Food News and Trends Product Reviews and Buying Guides The 7 Best Pepper Grinders for Home Cooks, According to Our Testers Our tester picked the OXO Good Grips Pepper Grinder as the winner. By Laura Denby, Laura Denby Laura Denby is a New York-based food and wine writer who focuses on finding the best kitchen equipment for home cooks. She has a Culinary Arts diploma from the Institute of Culinary Education and a WSET Level 2 Award in Wine and Spirits. Her work has appeared on leading food publications like Food Network, Taste of Home, and Delish. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Melanie Fincher, Melanie Fincher Melanie Fincher is a Birmingham, Alabama–based food writer who covers everything from cooking techniques to gadget reviews. She has nearly 7 years experience writing news and lifestyle content. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines and Rachel Johnson Rachel Johnson Instagram Rachel Johnson is an Austin-based recipe developer, food writer, and photographer. She creates recipes that are easy to follow and inspire fun in the kitchen. Her work has been featured in Chowhound, Cooking Light Magazine, Bon Appétit, and Edible Austin, among others. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Updated on June 17, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Photo: Rachel Johnson If you aren't already grinding your own peppercorns, it's time to trade in your jar of pre-ground pepper for a pepper grinder. Grinding fresh pepper is a guaranteed way to add extra flavor to everything from dinner salads to sauces, and these chef-approved tools often double as elegant accessories for your table or countertop. To help you find the best pepper grinder for your kitchen, we asked Allrecipes product tester Rachel Johnson to put the top options on the market to the ultimate test. She considered each grinder's efficiency, volume, look and feel, and cleanup. With these features in mind, she named the OXO Good Grips Pepper Grinder the best overall. Read on to discover the best pepper grinders, according to our testing. Best Pepper Grinders at a Glance Best Overall Pepper Mill: OXO Good Grips Pepper Grinder Best Budget Pepper Mill: Kuhn Rikon Adjustable Ratchet Grinder Best Automatic Pepper Mill: Latent Epicure Battery-Operated Pepper Mill Best for Coarse Pepper: Peugeot Paris Chef u'Select Stainless Steel Pepper Mill Best Classic Pepper Mill: Le Creuset Pepper Mill Best Pepper Mill Design: Cole & Mason Derwent Pepper Grinder Why Grind Pepper? If you've come here intent on buying a pepper mill, you're probably already convinced of the difference grinding your own pepper can make. But on the off chance you're still on the fence, here's what you should know: Pepper loses much of its signature bite when exposed to oxygen, which is why pre-ground, canned pepper often lacks flavor. But when you grind pepper directly from peppercorns, the ground pepper has far less time to react with the oxygen, resulting in a richer, deeper taste. Not only does grinding your own pepper enhance the flavor of the food you cook, it also gives you control over how coarsely ground the spice is. A fine grind is perfect for blending into things like soups and sauces, while a coarse grind is ideal for crusting meats like steak. What to Consider When Buying a Pepper Grinder Coarseness One of the many advantages of grinding your own pepper is the ability to control the coarseness. Some dishes might call for a coarser grind, while others will call for a fine grind that will easily disperse into soups and sauces. You'll find that most pepper mills allow you to adjust your grind size, but this factor can vary greatly across different models. Some pepper grinders will have several presets to choose from, while others will require you to tinker with the knob until you reach your desired coarseness. Manual vs. Electric As is the case with most kitchen gadgets, pepper mills come in both manual and electric varieties. Manual grinders are far more common, as they give you more control, and tend to deliver a more consistent grind. Electric pepper mills can be functional and convenient, but some pepper-purists argue that this takes away from the joy of hand cranking your pepper. This is a matter of personal preference that should be considered before diving into a purchase. Capacity It's also important to consider how often you plan to use freshly ground pepper. Though large-capacity pepper grinders might look nice, most home cooks won't have use for a large-capacity pepper mill. Not only will these be clunky and difficult to store, having a larger mill also puts you at risk of exposing your peppercorns to oxygen over a long period of time, which will result in flavor loss or stale spices. If you are looking to invest in a large-capacity mill, be sure to note whether or not the manufacturer specifies it as airtight. Style Pepper grinders are an easy way to add functional flare to your table decor, so it's important to consider aesthetics before making a purchase. After all, it's going to be a permanent resident of your countertop and/or kitchen table. You can find pepper mills in a myriad of shapes, sizes, and finishes, from ornate to modern and sleek. How We Tested Each Pepper Grinder Allrecipes product tester Rachel Johnson ran whole peppercorns through each pepper mill, comparing the grains on a paper plate and testing the capacity of each peppercorn reservoir. She also took into account the following factors: Efficiency: How quickly and evenly are the grains deposited? How many grind levels does each tool offer?Volume: How much whole pepper can the reservoir hold?Look and Feel: Does the mill look and feel like it was made to last? Is it easy to handle and maneuver?Cleanup: Is the unit difficult to clean? Are additional cleaning tools required to get into the nooks and crannies? The Best Pepper Grinders Best Overall: OXO Good Grips Pepper Grinder Amazon Buy Now We love this OXO grinder because it's simple yet effective. "OXO's grinder is a solidly middle-tier option and appropriately priced for what it offers. While not as ornamentally designed as other models, it is efficient, simple, and fancier looking than plastic spice-brand grinders available in grocery stores," says Rachel. This manual grinder includes five different grind levels that you can easily toggle between, and Rachel found there to be a clear gradient from the finest grain to the coarsest when tested. While the exact volume isn't listed, the clear plastic casing makes it easy to gauge when the reservoir is running low. Refilling is also easy since it lies flat upside down. The stainless steel top gives it a sleek look, and the resovoir is made of BPA-free plastic. The grinder itself is made of non-corrosive ceramic, so it won't absorb flavors or odors. Like all products from the Good Grips line, it features a rubberized handle, which may require frequent cleanings to wipe away dust and grime. Buy it: $26; Amazon Best Budget: Kuhn Rikon Adjustable Ratchet Grinder Amazon Buy Now Unlike the other pepper mills tested, this manual model from Kuhn Rikon uses a grind lever that must be cranked back and forth to grind pepper: "Grinding with this lever isn't quite as smooth or intuitive as more conventional rotating grinders, and the back-and-forth motion can feel a little awkward," says Rachel. But if you're willing to trade-off the convenience of the traditional rotating model for this crank model, you can get a similar result at a much lower price. The base of the grinder can be turned to adjust your grind size from fine to coarse. "Kuhn Rikon's spice grinder is able to yield results that are quite comparable to higher end pepper mills, and at a significantly lower price point," says Rachel. Buy it: $22 (was $26); Amazon Best Automatic: Latent Epicure Battery-Operated Pepper Mill Amazon Buy Now This battery-powered option from Latent Epicure provides freshly ground pepper at the touch of a button. And to really make it feel like a kitchen gadget, this mill has an illuminated base that shows you directly where the ground pepper is landing. Our testers did find that there were trade-offs to be had for the convenience of this model. While it does have a spectrum of grind levels, Rachel found the grounds to deposit rather slowly, requiring you to hold down the button for an extended period of time. It also has a somewhat limited capacity relative to the competition — about a quarter cup. As with all battery-operated models, you lose some control over the grind production. However, this electric model would make a great gift for someone with arthritis or limited grip-strength. Buy it: $23; Amazon Best for Coarse Pepper: Peugeot Paris Chef u'Select Stainless Steel Pepper Mill Amazon Buy Now There is no brand name more synonymous with salt and pepper mills than Peugeot. The French manufacturer creates luxury spice grinders that are as impressive in function as they are in appearance. The base of the grinder rotates smoothly between six different grind settings, each of which can be further modified by tightening or loosening the screw atop the handle. For an even grind at any coarseness setting, you can't go wrong with this made-to-last grinder from Peugeot. Rachel puts it this way: "The substantial price of this unit can be attributed mostly to its cosmetic appeal, but ultimately, the materials feel very well-made and the upscale presentation is quite considered. There's a good deal of variance offered with regard to grind levels, and this product would likely hold up for a long time in any user's kitchen." Buy it: $60 (was $80); Amazon Best Classic: Le Creuset Pepper Mill Amazon Buy Now It's no secret that Le Creuset makes classic cookware in the most visually-appealing array of colors. This model is available in eight different colors, including a number of ombre options. Use the cast metal knob to adjust the grind settings — clockwise for a finer grind and counterclockwise for a coarser grind. But keep in mind the appeal of this model is most closely tied to the appearance and brand name, as it doesn't boast the versatility of comparable models: "For more casual cooks though, the steeper price point is largely tied to the brand name, and this pepper mill offers less versatility in grain size than other comparable models," says Rachel. Buy it: $40; Amazon Best Design: Cole & Mason Derwent Pepper Grinder Amazon Buy Now Cole & Mason combines modern design with functionality in this best-selling pepper mill. The two-stage grinding process cracks and then shaves the pepper to release optimal flavor. It comes with six coarseness settings, and an easy pop-off refill mechanism. Plus, the translucent mid section allows you to easily see when peppercorns are running low, and the large reservoir can hold up to a half cup of peppercorns. "The user's aiming control over where the ground pepper lands is a major advantage," says Rachel. "The ground pepper comes out quite evenly and feels less scattered than other pepper grinders, without dumping too heavy of a concentration in any one spot." This smart design feels well made without sacrificing on style, making it our favorite design of all the pepper mills tested. Buy it: $40; Amazon Other Pepper Mills We Tested FinaMill Battery Operated Pepper Mill & Spice Grinder FinaMill's battery operated spice grinder is versatile and functional. Each grinder comes equipped with multiple interchangeable spice pods that allow you to grind any whole spice — from cumin to coriander — with the press of a button. Though it's not the most decorative spice grinder on the list, the sleek design makes it very easy to use. Our testers loved the versatility of this grinder compared to the others on the list, because the interchangeable pods make it easy to swap out different spices with no cleanup necessary. Each unit also comes with automatic LED lights, so you can easily see how and where your spices are dispersed. Buy it: $40; Amazon Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit