The 5 Best Pepper Grinders of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Our Favorite Pepper Grinder

The Latent Epicure Battery Operated Grinder Set proved to be our overwhelming favorite. It was the only grinder we tested to achieve a perfect rating across the board, from size and design to ease of use to grind consistency, and its reasonable price makes it a superior value. The best part is that it’s a set of two, so you can easily grind both salt and pepper — or whatever pair of spices you use most.

How We Tested Pepper Grinders

We bought 21 of the most popular pepper grinders on the market, including manual and electric models, and tested them in our home kitchens, using the same methodology for each model. We looked at many different factors to determine our overall ratings:

• Design and size: As we assembled the grinders, we took notes on any complicated or difficult steps and measured the weight of peppercorns that could fit inside. Throughout the testing process, we recorded any aspects of holding, operating, and cleaning each machine that stood out as notably better or worse than the competition.
• Grinding: For manual pepper mills, we measured the number of turns needed to fully grind three grams of whole black peppercorns on the finest possible setting, then examined the evenness and overall consistency of the results. We repeated that same test with the coarsest possible grind and a medium setting. With electric models, we added 10 grams of whole peppercorns to the chamber, and then measured how much ground pepper was produced after 10, 20, and 30 seconds of grinding, looking at consistency and fineness of texture. As a test of overall power, we also timed each electric grinder to fully process 20 grams of peppercorns.
• Value: After completing our other evaluations, we revealed the retail prices of the pepper grinders in order to consider value. The models we tested ranged in price from $19.99 to $199.99, with an average of $45.92.
• Long-term performance: After the "official" tests, we continued using the pepper grinders in our everyday kitchen routines, checking in after a month and again after three months to see if they continued to perform as they did in the initial testing period. We noted if any of the pepper mills were damaged or deteriorated in any way over the longer period.

Factors to Consider

Manual vs. Electric

Nearly every pepper mill uses a rotating motion to crush peppercorns, but the power can come from your muscles or electricity. A manual grinder can work by twisting the top part against the bottom, or with a small crank, which can be easier to operate for kids or those with arthritis, carpal tunnel, or other movement issues. Electric pepper grinders (most often battery-powered) rotate by themselves, at the push of a button. This style is convenient but also more expensive.

Grinder Material

Probably the most important element of a pepper mill is the actual grinding mechanism. Metal is very common, but it can rust and deteriorate with exposure to water. Stainless steel helps prevents this, but it's important not to get metal grinder parts wet no matter what they're made of. Some higher-end pepper mills use ceramic, a longer-lasting material that's also more expensive. Some cheap models have plastic grinding parts, which we say to avoid: They can chip, flake, and get dull quickly, making your pepper grind inconsistent.

Body Material

Pepper grinders come in plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, and all sorts of other materials. What the body is made of doesn't really affect performance, so this is really just an aesthetic decision. Plenty of models are available in multiple colors to help match your kitchen decor.

Coarseness Settings

Most pepper mills let you adjust how coarse or fine they grind to at least some extent. This is often as simple as turning a dial or knob on the top or the bottom of the grinder, which moves the grinding teeth closer together or further apart. You might only have one or two coarseness options, but some grinders have dozens of micro-adjustments to choose from. Coarsely ground pepper is good for both flavor and texture, adding crunch to dishes like pepper-crusted skirt steak with charrel leeks. But the intensity of big pepper flecks is too much for a more subtle dish, where finely ground pepper will blend in more evenly and add to the background flavor. Not all pepper grinders can grind evenly, however; many of the models that didn't do well in our tests let larger bits through on fine-grind settings.

Capacity

The more peppercorns you can fit inside a pepper grinder, the less you'll have to take it apart to refill. A standard jar of peppercorns that you can find at any supermarket contains 2 ounces, which is just about as much as the largest grinders can hold at once.

Other Pepper Grinders We Tested

Strong Contenders

Kuhn Rikon Essential Adjustable Ratchet Grinder (Amazon)

One of our editors has been consistently using this grinder in their kitchen for years. Even after daily use, and more than a few drops from the countertop, it still produces an even and consistent pepper grind for all of their peppery needs. Plus, its cleverly designed handle makes it super easy to control how much pepper goes into the dish.

Peugeot Paris u’Select 9-inch Pepper Mill (Amazon)

This grinder excelled at fine and medium grinds, producing extremely uniform ground pepper. However, there was some inconsistency with the coarse setting. We love it as an everyday spice grinder but wouldn’t recommend it for tasks that require larger pieces, such as a rub for prime rib. 

Fletchers' Mill Federal Pepper Mill (Amazon)

This pepper grinder has a beautiful stained-wood look and feels comfortable to hold. Its simple design makes it easy to use, and it performs well. We might have put it on our list of favorite if it hadn't arrived with nicks and chips in the stain toward the bottom.

Cole & Mason Lincoln Duo Salt and Pepper Grinder Combo (Amazon)

The grinds were very consistent with this pair, especially on the finest setting, and they feel high-quality product despite their low price. Our issue was that adjusting the coarseness was harder than expected due to the confusing control knob and absence of instructions.

OXO Good Grips Pepper Grinder (OXO)

This OXO was easy to use, has a generous capacity for peppercorns, and is made of ceramic that won’t absorb flavors, meaning you can use it for various spices. We just preferred the other OXO model featured above, which has an easier-to-use crank and is cheaper.

What Didn’t Make the List

You wouldn't think there's a heck of a lot of difference between pepper mills, but our research shows otherwise. The major issue with models we didn't put at the top of the list was inconsistent texture, with large peppercorn bits and fine pepper powder winding up mixed together. Other problems included being uncomfortable to hold, having too small a capacity, and simply costing too much money.

• Cole & Mason Derwent Pepper Grinder (Amazon)
  
• Cole & Mason Capstan Wood Pepper Grinder (Amazon)
• Cuisinart SG-3 Rechargeable Salt, Pepper, and Spice Mill (Amazon)
• PepperMills Supreme Model 200 (PepperMills Supreme)
• Peugeot Olivier Roellinger 5.25-inch Pepper Mill (Amazon)
• OXO Good Grips Contoured Mess-Free Pepper Grinder (Amazon)
• Trudeau Plus Pepper Chrome Graviti Mill (Amazon)
• Dreamfarm Ortwo Hand-Held Pepper Grinder (Food52)
• Grind Gourmet Travel Salt and Pepper Grinder Set (Amazon)
• Zassenhaus Speyer Dark Stained Beech Pepper Mill (Amazon)
• Crystalia Turkish Spice Mill (Amazon)

Our Expertise

• Clarissa Buch Zilberman is an acclaimed food writer with nearly a decade of experience. With a degree in journalism from the University of Miami, she has written for Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Visit Florida, and more.