Engineered quartz has been quickly growing as one of the more popular choices for kitchen countertops. But there’s still a lot of confusion out there about what engineered quartz is and how it performs.

As a countertop fabricator that has worked with engineered quartz as well as granite, marble and quartzite for years, we thought it was time to share a breakdown of the most popular engineered quartz brands, and see how they stack up.

Introducing: your complete guide to the top engineered quartz brands.

What is engineered stone?

That was a trick question: engineered quartz is not a stone at all, since it’s man-made.

Manufactured quartz countertops do have natural quartz, but they are also made up of a combination of man-made resins. So they are not considered a natural stone.

This means you don’t get the unique, natural veining that can be found in granite and marble. On the plus side, engineered quartz slabs tend to be very consistent in coloration and texture, since they’re manufactured in a controlled environment. For customers who want consistent color, engineered quartz may be a very appealing option.

“Natural quartz” is not natural.

As you research different quartz brands, you’ll find many manufacturers who call their product “natural quartz.” This is misleading, since quartz slabs are not natural stone. They include some natural elements, but ultimately, they are a manufactured product.

In contrast, if you purchase a true natural stone like granite, marble, quartzite or soapstone, there are no man-made additives, aside from a sealer applied to the surface for protection.

All engineered quartz brands share some basic characteristics.

While there are some differences in appearance between the engineered quartz brands, there are also key similarities shared by all quartz countertops:

• All engineered quartz is susceptible to high heat. A trivet should always be used to protect engineered quartz countertops from hot pots and pans.

• Quartz countertops do not need to be sealed. Engineered quartz does not need to be sealed after installation.

• Quartz is low maintenance. Most household spills are easily cleaned with warm water and a soft cloth.

Engineered Quartz Brand Guide

Here are the key points the top quartz manufacturers want you to know about their brand and their product.

HanStone

• HanStone takes pride in the long-lasting durability of their product.

• Care and cleaning: HanStone recommends using a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water, or Simple Green to remove tough grease stains and oils. To remove metal marks from knives, use a white latex eraser.

Q Stone (MSI Quartz)

• Q Stone is a quartz product made by MSI Surfaces.

• They boast a range of collections made to mimic the look of natural stone, including Marble Looks, Natural Looks, and Limestone Looks.

• Warranty: Q stone products come with a residential lifetime warranty.

• Care and cleaning: Use a soft sponge and water for most spills. For grease, Simple Green or 409 are recommended. Avoid Scotch Brites and abrasive agents.

Cambria

• All Cambria products are proudly made in the US.

• Cambria quartz tends to be higher in price compared to other quartz brands, but come with a generous warranty.

• Cambria is proud of their environmental business practices. They recycle all metal tooling and water used for polishing.

• Warranty: Cambria countertops include a full, lifetime warranty.

• Care and cleaning: Cambria recommends warm water and a soft cloth. If you need some extra cleaning power, use Dawn dish soap, Simple Green, or Windex.

Caesarstone

• Caesarstone prioritizes safe business practices and environmental responsibility. They even started an industry resource called “Mindful Materials,” making it easier for professionals to source materials based on health and environmental impacts.

• Caesarstone products come in a variety of surface options, including honed, concrete, rough, and polished. Some finishes show metal marks and fingerprints more than others, so do a little research rather than simply deciding on a finish based on aesthetics.

• Warranty: Caesarstone’s residential warranty covers any manufacturing defects.

• Care and cleaning: Clean your Caesarstone with warm water and a soft cloth.

Silestone

• Choose from polished, suede, and volcano textures. Silestone colors are also available in a variety of styles: plain, veined, fine grain and coarse grain.

• Warranty: You’ll receive a 25 -year limited transferable warranty with the purchase of any Silestone product.

• Care and cleaning: Silestone offers their own VIM Actifizz cleaner.

Now that we’ve outlined the pros and cons of the major quartz brands, hopefully you have a better idea of your priorities when choosing a countertop. There are so many different factors to consider, including aesthetic appeal, budget, and performance. Decide on the factors that mean the most to you, so you can make the right choice for your home.

We offer free consultations with all of our customers, either at our showroom or your home. We’ll bring a variety of samples so you can see how they look in your own space, and even test out how they react to typical household spills. If you’re interested in learning more about quartz countertops or any other material, drop us a line!