Tested by a vapor-first cannabis reviewer. I’ve tested and compared today’s best weed grinders, and my collection contains over 100 grinders.
Choosing the right grinder can make all the difference in your cannabis experience. After extensive testing and countless sessions, I’ve narrowed it down to my top three picks that stand out in grind consistency, user interface, and sheer enjoyment.
Be warned: the best weed grinders are luxury accessories. They’re not cheap. I’ve added a section for different user needs and budget grinders.
Table of Contents
TL;DR – The 3 Best Weed Grinders Right Now
Grinder | Best For | Why I Love It | How Much? |
|---|---|---|---|
Santa Cruz Shredder | Best Grind Consistency | Perfectly fluffy grind, amazing for vaporizers | $65 and up code 420VZ10 to save 10% |
Brilliant Cut Grinder | Best Experience / Never needs cleaning | Threadless, turns like butter. customizable. | |
Old Mate Aroma 3 | Pure Enjoyment | Stainless steel, sharp AF, spinny, and fun. |
How to Choose a Weed Grinder
Here are a few things to consider when buying a grinder. I’ve created a few “best of” lists at the bottom to highlight other grinders by their specialties.
2-piece vs 3-piece vs 4-piece
- 4-piece grinders have a screen and a separate compartment to collect kief. The tiny trichome heads fall through the screen and accumulate over time. Kief is a fun way to increase the potency of a bowl or a joint, but it takes a long time to build up enough to be usable.
- 3-piece grinders keep the kief together with the herb. 3-piece grinders are the most popular style of weed grinder.
- 2-piece grinders are popular with smokers who use a rolling tray.
I’m a 3-piece grinder guy myself. I used to prefer the 4-piece, but modern concentrates have made kief less impactful.
Stainless Steel vs Aluminum
Aluminum is a soft metal. These high-end grinders use an aerospace aluminum alloy that’s harder than traditional aluminum. The Brilliant Cut and Santa Cruz both use one of the hardest aluminum alloys available, and their anodization makes the surface even more durable. Stainless steel grinders are harder than Aluminum, and they will last forever. Stainless steel grinders are much heavier than aluminum grinders.
Grind Consistency
Dry herb vaporizers will perform best with a fluffy, fine grind; However, grind consistency is entirely preferential. Finely ground weed will vaporize faster with denser vapor and fuller flavor. Coarsely ground nugs will vaporize more slowly. Some dry herb vaporists prefer a coarse grind. I like a medium-to-fine grind. I want all the flavor.
Most smokers also prefer a fluffy and fine grind for the most even burn.
Features for Dry Herb Vape Users
Dry herb vapes are much more efficient than smoking, which means vape users consume smaller amounts. We load our vapes with scoops, and we store ground-up flower in our grinders. We look for airtight grinders with a scoopable weed basin.
My Favorite Grinder: Old Mate Grinder
The Old Mate Grinder is the most fun weed grinder I’ve ever used. It’s a stainless steel grinder with an ultra-fast spinning top. It uses a fully functional ball bearing reminiscent of a skateboard wheel. The Old Mate Grinder is sharp AF and spins fast and long. Its sharp teeth make quick work of the stickiest of nugs.
It’s functional and oh-so-satisfying. The Old Mate makes grinding weed fun. The sharp teeth easily shred sticky buds, and the spinning top piece makes it easy to turn. Nugs are completely ground within seconds. I’ve been using this grinder as my daily grinder for over two years now, and it’s never needed cleaning or servicing. The bearing spins nearly as fast as ever, and the teeth are still as sharp as new. This grinder will last forever.
Why I LOVE IT
- Stainless Steel
- Threadless / Magnetic
- INSANELY SHARP
- Seriously, it’s so sharp that I have to mention it twice.
- Great Grind Consistency
- Large, Scoopable Bottom Section
- Upgradeable skateboard bearing
- Grinds Fast & Easy
- Fun AF to Spin
- It never Needs to be Cleaned
The Old Mate has a medium-to-fine grind consistency. It’s not quite as fluffy as the Brilliant Cut or Santa Cruz, but it’s close enough!
Dry herb vaporizer performance is excellent.
»See my Old Mate Review
»Buy one (~$140 shipped from Australia)
Use code VAPEZONE to save 5%
Best Weed Grinder Overall: Brilliant Cut Grinder
The Brilliant Cut Grinder is made for cannabis connoisseurs and seekers of the finest experiences. It is entirely threadless, easy to open, easy to use, and very easy to love.
The Brilliant Cut was the first threadless grinder, raising the bar for the other weed grinders. This gem-cut aluminum grinder offers the smoothest operation and customized color options! This grinder feels fantastic to hold and can be opened with one hand.
The Brilliant Cut Grinder is completely customizable. You can choose from three different grind consistencies or buy all three to gain complete control over your session. You can choose from 11 colors and pick a different color for each component! The color combinations are near-endless.
This grinder NEVER. NEEDS. CLEANING.
»See my Brilliant Cut Grinder Review or GO BUY ONE
Best Grind Consistency: Santa Cruz Shredder
The Santa Cruz Shredder is the gold standard in weed grinders. It has been king for over a decade, and no other grinder matches its perfectly fluffy consistency. Its unique serrated tooth design creates a light, fluffy grind perfect for dry herb vaporizers and smoking.
The Santa Cruz Shredder is a traditional aluminum grinder with threads. It has the best threads, though.
I’ve been using and abusing my Santa Cruz Shredder for 10 years, and it’s still one of my favorite weed grinders.
»See my Santa Cruz grinder review.
Click Here to buy directly from Santa Cruz Shredder. Use code 420VZ10 to save 10%!
Also available at PotV and Amazon
Best Stainless Steel Weed Grinders
Stainless steel grinders have many advantages over aluminum weed grinders. Aluminum is soft and fragile. Aluminum teeth will wear and dull over time. Aluminum threads and connection points will take a beating.
Stainless steel is much harder than aluminum. Stainless steel grinders stay sharp, won’t dent when dropped, and will last a lifetime.
See my guide to stainless steel grinders to learn more.
Name | Overall Ranking | Threads | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Brilliant Cut Stainless Steel | 9.6 | Magnetic / Threadless | |
Old Mate Aroma 3 | 9.4 | Magnetic / Threadless | |
Odin Stainless Steel | 8.5 | Traditional Threads | |
Zam Stainless Steel | 8.4 | Traditional Threads | |
Herb Ripper | 8.4 | 1/4 Turn Threads | $99 / $150 |
Old Mate and Brilliant Cut are the best stainless steel weed grinders you can get. Both are expertly refined to deliver a luxurious experience and crafted with the highest quality materials and attention to detail. Choose the Old Mate or Brilliant cut if you want the best stainless steel grinding experience.
The Odin, Zam, and Herb Ripper are nice grinders but not as nice to use as the OMD and BCG.
Old Mate Grinder
Benefits: The functional ball-bearing top is soothing and fun to play with. I could grind weed all day long with it.
Features: 304 Stainless Steel, Threadless 3-piece design, super sharp teeth, fast-spinning fidget-spinner top
Buy One (~$140) – Use code VAPEZONE to save 5%
Odin Stainless Steel Grinder
Benefits: A great-looking stainless steel grinder in the traditional threaded 4-piece design.
Features: 304 Stainless Steel, Threaded Grinder with kief screen, Available in GOLD or Polished Stainless Steel
Zam Stainless Steel Grinder
Benefits: 4-piece stainless steel with a great design and high-quality finish. Available in three sizes: 1.8″, 2.1″, 2.5″
Features: 304 Stainless Steel, Threaded Grinder with 100-micron kief screen. Lifetime warranty
There are a few other good stainless steel grinders available, but nothing better or more remarkable than the ones listed above. Check out my guide to stainless steel weed grinders to learn more.
Best Cheap Weed Grinders
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good grinder. There are several affordable options for metal grinders and even some high-quality plastic grinders.
PotV 4pc Aluminum Grinder – $25
The cheapest weed grinder that’s still decent and made out of metal. This 4-piece grinder is simple and effective. It’s better than most of the cheap Amazon grinders, but not by much. » Buy on PotV for $25
Santa Cruz Hemp Grinder $12 – $20
Santa Cruz Shredder makes an ultra-affordable non-metal grinder out of 100% hemp. These plastic-like grinders work surprisingly well. I tested one for a year and never had any issues with it. » 3pc is $18 on Amazon
Best 2-Piece Grinders
The traditional 2-piece grinder often couples with a rolling tray or dedicated surface for dumping the ground weed. Unlike multistage 3 and 4-piece grinders, 2-piece grinders have nowhere for the ground weed to go. It just keeps getting ground up more and more. Grinding longer will create a finer grind.
I have not tested it yet, but Brilliant Cut Grinder has just released a 2-piece grinder. BCG is known for making the best weed grinders, and I’d expect their 2-piece grinder to be at the top of this list. Click here to go to Brilliant Cut’s website.
Cannabis Hardware 3″ 2-Piece – $50
This massive 2-piece grinder is the smoothest 2-piece grinder I’ve ever used. It’s too large and too heavy to travel. This grinder is a desktop grinder and it quickly devours sticky nugs and turns them into a consistent grind.
Use code TROYTIME to save 5%
»Buy the CH 2-Piece
Santa Cruz 2-Piece
The Santa Cruz Shredder is known for its fluffy, consistent grind and killer color options.
Santa Cruz Shredders are available in 1 5/8″, 2 1/8″, 2 3/4″, and 4″. Medium and Large are the most common and most ideal.
» Buy at PotV ($28-43)
Frequently Asked Grinder Questions:
Are there good Grinders on Amazon?
Weed stuff isn’t allowed on Amazon, so weed grinders are sold as herb grinders. Santa Cruz is the best grinder on Amazon currently, but there are a few others that are decent.
Are Ceramic Coated or Metal Weed Grinders Better?
I’ve tested the SLX ceramic-coated grinder and didn’t find it more reliable or nonstick. Aluminum and Stainless Steel weed grinders perform better and last longer.
How Much Should You Spend on a Weed Grinder?
A grinder is an investment that should improve your cannabis experience. Shitty weed grinders gunk up and fail after a few 8ths. The best grinders can go months or years in between cleanings. I recommend spending one month’s worth of weed budget on your grinder. If you’re smoking an ounce per month, invest in your sesh and buy the best. Spend $100-$200 on a high-quality grinder. If you’re only smoking an eighth per month, get something cheap but good. Spend $20-$50 on a decent grinder.
What is a Good Size for a Weed Grinder?
Will you be carrying your grinder or traveling with it? Or will your grinder live on your sesh desk and never move? Small grinders travel better but suck to use. I find 2″-3″ the perfect size to carry in a case when I travel. The same size is also perfect for living on my desk. Larger grinders like the 4″ Jumbo grinders are great for multi-user sessions but are often over-kill for casual vaporists.
What is the Most Common Grinder Size?
The most common weed grinder size is 2″-2.2″ – this is the size of the most common aluminum rod stock used in the mills that make these grinders. Most of the cheap grinders are 2″ and have the same basic diamond pattern teeth. Stepping up to a 2.5″ grinder requires a larger metal bar stock and a larger machine, which is why larger grinders are often twice the price. Leave me a comment and tell me about your favorite or least favorite weed grinders!
Where are all the toothless grinders?
Toothless grinders aren't my favorite because moist nugs often tumble and smear instead of turning to dust.
Why do some weed grinders have ball bearings?
Cutting edge weed grinders have ball bearings to make them easier to turn. The ball bearings replace metal-on-metal contact and can act as a leverage system for grinders with a center post.
let me grind one out
Hi, did you try The 3 pieces Grinder from CH with changeable plates? And if yes how would you rate it? Also I got neuropathic pains in my hands and I’m looking for something easy to use…
P.S. I only vape dry herbs and only with ball vapes these days. Thank you!
The big one? Yes! It feels really nice, but the bottom and top teeth touch slightly. I think they may have even updated since I got mine.
The Old Mate has become my favorite and I’ve been told by people with hand/wrist problems that they love it as well.
Just got my Old Mate grinder and it only spins for 10 sec. I got it from Vgoodies thinking I would save some shipping and would get it faster. I complained and they said put oil on it. REALLY! I said that I was not going to do that and it must be a defective grinder. They contacted Old Mate and they said some grinders work better than others and nothing can be done. Luckily I did not use it yet because of the poor spinning and was freaking out spending $150 on a grinder that doesn’t do what everyone buys it for. They agreed to take it back as long as it was not used. They charged restocking fees and credit card fees for buying and returning items on a credit card. I really want an Old Mate grinder. If their customer service is that bad I do not want to order another from them directly. Do you know of any other place that I might get one and could have it checked out before I buy it and not get a lemon?
Thanks
Mart L.
From their FAQ:
“We’ve tested many different bearings over time, and not all are created equal. After extensive research, we’ve chosen SKF’s 608-2RSL bearings for our products because they offer the quality and precision we require. These bearings provide superior seals and consistent sizing tolerances, ensuring a smoother, more reliable fit. Their polished surface allows our grinder lids to slide smoothly on and off the center post, unlike traditional skateboard bearings.
One downside, however, is that the SKF bearing has a shorter spin time, averaging around 10 seconds, compared to typical skateboard bearings. For those interested in experimenting, we offer a tool that allows customers to try different bearings. Please keep in mind that our support and warranty apply exclusively to the SKF 608-2RSL bearing; if any issues arise, we’ll be able to assist only if this specific bearing is in use.”
I hear so much about the flower mill.
Have you done a review?
I have not! I know a lot of blunt smokers love it though