The 6 Best Spice Grinders of 2024

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Spice up your meals—and make them healthier, too—with these best-tested grinders.

Hannah Selinger's IACP Award-nominated lifestyle work has appeared in numerous high-profile publications, including Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

In This Article

EatingWell / Will Dickey

What is dinner without a little spice? If the humble spice grinder feels like an ancillary tool for making dinner more delicious, think again. This kitchen essential can take your meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Take, for example, the forgotten spice drawer pepper versus the fresh-milled variety—the difference is almost too vast to describe. Adding spices to your meals is also an easy way to boost their health benefits: Garlic has been shown to help with blood pressure, ginger is well known for soothing nausea, and—one of our favorites—black pepper has anti-inflammatory properties.

But which grinder is the best kind of grinder for you—and how should you choose yours? Our test kitchen ground its way to the answer. We filled 30 spice grinders with black peppercorns and tried grinding varying levels of fineness. We also assessed the overall design of each spice grinder, as well as its capacity and ease of use and cleaning. With that in mind, read on for our top picks for the best spice grinders.

What we like: A comprehensive grinder in multiple colorways

What to know: This larger model can be a pain to store

This battery-operated grinder—that works in tandem with a reusable pod—earned its spot as best overall for its design, safety features and ease of use. In fact, this is the second time that the FinaMill has made our list of best spice grinders. The FinaMill can be customized, meaning you can adjust the coarseness of your spice. It will not run without a pod attached (safety first!). An included LED light helps guide hard-to-see kitchen handiwork. And the grinder even comes in multiple colorways. When put to the test, we found this grinder to be both unique and useful—the ideal combination for a kitchen tool.

More recently, we tested the new FinaMill USB Rechargeable Spice Grinder (view at Crate & Barrel) and were equally impressed with its performance. It also lives up to its promise of holding a charge for two-plus months!

Capacity: 2, 3.5-ounce pods | Dimensions: 3.5 (W) x 9 inches (H) | Dishwasher-safe: No

What we like: Great for when you’re cooking and at the dinner table

What to know: This set is great for salt and pepper but doesn’t accommodate all herbs and spices

This salt and pepper set requires no cords, no complicated set of directions and very little space, which are just some of the reasons it scored high marks in our hands-on testing. With coarse and fine settings and an easy push-button control on the top, we found that it ground salt and pepper quickly and efficiently dispensed from the grinders. Because the set is sleek and well-designed, it doubles as tabletop serviceware, so you don’t have to hunt for a spot in your kitchen to store it, either. One downside: This set is designed to accommodate salt and pepper, and although you can use it for other types of spices, it isn’t made (like some others on this list) to break down other types of material.

Capacity: 30 grams | Dimensions: 4.41 (W) x 8.66 (H) inches | Dishwasher-safe: No

What we like: An aesthetically pleasing and time-tested mill

What to know: It can be used for both salt and pepper, but you’ll probably want to clean it thoroughly between uses

This classic pepper mill comes in 11 colors and is a beautiful addition to any kitchen or dining table. You can even order a color to complement your kitchen. The grind settings are easily adjustable with a turn of the base, the mill can be wiped clean with a sponge and the height makes the mill easy to store in a cabinet or leave out on display. If you intend to use this for salt and pepper, you’ll want to purchase two; while you can use the mill interchangeably, you’ll need to clean it thoroughly between uses.

Capacity: 1 ounce | Dimensions: 2.5 (W) x 8.5 (H) inches | Dishwasher-safe: No

What we like: A hack for those who want an affordable way to grind spices

What to know: You can’t use this tableside as a salt or pepper mill

At a price nearly too good to pass up, this budget-friendly grinder—a coffee grinder we tested on spices—comes with a retractable cord for easy storage. We also really liked that during tests, we could clearly see the grinder's contents while it was running, making it easier to judge when the spices were at the desired consistency. Despite the affordable price, we found the grind comparable to some more expensive models during testing. However, some of us found the grip a little uneven and awkward when we pressed down on the machine. Even with that tiny quibble, this machine is still an excellent buy, with a dishwasher-safe cup—a rare find both within this category and at this price point.

Capacity: 12 ounces | Dimensions: 7.17 (H) x 3.66 (W) x 3.39 (D) Inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

What we like: A small, powerful grinder that can hold up to 90 grams

What to know: You can’t use it as a salt or pepper mill at the table

With the largest capacity of all the spice grinders we tested, Cuisinart’s spice and nut grinder—a machine specifically designed for breaking up challenging and coarse material—topped our list with high marks in several categories. The grinder holds about a half cup of each ingredient, and to operate you simply push down on the lid to grind your spices to the desired fineness. We found the grinder easy to use, and whole peppercorns were ground extremely fine in both recent and previous tests. An airtight lid is included with the machine to keep spices fresh for longer, and the retractable cord prevents countertop clutter and makes storage easier. Another perk: Both the grinder bowl and lid are dishwasher-safe.

Capacity: 3 ounces | Dimensions: 4.09 (L) x 4.09 (W) x 7.87 (H) inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

What we like: An electric grinder that comes with extra removable bowls

What to know: It hits at the higher end of the price point for an electric spice grinder, but it delivers on its multipurpose superlative, successfully grinding both dry and wet spices

For those concerned about cross-contaminating a coffee grinder with spices, the Shardor circumvents the issue entirely. It has two separate stainless steel bowls so you can dedicate one to coffee beans and a second for spice-grinding. One bowl has a two-blade system (perfect for coffee beans!), and the second comes with a four-blade system, which we recommend for items like hard spices and garlic. Both bowls can be placed in the dishwasher, though you should wash the lid by hand. Overall, this machine is the most useful multipurpose spice grinder we’ve tested.

Capacity: 2, 2.5 ounces | Dimensions: 3.7 (L) x 3.7 (W) x 8 (H) inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Our top overall pick, the FinaMil Pepper Mill and Spice Grinder (view at Amazon) is unique and versatile. It’s battery-operated and comes with interchangeable pods, so you can grind multiple spices at once. If you prefer a manual option, we loved the Le Creuset Pepper Mill (view at Amazon). It’s a classic for a reason—it’s easy to use and looks beautiful on your countertop or dinner table.

The two main types of spice grinders are electric and manual.

Electric spice grinders have a motor base and a grinding bowl with a blade and a lid. These types of grinders may be battery-powered, rechargeable or plugged in. One of the main perks of using an electric grinder is that you do not have to exert any physical effort when using these kinds of grinders. This tends to matter most to home cooks who grind large quantities of spices. Also, when spices are ground electrically and not by hand, they’re more consistent and uniform in size and texture (put another way, there’s no room for human error). Another benefit is that electrically operated machines yield practically immediate results, so if speed matters to you, investing in an electrically operated grinder is the route to go.

When it comes to manual spice grinders, there are two styles to choose from: ratchet and mill. A ratchet grinder is operated in a back-and-forth motion, while a mill spice grinder twists in a circular motion to grind the spices. Both styles work to grind spices, but in our tests, we preferred a mill over a ratchet style. A manual spice grinder is a solid choice if you typically grind small quantities of spices. It will also give you more control over the fineness of the spice you’re grinding, as you can change the pressure and force being applied. Manual machines, as can be expected, take more time and effort to operate.

It’s worth considering size when buying a grinder. Traditional mills can often be kept on the table or near the stove. But some grinders, particularly electric ones—or coffee grinders that double as spice grinders—can be quite large, and you may find yourself fighting for counter space, so keep this in mind as you consider which grinder is right for you.

To bring you these spice grinder recommendations, we started with a thorough analysis of prominent products on the market. Our team of testers then put the leading spice grinders to the test. In fact, we’ve conducted a few rounds of testing over the last two years and tested a total of 30 spice grinders. To compare the products, we filled each grinder with black peppercorns and compared their performance, grinding ingredients to varying levels of fineness. We also weighed in on the overall design of each spice grinder, its spice capacity and ease of use—which included cleaning.

EatingWell / Bailey Fink

In addition to the spice grinders we recommend in this guide, we tested others that did not make the cut. Here are some that we considered.

OXO Good Grips Mess-Free Pepper Grinder (view at Amazon): We liked that this tool has a ceramic grinder (a material said to be the most durable for grinders) and a sliding tab that adjusts for coarseness. But during tests, we found it somewhat challenging to use, and it wasn’t as sleek as some of the other grinders that made our list.

Cuisinart Rechargeable Salt, Pepper and Spice Mill (view at Amazon): We gave this electric salt, pepper, and spice mill high marks during testing for its ease of use and value. We also like the rechargeable nature of it. But we were a little turned off by its large and somewhat unwieldy size.

Peugeot Olivier Roellinger 5.25-inch Pepper Mill (view at Amazon): This mill failed to impress us in many cardinal categories we tested: size, ease of use, design and performance. And it is the priciest of the bunch.

Kuhn Rikon Adjustable Ratchet Grinder (view at Amazon): We found this spice grinder easy to use and effective, but we didn’t love its size (its capacity for peppercorns was on the smaller size) or the feel of the ratchet grinder.

Although there are a few spice grinders (or coffee grinders) with detachable, dishwasher-safe bowls, most are not. The best way to clean your electric grinder bowl, then, is to remove excess spices, blitz either bread or a few tablespoons of uncooked white rice in the grinder for about one minute and then wipe the grinder clean with a little bit of white vinegar and a clean towel.

Yes, coffee grinders can be used for spice grinders—and we’ve even included some in the list above. But generally, we recommend using separate machines for grinding coffee beans and spices because it’s easy for your coffee to take on the aroma and taste of the spices you’ve ground in the grinder (unless, of course, you intend to infuse your coffee with spices).

When it comes to maximizing the flavor of your dishes, freshly ground spices can make all the difference. A good spice grinder is a versatile tool that can handle a variety of spices, tackling everything from whole peppercorns and coriander seeds to cumin, cloves and cinnamon sticks. Not convinced you need one? Imagine the robust aroma of freshly ground black pepper enhancing your steak or the warm, sweet notes of freshly ground cinnamon in your morning oatmeal.

Beyond the basics, spice grinders can also be used for less common spices like cardamom pods, star anise and fennel seeds. Even dried herbs like oregano and rosemary can benefit from a quick pulse in the grinder, releasing their oils and intensifying their flavors. A high-quality spice grinder can help you create your own spice blend or add a burst of freshness to your favorite dishes, making it an unexpectedly valuable kitchen tool.

For this article, we filled 30 spice grinders with peppercorns and put them to the test, assessing the quality of ground black pepper. Our writer, Hannah Selinger, is a James Beard Award-nominated writer who has written about food and drinks since 2015. A former sommelier and a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, Hannah has worked for some of New York’s top restaurant groups. An earlier version of this article was written by Alex Loh, and it still contains some of her writing and recommendations. An updated version of this article was reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., R.D., a senior commerce editor with 15 years of experience reporting, writing and editing nutrition and health content.