Quartz or granite is the question we hear most often in our Burnsville showroom. Both materials make excellent kitchen and bathroom countertops, and both will outlast most of the cabinets they sit on. The right choice comes down to how you cook, how much care you want to give the surface, and whether you want a uniform look or a slab nature made.
This guide compares the two materials on the points homeowners ask about most, so you can walk into a slab yard knowing what matters for your project.
Is Quartz or Granite Better?
Neither material wins outright. Quartz is the better choice if you want a nonporous surface that never needs sealing and a color that matches the sample. Granite is the better choice if you want a one-of-a-kind natural stone, more tolerance for hot cookware, or a countertop for an outdoor kitchen. Both resist scratches and hold up to daily family use.
Quartz vs Granite at a Glance
| Factor | Quartz | Granite |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Engineered stone: ground quartz bound with resin and pigment | Natural stone cut from quarried blocks |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | About 7 | About 6 to 7 |
| Sealing | Never needed | Recommended for many slabs |
| Stain resistance | Nonporous | Porosity varies by slab |
| Heat | Use trivets; high heat can scorch the resin | Tolerates hot cookware well |
| Sunlight and outdoor use | Most products are rated for indoor use only | Handles sun and Minnesota winters |
| Appearance | Consistent color and pattern | Every slab is unique |
| Best for | Easy-care kitchens and bathrooms, modern and marble-look designs | Serious cooks, outdoor kitchens, natural character |
What Is the Difference Between Quartz and Granite?
The difference is how each material is made. Most quartz countertops contain about 90 percent ground quartz mixed with resins and pigments, which manufacturers press into slabs. Some newer lines use less quartz; Silestone with HybriQ technology is one example. Because a factory controls the mix, quartz delivers predictable color from sample to installation.
Granite forms deep in the earth from cooled magma. Quarries cut it into blocks, and fabricators slice the blocks into slabs. Feldspar, quartz and mica give each slab its own color and movement, so no two granite countertops look the same. Learn more on our quartz countertops and granite countertops pages.
Is Quartz or Granite More Heat Resistant?
Granite is more heat resistant than quartz. Granite formed under intense heat, and it tolerates a hot pan set down for a moment better than any engineered surface.
Quartz handles normal kitchen use well, but the resin that binds it can scorch or discolor under direct high heat or a sudden temperature change. Set hot pots, sheet pans and slow cookers on a trivet or hot pad. If you cook often and move pans straight from the burner to the counter, granite gives you more room for error.
Which Is Harder, Quartz or Granite?
Quartz rates about 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, and granite rates about 6 to 7. In practice, both resist scratches from knives, cookware and everyday wear. You can read how other countertop materials compare in our guide to stone hardness ratings.
Hardness does not prevent chips. A heavy pot dropped on an exposed corner can chip either material. An eased or rounded edge profile reduces that risk, and a 3cm slab resists chipping better than a 2cm slab. Our article on the best thickness for quartz countertops explains the trade-offs.
Does Granite Need Sealing? Does Quartz?
Quartz never needs sealing. The resin makes the surface nonporous, so coffee, wine and oil stay on top until you wipe them up. In fact, we recommend that you do not seal quartz, because sealers can leave a residue. Our article Do Quartz Countertops Need Sealing? covers the details.
Granite porosity varies by slab. Dense granites resist stains with little help, while lighter and more open-grained granites benefit from a penetrating sealer. Sealing takes a few minutes with a spray-on product. A simple test tells you when to reseal: if water beads on the surface, the sealer is still working, and if water darkens the stone, it is time to reseal.
Which Is Easier to Clean and Maintain?
Quartz is easier to maintain because you never have to seal it. Warm water, a few drops of mild dish soap and a soft cloth handle daily cleanup on both materials. Avoid bleach, abrasive pads and acidic cleaners such as vinegar on either surface. For step-by-step care, see how to clean quartz countertops and the best way to clean granite countertops.
Is Quartz More Expensive Than Granite?
Quartz is not always more expensive than granite. Both materials range from entry-level colors to premium slabs. The color you choose, the slab size, the thickness, the edge profile and the layout of your kitchen drive the final cost more than the material category does. A common granite and a popular quartz color often land close together, while a rare exotic granite or a designer quartz collection costs more. Our guide to how granite and quartz countertops are priced walks through each factor.
Which Looks Better, Quartz or Granite?
The answer depends on the look you want. Quartz suits homeowners who want a clean, consistent surface, including marble-look whites with soft veining. You see exactly what you will get, which makes it easier to match cabinets, tile and paint. Browse current colors from the brands we fabricate: Silestone, Viatera, HanStone, MSI, Orion and Daltile ONE Quartz.
Granite suits homeowners who want depth, movement and mineral detail that a factory cannot reproduce. Today’s granites also look different from the speckled stone of the early 2000s, with softer veining and honed or leathered finishes. Read Is Granite Popular in 2026? or explore our granite color options.
Is Quartz or Granite Better for an Outdoor Kitchen in Minnesota?
Granite is the better choice for most outdoor kitchens in Minnesota. Granite holds its color in direct sun and stands up to freeze-thaw cycles. Ultraviolet light can fade or yellow the resin in standard quartz, and most quartz manufacturers rate their products for indoor use only. A few specialty products are made for exterior use, so check the specific product before you plan quartz for a patio. Our article Granite or Quartz Outdoors: Which Is Better? covers outdoor projects in more depth.
Which Adds More Resale Value?
Both materials appeal to buyers, and a well-chosen slab in either one helps a kitchen sell. Buyers who want an updated, low-maintenance kitchen respond to quartz. Buyers who value natural stone respond to granite. The overall design and the quality of the installation matter more than the material. See how quartz countertops affect home resale value for more.
Is Quartz the Same as Quartzite?
Quartz and quartzite are different materials. Quartz is engineered in a factory. Quartzite is a natural stone that forms when sandstone recrystallizes under heat and pressure. Many homeowners who like the look of marble but want a harder natural stone end up choosing quartzite. Read Quartz or Quartzite: What’s the Difference? to compare them.
How Do I Choose Between Quartz and Granite?
Choose quartz if you want:
- A countertop that never needs sealing
- Consistent color that matches your sample
- A marble look with less maintenance
- A modern, clean-lined kitchen or bathroom
Choose granite if you want:
- A one-of-a-kind natural stone slab
- More tolerance for hot cookware
- A countertop for an outdoor kitchen
- Natural movement and mineral depth
See Quartz and Granite Slabs in the Twin Cities
Photos and small samples only go so far. Color, veining and scale look different when you stand in front of a full slab. Visit our Burnsville showroom to compare quartz and granite side by side, or browse slabs at any of our nine slab selection centers across the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. You can also take home free quartz and granite samples to see them in your own light.
All American Granite fabricates every countertop in-house, and most installations take about two weeks from template to finished kitchen. When you are ready, request a free estimate and one of our design consultants will help you choose the right material for your home.
Quartz vs Granite FAQs
Is quartz or granite better for kitchen countertops?
Quartz is better for kitchens where easy care matters most, because it never needs sealing. Granite is better for kitchens where people cook often, because it tolerates heat better. Both materials resist scratches and suit busy family kitchens.
Is quartz more expensive than granite?
Not always. Both materials range from entry-level to premium. Color, slab size, thickness, edge profile and kitchen layout affect the price more than the choice of quartz or granite.
Can you put hot pans on quartz?
No. Direct high heat can scorch or discolor the resin in quartz. Use a trivet or hot pad under hot pots, pans and appliances.
Can you put hot pans on granite?
Granite tolerates hot cookware better than quartz. We still recommend trivets, because repeated heat in one spot can stress the stone and the sealer.
Does quartz need sealing?
No. Quartz is nonporous and never needs sealing. We recommend against sealing quartz, because sealers can leave a residue on the surface.
How often should granite be sealed?
It depends on the slab. Sprinkle a little water on the countertop. If the water beads, the sealer is working. If the stone darkens, it is time to reseal.
Which is harder, quartz or granite?
Quartz rates about 7 on the Mohs hardness scale and granite rates about 6 to 7. Both resist scratches in everyday use, and both can chip at an exposed edge.
Which is better for outdoor kitchens?
Granite. It holds its color in sunlight and handles Minnesota freeze-thaw cycles. Most quartz products are rated for indoor use only.
Is granite safe to use in the home?
Yes. Granite is one of the most widely used countertop materials. If you have concerns about radon, testing the home itself is the most practical step.
