The right grinder makes preparing cannabis feel effortless, providing a consistent grind without too much work or bud handling on your part. Using a grinder also makes for a superior experience: an even grind means an even burn (or bake, if you’re making your own edibles).
With so many options on the market, finding the best grinder means scouring the web for the best weed and grinder reviews and considering everything from simple two-piece grinders to high-tech shredders. To narrow down our search for top rated grinders, our team contributed their top picks based on their collective decades of experience, we asked GBL TV guest experts, and we reviewed and curated input from weed grinder reviews.
We considered a wide range of budgets, consumption methods and routines in our search for the best weed grinders, including heavy and casual consumers and situations that call for grinding at home and on the go. Keeping in mind that nearly 1 in 5 adults in the US have arthritis, we were also on the lookout for the best grinders for those with joint pain and physical limitations.
Of all the grinders we considered, the Next Gen Premium Stainless Series Flower Mill gets our vote for the best bud grinder.
Like some other grinders on the market, the Flower Mill cuts your herb instead of shredding it for a uniform grind that preserves trichomes and flavor. Where it goes above and beyond: grind customization and easy cleaning.
The Flower Mill comes with a medium mill plate with the option to alternate between four other plates for maximum control over your grind consistency. Take it from a coarse grinder to a fine grinder with a simple mill plate swap. Every part of the grinder (including the pollen screen) can be disassembled for cleaning, and because it’s made of food-grade stainless steel, you can use any cleaning method to restore it to a like-new condition.
The 2.5” Next Gen can process up to 3.5g at a time, so it’s robust enough for even the most consistent daily consumers or if you plan on batch-grinding for rolling or sharing. Process up to 2g at a time with the 2” size.
The downside? It’s slightly more expensive than some other top grinders, but the smooth operation, premium materials, and customization options make the price tag seem worth it. If you want the Flower Mill experience at a lower price point, they make an aluminum model with similar features. The only reason it didn’t get our pick as the overall best grinder for cannabis is the slightly less durable materials.
As someone who is new to using a grinder, I was interested in user-friendliness — I wanted to find a good grinder that handled well and felt intuitive to use. I was also determined to identify the highest quality materials, which, it turns out, are metals such as aluminum and stainless steel. These materials make the best herb grinders because they’re long-lasting, easy to clean, and tend to produce the best results. While wooden and plastic grinders have their place, we focused on metal grinders for these reasons.
Santa Cruz Shredder 2-Piece Grinder
A two-piece grinder should be simple, portable, and reliable, and we like that the two-piece Santa Cruz Shredder checks all these boxes. Simply add your herb, twist to grind, empty the contents, and you’re ready to roll (or do whatever you plan to do with your weed). One user even found the Shredder to be the best grinder for Pax 3 and other vaporizers. Ultra-strong rare earth magnets keep the lid secured, so you don’t have to worry about it opening in your purse or pocket.
The Shredder gets bonus points for coming in a wide range of colors. Who doesn’t love to personalize their herb ritual?
Many connoisseurs will say Santa Cruz Shredders are best grinders for weed, and it’s easy to see why: The razor-sharp square teeth shred flower with speed and ease and the aerospace-grade anodized aluminum construction is scratch-resistant. While some users feel the kief screen on the four-piece Shredder is too fine, it remains a top-rated weed grinder. The Santa Cruz Shredder is made in the USA.
Manual weed grinders (handheld grinders that you twist to operate) typically come with two, three, or four pieces. The number of pieces is a matter of personal preference that depends on whether you want a kief collector and a separate chamber to collect your weed. So, we sought out the best flower grinder in each category.
Bear grinders are known for their innovative ball-BEARing mechnism that allows you to process flower at the slightest touch. This technology makes the three-piece Bear a nice weed grinder for those with wrist pain, but it’s equally nice and even a little bit fun (one reviewer compared it to a fidget toy) for everyone. Another benefit of the mechanism is that it prevents residue from building up on the outer rim, making it the best non-stick weed grinder and the best grinder for flower that gunks up other grinders.
While Bear makes a quality four-piece grinder, we especially appreciated how gentle and straightforward this three-piece grinder was when it came to easy grinding and uncomplicated weed collection. Bear gets bonus points for including an extra set of ball bearings to extend the lifespan of the grinder.
The Phoenician 4-Piece Large Flat Top Grinder stands out among other premium grinders thanks to thoughtful features like rivets for an easy grip and a threadless quick-lock system (aka you’ll never have to worry about the threads wearing out or getting jammed).
The large size accomodates larger amounts of weed. According to one tester, “This grinder is huge. By my (rough) estimate, it can hold double the amount of flower and keif of my regular-sized Sharpstone grinders.” You can expect the Phoenician to give you an efficient grind for years to come thanks to diametrically-cut teeth that cut instead of smash and tear, resulting in more uniform pieces.
While these features make the Phoenician a good weed grinder, it was the removable kief screen that ultimately earned its title of the best four-piece grinder. Not only does it make cleaning a breeze, but the fine mesh screen is highly effective.
Looking for a cool weed grinder for a gift or to upgrade your accessories? Phoenician also makes a four-piece grinder with a built-in paper holder and ashtray.
At $179, the KLIP grinder by HØJ was among the most expensive grinders we looked at, but it doesn’t have a fancy weed grinder price tag for no reason — it’s genuinely a good weed grinder, and design-wise, it’s one of the coolest grinders we’ve come across.
The KLIP slices through buds with blades instead of crushing them with teeth for a premium final product, and you can customize the grind with three control disks. One product tester raved over the pollen catcher, saying “The kief storage at the bottom is almost full, very impressive indeed. The pertinent pollen is not stuck to finger cutting sharp blades like my old grinder.” The magnetic assembly is also a favorite feature.
True to its Scandinavian roots, the KLIP features an eco-conscious design with recyclable aluminum components. It even comes in natural cork and biodegradable packaging. While you can get similar results with a Flower Mill or electric grinder, the KLIP might be worth the splurge if you appreciate sleek design and eco-friendly materials.
How much should a weed grinder cost, really? At under $25, you can’t beat the price of the Piranha 3 Piece Aluminum Grinder. It may not be as high-tech as some premium grinders, but its piranha-sharp teeth will shred your herb in no time. We appreciate and applaud that Piranha Grinders contributes to schools where they’re produced in India.
Piranha also makes a two-piece grinder and four-piece grinder with equally accessible price tags, but if you’re looking for a solid three-piece grinder, this is the best cheap weed grinder around.
Vaporizers tend to perform best with a fine grind, and while you can achieve the right consistency with some manual grinders such as Flower Mill grinders, many who vape recommend an electric option like the Pulsar King Tut Electric Grinder. With the touch of a button, the stainless steel blade grinds your herb into a fine consistency. Since you can add large nugs without tearing them down to fit inside, it’s a good grinder for weed that’s extra sticky.
We like that the clear glass top allows you to see the grind size. If your vape prefers a medium consistency or you’re grinding for another use, you can power off before it gets too fine.. The included lid doubles as a storage jar, and you can stock up on extra lids if you’re grinding different strains or medicinal volumes.
All in all, this is the best herb grinder for vaporizers, but it lends well to other consumption methods, too, especially if you’re looking for a grinder that’s easy on your joints.
Choosing the best grinder for weed depends on your specific needs and preferences, as different grinders offer various features designed for different users.
Start by narrowing down whether you’re looking for a manual grinder or an electric grinder. Manual grinders are great for those who prefer control over their grind texture. They’re also compact, making them perfect for on-the-go use. Electric grinders, like the Pulsar King Tut Electric Grinder, are convenient and take the effort out of grinding, but they are bulkier and aren’t travel-friendly.
If it’s a manual grinder you’re after, determine whether you want a two, three, or four-piece grinder:
Next, consider what you’re grinding your weed for. If you primarily plan on loading pipes or rolling joints, a grinder that produces a fluffy, medium-fine grind is ideal for the smoothest smoking experience. This can be achieved with just about any marijuana grinder, but top weed grinders made from metal such as the Bear 3-Piece Grinder or electric grinders tend to produce more even results. (You might even consider a grinder that rolls for you!)
On the other hand, if you’re looking for the best dry herb grinder, a finer grind will allow for better heat distribution, leading to more efficient vaporization. Some manual grinders, like the KLIP grinder have a fine grind setting that works well for vaporizers. Electric grinders are also the top weed grinders for vapes.
The best pot grinder for traveling and outdoors will be compact and made from sturdy materials like anodized aluminum or stainless steel. Magnetic herb grinder lids and threadless designs, such as the Bear Grinder, are great for those with dexterity challenges. For home use, size and portability may matter less, so opting for a larger grinder with more capacity and features, like a kief catcher, might be more practical.
The ideal size depends on how you plan to use your grinder. If you grind small amounts or need a portable option, a 2- to 2.5-inch grinder is perfect. For larger amounts or home use, a 3-inch or larger grinder is the best grinder for marijuana because it allows you to grind more at once.
Yes, grinders are generally legal to purchase, as they are marketed for use with legal herbs or spices. However, the legality of using grinders with cannabis can vary depending on local laws. It’s always advisable to check the specific regulations in your arear to ensure compliance.
Wooden grinders can be aesthetically pleasing, but they typically don’t perform as well as metal grinders. They often have fewer teeth, which results in a coarser grind, and can be harder to clean. There are some nice grinders made of wood out there, but don’t expect them to perform the same as metal grinders.
With proper care, a quality grinder can last for years. You should consider replacing it if the teeth wear down, the operation becomes rough, or parts become too sticky or damaged.
Metal grinders are generally the best grinders for cannabis because they are more durable, deliver a more consistent grind, and are easier to clean. Plastic grinders are cheaper but tend to wear down faster and may produce an uneven grind.
Yes, weed grinders come in various types, including 2-piece grinders and 3-piece grinders (for basic grinding), 4-piece grinders (with a kief catcher), and electric grinders, which automate the process. Some grinders even use blades instead of teeth for a different grind experience.
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