Want a hardworking countertop that fits your budget? We took a look at six of the most-durable kitchen countertops based on a recent “Consumer Reports” test.

After a thorough exam, we’re ready to let you in on why you should — or shouldn’t — install them in your kitchen.

#1 Quartz Kitchen Countertop ($40 to $100 per square foot)

The durability winner is quartz, the man-nature combo countertop. Crushed quartz stone is mixed with resin to produce countertops that range from solid colors to the look of real granite, but they’ll beat natural stone in toughness.

Pros

Quartz is almost indestructible under normal kitchen prep conditions. It laughs at knife cuts, and, unless you take a sledgehammer to it, it won’t chip or crack. It’s stain- and bacteria-resistant, and it doesn’t require sealing.

Cons

You pay a lot for quartz, and it’s not as heat-resistant as less-pricey materials like granite and crushed glass. Seams can be noticeable, especially if you use lighter colors, and it can discolor over time in direct sunlight.

Also, quartz can look ultra-contemporary and cold, so it may not be the best choice for a traditional-style kitchen.

#2 Granite ($40 to $100 per square foot)

Granite is still considered one of the top must-have home features, according to a survey of prospective homebuyers from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Its natural beauty often is eye-popping, and granite easily fits in any style kitchen.

Pros

Granite is tough. It resists cracks and chips, and you can place a hot pot on it without catastrophe. If you apply sealer annually, granite stands up to stains. 

Cons

It’s tough but not indestructible. An accidental clunk with a wine bottle can put a chip in the edge, which you’ll have to polish down. If you don’t seal religiously, oil can seep into the stone and you’ll have to apply a poultice to get it out.

Design-wise, granite can be unpredictable. Natural variations in stone can result in countertops that don’t look exactly like the sample. Also, it can be hard to hide seams in granite countertops, so be strategic about where you put them.

What’s the best stove for your home? With so many options on the market these days it can be hard to pick. In addition to the old stand-bys, electric and gas, there are new-fangled ones like induction stoves and even something called “dual fuel.” But rest assured, there are clear pros and cons to each. To help you find the right type of stove for you, allow us to boil this complex topic down into delicious, bite-size nuggets.

Electric coil

These old school cooktops are great if you’re watching your finances … or if your idea of “cooking” is more Hamburger Helper than Martha Stewart.

Pros: This type of stove can set you back as little as $400, says Dan DiClerico, a home expert for HomeAdvisor. And it’s not costing you that much in performance. “The coils do a very good job of heating up at a range of temperature levels, especially the simmer setting, which can be a challenge for more powerful cooktops,” he notes.

Electric coil ovens tend to be roomy as well, since there’s no convection fan or pesky technology taking up space.

Cons: Basic construction = a pretty vanilla look, so “you’re not going to win any design awards with an electric coil cooktop in the kitchen,” DiClerico says.

One to consider: Consumer Reports gives high marks to the Kenmore 94142  range ($489.99).

Farmhouse design continues to gain popularity in kitchen remodels, according to the 2019 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, a survey of more than 1,300 homeowners who are planning or in the midst of a kitchen project.

Eighty-two percent of renovating homeowners this year who are changing the style of their kitchen says they’re making it farmhouse. Farmhouse now nearly ties contemporary in popularity (14 percent versus 15 percent, respectively). Transition—a mix of tradition and modern—still remains the most popular in kitchen design at 21 percent.

“This year’s study illuminates a number of prominent trends in today’s kitchen,” says Nino Sitchinava, Houzz principal economist. “Engineered materials are clearly taking over natural stone in countertops and flooring. Thanks in part to the versatility of these materials, white continues to dominate the kitchen, from cabinets to countertops and walls. Finally, rapid advances in wireless and voice technology are transforming some kitchens into ‘air traffic control’ centers of the home.”

Kitchens aren’t cheap to redo and are about 10 percent more expensive this year, according to the study. The median kitchen renovation cost $11,000, while a major renovation to a large kitchen (more than 200 feet) cost $33,000.

Here are some more kitchen trends that emerged from the Houzz report:

Gray cabinets: White cabinets remain the most common (43 percent), but gray cabinets are winning over more fans. About one in ten homeowners—or 11 percent—chose gray cabinets for their kitchen. Gray cabinets are then often paired with brushed or satin nickel door hardware.

White and quartz countertops: Granite continues to decline in popularity, while engineered quartz is surpassing all of the natural stone materials combined among kitchen remodelers who updated their countertops. White counters are gaining steam, making up nearly one in every three upgraded countertops.

Mixed finishes: More than half of homeowners—54 percent—say they’ve mixed metal finishes across their fixtures and hardware. For those who mix and match, nickel is popular, but many then opt for oil-rubbed bronze or brushed or satin black finish for door hardware and lighting fixtures.

Engineered flooring: Only a quarter of remodelers who updated their flooring chose natural hardwood, marking a significant decline from recent years. Engineered flooring—such as engineered wood, vinyl, and laminate—have become nearly twice as popular in the meantime.

Appliance finish: Stainless steel may still rule, but black stainless is growing more popular as an appliance finish. It is now in one of every 10 upgraded kitchens. Read The New Kitchen Finish: Black Stainless

High-tech add-ons: More than half of upgraded faucets are high-tech, including water efficiency, no-fingerprint coating, and touch-free activation. Other high-tech features in the kitchen include wireless controls in upgraded appliances and home assistants.

If you’ve  noticed the cost of new appliances, countertops, and cabinets, it’s no surprise that renovating a kitchen is one of the most expensive remodeling projects. While few homeowners find ways to boost the look of a dated refrigerator or tired granite, transforming a kitchen by freshening the cabinets that make up most of the room’s visual space is entirely within reach. But there’s more to the job than buying a gallon of your favorite color.

The saying that a successful paint job relies on diligent prep work is fitting when finishing previously coated cabinets. Unlike drywall, cabinets are made out of a variety of materials—from wood to metal—that are then covered with a range of finishes, from oil-based paint to plastics. But armed with the right primer, quality paint, the patience not to rush the process, and a long weekend, a DIYer can overhaul a kitchen without going over budget.

Cabinets can account for nearly 40 percent of a kitchen’s cost. Here’s how three common cabinet upgrades stack up in an average 10-by-10-foot kitchen. Repainting would cost less than $200. Adding new drawers and doors runs about $1,300, while upgrading to ready-to-assemble cabinets starts at about $1,630.