Best pepper mills 2022: Classic and electric grinders reviewed

Just say "when"

rguably, salt and pepper are the two most important things you need in the kitchen. As well as all of your kitchenware, a good set of knives, a range of pots and pans and some beautiful plates to serve it all up on, of course. But apart from that, salt and pepper are the most important things.

Serving up a freshly shaken bowl of salad? Add a grinding of coarse black pepper to give it a little pizazz. Set down a huge, steaming, glimmering tomato soup? A dash of fine black pepper is the cherry on top. Cooked fish, chicken, vegetables or literally anything else? You can't go wrong with a bit of pepper.

But what's this artful final touch on your incredible inventions without an equally as prestigious pepper mill? It's not quite the same thing to simply shove a teaspoon into your spice rack and hope for the best. No, you need only the finest pepper grinder to complete the process with the love and attention it truly deserves.

Pepper grinders tend to come in three different formats. At the budget friendly end of the scale, you’ll get the "does what it says on the tin" pepper mills that grind your pepper in one smooth movement and let the moment pass.

Wander a little further down the scale and you’ll find the midrange options, which come with adjustable grinders that offer that coarse, rich pepper that makes your nose twitch as well as the fine stuff that floats down onto your plate.

You’ll also find electric pepper grinders, which don't tend to offer quite as much prestige but do provide the simplest method of taking pepper from mill to plate.

Whatever you’re serving up, do it with one of the best pepper mills. We’ve rounded up all of the best options to suit all budgets below.

Le Creuset's Classic Pepper Mill comes in a range of whimsical colours including coastal blue, flint, meringue and volcanic red. These beautiful, vibrant mills are made in a classic pepper mill shape with a lightweight, elegant design that brightens up any meal. Each features a hardened ceramic grinder that's resistant to corrosion for grinding peppercorns and it's also fully adjustable. Pair it with a matching (or contrasting?) colourful salt mill for best results.

If you didn't think there was a pepper mill hierarchy, think again. Peugeot Saveurs sits right at the top of it. These premium grinders may be more expensive than you’d perhaps expect to pay but with their unique craftsmanship and decades of pepper-milling experience, they really are the crème de la crème of the kitchenware world.

With classic lines and a rich, chocolate finish, this duo of Peugeot salt and pepper mills promises to sit proudly in centre stage while you’re eating.

You can also shop just the pepper mill (£44.99).

You’ll struggle to find a pepper mill quite as colourful as Habitat's Optimist Salt and Pepper Mill Set. These vibrant shakers promise to add a pop of colour to any kitchen or dining room, making "a dash of pepper, please" feel all the more exciting. These budget friendly mills come in a two pack set, with contrasting colours and a hardy, beechwood design. The adjustable ceramic grinder lets you grind like a seasoned pro, no matter whether you prefer coarse or fine.

An electric grinder is for someone who values convenience and form over design. Sure, it might not look quite so classically pretty as some other mills, but it's one of the best choices if you know what you want (freshly ground pepper, no hesitations).

The Eparé Battery Operated Electric Pepper Grinder comes in three stylish tones: copper, stainless steel or silver. It's also designed to last, with a durable ceramic core that won't rust or dull, ensuring no tarnished flavours on your pepper inside.

These smart and stylish Joseph Joseph Editions Milltop salt and pepper mills are designed to be spill and mess free, making them a great gifting choice for anyone who's mess-adverse and likes to keep countertops sparkling clean.

With their beautiful sage green and grey tonal colours, this pair of mills is one of the most fashionable choices and is easy to refill and to adjust from a coarse to a fine grain. Its durable ceramic grinders ensure these pieces will last for years to come, too.

There are pepper mills and then there are Cole & Mason Richmond Pepper Mills. Taking an almost futuristic dive into the world of kitchenware, these smooth, sophisticated mills elevate all kinds of dining set-ups with their unique design.

A sleek one-handed operation that delivers fresh pepper at a touch of a button, these mills feature a hardened carbon steel mechanism for pepper and diamond sharp ceramic mechanism for salt. They also do things a little more technically than most, not crushing peppercorns but instead stripping them to release the maximum amount of flavour with each grind.

You can't go wrong with a classic wooden pepper mill and our favourite comes from BINHAI. This statuesque pepper mill comes with a timeless design and a few different colour options, ranging from jet black to light wood or dark wood. While there are no bells and whistles (something you’d not necessarily search for with a pepper mill, anyway) on this option, it does what it says on the tin with a satisfying fine ground.

ProCook's Stainless Steel Pepper Mill is the modernised version of the classic pepper mill and is one designed to be perched amidst all of your other favourite herbs and spices and filled with all kinds of intriguing peppers.

Perfect for cooks or anyone who likes to spice things up in the kitchen (pun intended), the clear central panel of this mill means you’re free to buy in multiples and fill with variations of your favourite peppercorns.

This copper set with its unique appearance is a beautiful addition to your dining room and comes with enough sturdiness to last for years. With its durable lead free glass, high grade stainless steel, copper finishing and reinforced ceramic grinder, it's a high quality product made for high quality pepper and even features a magnetic lid. Turn the grinder head to adjust the coarseness depending on what you’re cooking or seasoning.

Argos Home's Wood Salt and Pepper Mills definitely look more premium than their price tag suggests. In a matte grey shade made from beechwood, this sleek pair of salt and pepper mills are your cooking companion for all kinds of dishes. You can set it to grind as finely or coarsely as you like, thanks to its adjustable nature. They come highly rated and are a great choice for anyone who values both substance and style.

Verdict

We’re big fans of colourful kitchenware and Le Creuset's Classic Pepper Mill in gorgeous Teal steals the show this time. This adjustable grinder is one you’ll use with pride each time you’re cooking up a feast.