There’s no right answer.  The best countertop material to use depends on the features that the owner prefers.  Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of some available counter type.   Artful Kitchen Design will discuss your lifestyle and preferences with you and help you select the counter material that has both the look you want and has the features that best suit your life. 

• Granite is a very durable stone and is an excellent choice for countertops because it is stain, heat and scratch resistant.   A granite countertop needs to be sealed before use. 
• Soapstone countertops are durable and comparably price to other stone countertop options.  A soapstone counter does not stain, is not harmed by heat, requires no special maintenance, is easy to clean and is available in a variety of textures, from smooth to rough. 
• Quartz countertops are naturally non-porous and scratch resistant, require no sealing or polishing, but are among the most expensive of counter options. 
• Marble countertops, while beautiful, need to be sealed, are porous, stain and scratch fairly easily, and are subject to etching from acidic substances, and will show wear over time. 
• Solid surface countertops, like Corian and Gibraltar, are made of durable man-made acrylic and are stain and moisture resistant.  A solid surface countertop is comparably priced to granite, without its universal appeal, and is less heat resistant than its natural counterparts.
• Laminate countertops are available in a large variety of colors and styles.  A laminate countertop is the most affordable and least durable countertop option, as they are neither heat nor scratch resistant.