A cutting board with a hole can make kitchen prep easier, but the hole’s purpose matters. On most boards below, it is made for hanging or gripping—not for dropping scraps through. Flexible mats can still help you move chopped food by bending an edge toward a bowl or pan, while a juice groove helps contain liquid. Here’s how these four options compare for prep, storage, and transferring food.
| Product | Material and size | Best for | Scrap-transfer design |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoodLuck Flexible Cutting Boards, 5-Piece Set | BPA-free plastic; 14.65 × 11.02 inches each | Flexible prep and compact storage | Bend the mat to direct food; hanging hole is for storage |
| Donxote Acacia Wood Cutting Board | Acacia wood; 10 × 7.3 inches | Small prep tasks and serving | Juice groove contains liquid; hanging hole is for storage |
| Freshware Wood Fiber Cutting Board Set | Wood fiber composite; 12 × 9 inches and 15 × 11.25 inches | Two-sided prep and dishwasher cleanup | Flat boards; corner holes are for gripping or hanging |
| Lipper International Bamboo Cutting Boards, Set of 2 | Bamboo; 9 × 12 inches and 11.5 × 15 inches | Basic prep and serving | Center oval holes; not described as scrap chutes |
Our Picks: Best Cutting Board With Hole For Scraps reviews
GoodLuck Flexible Boards: Best for Guiding Scraps Into a Pan
The GoodLuck set includes five flexible plastic cutting mats, each measuring 14.65 by 11.02 inches. Their hanging holes make them easy to store on a hook, while their flexible construction is the main advantage for moving chopped ingredients. Bend a mat into a shallow curve and guide the food into a pot, pan, or bowl.
The backs have a lattice pattern intended to help the mats stay in place. The product description also notes a lightly textured cutting surface. These mats are BPA-free and dishwasher safe, with the listed care instruction to keep dishwasher temperature below 194°F. Because they flex, they are better suited to everyday chopping and ingredient transfer than to serving as a rigid work surface.
It’s important to set expectations: the hanging hole is not a scrap opening. You’ll still need to sweep scraps toward an edge or bend the mat to direct them into a container. Compared with the wood boards in this group, the GoodLuck set offers the most direct way to transfer chopped food without lifting and tipping a rigid board.
Pros:
- Five mats provide separate surfaces for different prep tasks.
- Flexible design helps funnel chopped food into cookware.
- Hanging holes support hook storage and airflow.
- Dishwasher safe when washed within the stated temperature limit.
Cons:
- The hanging hole is for storage, not for dropping scraps through.
- Flexible mats may not feel as firm as a rigid cutting board.
Verdict: Choose the GoodLuck set if easy cleanup and bending a board to transfer scraps matter more to you than having a rigid chopping surface.
Donxote Acacia Board: Best Compact Option With a Juice Groove
The Donxote is a small, reversible acacia board measuring 10 by 7.3 inches. One side has a perimeter juice groove for catching liquid from foods such as fruit, vegetables, or meat; the other side is flat for slicing or serving. Its built-in hole is for hanging or carrying, not for sending scraps through the board.
This compact size can suit quick jobs such as cutting fruit or cheese, or a kitchen where counter space is limited. The solid wood construction gives it a different feel from the flexible plastic mats, but the small surface area is a real trade-off. It is not the best fit for chopping a large batch of ingredients or collecting many scraps at once.
For scrap handling, the groove may help keep some juices on the board, but it does not replace a scrap bin or a board that bends to funnel food. The product description recommends checking the dimensions before buying, which is especially useful here: this is a mini board, not a full-size all-purpose prep surface.
Pros:
- Reversible design offers a grooved side and a flat side.
- Juice groove helps contain liquid during prep.
- Compact size suits small tasks and limited counter space.
- Built-in hole makes it possible to hang or carry the board.
Cons:
- Small dimensions limit how much food you can prep at once.
- The hanging hole is not a scrap chute, and the board does not flex.
Verdict: Pick the Donxote for small portions and a useful juice groove, but choose a larger or flexible board if your main goal is moving a pile of scraps quickly.
Freshware Wood Fiber Set: Best for Two Reversible Prep Surfaces
Freshware’s set includes a medium board measuring 12 by 9 inches and a larger one measuring 15 by 11.25 inches. Both are made from a wood fiber composite described as containing 80% pine wood fiber. Each board has flat, reversible cutting surfaces, so you can use one side for one task and flip it for another.
The boards are thin and lightweight, at 0.2 inch thick, and each has a corner hole that works as a finger grip or a hanging point. That hole does not function as a scrap outlet. The boards are dishwasher safe or can be washed by hand with warm, soapy water, making cleanup more straightforward than with many traditional wood boards.
Compared with the GoodLuck mats, Freshware provides a rigid surface rather than one you can bend to funnel food. The two sizes offer more choice for prep, but transferring scraps means sweeping them off an edge. This set may suit you if you want easy-care, reversible boards and value a second size more than a flexible transfer surface.
Pros:
- Includes two sizes for different prep jobs.
- Reversible flat surfaces offer cutting space on both sides.
- Dishwasher safe for convenient cleanup.
- Lightweight boards have corner holes for hanging or carrying.
Cons:
- Rigid boards cannot be bent to funnel scraps.
- The corner holes are for handling or storage, not scrap transfer.
Verdict: Choose Freshware if you want two thin, dishwasher-safe prep boards; look to the flexible GoodLuck mats if funneling scraps is your priority.
Lipper International Bamboo Set: Best for Basic Prep and Serving
This Lipper International set contains two thin bamboo boards: one measuring 9 by 12 inches and the other 11.5 by 15 inches. The product description calls out an oval hole in the center of each board. The boards can be used for kitchen prep or as snack platters, making the pair a simple choice for both chopping and serving.
The center holes are a distinctive design detail, but they are not described as dedicated scrap openings. Since these are rigid boards, you’ll need to move scraps off the edge rather than bending a board toward a bowl. Their two sizes give you some flexibility in choosing a work surface, though the supplied details do not specify dishwasher-safe care.
The supplied product information marks this item as unavailable, so check its Amazon listing before planning to buy it. If it is available to you, consider it for basic prep and serving rather than as a specialized scrap-management board. The GoodLuck mats are better suited to directing chopped food into a pan.
Pros:
- Includes two board sizes for different tasks.
- Oval center holes provide a way to grip or hang the boards.
- Can be used for food preparation or serving snacks.
Cons:
- The center holes are not described as scrap chutes.
- The supplied product data marks the item as unavailable; confirm listing status.
Verdict: Consider the Lipper set for a basic bamboo prep-and-serving option if it is available, but do not choose it expecting a hole designed to collect scraps.
How to Choose a Cutting Board With a Hole for Scraps
Check What the Hole Is Actually For
A hanging hole, finger grip, or center opening is not automatically a scrap chute. In this group, the listed holes are described for storage, handling, or carrying. If you want to drop scraps directly into a container, check the product’s design carefully and confirm that the opening is intended for that use. Otherwise, a flexible board may be more useful: bend its edge to guide scraps into a bowl or pan.
Choose a Surface That Matches Your Prep
Flexible plastic mats are easy to bend for transferring ingredients, while rigid boards provide a fixed surface for chopping. Wood and wood fiber options in this selection are rigid. Think about whether easy food transfer or a firm cutting surface matters more for your routine. If you prep several types of food, a set with multiple boards can provide separate surfaces for different tasks.
Consider Size Before You Buy
A small board can be handy for a quick snack or a little fruit, but it may feel cramped when you chop multiple ingredients. The Donxote is the smallest option here at 10 by 7.3 inches. The GoodLuck mats are 14.65 by 11.02 inches, while Freshware and Lipper include boards in more than one size. Compare the listed dimensions with your counter space and the amount of food you usually prepare.
Look for Liquid Control if You Prep Juicy Foods
A juice groove is meant to help contain liquid around the board’s edge. The Donxote has a grooved side and a flat side, giving you a choice based on the task. A groove can help manage liquid, but it is different from a scrap opening and does not make a board flexible. For dry scraps, you’ll still need to sweep them away or transfer them from the board.
Match Cleanup and Storage to Your Kitchen
Check care instructions before choosing a material. The GoodLuck mats and Freshware boards are described as dishwasher safe, with the GoodLuck listing specifying a maximum dishwasher temperature. The Donxote is described as a natural acacia board, but the supplied details do not give dishwasher instructions. Hanging holes can help save cabinet or drawer space, but you’ll need a suitable hook if you plan to store a board that way.
FAQs
Does a hanging hole let scraps fall through the board?
Not necessarily. The holes on the products in this selection are described as features for hanging, gripping, or carrying. They are not identified as scrap chutes. Check the product details if you specifically want an opening for scraps.
Which option is easiest for transferring chopped food?
The GoodLuck flexible mats are the clearest fit for this task. Their bendable design lets you curve an edge and guide ingredients into a pot, pan, or bowl. Their hanging holes are for storage, not food transfer.
Which board has a juice groove?
The Donxote acacia board has a grooved side to help contain liquid. Its other side is flat, and the board’s small size makes it better suited to quick, limited prep tasks than large batches.
Are any of these options dishwasher safe?
The GoodLuck mats and Freshware wood fiber boards are described as dishwasher safe. The GoodLuck listing says to keep the dishwasher temperature below 194°F. The supplied details do not specify dishwasher-safe care for the Donxote or Lipper boards.
Which option is best for a small kitchen?
The Donxote’s 10-by-7.3-inch size is compact for quick prep, while the GoodLuck mats have hanging holes and a flexible design that can make storage and transfer easier. Compare their dimensions with your available counter and storage space before choosing.
Is the Lipper bamboo set currently available?
The supplied product information marks it as unavailable, but listing status can change. Check the Amazon listing before deciding whether it is an option for you.
Final Recommendation
For the most practical scrap transfer, the GoodLuck flexible cutting mats are the strongest match because you can bend an edge to guide food into cookware. If you prefer a rigid surface, Freshware offers two reversible, dishwasher-safe boards, while the Donxote is a compact choice with a juice groove for small jobs. None of the supplied product descriptions identifies its hole as a dedicated scrap chute, so verify that feature before buying if scraps-through-the-board functionality is essential.