Rachel Lee grew up in Southern California, enjoying tacos and acai bowls at the beach before joining Dotdash Meredith as an Editorial Commerce Producer in March 2021. In her free time, she loves exploring cool rooftop bars and speakeasies in every city she goes to, especially NYC.

Peugeot mills are made in France, and each mill is tested before it leaves the factory. As a result, you’re likely to find peppercorns or ground pepper in the mill when it arrives, and you can be sure the mechanism will work exactly as it should. With testing, we found that the grinder excelled at fine and medium grinds, producing very consistent ground pepper. The coarse grinds were not as uniform, but still acceptable.

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Sara Tane wrote the Buying Guide portion of this article. She has written for numerous food publications and has contributed to The Spruce Eats since October 2020. She not only holds a dual bachelor's degree in food studies and global studies from UNC, Chapel Hill but also earned a culinary degree from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Electric pepper mills can be pretty divisive. Peppercorn purists might argue that relying on a button, rather than grinding or cranking by hand, can take some of the magic out of fresh pepper. Electric mills tend to be heavier and have a slower output than if you were to do it by hand, produce inconsistent grinding sizes, and are more susceptible to breaking down or needing repair. Not to mention, you’ll not only need to replenish peppercorns, but you’ll need to stay on top of batteries. They also tend to be a bit noisier than manual mills. Some electric models have coarseness settings, so you may need to tinker with them a little before you start grinding to find your desired coarseness.

The coarseness selector is easy to see on the side of the grinder and easy to adjust, so you can grind fine pepper on your salad, then quickly switch to coarsely ground pepper to coat your steak—all without fiddling with small knobs. In testing and subsequent kitchen use, that’s the feature we liked best, and the reason we love this for kitchen use where we might change the grind size multiple times for different recipes. However, we do wish the fine setting yielded finer results.

Dimensions: 8 x 2.5 inches | Coarseness Settings: Adjustable | Materials: Ceramic grinder, plastic body | Capacity: 2 ounces

While all pepper mills rely on gravity and a grinder to mill the peppercorns, the way you refill the peppercorns varies, depending on the mill. Some have a screw-off top that requires you to remove the head in order to refill the body with peppercorns. In others, there may be a chute that pops off to the side, allowing you to refill without completely dismantling the head from the body. Some mills have their grinding mechanism at the top (so you have to turn it upside down when you go to grind pepper), and the refilling apparatus is at the bottom, allowing you to prop the mill upside down and refill it that way.

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Food writer and product tester Donna Currie is an expert on all things food, from cookbooks to cooking gadgets. She's written her own cookbook, Make Ahead Bread, and loves to test out her favorite kitchen gadgets and appliances when it comes to developing her own recipes. She also has an extensive blog where she details said recipes. She interviewed Sylvain Girard, a high-school culinary instructor, on what to look for in a good pepper mill as well as tips for cleaning and maintenance. Donna personally tested two of the options on this list.

You can select one of six settings from fine to coarse or choose a setting in between those, for precise control of the grind. In tests, adjustments were incredibly easy to make, and it was always clear what setting you were on. This is a huge bonus, considering that was not the case with many of the pepper mills we tested. We also like that the knob turned smoothly and the mill itself was comfortable to hold, thanks to its tapered body and smooth finish. It doesn't have the largest capacity of the mills we tested, but luckily refilling it is a breeze.

Whether you're entertaining a dinner party or just in need of an everyday kitchen companion, Le Creuset's reliable and beautifully crafted pepper mill is the winner.

Overall, this pepper mill will come in handy when there’s a need for a lot of ground pepper since it is more comfortable on the wrists than a typical grinder. That said, people with smaller hands might find it a bit tricky to maneuver due to its size.

Dimensions: 4.41 x 3.15 x 8.66 inches | Coarseness Settings: Six | Materials: Stainless steel grinder and body | Capacity: 2 ounces

If there’s any downside, it’s the batteries. Altogether, the set requires eight AA batteries, and more efficient rechargeable batteries are not recommended.

We are very impressed with how the simple press of a button yielded a generous amount of pepper in a satisfying radius. That said, we sometimes struggled to adjust the coarseness because the dial isn’t labeled. It's also a tad noisy.

Just note: The small profile coupled with the long crank arm may feel a bit cumbersome and awkward, particularly at first. However, we found that the dial being made out of rubber made for an easier and more comfortable grip. We also highlighted how durable this pepper mill was—it survived several drops from the counter and felt long-lasting.

In addition to the material of the grinder mechanism, the material of the body can affect how your pepper mill works. While it may seem advantageous to have a transparent (typically plastic or glass) body because you can see when you’re getting low on peppercorns, you should keep in mind that spices need to be kept in a cool, dry place. Keeping your clear pepper mill on a kitchen counter that receives sunlight can cause the peppercorns to lose their flavor and aroma more quickly than if they were inside a wooden or opaque body.

The OXO Good Grips Pepper Grinder is professional-looking, efficient, and affordable. While most grinders have their grinding mechanism on the bottom, this one has it on top, which means you won’t leave bits of ground pepper behind when you set the grinder down—a design feature that makes this model a standout.

The clear acrylic body looks modern and also lets you see how much pepper is left at a glance so you’ll never run out of pepper mid-recipe or mid-dinner. Filling it is simple, too, since you just turn the grinder over and unscrew the cap while the grinder stands sturdily on its head. You’ll be ready to use this right away,​ because it comes filled with black peppercorns, but you can empty it and refill it with salt or any whole spices you want to grind fresh as well.

You should never grind salt in a pepper mill. The grinding mechanism for pepper mills is designed differently from their salt-grinding counterparts. Salt will corrode a metal pepper mill grinder, causing it to rust and break.

"Pepper mill" and a "pepper grinder" are both terms for the same type of product, but mills and grinders are two different types of machines in the larger food production world. Grinders process foods the way most of the pepper mills outlined here do. Food mills, on the other hand, process food by pressing it through a sieve to puree and strain it (without necessarily grinding it first). Most of the pepper mills outlined here have coarseness options that are provided by an internal strainer of sorts that only lets the correct pepper coarseness through. Basically, most pepper mills are actually grinders with strainers, but the terms can be used interchangeably in this scenario.

Most of the time, we ground the pepper into the small drawer that neatly caught it and held it until we needed it, but the drawer can be removed to grind directly onto a work surface or food. Once we figured out how to adjust the coarseness, we got quick at it, but it’s certainly not as easy as turning a knob. In subsequent kitchen use, we’ve set it for a very fine grind, since it’s very capable of that. It’s also easy to refill the mill when needed.

Like any well-loved kitchen tool, pepper mills are going to get dirty. Get into the habit of occasionally wiping down the exterior with a hot, damp cloth, and if it’s extra greasy and dirty, go ahead and scrub a little dish soap on it, too. If you’re planning to use any colored peppercorns, it’s a good idea to throw some black ones into the mix in order to avoid any jams around the grinder. Never add salt to your stainless steel pepper mills, and make sure to keep any moisture far away from the grinder (that can lead to oxidation and rust). Be mindful not to re-fill it up to the brim because that makes it harder for the mill to grind the pepper and can lead to jams.

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Dimensions: 2.75 x 2.75 x 17 inches | Coarseness Settings: Adjustable | Materials: Stainless steel, wood body | Capacity: 4 ounces

We tested all of our selected pepper mills thoroughly for the most authentic results, rating each mill based on design, size, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value. We considered the grind mechanisms and coarseness settings of the mills, assessing how fine the pepper grounds were and whether it was consistent each time. Some of these pepper mills were also sent to our editorial staff at Dotdash Meredith to gather more home testing results.

We love that the coarseness is selected using a clear knob on the bottom of the grinder (which was easy to operate), and the spice container twists apart easily for refilling.

Pepper mills work by using a combination of gravity and sturdy mechanisms that grind the peppercorns. The best pepper mills are made of either ceramic or high-carbon steel because they’re strong, will not flake into the food, and aren't subject to corrosion like stainless steel. Ceramic will also stay sharp ten times longer than a stainless steel blade (ceramics are second to diamonds when it comes to sharpness), and you likely won’t need to replace it. When it comes to the consistency of grind, ceramic produces a slightly less consistent grind than steel because of the grinding mechanism.

Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 9 inches | Coarseness Settings: Adjustable | Materials: Ceramic grinder mechanism, plastic pods | Capacity: 3.5 ounces

Dimensions: 5.31 x 5.31 x 7.48 inches | Coarseness Settings: Six | Materials: Stainless steel grinder and body | Capacity: 1.4 ounces

Inside a pepper mill are two grooved disks, or grinders, that turn opposite each other when you turn the pepper mill crank. The peppercorns get lodged between the grinders, snapping open the shells and grinding the peppercorns into pepper. Once the pepper reaches the desired coarseness setting, it will fall through the opening at the bottom of the grinder.

This simple grinder has a budget price, but it’s packed with features that will likely make it your kitchen favorite. For starters, it holds more pepper than you can imagine, while the clear face on the filler door lets you see how much pepper is left. It’s also simple to open the door and shake out a few peppercorns when you need them whole for a recipe.

Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5.25 inches | Coarseness Settings: Adjustable | Materials: Stainless steel grinder, beech wood body | Capacity: 2 tablespoons

Wooden pepper grinders look classic, evoking old-world craftsmanship and high-end steakhouses. This wooden grinder has that vibe and looks like it would be right at home next to the family cuckoo clock since it’s made in Germany from a 100-year-old design. But everything old is new again, and this would look just as comfortable in a modern setting. It’s made from solid beechwood, lathe-turned, and operates with a metal crank. It does require a little elbow grease to turn, though. Inside, it has a very modern ceramic grinding mechanism that’s guaranteed to last for 25 years.

Since the chamber is the entire length of the pepper mill, it holds almost 1/2 cup of peppercorns. However, the height does make it a bit tricky to store. This beautiful pepper mill is available in several different stains, and the company makes smaller pepper mills as well as salt mills to suit every dining table.

This set of two grinders (one for salt, one for pepper) has gone high-tech, with push-button operation and an LED light that brightens up the view so you can easily see how much salt or pepper you’ve added to your soup or salad. Although the included holder provides a neat place to keep the grinders and also helps prevent stray grounds from ending up on your counters, we found this wasn’t wholly necessary since each grinder has its own lid.

This attractive acrylic dual-grinder comes filled with salt and pepper, so it's ready for your kitchen or table as soon as it arrives. It's simple to use, and both sides work the same: Hold the bottom and middle, and twist to grind. Then flip it over, and hold the bottom and middle, and twist again to grind the other spice. There's a simple adjuster knob that lets you switch from coarse to fine grinds on each end, though we found it a bit difficult to understand which setting we were on since it’s not labeled. The grinds produced were pretty consistent and uniform throughout, especially on the fine setting.

Not only is this an efficient and adjustable pepper grinder, but it’s also classically pretty with a brushed stainless steel finish that will stand up to kitchen use and still look nice sitting out on the table. No need to baby the finish—the stainless steel will easily stand up to kitchen spills and subsequent cleaning. This mill first cracks and then grinds the peppercorns for the best flavor.

This is another design option that comes down to personal preference, but most home cooks opt for a classic knob twist. Cranks can be slightly more difficult and yield less pepper per crank. Not only are knob twists simply more aesthetically pleasing, but they’re also way more stable and generally easier to use than a crank. That said, if the crank models feel more comfortable for you, then they’re a perfectly practical choice.

The size that’s right for you depends on the space you have in your kitchen and where you plan on storing the mill. The bigger the mill, the more peppercorns it can store (which means you’re replacing peppercorns less frequently), but keep in mind that if they sit too long in a mill, they will lose their freshness. Holding and cranking a mill in your hand is a great way to decide if it's right for you. Some cooks prefer an hourglass shape, while some may prefer something more cylindrical. Grinding pepper is a lot about feel and comfort, so if the size doesn’t work for you, it’s not going to feel right.

The base holds ground pepper for you if you don’t want to grind directly onto the food, and it keeps your counter neat, since errant bits of pepper won’t escape from the bottom of the grinder when it’s not in use. This has a ceramic grinding mechanism so you can use it with any type of peppercorn or even for grinding coarse salt. During our home tests, the grind results came out a bit inconsistent, with both coarse and fine pieces scattered throughout. We also noted that the peppercorns would sometimes get stuck during grinding and the process got choppy. We recommend making sure there is an adequate amount of peppercorns in the chamber in order to avoid this from happening.

We found this pepper grinder comfortable to hold during testing, with a skinny neck that provides balance for your hand to grip. Likewise, we also appreciated that the mill was not too heavy, even when filled with peppercorns. Although it is pleasantly lightweight, the quality of the material is still sturdy and feels durable. Refilling is easy to do—simply remove the metal piece and the top and load it up with fresh peppercorns. It isn't dishwasher safe, but a simple wipe-down with a damp cloth will keep it clean.

Pepper mills can and should be cleaned regularly, ideally after every peppercorn refill. To clean a pepper mill, open the pepper mill, and dump any leftover peppercorns, shells, and residue. With a very small dry brush or pipe cleaner, you can wipe out any remaining residue. If the pepper mill is very dirty, it can be rinsed out with warm water. Allow the pepper mill to dry thoroughly to prevent pepper caking and rusting before adding new peppercorns and reassembling.

Dimensions: 2.2 x 2.2 x 5.5 inches | Coarseness Settings: Five | Materials: Ceramic grinder, stainless steel body | Capacity: 1.94 ounces

Le Creuset is beloved for its brightly-hued and aesthetically pleasing kitchenware. Such is the case for this standout pepper mill, meant to be displayed proudly on your countertop or dinner table. It also comes equipped with a sturdy ceramic grinder that cracks through peppercorns quickly and efficiently, producing perfectly ground results.

A fun gift for friends who cook, this mill comes with interchangeable pods so one grinder can handle different types of peppercorns—or other types of whole spices that require grinding. It’s battery-operated, so it’s great when you need a lot of spice, and also ideal for one-handed use (though batteries are not included).

The set includes two pods designed for pepper, salt, and other dry spices, like dried rosemary—in case there are already enough pepper grinders in the house. Pods for grinding oily spices like mustard seeds, and additional pods for dry spices are available separately. This grinder is available in red, white, green, orange, gray, or black to match the kitchen or add a pop of color. A rechargeable version is also available.

To fill, you simply unscrew the entire grinding mechanism from the body of the grinder so you have a wide opening to pour in the salt or pepper, and because the body of the grinder is clear acrylic, you can see at a glance how much salt or pepper is left.

To help you find the best pepper mills to spice up your cooking, we tested top-rated models side by side. Each one was used to grind peppercorns and carefully assessed during hours of testing. Then, we rated each pepper mill on design, size, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value.

We recommend the La Creuset Pepper Mill as the top pick for its attractive design and excellent performance in our testing. For a classic look with a stainless steel flair, check out the Peugeot Paris Chef u'Select Pepper Mill.

Some models offer a dial at the bottom of the mill that allows you to set how coarse you want the pepper to be milled. That gives you the option to crank out pepper so chunky that you can feel it between your teeth or so fine that you can barely see it in your dish. In other models, you can still adjust the coarseness, but the mill might not have a preset dial—requiring you to tinker with the knob at the top of the head and keep grinding until you’ve achieved your desired texture.

Dimensions: 2.44 x 2.44 x 7.44 inches | Coarseness Settings: Adjustable | Materials: Ceramic grinder, plastic body | Capacity: 3.1 ounces

If your philosophy with kitchen gadgets is that they should look just as great as they work, this vintage-inspired Peugeot pepper mill is the perfect pick for you. In addition to the grinder's unique design, we found that we were able to grind a lot of pepper quickly in testing—even with the finest grind settings—so we had plenty for our recipes.

Though it can technically be set for as many as 33 different grind sizes from fine to coarse, we noticed that it’s not clear what setting you’re on without a little trial and error—a pro and a con all at once. For convenience, the pepper mill also has a pop-out grinding mechanism that makes it easier to clean if that's ever necessary.

During testing, we noted that the grinds could be inconsistent, probably due to the lack of adjustable settings. To use, you put your thumb on the top and pump to dispense the pepper grinds. Since this is such a small grinder, the pumping mechanism isn't always the smoothest and the peppercorns can get stuck—though we found that shaking the grinder before continuing to use would fix this.

This article was later updated by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer who has spent nearly 15 years researching the best home goods and kitchen items for various digital publications, including The Spruce and Good Housekeeping. She tested several models of pepper mills to find the best ones. Brigitt also frequently contributes to parenting sites like What to Expect.

Dimensions: 6.5 x 4 x 2.62 inches | Coarseness Settings: Adjustable | Materials: Ceramic grinder, plastic body | Capacity: 4 ounces

Yes, it turns out. Once spices are ground, they start to oxidize, and their aromatics evaporate quickly, so you'll get the most flavor and aroma out of them when they're ground right before you prepare or consume your meal. But not all pepper mills are made the same—the difference between a cheaply made pepper mill and a higher-quality one can mean inconsistent grinds, clogged or loose grinding mechanisms, and pepper spilled everywhere. You'll also want to look for varying degrees of grind when choosing the right tool.

Great for cooks who have ogled giant steakhouse pepper mills, this 17-inch grinder will certainly make a statement at the table as it's being passed around. It’s handcrafted in the United States by a family-owned company, made from sustainably grown wood, and designed to last a lifetime. In tests, the two-step grinding process was a breeze. With a simple twist, the pepper mill first crushes the peppercorns for the best release of flavor and then finishes the grinding in the second step.

This grinder has six positions to adjust the grinding coarseness, meaning you’ll have just what you need, from fine to coarse. And best of all: in tests, it was clear what setting you were using—something that wasn’t true for many of the other pepper mills. Filling it is simple—just unscrew the knob and remove the top—but we suggest going slowly to avoid spills, as the opening is on the small side.

They come with a small pouch that can be tucked into a backpack, a pocket, or luggage without worrying about accidental grinding and spills. A sample of sea salt and pepper comes with the set, meaning they're ready for grinding immediately. This set is also available in stainless steel.

The outside of the peppermill should be wiped down regularly. Use a warm, damp cloth and a vinegar/water mix. "For cleaning, I never use water to clean the mechanical parts," says culinary instructor Sylvain Girard. "Use compressed air occasionally if you have that option. Water can ruin the grinding mechanism if not dried properly."

There's nothing like freshly ground pepper to top off your meal, but is there really such a big difference between pre-ground and freshly ground peppercorns?

These little grinders are ready to travel, whether it’s to work, on a road trip, or just to Grandma’s house to surreptitiously add some flavor to lunch. They’re also adorable to put at each place setting for a party and to give as party favors when dinner is done. They’re easy to use one-handed, so they’re great in the kitchen, too, to add a finishing touch to plates as they’re headed to the dining room. These are clear, making it easy to see which is salt and which is pepper, and they come with a clear stand to keep them neatly in place wherever they rest.