6 Best Pepper Mills of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
We ground pounds of peppercorns to distinguish the best from the rest.
Joelle Battista
Our Top Pepper Mill Picks
- Best Overall: Cole and Mason Derwent Pepper Grinder
- Another Top Pick: Peugeot Paris Classic Pepper Mill
- Most Colors: Le Creuset Pepper Mill
- Best Electric: Finamill Battery-Operated Pepper Mill and Spice Grinder
- Best Splurge: Mannkitchen Pepper Cannon
- Best Budget: OXO Good Grips Mess-Free Contoured Pepper Grinder
Tested By Joelle Battista for Food Network Kitchen
While it’s easy to agree that freshly-ground black pepper is superior in taste and texture to its pre-ground counterpart, it can be difficult to find the perfect pepper grinder that checks all the boxes. Having the right pepper mill can be the difference between the best cacio e pepe and the worst steak au poivre.
When diving into the world of pepper mills and grinders, the number of options can be quite overwhelming. There are the classic pepper mills with their familiar French-inspired shape, and more modern designs that don’t look like pepper grinders at all! There are one-handed models, electric models, models large and small, made of stainless steel, wood or plastic, and all of which are claiming to be the best tool to grind black peppercorns. We tested top-ranked models in a variety of materials, sizes, shapes and functionality types. Taking these characteristics, price and performance into consideration, we have found the best pepper mills and grinders that the market has to offer.
Joelle Battista
How We Tested
Each pepper mill was researched thoroughly for material specifications, capacity, warranties, cleaning instructions and more before being used to grind a lot of pepper. We ground pepper on each coarseness level the grinders offered, recording how long it took to grind about 1 tbsp pepper on each level, how even the grind was, and how unique each coarseness level was from the next. All of the information and test results combined led us to select our top six pepper mills and grinders.
We didn’t know we could love a pepper grinder as much as we love the Cole and Mason Derwent Pepper Grinder! There are so many reasons that this model won the top spot. First, the shape of this grinder was clearly designed with ergonomics in mind: The sleek shape is easy to hold, no matter how much pepper you have to grind. The clear acrylic body shows much pepper you have left, so you’ll never be searching for refill peppercorns at dinner time again! Selecting your desired level of coarseness is easy, clear, and the mechanism doesn’t move around while grinding, so you can easily grind the pepper from very fine to chunky and coarse. With the addition of the lifetime warranty, this pepper grinder is sure to bring the perfect level of spice to your kitchen.
Peugeot has been making pepper mills for almost 150 years, and it shows! The combination of craftsmanship and beauty of the Peugeot Paris Classic Pepper Mill is top-of-the-line. The only wood pepper mill in the winner’s circle, this mill is made in France using wood from French PEFC-certified forests. The pepper it produces on each of the six levels of coarseness is consistent and even throughout. The mill mechanism has a lifetime warranty on it, and the mill comes in multiple finishes and sizes. If you love the classic pepper grinder look, consistent results and over a century of pepper mill history to back it all up, the Peugeot Paris is the perfect mill for you.
Le Creuset’s reputation for bringing bright, beautiful colors into the kitchen holds true with the Le Creuset Pepper Mill. Available in a range of colors, this mill is perfect for the person looking to add a pop of color to their dinner table. What’s even better is that it works as nicely as it looks! Producing a range of coarseness with a simple twist of the top knob, this grinder is consistent, smooth, and easy to use. Between the mill’s ABS-finish that doesn't absorb oils or odors and the 10-year warranty, it’s guaranteed that this mill will be gracing your kitchen with beauty and function for years to come.
One of the best reasons to get an electric pepper grinder is for one-handed use, and this grinder takes that idea a step further! The Finamill Battery-Operated Pepper Mill and Spice Grinder is so much more than a typical electric pepper mill. The mill itself comes with two removable “Finapods” that each hold about ½ cup of peppercorns or spices. With one hand and the lightest touch of a button, you can not only grind pepper, but you also can swap the pods to grind coarse salt, pepper flakes or other spices (although we did find grinding dried herbs to be a bit more complicated). It’s as simple as pressing down on the unit to release one pod and gently pressing on another to lock it into place for grinding. This grinder is the best combination of innovation and convenience, not to mention that it was the most efficient electric grinder in our test group.
If you’re a pepper-grinding fanatic, the Mannkitchen Pepper Cannon is the pepper grinder of all pepper grinders. Ringing in at $200, it definitely is a splurge, but for the right pepper-loving cook, it is worth every penny. The solid milled and anodized aluminum body immediately gives the feeling that this grinder is powerful — and rightfully so! No other grinder could grind as much pepper as easily, evenly or quickly as the Pepper Cannon. With nearly 75 coarseness levels, this grinder can create everything from the finest powder to barely-cracked peppercorns with ease. The large base-cup can be used as storage for ground pepper as well as a cap to prevent any mess on the table after grinding. Backed by a 5-year warranty, this grinder brings serious dependability, durability and efficiency to the table.
When you just need a simple, easy-to-use pepper grinder for a good price, the OXO Good Grips Mess-Free Contoured Pepper Grinder is the perfect choice. Consistent with the OXO Good Grips name, this grinder is small, fits nicely in your hand and the rubberized grip with large indentations makes grinding pepper a breeze. The wide, easy-fill hole is great for refilling without making a mess, the slide knob makes it easy to set the coarseness, and the clear BPA-free body shows when you need a refill. It gets stored with the grinder facing up, so you’ll never have ground pepper on the table. Coming in at less than $20 and backed by the OXO Satisfaction Guarantee, this grinder is a true value buy.
Things to Consider When Buying a Pepper Mill
- Pepper Preference: Not every pepper mill is meant to grind all types of peppercorns. In this test, we specifically focused on grinders made for grinding black peppercorns. Other peppercorn varieties, such as pink, white, and green, have different characteristics and may not work as well in some of the grinders made specifically for black peppercorns. If you prefer to use a peppercorn blend, be sure to check whether your desired grinder can be used with more than just black pepper.
- Manual vs Electric: Manual grinders are the classic choice, but depending on the model, might require a lot of effort to produce a large amount of pepper. Electric grinders are great, but they can be loud and slow, plus they require charging or batteries to work. For one-handed pepper grinding, an electric grinder is an awesome option. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with a manual mill.
- Capacity: If you prefer a light sprinkle of pepper, a grinder with a small capacity should surely do the trick. Those who are more heavy-handed with ground pepper in their food should opt for a grinder that holds a decent amount of peppercorns, to avoid constantly needing a refill.
