This paper is focusing basically on the ceramic technology, of which several methods for the synthesis of MgAl 2 O 4 have been investigated. The synthesis conditions regarding the powders cleanliness, microstructure, and sintering parameters of MgAl 2 O 4 were studied. MgAl 2 O 4 powder was synthesized via conventional solid-state route using different milling process vertical attrition milling, WAB as a high-energy horizontal attrition milling, and Pulverisette as a planetary ball miller, and via solution combustion route using Urea, Glycine, and a mixture of Urea/Glycine. Urea and Glycine was used as fuel. The white powders were obtained for all solid-state routes and for Urea-combustion technique. The black and gray powders were obtained in the case of combustion technique, respectively, using a fuel of Glycine and Glycine/Urea mixture. The obtained powders and pellets were characterized by XRD, SEM, and Dilatometry. The results show that, among all the solid-state route processes, wet attrition milling gives the better and clean spinel phase. The WAB milling and Pulverisette miller introduce a contamination by some yttria-stabilized zirconia balls in the corresponding powder. Furthermore, the flash combustion technique permit to have nanoparticles with a dense spinel phase of MgAl 2 O 4 and with lower sintering temperature in less time and with no calcination step. © 2019 The American Ceramic Society