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.

Cavaletto Duo Salt & Pepper Mill Sophisticated electronic salt and pepper mills adds a touch of class when seasoning your favourite mealsThough 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.

We were 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. Dreamfarm Ortwo One-Handed Pepper Mill: Dreamfarm, known for clever and quirky product names, calls its pepper grinder the "Ortwo" because it can be used with one hand or two. While we love the idea, we found the innovative pepper mill incredibly top-heavy and awkward to hold. While it is easy to fill, thanks to the wide glass mouth on the container, said container does not adequately attach to the handles. As a result, the pepper-filled glass container is always a small nudge away from crashing down. Providing superior seasoning, this duo mill features an adjustable grinding function offering fine and coarse seasoning to suit your family’s preferences For your convenience, the mill is easy to use with a simple one button push system on each side for effortless salt or pepper seasoning. Requires 6 x AA type batteries (not included)Great for cooks who have ogled giant steakhouse pepper grinders, 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. 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. 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).