Salt and pepper grinders are a staple in most kitchens and dining rooms, helping you season food while you cook or add a final flourish at the table before you eat. However, not all grinders are created equal. They come in a wide range of sizes, designs, and grinding mechanisms, with varying levels of grind adjustment. You'll also need to decide whether a traditional manual grinder or a more modern electric model best suits your needs.Peugeot created the first electric grinder in the 1990s, and many brands, including Cuisinart, have followed suit since then. While electric grinders can make seasoning quicker and more convenient, they're not always the best choice for everyone. Many home cooks still prefer the tactile feel and satisfying crunch of a manual grinder, along with the greater control it can offer.If you take cooking seriously, it's also worth looking for grinders that allow you to adjust the coarseness of the grind. Different dishes can benefit from different textures, whether you're finishing a steak with coarse black pepper or seasoning a delicate sauce with a finer grind.To help you find the right option, I've been testing a wide range of salt and pepper grinders, assessing everything from build quality and ease of use to grind consistency, adjustment settings, battery life (where applicable), and overall value for money. Below, I've rounded up the best salt and pepper grinders you can buy in 2026.Read more: Best ice makers for cocktails and dinner partiesI put a range of salt and pepper grinders to the test in my own kitchen (Sarah Finley/The Independent)The best salt and pepper grinders for 2026 are:Best overall – Salter Chester salt and pepper mill set: £19.99, Salter.comBest budget buy – George Home salt and pepper grinder set: £8, Asda.com Best premium buy – Peugeot Paris wooden salt and pepper mills, 18cm: £44.90 each, Peugeot-saveurs.comBest electric grinder – Cuisinart seasoning mill: £60, Cuisinart.co.ukRead more: I’ve tested dozens of air fryers, but these are the best