Kitchen counters serve two main functions. They're normally the focal point of the room, so appearance is important. They also take a lot of abuse, so they need to be strong enough to handle it.

For its August issue, Consumer Reports tested a dozen different types of counter materials to find the ones that are both stylish and strong.

All sorts of counters look so nice in the store and it's hard to know which way to go. Pick the wrong counter material for your kitchen and you could end up wasting thousands of dollars.

Consumer Report conducted a series of torture tests to rate countertop materials. There's a stain test, a scratch test and a drop test with a 5-pound weight.

For the heat test, a pot of oil at 400 degrees was placed on the counter for an hour. Some stick to the surface. Quartz and granite ended in a virtual tie.

Quartz is an engineered stone created in a factory using real stone and other materials. Consumer Reports says quartz is best for busy kitchens. It's tough, low maintenance and it comes in a wide variety of vibrant colors and styles.

Unlike natural stone, engineered stone has a uniform look. That means your counter will be the same color as the store sample.

The one downside: with quartz, the edges and corners can chip. The editors say rounded edges can help.

Consumer Reports says granite is best for a natural look that can withstand heavy use. When properly sealed and then resealed, it does a good job of resisting stains.

Because it is natural stone, the pattern you get will be somewhat different from what you see in the store. Granite is generally the most expensive way to go. But in some cases, it can be comparable to quartz.

Tile is heat-resistant so it's the best choice for use near stoves. Both ceramic and porcelain tile comes in lots of colors and patterns. It's also one of the least expensive ways to go.

The downside: tile chips and the grout will stain even when sealed.

And what about marble for a kitchen counter? Marble rated the lowest of the 12 kitchen counter materials tested. While quartz got 87 out of 100 points, marble got just 19. That's even lower than butcher block.

Consumer Reports says it's easy to scratch marble. It's not very heat-resistant and it's more porous than granite, so it's not as stain-resistant.

More information:

Find the Best Countertops

Secrets of a Successful Kitchen Remodel