Which is better melamine or plywood?
The two options are fairly comparable when it comes to cost, durability, and finish--so you'll need to consider the style of furniture that will be sitting on top of your surface as well as future remodels in order to decide which material is best for you.
Which is better melamine or MDF? Melamines are a class of chemical compounds derived from ammonia or phenol (a type of alcohol). They're often used for surface coating materials like plastics or paints but they also find use in products like kitchen cabinets, laminate tabletops, and flooring.
MDF stands for "medium density fiberboard" - this board consists primarily of wood fibers glued together with a phenol-based resin, and it's often used in place of plywood for its higher quality. It has more structural integrity than particle board but less resiliency so MDF will dent or scratch easier than melamine on plywood.