The best weed grinder we found is the Space Case Grinder. It strikes the perfect balance between affordability, efficiency, durability, and ease of use regardless of your smoking habits. It also has a nice grip pattern on the lid which makes it more beginner-friendly and easier to use by people with physical disabilities.
Top 5 Weed Grinders
Product Name | Pieces | Material | Price |
Space Case Grinder | 4 | Aluminum | Check Price |
Platinum Grinder | 4 | Aluminum | Check Price |
Santa Cruz Shredder | 3 | Aluminum | Check Price |
Easy Grinder | 1 | Plastic | Check Price |
Kozo Grinders Herb | 4 | Aluminum | Check Price |
Space Case Grinder - Best weed grinder
If you’re looking to get the most value for the money, look no further than the Space Case Grinder. The material used is aircraft-grade aluminum. You can bang it as much as you want without worrying that you’ll cause real structural damage or detach the teeth.
The grinder is a four-piece design. The industrial-grade micron mesh screen does a good job of separating the kief. The diameter is a standard 2.5” diameter. It requires little force to use and it’s small enough to carry comfortably even though it’s a bit heavier than the titanium model from Space Case.
It also lets you bring along quite enough weed for a couple of days. The scraper is triangle and some may argue that it’s not an ideal design. However, the huge popularity of this grinder might say more about the scraper than you give it credit for.
Of course, the most important aspect of the Space Case Grinder is its consistency. While it doesn’t shred as finely as others on our list, this one offers the most consistent end product. Still, it might not work well enough for vaping.
The grinding goes smoothly. It’s easy to turn and you also have some grooves on the side of the lid that help you get a firm grip.
Platinum Grinders Herb Grinder
It’s not often that you get 49 diamond-shaped teeth on a budget-friendly weed grinder. The Platinum Grinders Herb Grinder may be misleading you with its name but make no mistake, it’s as durable as it gets. It uses the same aircraft-grade aluminum found in high-end grinders.
However, it is lighter than other models, which suggests that a thinner sheet of aluminum is used. Still, it also comes with neodymium magnets. Which means you won’t have to worry about odor getting out or air getting in and ruining your weed over time.
The exterior is also scratch resistant and the black finish gives it a luxurious look. Stainless steel mesh filters are used as well to catch pollen. You also get a pollen scratcher with the grinder which is surprising at this price range.
You have pretty good control over the fineness of the grind so you could use this Platinum Grinders model for both rolling and vaping. It just might take a few extra adjustments when grinding for the latter.
The ergonomic features are present on the lid and the bottom in the form of textured grooves. Unless you’re really high, the grinder shouldn’t ever slip from your hands.
Santa Cruz Shredder - Best Weed Grinder for Vaping
Not only is this weed grinder a popular choice for vaping but it’s also very low-maintenance. The superior design and mechanics of the grinder allows for one of the finest grinds that you’ll be able to get out of a manual grinder.
It’s a three-piece aluminum grinder. And, like most models on our list, it’s highly durable. It looks bulky but it has a standard 2.5” diameter nonetheless. It also comes with a 7-catch thread design. The extra thickness of this threading will wear down a lot slower than on most grinder designs.
Pollen collection is no issue. Maintenance on the other hand, can get complicated at times. If there’s one significant flaw in the Santa Cruz Shredder, it’s that reassembling doesn’t always go as planned. It’s a known manufacturing issue yet the grinder still has a legion of fans which should count for something.
There’s no pollen scraper included but there are plenty of other ways to get rid of it. You can use the Cali crusher to create a pollen disk and then just stick it in the freezer.
You can just carve at it afterwards until it’s all gone. It’s a bit messier but doesn’t take away much from the performance of the grinder.
Easy Grinder - Best Electric Weed Grinder
The Easy Grinder is a very versatile product. It comes with a rechargeable battery that works for 5 hours and a USB charging cable. But what are you going to do if you’re out of power? – Well, this electric grinder can also grind manually.
It can handle everything from sticky weed to coffee beans so there’s no question about the quality of the blades. It has the capacity to handle up to 2.5 grams in one go which may or may not be enough for some people.
Still, seeing as how the battery lasts for about 300 grinds, you shouldn’t feel too bad about the limited capacity. It won’t turn into a storage unit as most manual weed grinders do, so you might need to shop for some other items. A cheap manual grinder would do, as long as it has a magnetized lid.
Unlike a lot of other electric grinders, with Easy Grinder you can really adjust the texture and fineness of your herb. If you’re worried about the plastic build, you shouldn’t really. The device can be disassembled into two pieces which makes transporting it much safer.
It’s also quite light and it can easily stay in your pocket on the road. Oftentimes weed grinders don’t excel at working with other herbs but the Easy Grinder tackles everything from Chili flakes and sticky weed to cannabis.
Kozo Grinders Herb Grinder
This Kozo Grinders’ herb grinder may be large but it certainly has one of the most comfortable grips. It also comes with an airtight lid, a 4-piece design with plenty of storage capacity, thin mesh screen, and a bonus pollen scraper for maintenance purposes.
Now let’s talk about what sets it apart. If you’ve gotten this far you already noticed minor ergonomic features on some of the grinders we presented. The sides on this grinder have multiple finger slots which allow you to twist and grind with minimal effort. The superior sharpness of the teeth also contributes to the level of comfort.
The grinder is CNC machined for precision. It uses neodymium magnets to ensure the freshness of the weed and that no odor escapes. This particular lid seems to be a bit thicker than on most models so it might make for a better storage option.
It has a textured lid and bottom, and a non-smooth exterior wall. No matter how you hold it, it shouldn’t slip. Why is this important? – The Ergo Herb Grinder is designed for people with physical disabilities or with lower upper body strength.
The shape of the grinder is also not what you might call traditional. It doesn’t follow the circular pattern of most grinders.
Are Weed Grinders for You?
If you’re smoking, vaping, or even someone that appreciates finely grounded herbs in your recipes, you can get a lot of use out of a weed grinder. If you’re the type of person that likes order, having a grinder that can also serve as storage might appeal to you even more.
At the same time, if you’re the laziest person in the world, you’ll also definitely need a weed grinder if you ever want to get high again. Just keep in mind that it won’t actually roll you a joint.
Benefits of Grinding Weed
There’s obviously a big difference between rolling your own cigarette or joint and using a manual roller. Sadly, the same can’t be said about grinding your weed vs. manually cutting it with scissors.
Using a grinder doesn’t make you seem incompetent. On the contrary, it makes it seem like you know what you’re doing. It’s not only a quality of life feature but more like a high-enhancing feature.
Here are the most important benefits of grinding instead of breaking up weed the old-fashioned way.
- Removes stems
- Wastes less weed
- You can use less weed to get the same high
- Grinders also serve as storage containers
- Allows weed to maintain potency
- Let’s you better pack and roll your joints
- Your hands won’t smell or get sticky
- Promotes even burning and consistent hits
- You don’t lose as much THC
- You won’t cut your fingers if you’re already high
- If you’re a grandma with glaucoma, you’ll be as gangsta as it gets
Types of Grinders
Manual Weed Grinders
Manual grinders are not for everyone and yet they’re pretty much the gold standard. They come with a learning curve and some can be even physically demanding. They’re not ideal if you have arthritis or carpal tunnel.
However, with manual grinders you are in complete control over the fineness of your grind. They also come in a variety of models, each better suited than the other for a particular task.
Electric Weed Grinders
Electric weed grinders may seem like a slacker’s dream but that’s not always the case. Sure, you would only need press one button and the grinder goes to work but you can’t always choose the fineness of your weed.
Unlike some of the high-end manual grinders, electric weed grinders are rarely made using CNC machines for the highest precision.
Composition
Plastic grinders are like cocaine in the 80s. Just like powder used to be the poor man’s drug, plastic grinders are the poor man’s grinders. They’re the cheapest on the market and for good reason.
They’re not durable enough to offer much use when traveling. And, the teeth are questionable too. Still, if you don’t want to risk losing a platinum grinder to a not-as-high companion one night, having an acrylic weed grinder when a bunch of friends come over is not a bad idea.
Metal Grinders
If you’re shooting for absolute quality, there’s nothing better than metal grinders. You’ll find that they make them from just about anything including platinum and titanium. Of course, given the competitive price, aluminum grinders are perhaps still the most popular.
A big advantage of metal grinders is the teeth. They have pure shredding power. Another huge deal is the introduction of magnets. You’ll see later what they’re for.
Wood Grinders
Wood grinders usually don’t feature more than two chambers. They’re solid although quite susceptible to scratches. Because they have at most two chambers you won’t be able to get kief.
The first thing you should look for in a wood grinder is a clean finish on the interior. You don’t want wood shavings or paint ground together with your weed. The teeth aren’t terrible but they’re nothing compared to metal teeth either.
As you can see there’s not a lot to worry about when it comes to durability. Most weed grinders are tough no matter what they’re made of. Wood grinders may suffer the occasional dents or scratches when you’re on the road but nothing serious enough to threaten the structural integrity of the grinder.
No, you’re not high we’ve touched acrylics too. But, plastic grinders shouldn’t be a problem either unless you throw them at a wall or take them with you on tour or something like that.
Pieces
Most generic grinders come in two pieces. They’ll shred your weed but the end result is not consistent. Three-piece grinders are a different story. The bottom compartment usually collects small bits, which is good if you want a better separation and a more consistent herb texture.
Four-piece grinders are even better. They collect kief and pollen usually in the third compartment. This leaves you with all the goodies on top. Four-piece grinders will allow you to roll perfect joints and enjoy having a consistent burn.
By using a four-piece grinder you have a better chance of getting more use out of tiny quantities of weed.
Chambers
Chambers are usually only important if you care about fine kief. Having more chambers means multiple levels of mesh which only collects the best. If you’re not looking for extra fine herb, then paying extra for chambers won’t be needed.
Magnet
A high-quality magnet is essential. It maintains a proper seal on your grinder and doesn’t let air in to ruin your weed. It’s especially important to get a grinder with a high-end magnet if you grinder can store a large quantity of weed.
If you’re using the grinder for herbs and spices, the magnet is even more important. If any air gets in you’ll quickly lose the freshness of your herbs.
Teeth
If you’re a person of fine taste, you probably like your cannabis fine too. Grinders don’t always come with enough teeth for the job. High-end designs typically feature up to 50 teeth per 2.5” diameter.
The more teeth you have, the finer the end product will be. But the shape of the teeth is also something worth considering. More teeth aren’t always better if they are poorly designed. Diamond-shaped teeth are considered to be the best at shredding. It’s best to aim high if you want to get high.
Size
1” or smaller grinders are not easy to use. They’re also usually manual so you have no way around it. They may be easier to transport but ask yourself is that really worth the trouble?
The bigger the grinder, the more weed you can store in it too. If you only smoke at home then a 4” grinder may not be a bad idea. Also, you can even take that with you while traveling. Let’s face it, the bigger the grinder the more durable it is anyway.
Ease of Use
Ergonomics can play an important role in determining the value of a weed grinder. Consider those that don’t have a strong grip but still want to control the fineness of the weed. And ergonomic grinder will be much easier to use.
In recent years more manufacturers started making easy-to-grip grinders specifically for customers that have a physical disability. So, if you want something that lets you get a firm hold, look for grinders with grooved rivets in the lid. Or at least look for finger placements on the sides of the grinder.
These don’t just make manual shredding easier but also help when working the lid.
Budget
Last but not least, you may have to consider your budget. Some grinders can get quite expensive and we’re talking mostly platinum and titanium models here. Now, these won’t last you a lifetime but they will last you for quite a few years with regular maintenance.
Should you pay top dollar for a grinder? – If you’re a regular smoker then sure. You’ll get high quality joints every time, a more consistent high, and a very efficient storage unit.
If you’re a weekend smoker or not even that, then an acrylic grinder might be enough for you. Besides, if something happens and it breaks down, or you lose it, you won’t feel too bad about it.
Conclusion
As you can see, weed grinders have the potential to be more than just your go-to shredding paraphernalia. The best weed grinder should also act as a storage unit. It is comfortable to use, lasts a lifetime, and shreds cooking herbs and spices too.
The Space Case Grinder is our favorite and if you give it a try, it will quickly grow on you too, unless you’re into vaping, in which case it may not always be the better choice. It has everything you need in a weed grinder, including a durable aluminum shell, decent grip, powerful teeth, and plenty of storage capacity.
The fact that it comes in the standard diameter is also nice as it makes it a great travel weed grinder too. It may not be as budget-friendly as some of the other options here, but then again, that’s why we tried to give you as many options as possible and a thorough buying guide.
Use our guide to decide what’s best for you and get a grinder that will improve your high, ease the workload, and limit the amount of wasted weed.