Juicers are nifty kitchen tools used to extract the juice from fruits and vegetables. While a blender processes the entire piece of produce, fiber included, for a fairly thick beverage, a juicer separates out the fiber, leaving you only the juice and nutrients to drink. Yet some of the best juicers are versatile, able to double as food processors and grind nuts into milk and butter as well as crush beans into dips and spreads, like hummus. There are several types of these mighty mixers, however, and features vary, so if you’re in the market for one, read on to learn what to look for when shopping and why the following models are considered among the best juicers available.
- BEST OVERALL: Breville BJE430SIL Juice Fountain
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Hamilton Beach Juicer Machine (67601A)
- BEST DESIGN: Mueller Austria Centrifugal Juicing Machine
- BEST TWIN GEAR: Tribest GSE-5000 Greenstar Elite Masticating Juicer
- BEST CITRUS: Cuisinart CCJ-500 Pulp Control Citrus Juicer
- BEST PERSONAL SIZE: HUROM HP Slow Juicer
- BEST COLD-PRESS: Ninja JC101 Cold Press Juicer
- BEST MANUAL: Black + Decker Citrus Juicer
- BEST JUICER ATTACHMENT: Gdrtwwh Juicer Attachment for Stand Mixers
Types of Juicers
There are three common types of juicers: centrifugal, masticating, and citrus—each with pros and cons. The one you choose will depend on your budget, intended use, and how much you care about factors like pulp and noise.
Centrifugal
Centrifugal juicers are the most popular type because they’re affordable and easy to use. Simply toss fruit and veggies down the feed tube, where they hit a fast blade rotating at 6,000 to 14,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to shred the produce into juice. While centrifugal juicers are fast, some folks find that they don’t handle fibrous leafy greens that well and that the high rotation speed degrades juice quality.
Masticating
Masticating juicers are also known as slow juicers because of their blade shreds veggies and fruit at 80 to 100 rpm. That slower rate helps them shred leafy greens very well, create baby food, and even grind nuts into butter and milk. A specific type of masticating model known as a twin-gear juicer uses two closely placed gears to grind and crush food into fine particles, a process also known as triturating, which extracts more nutrients and enzymes than a typical single-gear juicer.
Masticating juicers tend to be more expensive than other types, with twin-gear versions the priciest of all. Other downsides: They tend to be bulky, taking up more room on your countertop than other versions, and they produce a pulpier juice that some people don’t like.
Citrus
Citrus juicers are similar to old-fashioned manual reamers. Instead of squeezing or grinding the juice out of the fruit, a citrus juicer spins a reamer (a rotary cutting tool) into the half of a citrus fruit, breaking down its interior to juice and pulp. While less costly than both centrifugal and masticating juicers, citrus juicers, true to their name, can only be used with citrus fruit.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Juicer
Now that you’ve learned about the types of juicers available, here are the assorted factors and features to keep in mind while shopping for one that will suit you best. A host of considerations from speed to container size will affect how well the juicer works for you.
Ingredients
Look for a juicer that extracts a high yield from the fruits and veggies you’ll be using most. Keep in mind that masticating models are best suited for leafy greens as well as nuts, and their slow speeds are also ideal for soft fruits like grapes and strawberries because the intense blades of fast juicers will turn most of the fruit into pulp rather than juice.
The high speed of centrifugal juicers suits carrots, apples, and other tougher fruits and veggies, as well as softer produce like oranges and bananas. If you’ll be juicing a wide variety of ingredients, you’ll want to invest in a multiuse juicer with a variety of speed options.
Size and Weight
If counter and cabinet space are lacking in your kitchen, choose a juicer on the smaller side. Masticating juicers are the largest, heaviest, and most challenging to store. Centrifugal juicers are smaller and more lightweight so can be tucked into a tighter storage space.
Juicer size is a factor to consider when determining how much juice you’ll want to make, and how often. Larger models produce a greater quantity of juice due to their larger containers and feeding chutes, some resulting in as much as 32 ounces. Smaller juicers, on the other hand, will produce around 16 ounces. If you’re the only person in your household using the machine, a smaller model may suffice, but if you’re making juice in larger quantities, go with a bigger size.
Speed Settings
Juicers with multiple speed settings are the most versatile because they suit a variety of lifestyle needs. They can also help you get the most out of your produce, as different speeds work better for juicing different fruits and veggies.
A juicer with a fast-moving blade may be a great convenience on busy mornings when you want to rush out the door with a juice to-go. Some centrifugal models can juice in under 30 seconds. Keep in mind, however, that centrifugal models tend to be the loudest. Slower, quieter masticating juicers are a good option if time isn’t an issue or if some members in your household may be disturbed by the juicer’s noise.
Chute
A large feed chute size is convenient when making large quantities of juice or salsa, as it reduces the need to chop and prep ingredients first. With a large chute, you can throw in handfuls of greens and even some smaller whole fruits without any prep. A smaller chute tube requires you to prep ingredients before putting them into the juicer, which could be a deal-breaker for busy people.
Container Size
The container, typically made of plastic, is the part of the juicer that collects the juice, salsa, or other recipe results. Most larger machines have containers that hold at least 32 ounces, meaning you can create a fairly ample amount of juice before having to empty it. Smaller juicers have single-serving size containers of 8 to 16 ounces, which means more frequent emptying.
Note that some juicers even have a separate container for pulp collection, so it’s extracted from the juice entirely. Some models also include a froth separator, cover, or sieve to keep the froth out of your juice.
Noise Level
Juicers’ sound levels range from between 80 and 90 decibels, which is comparable to a vacuum cleaner or a lawn mower. Noise level depends on juicer speed, so a slower, quieter masticating model may be your best bet if you’ll be using it while household members are asleep. Fast centrifugal juicers are the loudest, but fortunately, the noise won’t last long, as some models can juice a fruit or vegetable in under 30 seconds. Again, the best option may be a juicer with multiple speed settings so you can choose a quieter mode when necessary.
Cleaning
It’s important to clean your juicer after every use; otherwise, the food and pulp will stick to its compartments and harden. Some juicers are more complex than others, with multiple tubes and containers to be taken apart for cleaning. So if you’ll be using your juicer daily, you might find it more convenient to get a model that’s easier to clean.
As a rule of thumb, the larger the feed tube, the easier the juicer is to clean. Generally speaking, masticating juicers—specifically the twin gear models—have the most parts and so are the most difficult to clean.
Our Top Picks
Once you have a preferred type of high-quality juicer in mind and a good idea of the features that would be the most beneficial, it’s time to start shopping. Keep reading for a selection of juicers considered to be among the best available.
Photo: amazon.com
If you want a hardworking juicer that will extract the most benefits from produce, consider the Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite Centrifugal. This speedy, 1,000-watt juicer has an innovative extraction system that uses an ultrasharp titanium blade surrounded by an Italian-made micromesh filter to squeeze 30 percent more juice and 40 percent more vitamins from fruits and veggies.
The juicer has two speed controls—6,500 rpm and 13,000 rpm—for fast extraction, and a large 3-inch feed tube lets you add plenty of ingredients without a lot of prep. This brushed stainless steel machine’s container holds 1 liter of juice and 3.2 quarts of pulp. The juicer’s removable components are all dishwasher-safe, which makes cleanup a breeze.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 17 inches long by 9 inches wide by 14.5 inches deep
- Juice capacity: 70 ounces
- Pulp capacity: 3.4 quarts
- Motor: 850 watts
Pros
- Innovative cold-extraction system
- 2 speed controls
- Ultrasharp titanium blade
- Some components are dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Pricey
- Some users report wet pulp
Get the Breville juicer at Amazon, Wayfair, or Best Buy.
Photo: amazon.com
A quality juicer needn’t put the squeeze on your bank account. This nicely priced Hamilton Beach centrifugal model features a powerful 800-watt motor that can grind fruits and veggies and extract juice in mere seconds. In addition to juicing produce, it can also make soy, rice, and almond milk. It boasts a large chute for easy feeding with less prep work.
An extra-large pulp bin allows for a longer juicing time because you needn’t continuously empty the pulp bin. The juicer is easy to assemble; its parts are dishwasher-safe for fast, simple cleaning; and at 7.8 inches long, 11.5 inches wide, and 14.4 inches tall, its small size allows for easy storage.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 7.8 inches long by 11.5 inches wide by 14.4 inches high
- Juice capacity: 450 mL
- Pulp capacity: 1,500 mL
- Motor: 800 watts
Pros
- 3-year warranty
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Recipe book included
- Includes strainer cleaning brush
Cons
- Heavy
- No juice reservoir included
- 1 speed
Get the Hamilton Beach juicer on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
This sleek, stainless steel juicer has more than good looks going for it: With a maximum power of 1,100 watts, the Mueller Austria Centrifugal Juicing Machine has multiple motor speeds, up to 18,000 rpm, to handle hard ingredients like carrots, celery, beets, and kale. It features an ample 3-inch feed chute, culinary-grade stainless steel blades, and BPA-free plastics that are dishwasher-safe. There’s also an auto-shutoff feature to prevent overheating. Note that its container is only 16 ounces, so perhaps it’s not the best option for those who want to juice in larger quantities.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 16.9 inches long by 9.25 inches wide by 13.6 inches deep
- Juice capacity: 1 liter
- Pulp capacity: 2 liter
- Motor: 1,100 watts
Pros
- 3-inch feed chute
- Auto-shutoff function
- 2 speeds
Cons
Get the Mueller Austria juicer on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
The Tribest GSE-5000 Greenstar Elite Masticating Juicer operates at a slow and quiet 110 rpm speed. It features magnetic and bioceramic twin gears that preserve living enzymes and vitamins and give fresh juice a longer shelf life by generating minimal heat while juicing. The twin gears’ teeth are engineered with pocket recesses to efficiently extract the benefits from hard produce like carrots and apples.
There’s a reverse function to alleviate any jamming and homogenizing accessories to create fruit sorbets and nut butter. The downside to this juicer is that at 18.6 inches long, 6.8 inches wide, and 12.4 inches tall, it requires quite a bit of countertop real estate and may be hard to store in smaller kitchens.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 18.6 inches long by 6.8 inches wide by 12.4 inches high
- Juice capacity: N/A
- Pulp capacity: N/A
- Motor: 200 watts
Pros
- Includes a fine and coarse pulp screen
- Comes with 2 plungers
- Cleaning set and brush are included
- 12-year warranty
Cons
Get the Tribest juicer on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
For fans of fresh OJ, lemonade, and other citrus juices—as beverages as well as for recipes—this Cuisinart model is a solid choice. Its universal reamer can manage sizes of fruit from the smallest lime to the largest grapefruit, and there are three pulp-control settings: low, medium, and high. There’s also an auto-reverse cone and a final-spin feature, both of which ensure that you get the most juice possible. An extra-long snap-up spout helps prevent dripping and can accommodate most glasses. Brushed stainless steel housing is easy to clean, and the BPA-free parts are dishwasher-safe.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 5.75 inches long by 6.38 inches wide by 10.75 inches high
- Juice capacity: N/A
- Pulp capacity: N/A
- Motor: 25 watts
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Limited 3-year warranty
- 3 pulp settings
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Not for vegetables
- No juice reservoir
Get the Cuisinart juicer on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
If quality is more important than quantity when it comes to juice, you may want to check out this HUROM machine. Despite its compact size, this masticating machine can slowly but surely grind up anything from produce to nuts thanks to its low speed of 43 rpm and high yield, meaning it produces a high amount of juice content.
Unlike other juicers, this model eschews a blade in favor of a drilling device called an auger to squeeze juice while minimizing damage to ingredients, a natural motion that keeps both the taste and nutrition intact. This juicer is 7.6 inches long, 6.9 inches wide, and 15.5 inches tall and produces 11.8 ounces of juice.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 7.6 inches long by 6.9 inches wide by 15.5 inches high
- Juice capacity: 11.8 ounces
- Pulp capacity: 1,500 mL
- Motor: 150 watts
Pros
- Compact
- Quiet
- Low speed for maximum extraction
- Cooling system prevents overheating
Cons
- Expensive
- Smaller food chute (2 inches)
Get the Hurom juicer on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Not only does this cold-press juicer look great, it also extracts flavor and nutrients from users’ favorite produce like a pro. It has a compact shape and a futuristic design that fits and looks great on any kitchen counter.
The machine runs on a 150-watt motor at one speed that slowly and quietly pulverizes fresh fruits and vegetables. Users can choose from the two included pulp filters to achieve their preferred texture. The machine is very easy to assemble and take apart for cleaning, and everything other than the motor base is dishwasher-safe. This juicer even comes with a beautiful recipe book.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 13.78 inches long by 6.89 inches wide by 14.17 inches high
- Juice capacity: 16 ounces
- Pulp capacity: 710 mL
- Motor: 150 watts
Pros
- 3 pulp settings
- Reverse feature
- Easy to assemble
- Cleaning brush
Cons
Get the Ninja juicer on Amazon or Ninja.
Photo: amazon.com
This squat, easy-to-store juicer makes quick work of lemons and limes as well as larger citrus such as grapefruit. The plastic juice reservoir holds up to 32 ounces of liquid and has a drip-free pouring spout for easy transfer to a glass.
The juicer is activated by pressure, and the cone automatically switches direction to get the most juice possible out of your fruit. When the user is done, all removable parts are dishwasher-safe for quick and easy cleanup.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 7.7 inches long by 7.7 inches wide by 9.5 inches high
- Juice capacity: 32 ounces
- Pulp capacity: N/A
- Motor: N/A
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Pulp control
- Reversing cone
- Pour spout
Cons
- Only for citrus
- Small reservoir
Get the Black + Decker juicer on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
For those with a KitchenAid or Cuisinart stand mixer, all they need to make fresh juice is this attachment. It uses the power of the mixer to process fruits and vegetables slowly into flavorful juice, removing dry pulp as it goes.
That means users can control the speed for a longer, slower process to extract the maximum nutrition, or a short burst if they’re in a rush. The attachment comes with a cleaning brush as well as a plastic reservoir for the juice and one for the pulp, which is sifted off using a fine-mesh strainer.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 9.53 inches long by 9.45 inches wide by 7.17 inches high
- Juice capacity: 550 mL
- Pulp capacity: N/A
- Motor: N/A
Pros
- Compatible with KitchenAid and Cuisinart stand mixers
- Includes juice and pulp cups
- Small
Cons
- Smaller food chute
- Requires stand mixer
Get the Gdrtwwh juicer attachment on Amazon.
Our Verdict
We love the Breville juicer for its power, durability, and large food chute. For shoppers looking for something easier on the wallet, however, the Hamilton Beach juicer has a spacious pulp reservoir, a big food chute to reduce prep work, and a strong 800-watt motor.
How We Chose the Best Juicers
To find the best juicers, we started with the top-performing kitchen appliance brands. We then looked for the most-loved products from these brands and used product descriptions, customer reviews and photos, as well as personal experience to find the most durable, functional, and easiest-to-use juicers on the market.
The final list includes various kinds of juicers, from citrus-only to professional-level products. We’ve also included products from a range of price points to ensure there’s a great juicer on this list for every home kitchen. Whether users want to whip up fresh celery juice every morning or be sure they get every drop of flavor from lemons for salad dressing, each of these juicers is well vetted and highly rated by users.
FAQs About Juicers
If you’d like more information about buying and using a juicer, check out the answers to these commonly asked questions.
Q. What makes a good juicer?
A high-quality juicer provides the highest yield for the ingredients you put into it as well as the versatility of multiple speed options.
Q. What type of juicer is best for celery juice?
A masticating juicer is the best for making celery juice.
Q. Is blending healthier than juicing?
It’s not really a matter of better or worse because the machines yield different results. Blenders crush and blend the entire fruit or vegetable, including its fiber, which results in a thicker texture. Juicers extract only the juice and separate the fiber, which results in a thinner texture. Both are healthy ways to consume fruits and vegetables.
Q. What vegetables should not be juiced?
Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can be too harsh for some juicers. Check your owner’s manual prior to juicing.
Q. What is the best cheap juicer to buy?
The Hamilton Beach Juicer Machine (67601A) is the best affordable option on the list above due to its powerful motor and large size capacity.
