Engineered wood flooring is a beginner-friendly, budget option compared to hardwood. Here's the right pick for every project.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Engineered wood flooring is a beginner-friendly, budget option compared to hardwood. Here's the right pick for every project.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
LL Flooring is a premier flooring retailer that’s been around since 1993. The company has over 400 stores in 47 states, and it offers many flooring options, including hardwood, engineered wood, waterproof vinyl, bamboo, laminate, tile, cork, carpet and more. Our favorite editor-tested flooring from the site is the Builder’s Pride Misty Brazilian Oak engineered hardwood flooring for its real wood veneer and tongue-and-groove design.
Editor Cher Checchio tested and reviewed LL Flooring’s engineered hardwood floors in her own home. She selected this floor initially because of its real wood appearance, easy installation and overall tone.  She also loved the wider planks—a noticeable difference from the thinner bamboo floors on her main floor—that offered a more dramatic look. Checchio installed the floors in her loft, knowing an engineered hardwood floor more resistant to seasonal changes would be most suitable.
“I spend considerable time in my home office and walk on my engineered hardwood floors daily,” Checchio says. “After almost a month, I can confidently say that these floors have held up to constant back-and-forth gliding from my desk chair to morning coffee spills. If you’re uncertain about durability, longevity, price or selection—don’t be. LL Flooring has something for every budget, every style, and every remodeler—be it a DIY home project or a professional installation.”
These Greenguard Gold-certified floors have a premium aluminum oxide fortified finish that makes them stain-, scuff- and scratch-resistant. The floors are 9/16 inches wide and 7.5 inches thick with a 3-mm veneer and stained finish. Plus, LL Flooring offers a 50-year residential warranty to help keep these floors looking timeless.
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Those seeking a golden honey tone, plus a smooth and medium gloss finish, are in luck—this easy-to-install South American Legends teak flooring is incredibly simple to install thanks to easy click-lock installation. Just like laminate, this wood floor only requires a few simple tools to get started. A variation in tone makes for a lovely contrast throughout any room, and the varying length makes it easy to cover any square footage.
“I love this flooring,” writes reviewer, Jane. “Now I want to do the rest of my house! The guys who put it down raved about the ease and beauty of the floor. It looks amazing.”
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At under $4 per square foot, this European Traditions oak flooring rings up as a total bargain. But don’t let that fool you—these oak wood planks feature a fancy French bleed edge that looks lovely with modern farmhouse decor. UV-protective finish and a choice between brown or red planks put this pick near the top of our list. A worn-in feel disguises nicks and scratches, so this easy-to-install flooring holds up well against kids and pets.
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Having pets doesn’t mean forgoing the beautiful, shiny hardwood floors. Mohawk’s Wimbley birch flooring comes in three scratch-resistant shades: tobacco, burlap and java. Apart from the slip and water-resistant finish, humidity is no match for the cross-ply construction. That means reduced expansion and contraction of boards, which causes creaky floors.
“I love how there are three different sized slats and that the floor looks weathered, it looks so real I had to touch it to see if the floor was rough,” writes reviewer Babshoun. “One of the photos is after my husband used a drill bit and pushed hard to get a scratch. You can barely see it. This floor will be perfect for my dogs, I won’t have to worry about them scratching it up. The color is so pretty, my photos do not do it justice.”
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This Calatan hickory flooring comes in random widths and lengths, giving rooms a rustic vibe. Available in four different finishes, the flooring is compatible with both wood and concrete subfloors. It’s a solid choice for basements—but fix any concrete pitting first. The warm color pallet combined with a hand-scraped surface simulates expensive hardwood at a fraction of the price. Plus, installation is incredibly simple using staples, glue or floating techniques.
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Simple tongue-and-groove installation makes this Scottsmoor oak flooring planks a good choice for DIYers new to engineered wood flooring. A flat-sawn, matte veneer offers a cohesive look for kitchens, dining rooms or living areas. At three inches thick, these boards are durable enough to stand up to heavy footfall, and the scratch-resistant finish fights scuffs and spills.
“It wears really well and it’s very difficult to scratch it,” says verified reviewer Johnathan. “I have a dog and a cat and I’ve never seen a scratch on it. I’ve had it in for about a year now. It was pretty easy to install and I get compliments all the time and people can’t believe that it’s engineered flooring.”
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Dent-resistant, water-resistant, wear-resistant Anchor oak flooring looks lovely in the kitchen or bathroom, and it’s frequently on sale! A front and back-facing veneer means never having to worry about ugly exposed gaps when the boards expand or contract with the seasons. In addition, a WearMax DWR finish makes this set of boards slip, dent, water and scratch-resistant.
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When it comes to the kitchen, durability is top of the mind. This Albero Valley maple wood flooring boasts an 11-step aluminum oxide finish. It resists scratches and dings from dropped silverware, and the hand-rubbed protective stain keeps food from seeping into the 0.5-inch thick veneer. Plus, purposeful distressing done by hand disguises any nicks and marks from everyday use. Here’s what to know about wood stains for maple and how to apply them.
“STUNNING flooring,” writes reviewer Kimberli. “Good quality and durable. It looks clean and even in the kitchen it has stayed nice.”
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Claiming to be 100% waterproof (and with the reviews to back it up), this waterproof hardwood flooring from Islander uses HDPC core technology that seals out moisture, so it’s safe for use in damp places like bathrooms. In the center, an attached foam pad reduces sound transmission and increases comfort while walking in socks. Because it’s scratch, slip stain and fire-resistant, it’s safe to use in high-traffic areas around the home.
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Newport hardwood planks boast a variety of lengths, but the width of the plank—each one is 7.5 inches—brings a cohesive, modern and fresh feel to any room. A thick three-millimeter wood veneer surface offers protection from scratches, dust and debris. A uniform look and seven stunning color options make this pre-finished wood flooring choice a shoo-in for the overall best engineered wood flooring.
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Between a handsome wire-brush finish and a durable four-millimeter wood veneer, these Laguna hardwood plank floors are both exquisite and durable. The thicker wood veneer surface protects the underside from water, pet hair and other normal wear-and-tear. Better yet, the planks look incredibly modern thanks to a wide 9.5-inch width that covers more space per square footage.
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Looking for a durable option? Check out the Bruce Dogwood Densified Hardwood, which has an ultra-durable core that allows for installation on all levels. Senior Editor Caroline Lubinsky had this flooring installed on the second floor of her large multipurpose room, which is used as an office with space. “It’s lovely in tone and variation. The color and extra-wide, 8-inch plank lends itself to multiple decor styles while giving a beautiful, spacious feeling to the room,” she says.
Installers came in, removed the existing carpeting in Lubinsky’s home and laid the floor in less than a day for a room greater than 10 by 28 feet in size. The glue and flooring did not odor, and the installers said this flooring could be refinished in the future.
Lubinsky selected the flooring from Floor & Decor because the manufacturer claims it is dent-, water- and scratch-resistant. She uses it in her three-dog household, and with its ultra-hard, durable exterior, the flooring has held up well. It would also be excellent in a playroom or high-traffic living room.
“The quality, appearance and color all surpass expectations and look better in person than online,” Lubinsky says. “It has a textured wire brush finish with a low gloss level. Â If you have pets, kids, a busy family/household or are just looking for a durable, great-looking product that will stand the test of time, this is the flooring for you.”
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Cost is a major factor when determining the best engineered wood flooring. “Like solid hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood flooring is a premium type of flooring, so the cost will vary depending on the style,” says Lightfoot.
That said, there are tons of options that cover almost every style, installation method and budget.