These Are the Best Spice Grinders on the Market Right Now, and They're All Under $75

A variety of ground and whole spices are essential for building flavor in both sweet and savory dishes. While the average home cook likely won't grind their own cinnamon sticks or anise seed, other spices like peppercorns, cardamom, and fennel seeds can easily be ground using a mortar and pestle or electric grinder. Doing so will impart fresher, more saturated flavor than if you were to buy the spices pre-ground. Ahead, we're sharing our choices of spice grinders, mortar and pestles, and molcajetes that will help you get the job done.

• Spice Grinder Under $10: Matte Black Mini Mortar and Pestle
• Molcajete: Williams-Sonoma Large Molcajete
• Mini Spice Grinder: Matte Black Mini Mortar and Pestle
• Marble Mortar and Pestle: French Kitchen Marble Mortar and Pestle
• Electric Spice Grinder: Cuisinart Spice & Nut Grinder
• Cast-Iron Spice Grinder: Frieling Cast Iron Spice Grinder

Cuisinart Spice & Nut Grinder

This space-efficient, easy-to-wash grinder measures nine inches in height and features a powerful motor, which can grind up to one half cup of spices at a time. Whether you're working with fennel seeds, cardamom pods, or another whole spice, you can store the grounds in the same grinding bowl with an airtight lid.

Shop Now: Cuisinart Spice & Nut Grinder, $39.95, williams-sonoma.com.

French Kitchen Marble Mortar and Pestle

Not only is this mortar and pestle beautiful—it performs well, too! Crush peppercorns, nuts, garlic, seeds, or even make a compound butter using this tool that measures just over four inches tall and just under seven inches wide.

Shop Now: French Kitchen Marble Mortar and Pestle, $34.95, crateandbarrel.com.

Matte Black Mini Mortar and Pestle

Crush garlic or grind spices with this petite porcelain mortar and pestle that is less than $10. Plus, the chic matte black tool will look so good left out for display on your countertop. It measures just over three inches wide and just over two inches tall.

Shop Now: Create & Barrel Matte Black Mini Mortar and Pestle, $6.95, crateandbarrel.com.

Large Molcajete

Made from volcanic rock and concrete, molcajetes are used as both a cooking tool and serving vessel. This large version measures 10 inches wide and six inches tall, which is enough crush any amount of whole spices, make a spice paste or pesto, or mash a family-friendly batch of guacamole.

Shop Now: Williams Sonoma Large Molcajete, $69.95, williams-sonoma.com.

Frieling Cast Iron Spice Grinder

This ingenious, heavy-duty spice grinder works in two ways. The more turns you give it, the more you crush the spices. However, the inner cup is lined with ridges, which will also crush any seeds or grains that you may have missed along the way. Bonus: This spice grinder, which measures three inches wide and four inches tall, serves double-duty as a mini storage container, too.

Shop Now: Frieling Cast Iron Spice Grinder, $39, food52.com.