Are wooden blocks really better than plastic?

Reviewers are split. Specialist parenting subreddits (r/Montessori, r/BuyItForLife) lean heavily toward wooden unit blocks for open-ended play and durability, while r/beyondthebump threads push back that cheap wooden sets splinter and that plastic blocks like Duplo/Mega Bloks last longer and don't hurt when stepped on. The honest answer is that hardwood blocks from established brands hold up well; budget wooden blocks are the ones with splinter complaints.