Neither is universally better; the right choice depends on your lifestyle. Quartz is better for low-maintenance, stain resistance, and modern aesthetics. Granite is better if you want a natural, unique stone with high heat resistance and outdoor durability.
Quartz is widely considered the best overall stone for kitchen countertops. It is an engineered stone that delivers the luxurious look of natural materials with exceptional durability, as it is non-porous and highly resistant to stains, scratches, and heat.
Quartz countertops are highly durable and non-porous, but they have key drawbacks: limited heat resistance, vulnerability to UV damage making them strictly for indoor use, and a man-made look that lacks the organic veining of natural stone. They also require professional installation due to their weight.
Quartz has overtaken granite in popularity due to its zero-maintenance non-porous surface, design consistency, and extreme durability. Unlike natural granite, quartz is engineered, offering homeowners a perfect blend of high-end aesthetics and modern convenience.
Granite’s decline in popularity largely stems from shifting design trends. The heavily patterned, multi-colored granites popular in the early 2000s now look dated to modern homeowners. Furthermore, the rise of uniform, low-maintenance alternatives like quartz has pushed granite out of the design spotlight.
Yes, you can use Dawn dish soap on granite. Because it is a mild, pH-balanced detergent, it is an excellent and safe choice for everyday cleaning.
The healthiest countertops prioritize non-toxic, non-porous, and zero-VOC materials. Top choices include natural stone (like granite and quartzite), stainless steel, and solid wood (butcher block). These do not off-gas harmful chemicals and naturally resist bacterial growth when properly maintained.
Yes, using Clorox wipes on quartz countertops can cause damage. While a single wipe-up in an emergency likely won't cause immediate harm, relying on them regularly can break down the polymer resin binder in the quartz, leading to dullness, a loss of shine, and discoloration over time.
We have compiled a list of our top-selling and most popular kitchen countertops over the past year.
On average, quartz is slightly more expensive than granite, but their price ranges overlap significantly. Entry-level granite can start at a lower price point than quartz, but exotic, high-end granite easily exceeds the cost of standard quartz.
Quartz or engineered stone countertops should be avoided due in large part to their high respirable silica content and significant occupational health impacts. Avoid countertops that may introduce lead, such as ceramic materials that may contain contaminated recycled content and/or lead-based glazes.
Using Windex on quartz countertops occasionally won't cause immediate ruin, but it is generally discouraged. Windex is highly alkaline and often contains ammonia. Over time, these harsh chemicals can degrade the protective sealant and etch or dull the shiny resin bonds that hold the quartz together.
In fact, the average cost of quartz puts it somewhere right in the middle of countertop prices. Most quartz countertops cost anywhere from $90 to $185 per square foot. That's much higher than a laminate counter ($20 to $60 per square foot) or a tile countertop ($25 to $90 per square foot).
Some brands of quartz countertops may contain chemicals. On the other hand, granite is an all-natural, biodegradable material.
Quartz Countertops – The All-Around Low-Maintenance Leader
This engineered stone is made from natural quartz crystals and resin, making it non-porous, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. Unlike natural stone, it never needs to be sealed, which means less maintenance over time.
Granite is Heat Resistant
The primary concern with heat and granite is cracking. Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant.
In 2026, kitchen color trends are moving away from stark white and cold gray, shifting toward warm, nature-inspired, and earthy tones. The aesthetic of "warm minimalism" dominates, favoring softer hues like creamy white, taupe, mushroom, terracotta, muted olive green, and deep teal-blues.
Vinegar slowly eats away at the protective sealant on granite countertops. Over time, repeated exposure strips this barrier, exposing the stone's porous surface. This leads to a dull, cloudy finish, increased susceptibility to stains, and potential surface pitting.
Yes, Dawn dish soap is safe for quartz countertops. It is one of the best everyday cleaners you can use, provided it is heavily diluted with warm water.
Those crystals are the foundation of granite's reflective quality. The most important minerals responsible for sparkle are quartz and mica. Quartz crystals are naturally glassy and reflective. Mica, especially muscovite and biotite, produces tiny reflective flakes that shimmer under light.
It is not recommended to use vinegar for the regular cleaning of quartz. Because quartz surfaces are made of crushed stone held together by resin binders, the high acidity of vinegar can break down those resins, causing the surface to dull or become permanently discolored.
The most affordable countertop materials are laminate ( $15–$65 per sq. ft.) and butcher block ( $30–$100 per sq. ft.). Both are highly DIY-friendly, look modern when styled correctly, and cost a fraction of what you would pay for natural stone or quartz.
Kitchen countertop trends this year are moving away from stark whites and hyper-glossy finishes in favor of expressive natural stones, warm creamy neutrals, and soft, tactile matte textures. Countertops are now acting as the main focal point of the kitchen rather than fading into the background.
Quartz. One countertop material that designer Lexie Saine will no longer go for is quartz. "Earlier in my career, I used quartz often because of its low maintenance once installed and its ease of daily care," she says. However, she has found over time that quartz is something that many clients regret having used.