When it comes to kitchen countertops, stone reigns supreme as the #1 choice of material for most kitchens.

Yet with all the great stone options to choose from, how do you know which is the best stone for your kitchen countertop?

KEY TAKEAWAY: For low-maintenance and modern looks, quartz is king. Want a natural stone that lasts forever? Granite is your buddy.

To help answer the question more thoroughly, we’ve put together a handy-dandy comparison of all seven stone types we offer (granite, quartz, porcelain, marble, quartzite, dolomite and soapstone) based on durability, maintenance, heat resistance, aesthetics and cost.

Listed in no particular order.

QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS
(aka Engineered Countertops)

Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms (quartz dust), making it one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. This man made material comes in many varieties and its durability makes it a popular choice for kitchen countertops.

Pros:

• Super low maintenance (non-porous, no sealing required)
• Consistent with a uniform appearance
• Can be made to be PURE white
• Very durable and stain-resistant

Cons:

• Tends not to be as heat resistant as natural stones like granite
• Can discolor with direct sun exposure over time

Best for: Busy households, modern styles

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GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

Granite is a coarse-grained igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It's known for its durability and is commonly used for kitchen countertops.

Pros:

• Once sealed, granite countertops are heat, scratch, and stain-resistant
• Unique, natural look
• Very durable

Cons:

• Needs sealing every 1–2 years (although this isn’t as big of a task as it used to be)
• Can potentially chip at edges (but in most cases can be repaired)

Best for: Traditional or rustic kitchens, long-lasting investment

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PORCELAIN COUNTERTOPS
(aka Sintered Stone)

Porcelain is a dense, durable ceramic material manufactured by heating refined clay (typically kaolin) at high temperatures. It’s chosen as a kitchen countertop material due to its strength, smooth texture and translucent quality.

Pros:

• Extremely heat, scratch, and stain-resistant
• Lightweight, available in large slabs
• Doesn’t need sealing
• Can be made to mimic anything with an image printed on top

Cons:

• A bit more brittle than some other stone options, risk of cracking on impact
• Limited edge profile options

Best for: Sleek, modern kitchens or feature walls

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MARBLE COUNTERTOPS

Marble is a metamorphic rock formed from limestone that has been subjected to heat and pressure, resulting in a dense, veined stone with a smooth, polished surface. It's prized for its elegance and is widely used in kitchen designs.

Pros:

• Classic, elegant, and luxurious
• Cool surface, great for baking

Cons:

• Soft, prone to staining, etching, and scratching (which can actually lead to a natural look that some people really enjoy)
• Higher maintenance than other options

Best for: Light-use kitchens or aesthetic-focused spaces

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QUARTZITE

Quartzite is a hard, metamorphic rock formed when sandstone rich in quartz is exposed to high heat and pressure. It’s extremely durable and often used as a natural stone surface in kitchen countertops due to its resistance to wear and its striking appearance.

Pros:

• Quartzite is a natural stone, that is extremely durable (even harder than granite)
• Heat and scratch resistant
• Beautiful veining like marble, but stronger

Cons:

• Needs sealing (this doesn’t take a long time anymore though)
• Can be expensive

Best for: High-end look with serious durability

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DOLOMITE COUNTERTOPS

Dolomite is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of the mineral dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate). It closely resembles limestone but is slightly harder and often used in construction, as well as a source of magnesium and in the production of glass and ceramics.

Pros:

• Looks similar to marble but slightly harder
• Less prone to etching than marble

Cons:

• Still softer than granite or quartzite
• Requires sealing
• Not widely available

Best for: Marble-like look with slightly better durability

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SOAPSTONE COUNTERTOPS

Soapstone is not one of the more popular options for kitchen countertops.

It’s a soft, metamorphic rock composed primarily of talc, which gives it a smooth, soapy feel. It's heat-resistant and non-porous, making it a popular choice for sinks and stoves.

Pros:

• Resistant to heat and stains
• Develops a warm patina
• Doesn’t require sealing

Cons:

• Softer so it can scratch and dent easier than other stone options
• Limited color options (mostly dark gray/green)

Best for: Vintage, rustic, or coastal vibes

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OVERALL BEST STONE OPTIONS FOR KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS:

• Quartz for its consistent beauty and low maintenance.
• Granite as a very durable classic choice
• Quartzite for its natural beauty + top durability

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If you have any questions about kitchen countertops or other stone applications such as backsplashes, please don't hesitate to reach out anytime.