Peugeot vs Cole & Mason, Le Creuset and John Lewis: which pepper mill to buy

A pepper mill is one of the few kitchen tools you might keep for decades, so it's worth getting one that grinds well and is backed for the long haul. We've compared mills from Peugeot Saveurs, the French brand's own UK shop, with Le Creuset, Cole & Mason and John Lewis's own-brand sets, looking at price, grind settings, guarantees, delivery and returns. Every detail comes from the retailers' own websites, and prices were checked on 27 October 2026. Cole & Mason's own site blocked our checks, so its prices here are John Lewis's. You'll find every current offer on our Peugeot Saveurs voucher codes page.

Peugeot has a long head start. The family's industrial story began in 1810, when the Peugeot brothers turned an inherited mill into a steel mill. Its first pepper mill, the Z model, followed in 1874, and the Paris mill arrived in 1987.

At a glance

• Lifetime guarantee: Peugeot's manual grinding mechanisms have a lifetime warranty. Le Creuset gives 10 years on its mills.
• Adjustable grind: Peugeot's u'Select system has six settings for pepper and three for salt.
• Huge range: mills from 10cm Bistro models at £26.99 up to electric and gift sets.
• Free returns: 30 days, with a prepaid return label.
• Where others win: Cole & Mason mills cost less, and Le Creuset and John Lewis deliver free from £50.

Peugeot vs Cole & Mason, Le Creuset and John Lewis compared

A guarantee that lasts as long as the mill

Peugeot's FAQ says its manual grinding mechanisms carry a lifetime warranty, and electric mills a 5-year warranty. It doesn't cover normal wear, accidental damage or misuse, and you'll need proof of purchase, so keep the receipt or the guarantee card.

Le Creuset offers a 10-year guarantee on its salt and pepper mills. That's generous, but for a mill that could last a lifetime, Peugeot's cover goes further. Cole & Mason's London Precision+ mill is also listed by John Lewis as covered by a lifetime guarantee, so Peugeot isn't alone here, but it does beat Le Creuset.

Grind exactly how you like it

Peugeot introduced its patented u'Select system in 2004. It lets you set the mill to one of six grind settings for pepper or three for salt, from fine to coarse. It's found across the range, from the Paris u'Select 18cm pepper mill (£44.99 in graphite, £54.99 in blue gloss) to the Maestro gift box (£84.99).

Peugeot also designs separate mechanisms for different jobs. Its salt mechanism is made of steel, and its wet sea salt mill uses a ceramic mechanism designed to resist corrosion. Peugeot says its mills are crafted in France.

More choice than anyone else

Le Creuset's mill range is small: we counted eight mills, mostly 21cm models at £46, plus 30cm mills at £56 and a mini set at £57. Peugeot lists 29 pepper mills on its pepper mill pages alone, and the Paris design comes in sizes from 10cm to 110cm. Choices include:

• Bistro 10cm manual mills from £26.99, in colours and wood finishes.
• Boreal 21cm beech wood pepper mill at £44.99.
• Tahiti salt and pepper sets at £69.99.
• Line rechargeable electric mills from £119.99.
• Bali cast-iron mill and salt cellar gift box at £99.99.

Buying direct also brings a few things you won't find elsewhere: clearance prices and web-only gift bundles, such as the ParisRama u'Select sets.

Clearance worth a look

Peugeot's special offers section had plenty of reductions when we checked:

• Paris manual wooden pepper mill, 18cm: £35.50 (was £44.90).
• Bistro Nature pepper mill, 10cm: £23.50 (was £29.99).
• Checkmate wooden pepper mill, 30cm: £45 (was £64.99).
• Altar corkscrew with foil cutter: £38 (was £47.99).
• Appolia terracotta baking dish, 32cm: £27 (was £38.99).

At £35.50, that 18cm Paris mill costs less than Le Creuset's £46 21cm mill and comes with a lifetime mechanism warranty.

Where the others have the edge

• Lower prices at Cole & Mason: the London Precision+ 18cm pepper mill is £27 at John Lewis, with a carbon steel mechanism and a lifetime guarantee.
• Lower free delivery thresholds: Le Creuset delivers free from £50, and John Lewis free over £50, against £75 at Peugeot.
• Faster delivery: Le Creuset quotes 3 to 5 working days. Peugeot's terms allow up to 14 working days, and it doesn't deliver on Sundays or bank holidays.
• Matching your cookware: if your kitchen is already full of Le Creuset, its mills come in its colours, such as Teal and Meringue.

Which should you choose?

Peugeot Saveurs suits anyone who wants an adjustable mill to keep for life, a wider choice of sizes and styles, or a gift that feels special, especially when clearance prices apply. Cole & Mason is the budget pick with a lifetime guarantee. Le Creuset suits those matching its cookware colours, and John Lewis's own sets are a cheap, simple option.

FAQs

Are Peugeot mills really guaranteed for life?

Manual grinding mechanisms have a lifetime warranty, and electric mills have 5 years. Normal wear, accidental damage and misuse aren't covered, and you need proof of purchase.

What is u'Select?

It's Peugeot's patented grind adjustment, introduced in 2004. It offers six settings for pepper and three for salt.

Can I return a Peugeot mill?

Yes. You have 30 days to request a refund or exchange through your account, and returns are free with a prepaid label.

How much is delivery from Peugeot Saveurs?

Home delivery costs £5.95, or it's free on orders over £75.

Ways to save at Peugeot Saveurs

Peugeot Saveurs' current offers include free UK delivery on orders over £75, clearance on mills, wine tools and bakeware, and online-only gift bundles below their regular price. You'll find every current offer on our Peugeot Saveurs voucher codes page.

Sources: Peugeot Saveurs, Peugeot pepper mills, Peugeot special offers, Peugeot gifts, Peugeot history, Peugeot FAQ, Peugeot terms of sale, Le Creuset mills, Le Creuset guarantee, Le Creuset delivery and returns, John Lewis pepper mills, Cole & Mason London Precision+ at John Lewis

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