There’s no need to run to the local juice bar when you crave your favorite freshly squeezed juice. With a variety of options for making juice in your kitchen, juicing at home can save time and money. Today’s juicers provide the opportunity to enjoy the natural flavors of your favorite fruits without the distraction of artificial sweeteners and additives that are included in prepackaged juices.
While most blenders can turn chunks of fruit into fruit juice, a juicer is different. It intentionally separates the liquids from the solids. The efficient extraction of juice from the fruit ensures you have a drink packed with vitamins and nutrients. Drinking raw juice can increase fruit and vegetable consumption, increase your intake of soluble fiber, and optimize nutrient absorption.
Whether a beginner or expert juicer, it can seem overwhelming when trying to choose the right citrus juicer for your needs. This guide helps narrow the selection to some of the best citrus juicers on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: BLACK+DECKER 32oz Citrus Juicer
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: AICOOK Juicer Wide Mouth Juice Extractor
- BEST HANDHELD: OXO Good Grips Wooden Citrus Reamer
- BEST PORTABLE: OYeet Personal Blender
- BEST MANUAL: Drizom Citrus Juicer Manual Hand Squeezer 12OZ
- MOST COMPACT: Dash Compact Citrus Juicer Extractor
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Citrus Juicer
When shopping for a juicer to add to your kitchen arsenal, there are a few considerations that can help determine which is the best citrus juicer for your space and juicing style. There are juicers that are designed to only juice fruit and others that juice more ingredients such as leafy greens. Also, manual juicers are better suited for softer produce, and electric juicers have a little more power to handle firmer fruits and veggies. The following are a few more important factors to consider when shopping for a new juicer.
Power
There are two main types of powered juicers. A centrifugal juicer uses fast, centrifugal force to create juice. Centrifugal juicers are often less expensive and work well with firmer fruit. They are an economical choice for those new to juicing or for someone who seeks quick juicing.
Masticating juicers are suited for a variety of produce and deliver a superior taste and texture. These juicers use a slow-turning screw action to make juice. Although the slower process of mastication ensures that the fruit’s nutrients are preserved during the juicing process, the juice may be a little pulpier than juice made with a centrifugal juicer.
Both centrifugal and masticating juicers come with electric motors that require access to an electrical outlet.
Juice Yield
The juice yield is the amount of juice extracted from the fruit. It depends partly on the quality of the fruit, such as if it is in season or out of season, and it also depends on the type and quality of the juicer.
Choosing a juicer with a high juice yield means little to no juice is left behind in the fruit. Many juicers are equipped with an auto-reverse feature that uses a pressure-activated strainer to separate trace juice amounts from the pulp.
Pulp Regulator
Pulp control settings determine how much pulp is in the juice. Many juicers come with settings that allow you to control the amount of pulp in the juice. A juicer with variable pulp settings can be helpful if the juicer is shared among household members with different preferences. Depending on the type of fruit, you may desire different amounts of pulp for maximum flavor.
Size and Weight
Most juicers are sized and weighted for portability and countertop use. However, a range of sizes are available. Check the sizes when shopping so that you choose a juicer that fits your space and that’s easy to store. If the appliance is cumbersome and heavy, it can get stuck in a cupboard or you may dread using it because it’s not easy to access and store.
Easy Cleaning
Cleaning a juicer can be easy if it has just a few parts that are dishwasher safe. The number of parts depends on each juicer. Some have a handful of removable parts, while others have only one or two. Most juicers’ parts are machine washable for convenience.
When cleaning, it’s important to make sure that you are able to clean hard-to-reach spaces to prevent possible mold growth from leftover produce remains.
Durability
The durability of a citrus juicer depends on several factors. While the stainless-steel components of electric juicers are highly durable, the motor may not last as long as the other components if it’s used outside of the manufacturer’s instructions. Cleaning the juicer after each use also helps ensure a longer life.
Our Top Picks
Now that you know more about juicers and the factors to consider, it’s time to start shopping. We’ve gathered a few top picks to help you shop for the best citrus fruit juicer for your needs. Here’s our list of some of the best citrus juicers available by category.
Photo: amazon.com
Don’t be fooled by the BLACK+DECKER 32-ounce Citrus Juicer’s simple design. This juicer is compact enough to leave on your kitchen counter and is designed with some favorite features that’ll make daily juicing a breeze. The juicer features two auto-reversing juicing cones to ensure maximum juice extraction and an adjustable pulp control for ideal juice consistency.
There is a pulp basket that collects the pulp, which is helpful if the pulp is going to be used in a recipe. The basket also makes for easy cleanup. The juice container, with its drip-free spout, is clearly marked with measurements and also can serve as a pitcher. It comes with a storage lid to keep the juice dust-free and fresh. The juicer measures 8.9 by 6.4 inches, and its components are dishwasher safe.
Photo: amazon.com
The AICOOK Juicer’s stainless-steel design brings a juice bar feel to your kitchen. The juicer offers quiet, hands-free juicing and the non-drip juice mouth keeps the countertop mess-free. The 3-inch large feed chute accommodates both fruits and vegetables, and the juicer’s low-speed/fast-speed knob ensures maximum juicing for both soft and hard produce.
The juicer’s blades and mesh filter thoroughly separate the fruit’s pulp and juice for a higher yield and better-tasting juice. The juicer’s components are made with corrosion-resistant food-grade 304 stainless steel. Safety features include an armlock to keep the lid secure while the motor is running and nonslip feet to keep the juice in place during operation. The unit measures 11.57 by 7.95 by 12.28 inches, and hand-washing is recommended.
Photo: amazon.com
The OXO Good Grips Wooden Citrus Reamer is designed for quickly procuring small amounts of juice for recipes or drink garnishes. The reamer is made from solid beech wood that won’t react to or sustain damage from the juice’s acidity. The pointed tip and sharp edges make for effortless juicing. Hand-washing is recommended.
Photo: amazon.com
For juicing on-the-go, the OYeet Personal Blender not only makes shakes and smoothies, but it also has a vortex mixing system that can juice without adding extra liquid. Even if you like to add dry ingredients, such as dates and almonds, the OYeet can handle it. The sport bottle and lid are made from BPA-free materials, and the lid has a one-touch opening system. The bottle is leakproof, odor-proof, and washable in just five seconds.
Photo: amazon.com
The Drizom Citrus Juicer offers a manual squeezing experience for lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruit. The four-in-one juicer is BPA-free with food-grade stainless-steel parts. Flip the cone to use as an egg separator, and place the grater on top to add fresh ginger to your favorite drink. For really tight kitchen spaces, the juice container can double as a measuring cup. The juice container is marked with measurements, can hold up to 1 cup of juice, and is dishwasher safe.
Photo: amazon.com
The Dash Citrus Juicer Extractor is great for juicing while traveling or in small spaces, like dorm rooms or office kitchens. The auto-reversing, electric reamer makes juicing quick and efficient. Choose either the small or large cone and pulp setting for a personalized juice drink. If you want to save the juice for later, the pitcher and cover with the lid can be detached for refrigerator storage. The juicer is suitable for vegetables as well as fruit. It measures 8.8 by 6.4 by 7.8 inches, and the nonelectric parts are dishwasher safe.
FAQs About Your New Citrus Juicer
Juicing has become an at-home craze, and with the right juicer. Enjoying a daily glass of fresh-squeezed juice can be quick and mess-free. If you still have questions about citrus juicers, the following answers to some of the most popular questions may help.
Q. What is the best juicer for oranges?
The best juicer for oranges depends on the amount of juice you plan to make. Manual juicers work well for small batches, but when preparing juice for the whole family, an electric juicer can take the effort and mess out of juicing.
Q. Is juicing a waste of food?
While juicing does produce unwanted piles of pulp, there are ways to use it in an environmentally friendly way, such as composting or in making other recipes.
Q. How long do citrus juicers last?
The longevity of your citrus juicer depends largely on the quality of the juicer, the frequency of use, and whether the type of produce juiced is soft or hard. Many manual juicers typically last longer than electric ones, as there are fewer parts that could need repair.
