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The best spice grinder depends on how you cook. An electric blade grinder is fastest for big batches of curry spices, a manual ceramic mill gives an even grind for peppercorns and seeds, and a grater mill handles cinnamon and nutmeg.
We compared six grinders on Amazon US by mechanism, cleaning and reviews.
Quick Answer: The Best Spice Grinder
- Best OverallCuisinart Spice and Nut Grinder, Push-Top Lid, Dishwasher-Safe Bowl
- Best Cheap ElectricKRUPS Precision Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder, 3 oz, 200W, Stainless Steel Blades
- Best ManualKuhn Rikon Adjustable Ratchet Grinder with Ceramic Mechanism for Salt, Pepper and Spices
- Best Two-BowlSecura Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder with 2 Removable Stainless Bowls
- Best for CinnamonMicroplane Manual Spice Mill, Cinnamon and Nutmeg Grater
- Best Everyday MillOXO Good Grips Contoured Grinder with Adjustable Ceramic Mill
Cuisinart’s spice and nut grinder is our top pick for most kitchens. KRUPS F203 is the cheap classic, Kuhn Rikon’s ceramic ratchet grinder is the best manual mill, Secura’s two-bowl grinder keeps coffee separate, Microplane’s spice mill grates cinnamon and nutmeg, and OXO’s ceramic mill is an easy everyday option.
Best Spice Grinder Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart SG-10 Spice and Nut Grinder | Best Overall | Electric blade grinder | Removable stainless bowl, 90g capacity (maker) | Check Price |
| KRUPS F203 Blade Grinder | Best Cheap Electric | Electric blade grinder | 3 oz bowl, 200W motor | Check Price |
| Kuhn Rikon Ratchet Grinder | Best Manual | Manual ceramic burr mill | Ratchet action, adjustable ceramic burr | Check Price |
| Secura 2-Bowl Grinder | Best Two-Bowl | Electric blade grinder | Two removable bowls: one blade, one chopping | Check Price |
| Microplane Spice Mill | Best for Cinnamon | Manual spice grater mill | Grates whole cinnamon and nutmeg | Check Price |
| OXO Ceramic Mill Grinder | Best Everyday Mill | Manual ceramic burr mill | Adjustable ceramic grinding mechanism | Check Price |
The 6 Best Spice Grinders
Ranked by versatility, cleaning and value.
1. Cuisinart Spice and Nut Grinder, Push-Top Lid, Dishwasher-Safe Bowl
1. Removable bowl.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 4,500 ratings, 4.2 average
- Removable bowl is easy to wash
- Built for spices and nuts
Cons
- Pricier than basic blade grinders
- Some reports of lid wear
📄 Detailed Review
- Bowl: Removable stainless steel
- Lid: Push-top on/off
- Extras: Storage lid
A blade grinder designed for spices first, with a bowl you can wash.
Our pick when you want to switch spices often.
2. KRUPS Precision Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder, 3 oz, 200W, Stainless Steel Blades
2. 69,900 ratings.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 69,900 ratings, 4.4 average
- Fast on hard seeds and peppercorns
- Cheap and compact
Cons
- Bowl is not removable
- Texture less even than a burr mill
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 3 oz
- Motor: 200W
- Blades: Stainless steel
The most-reviewed small blade grinder on Amazon, widely used for spices.
Pulse it in short bursts for the most even grind.
3. Kuhn Rikon Adjustable Ratchet Grinder with Ceramic Mechanism for Salt, Pepper and Spices
3. Ceramic burr.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 5,000 ratings, 4.6 average
- Ceramic burr won’t rust or hold odors
- Easy one-handed ratchet
Cons
- Small batches only
- Hard large seeds can jam
📄 Detailed Review
- Mechanism: Ceramic, adjustable
- Action: Ratchet, one hand
- Size: 8.5 x 2.25 in.
A ratchet mill with a ceramic burr that handles peppercorns, coriander and dried seeds.
Our top manual burr pick for spices.
4. Secura Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder with 2 Removable Stainless Bowls
4. Coffee and spices.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 6,400 ratings, 4.2 average
- Keep one bowl for spices, one for coffee
- Bowls wash easily
Cons
- Louder than some
- Fine powders can puff out the lid
📄 Detailed Review
- Bowls: 2 removable stainless
- Use: Coffee, spices, nuts
- Safety: Lid interlock
Two bowls mean coffee never tastes like cumin.
A practical pick for busy spice cooks.
5. Microplane Manual Spice Mill, Cinnamon and Nutmeg Grater
5. Grater mill.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 2,700 ratings, 4.6 average
- Handles spices blade grinders struggle with
- Fine, fluffy result
Cons
- Only for stick and nut spices
- Slow for large amounts
📄 Detailed Review
- Use: Cinnamon sticks, nutmeg
- Blade: Stainless rasp
- Design: Built-in storage
A grater mill for whole cinnamon and nutmeg.
Great companion to an electric grinder.
6. OXO Good Grips Contoured Grinder with Adjustable Ceramic Mill
6. Ceramic.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 13,300 ratings, 4.5 average
- Easy to refill
- Ceramic burr handles many spices
Cons
- Hand-turned, slow for big batches
- Not for sticky spices
📄 Detailed Review
- Mechanism: Ceramic, adjustable
- Body: Clear, easy to see contents
- Refill: Wide opening
A popular adjustable ceramic mill you can fill with any small dry spice.
Good second mill for cumin or coriander.
How We Chose the Best Spice Grinder
To build this guide to the best spice grinder, we compared spice grinders and mills sold on Amazon US by grinding mechanism (blade, ceramic burr or steel burr), capacity, power, removable bowls, adjustability and how easy they are to clean between spices. We then read patterns in verified-buyer reviews for grind consistency, heat, motor life, leaks of fine powder and lingering odors, and flagged listings with few ratings.
Store ground spices in airtight containers away from heat and moisture, and keep grinders clean and dry, following USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service cleanliness guidance. Our method is explained on the How We Test page; this is a research-based guide, not a lab test.
Buying Guide: Spice Grinders
Electric Blade
Fast for big batches and hard spices.
Manual Burr
Even texture, no heat.
Grater Mill
Best for cinnamon and nutmeg.
Cleaning
Removable bowls are easiest.
Separate Coffee
Spice oils linger in grinders.
Tips for Grinding Spices
- Grind spices in small batches for the freshest flavor.
- Toast whole spices lightly, then let them cool before grinding.
- Pulse blade grinders instead of running them nonstop.
- Clean between spices by grinding a spoon of dry rice.
- Keep a separate grinder for coffee and spices.
Quick answers to common questions about the best spice grinder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best spice grinder?
Cuisinart’s spice and nut grinder for most cooks.
Is a manual or electric spice grinder better?
Electric is faster; manual burr mills give even texture.
How long do ground spices stay fresh?
Best within a few months; grind whole spices as needed.
Do I need a separate coffee grinder?
Yes, spice oils and odors linger.
Final Verdict
Our pick for the best spice grinder is the Cuisinart spice and nut grinder. For a manual mill, choose Kuhn Rikon.
Related Guides
Keep exploring grinders with these guides:
Prices and availability change often. Check the current listing on Amazon before you buy.
