What we love: There is something satisfying about buying an S&P set that looks good on your counter and consistently performs, and for that, I love Cole & Mason’s Bromley Salt & Pepper Set. The silver-and-acrylic grinders feel substantial in hand, with a smooth, adjustable mechanism that produces even, consistent seasoning. Since this is a pepper grinder round-up, I focused primarily on testing the pepper mill and can confirm that it can grind peppercorns seamlessly, whether it’s fine pepper for mixing into sauce or finishing main courses.
I appreciate the clear acrylic body that makes it easy to see when it’s time for a refill, and the wide removable top keeps stray granules from bouncing all over the floor. For the price, the Bromley set feels surprisingly premium and makes an elegant, low-maintenance addition to your table or kitchen. FWIW, my mom actually complimented these when I was testing them—the only grinders she complimented throughout my whole testing journey. I gifted them to her, which I feel like is a testament to their aesthetic and convenience as a set.
What we’d leave: Compared to other, more expensive mills, they feel a bit underpowered. Some shoppers claim that the mill wears down and gets stuck over time; however, that hasn’t happened to me yet.
How we tested pepper grinders
I tested nearly a dozen pepper grinders over several weeks. Each one was evaluated for grind consistency, ease of use, messiness (especially when refilling), and design quality. I paid attention to how comfortable they were to hold in hand, how easily they adjusted—or if they could be adjusted at all—from fine to coarse, and how much pepper they actually produced with each twist. I also spoke with chefs and kitchen pros about their go-to grinders and the features they rely on in a working kitchen.
What to consider when shopping for a pepper mill
Similar to a coffee grinder, pepper grinders use burrs to grind up the peppercorns. The material of these burrs can affect how well they grind, the grind settings, even the flavor of your spices. Justin Harry, executive chef at TradeWinds Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida, swears by stainless steel because it’s the most durable.
“Ceramic mills are more prone to chipping and breaking faster than steel,” he says.“Carbon-steel mills have a tendency to rust over time.” Consider the materials on the outside too. Stainless steel and wood tend to last longer and feel more substantial, while plastic models can quickly wear down.
Some mills have five settings, others have more than 40. Of course, the more settings you have, the more you can customize your grind. But at the very least, Harry says a good mill should have three main settings: fine, medium, and coarse.
“Each setting impacts flavor by the size of the grind,” he says. “A fine grind can be spread more evenly in a recipe to maximize the pepper compounds. A coarse grind is more for sharper flavor bursts.”
This comes down to personal preference, but most chefs actually prefer a simple manual grinder over a fancy electric one. “The old-fashioned manual mills are the best,” says Doug Paine, head chef at Juniper Bar and Restaurant at the Hotel Vermont. “You don’t really have to worry about them breaking, and they never run out of batteries.” Harry agrees, noting that electric mills tend to run out faster than their manual counterparts.
Capacity and refillability
You don’t want to have to refill your pepper grinder often, and when you do, you don’t want to make a mess or go chasing peppercorns all over the floor. These might fluctuate based on how much you use your grinder, so if you’re someone who often seasons food, look for a mill with a larger hopper. If not, you can probably get away with a smaller one.
If your pepper mill makes your wrist hurt or slips out of your hand when things get greasy, it’s not doing its job. Rubberized grips or contoured bodies can make a big difference, especially for frequent seasoning. Consider the grind settings, too, and how they are adjusted. Some mills need twisting, others require pinching and turning small wheels, and a few while grind with just the press of a button or a flip of the device.
Other pepper grinders we tested and liked
Unicorn Magnum Pepper Mill
A go-to grinder in the BA Test Kitchen, the Unicorn Pepper Mill has a loyal following for good reason (senior commerce editor Olivia Tarantino swears by it and often gifts it to friends and family). It’s lightweight, comfortable to hold, and produces a fast, even rainfall of pepper with very little effort. Plus, it comes with a small tray to catch stray grounds. The build quality is solid, the twist mechanism feels smooth and controlled, and at only $60, it delivers a grinding experience that’s remarkably close to our top pick for way less than half the price.