Like peanut butter and jelly, Cheech and Chong, or grilled cheese and tomato soup, vaporizers and weed grinders go hand in hand. The number one accessory I can recommend with the purchase of a dry herb vaporizer is a grinder.
A grinder can easily break down your dry herbs into a much more consistent texture and allows for an even vape of your herbs without having to stir or mix your bowls. This maximizes the herbs’ surface area that is heated, which helps your vaporizer perform more efficiently. Even the best dry herb vaporizer needs a grinder to maximize its potential fully.
Here’s Why You Need an Herb Grinder
- More consistent material
- Improves efficiency of your vape
- Faster to break down herbs
- Storage for herbs
All in all, if you have a vaporizer, you should buy a grinder because it will make your life easier.
What Are The Best Grinders for Vaporizers?
When looking for the right type of grinder, the first thing you should know is that different grinders produce different consistencies that work best for particular vaporizers. You should also find out if you have a conduction or convection vaporizer.
For the most part, if you have a conduction type vaporizer like the Pax 3, Davinci IQ 2, Pax 2, Miqro, etc…you should be using a fine type of grind. If you mostly use convection-type vaporizers like the Volcano, Firefly 2+, CloudEvo, or Crafty+ and Mighty, you should be using a more coarse-type grinder.
Below I will recommend three of the best herb grinders for vaping that I use daily and what vapes they work best with. I’ve owned these grinders for years, and I can attest to their strength, quality, and type of grind you can expect.
#1 – Brilliant Cut Grinder (3-Piece)
Price: $75 – $160
Grind Type: ALL
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What is the best weed grinder on the market? The Brilliant Cut Grinder is the best weed grinder in 2021, and it’s made by Grinders For Life. I understand that, for the most part, a grinder is a grinder, but this grinder is the Beez neez. These grinders feature “Aerospace 7075 Aluminum,” which is resistant to bending and denting, and they are some of the most robust, most durable grinders I’ve tested.
The best feature of the BCG is the lack of threads! The Brilliant Cut is held together via a powerful magnet and allows you to get to your herb much faster—no screwing on and off the top piece.
The BCG also offers different style grinding plates depending on what type of grind you are looking for. The options are Fine, Medium, and Coarse. I use the medium grind plate 24/7. Not too fine, not too coarse, and if I need it a little finer, I flip the grinder upside down and grind for a bit longer.
The Brilliant Cut Herb Grinder retails for $75, and you get to pick one plate. You can also get the package deal, which is $125, and it comes with all three grind plates.
The other cool thing about the BCG is that you can mix and match colors via the “BCG Color Preview Tool” on their website. So you can go swap them around and see what colors you like the best. I went with a blue, purple, green color scheme.
PS! They just released the new “Large” Brilliant Cut Grinder, which retails for $100, and you can buy the kit for $160. The large BCG is just a bigger version of the OG BCG.
Check out my full Brilliant Cut Grinder Review for more pics and details.
#2 – Santa Cruz Shredder (4 Piece Large)
Price: $36 – $75
Grind Type: Coarse
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The second best weed grinder that I recommend is the Santa Cruz Shredder. The SCS is, in my opinion, one of the best-engineered grinders that you can buy. It’s made in the USA, uses an innovative technique to “shred” herb, and never sticks or catches on anything. It shreds everything without a problem.
I recommend the SCS for convection type vaporizers because it produces a coarser type of grind. This type of grind performs better with convection type vaporizers because the herbs are not as condensed and allow for more airflow.
SCS Tip: You could get away with using this type of grinder for other portables if you flip it upside down and re-grind the material.
The Santa Cruz Shredder will work best with the vapes like the Firefly 2+, Crafty+, Air, Mighty, CloudEvo, Solo, and the Volcano.
#3 – POTV Grinder (4-piece)
Price: $19.96
Grind Type: Medium
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The best budget grinder I recommend is the Planet of the Vapes 4 Piece Grinder. It’s nothing special, but the best thing about it is it’s cheaper than most other grinders, and it works well. I’ve been using mine for over a year now without any problems. It doesn’t grind as smoothly as the BCG or the SCS, but for $20, you can’t complain.
If you’re looking for the best cheapest weed grinder, look no further than the POTV 4 Piece Grinder.
There are a LOT of cannabis grinders to choose from out there, but these are the three that I use daily. These are also the three weed grinders that I’ve had the best results with the combination of vaporizers that I’ve tested.
Let me know in the comments what kind of setup you have and what grinder produces the best results for you so other people can see what works and what doesn’t.
Thanks for checking out my site, and feel free to hit me up with any questions about the best grinders for vaporizers.
Hi Buzz. Great info and thanks. I have a solo2 vape and just got an aerospaced 4 piece grinder. Was also looking at aerospaced toothless grinder. Do you have any thoughts on either or recommendation?
Appreciate it!
I have tried the Aerospaced grinders and they seem similar to the POTV Grinder. The POTV grinder is a little cheaper and offers better threading IMO. I haven’t tried any toothless grinders but I don’t think they would be the best for your solo 2 because it SEEMS like it wouldn’t completely grind up the herb. Like maybe smaller chunks would fall through and I don’t think you want that with the stem on the Solo 2. How are you liking your Solo 2? One of my favorite vapes. Such a beast.
Buzz,
I certainly enjoyed learning of the importance maintaining the proper herb grind for vaping, (several yrs of medical combustion has made it necessary to change-out). I did not see the Kozo grinders mentioned in your article and I am curious to learn of your input on the product. I realize the grinder models you mentioned are of great quality and I would have no issue swapping out my 2-1/2” Kozo for a superior vape grind.
I suspect the S&B plastic grinder is the correct fine-style-grind I should be seeking, but takes quite an effort and seemingly forever to grind my monthly (1-oz bud at a time).
What grinder would you recommend for the task?
My line-up is; PAX2, Crafty+, Solo II, ArGo, POTV ONE, DynaVap “M”.
Thanks in advance for your reply,
Hey Bryan,
Sorry for the slow reply, but my very favorite grinder is the Brilliant Cut, followed by the Santa Cruz Shredder. They both have great grind consistency, and they both grind easily so they are very nice for heavy use. However the BCG grinder continues to be butter smooth no matter how much herb I put through it (probably a couple pounds at this point) so that is why it’s my number one at the moment.
Buzz, thanks for the in depth review of grinding. This is probably the most important aspect of vaping and getting the most out of your vaporizer of choice. Knowing the type of oven and pairing with the right grind, you have enlightened me. This article helped me go from a rookie to a seasoned vet pretty quickly. Semper Fi
My pleasure!! Glad you enjoyed it brother!
Thanks for the information Buzz
My pleasure. Hit me up with any questions.
I have a volcano hybrid and a mighty. Which grinder should I go with?
Brilliant Cut Grinder is my go-to now, followed by the Santa Cruz Shredder.
Well got DaVinci IQ today so went and order me a MFLB per your advice let you know how it does thanks for the info.
Hi Buzz,
Thanks for all this great information! I have a question about the PAX3 and the Santa Cruz 4 piece grinder. I’ve noted that you recommend a fine grind for the PAX3 and to achieve this with the Santa Cruz one needs to turn it over to regrind the herb finer. With the 4 piece grinder should I leave the kief catcher in place or take it off for fine grinding? Also, with a PAX3 where do you add back in the kief?
“New to PAX3 user”
Hey Nancy,
In my opinion you are better off leaving ht kief catcher in place, and I generally make a ‘kief sandwich’ so put some fresh herb (or avb if you are out) on the bottom of the oven, and then put some kief on top of that, and then put another layer of dry herb on top of that.
Hey Buzz,
Thanks for the great postings! Much appreciated.
I recently got myself a Pax 3 it is my first dry herb vaporizer. Which grinder(s) would you recommend specifically for the Pax 3 and why? I don’t know if it helps but I enjoy a good airflow when drawing and I like to enjoy the flavor as well.
Thank you for the kind words Jorge,
If you are looking for the biggest clouds and strongest effects I recommend a very find grind. The MFLB Finishing grinder is a great choice. Another “free” option would be to use your current grinder, but flip it upside-down while you are grinding. This will prevent the material from dropping into the storage below, and instead continue to get ground up finer and finer.
If you are looking for the best airflow a coarse fluffy grind works best, and for this I recommend the Santa Cruz Shredder.
If you are looking for a one size fits all grinder without buying a few different types, I would go for the Santa Cruz, and then utilize the upside down grinding method when you are the fine grind, and grind it standard when you want the coarse grind
Hey Buzz, I enjoyed your review but this is the first review i’ve read that says the SCS’s “shreds” Coarser than than the Sp.Cases(and I could be wrong please know this a friendly discussion, no wrong answers =D.) I watched a Video on youtube of a bunch of wierd brands like the one I remember was named “Black tie” and was like #2 on their best (SCS was the only brand I recognized to be quality from the Ents and reviews) I don’t own any great grinders. I’m very interested in Zeus’s Bolt – 2 series with its unique claim to produce a “Fine Fluff Grind” that comes from its post placement in different angles but can’t find a single indepth review other than the picture posted on r/Vaporants that alerted me to the grinder to begin with and his slideshow of pictures was .088 ground thru the Bolt and it being Fluffed enough that when feed through a funnel into an empty brand new screened Sticky Brick HydroBrick Maxx’s chamber and it was filled to the rim…blew my mind cause the H.B. isn’t exactly designed for microdosing (although it is absolutely capable) and the thing is only $50 or $60 for an extra 3/4th of an inch…I think…Don’t quote me lol. Anyway i’ve heard nothing on the Bolt since his post almost half a year ago now and was wondering if you had experience with it first or second hand. Also How is the Cali crusher and the Groove? I love innovative designs but also need functionality or I might as well stick with the grinder that came free with my PIU order and the Trees Grinder is not bad, ive just been noticing metal flakes mlre and more and where it used to grind consistantly, a chunk here or there/ grind, but now its either a normal grind with a few clumps or shake that is completely inconsistent. I know it’s a lot to ask but i’d really appreciate the help before potentially spending anywhere from a quarter of a good Vaporizer to half the price of a good one.
Thank you
Clay F.
Hey Clay, If you are getting metal flakes in my opinion it’s definitely time to switch grinders.
I do find that my Spacecase grinds finer/smaller and the way it grinds it leaves the chunks fairly compact. With the Santa Cruz Shredder it seems to tear/shred the herb more, so the pieces are larger/coarser and fluffier. I have never tried the Zues Bolt however looking at photos it looks closer to a Spacecase style grinder with the diamond teeth.
If you plan to continue to consume herb for the long term I think you should consider going with a high end grinder despite the raised prices because a good one will last a decade or more if taken care of. I the Santa Cruz Shredder best personally, that is the one I always end up falling back on no matter how many new grinders I get or try, I always end up back at the SCS as my main grinder. I really like both their 3 piece and 4 piece units so it just depends on if you want to separate and stash kief, or just leave it on the herb. With that said I also think the Cali crusher is a good choice, and the Groove looks interesting but I have not tried it myself.
Oh, and this is a diff Greg than the author above!
Gotcha!
Hey all, Da Buddah convection whip does great with powderized herb using spice grinder. I use 4 screens and clean them after about 8 sessions when draw gets too impeded by clogged screens. I fill about 1/3 of the chamber and get about 12 nice draws before losing flavor (most strains), then stir and get about 8 more before it goes to grunge. Vaping one or two bowls/nightly like this makes a 1/2 oz last a month.
That is awesome. Thank you for sharing your techniques!
Hi,
I enjoyed your review especially since many don’t split them between conduction or convection. I have an Extreme Q and because of its somewhat unique design and the options it has (fan, whip, no whip, DDave Mod or not) I was wondering if you thought the SC Shredder was the best option for my vaporizer and my goals (vape, not combust)?
Also, as a non-smoker I keep my temps around 185-190c since I don’t want combustion. I’ve read the method of packing the “bowl” shaped mesh screen that goes into the glass elbow but I wasn’t sure if that was for people vaping, using combustion, or both.
I actually have a few more questions. New to medical vaping, sorry. :( I was wondering what your thoughts are on the DDave Mods? For a non-combustion user is this even needed, and if you think it would make a big difference which size would I get? The 14mm or the 18mm?
Using either the original cyclone bowl or whichever DDave Mod you suggested (if you suggested one) do you recommend a high or low fan speed?
I find getting the sticky herb out of my current “POS” grinder (no that is not a brand name lol) a huge pain. I was wondering if there was a brush, or other item or method (I hear the freezer and a coin helps and hitting on the counter, but haven’t tried it yet) to quickly get your herb out of your shredder? My current idea until I replace my grinder is to put it in a big Ziplock Bag and clamp my hands around the small straw used with compressed air and to scatter it around the inside of the bag and just shake it until it all gets to the bottom of the plastic bag. Or will this no longer be even an issue if I get a real grinder and not 2 pieces of metal with spikes in them. lol
Lastly, (I swear!) even though my medical clinic warned me off of it, I was finding my herb being used up fairly fast, and sometimes starting to combust, even under the combustion temp if I used it for more then a few minutes. I now put hot water in a small clear plastic ml cup (the kind you may have been handed by your mom to take cough syrup) and put it in a small jar with a lid and put a few full buds in another container such as a pill bottle without the lid, and leave it for 12-24h with the jar lid on tight. I then let it dry a bit in the air if I think it needs it and then grind it. I’ve found this gave me coarser grinds and the extra moisture made the herb last longer by having more moisture to boil off to release vapor and to prevent combustion. I only do a few days worth at a time to avoid mold, which is also why I usually leave it open to the air after I take it out of the jar for at least an hour. Any thought on what I’m doing.
There, that wasn’t QUITE a book worth of text… (Probably wished you hadn’t checked the comments…) Sorry, and, thanks!
Hey, you have shared very nice article full of interesting information. you make some good points about herbalizer vaporizer that I never thought about.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks John!
Hey Buzz, Nice review.. I’ m waiting for my SWII by ID, I picked the SWII over the SCS 4pc Large after using a SpaceCase 4pc small for over 10 years. I would like to see your reviews if the ID stuff can compete with the “premium” brands.. Thanks
Hi, I have firefly 2 and space case just arrived, medium size. Santa Cruz was not available. I have tryed to grind and turns out it is not that fine as I thought, size of material is even larger than what I can grind with my fingers. Do you think that space case is not so good for firefly 2 because to me it looks just fine :)
Space case is good. I don’t recommend a fine grind for the Firefly 2. You want something more coarse. Now if you DO want a fine grind, flip the grinder over and grind for a longer duration. This way the herb is not passing through the holes and will continue to be ground up.
I have a Verdampfer 3 in 1 kit that I use for dry herb. I can’t find anything about it online. Would you know if it is convection or conduction?
No idea, but I’m guessing conduction. Not too many vaporizers are pure convection right now. None that I know of are 3 in 1’s.
Hi Buzz,
Would love to see reviews of some of the more budget friendly grinders. Can’t afford the SCG or SC. Even the MFLB is twice the cost of many well reviewed grinders on Amazon.
Also, Masterdam told a customer on Amazon that a two piece grinder works better for a fine grind. Do you agree? Would love to understand 2 vs 3 vs 4 piece grinders and best applications for each.
Keep up the great work, Buzz, love your site.
Leslie
Hey Leslie great ideas. I definitely need to include some more options for grinders. You can make a 2 piece work by just flipping it upside down and not letting the materials fall into the chamber. Just keep grind until it’s basically a powder. Truthfully you can make any grinder work but the reason that I love my Santa Cruz Shredder so much is because I’ve had ZERO problems with it going on almost 5 years now. I’ve ran countless pounds through it and never even had to clean the thing. It just works. Other grinders I’ve had the seals come apart, teeth break, tops seize…. just all kinds of weird stuff. I will definitely work on getting some more products on this page and thank you for taking the time to comment!
I am a confused, The solo is listed for both fine and coarse grinds: “if you have a conduction type vaporizer like the Pax 3, Davinci IQ Pax 2, Pax, Haze v3, Ascent, G Pen Elite or Solo, you should be using a FINE type of grind” and then this “The Santa Cruz Shredder will work best with the vapes like the Firefly 2, Firefly, Crafty, Air, Mighty, CloudEvo, Solo and the Volcano.” which refers to a coarser grind.
Hey John, the Solo works well with both types of grinds but I prefer a coarse grind with the Solo because it makes cleaning easier. Finer materials will clog up in the screen and increase draw resistance. Sorry to confuse you man. I’ll clear it up in the article soon.
How many times should you grind using this (i.e. how many full turn)? And why is the santa cruz shredder large $85+? The grinder I have for $10.00 seemed to work fine!
All depends on what kind of consistency you are looking for. Maybe 5-8 turns and if you wanted a really fine grind, flip it upside down and grind without letting the herbs fall into the chamber. My Santa Cruz Shredder has lasted me going on four years now with no problems. It’s the only grinder that I’ve bought that lasts. All the other’s seem to beak up.
Buzz,
Thank you so much for putting so much information into your site. You really have the most respectable reviews online today!
For this reason, I’d like to ask if you are interested in creating a grinder review section on your site. Like you say, grinders and vapes are like peanut butter and jelly.
To be honest, you review 3 grinders here, and I’m not sure what grinder to get. How does the Santa Cruz Shredder and the SLX 2.0 compare? How about Kannastor’s offerings? I’m hearing a lot about Black Tie Grinder, and Lift Innovations as well. Which grind more coarse or fine? Warranty offerings? etc.
Just thought I’d ask since you have gained my trust from your previous reviews to date.
Thanks,
Palmak
Hey Palmak, you are absolutely right my man. I need to add in some more vaporizers to this page. I have kannastor, lift, and the ID grinders so I will work on getting them on this page. I don’t have the slx 2.0 or the black tie but I’ll check into them and see if I can get a couple for testing. Thanks for the idea and I really appreciate the feedback/support. Let me know if you have any other ideas!
Why would you not want a fine grind in a volcano? WHen i use more finely ground bud i get more vapor every time. A whip style vape has problems with air flow if u grind to finely but the volcano has no problem forcing air through because of the fan. i will say a more coarse grind leads to better taste tho.
Fine grind on convection vaporizers usually means more cleaning but you can definitely do it.
I have a conduction vape but the Santa Cruz Shredder. Would Santa Cruz still be your top pick even if it’s for a conduction vape. Possibly with the MFLB finishing touch
Thanks
SCS will work just fine. Flip it over while you are grinding so all the herb stays in the teeth and you can grind it up to a smaller consistency. Then flip the grinder back over and let it fall through.
do you have any alternatives to the MFLB grinder?
You could try a grinder card or coffee grinders but people say they get too hot and aren’t good. You could also just use a regular grinder and flip it over (upside down) with your herb in and continue grinding. This will break down the herbs a little more.
A mortar and pestle work really well. I was going to buy a MFB finishing grinder when I decided to try the mortar and peatle first. I have both a stone one and a stainless one. The stone works the best and doesn’t get hot It can even grind the herb to a fine sand consistancy.
Excellent alternative!
What a great idea! I’m going to give that a try.
Can I use the finishing grinder with the mighty vaporizer for better aromas and fragnancies and how to pack a chamber with “the dust”?
You can but I don’t think it makes all that much of a difference in the Mighty/Crafty vs the Pax 2. Any grinder works in the Mighty but I recommend something like a Space Case or Santa Cruz Shredder.