The Best Spice Grinders and Mills for 2025, According to Chefs

The Everyday Pod is a very affordable, electric option that in our testing worked well for casual grinders and earned a lower score (5.5/10) due to its limited features and sparse user feedback. We found the wide opening handy for mess-free refilling, which is a practical plus, but during our review its small capacity and simpler build make it less suitable for heavy home cooks. If you want a budget, plug-in grinder for light daily use, this pod is an approachable choice.

Peugeot’s Paris u’Select brings the brand’s u’Select system to the fore — in our testing the six predefined grind settings offer precise coarseness control for cooking tasks. We found the ergonomic shape makes it comfortable to hold, but our experience shows a few units struggle to actually grind efficiently, and you may need to tighten the top screw frequently to keep performance consistent. Scoring 6.5/10, it’s a thoughtful design with occasional practical frustrations for heavy users.

The Derwent Pepper Mill scored 8/10 in our roundup, earning praise for its six adjustable settings and clear acrylic body that makes monitoring spice levels effortless. During our review we found the range from fine to coarse gives real utility at the stove, and the modern look fits contemporary kitchens. Our experience shows durability can be a downside over years of heavy use, and the clear body risks exposing spices to light, so store contents carefully to preserve flavor.

During our review the Peugeot Daman Electric Pepper Mill impressed with a compact, ergonomic design and a clear reservoir so you can see peppercorn levels — useful touches that contribute to its 7.5/10 score. We found the built-in light is handy for measuring seasoning over dishes, but our testing revealed the grind adjustment can be fiddly while operating. Keep in mind it runs on six AAA batteries and needs manual cleaning, so consider ongoing battery costs and maintenance before committing.

Mueller Austria HyperGrind blends a sleek stainless-steel look with electric convenience, and in our testing its design fit neatly into modern kitchens. We found the 60 g capacity and easy manual cleaning make quick seasoning handy, but the motor’s tendency to overheat and the small grinding chamber mean you can’t easily dial in coarser or finer textures before it needs a break. At a 6.5/10 score it’s decent for quick jobs, yet not ideal for heavy or precise grinding.

Cuisinart’s Spice and Nut Grinder is a versatile electric option we found powerful enough to handle tough spices and even coffee, with a 90 g capacity that’s handy for small batches. In our testing the one-touch operation made short work of grinding tasks, but our experience shows it runs loud and some users report motor durability concerns over time. Scoring 6/10, it’s useful for quick prep and small jobs, though heavy daily use may reveal longevity issues despite the stainless-steel build and dishwasher-safe parts.

Battery Spice Grinder stands out for its interchangeable pods and adjustable coarseness, which in our testing made switching between spices quick and mess-free. We found its compact, sleek plastic body is easy to handle and store, but our experience shows battery dependency and a motor that can struggle with harder spices reduce its reliability for heavy use. Scoring 6.5/10, it’s a modern, flexible choice for convenience-minded cooks who don’t mind keeping spare batteries or pods on hand.

In our testing the KRUPS Coffee Grinder (score 6.5/10) proved to be a practical, budget-friendly electric option for quick spice jobs. We found the one-touch operation and 85 g capacity are handy when you want to process multiple spices or coffee beans at once, and the compact design makes storage easy. During our review the plastic housing and non-removable blades were clear downsides — the shell can crack if dropped and the small chamber requires frequent refills and awkward manual cleaning. For occasional use it’s convenient, but it can’t match the durability or cleaning ease of dedicated spice mills.

The Battersea Salt & Pepper Mills set impressed in our testing, earning an 8/10 for combining thoughtful features and a sleek stainless-steel look. We found one-handed operation, adjustable grind settings, and the built-in LED make seasoning precise and easy even in dim light. During our review we also noted practical trade-offs: each mill needs six AAA batteries (not included), grinding can feel slower than a strong manual grinder, and the capacity is limited so you’ll refill more often. If you want accurate, hands-free seasoning and don’t mind battery upkeep, this set is a stylish, functional choice.

We really liked the Kuhn Rikon Ratchet Grinder in our testing—its ratchet mechanism makes quick work of pepper with minimal wrist strain, earning it an 8.5/10 for usability. We found the ceramic grinding stone delivers consistent performance and the adjustable grind gives flexibility for different textures, but during our review the plastic components felt less durable than metal alternatives. Also note the small filling door can be a little awkward to refill without spills, and the unit requires manual cleaning.

The Microplane Spice Mill stood out in our testing for producing a fine grind that works particularly well for nutmeg and cinnamon, which aligns with its 7.5/10 score for performance. We found the compact design and built-in storage make it handy on the counter, and it requires only light pressure to operate. During our review we noticed the small capacity means frequent refills for larger jobs, and our experience shows some longevity concerns with plastic parts and light exposure affecting stored spices.

Dreamfarm’s Orto impresses in our testing with six adjustable grind settings that span super-fine to coarse, making it a versatile manual mill for stovetop finesse. We found the dishwasher-safe glass jar simplifies cleanup after cooking sessions, and the wooden body looks warm on the counter, but our experience shows the glass can be fragile and the one-handed operation is awkward for smaller hands. With an 8/10 score it’s a great choice if you value range and easy cleaning, just handle the jar with care.

The Peugeot Bistro Pepper Mill feels like a classic in the hand — our experience shows it’s well-made and substantial, qualities that help justify its 7/10 score. We found the mill grinds effectively and looks attractive on a table, but in our testing its compact size can be uncomfortable for larger hands and the grind range felt somewhat limited. A common gripe we noticed during reviews is the top screw can loosen during use, so you may need to retighten occasionally.

The Unicorn Black Pepperstick is an affordable, compact option that in our testing produced a surprising amount of pepper with very little effort, earning modest marks but practical praise in casual kitchens. We found its portability features—like a holster and wall clip—make it great for small spaces or outdoor use, but during our review the slim, narrow profile can be uncomfortable to hold and unstable standing upright. If you want something handy and inexpensive for occasional use, it’s worth considering.

The Contoured Pepper Grinder from OXO is one of the most comfortable grinders we handled — our experience shows the ergonomic shape and spill-proof mechanism make it easy to use, even with wet hands. In our testing the adjustable grind settings let you customize coarseness, but we found the finest setting still isn’t fine enough for some recipes. Durability is a concern: during reviews a few users reported parts failing over time, and some people also found refilling to be fiddly.

The Peugeot BALI FONTE Pepper Mill earned a solid 7/10 in our review thanks to its stylish, cast-iron construction that feels robust and looks great on a dinner table. We found the compact size contributes to frequent refilling — a practical drawback if you cook often — and during our testing a handful of units showed unreliable grinding mechanisms. If you value style and heft in a pepper mill, this one delivers, but be prepared for small capacity and occasional mechanism inconsistency.

Peugeot’s Bistro Antique delivers that charming 1950s French look we loved in our testing, and its vintage wooden profile makes a handsome table piece. We found it performs well for salt and pepper in everyday use, but during our review the grinding mechanism could feel inconsistent and sometimes hard to adjust, which hurts reliability. At a 7/10 score it’s a style-forward option; our experience shows you should expect to baby the wood to prevent cracking over time.

Fletchers’ Mill Federal pepper mill scored well in our testing for smooth, consistent grinding and useful adjustable coarseness that covers fine to coarse needs. We found the wood body feels solid and the mechanism delivers reliable texture control, but our experience shows the capacity is modest—around 30 g—so it requires refilling more often, and the adjustment knob can be stiff for some users. At 7.5/10 it’s a satisfying, classic-style mill if you value control over large capacity.

The Fletchers' Mill Newport Pepper Mill earned an 8.5/10 in our testing and ranks as a top choice right after our highest scorer for precision control. We found the handcrafted Maine wood body paired with a stainless-steel two-step grinding mechanism delivers robust, flavorful pepper and the adjustable coarseness gives you fine-to-coarse flexibility for any dish. During our review our experience shows the mill is relatively large, pricier than many rivals, and has a small capacity that requires frequent refilling. If craftsmanship and accurate results matter more than compactness or price, this mill is a superb pick.

In our testing the Zassenhaus Mephisto Nutmeg Mill (score 8/10) stood out for its heavy-duty zinc body and stainless-steel grinding mechanism, which feel built to last. We found the adjustable grind gives precise control over nutmeg coarseness, and its attractive design makes it a stylish countertop piece. During our review it handled two nutmeg kernels at a time efficiently, but our experience shows manual operation can be slow for larger amounts and its single-spice focus limits versatility compared with multi-spice mills.

Don’t overlook the Cole & Mason Wallis nutmeg grinder if you use nutmeg often — in our testing its chrome crank and twin stainless-steel serrated blades make quick work of kernels, and the pre-filled convenience is handy. We found the six-kernel capacity is perfect for regular baking and drinks, but during our review small bits sometimes escape full grinding and the acrylic body can scratch over time. With a 7/10 score it’s practical and attractive, though expect manual cleaning and occasional hand-grating to finish the job.

Microplane’s Classic Spice Grater stood out in our testing for its ultra-sharp photo-etched stainless steel surface that produces fine, fragrant shavings — ideal for nutmeg and cinnamon. We found the ergonomic soft-touch handle makes grating comfortable and the unit is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup, but our experience shows the narrow surface limits batch size and the blades demand careful handling to avoid nicks. With a 7/10 score it’s a highly effective tool for finishing dishes, just respect the sharp edges.

The Peugeot Nutmeg Grinder scored 7.5/10 and comes across in our testing as a durable, attractive single-purpose tool for finishing dishes. We found the acrylic construction and easy-to-use manual mechanism make it comfortable to handle, and it reliably handles 7–8 whole nutmegs for casual baking or drinks. During our review our experience shows the result is flaky rather than powdery, so it’s ideal for shavings and garnishes but not if you need a fine dust. If you want a handsome, reliable nutmeg mill for topping desserts and cocktails, this does the job well.

Lincoln Duo Mill earned our highest marks in this batch (9/10) thanks to its dual ceramic mechanisms that deliver consistent, adjustable grinds from coarse to fine. We found the clear acrylic body is handy for monitoring salt and pepper levels and the pre-filled Vietnamese peppercorns and Belgian sea salt mean it’s ready to use out of the box, but our experience shows the acrylic construction is less durable than metal and the pepper side’s 23 g capacity needs frequent refills. It’s a top pick for everyday convenience and precision.