For pepper mills, form and function often go hand in hand. A good one will have a grinding mechanism made of ceramic or stainless steel for durability and adjustable settings that yield fine to coarse grinds. The mill’s construction should stand up to daily use and can be crafted from materials like wood, stainless steel, or acrylic, but should be comfortable to grip, no matter what it’s made of. It should be easy to refill — no one likes chasing down errant peppercorns. In terms of looks, a sleek, tall pepper mill can add elegance to your kitchen, while a compact, uniquely shaped mill can be a conversation piece.
To find the best pepper mills, I talked to chefs, recipe developers, art directors, and other stylish people to learn what they use in their homes (and professional kitchens). Here are eight standout pepper mills, ranging from a 150-year-old design to one with a rechargeable battery.
Jean-Pierre Peugeot and his family invented the pepper mill in 1842. Their innovation in technology and design set the bar for the modern pepper mill, and they continue to produce mills praised for their quality. Chef Michelle Wallace of B’tween Sandwich Co., and a contestant on Top Chef season 21, is a fan of the classic, manual, wooden Peugeot in either black or red. “It’s such a great grind,” she says. “I love that you can get different size grinds and it’s visually appealing.” Sarah Raffetto of Raffetto’s Pasta, Petite Pasta Joint, and Midnight Spaghetti has an orange set she says “is crafted so beautifully, is easy to use, and has never given me a problem.” She also finds them display-worthy: “They look quite sexy and add to my kitchen by looking like pieces of art.” Over the last century, Peugeot has built a reputation as a company that does things the right way and prioritizes quality as much as crafting products that stand up to wear and tear. “My oldest and most used Peugeot is 30 years old,” says chef David Felton.
Like all things Le Creuset, its pepper mill is known for its durability and consistent performance and features a ceramic grinder that adjusts for different coarseness levels. It was the first “nice” pepper mill culture writer Jason Diamond ever bought. Available in many of the colors from Le Creuset’s range, it adds style to any kitchen counter or table, but for Diamond, using it has its own pleasures: “I liked the little slight noise it made when I cranked it,” he says.
“What I am looking for is an easy-to-clean pepper grinder that works well and is easy to grip,” says Edy Massih, caterer and owner of Edy’s Grocery. And for him, the OXO is it. Massih calls it “the best bang for your buck” and notes that adjusting the ceramic grinding mechanism is particularly easy with this mill. Its stainless-steel construction is durable too: “I have my pepper mill right by my stovetop. I want to make sure that it is heatproof and will not melt or crack,” he says.
The Unicorn is a longtime favorite of food professionals. “It gets the job done perfectly, grinding pepper fast and even, and it’s extremely easy to refill. These are the only two things I need in a pepper mill,” says cookbook author and former art director Dan Pelosi. For chef and restaurant owner Stephanie Dietz of the Pink Dingy in Virginia Beach, it was love at first sight. “I wanted something cool on my counter because I lived in Brooklyn with limited cabinet space, and everything was kind of out in the open, so any design elements that are also functional are a plus in my book.” What sets the Unicorn apart is its oversize, easy-fill opening and 1.25-cup capacity, which minimizes refills. “I fill it up maybe every two or three months,” says Dietz.
Unlike standard grinders, the MannKitchen Pepper Cannon has an innovative design that delivers an impressive ten times more pepper per twist. It’s built to last and feels substantial. “I’ve had the Pepper Cannon for about one and a half years now, and it still looks like it did when I opened up the box. It’s a bit on the heavier side, so might be harder for some people to wield easily, but because you produce a much greater quantity of ground pepper with a much smaller twist, it’s less effort overall to use,” says Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang. She appreciates the thoughtful details that have gone into this mill’s design: “I like that it comes with a little base that you can use to catch errant grounds or pre-ground pepper, and the mill has been so well machined that it slides into the base in a really satisfying way.”
“I like a pepper grinder that stands out. I want a person to walk into my home and say, ‘I love that sculpture,’” says Diamond. “The Scandinavians make the best grinders for getting this sort of reaction.” He recently found the Kähler Hammershøi grinder, designed by Hans-Christian Bauer, which he says fits perfectly in his kitchen and looks great. It features a durable ceramic grinding mechanism that is also suitable for salt and other spices and that comes with a 25-year guarantee.
“As a caterer, a private chef, and food stylist, I need to be able to move quickly in the kitchen, and an electric pepper mill saves so much time,” says Chef Brittney “Stikxz” Williams of BWC Catering. She recommends the Zwilling Enfinigy mill, which she says is “sleek and so minimalist while also so efficient.” It has a powerful adjustable ceramic grinding mechanism and a streamlined, ergonomic design. Plus, it’s rechargeable via USB.
The HexMill is on the high end, but many enthusiastically claim it’s worth it. “What I love most is function. The ease of the grind, the ability to change the coarseness — there is nothing I hate more than a pepper mill that obliterates peppercorns into something that is so ridiculously fine and powdery,” says cookbook author Jake Cohen. “I need some texture.” The HexMill grinds pepper in a beautifully consistent way, resulting in more intense flavor. It also has a minimalist, elegant design. “It’s black, it’s sleek, it’s matte, it feels like something aesthetically pleasing on my counter,” says Cohen.
This design-forward pepper mill is a real conversation piece. Crafted from beechwood and imprinted with art from designer Ellen Van Dusen, the Everybody Grinder is in a class of its own. “Whenever I need a housewarming gift, I always grab the Everybody Grinder. They’re so charming and playful; they bring life to any kitchen or tablescape, and everyone is always happy to upgrade their existing pepper mill to one that’s so cheerful,” says Stephanie Ganz, a former professional cook who now writes about restaurants, recipes, and culture.
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