In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsMasticating vs. CentrifugalBenefitsThe Bottom LineChoosing a Masticating JuicerOur TestsWe Also ConsideredCommon QuestionsOur Trusted Expertise
In This ArticleView All
In This Article
View All
Our Top Picks
Reviews
Masticating vs. Centrifugal
Benefits
The Bottom Line
Choosing a Masticating Juicer
Our Tests
We Also Considered
Common Questions
Our Trusted Expertise
Photo:EatingWell / Will Dickey
EatingWell / Will Dickey
Juicing can bea great daily habit, but it can also be an expensive one. Investing in a quality juicer can be a smart strategy to get your daily green juice without standing in line (or paying upward of $10 a serving). However, knowing which one to choose can be overwhelming, and one of your first decisions will be which type of juicer you should select. Of the available options, masticating juicers are often considered superior due to the amount of juice they can extract from produce.However, even among masticating juicers, you’re faced with a lot of options. That’s why we put some of the top models on the market through their paces to determine the best ones to fit your juicing needs. We compared them based on price, performance, ease of use, and, of course, how the juice turned out. After juicing over 60 pounds of produce, these are our top picks for masticating juicers.Masticating Juicers vs. Centrifugal JuicersYou might understandably be wondering what the difference is between masticating juicers andcentrifugal juicers. A centrifugal juicer uses a blade to slice up produce; this blade spins at a rate of thousands of rotations per minute to separate the juice from the pulp. On the other hand, a masticating juicer (“masticate” means “to chew”) uses a screw-like mechanism called an auger to slowly grind up produce. This essentially mashes everything together before pushing everything through a strainer to extract the juice, leaving the pulp behind.The speed of a centrifugal juicer is one of its most significant benefits, as you can be sipping your serving of juice in about a minute. They’re also generally more affordable, but there are some drawbacks. A centrifugal juicer’s speed is great, but not as much juice will be extracted from the ingredients as with a masticating juicer. The speed of the blade also introduces more air into the juice, increasing oxidation and discoloration, as well as a higher heat level, which could negatively impact some nutrients.The Benefits of Masticating JuicersAn immediately identifiable benefit of masticating juicers is that they emit fewer decibels; the blade speeds of centrifugal juicers produce far more noise during the juicing process. Aside from sounds, however, masticating juicers have a major benefit over centrifugal juicers:A masticating juicer’s slow grind can squeeze more juice from the same amount of ingredients than a centrifugal juicer, meaning your grocery dollars will stretch further.“They provide a higher yield than [centrifugal] juicers and [produce] less waste,” saysBonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author ofRead It Before You Eat It—Taking You from Label to Table.While they’re also not quite as fast as centrifugal juicers, the difference in speed is only a few minutes, and the slow juicing process should still be under five minutes, depending on the type of produce used. However, even though they can help save money on ingredients, the up-front cost of masticating juicers is usually higher than centrifugal juicers, which can easily be found for under $100.Our Top PicksBest Overall:Nama J3 Cold Press Juicer at Namawell.comJump to ReviewAlso Great:SALENutribullet Slow Juicer at Amazon$200$150Jump to ReviewBest Budget-Friendly Masticating Juicer:SALECuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer at Amazon$160$127Jump to ReviewBest Splurge:Omega Masticating Cold Press Juicer at Amazon$400Jump to ReviewBest for High Juice Yield:Nama J1 Cold Press Juicer at Namawell.comJump to Review
Juicing can bea great daily habit, but it can also be an expensive one. Investing in a quality juicer can be a smart strategy to get your daily green juice without standing in line (or paying upward of $10 a serving). However, knowing which one to choose can be overwhelming, and one of your first decisions will be which type of juicer you should select. Of the available options, masticating juicers are often considered superior due to the amount of juice they can extract from produce.
However, even among masticating juicers, you’re faced with a lot of options. That’s why we put some of the top models on the market through their paces to determine the best ones to fit your juicing needs. We compared them based on price, performance, ease of use, and, of course, how the juice turned out. After juicing over 60 pounds of produce, these are our top picks for masticating juicers.
Masticating Juicers vs. Centrifugal Juicers
You might understandably be wondering what the difference is between masticating juicers andcentrifugal juicers. A centrifugal juicer uses a blade to slice up produce; this blade spins at a rate of thousands of rotations per minute to separate the juice from the pulp. On the other hand, a masticating juicer (“masticate” means “to chew”) uses a screw-like mechanism called an auger to slowly grind up produce. This essentially mashes everything together before pushing everything through a strainer to extract the juice, leaving the pulp behind.
The speed of a centrifugal juicer is one of its most significant benefits, as you can be sipping your serving of juice in about a minute. They’re also generally more affordable, but there are some drawbacks. A centrifugal juicer’s speed is great, but not as much juice will be extracted from the ingredients as with a masticating juicer. The speed of the blade also introduces more air into the juice, increasing oxidation and discoloration, as well as a higher heat level, which could negatively impact some nutrients.
The Benefits of Masticating Juicers
An immediately identifiable benefit of masticating juicers is that they emit fewer decibels; the blade speeds of centrifugal juicers produce far more noise during the juicing process. Aside from sounds, however, masticating juicers have a major benefit over centrifugal juicers:A masticating juicer’s slow grind can squeeze more juice from the same amount of ingredients than a centrifugal juicer, meaning your grocery dollars will stretch further.“They provide a higher yield than [centrifugal] juicers and [produce] less waste,” saysBonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author ofRead It Before You Eat It—Taking You from Label to Table.
While they’re also not quite as fast as centrifugal juicers, the difference in speed is only a few minutes, and the slow juicing process should still be under five minutes, depending on the type of produce used. However, even though they can help save money on ingredients, the up-front cost of masticating juicers is usually higher than centrifugal juicers, which can easily be found for under $100.
Our Top PicksBest Overall:Nama J3 Cold Press Juicer at Namawell.comJump to ReviewAlso Great:SALENutribullet Slow Juicer at Amazon$200$150Jump to ReviewBest Budget-Friendly Masticating Juicer:SALECuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer at Amazon$160$127Jump to ReviewBest Splurge:Omega Masticating Cold Press Juicer at Amazon$400Jump to ReviewBest for High Juice Yield:Nama J1 Cold Press Juicer at Namawell.comJump to Review
Best Overall:Nama J3 Cold Press Juicer at Namawell.comJump to ReviewAlso Great:SALENutribullet Slow Juicer at Amazon$200$150Jump to ReviewBest Budget-Friendly Masticating Juicer:SALECuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer at Amazon$160$127Jump to ReviewBest Splurge:Omega Masticating Cold Press Juicer at Amazon$400Jump to ReviewBest for High Juice Yield:Nama J1 Cold Press Juicer at Namawell.comJump to Review
Best Overall:Nama J3 Cold Press Juicer at Namawell.comJump to Review
Best Overall:Nama J3 Cold Press Juicer at Namawell.com
Best Overall:
Also Great:SALENutribullet Slow Juicer at Amazon$200$150Jump to Review
Also Great:SALENutribullet Slow Juicer at Amazon$200$150
Also Great:
SALE
Best Budget-Friendly Masticating Juicer:SALECuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer at Amazon$160$127Jump to Review
Best Budget-Friendly Masticating Juicer:SALECuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer at Amazon$160$127
Best Budget-Friendly Masticating Juicer:
Best Splurge:Omega Masticating Cold Press Juicer at Amazon$400Jump to Review
Best Splurge:Omega Masticating Cold Press Juicer at Amazon$400
Best Splurge:
Best for High Juice Yield:Nama J1 Cold Press Juicer at Namawell.comJump to Review
Best for High Juice Yield:Nama J1 Cold Press Juicer at Namawell.com
Best for High Juice Yield:
Best OverallNama J3 Cold Press JuicerPHOTO: NamaView on Namawell.com
Best OverallNama J3 Cold Press Juicer
Best Overall
Nama J3 Cold Press Juicer
PHOTO: Nama
View on Namawell.com
What we like:This impressive juicer model is quiet and hands-off, with a small footprint ideal for small kitchens.
The Nama J3 comes with two different strainers; a finer version that completely removes pulp, and a coarse option that allows some pulp to filter through, giving you options when it comes to how much heft you want in a juice. After use, we examined the leftover pulp and found it to be dry and pellet-like, a sign that the juices were thoroughly extracted (although the orange and pineapple did come out a little wetter than the beets and celery).
There are additional attachments that can be purchased for the Nama J3, like for sorbet, and the machine can be used fornut milks. None of the components are dishwasher-safe, but the machine is easy to disassemble and clean. As a complete package, this is a compact, efficient juicer that left us thoroughly impressed.
Wattage:130 watts |RPM:50 |Dimensions:6.5” D x 8.9” W x 15.4” H |Weight:9.7 lbs.
PHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick Simpson
Also GreatNutribullet Slow JuicerPHOTO: Amazon$200$150 at Amazon$200 at Wayfair$201 at Office DepotWhat we like:Don’t let its smaller footprint fool you; the Nutribullet Slow Juicer packs a punch when it comes to juicing power.What to know:This juicer did struggle a bit with more fibrous produce like celery. (We recommend chopping tougher produce beforehand.)Juicers, masticating juicers in particular, have a bad reputation for being exceedingly noisy while at work. It can be off-putting when using one, particularly if it means disturbing others in the household, and no one should fear using their well-earned kitchen appliances, right? The Nutribullet Slow Juicer is so subtle when it comes to noise that we had to trumpet it here too.During testing, we found it quiet enough to run at home without disturbing anyone, making it a fantastic option for any family who likes to juice.When we tested the Nutribullet, juicing proved to be an almost hands-off operation with very little prep work. The machine relies on gravity to feed produce through the chute rather than a food pusher, and it works well. It also has a surprisingly large chute, considering its compact size, so we could feed whole carrots and apples through it without issue. We encountered some snags whenjuicing whole stalks of celeryand beets; it would have been best to cut them down into smaller pieces before feeding into the chute. We also found some leftover pulp in the juice at the end, and some items, like orange and pineapple, left us with a rather wet pulp.Still, this machine has a lot going for it, andin previous tests, we named it our favorite juicer for small spaces. In addition to being easy on your hearing, it also has a compact profile and is very easy to clean. A majority of the components are dishwasher-safe, which is a great feature as it is key to wash juicer parts as soon as possible after use (trust us, it doesn’t get easier if you wait).Wattage:150 watts |RPM:65 |Dimensions:7" D x 6.25" W x 17" H |Weight:11 lbs.PHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick Simpson
Also GreatNutribullet Slow JuicerPHOTO: Amazon$200$150 at Amazon$200 at Wayfair$201 at Office Depot
Also GreatNutribullet Slow Juicer
Also Great
Nutribullet Slow Juicer
PHOTO: Amazon
$200$150 at Amazon$200 at Wayfair$201 at Office Depot
What we like:Don’t let its smaller footprint fool you; the Nutribullet Slow Juicer packs a punch when it comes to juicing power.
What to know:This juicer did struggle a bit with more fibrous produce like celery. (We recommend chopping tougher produce beforehand.)
Juicers, masticating juicers in particular, have a bad reputation for being exceedingly noisy while at work. It can be off-putting when using one, particularly if it means disturbing others in the household, and no one should fear using their well-earned kitchen appliances, right? The Nutribullet Slow Juicer is so subtle when it comes to noise that we had to trumpet it here too.During testing, we found it quiet enough to run at home without disturbing anyone, making it a fantastic option for any family who likes to juice.
When we tested the Nutribullet, juicing proved to be an almost hands-off operation with very little prep work. The machine relies on gravity to feed produce through the chute rather than a food pusher, and it works well. It also has a surprisingly large chute, considering its compact size, so we could feed whole carrots and apples through it without issue. We encountered some snags whenjuicing whole stalks of celeryand beets; it would have been best to cut them down into smaller pieces before feeding into the chute. We also found some leftover pulp in the juice at the end, and some items, like orange and pineapple, left us with a rather wet pulp.
Still, this machine has a lot going for it, andin previous tests, we named it our favorite juicer for small spaces. In addition to being easy on your hearing, it also has a compact profile and is very easy to clean. A majority of the components are dishwasher-safe, which is a great feature as it is key to wash juicer parts as soon as possible after use (trust us, it doesn’t get easier if you wait).
Wattage:150 watts |RPM:65 |Dimensions:7" D x 6.25" W x 17" H |Weight:11 lbs.
Best Budget-Friendly Masticating JuicerCuisinart Easy Clean Slow JuicerPHOTO: Amazon$160$127 at Amazon$160 at Target$127 at WalmartWhat we like:This juicer is easy on your wallet and on the cleanup effort.What to know:The chute is slightly offset on this model, which requires the assistance of a food pusher to feed your produce through.The Cuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer made our list after multiple rounds of re-testing, and deservedly so. For well under $200, you get a reliable machine that makes an easy job of juicing your favorite fruits and veggies.Also, true to its name, we dubbed it “easiest to clean” in previous tests.This model has an opening for more slender items, like celery, to be put through and a chute for larger items that will accommodate decently sized chunks of produce. We did find that apples and pineapple got stuck in the chute without assistance. There is a pusher that can be used to move food down toward the auger, and we found this accessory essential for moving food through the chute; the offset angle of the chute means you don’t get the added assistance from gravity. This made it a little trickier than normal to get everything sent through for processing.All of the produce fed through for juicing was done in less than three minutes and, overall, was processed well. We did notice a significant amount of foam on thebeet juice, and there were approximately 2 tablespoons of pulp left after juicing 2 lbs. of celery.But with its excellent output and reasonable price, the Cuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer is a winner, especially if you’re new to juicing.Wattage:200 watts |RPM:Not listed |Dimensions:10.24" D x 6.97" W x 18.27" H |Weight:12.6 lbs.PHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick Simpson
Best Budget-Friendly Masticating JuicerCuisinart Easy Clean Slow JuicerPHOTO: Amazon$160$127 at Amazon$160 at Target$127 at Walmart
Best Budget-Friendly Masticating JuicerCuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer
Best Budget-Friendly Masticating Juicer
Cuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer
$160$127 at Amazon$160 at Target$127 at Walmart
What we like:This juicer is easy on your wallet and on the cleanup effort.
What to know:The chute is slightly offset on this model, which requires the assistance of a food pusher to feed your produce through.
The Cuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer made our list after multiple rounds of re-testing, and deservedly so. For well under $200, you get a reliable machine that makes an easy job of juicing your favorite fruits and veggies.Also, true to its name, we dubbed it “easiest to clean” in previous tests.
This model has an opening for more slender items, like celery, to be put through and a chute for larger items that will accommodate decently sized chunks of produce. We did find that apples and pineapple got stuck in the chute without assistance. There is a pusher that can be used to move food down toward the auger, and we found this accessory essential for moving food through the chute; the offset angle of the chute means you don’t get the added assistance from gravity. This made it a little trickier than normal to get everything sent through for processing.
All of the produce fed through for juicing was done in less than three minutes and, overall, was processed well. We did notice a significant amount of foam on thebeet juice, and there were approximately 2 tablespoons of pulp left after juicing 2 lbs. of celery.But with its excellent output and reasonable price, the Cuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer is a winner, especially if you’re new to juicing.
Wattage:200 watts |RPM:Not listed |Dimensions:10.24" D x 6.97" W x 18.27" H |Weight:12.6 lbs.
Best SplurgeOmega Masticating Cold Press JuicerPHOTO: Amazon$400 at Amazon$400 at Walmart$400 at WayfairWhat we like:This juicer tackled any juicing job we threw at it while leaving less pulp than the competition.What to know:At almost $400, this is also one of the most expensive options on our list.One of our favorite things about the Omega is how easy it is to use; the controls are simple to operate, and it’s a snap to put together. While it wasn’t difficult to disassemble, cleaning the Omega juicer was a little tricky; the auger needed to be cleaned thoroughly and the chute was not the most straightforward to scrub. Still, these relatively minor inconveniences failed to detract from this machine’s outstanding performance.We were particularly impressed with how well the Omega juicer handled citrus and pineapple; however, it should also noted that no produce performed poorly during testing.Additionally, when checking over the leftover pulp, we found it to be remarkably dry, which means the Omega is doing precisely what it has promised to do—pull out every last drop of juice from the produce it’s being fed.It’s not overly noisy and did not seem to struggle with any of the tasks given to it.This Omega juicer has some weight to it, so it is worth considering if you’ll find moving a heavier piece of machinery around difficult. It also comes with a heftier price tag, closer to the $400 mark. That being said, there’s a reasonthe Omega has consistently been one of our top picks, even after multiple tests.For those serious about juicing and willing to invest in a quality product, the Omega Vertical Square Low-Speed Juicer is the way to go.Wattage:150 watts |RPM:43 |Dimensions:8.5” D × 7” W × 15.5” H |Weight:12.5 lbs.PHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick Simpson
Best SplurgeOmega Masticating Cold Press JuicerPHOTO: Amazon$400 at Amazon$400 at Walmart$400 at Wayfair
Best SplurgeOmega Masticating Cold Press Juicer
Best Splurge
Omega Masticating Cold Press Juicer
$400 at Amazon$400 at Walmart$400 at Wayfair
What we like:This juicer tackled any juicing job we threw at it while leaving less pulp than the competition.
What to know:At almost $400, this is also one of the most expensive options on our list.
One of our favorite things about the Omega is how easy it is to use; the controls are simple to operate, and it’s a snap to put together. While it wasn’t difficult to disassemble, cleaning the Omega juicer was a little tricky; the auger needed to be cleaned thoroughly and the chute was not the most straightforward to scrub. Still, these relatively minor inconveniences failed to detract from this machine’s outstanding performance.
We were particularly impressed with how well the Omega juicer handled citrus and pineapple; however, it should also noted that no produce performed poorly during testing.Additionally, when checking over the leftover pulp, we found it to be remarkably dry, which means the Omega is doing precisely what it has promised to do—pull out every last drop of juice from the produce it’s being fed.It’s not overly noisy and did not seem to struggle with any of the tasks given to it.
This Omega juicer has some weight to it, so it is worth considering if you’ll find moving a heavier piece of machinery around difficult. It also comes with a heftier price tag, closer to the $400 mark. That being said, there’s a reasonthe Omega has consistently been one of our top picks, even after multiple tests.For those serious about juicing and willing to invest in a quality product, the Omega Vertical Square Low-Speed Juicer is the way to go.
Wattage:150 watts |RPM:43 |Dimensions:8.5” D × 7” W × 15.5” H |Weight:12.5 lbs.
Best for High Juice YieldNama J1 Cold Press JuicerPHOTO: NamaView on Namawell.comWhat we like:With its speed and efficiency, this juicer will make weekly juicing sessions a breeze.What to know:The Nama J1 struggled a bit with longer pieces of celery; we recommend chopping more fibrous vegetables before feeding them into the chute.The Nama J1 Cold Press Juicer has a juice container that will hold 35 ounces, enough to accommodate several days of juicing at once. When we tested, we did notice that produce needed to be cut up to process through the chute; beets had to be quartered, and pineapples cut into spears; otherwise, the J1 struggled. That said, the pulp from the beets came out very dry, as did the celery, and we were pleasantly surprised at how well the fruits performed. The celery produced the most juice and, while it needed to be diced into smaller pieces, did not clog up the machine with its fibers.The machine is sturdy and easy to assemble, though not entirely intuitive and the instruction manual was needed to ensure everything was done correctly. While it produces a large volume of juice, the machine is still relatively compact, standing only 16 inches tall. If you’re a dedicated juicer who likes to stock up for the week ahead, the Nama J1 is a worthwhile investment.Wattage:150 watts |RPM:43 |Dimensions:7.1” D x 8.8” W x 16” |Weight:14.1 lbs.PHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: EatingWell / Nick Simpson
Best for High Juice YieldNama J1 Cold Press JuicerPHOTO: NamaView on Namawell.com
Best for High Juice YieldNama J1 Cold Press Juicer
Best for High Juice Yield
Nama J1 Cold Press Juicer
What we like:With its speed and efficiency, this juicer will make weekly juicing sessions a breeze.
What to know:The Nama J1 struggled a bit with longer pieces of celery; we recommend chopping more fibrous vegetables before feeding them into the chute.
The Nama J1 Cold Press Juicer has a juice container that will hold 35 ounces, enough to accommodate several days of juicing at once. When we tested, we did notice that produce needed to be cut up to process through the chute; beets had to be quartered, and pineapples cut into spears; otherwise, the J1 struggled. That said, the pulp from the beets came out very dry, as did the celery, and we were pleasantly surprised at how well the fruits performed. The celery produced the most juice and, while it needed to be diced into smaller pieces, did not clog up the machine with its fibers.
The machine is sturdy and easy to assemble, though not entirely intuitive and the instruction manual was needed to ensure everything was done correctly. While it produces a large volume of juice, the machine is still relatively compact, standing only 16 inches tall. If you’re a dedicated juicer who likes to stock up for the week ahead, the Nama J1 is a worthwhile investment.
Wattage:150 watts |RPM:43 |Dimensions:7.1” D x 8.8” W x 16” |Weight:14.1 lbs.
Although there are several solid options on our list, our recommendation for the best masticating juicer is theNama J3 Cold Press Juicer(view at Nama). Its nearly hands-free, exceptionally quiet operation made it a favorite during testing. However, you still can’t go wrong with theNutribullet Slow Juicer(view at Amazon). Although it’s a more budget-friendly option, it remains a strong competitor. Additionally, it takes up very little real estate in the kitchen, making it perfect for when storage is an issue.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Quantity and Quality of Juice Extracted
Masticating juicers tend to be pricier than their centrifugal counterparts, mainly because they’re designed to extract more juice out of produce. How much you are planning to juice is a major consideration when choosing a masticating juicer. Are you juicing for a crowd or just for yourself? Do you like making a huge quantity that lasts a few days or just something to drink each morning? Some juicer models can handle large amounts of produce and, therefore, produce larger volumes of juice. They may, however, take up more room in your kitchen; if quantity and quality of juice aren’t as important, a masticating juicer with a smaller footprint may fit the bill for your needs.
Design and Durability
There is a masticating juicer built for every type of juice consumer and how often you plan to use the machine should be taken into consideration when comparing models. If you plan on juicing every day or large quantities of juice at one time, it’s essential to find a highly durable machine, which may be more expensive but will last longer.
Design is equally important. Is it difficult to clean or take apart, making it frustrating to use? Is it intuitive and practical for daily needs? A juicer that doesn’t fit your ease-of-use criteria could just end up gathering dust on your countertop. Ultimately, the right masticating juicer for you is one that you can envision using as part of your personal juicing routine.
Our Masticating Juicer Tests
In our work to determine the best masticating juicer, we rigorously tested each machine using the same number of ingredients. This included two bunches of celery, 2 lbs. of beets (including the tops), 2 lbs. of peels and quartered oranges and one pineapple to evaluate how each machine performed with various textures. Stopwatch tests were conducted to see how long each machine took to juice each item. We then noted the volume of juice produced, measured how much pulp the machine extracted and the presence of foam in the juice.
The juicers selected are some of the most popular models currently on the market, andwe included models we’d tested previously alongside newer entries.We made sure to assemble, disassemble and clean each juicer to record how easy or difficult the process was. All of these factors, including the final taste of the juice extracted, were considered as part of the evaluation process when putting together our final list.
Dash Deluxe Compact Cold Press Power Juicer($80 at Amazon):This more affordable option was easy to put together and clean.In our previous tests, we found the juice was tasty and the foam minimal. However, during our more recent tests,we found this model’s motor lacked strength, and we ended up having to fish out pieces of produce that became stuck in the auger.
Breville the Juice Fountain Cold Plus($300 at Amazon):The Breville is still a great choice for folks who make big quantities of juice.In previous tests, we found this machine very easy to assemble and clean, and it can produce an impressive nine cups of juice.During more recent tests, we simply ended up liking the design and efficiency of the Nama J1 a bit better.
Hamilton Beach Masticating Slow Juicer($140 at Amazon):Our previous runner-up remains an excellent budget option for folks who want to try juicing but prefer a more introductory-level price. This juicer is on the smaller side, which means you’ll want to cut your produce up into pieces before feeding it through the machine. Besides this minor caveat, the Hamilton Beach performed admirably at juicing produce of different textures, and produced a velvety-smooth juice.
Is cold-pressed juice really better for you?
Masticating juicers don’t use heat in their juicing process, which is what the term “cold-pressed” references. They are also more thorough at extracting juice from fresh produce, particularly when it comes to leafy greens. But the claim that the juice from masticating juicers contains more nutrients and vitamins isn’t necessarily true. A 2019 study tested the antioxidant and vitamin C values of juices made in masticating versus centrifugal juicers and found no significant nutritional differences.
It’s worth noting that there was a potential flaw in the study. The researchers prepared the juice in 30 seconds in the centrifugal juicers and noted that if juice extraction takes longer than half a minute, the juicer will produce more heat—and that might end up affecting the nutritional value of the juice (i.e., levels of heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin C might be lower). Most centrifugal juicers require 30 to 40 seconds to make juice.
So, while there may not be a definitive answer on which has the upper hand on nutrient density, there is one way masticating juicers may provide additional health benefits. Some will produce juice with a thicker, pulpier mouthfeel, meaning there will be more fiber in your juice. “This is a good thing—less waste, more fiber, and it might even make you feel a little fuller when you’re done with it,” Taub-Dix says.
Are masticating juicers better for leafy greens?
What can you not put in a masticating juicer?
Pits—like those of an avocado or peach—should be avoided with masticating or any other type of juicer, as well as seeds (like from apples) and peels from citrus fruits. “It’s also better to include watery produce and not drier produce like coconut unless you include the water from within the coconut,” Taub-Dix says.
Can you eat the pulp from the juicer?
It’s possible, says Taub-Dix, but not recommended. “I’m not sure how tasty that would be, and it might also cause some gastrointestinal distress unless you swallowed it with fluids,” Taub-Dix says. While the remaining pulp can be a source of fiber, Taub-Dix recommends using your blender instead. “If you’re going to [eat the pulp], you might as well throw your produce in a blender and blend it all up together!” If you are looking for alternative ways to use the remaining pulp, you may want to considercooking or baking with it.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Khaksar G, Assatarakul K, Sirikantaramas S.Effect of cold-pressed and normal centrifugal juicing on quality attributes of fresh juices: do cold-pressed juices harbor a superior nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity?Heliyon. 2019;5(6):e01917. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01917
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Khaksar G, Assatarakul K, Sirikantaramas S.Effect of cold-pressed and normal centrifugal juicing on quality attributes of fresh juices: do cold-pressed juices harbor a superior nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity?Heliyon. 2019;5(6):e01917. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01917
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Khaksar G, Assatarakul K, Sirikantaramas S.Effect of cold-pressed and normal centrifugal juicing on quality attributes of fresh juices: do cold-pressed juices harbor a superior nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity?Heliyon. 2019;5(6):e01917. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01917
