The best cutting boards

The John Boos Maple Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board is a work of art made out of solid wood.

The name John Boos is synonymous with high-quality wood cutting boards and butcher blocks. In fact, by the 1940s, John Boos butcher blocks were found in almost every restaurant and butcher shop in the country. Rumor has it that John Boos cutting boards are the standard in the White House.

This reversible cutting board is part of the esteemed Boos RA collection, which is known for its beautiful edge grain construction. The John Boos board is much thicker than many other cutting boards on the market, coming in at 2.25-inches thick. This heavy board weighs in at 27.5 pounds, so it won't slip or slide around the kitchen counter as you chop away. It's so gorgeous that you can even leave it on your kitchen counter permanently.

The RA03 features a hard maple edge grain construction with a cream finish, two flat sides, and slightly rounded edges. In addition, inset handles make it easy to move and rotate the board or to flip it to the reverse side. The cutting board comes with a one year warranty.

After using, this cutting board should be washed by hand in warm soapy water and dried immediately. It requires oil treatment as frequently as once a week.

There are more than 380 user reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars. "One of the best purchases I have ever made," wrote Tonya N. Phillips on July 23, 2016. "Love my cutting board. I use it pretty much every day."

"I have waited months to buy my first John Boos board and I am not disappointed … This is very well constructed and it came to me smooth as silk. No rough spots, very clean edges, and the hand slots are perfect for flipping the board over for a clean, sanitized spot … I love that it is made right here in the U.S.A.," wrote Donna S in February 2015.

Some Amazon users complain that the board started to crack very shortly after receiving it. Other reviewers jump in and remind everyone that you really do have to oil it on a weekly basis.

Across the web, professional reviewers, including those from The Spruce and The Chicago Tribune, recommend John Boos maple wood cutting boards.

Pros: FDA-approved, constructed with beautiful and strong maple wood, reversible, heavy and thick

Cons: Expensive, heavy

Versatile and affordable, the Totally Bamboo Cutting Board Set is perfect for eco-minded consumers.

Totally Bamboo introduced the world's first bamboo cutting board in 2000, and the company remains the leader in producing innovative bamboo houseware products.

The Totally Bamboo Cutting Board Set includes three different sized boards to accommodate a wide range of chopping and carving needs. The boards measure 6 x 8 inches, 8 ½ x 11 inches, and 9 ½ x 13 inches, respectively. All three boards are just 3/8-inch thick, which makes them easy to maneuver and also to store.

These simple but attractive boards are made from organically-grown Moso bamboo in a tri-ply, cross laminate construction with a specially formulated high temperature adhesive. The boards are strong, and sustainably made. Giant Panda lovers can take comfort in the fact that the beloved bears do not eat Moso bamboo. Just like other wooden cutting boards, the Totally Bamboo boards need to be hand-washed with warm water and oiled on an occasional basis. The company offers a 100% satisfaction replacement warranty.

These boards are Amazon's best-selling cutting boards, and there are more than 3,000 user reviews on the site, with an average 3.8 out of 5 stars. Negative comments mainly focus on users who claim the boards break easily. You can always contact the seller or Amazon if you believe you have a defective product.

Across the web professional reviewers, including those from The Spruce and The Kitchn recommended these and similar styles of cutting boards from Totally Bamboo.

Pros: Affordable, sustainably-made, hard bamboo surface varying sizes, easy to maneuver and to store, attractive set for cutting and serving

Cons: Some users report that the boards break very easily

The sturdy Teak Haus Edge Grain Cutting Board is beautiful, long-lasting, and won't dull your knives.

Teak is the hottest new wood for high-quality cutting boards like the Teak Haus Edge Grain Cutting Board. The main reason why it's so popular is that teak is a tropical wood that is very resistant to moisture. Teak's natural oils help it repel water and resist warping. Teak is also absolutely gorgeous.

This board measures 24 x 12 x 1.5 inches, and it has built-in hand grips for portability. Proteak's wood comes from Latin America and is cultivated without the use of irrigation or fertilizer, thereby producing top-quality teak with minimal impact on the environment. This board needs to be hand-washed, dried, and oiled regularly.

There are nearly 300 user reviews on reviews on Amazon, with an average of 3.8 out of 5 stars. "Excellent quality, perfect size for my use as a home cook. Nice thickness and heft, definitely a solid piece. Only drawback? My sink is too small to fit it in to wash! A minor issue," wrote one verified customer on March 11, 2017.

Around the web, professional reviewers, including those at The Sweethome and America's Test Kitchen praised the Teak Haus Edge Grain Cutting Board for its gorgeous and durable design.

Pros: Composed of beautiful, durable teak wood from Latin America

Cons: Very heavy, some users noted that the wood split or warped quickly

The Imperial Kitchen Cutting Mat Set will cover all your cutting needs and eliminate the possibility of cross-contamination.

Each of the four flexible, non-stick, anti-microbial Imperial Kitchen Cutting Mats measure 15 x 12 inches, giving you plenty of room to handle a variety of chopping jobs. Smooth on the top and gripped on the bottom, each mat is reserved for a different use. With one for chicken, one for meat, one for fish, and one for vegetables, the chance of cross-contamination drops to almost zero.

Made of a BPA-free, high-grade plastic, the lightweight mats are dishwasher safe. There are almost 400 user reviews on Amazon, with an average score of 4.1 out of 5 stars. Fans tout the low price, the ease and flexibility of use, and the fun colors.

"The material is super strong. The flexibility makes it really easy to put whatever you've chopped or sliced or diced into the pot, the blender — or for that matter a cup or glass … The color coded designs are great for germaphobes," wrote one reviewer on June 26, 2015.

Of course, there are some reports of issues with the thin, flexible mats. Some Amazon users said the mats slid around the counter, while others noted that the dishwasher quickly warped the plastic. However, most reviews are positive.

Professional reviewers like these cutting mats, including Kitchen Little Helpers which named them one of the top 20 mats on the market.

Pros: Affordable, colorful and fun, easy to maintain and store, cut down on the possibility of cross-contamination

Cons: Some users complain that the mats slip around the counter

The best bread machines

We combed through hundreds of reviews and ratings from home bakers and experts alike as we searched for the best bread machines. The five units we chose to include in this guide can make a variety of different bread types, require minimal user oversight, and have a track record of dependability and performance. Check out our top picks, below:

• Best overall: Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker
• Best budget bread machine #1: Oster 2-Pound Expressbake Bread Maker
• Best budget bread machine #2: Sunbeam 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker
• Best convection machine: Convection Bread Maker by Cuisinart
• Best machine for unique breads: Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker

The best KitchenAid attachments

The best attachments for your KitchenAid mixer can do all kinds of things, from making pasta to churning ice cream. They can even replace other appliances in your kitchen. Check out our favorites, below:

• Best KitchenAid attachment for pasta: 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set
• Best strainer attachment: Fruit & Vegetable Strainer Set with Food Grinder Attachment
• Best peeler, corer, slicer attachment: Spiralizer Attachment with Peel, Core & Slice
• Best pasta extruder attachment: Pasta Extruder Attachment
• Best ice cream maker: Ice Cream Maker Attachment
• Best grain mill attachment: All Metal Grain Mill Attachment
• Best food processor attachment: Food Processor Attachment
• Best meat grinder attachment: KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment

The best cookie cutters

A great set of cookie cutters makes those delicious holiday treats even more of a pleasure to make and share. These are the best cookie cutters you can buy:

• Best overall: Ann Clark Cookie Cutter Set
• Best on a budget: Winblo 40-Piece Cookie Cutter Set
• Best for Chanukah: Rite Lite LTD Metal Chanukah Cookie Cutters
• Best 3D cutters: 3D Christmas Cookie Cutters Set
• Best indestructible set: Ateco Cookie Cutter Set in Various Shapes
• Best for kids: Wilton 101-Piece Cookie Cutter Set