied.

Stainless steel

Price $50 to $150 per sq. ft.

Best for a modern kitchen. It repels stains and heat and doesn't rust or discolor. The countertop can be made with an integral sink for a seamless look.

But it shows fingerprints, and it dents and scratches easily. Matte or grain finishes hide damage better. It can look cold in a bathroom.

Butcher block

Price $40 to $100 per sq. ft.

Best for a country kitchen and for cutting produce. It's easy to install and repair.

But it might need periodic sealing or refinishing to remove cuts, dings, and scratches. Its finish affects performance. Varnish improves stain resistance and penetrating oils decrease it.

Limestone

Price $50 to $100 per sq. ft.

Best for a natural stone look without heavy veining or graining in a low-traffic kitchen, guest bathroom, or powder room. It withstands heat very well.

But it's a very soft stone that is easily sliced, nicked, and scratched. It's also porous, so it stains easily, even when it's properly sealed.

Marble

Price $50 to $150 per sq. ft.

Best for a classic stone look in low-traffic areas, such as a baking zone or a guest bathroom. It's available in a wide range of natural colors.

But it's more porous than granite, so it's not as stain-resistant. It also scratches easily, isn't very heat-resistant, and needs periodic sealing.

Bamboo

Price $40 to $100 per sq. ft.

Best for show rather than daily use. It's available in several styles, including a parquet pattern.

But it's easily stained, scorched, sliced, and nicked. The maker might warn against using it around a sink, because moisture can warp the material. It may darken over time.