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Best Spice Grinders

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Electric Grinder
Hamilton Beach
Fresh Grind Electric Grinder
Most Compact

This compact grinder is powerful and has a removable chamber for easy use.

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Most Compact
Bottom Line

This compact grinder is powerful and has a removable chamber for easy use.

Pros

Easy and convenient to both use and clean. Has a very quiet operation. Great for grinding spices, beans, and more into fine powders. The cord can be conveniently wrapped around the bottom of the grinder.

Cons

The motor can heat up with excessive use.

Mueller HyperGrind Precision Electric Grinder
Mueller
HyperGrind Precision Electric Grinder
Most Versatile

A high-quality grinder crafted with German precision.

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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

A high-quality grinder crafted with German precision.

Pros

Is very efficient and powerful, despite its small size. This model is easy to clean and does not have too many detachable parts. The stainless steel blades are good for spices, herbs, nuts, and grains.

Cons

There is no dial to set the level of coarseness.

KRUPS Silent Vortex Electric Grinder
KRUPS
Silent Vortex Electric Grinder
Highly Powerful

A powerful grinder with very quiet operation.

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Highly Powerful
Bottom Line

A powerful grinder with very quiet operation.

Pros

The removable stainless steel grinding bowl is dishwasher safe. This is a great grinder for those who enjoy that freshly-ground, whole-bean coffee taste made in a French press. This grinder is very effective for a 2-bladed mill.

Cons

Some reviewers say the product is not very long-lasting.

KUHN RIKON Adjustable Ratchet Grinder
KUHN RIKON
Adjustable Ratchet Grinder
Best Manual Grinder

The ratchet operating system is easier to use than some twist systems.

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Best Manual Grinder
Bottom Line

The ratchet operating system is easier to use than some twist systems.

Pros

Good for people with arthritis. Move the hatchet back and forth to easily grind spices. Users can choose how coarse or fine they want their spices with a dial. Impressive capacity for its size. It's easy to fill thanks to a door on the chamber.

Cons

Some reports of parts breaking after extended use. May work better as a table grinder than a kitchen tool.

KitchenAid Coffee and Spice Grinder
KitchenAid
Coffee and Spice Grinder
Simple Yet Solid

This electric grinder is simple in functionality, and comes with two bowls for grinding spices or coffee.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This electric grinder is simple in functionality, and comes with two bowls for grinding spices or coffee.

Pros

One touch operation makes for easy use. The clear lid provides a visual on the status of the grinding. Has a stainless steel blade, a removable larger bowl, and smaller one for using on spices. Also works great for coffee grounds.

Cons

It’s best to only use the smaller bowl for spices as the larger one won’t grind very fine,and tends to make a mess.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
September 26, 2021
52
Models
considered
30
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for best spice grinders

Lauren Corona
Written by Lauren Corona

Updated May 2024

If your dream meal is a richly spiced tagine or curry, freshly grinding your spices will elevate your dish to the next level. It might seem like a hassle or an unnecessary extra step, but with a decent spice grinder, your spices will be ready to use in less than a minute, and you’ll taste the difference.

There are all sorts of makes, models, and varieties of spice grinders on the market, so how do you pick one that fits your needs? Well, you're in the right place!

We have consulted Samantha Attard, an expert with a Ph.D. in nutrition, to bring you the information you need. At the top of this page, you'll find a product list that features our five favorite spice grinders on the market. If you want to learn more about spice grinders and how to pick the right one for you, please continue reading this guide.

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While a coffee grinder can grind spices, too, it might not always give you even results.

Types of spice grinders

Let's take a look at the two main types of spice grinders — manual and electric — and how to pick the right kind for you.

Manual

Manual spice grinders are operated by hand, usually with a crank that you turn but sometimes with other mechanisms, such as a pull-cord or a push-button.

Pros:

  • You get more control over your grind with a manual spice grinder; it's common to over-grind and get a finer result than you wanted with an electric grinder.

  • Manual spice grinders are easier to clean, even if they don't have a removable grinding chamber, as it's okay to get a manual spice grinder wet. Electric models should not get wet.

  • As a rule, manual spice grinders are cheaper than electric versions.

  • Manual spice grinders can be used on the go — for instance, on camping trips — as they don't require electricity.
     

Cons:

  • It takes longer to grind spices in a manual spice grinder.

  • Manual spice grinders might not be suitable for people who have problems with hand dexterity or grip.

  • More often than not, manual spice grinders have smaller capacities and aren't great for grinding large batches of spices.
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EXPERT CONSULTANT
Samantha Attard, nutrition PhD, is a consultant, coach, yoga instructor, and founder of Happy Healthy Human. Through her business, Samantha provides personalized health solutions to individuals and groups of all sizes. She also has a line of health snacks that to help individuals all over the country eat with intention. Her research has been featured in the British Medical Journal, Diabetologia, and Journal of Hypertension, among others.
Samantha
Nutrition PhD and Consultant

Electric

Electric spice grinders plug into a power outlet and operate at the press of a button.

Pros:

  • Electric spice grinders are quicker than their manual counterparts.

  • You can generally grind larger amounts of spices in one go in an electric spice grinder.

  • Electric spice grinders may give you more even and uniform results.

  • Some electric spice grinders allow you to choose between different grind sizes.
     

Cons:

  • Electric spice grinders often cost more than manual versions.

  • If you only want to grind a very small amount of spice, electric spice grinders might not give the best results, as they tend to have larger capacities.

  • Some electric spice grinders can be hard to clean, which means flavors could potentially transfer between different spices.
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Did you know?
Electric spice grinders are easier to use than manual ones, especially if you have medical issues like arthritis in your hands or similar.
STAFF
BestReviews

Considerations

Grind size

Some spice grinders, both manual and electric, allow you to select the grind size. You can choose whether you want your spices to be ground fine, coarse, or somewhere in between.

For some users, this is an essential feature, since certain types of recipes may call for a coarser grind. But others users might only ever want their spices ground as finely as possible.

Ease of cleaning

Properly cleaning out your spice grinder between uses is important. If you don't, you may find the fresh cinnamon you ground for a loaf of banana bread ends up tasting like cumin.

Manual grinders are easier to clean. You can just wash them in the sink with soap and water, and some are even dishwasher safe. Electric grinders, on the other hand, can be tricky to get perfectly clean. Some have removable grinding chambers that can be washed and dried separately from the main body of the grinder, which houses the motor and electrics. However, if your grinding chamber isn't removable, you have to be more careful. Simply wipe it clean and/or brush it out with a pastry brush.

"If you'll only be using a grinder for occasional small batches of spices, a manual version is compact and affordable."
STAFF
BestReviews

Size

Here we're talking about the external size of your spice grinder. If you don't have much counter or cupboard space, you might want a compact model that you can tuck away somewhere.

However, if you have plenty of room in your kitchen, size won't be such an issue. In fact, you might prefer a more substantial model that would look good on your countertop.

Capacity

A spice grinder’s capacity refers to how much spice you can grind at one time. Physically larger spice grinders will generally have a larger capacity, but this isn’t always true. (For instance, some electric grinders might have a large motor that accounts for most of its real estate.) It’s best to look at both the external size and the internal capacity.

When deciding what capacity you need, take this advice from our expert Sam: "If you’re freshly grinding spices at each meal, you may be able to get a manual or small grinder with a very good blade at a reasonable cost. If you’re doing a larger batch of spices, you may want an electric grinder instead, and you may have to compromise on the blade because of the size."

Color

Color likely isn’t the main deciding factor when picking out a spice grinder, but we understand that you might want a grinder that matches your kitchen hardware or other appliances.

Most spice grinder brands come in just one or two basic colors, like black or brushed steel, but others give you a much larger range of color choices.

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Expert Tip
The best part of freshly ground spices is that you’ll need to use less salt and sugar. And because you’ll have more flavorful spices, you’ll end up with a healthier dish.
STAFF
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Price

The good news about spice grinders is that they're all relatively inexpensive.

Manual spice grinders

An average manual spice grinder costs between $10 and $20, but we recommend paying at least $15 to get a durable model that won't break after a few months.

Electric spice grinders

An electric spice grinder could set you back anywhere from $15 to $50. Pricier models will have more options — for instance, multiple choices of grind size — but you can get good, durable (albeit more basic) models for as little as $20.

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There are plenty of good spice grinders on the market, both large and small, so pick a size that suits you.

FAQ

Q. Can't I just use a coffee grinder to grind my spices?

A. Let's refer to our expert Sam on this one: "Coffee grinders work well for grinding spices, but they may cut up the spices unevenly. This means that in your cooking, there will be uneven saturation of the spices with the food, impacting taste and texture."

So yes, you could use a coffee grinder in a pinch, but it's better to get a dedicated spice grinder. It's also unwise to use the same grinder for both coffee and spices, unless it has a removable grinding chamber, as the flavors could inadvertently transfer between your coffee and your spices ... and nobody wants that!

Q. How can I make sure my spices are as flavorful as possible?

A. For flavorful spices that will truly elevate your cooking, toast spices in a hot, dry pan for a minute or so before grinding them. Just be careful not to burn them, and let them cool before grinding.

Q. Why should I use freshly ground spices instead of the pre-ground type?

A. Jars of pre-ground spices are available in every grocery store, so why bother with freshly ground seasoning? Well, there are two main reasons: freshly ground spices taste better, and they're likely healthier.

According to Sam: "Freshly ground spices are more flavorful and healthier. The aromatics and chemicals in spices are very volatile, which means that they can dissipate quickly. If you use a freshly ground spice, you’ll likely have a higher-quality raw material, and the flavors and health benefits will be more potent."

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