For indoor furniture, teak is the most durable and stable of the three, but also the most expensive. Suar (also called saman or monkeypod) is softer but very stable, which makes it ideal for wide live edge slabs. "Acacia" covers hundreds of species, so its hardness and stability vary; ask exactly which species you are buying.
Teak, acacia and suar are three of the most common woods in handmade and imported furniture, especially pieces made in Southeast Asia. They often sit side by side in the same stores, at very different prices, and the labels do not always tell you much.
This guide compares them on the things that matter indoors: hardness, how much the wood moves with humidity, durability, look and price. The numbers come from The Wood Database and are averages; every board is a little different.
Teak vs acacia vs suar at a glance
| Teak | Acacia (mangium example) | Suar (saman, monkeypod) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janka hardness | 1,070 lbf | 1,430 lbf | 900 lbf |
| Average dried weight | 40.9 lb/ft³ | 36.5 lb/ft³ | 38 lb/ft³ |
| Volumetric shrinkage | 7.2% | 10.7% | 6.0% |
| Decay resistance | Very durable | Varies by species | Durable to very durable |
| Look | Golden brown, straight grain, slightly oily | Varies; often mid to dark brown | Golden to dark brown with a pale edge, wavy grain |
| Price | Very high | Varies by species | Mid to high for imported wood |
Lower shrinkage means the wood moves less as indoor humidity changes, which matters most for wide tabletops and live edge slabs.
Teak: the durable classic
Teak is known for its natural oils and decay resistance. The Wood Database calls it "the gold standard" for durability and notes it also resists termites. It is stable and easy to work.
- Best for: pieces that see moisture, like bathroom vanities and kitchen shelves, and anything you want to last for decades.
- Watch out for: price. Despite wide plantation growing, teak remains one of the most expensive lumbers for large boards.
- Ask: whether it is solid teak or a teak veneer, and whether the piece is heartwood, which is the durable part.
Acacia: a name, not one wood
"Acacia" is a genus of nearly 1,000 species. The Wood Database notes that it ranges from light woods such as mangium to some of the heaviest woods on earth, and that sellers often use the name loosely. Two common plantation species in Southeast Asia are mangium and earpod wattle.
- Mangium: a hard surface for its weight (1,430 lbf), but it moves more with humidity (10.7% volumetric shrinkage), and its density can vary greatly with tree age and growing conditions.
- Earpod wattle: moderate weight and strength; widely planted and often grown for fuel and pulp as well as small craft use.
- Best for: budget-friendly tables, cutting boards and smaller pieces.
- Ask: which species it is and how the wood was dried. Without that, the label alone tells you little.
Suar: wide slabs, calm movement
Suar is the Indonesian name for the rain tree, also sold as saman or monkeypod. The tree grows large, so it yields the wide slabs used for live edge tables and counters. It is softer than teak and acacia, but it is one of the most stable woods in this group, with only 6.0% volumetric shrinkage, and it is rated durable to very durable.
- Best for: live edge tables, desks and floating vanities where width and stability matter.
- Watch out for: dents. At 900 lbf, a sealed finish and coasters help keep the surface looking fresh.
- Ask: whether the slab was properly dried before building, which reduces cracking later.
A floating desk from one slab
Our Valemere live edge desk is listed as 100% solid saman wood, in five lengths from 20 to 60 inches and 18 to 20 inches deep, from $515.90.
Which wood should you choose?
Choose teak if…
- The piece will face moisture or heavy daily use.
- You want the longest track record for durability.
- Budget is less of a concern.
Choose suar if…
- You want a wide, one-piece live edge top.
- Stability matters more than a very hard surface.
- You like warm color and wavy grain.
Choose acacia if…
- You want a lower price for a smaller piece.
- The seller can name the species.
- The piece is not a very wide slab.
A live edge top for the bathroom
Our Birchholt live edge vanity is listed as 100% solid saman wood with a water-resistant oil finish, in five lengths from 20 to 60 inches, 2 inches thick, from $625.90.
What matters most indoors
- Drying: well-dried wood moves less. Our workshop uses naturally dried wood that has stabilized over time, not freshly cut timber.
- Finish: a sealed surface protects any of these woods from spills and rings.
- Humidity: keeping your home around 35 to 55 percent helps every wood stay stable; see humidity and solid wood furniture.
- Honest labels: confirm the piece is solid wood, not veneer; see how to tell if furniture is solid wood.
The woods we work with
Our Da Nang workshop works with oak, walnut, teak, saman and driftwood. Each product page lists the wood or finish options, and if you want to know which wood will be used for your piece, ask us before you order. For a closer look at saman, read our saman wood guide.
Teak is the most durable and the most expensive. Suar is softer but very stable and comes in wide slabs, which suits live edge tables. Acacia can be good value, but the name covers many species, so ask which one and how it was dried. Whatever you choose, confirm it is solid wood with a sealed finish.
Choose by the piece, not just the wood. Put the hardest, most water-resistant wood where it gets wet or worn, and let a stable, wide slab carry the room as a table or desk.
Browse handmade solid wood tables and live edge desks, or compare two more classics in oak vs walnut. Every piece is made to order in 7 to 10 business days, plus 5 to 7 days for free US delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is teak better than acacia for furniture?
Teak is more durable and stable on average, but more expensive. Acacia varies by species, so compare the specific wood, not just the name.
What is suar wood?
Suar is the Indonesian name for the rain tree, also sold as saman or monkeypod. It is known for wide slabs and low movement.
Is suar wood good for a dining or coffee table?
Yes. It is very stable, which suits wide tops. It is softer than teak, so use coasters and a sealed finish.
Which is the hardest: teak, acacia or suar?
It depends on the acacia. Mangium averages 1,430 lbf, teak 1,070 lbf and suar 900 lbf on the Janka scale.
Does acacia wood crack?
Any solid wood can check if it is not dried well. Some acacias, like mangium, shrink more with humidity changes than teak or suar.
Is teak worth the price indoors?
For pieces near water or in heavy use, often yes. For dry rooms, a stable wood like suar can be a good-value alternative.
Editor's note: Wood data from The Wood Database (wood-database.com) pages for teak, monkeypod, mangium, earpod wattle and the Acacia genus, checked October 28, 2026; values are averages. Product prices and sizes were checked on woodfurnist.com on October 28, 2026. Room images are styled product images for inspiration; the grain video was filmed in our Da Nang workshop. See our shipping policy for production and delivery times.
