We have lived in our house 43 years, it was time to update. I wanted Granite so bad I could taste it until I
priced it. I told them at the store it was just toooo expensive. He said let me show you something. Formica (the brand) is making a counter top you would swear is the real thing. I had my entire kitchen done for $1600.00 and I have a lot of counter top. They built it the 3/4 inch plywood, rounded the edges. I have people come in the house and rant and rave over my new granite. I have to be honest and tell them the truth. Google Formica (Brand) and look for it. It is amazing.

When we redid our kitchen 7 years ago, we chose granite....and i am still so in love with it. I don't cut on it - and never sit hot pots on it without a pad......but i didn't do those things when i had the builder's Formica either.
I think all of the items that others have mentioned here are perfect for each person. It really all hinges on your taste and budget. I figured this was the one and only time (before i go out feet first) that i was going to remodel the kitchen - so i tried really hard to get what i liked and what would not be "dated".
OH...and by having under cabinet lighting installed too - my granite really gets shown off.

Sigh......my house is almost 50 years old.....needs a kitchen remodel. Not going to happen this year.....

I was at a friends house that had incredible granite counter tops. THey must have spent at least 15 - 20 thousand because of the sq. ft they had. Any way it was Thanksgiving and they took the turkey out of the oven and set it on the rounded end of a counter. In a few minutes all you heard was this loud snap and crash .... the rounded end that cantilevered over the end of the island snapped off and fell to the floor. The heat transferred caused a rapid expansion of the granite. All of those colors are different minerals, that react differently to heat.
I would pick quartz. the minerals are bonded together with a polymer that gives it strength.

I have granite now. It was in the home when we bought it. I hate it. It always feels dirty to me! The granite we have hides the dirt extremely well, so I am always unpleasantly surprised when I touch it.

A beautiful formica would suit me fine.

My DH was so careful of the granite when we first moved in, because it was so expensive to replace. Now he doesn't seem to care.

I had granite when my kitchen was remodeled 4 yrs ago but the whole main floor was flooded due to a broken filter in the ice maker while I was gone south for awhile. Kitchen cabinets had to be replaced due to mold but the counter tops got broken when cabinets had to be replaced. I now have Quartz after being told it does not require yearly maintenance (sealing) like granite does. It's just as beaut as granite & everybody assumes it is. I'm so happy with it.

I had granite when my kitchen was remodeled 4 yrs ago but the whole main floor was flooded due to a broken filter in the ice maker while I was gone south for awhile. Kitchen cabinets had to be replaced due to mold but the counter tops got broken when cabinets had to be replaced. I now have Quartz after being told it does not require yearly maintenance (sealing) like granite does. It's just as beaut as granite & everybody assumes it is. I'm so happy with it.

I want to agree with cathyvv' post. I had the same experience with granite. I was constantly wiping it since it felt dusty all the time. Every speck of dust showed when the sun hit it.

I have a granite table, I've had it for 25 years 2 of my boys plus friends 5 dogs who have tried to teeth on it and not a mark, never had to have it sealed or polished. I was told when I had it made that granite will never mark, will outlive me after all it's what headstones in a graveyard are made of. I wanted marble, but was advised granite was better as marble is porous, marks and needs sealed frequently.

I put in Quartz in my last house & granite in my current house & I love both of them. I am careful with my countertops, both granite & Quartz. After spending all of that money on them I have never taken things from the oven directly to the counter. The biggest difference I noticed is you can get more "movement" with granite while the Quartz patterns are more subtle. The subtle worked well in my previous kitchen & my current kitchen looks great with granite. Price them both out- Quartz isn't necessarily always cheaper.

I'm planning a kitchen remodel as we speak. I prefer Formica laminate, but on the area around the sink I will get Quartz. I want a farmhouse sink that must be undermounted. You cannot undermount a laminate.