Buying guide for best juicers
Fresh homemade juice is a great way to integrate more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet. But if you want to make fresh juice yourself, a juicing machine, also called a juicer, is a must. These kitchen appliances are specially designed to extract liquid from fruits and vegetables so that you get a smooth, nutrition-packed drink for less than what you’d pay at the juice bar.
When shopping for a juicer, the first decision to make is whether you want a centrifugal (or extracting) juicer or a masticating juicer, which works more slowly than a centrifugal model but arguably creates a more flavorful beverage. At the end of our list of top juicers below, you’ll find more information on features to look for and tips on how to get the most out of your machine.
While the Omega JH006HDS Juice Extractor, with its build, specs and multiple capabilities, is the best juicer for most people, the Breville Juice Fountain Compact also impressed us in the BestReviews Testing Lab as a fast juicer with outstanding value for the money.
Expert tip
Don’t forget to use the extra pulp. The pulp contains fiber, which is what can slow down digestion and make us feel fuller longer. Try adding the pulp to a smoothie, make “juice pulp” bread or bars, or add it to soups.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert
Our list: The best juicers
Omega juicers are widely used in the juicing world, and we think this Omega extractor is the best model you can buy. It’s straightforward to use, relatively easy to clean, works quietly and extracts amazing amounts of juice from a wide variety of foods.
The Omega is a masticating juicer, also known as a slow-press or cold-press machine. The 200-watt motor spins an auger at 80 revolutions per minute to steadily crush and squeeze the cut-up fruits and vegetables fed into the chute. The resulting pulp feels almost dry, while the juice produced is vivid and rich, without excessive foaming or separation. The Omega offers convenient pulp ejection and adjustable pressure settings. It can also be used to make nut butters, plant milks and pasta.
If speed is important to you, we recommend this Breville juicer, which impressed us when we evaluated it in our Testing Lab. This is a centrifugal juicer, with a 700-watt motor that spins a juicing grate at 14,000 revolutions per minute. The Breville saves space by keeping the pulp inside the mechanism rather than pushing it into a separate container, while its 3-inch-wide chute lets you juice smaller foods whole without having to cut them up first. We also like the built-in froth separator on the juice jug, reducing the foam that centrifugal juicers produce.
From a highly regarded name in juicers, this compact, 240-watt Kuvings juicer combines a vertical design with a gentle yet powerful slow-press system to get the highest-quality juice possible. The vertical orientation makes this masticating juicer a better option if you have limited counter space. Its 3-inch-wide feed chute accepts whole fruits like small apples and citrus with ease. Rotating at a restrained 60 revolutions per minute means the auger can extract juice with a minimum of separation and oxidation, allowing the fresh juice to last for up to three days with little loss of nutrition.
NutriBullet made its name with convenient, high-powered small blenders, and there are plenty of tips available for using those blenders as juicers. This 150-watt juicer does away with hacks in favor of a dedicated slow-press masticating juicer at an attractive price. The vertical design saves counter space, and the clear jug holds 24 ounces of fresh juice. The auger spins at 65 revolutions per minute for optimum extraction, sending the pulp to a separate container, while the feeding chute accepts whole small fruits and larger pieces for more convenient juicing. This model has dishwasher-safe parts and a no-drip spout.
The Ninja NeverClog juicer is a streamlined, updated model we think would be a great everyday machine for those new to juicing. It’s easy to set up, has dishwasher-safe parts and boasts innovative pulp control features. The 150-watt Ninja horizontal masticating juicer has a tall feed chute and a sleek but capacious juice jug and pulp container. Its “never clog” system boasts the ability to clear pulp by pushing it through the filter, making the appliance easier to clean. The Ninja comes with two filters so you can decide if you want a little pulp in your juice or not.
The bigger, shinier sibling of our top pick, this 150-watt Omega cold-press juicer has been a high-performing model for years. The feed chute has a slightly wider neck, and its gleaming chrome design is a bit sleeker and more streamlined than that of the Omega J8006HDS, with an easy-to-grip handle. Like our top pick, this juicer has a high-torque 80 rpm motor to steadily and firmly extract juice from all sorts of fruits and vegetables, as well as make nut butter and plant-based milk. It has five pressure settings compared to the three of the J8006HDS, giving you even more control over the juice and pulp output.
A customer favorite, the Hamilton Beach Big Mouth juicer wins kudos for its extremely affordable price. The Big Mouth’s powerful 800-watt motor easily crushes fruits and vegetables and turns them into juice in minutes. The large pulp bin means you don’t have to stop and empty it as often. This model includes a nice 3-inch-wide feed tube for whole apples or peeled lemons. It doesn’t come with a separate juice cup, though, so you’ll need to supply a glass or other container.
Tall and sleek, this 150-watt Hurom juicer makes a visual statement. As the company’s flagship model, this juicer offers refinements to match its elegant design. Spinning at only 43 revolutions per minute, the Hurom’s hardened plastic auger with its single winding wing gently wrings juice from fruits and vegetables, comparable to the quality of juicing fruits by hand. In addition, pouring water into the juicer rinses it quickly, so you don’t have to take it apart to clean it when juicing different fruits and vegetables. This quiet and efficient Hurom juicer can also make homemade ice cream.
For real versatility and maximized counter space, consider the 3X Bluicer Pro, which combines a blender and juicer into one machine. A single 1,100-watt base powers both a blender jar and a centrifugal juicer attachment, with 10 speeds and five one-touch settings. The juicer assembly can output juice to a glass or bowl or directly into the Bluicer’s blender jar, eliminating extra steps when mixing smoothies or other recipes. The Bluicer is also designed to work as a food processor, crushing ice and making smooth, thick soups. It has an extra-wide 3.5-inch feed chute and a professional brushed metal exterior.
Expert tip
For an easier clean-up experience, I recommend washing the juicer or leaving it to soak immediately after use. Leaving it out with pulp and juice residue inside will make the machine stickier and harder to scrub.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert
How we tested
After researching juicers to find the very best, we checked out the Breville Juice Fountain Compact in our Testing Lab to see how it performed.
Setup
- Size: We noted the footprint of the juicer as well as its height to see how it fit not only while in use but also when stored away.
- Design: We judged the juicer on its design, such as spout placement and pulp disposal, for both looks and practicality.
- Ease of assembly: Putting a juicer together can be complicated. We noted how easy it was to assemble the juicer the first time and reassemble it after cleaning.
Usage
- Feed chute: We tested how easy it was to feed various foods via the juicer’s food chute, noting length, width and platform, if any.
- Food handling: We paid attention to how well the juicer handled various kinds of produce, such as soft fruits, firm fruits, citrus, crunchy vegetables and leafy vegetables.
- Accessories: We kept track of any included accessories, such as pulp jars, juice jars, cleaning implements and extra attachments.
- Noise: We took note of how loud the juicer was while operating, comparing models and juicer types.
Results
- Juice quality: We evaluated the juice produced for taste as well as color, texture and impurities including foam or froth.
- Pulp: We noted the amount of pulp generated by the juicer, how wet or dry it was, how much of it ended up in the juice and the ability to control the amount of pulp included in the juice.
- Cleanup: We rated the juicer on ease of cleanup, including how long the process takes and how simple or difficult it is to disassemble. We noted which parts are dishwasher safe and which are better cleaned by hand, including any included brushes or tools.
Expert tip
Our bodies are roughly 55-60% water, so they require a lot of hydrating. Juicing can be a tasty and nutritious way to help keep us hydrated, especially if we struggle to drink plain water.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert
What to know before you buy a juicer
Types
Centrifugal: Aso called extracting juicers, these juicers have a spinning mesh wheel with a grate. As produce is whirled against the grate, it is shredded and the juice is released. Pulp spins into a separate container while the juice runs out a spout.
The best centrifugal juicers work quickly, reducing produce to juice and pulp in just seconds. They work well on ingredients like apples, oranges and carrots, and they can handle larger chunks of fruit with ease. However, they tend to struggle with leafy greens like kale.
Extracting juicers are less expensive than masticating juicers, but they can be loud, and juicing enthusiasts say the resulting juice isn’t as nutritious or smooth as that from a masticating juicer.
Masticating: Also called cold-press juicers, auger-style juicers, or slow-press juicers, masticating juicers use an auger to squeeze and press fruits and vegetables, breaking down cell walls and releasing juice, which is then pushed through a filter. The best masticating juicers can also be used to make nut milks, sorbet, and ice cream. In general, masticating juicers are quieter than centrifugal juicers.
Masticating juicers take longer than centrifugal juicers to produce a cup of juice, but they yield more juice and leave more of the nutrients intact. If you like green juices with plenty of leafy, tough greens like kale, you’ll be happiest with this type of juicer. You’ll pay a bit more for a cold-press juicer, however.
Components
Feed chute: A wide feed chute makes it easier to push produce into the machine. Many juicers, including most of our picks, have a chute that is at least 3 inches wide, which can fit whole small apples or citrus and generous handfuls of spinach or kale.
Juice container: Many (but not all) juicers come with a juice jar or cup to collect the fresh juice. An included clear juice jar, especially one with calibration marks, is a plus.
Pulp container: Juicing leaves behind pulp, and lots of it. Most masticating juicers have an external collection cup for the pulp. Some centrifugal juicers keep the pulp inside the machine, which is less convenient to clean.
Power
The more power a juicer has, the more easily the juicer can handle tough produce. Centrifugal juicers rate their motors in wattage, such as 800 or 1,200 watts, while masticating juicers express their power in terms of horsepower and torque.
Controls
Some centrifugal juicers offer several speeds, giving you more control over your ingredients and results. With these machines, you can slowly juice soft fruit like berries and use higher speeds for leafy greens and harder fruits like apples.
Masticating juicers benefit from having a reverse function to help dislodge clogs. Also look for masticating juicers that can be used for other purposes besides juicing. Some models can make nut milks and butters, ice cream, fresh pasta or baby food.
Cleaning
It’s convenient to be able to wash your juicer’s collecting cups and other plastic components in the dishwasher. Most of these small kitchen appliances have dishwasher-safe parts, but read the owner’s manual carefully for the best cleaning and maintenance tips for your machine.
Expert tip
Be wary of juice cleanses or detoxes. There is no need to waste your money on expensive juice cleanses or restrict intake to only juices. Our bodies have organs and systems in place to “detox” our bodies of toxins. Juice cleanses are almost always missing key nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals that we need to function and thrive.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert
Tips for using your juicer
- Limit the number of ingredients. Use two or three types of produce and perhaps one herb or spice. Too many flavors can create a muddled, unappealing and perhaps even brown juice.
- Know what fruits and vegetables to use. Some fruits and vegetables can’t be juiced, notably bananas, avocados, rhubarb, mangoes and peaches. These items are more suited for blending into a smoothie.
- Prep your fruits and vegetables ahead of time. Save time by washing and cutting up your produce the night before you plan to juice it. Wash all produce thoroughly to remove pesticide residue, dirt, bacteria and other potentially harmful organisms. Some produce like citrus should definitely be peeled before juicing, while others like apples are fine to leave unpeeled, but remember to remove the seeds. Remove all pits from fruit too.
- Go fresh. Not only should you start with fresh produce, but you should also drink your juice as soon as possible after extracting it. Oxidation quickly breaks down the nutrients in the juice, so it’s a good idea to consume it within a day, if possible. Store leftover juice in an airtight glass container in the fridge. It should stay good for around 48 hours.
- Don’t throw away leftover pulp. The pulp from washed leafy vegetables and peeled carrots can go into soups and pasta sauces, while fruit pulp can be used in baked goods and desserts. Inedible pulp makes good garden fertilizer or compost.
FAQ
Q. How much does a juicer cost?
A. If you want a juicer that works quickly on commonly juiced fruits and vegetables and you don't mind a little noise, expect to spend $50 to $150 for a centrifugal juicer. If you have a bigger budget, more time for juicing and enjoy juicing leafy greens, you can find auger-style juicers for $150 to $600, with top models and triturating juicers (with two augers) costing $1,000 to $2,000 and more.
Q. Is juicing healthier than eating fruits or vegetables?
A. According to the Mayo Clinic, juicing is not healthier than eating fruits or vegetables. While fresh homemade juice is packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, including antioxidants and complex phytonutrients, it lacks the fiber of whole fruits and vegetables. In addition, fruit juice in particular can be high in sugar, which can lead to blood sugar issues when not consumed with fiber. Other health claims for juicing haven’t been scientifically verified. However, juicing is a good way to add the nutrition of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet if you don’t already eat them frequently.
Q. Is juicing better than buying store-bought juice?
A. Fresh homemade juice contains nutrients that store-bought juice does not. Commercial juice has to be processed, packed and shipped to stores, meaning some of its nutritional value is lost during that time. Many store-bought juices are blends based on apple juice and some have added sugar. However, they’re pasteurized to prevent bacterial growth, while homemade juice is not.
Q. Is it worth getting a cold-press juicer?
A. Cold-press or masticating juicers are widely regarded as superior to centrifugal juicers by making higher-quality juice. The slow crushing process used by these juicers leaves less foam, pulp and impurities in the juice than centrifugal juicers, making juice that may look and taste better. Juicing enthusiasts also claim that the heat generated by the high-speed grating action of centrifugal juicers negatively affects the nutrients in the juice, which is avoided by cold pressing.
