Updated November 2026
Store-bought ground meat is convenient, but you never really know what went into it, how fresh it is or how much fat it has. A meat grinder for home use fixes all three. You pick the cut, you control the fat, and you grind it minutes before it hits the pan.
The hard part is choosing one. Many grinders print huge wattage numbers on the box, and cheap models can wear out fast. So instead of a long list, this guide starts with one question: what will you actually grind?
Pick Your Meat Grinder in 30 Seconds
- For one grinder that does it all: STX Turboforce 3000 6-in-1
- For hunting season or 20+ lbs at a time: LEM BigBite #8
- For regular sausage making: Weston #12
- For a big #12 grinder on a budget: Sunmile SM-G50
- For a few pounds once in a while: Cuisinart MG-100
- For lots of attachments in one box: AAOBOSI Electric Meat Grinder
- For quiet grinding with no plug: Huanyu Manual Meat Grinder
A quick note on wattage. Many electric meat grinders advertise 3000W, but that is a “locked” or peak rating. While grinding, most home grinders run at a much lower rated wattage. When you compare grinders, look at the rated wattage, the grinding speed and whether the gears are metal.
Meat Grinders at a Glance
| Image | Meat Grinder | Motor | Speed | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | STX Turboforce 3000 6-in-1 | 3000W locked, 800 to 1200W while grinding | 180 to 240 lbs per hour | Best overall | Check Price |
 | LEM BigBite #8 | 0.5 HP | About 7 lbs per minute | Hunters, big batches | Check Price |
 | Weston #12 | 750W (1 HP) | Up to 4 lbs per minute | Sausage making | Check Price |
 | Sunmile SM-G50 | 350W rated, 1000W max | Up to 200 lbs per hour | Budget #12 grinder | Check Price |
 | Cuisinart MG-100 | 300W | Up to 3 lbs per minute | Occasional use | Check Price |
 | AAOBOSI Electric | 500W rated, 3000W max | Up to 3 lbs per minute | Extra attachments | Check Price |
 | Huanyu Manual | Hand crank | Hand operated | Small batches | Check Price |
Best Meat Grinder for Most Homes
STX Turboforce 3000 6-in-1
If you want one grinder for burgers, sausages and big family batches, this is the one to get. It has a size #12 polished aluminum head, 3 stainless steel blades and 5 grinding plates, including a sausage stuffing plate. In the box you also get 3 sausage tubes, a kubbe attachment, a 3-in-1 burger and slider press, 2 meat claws and a foot pedal.
The motor has a 3000W locked rating and draws about 800 to 1200W while grinding. STX says it can grind 180 to 240 lbs of properly cubed meat per hour, and the large hopper holds about 3 lbs at a time. It comes with a 3-year warranty.
It is not the best pick if you need to grind bones, tendons or vegetables. STX says it is made for meat only, and it is meant for home use, not commercial use.
Best for Hunters and Big Batches
LEM BigBite #8
This is the grinder to buy if you process deer every season or grind meat in bulk. The LEM BigBite #8 has a 0.5 HP motor that grinds about 7 lbs of meat per minute. The head, knife, auger, plates and motor housing are stainless steel, and the BigBite auger pulls meat in on its own, so you push less.
It comes with 4.5 mm and 10 mm grinding plates, a stuffing plate, 3 stuffing tubes, a meat stomper and an auger puller. LEM backs it with a 5-year warranty.
It is not the best pick if you only grind a couple of pounds a month. It weighs about 29 lbs and costs more than most home grinders.
Best for Sausage Makers
Weston #12 Electric Meat Grinder
With one speed for grinding and another for stuffing, the Weston makes sausage day much easier. It has a 750W (1 HP) motor that grinds up to 4 lbs per minute, and the slow speed turns it into a sausage stuffer, so you do not need a separate machine.
It has a reverse function to clear jams, metal gears and an aluminum body. It comes with 5 mm and 8 mm stainless steel plates, a sausage stuffing funnel and a large grinding tray, and it weighs about 14 lbs.
It is not the best pick if you want a long warranty. Weston covers it for 1 year.
Best Budget Meat Grinders
Sunmile SM-G50
The Sunmile gives you a big #12 grinder for the price of a small one. It has a 350W rated motor (1000W max locked power) with a metal gear box, and it can grind up to about 200 lbs per hour.
The #12 head is polished cast aluminum, and the grinder is ETL certified. You get 3 stainless steel plates for coarse, medium and fine grinding, a stainless steel blade, a food pusher and a sausage stuffing attachment. The plates and blade are dishwasher safe, and there is an On, Off and Reverse switch, a circuit breaker and built-in cord storage.
It is not the best pick if you grind large amounts every week. Its 350W rated motor is better suited to occasional batches, and the warranty is 1 year.
Cuisinart MG-100
If you only grind meat now and then for burgers or meatballs, the Cuisinart keeps things simple. It has a 300W motor that grinds up to 3 lbs per minute and a reverse function to clear clogs.
It comes with medium and coarse metal plates and 2 sausage attachments, all in a compact brushed stainless steel body that fits in a cabinet. Cuisinart covers it with a 3-year limited warranty.
It is not the best pick if you need a fine grind or process tough cuts in big amounts. There is no fine plate, and a 300W motor slows down on large batches.
Best for Extra Attachments
AAOBOSI Electric Meat Grinder
If you like trying different recipes, the AAOBOSI gives you a full kit in one box. It has a copper motor rated at 500W (3000W max locked power) that grinds up to 3 lbs of meat per minute.
You get 2 stainless steel blades, 3 grinding plates plus a fan plate, 3 sausage tubes, a kibbe attachment, a food pusher and a storage box for the blades, plates and kibbe kit. The stainless steel blades and plates are dishwasher safe, and it has overheat protection and a circuit breaker.
It is not the best pick if you want an all-metal grinder for heavy use. The aluminum parts must be washed by hand, and the warranty is 1 year.
Also Read: Best KitchenAid Meat Grinder Attachments if you already own a KitchenAid stand mixer.
Best Manual Meat Grinder
Huanyu Manual Meat Grinder
For grinding with no plug needed, this stainless steel hand grinder is a simple, compact pick. You turn the crank to grind beef, pork, chicken and fish, and the included attachments let you make sausages.
It also handles low-moisture vegetables like mushrooms and peppers. The stainless steel parts are dishwasher safe, and because there is no motor, it is almost silent.
It is not the best pick if you grind more than a pound or two at a time. Hand cranking big batches gets tiring fast.
5 Mistakes People Make When Buying a Meat Grinder
- Trusting the max watts number. Compare rated wattage, grinding speed and gear material instead.
- Buying too small. A #5 grinder is fine for a pound or two, but for venison or sausage batches, go for a #8 or #12.
- Ignoring the gears. Plastic gears are a common weak point. Metal gears last longer.
- Forgetting about cleaning. Aluminum parts darken in the dishwasher and should be washed by hand. Stainless steel parts are easier to look after.
- Skipping the reverse function. Sinew and fat will jam the auger sooner or later, and reverse clears it in seconds.
Grinder Size Cheat Sheet (#5, #8, #12, #22)
The number on a meat grinder refers to the size of its grinding plate. A bigger number means a wider plate and faster grinding.
| Size | Plate Diameter (approx.) | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| #5 | 2 1/8 inches | A few pounds at a time |
| #8 | 2 1/2 inches | Regular home grinding, small game |
| #12 | 2 3/4 inches | Big family batches, sausages, venison |
| #22 | 3 1/4 inches | Hunters and very large batches |
Electric or manual? Go electric if you grind more than a couple of pounds at a time or make sausages. Go manual if you grind small amounts, want something quiet or have little storage space.
How to Grind Meat at Home
- Cut the meat into 1-inch cubes and trim off tough sinew and silver skin.
- Chill the meat, grinder head, blade and plate in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. Cold meat grinds cleanly instead of smearing.
- Start with a coarse plate. Feed the meat slowly and always use the pusher, never your fingers.
- For burgers or smooth sausages, grind the meat a second time through a fine plate.
- Clean the grinder right away. Run a slice of bread through it to push out leftover meat, wash the parts in warm soapy water, dry them fully and wipe the blade and plates with food-grade mineral oil.
Meat Grinder FAQs
What is the best meat grinder for home use?
The STX Turboforce 3000 6-in-1 is the best meat grinder for most homes, thanks to its #12 head, big accessory kit and 3-year warranty. For hunters and frequent grinding, the LEM BigBite #8 is the best heavy-duty choice.
What size meat grinder do I need?
A #8 or #12 meat grinder suits most homes. Choose a #5 for small amounts, and a #22 or larger if you process deer or other game in big batches.
Can a home meat grinder grind bones?
Most home meat grinders cannot grind bones, and trying can damage the blade and gears. STX, for example, says its Turboforce will not grind bones. Only grind bones if the manufacturer clearly says your model can handle them.
Is a manual meat grinder worth it?
Yes, if you grind small amounts occasionally. A stainless steel manual meat grinder is quiet, affordable and easy to store, but it is slow and tiring for big batches.
Can I put meat grinder parts in the dishwasher?
Only the parts the manual says are dishwasher safe, usually stainless steel blades and plates. Aluminum heads and augers should be washed by hand, or they will darken.
Can you grind vegetables in a meat grinder?
Some grinders, like the Huanyu manual grinder, can handle low-moisture vegetables such as mushrooms and peppers. Many electric grinders, including the STX Turboforce, are made for meat only, so check the manual first.
Still not sure? Think about how much meat you grind in one go. Under 3 lbs, a compact or manual grinder is all you need. Go for the STX or Sunmile, and if you process game every season, the LEM BigBite is worth the extra money. Want thin slices instead of ground meat? See our guide to the best rated home meat slicers.
