Quartz names do not vary by region, the manufacturers use the same names nationwide. Its easier to find solid white colors in quartz than granite. Its very hard to find a granite with a pure white colors. To see the different quartz colors go to the manufacturer's websites as they all show the colors they make.

You need to do some homework. Every material has it's pros and cons, and it all comes down to what you are willing to live with. "Best" is completely subjective. Frankly, if my DH had not felt so strongly about our using a "higher end" counter top (we ended up with engineered quartz) I would have done a laminate. They are durable, warm, soft, and very inexpensive. Completely low-maintenance if you are not careless about using them. Our quartz will be fine, and looks fantastic, but we spent nearly three times what we could have spent on a high-end laminate. IKEA has some DIY laminate for incredibly little cost if you are willing to put in the effort and will buy you plenty of time to do some research on your countertop options. Here is a link that might be useful: IKEA wood and laminate countertops

I have Pental lattice, it reads white but has some very fine caramel veins if you look up close. I have had it 2 months now so not long, but have not notice any staining and with moving in the the house and all I have not kept things as clean as I normally do and things have sat on it over night. I cleaned up some blueberry syrup that had dried on there. A smear of grape juice. My husband sat an aerosol can on it that had rust on the bottom and that came right up. So far so good.

I have Cambria Torquay and use Clorox wipes on them all the time. I use them to wipe down my counters, then follow it up with Method granite polish from Target (LOVE that stuff!) There is absolutely no streaking, haze, residue, discoloration, etc. I frequently put hot items straight onto the countertop, but try to use a trivet or pot holder most of the time. I'm not super worried about it, but I figure it doesn't hurt to use a little extra caution. I was given the option of having the sink cut-out finished into a cutting board, so I used that for a long time as a tester of sorts. It has held up to all stains and temperatures I've subjected it to. I was advised by the installer to use a it of straight acetone for any stains that couldn't be removed with regular cleaner or by scraping with a razor blade. That was four years ago, and I have yet to find anything that didn't wipe right off. And that's saying something, because I have young children. I absolutely love my quartz counters and would buy them again in a heartbeat.