This “Ingenious” Magnetic Cutting Board Takes Up Zero Counter Space in My Tiny Kitchen

I’ve always been all about saving space in my kitchen, but it’s become a full-blown obsession — and a necessity — since I moved into my new apartment. It’s a teensy-tiny studio, and the kitchen is by far the smallest that I’ve ever encountered, and I’ve toured a lot of New York City apartments over the years. To paint a picture for you: I can reach my sink, stove, and refrigerator all without taking a single step. Nope, I’m not kidding.

My favorite space-saving hack by far is sticking organizers on my fridge via magnets. For instance, I had no room in my cabinets for snacks, so I found this basket that adheres to the side of my fridge. (It’s been a game-changer, in case you were wondering.) I just found yet another miracle product that solves multiple problems: Yamazaki, a go-to organizing brand for our editors, has launched an ingenious magnetic cutting board. Of course, I had to get my hands on it, and I’ve already tossed out all of my other cutting boards in favor of it. Here’s why I’m never going back to a standard one ever again.

I’ve never even considered that there could be such a thing as a magnetic cutting board, but leave it to Yamazaki — which has made a number of smart products that AT team members own and love — to create it. Unlike regular cutting boards, it measures roughly 12″ x 11″ and is designed to take up as little space as possible while also being easily accessible.

Magnets are implanted along the underside so that it can be mounted to the side of your fridge or any other nearby metal surface. Also along the bottom are feet with anti-slip cushions, which also keep it raised off of the counter. Made of polypropylene, which is an FDA-approved food container material, the board also boasts the brand’s signature minimalist design with its plain white color and circular shape.

My cutting board is something that I’ve admittedly never put much thought into. I purchased a plain wooden block from IKEA when I was purchasing all of my other home essentials, and I called it a day. I’ve held onto it despite its bulkiness, which makes cleanup and storage a pain. Now that I’ve seen the difference that a cutting board like Yamazaki’s can make in my tiny kitchen, it’s the only one that I’ll keep in my kitchen from now on. For one, it sits securely on the side of my fridge, so there’s no risk of it sliding down from being propped up against the wall (which was my previous strategy). Its color and slim profile is hardly noticeable, but the circular shape is leaps and bounds more stylish than any rectangular one I’ve ever owned. 

As for how it performs during meal prepping tasks, I have zero complaints. The slightly textured surface is ideal for slippery foods, and everything from slicing apples to chopping potatoes to cutting a frozen pizza has been a breeze. I don’t have to hold down one side of the board while I chop with my other hand — it doesn’t go sliding across the counter. Perhaps the biggest difference it’s made so far — aside from taking up no space — is how easy it is to clean (which is probably due to its lightweight and more compact size). My shallow sink makes washing a chore, with water getting everywhere more often than not, so this cutting board is a major step up from my old one.

Another quality that I’m taking full advantage of during the holidays? It’s the perfect size and shape to double as a serving tray. So, I can chop and plate my appetizers all on the same surface. It’s already become one of my kitchen’s most valuable products, but once I start having people over, its status will be cemented. 

Buy: Round Magnetic Cutting Board, $33