Picking the nicest countertop can be hard especially if you’re going for quartz. Big names like Cambria and Pompeii can help you with their huge ranges.
But are they really that different?
Yes, they are. Build and sizing, color and design, pricing and availability- these are the major differences between them.
Picking the nicest counter that goes with your home aesthetic can be hard. Fortunately, you’ll have good options like Pompeii and Cambria. But which one should you go for? Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you decide.
A Quick Summary of Comparison
| Factors | Pompeii Quartz | Cambria Quartz |
| Build and sizing | Vietnam made, smaller options | USA-made, bigger options |
| Patterns | Marble, stone, and concrete inspirations | Natural stone aesthetics |
| Color Options | 90+ | 140+ |
| Finish Options | Polished or matte/satin | Mostly polished |
| Price Per Square Foot | $70-100 | $100-150 |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 10 years residential / 5 years commercial |
| Availability | Easily accessible | Harder to access |
| Stain Resistance | Excellent | Very good |
| Heat Tolerance | Very good | Good |
| Scratch Resistance | Very good | Very good |
Curious about how they work? Here’s the detailed breakdown. Enjoy!
Key Differences Between Pompeii And Cambria Quartz
Both brands have a pretty big range of options so picking one is hard. It gets even harder when you realize how similar they are. But don’t worry, you can still differentiate and compare these two.
Build and size, color and design, price and availability are the major differentiating factors between Pompeii and Cambria quartz.
Let’s see how they make these two brands different.
Build and Sizing
This is one of the major visible differences. Cambria is heavier and goes for a seamless look.
Pompeii on the other hand is slightly smaller in size and more of a minimalist aesthetic follower.
Pompeii is an Italy-based brand but its quartz slabs are made in Vietnam.
The slabs are usually slightly thinner than other regular quartz slabs.
So if you’re looking for a luxurious touch but don’t want it to look too heavy, Pompeii would be a good option.
This is why Pompeii is mostly recommended for smaller spaces. Another thing about Pompeii is its sizing.
The slabs are usually a couple of inches smaller than regular slabs and you can get them in half-slabs. That means if you have a smaller space to cover, you won’t have to waste a huge slab just because.
Cambria is the opposite in pretty much all senses. Their slabs are heavy and come in bigger sizes.
If you have a big space to cover or just don’t want seams in your kitchen, Cambria is your best option. This luxury brand engineers its quartz slabs in the USA so the quality standard is better.
If you’re looking for quality, nothing can beat Cambria.
Durability
With heavy use in kitchens and baths, durability is a prime consideration for any quartz. Here’s how they compare:
Scratch Resistance
- Both offer excellent scratch resistance that outperforms granite
- Can withstand most daily use without issue
- Sharp objects can still scratch if dragged across surface
Heat Tolerance
- Pompeii Quartz has high heat tolerance, rated for temperatures up to 535°F
- Cambria more heat sensitive, max around 300°F before potential damage
Stain Resistance
- Pompeii has near-impervious stain resistance
- Cambria also highly stain-resistant, but citrus juices if left long term may stain
Overall, both deliver outstanding durability. But Pompeii’s greater heat tolerance gives it an edge for busy kitchens.
Finish Options
The finish determines the texture and sheen level of the countertop surface:
Pompeii Quartz
- Mostly polished finish resulting in a glossy, reflective surface
- Also available in satin and matte for subtler sheen
Cambria Quartz
- Primarily high-gloss polished finish
- Few matte options and limited satin availability
So those wanting a streamlined polished look will find more options with Cambria. But Pompeii provides greater flexibility for a more honed matte aesthetic.
Color and Design
Pompeii quartz is more toned-down elegance, and Cambria is flashier and regal just like any high-end quartz brand like VICOSTONE Quartz. Since it is more muted, Pompeii’s subtle glint goes with any wall color and setting.
Cambria on the other hand is a different kind of elegant. Their signature is a bigger, more noticeable glint. That’s why Cambria looks better in bigger spaces.
As for designs, Pompeii is far behind Cambria. Pompeii has around 75 designs and colors. Cambria has over 100 designs to choose from. If it is the range you want, Cambria will do you good.
Price and Availability
You know what they say, good things cost more. This is very much applicable in this case.
Pompeii is a more mid-range, affordable quartz line. They’re cheaper than Cambria and you can easily get them.
Cambria is high-end and more luxurious. You can imagine the price tag it will come with, but that’s not all. Cambria doesn’t sell through local resellers like Pompeii.
Warranties
The warranties provide peace of mind should any defects arise:
Pompeii Quartz
- Lifetime limited warranty for residential installations
Cambria Quartz
- 10 years for residential, 5 years for commercial
Pompeii backs their products for life in residential settings compared to Cambria’s 10 year residential coverage.
You can either get some through a few specialty stores and distributors, or you can purchase them through professional builders and architects.
Which One Should You Choose?
Well, it is quartz after all. But as you can see, both brands are pretty similar to each other. They have their advantages and unique attributes.
They kind of nullify each other so picking one from them is pretty hard.
That means there is no simple or straight answer to this question.
But that doesn’t mean you have to hang in the middle. It will be tough, but you can definitely pick one.
You can’t get it all so you’ll have to do some trade-offs and calculations to see what fits your bill.
The best way of picking one is to note down what you’ll prefer in your countertops. Once that list is done, picking one brand will be much easier. Because you’ll already know what you’re trading and for what features too.
If you have a fairly small space and you’re trying to cut back on your cost, Pompeii is the best you’ll find. Pompeii slabs are already about 2” smaller than regular slabs and you can get them as half slabs.
This quartz also has low-key patterns so it will go with pretty much everything.
Another good thing about Pompeii is that they’re easily accessible. You can find them pretty much anywhere you can get regular countertops.
If you don’t mind splurging a little and want something that will scream luxury, Cambria is the brand for you. They have a huge range of designs and colors.
Most of their designs are a little on the flashier side so if that’s something you want, it is a win.
Cambria also has bigger slabs so if you don’t want seams on your quartz slabs, Cambria is a no-brainer. They also have a lifetime warranty for their quartz tops which means your slabs are in safe hands.
The only problem with Cambria is accessibility. This is a high-end luxury brand so you can’t get your hands on them just like that.
You’ll either have to directly consult with them or you’ll need a designer/architect who will recommend you Cambria.
All in all, Cambria is the better choice here. It is a little hard to access but the price tag is worth it.
And if you want to cut down on your cost, then feel free to give Pompeii a shot. They are top-notch quality too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are a bunch of questions people usually ask about Pompeii and Cambria quartz.
Yes, Pompeii is one of the best quartz brands in the market. In its price range, there aren’t many brands that can beat Pompeii in its game.
That really comes down to personal preferences but the closest option would be Zodiaq quartz.
Not really, Pompeii is actually one of the most affordable mid-range quartz lines you’ll find.
This will depend on your preference. But Cambria, Zodiaq, and Silestone are the leading contenders here.
No, Pompeii Quartz is made exclusively in Vietnam. Some consumers confuse Pompeii Quartz with other brands that produce their quartz slabs in China. Pompeii uses original Bretonstone technology from Italy for their manufacturing process done entirely in Vietnam. This results in quartz of higher quality than typical Chinese-made products.
No, Pompeii Quartz and Vicostone are separate brands. However, they are both produced by Asia Chemical Corporation based in Vietnam. Vicostone focuses more on budget-tier quartz, while Pompeii Quartz is their premium engineered stone line. Pompeii uses state-of-the-art Bretonstone technology for superior durability and aesthetics compared to Vicostone. So while sharing a manufacturer, Pompeii Quartz offers a clear step-up from Vicostone in quality and performance.
Final Verdict
Quartz countertops are some of the nicest things you’ll see. But choosing one brand to go with is equally hard since none of them is the worst quartz brand. This is why I believe the comparison of Pompeii quartz and Cambria quartz will help you a lot.
But at the end of the day, it will all depend on your convenience. But if you must choose one, Cambria is the better option.
