Best grinders – Which are the best & what should you look out for when buying one?
Nick Will
The best grinder is the one that suits your quantity, setup, and budget. Three points are crucial: the design (2- or 4-piece), the material, and the diameter. For most daily users, a well-made aluminum grinder with a screen and pollen chamber is the safest choice. For on the go, a lightweight 2-piece crusher is often sufficient.
In this guide, we explain the different types of grinders, compare materials and sizes, and show you which grinders are worth it in which price range. If you want to browse right away: Discover grinders at Skunaby.
Comparison status: 04.11.2026. Prices and availability may have changed since then.
Which grinder is the best? The short answer
There is no grinder that is the best for everyone. It is right for you if these three points are met:
- Design: For home and everyday use, a 4-piece grinder with a screen and pollen chamber is the most versatile. For your pocket or as a second grinder, a 2-piece model is sufficient.
- Material: Aluminum is the standard. It is lightweight, sturdy, and easy to clean. Plastic is affordable and lightweight, but less robust.
- Size: 50 mm is compact, 55 mm is a good all-rounder, and with 63 mm you have room for larger quantities.
In addition, the workmanship matters. The parts should fit perfectly, the thread should run smoothly, and the lid should close securely.
Our comparison is based on manufacturer specifications and criteria that matter in everyday use. We do not conduct lab tests.
What is a grinder? Grinder, crusher, and mill
A grinder, also called a crusher, cruncher, or herb mill, breaks down herbs between two discs with teeth or blades. This is more even and cleaner than by hand, and nothing sticks to your fingers.
The terms essentially refer to the same tool. "Cruncher" usually stands for simple 2-piece models, and "mill" is the general term. Along with papers, filters, and a tray, the grinder is part of the basic equipment. What else you need can be read in the guide Smoking accessories: What do you really need?.
Grinder types: 2-, 3-, or 4-piece?
The number of parts indicates how many chambers the grinder has. With each chamber, it becomes cleaner and easier to dose, but also larger and heavier.
| Design | Parts | Strengths | Suits you if... | At Skunaby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-piece | Lid and grinding chamber | lightweight, fast, affordable | you are on the go or looking for a second grinder | PURIZE Organic Hemp Grinder |
| 3-piece | Lid, grinding chamber, and collection chamber | the ground material falls through and can be removed cleanly | you do not need a pollen chamber | currently not in the range |
| 4-piece | Lid, grinding chamber, screen chamber, and pollen chamber | the most even result, clean and tidy | you grind daily and like it tidy | GIZEH, OCB, RAW x Hammercraft, NV Pyramid |
More parts are not automatically better. On the go, a 2-piece grinder is often more practical than a large 4-piece model.
Grinder materials compared: Aluminum, stainless steel, and more
The material determines the weight, durability, and maintenance.
| Material | Properties | Suits you well if... |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | lightweight, sturdy, easy to clean; often CNC-machined | you want an everyday grinder for many years |
| Zinc alloy | heavier, often cheaper; the workmanship varies greatly | you are looking for a metal model at a low price |
| Stainless steel | very robust and heavy, usually more expensive | longevity is more important to you than weight |
| Plastic / Hemp plastic | very lightweight and affordable, less robust | you need a grinder for your pocket |
| Wood / Ceramic | special look, more sensitive | design is particularly important to you |
Our 4-piece grinders are all made of aluminum. The PURIZE Organic Hemp Grinder is made of hemp-based plastic. How affordable and high-quality accessories differ in everyday use is shown in our guide Cheap or Quality?.
Size and teeth: which diameter suits you?
- 50 mm: compact, fits in every pocket, and is well suited for beginners. Examples are GIZEH Metal, OCB Premium, and PURIZE Organic Hemp.
- 55 mm: the all-rounder for everyday use and sessions, for example, the RAW x Hammercraft.
- 63 mm: plenty of room for larger quantities and more of a grinder for home, for example, the NV Grinder Pyramid.
The teeth also make a difference. Classic teeth grind solidly. The Hammercraft tooth structure from RAW is designed for a fine, even grind. The pyramid blades of the NV Grinder are also intended to grind evenly. Regardless of the model: do not overfill the grinding chamber, then teeth and blades work most evenly.
The best grinders by budget
Here are all grinders at Skunaby compared, as of 04.11.2026.
| Model | Design | Material | Ø | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PURIZE Organic Hemp Grinder | 2-piece | Hemp plastic | 50 mm | lightweight, ideal for on the go | 5.00 € |
| OCB Premium Grinder | 4-piece | Aluminum | 50 mm | Fork and brush, compact | 17.00 € |
| GIZEH Metal Grinder Icy / Silver | 4-piece | Aluminum | 50 mm | Pollen chamber and fork, two colors | 20.00 € |
| RAW x Hammercraft Grinder Red | 4-piece | Aluminum (CNC) | 55 mm | Hammercraft teeth, fork, and brush | 35.00 € |
| NV Grinder Pyramid | 4-piece | Aluminum | 63 mm | Pyramid blades, magnetic lid, fork, brush, carrying bag; Red, Green, or Black | 40.00 € |
PURIZE Organic Hemp Grinder
Lightweight, uncomplicated, and affordable. Suits well as a second grinder for your pocket or car.
View PURIZE Organic Hemp Grinder →OCB Premium or GIZEH Metal
Both 4-piece, made of aluminum, and 50 mm. The complete design with pollen chamber at a fair price.
View OCB Premium Grinder →View GIZEH Metal Grinder →
RAW x Hammercraft or NV Pyramid
The RAW Red for a particularly fine grind, the NV Pyramid with 63 mm and complete accessories.
View RAW x Hammercraft Red →View NV Grinder Pyramid →
Grinder Brands at a Glance
- RAW x Hammercraft: Here RAW and Hammercraft worked together. The grinder is CNC-machined aluminum with the distinctive Hammercraft tooth structure. Who searches for "RAW Grinder" usually means this model. More about the brand is in the RAW Guide.
- GIZEH: a solid metal grinder from the middle class. The entire GIZEH range is shown in the GIZEH Guide.
- OCB: The French paper brand has a compact 4-piece grinder. Papers and filters from OCB can be found in the OCB Guide.
- NV: large aluminum grinders with pyramid blades, origin Austria.
- PURIZE: known mainly for activated carbon filters, with a lightweight model made of hemp plastic among grinders. More about this in the PURIZE Filter Comparison.
Grinder as a Gift
A grinder is used every day and is therefore well suited as a gift. A 4-piece aluminum grinder in a desired color looks particularly high-quality, such as the NV Pyramid in red, green, or black or the RAW x Hammercraft in red. Together with the Paper Sample Set, it becomes a small setup.
More ideas can be found in our Gifts for Smokers. Pre-assembled sets are shown in the guide Smoker Set.
How to Use and Clean a Grinder Properly
Use
- Fill the grinding chamber only about halfway, then the grinder will grind more evenly.
- Turn back and forth a few times instead of using force.
- Place a tray underneath, then everything stays clean. Suitable models can be found in the Grinding Tray Guide.
Cleaning
- Brush out the teeth and screen regularly with the included brush.
- If a metal grinder is clogged: disassemble, soak the parts in isopropyl alcohol, rinse with warm water, and let dry completely before screwing it back together.
- Plastic grinders are best cleaned dry, so tap them out and brush them out.
Common Mistakes and Myths
- Myth "There is one test winner": Which grinder is the best depends on quantity, use, and budget, not on a seal.
- Myth "More parts are always better": For on the go, a 2-piece grinder is often the better choice.
- Mistake: overfilling the grinding chamber. Then the grinder grinds unevenly and the thread is stressed more.
- Mistake: saving at the wrong end. Cheap metal with a poor fit jams quickly.
- Mistake: never cleaning. Clogged teeth and a clogged screen make every grinder worse.
Conclusion: The best grinder suits your everyday life
For everyday use, a 4-piece aluminum grinder with a pollen chamber is the most versatile choice. Compact with 50 mm, as an all-rounder with 55 mm, or large with 63 mm, depending on how much you grind. For on the go, a lightweight 2-piece grinder complements the setup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grinders
What is the best grinder?
For most, it is a 4-piece aluminum grinder with a diameter of 50 to 63 mm, screen, and pollen chamber. A clean workmanship and a size that suits your quantity are important.
Is a 2-piece or a 4-piece grinder better?
A 4-piece grinder is cleaner and more versatile, a 2-piece lighter and cheaper. For home, we recommend 4-piece, for on the go 2-piece.
Aluminum or stainless steel: which is better?
Aluminum is lighter and more than sufficient for everyday use. Stainless steel is even more robust, but heavier and usually more expensive.
Which grinder size makes sense?
50 mm is compact and good for on the go, 55 mm is an all-rounder, 63 mm fits for larger quantities at home.
What is the pollen chamber for?
In the lowest chamber, the fine particles that fall through the screen collect. This keeps the grinder cleaner, and nothing is lost.
How do I clean a grinder?
Brush out regularly with the brush. Metal grinders can be soaked in isopropyl alcohol if needed, rinsed, and dried well. Plastic grinders you clean dry.