Wow. This is really hard. I am usually really good at picking what i like but I like all three. I agree that option 3 is inviting dark perimeter or color on island. I think the question is whether you want to have the counters be the focal point. Number 2 is loud and will draw attention. Number 1 is less loud but veins like that scream marble and marble always draws attention. What kind of stones are these?

Is first quartzite, second granite, and third marble? If so, I'd get the first one. It also happens to be my fave look of the three anyway.

I really love #2, but you would have to let that be the main focus. With 1 and 3, you could get a busier backsplash.

I like #1 and #3. I'm assuming #1 is quartzite. What is #3?

#1 is a manmade quartz. #2 is alpine white granite. #3 is white rhino marble. in person I feel like #3 is more impressive than in the picture, but I am worried about upkeep. I really like #1 but am afraid it will scream "fake". I also like #2 as a stand alone slab - but have a harder time visualizing it in my kitchen long term.

I like boring so I would pick #3 with #1 as the second choice. Price and ease of cleaning would be my big concerns as countertops just aren't that important to me.

I just saw your comments so time to revise my answer. I would be concerned about marble and think that the easier care for quartz would be a good choice.

What quartz is it?

"DH refuses to comment"-oh rejoice:) My husband has opinions on absolutely everything. Well it doesn't mean he expects me to listen to every single one..

As for the slabs..it depends. If you're ok with taking care of marble-I'd say marble..

Two others are beautiful as well but you'll be more restricted in your other choices.

I don't like granite as a rule-but this is one of the nicest granites I saw. I'm really impressed with it.

The first one fooled me, doesn't seem fake at all, love the veining (as opposed to dots that appear on so many Quartz slabs..purely personal preference of course) ..but then I'm not looking at it closely. That's something for you to decide.

..what are/will be the floors?

It would be very helpful if you could identify what these slabs are. Perhaps one of them is known to be high maintenance, or conversely one is known to be bulletproof. The middle one looks like it is in the Bianco Antico granite family (White Spring, Alaska White, Lennon, White Delicatus). I have a friend with Alaska White counters and 2 teenage boys. That counter takes abuse and then some, and it shows nothing! No streaks, no stains, no fingerprints. My friend said maintenance is sealing once a year (5 minutes), and cleaning spills with a sponge and mild dish soap, that's it. Oh, and it looks fabulous.

And echoing what Johnsoro25 said, you need to consider your backsplash, which may be a harder decision with two different counters. My friend with Alaska White counters chose cream subway tiles, but they are a smaller size than classic subway tile size. It looks great with the counter, and is classic so you won't get tired of it. Backsplash is the hardest decision in the kitchen IMHO.

Edit: I didn't see the OP's post identifying the slabs when I wrote this, but the middle one, Alpine White, is in the Bianco Antico family like I guessed.

If you have a hard time visualizing the slabs in your kitchen, do a search on this forum for any of the names I mentioned in my first paragraph and you should see pics of kitchens with them.

Friedajeune- I also have Alaska White, which is why I gravitate towards anything within that family :) my backsplash is white subway, leaving the granite as the focus. It is gorgeous and gets so many compliments. Also no issues with 2 kids.

Don't do #3 (marble) if you are concerned with maintenance (as you said you are). I have Cararra counters and I'm fine with the etching (haven't gotten a stain - either good sealant or just luck), but its the chips (very hard to fill in apparently). I have 2 significant dents (chips) in the counter: dropped a small child's (metal) fork from about 8" above the counter; dropped a glass, small salt shaker from about 12" above the counter. You can easily see both chips (they are 'in' the marble - you can feel the dent with your finger). Its very hard to repair, my tile/stone guy said.

With the additional info, I like number 2. While I think that 1 is very convincing replica of real stone, I prefer the real deal. However, 1 is likely the lowest maintenance. For granite, I like the light color of 2 and I think it is very beautiful (especially the right side of the slab).

I have marble and I love marble, but 3 looks like it is polished. Polished marble is very difficult to maintain. I would not suggest marble with a polished finish. Instead, look into having it honed. To understand why, do a search of marble etching. Polished stone shows etches the most, although all marble will etch. I've had mine since March. I have 3-4 etches which you can only see if you stand at the right angle hunched over the counter with the proper lighting. I am fairly careful about it though. I don't cut any citrus or work with any acidic ingredients on the marble (my perimeter counters are inert so I use those). I also tend to lay down a towel on the surface when I am baking or something. For thanksgiving, i did most of the cooking and I did not put down a towel. I only suffered one etch and people were drinking red wine all gathered around the marble. Marble also scratches and can chip. I have a fairly noticable impact mark where someone was careless with their keys.

I like the patterns of either #2 or #3, depending on how else you do your kitchen, including flooring. (If everything else is muted, or has little pattern -- loud can be good!)

I cook with lots of acids (lemon, vinegar, sherry, vino, tomato -- although less tomato now that I have an autoimmune reaction to nightshades) so I wouldn't consider marble. High price, high maintenance. I'd consider quartz or a low maintenance granite.

I like #1. #3 is pretty but the maintenance might be more work than it's worth.

Out of those 3, I would choose #2. But it is ultra important that you get samples of counters you are interested in and bring them home. Slabs that look great at the stoneyard will look different in your home depending upon the amount of light, windows, size of kitchen, flooring, and other factors. Get a sample of your cabinets also to hold up against the counter choices.