The 8 Best Pepper Grinders for Absolute Spice Success, According to Reviews

Food & Wine
·9 min read
Pepper mills
Pepper mills

Amazon

Peppers grinders are arguably one of the most important tools to have in your kitchen. After all, nearly every recipe calls for salt and pepper, and you probably use it every day. That's why selecting an effective spice grinder—and not just a plastic one from the grocery store—is so integral for everyday cooking.

Knowing which pepper grinder to select can be confusing. There are so many choices and price points to consider: Do you opt for the standard wooden mill or select the stainless steel one that's not only comfortable to hold but also quite easy to turn?

To narrow down the options, we turned to Amazon reviewers who have test-driven some of the most popular pepper grinders and provided some real-life, experiential assessments. The result is eight reliable pepper grinders, buoyed by reviews from thousands of Amazon shoppers.

Keep scrolling to read about these top-rated pepper grinders, from the classic Peugeot wooden mill to electric pepper grinders that require no constant turning. All boast nearly perfect ratings from shoppers who swear they'll never buy pre-ground pepper again.

Here are the eight best pepper grinders on Amazon, according to thousands of five-star reviews:

Read more about these popular pepper grinders below, then shop the tools that are sure to take your cooking to new heights.

Best Overall: Peugeot 23485 Paris u'Select 9-Inch Pepper Mill

Made from beech wood plucked out of French forests, this sleek pepper grinder promises maximum flavor. The two-stage pepper grinding mechanism cracks each peppercorn first before grinding, and you can alter the desired size by turning the ring at the bottom of the mill. For best results, Peugeot recommends only filling the grinder with dry, hard, whole peppercorns that are ¼-inch or less in diameter.

Over 3,000 shoppers have rated the pepper grinder five stars, with many noting that it’s easily the best mill they’ve ever used. Several reviewers cite its beauty and functionality as their favorite part, while others remark that this grinder holds its own as the centerpiece of the dining room table.

“A genuine Peugeot will last a lifetime,” one five-star shopper writes. “These are well crafted and a pleasure to use and display. The window of grind type is amazing. From huge chunks to fine powder, however you like it. Easy to dial in with the bottom “U-Select’ collar. Glad we paid a little extra to have a showpiece for the table.”

To buy: $44 at amazon.com

Best Wooden Pepper Grinder: Cole & Mason Capstan Wood Pepper Grinder

The extra-long length of this pepper grinder is what makes it stand out from the pack. Standing in at 12.5 inches, the Capstan pepper grinder is designed for better leverage and torque, plus ease while using it. The machine-cut carbon steel mechanism allows for smooth and even turning, so you’ll never have to twist the grinder over and over to get a drop of pepper: a few rotations will cover that bowl of pasta with a showering of pepper. To refill the grinder, simply remove the top to add in fresh peppercorns, then select between fine or coarse granules by adjusting the knob on top.

Nearly 1,700 shoppers have given this Cole & Mason grinder a five-star rating, citing its effectiveness and ease of obliterating peppercorns.

“This grinder is a beautiful addition to our kitchen and serves its purpose very well,” one shopper writes. “The silver piece at the top unscrews very easily for a quick refill and there aren’t a bunch of moving parts. Simple, elegant, and effective.”

To buy: $28 (originally $30) at amazon.com

Best Salt and Pepper Grinder Set: Modetro Salt and Pepper Shakers with Silicone Stand

Keep all your salt and pepper in one place with this set, complete with a silicone standing base that ensures organization in the kitchen. The grinding mechanism, which sits on the top of each mill, can be adjusted to produce fine, medium, and coarse salt and pepper. Each individual grinder holds up to ¾-cup of salt and pepper, so you can go longer between refills. Plus, the sealing lid locks in flavors and keeps salt and peppercorns fresher for longer.

The grinder has nabbed nearly 6,000 five-star reviews from Amazon shoppers who were pleasantly surprised by the set’s performance.

“These grinders do an excellent job,” one five-star reviewer says. “I wish I had tried these before but I had always thought quality would be more expensive. These grinders produce a lot of salt and pepper and the coarseness stays put at where you set it. They even have the caps on the top so you can grind up a bit and then measure it out for recipes. No more grinding and grinding, hoping you’re getting something to come out.”

To buy: $17 (originally $23) at amazon.com

Best Stainless Steel Pepper Grinder: OXO Good Grips Pepper Grinder

As handsome as it is functional, this stainless steel pepper grinder from OXO is designed for ease. The soft, non-slip grip is comfortable and effortless to turn. The non-corrosive ceramic grinder won’t absorb flavors or odors and you can seamlessly adjust it from fine to coarse grind in five settings. Plus it comes with peppercorns to get you started.

Over 2,500 Amazon shoppers have bestowed this grinder with five stars. Many mention that it’s a tool that’s well-suited to a home kitchen and cleanly and efficiently smashes pepper.

“I’m kind of a fanatic about kitchen gadgets, so it’s hard to find an item that I consider perfect. But with this OXO Good Grips Pepper Grinder, I feel like I”ve found a keeper,” one five-star reviewer says. “In my view, it’s utterly perfect. Just the right size, transparent peppercorn chamber, easy to refill, easy to change the grind setting, easy and comfortable to turn the grinding wheel, and best of all, with the grinding end facing up, no mess on the counter between uses.”

To buy: $25 at amazon.com

Best Electric Pepper Grinder: Chew Fun Electric Gravity Pepper Grinder

Constantly turning a grinder no longer has to be a thing thanks to this powerful electric mill that runs on batteries. Simply flip the mill over and the wide-mouth appliance will automatically start grinding pepper—no button required. It can also be adjusted to produce fine or coarse grounds and can even be used to squash other spices.

Five thousand Amazon shoppers have rated the electric grinder five stars, noting its precision, convenience, and speed.

“How we lived our life before this thing is a mystery to me,” one five-star shopper says. “We used a manual pepper grinder for about five years and I decided to spend the money and switch to this one. It’s adjustable, easy to hold, has a good weight to it, and holds a lot of peppercorns.”

To buy: $18 (originally $24) at amazon.com

Best Budget: UMIKAkitchen Pepper Mill

Sure, you could also buy a plastic grinder from the grocery store, but anytime you’re out of peppercorns you’re forced to acquire another. So if you don’t want to perpetually spend money on sub-par grocery store grinders, but would also prefer not to purchase something exorbitantly expensive, you can opt for this basic but effective pepper grinder that’s just $10. The natural oak wood grinder is elegant, boasting a 3-ounce capacity, and grinds just by turning the top knob.

Thousands of Amazon shoppers agree that this is a solid grinder for the price. Many note that it’s easy to fill and operate and does everything it needs to do without excess bells and whistles.

“It spits out pepper like a madman and the grind is very consistent,” one five-star shopper writes. “It doesn’t get bound up or struggle to bring peppercorns down into the teeth, the fit and finish is good, and it does exactly what it needs to: grind pepper quickly and consistently.”

To buy: $10 (originally $11) at amazon.com

Best Splurge: MENU Bottle Grinder with Steel Lid Set of 2

If you’re looking for grinders that’ll match the minimalist, modern aesthetic, the MENU bottle grinders hit all the right notes. Sleek and functional, the two-piece ceramic set is complete with a solid handle and a grinder located at the top so salt and pepper won’t spill onto the table. To operate the mills, simply turn the base, with the grind settings at the top. Plus, it’s easy to recognize which is which, thanks to the dark grey and white colors.

Hundreds of shoppers love the design and function of these grinders, noting the benefit of no-mess mills and the clean look it provides any kitchen or dining room table.

“I love these grinders,” one shopper says. “I have been using Himalayan rock salt and peppercorns lately and it’s perfect for this grinder. The taste is much different when you use fresh ground salt and pepper.”

To buy: $80 at amazon.com

Best Design: Le Creuset Pepper Mill

Le Creuset is known for crafting products that pop, and this pepper mill is no different. The lightweight, high-gloss ceramic grinder is functional yet stylish, complete with a metal knob to adjust the settings and a corrosive-resistant grinder. It’s available in a number of bright colors like cerise, Caribbean, flame, and Marseille, plus more traditional hues like black and white. Match to your decor, or simply choose a color that’ll make any kitchen come alive.

Amazon shoppers adore this grinder for its beauty and quality, with many mentioning that it’s well designed and comfortable to hold.

“I cannot rave about this company enough!” one five-star shopper says. “From their top-notch quality Dutch ovens and cast iron skillets, I knew this peppercorn mill would hold up. I had recently bought a slew of terrible pepper mills and as a quarantined home chef obsessed with high-quality peppercorns, my anger grew and I threw out my mills. This is superb quality and matches my Dutch oven.”

To buy: $40 at amazon.com