10 best salt and pepper grinders for easy seasoning, tried and tested

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Whether you’re seasoning a dish mid-cooking or adding a final sprinkle before serving, a reliable salt and pepper grinder is a must-have for any kitchen. However, with countless styles available, finding the right one can be surprisingly difficult. Grinders differ in everything from their materials and appearance to how they work, with options ranging from classic manual designs to battery-powered models and features such as adjustable grind settings.

Peugeot introduced the first electric grinder in the 1990s, with brands such as Cuisinart following with their own models. While electric grinders offer speed and convenience, many home cooks still prefer manual designs for the satisfying feel, hands-on experience and greater control over the grind.

If you enjoy cooking, a grinder with adjustable settings is worth considering. The ability to change the coarseness means you can tailor your seasoning to the dish, from a chunky grind for steak to a finer texture for sauces.

To find the best options, I tested a range of salt and pepper grinders, looking at factors including build quality, ease of use, grind consistency, adjustability, battery life (for electric models) and value for money. Here are the best salt and pepper grinders to buy in 2026.

I put a range of salt and pepper grinders to the test in my own kitchen (Sarah Finley/The Independent)

The best salt and pepper grinders for 2026 are:

Best overall – Salter Chester salt and pepper mill set: £19.99, Salter.com
Best budget buy – George Home salt and pepper grinder set: £8, Asda.com
Best premium buy – Peugeot Paris wooden salt and pepper mills, 18cm: £44.90 each, Peugeot-saveurs.com
Best electric grinder – Cuisinart seasoning mill: £60, Cuisinart.co.uk