We Tested an Instagram-Viral Cooking Brand. Are Its Four Hero Products Worth Their Premium Price?

Welcome to Skimm Tested, a series where we put viral products to the test and give you our honest, unfiltered reviews.

What We Tested...

• Material Kitchen The Knives + Stand, $295

• Material Kitchen The (grippy) reBoard, $40

• Material Kitchen The MK Free Board, $45

• Material Kitchen The reBowl, $25

Why Ali Tested...

Test Results...

• The Knives + Stand: Overall, I love these knives. I keep the stand out on my countertop, and I don't feel like they're ugly to look at. I reach for them daily; The bread knife for obvious use, the paring knife for any tedious jobs like cutting fruit and small veggies, and the chef’s knife for cutting bigger items like potatoes, onions, peppers, etc. I don't use them for cutting meat because I use kitchen shears for sanitary reasons. I handwash everything, so they've lasted, and I rarely put them in the dishwasher. The block can collect some dust, but I usually wipe it down with a damp paper towel.

Why Margo Tested...

Test Results…

• The Knives + Stand: This set is my most reached for kitchen item. I love it so much, after a friend had a chopping-related injury, I told her to get one because of how safe and beginner-friendly it is. I love that you only get three basic knives (it’s a lot less intimidating this way), and each knife has a weighty handle to help you feel safe and balanced as you cut. My fiancé and I have both used this knife for chopping meat (with hot water and a Dawn deep clean after) and haven’t had any issues.

• The (grippy) reBoard: This cutting board is made of the brand’s popular recycled plastic and renewable sugarcane blend. I love how substantial this material is to cut on, with silicone corners that keep it securely in place (which is important for preventing injuries). If you are concerned about microplastics, I have noticed over time that chopping has caused the board to gain some knife marks. Otherwise, I haven’t noticed any particles visible to the eye. It’s dishwasher-safe, and at nearly 15-inches-long, it’s spacious enough for prepping large meals.

• The MK Free Board: This is the brand’s latest launch made of a 100% plant-based material free of microplastics. The material itself is dense and nonporous, while still remaining lightweight. It also has grooves along the perimeter to catch any juice. Like the original reBoard, it’s dishwasher-safe, though it’s slightly larger at 17.5 inches by 12 inches. I’ve enjoyed using this board, but I don’t love it as much as the grippy reBoard. While it's completely plastic- (and microplastic-) free, it does move around quite a bit as I’m chopping. I wish they made it with grippy corners for added stability.

• The reBowl: This is my second favorite product from Material as it’s deeply underrated. This bowl is made of the same recycled sugarcane blend as the reBoard. I’ve found that this material is best for mixing bowls since its gritty texture makes it easier to evenly incorporate ingredients when baking and prepping salads. It’s also unexpectedly microwave-safe. Throw it in the dishwasher when you’re done. The bright colors are adorable, too.

Sidenotes…

• Material Kitchen The Knives + Stand: Ali and I both feel that this set makes the perfect wedding, housewarming, or treat yourself gift if you’re moving. It’s definitely on the pricier side, so if you don’t cook a ton, it isn’t worth the splurge. We both cook quite a bit, so it’s been worth it. We also both noted that these stainless steel, high-carbon knives have dulled out over time (it took about a year of consistent use for both of us). Maintenance is key with any set of knives to ensure they’re working their best, so get a sharpener and you should be fine.

• The (grippy) reBoard: This one also comes in a mini size if you’re short on space or want a cutting board for prepping a smaller meal. Note: It doesn’t have grippy corners, but we wish it did.

The Fine Details…

• You can shop Material Kitchen products materialkitchen.com, Amazon, Bloomingdale’s, and more.