18 Best Pepper Mills (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide)

Freshly ground pepper is a great way to finish off your meal. Freshly ground pepper can make a bland meal taste great. Is there really a difference between freshly ground and pre-ground peppercorns in spicing up your cooking? Because freshly ground pepper is an essential kitchen ingredient, we set out to discover the best pepper mills. It gives off a strong flavor and aroma, no matter what you cook. Even though pepper mills seem like simple kitchen tools, they are prone to becoming dull and broken.

It is crucial to remember that recipes will tell you to season with salt and freshly ground black Pepper. When whole peppercorns are cracked, volatile oils are released. The oils are quickly dissipated, which is why the flavor of whole peppercorns decreases with time.

A pepper mill is recommended for the best taste and aroma. The pepper mill is also known as a pepper grinder. It works by crushing peppercorns into small pieces using burrs. You can grind peppercorns according to your specifications, and you can also choose the grind size that suits you best.

List Of 18 Best Pepper Mill Reviews

1. Peugeot Olivier Roellinger 5.25 Inch Pepper Mill

• This vintage-inspired pepper grinder is the right choice if you believe kitchen gadgets should look as good as they function. The unique design of the grinder is loved by reviewers. It grinds large quantities of pepper simultaneously, which makes seasoning your meals easier.
• To make it easier for friends and family, you can grind your pepper in a small drawer. You can adjust the coarseness to your taste and the mill is easy to refill with whole peppercorns.

2. COLE & MASON Ardingly Wood Pepper Grinder

• The pepper grinder comes with six different coarseness settings. These can be easily adjusted by rotating a piece of metal at its base. Each setting produced a consistent and uniform grind in our tests, ranging from very fine to coarse. The grinding mechanism is made from sharp stainless steel. It’s easy to adjust unlike other mills, which have a metal knob at the top.
• Although the grinder has a traditional appearance, the metal ring at the bottom makes it a little less elegant than a standard wooden pepper mill like a Peugeot. It is easy to twist the top and, best of all, it is easier to refill than a regular Peugeot. The top can be pulled off by simply pulling it off. There is no need to remove the metal top.
• The opening at the top of the container is still narrow and can cause spillage when filling. However, it’s easy to remove the top. To direct pepper into the mill, we recommend turning a piece of paper into a funnel. The grinder is made from durable materials and the metal grinding mechanism remains sharp even after repeated use.

3. NEW OXO Good Grips Contoured Mess-Free Pepper Grinder

• In our tests, this compact and intuitive grinder was the winner. It is easy to identify the five preset grind sizes and make it easy to choose. The grinder can be used for spot seasoning or grinding larger quantities in a separate container.
• The grinder also holds 62g (about 1/2 cup) peppercorns. This is a good use of space for a grinder this small. A clear body allows you to see when it’s time for reloading. It was also one of the easiest to fill in during our tests: the bottom unscrews, which opens up to a largemouth. You won’t have to clean up after using the top-grind grinder.

4. Peugeot 23461 Paris u’Select Pepper Mill

• The Peugeot Paris u’Select Pepper mill is elegant, simple to use, and stunning to display. The setting can be adjusted by rotating the labeled wood band at the base of the mill. It was the most straightforward to turn of the mills that had specific grind settings. The band is located at the base so you don’t have to worry about it falling apart while you adjust it.
• I like the hourglass shape of this mill. It is easier to hold than other highly polished ones. The pepper sprays neatly and evenly no matter what setting it is.
• We found that the Peugeot’s speed was average for coarser grinds than other models we had tested. The mill we tested was the 7-inch model. However, there are many sizes available if you need something larger.

5. Trudeau Seville Pepper Mill, 6-Inch

• The mill’s lifetime warranty is included. It also features a corrosion-resistant carbon steel grinder that will provide a consistent grind and stay sharp. Its sleek black finish will add drama and style to your kitchen. Although it is a bit shorter than other options, some people prefer that one for storage and use.
• This mill has one problem: the adjustable knob at the top makes it difficult to see what size grind you have selected. It can also take some fiddling to get it right. We think this mill is the best value for money.

6. Latent Epicure Battery Operated Salt and Pepper Grinder

• Manual pepper mills require twisting, which can make them difficult to use. Cooks may want to add pepper to their dishes while they stir. These problems are solved by Latent Epicure, a one-handed, battery-operated grinding. Latent Epicure sets include a matching salt grinder as well as a clear tray to hold both pieces.
• This serves as a catch-all for pepper dust and fine salt that can build up on counters. The bottom of the mill has an adjustment knob that allows you to adjust the size of the grind. Ceramic is used in the grinder’s mechanism, instead of traditional metal.
• This is important for peppercorns that are more humid or grind peppercorns with high moisture content. The ceramic won’t rust. The mill can be operated by pressing a button. An LED light inside the food helps to avoid over-seasoning. Non-rechargeable batteries will be required for Latent Epicure pieces. Each mill needs four AA-sized batteries.

7. Kuhn Rikon Adjustable Ratchet Grinder

• This manual pepper mill from Kuhn Rikon is different than the others. It uses a grinding lever that must be turned back and forth to grind pepper. The back-and-forth motion can feel awkward and not as intuitive as other rotating grinders.
• You can still get the same result with a crank model if you are willing to sacrifice the convenience of a rotating model in exchange for the more cost-effective crank model. You can turn the base of your grinder to change the size of your grind from fine to coarse. Kuhn Rikon’s spice mill can produce results comparable to high-end pepper mills but at a much lower price.

8. Peugeot Zest Electric Soft Touch 7 Inch Pepper Mill

• Peugeot is known for making high-quality, long-lasting products. You will always get fresh pepper from the Peugeot Zest Electric Peppermill. Clear acrylic windows allow you to see when it is time to refill. A unique feature of the mill is the loop at its top. The loop at the top allows you to hang it from a utensil or other convenient place.
• The top has a silver button that activates the grinding process. You can adjust the grind using the thumbwheel beneath the mechanism. You can choose from a range of colors for the soft-touch coating to suit your personal style. A lifetime warranty is included with the grinding mechanism. Requires four AAA batteries.

9. Peugeot Paris Chef u’Select Stainless Steel 18cm

• Peugot’s peppermill looks just like the one in a period or Hollywood movie classic. It looks older-fashioned, but thanks to its brushed stainless steel finish it is more elegant than traditional.
• The shaker’s unique design is sure to be noticed, but its performance is just as impressive. French-made, the mill has a double row of teeth in a helix shape that cracks peppercorns before they are ground up. You can adjust this feature to produce a fine or coarse powder for your meals.

10. Fletchers’ Mill Border Grill Pepper Mill

• The Fletchers’ Mill BorderGrill Pepper Mill had a lot of things to love. This wood pepper mill, made in the USA, is stunning and produces the best ground peppercorns. Although the mill was only able to hold about 2 tablespoons of peppercorns it was very easy to fill.
• The mill also features 33 grind settings. You can access them by turning the top crown nut counterclockwise or clockwise. This design makes it difficult for you to see exactly where you are in the coarseness settings.
• However, the mill produced uniformly sized peppercorns in every setting. Comfort was the main problem with this model. Although the design is beautiful, the ridges at the top made it difficult to grip and the sharp edge pressed into our hands when we used it.

11. Peugeot Elis Sense U-Select Pepper Mill

• The pepper mill is 8 inches in diameter and features a modern, sleek stainless steel design.
• The secret to its grinding success lies in Peugeot’s special pepper/spice-specific grinding design, and the two-stage virtually indestructible case-hardened steel burr-style grinding mechanism. This unique combination allows the pepper to release its essential oils, resulting in maximum flavor and aroma.
• The mill’s tactile operation design makes it easy to use with one hand. To activate the mill, press down on its top. The pretty blue LED light will glow while it is in use. The pepper mill is quiet and fast, but it’s very easy to use.
• The U-Select system offers 6 grind settings, ranging from fine to coarse. Simply adjust the size of the ring at the base to get the desired grind size. The light at the bottom allows you to choose the perfect grind every time.
• Two AA batteries are required to operate the Peugeot pepper mill. This allows for unlimited mobility. Peugeot provides a limited lifetime warranty on the grinding mechanism and 2-year warranties on electrical components.

12. Electric Gravity Pepper Grinder

• The pepper mill measures 8 inches high and 2 inches wide. It is small enough to fit on your countertop and can be used by your hands. This pepper mill is electronically operated, so it is easy to use. Simply tilt it to activate the grinding mechanism. The blue LED light will turn on to indicate that it is operating.
• You can adjust the coarseness of the pepper. You can adjust the grinder knob to achieve the desired pepper flavor. It has a large storage capacity, which is great for heavy cooking. It seals peppercorns inside and keeps them fresh. It is large enough to be filled and cleaned easily. It is not predisposed for breaking.

13. Zassenhaus Speyer 5.1-Inch Dark Stained Beech Pepper Mill

• Wooden pepper grinders are classic and evoke old-world craftsmanship as well as high-end steakhouses. The wooden grinder is made from a 100-year old design in Germany. It has that same vibe and would look right at home beside the family cuckoo clock.
• This grinder would be just as comfortable in modern settings, but everything old is new again. It is made of solid beechwood and has a metal crank. It has a modern ceramic grinding mechanism inside that is guaranteed for 25 years.
• The grinder features six settings to adjust the coarseness of grinding, so you can get exactly what you need from fine to coarse. It is easy to fill it: just unscrew the knob, and take off the top.

14. PepperMate Traditional Pepper Mill

• A standard pepper mill can prove tedious for anyone who has ever needed to measure freshly ground black pepper. Because the PepperMate Pepper Mill grinds directly into a compartment attached to its base, it deserves special recognition.
• The PepperMate Pepper Mill is the perfect pepper mill to measure the exact amount of fresh ground pepper. It can be easily removed from its base and the compartment can be snapped off. The base can be easily removed so you don’t have to worry about how much pepper you are grinding.
• Bonus points are also awarded for its ability to keep things clean and tidy. Every time we put it down, there was no leftover pepper. It is also the easiest pepper mill to refill. Although the coarseness adjustment, a rotating dial at the top, is confusing at first, it quickly becomes clear and offers a wide range of consistent grinds.
• The grinder’s blade is ceramic, rather than the typical stainless steel, which means it’s likely to dull faster than its metal counterparts–however, the grinder does come with a lifetime warranty.

15. Cuisinart SG-3 Stainless Steel Rechargeable Salt

• The electric mill has two chambers, so you can keep a couple of commonly used spices like salt and pepper ready to go. The unit can be charged and has an indicator light to let you know when the grinder is ready. You can adjust the grind size from fine to coarse. However, it does not include pre-set grind sizes.
• Clear spice holders allow you to see when it is time for a refill. The cap is 1 teaspoon. However, the mill takes a while to grind a teaspoon. The mill is useful for seasoning small portions, and it’s also handy for those who don’t have the time or interest to grind large quantities.

16. Electric Salt or Pepper Grinder

• The modern design and simplicity of this battery-operated electric peppermill stood out. This was the only one-handed peppermill I tried. The mill is heavy with four AA batteries on the top, but the stainless-steel construction keeps it from tipping.
• A small LED light is visible from the mouth of your pepper grinder when you grind it. The light isn’t too visible, but it illuminates a small portion of the plate to let you know where your peppers are landing. The coarseness adjuster, located underneath the mill, provides an exact range of fine to coarse.
• The Epare was the slowest of all the mills I tested, especially when it came to finer grinds. This mill is the best if you are looking for a mill that’s easy to use with limited hand strength.

17. OXO Good Grips Radial Pepper Grinder

• The OXO Good Grips Lewis Pepper Mill, while simple in design, is highly functional and worth recommending regardless of your budget. Thanks to its large, non-slip crank knob, the mill is easy to turn without looking bulky.
• The ceramic grinder mechanism can be adjusted from very fine to coarse grind. This reasonably priced item also comes with a cap tray that prevents pepper dust accumulation underneath.

18. Ozeri Savore Soft Touch Electric Pepper Mill

• A list cannot be complete without an electric pepper mill. The Ozeri Savore Soft Touch Electric Pepper Mill is a durable ceramic motor that can easily grind peppercorns and other spices.
• This stylish design can be used with any decor. It features a non-slip grip and a fingerprint-resistant coating. The top has a button that you can push down to activate the grinding process.
• You can adjust the grind by turning the knob on the front ceramic grinder mechanism. This mill will make pepper grinding easy. It is easy to assemble and can run on six AAA batteries.

Buying Guide for the Best Pepper Mills

Both types of pepper mills are available in many sizes, shapes, or sets. However, there are some things you should consider before purchasing one.

Materials

Grinders are available in many materials. Traditional models made from wood have a simple, hand-crafted look. Glass and wood can combine the best of both materials and styles.

• Wood: Wood is durable and can withstand being dropped or banged in the kitchen. Wood can be more difficult to clean and disinfect. Metal grinders can be made from steel, copper, or any other metal. However, they may not look as shiny in the kitchen if they aren’t aluminum.
• Metal: This metal is durable but can be difficult to handle if the chef has wrist or hand problems and must lift and twist heavy units. Sometimes, this type can weigh up to three times as much as similar-sized models.
• Plastic and acrylic: These materials have the advantage of being durable and easy-to-clean, but can become brittle and crack over time. They are lightweight and can be made with stainless steel to give them a designer look.

Types of Pepper Mills

There are two types: electric and manual pepper mills. The quality of the ground pepper is almost identical, so it is important to consider your personal preference and how you intend to use the mill.

• Manual Pepper Mills: involves turning the crank and twisting the two connected parts of a mill in opposite directions. The internal gears are turned against one another by twisting. This allows you to either crush or slices the peppercorns into small pieces, depending on your desired coarseness. Manual grinding allows you to control the speed and precision of the peppercorns you add. You can also stop immediately and start over again with zero lag. The manual mills are more traditional in appearance, come in many styles, and can be charged with batteries at any time. These grinders may be difficult for those with limited mobility or who use the grinders to add spices to their food while they cook and stir.
• Electric Pepper Mills: The electric pepper mills can be operated using a pressure trigger or push button to activate a motor that grinds peppercorns to the desired coarseness. The motor is powered using batteries. Some are rechargeable while others require replacement. This can cause inconvenience and disrupt the fun. Because of their continuous power, electric mills tend to grind a bit more consistently–there’s no starting and stopping to reposition your hands–but you also have to anticipate when you’ll want to stop adding the pepper, as there’s often a moment between when you release the button and when the motor stops dispensing. For those who have limited arm or hand strength or need to stir or toss their peppers while using one hand, electric mills are a great choice.

Style

Pepper mills come in a variety of styles, from traditional to ultra-modern. Some pepper mills are made from classic, elegantly turned wood, while others have a sculpted profile and are embellished with heavy metalwork. Others are sleeker with modern lines, while others are more modern. You can find mills in a variety of colors, including paint and metalwork. Others are made of simple, utilitarian plastic. There are many choices, so it is easy to find the one that fits your style.

Capacity

Is it important how many pepper mills can hold? Both yes and no. Yes and no. If the mill is chosen for decorative purposes, its smaller capacity won’t affect the quality of your grind. It just means that you will need to refill the mill more often. While a larger capacity mill is more convenient, there are risks that the pepper can become stale if it’s left in the mill for too long. Because the pepper mills are not sealed, they can become stale. If your pepper mill is kept in moist environments (such as a kitchen), the peppercorns may become softened and less efficient. This can cause uneven pepper flakes or clog. A large-capacity mill will work well if you have a lot to grind or if you are certain that the container is sealed.

Durability

The mechanism of a peppermill is more affected by grinding. Peppercorns are tough and multilayered. The mechanism required to crush them or cut them puts strain on all gears and eventually will wear down the sharp edges. Some metals can also corrode when exposed to moisture. In terms of corrosion resistance and edge hardness respectively, carbon steel and ceramic are the best materials for grinding mechanism components. Stainless steel is close behind.

Versatility

Pepper mills can grind many other spices and seeds, including coriander, parsley, and cumin. Many of these spices can be purchased pre-ground like pepper but they taste best when freshly ground. You can either choose a separate mill for each spice or thoroughly clean the mill before you switch. You should note that pepper mills are not suitable for grinding salt. Salt crystals break down differently from peppercorns. Some mills will indicate that a salt grinder is more suitable.

Size

The size of pepper mills can vary from a tiny 4-inch to a large 24 inch. Although the size of the pepper mill does not affect the quality of the grind it can have an impact on its appearance. A tall, elegant piece of milling equipment is best if pepper is the last touch to a meal. On the counter, a shorter piece can be easily knocked over.

Adjustability

Different recipes may require different grinds of pepper. A finer grind is required to disperse the flavor in soups. However, larger grains are needed for topping a salad. This will give the diner more flavor and allow them to enjoy more of the pepper’s flavor. Modern pepper mills can adjust the grind to be fine or coarse. Some mills have multiple settings, while others only offer two or three. Some mills are preset to a midpoint that the manufacturer considers acceptable. This feature is very important to you, so make sure to check that settings are easy to change.

Filling Method

Most cooks will not use a mill that is difficult to refill. They will simply put it away to refill it later. Your mill should be simple to fill. Any tool-required features will be difficult to use. It is also useful if the chamber holding the peppercorns has a clear view so that you can see when it is time to refill.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will the peppermill be sharp right out of the box?

It will be razor-sharp right out of the box. The pepper mill’s grinder mechanism will remain sharp for a long time because the materials used will have been honed and sharpened.

2. Can pepper mills be adjusted for coarseness?

Some pepper mills only deliver pepper at a certain level of coarseness. This is possible with inexpensive pepper mills. It can also happen in specialty pepper mill manufacturers that believe they have found the perfect grind. Mills usually offer three to twelve settings, sometimes as many as 12, from coarse to fine. Most mills have indicators that help you choose the correct setting. For more information, please refer to the product description. Some mills cannot grind finer than medium.

3. Can I use a pepper mill for salt?

You can use some pepper mills for salt. The materials used to make the pepper mill and the salt composition will determine if it can be used for salts.

4. Will a pepper mill work for salt?

Yes, some can. It all depends on the composition and material used in the grinding process. Salt is corrosive by nature. Most pepper mills have a grinding mechanism made of ceramic or hardened steel. Ceramic mills are resistant to corrosion and can grind most salts. Steel grinders can rust from constant salt contact.

5. Does every pepper mill come with an adjustable coarseness setting?

Some pepper mills produce ground pepper at a specific coarseness level. The high-end models often have adjustable settings.

6. What is the difference between a pepper mill and a pepper grinder?

The same product can be described as a pepper mill or pepper grinder. It is the same for pepper grinders but mills and grinders refer to two different types in larger food production. Grinders are machines that process food in the same way as the pepper mills. Food mills, however, are able to process food by pressing it through sieves to purify and strain it, without necessarily grinding it. The majority of pepper mills described here offer coarseness options. An internal strainer allows only the right pepper coarseness to pass through. The majority of pepper mills are grinders with a strainer. However, the terms can be interchangeably used in this situation.

Conclusion

The pepper mill can open up the peppercorn’s flavor in a way that a pre-ground substitute cannot. Pepper mills can be used to grind pepper, salt, or other spices. They also add an artistic touch to your kitchen or dining room. There are many pepper grinders and mills available on the market. This can make it difficult to choose from. To help you make dinner preparations, we’ve narrowed down our selection of the best pepper grinders.

If you follow these guidelines, choosing the best pepper mill should not be difficult. There are many options available made of different materials and colors so you should be careful what you choose.