A juicer is likely, but not necessarily, to be one of the more costly products you buy for your kitchen.
At Health Ambition we are big fans of juicing and so we decided to create The Ultimate Guide to the best juicers to buy on the market in 2024.
Confused about the different types of juicers on the market? Not sure what the difference between centrifugal, masticating and triurating juicers are?
Want to know which is the best type of juicer for your specific needs? Or maybe you just want a straight up and honest product recommendation. We’ve got you covered.
Our experts put together years of combined experience to explain:
What Juicers Actually Do
Lets start with the absolute basics. You may be asking what exactly a juicer does and what it’s for. These are valid questions, and the answer begins with the simple maxim that not all juicers are created equal.
That is, not all serve the same function, and there is no one-size-fits-all juicer. Getting the right one for you requires a little investigation, which is why we wrote this guide.
There are a few different types of juicers on the market in 2024, each serving different functions and different preferences. All juicers, however, will turn solid fruit and vegetables into a drinkable liquid and extra the dry pulp. They take your normal-looking vegetable, fruit, or herb and reduce it to its nutritious essence.
Impact on Health
A juicer works by using a tool – either a blade or an auger (more on that later) -to break down your food into two parts: juice and pulp. The juice gleaned from this process often contains most of the healthy vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients present in fruits and vegetables.
The reason juicers have become so popular is that consuming liquids as opposed to solids can have multiple beneficial effects on your diet. For one, you can drink more than you can eat, thereby allowing you to ingest more of those nutrients on a daily basis.
Secondly, the extraction of the good stuff from your produce while leaving the pulp behind cuts down on your caloric intake, which is why juice diets are often recommended as weight loss treatments.
The Fiber Factor
In general, drinking the juice of a plant (fruit or vegetable) provides the same health advantages as eating it whole. You get most of the same health benefits from drinking your strawberries as you do from eating them.
The difference in fiber intake, however, is one thing that distinguishes liquid consumption from solid consumption. The lack of fiber in the juice can be either an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on you and your diet.
Obviously, fiber is a necessary part of any diet, and you miss out on it when the juicer extracts it (they stay with the pulp). On the other hand, excluding fiber can be a welcome relief to some digestive systems.
Modern diets of processed foods often result in overworked digestive systems. Juicing can provide much needed relief to our digestive systems while still bringing the benefits of consuming fruit and vegetables. If this sounds like you, juicing can be a fantastic alternative method for getting essential nutrients.
What Can and Cannot Be Juiced
Almost any fruit or vegetable can be juiced. The list of “unjuiceables” is quite short: bananas and avocados. That’s pretty much it. These two fruits simply don’t have much water to extract, so it’s best to put them in a blender if you’re looking to liquify them.
You can always add the blended version to your juice and mix it together (we suggest you don’t combine avocado puree and apple juice, but juicing is a form of self-expression and we wouldn’t want to interfere with yours).
Factors To Consider When Buying a Juicer
Just like with any purchase, you’ll want to do some research before making any final decisions about which juicer will be gracing your kitchen in the near future. Here are some important things to consider when conducting your juicer research.
1. Price
There are three main types of juicers on the market, and the price ranges of each are slightly different. Generally, no juicer will cost you more than a few hundred bucks, and bargain deals can bring the price down well below that.
Centrifugal juicers are generally the least expensive, and serve as a good introduction for the rookie juice enthusiast.
Masticating and triurating juicers, on the other hand, are pricier but more efficient in juice extraction, so you might make your money back by having to buy less produce in the long run (see below for a more detailed breakdown of the three juicer types).
As with anything, you pay for quality, and more expensive juicers will yield more juice and less waste than the cheaper alternatives. The best juicers are also built well and will most likely last longer.
Finally, securing a warranty can go a long way towards making sure that you pay the right price with no regrets, regardless of which one you pick.
2. Ease of Use
Being able to quickly and effectively use your juicer is absolutely essential, and various juicer models promise to score very differently in this category.
If your juicer has manageable parts that fit into a dishwasher or can be easily rinsed, for example, then you’ll have a much easier time bringing yourself to use the thing.
If the juicer gets dirty quickly and is difficult to clean, then you might be easily deterred and it will have been a disappointing waste of money.
You’ll want a juicer that is easy to assemble. If putting it together reminds you of assembling a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle, then it’s probably not going to be your favorite appliance.
Large feed tubes ensure that you don’t have to cut everything into tiny pieces before feeding it in (this is especially valuable for centrifugal juicers). A wide disposal spout means you can fill up your glass more quickly, while leaving less of a chance that the interior tubes get clogged up.
Speed is important when considering a juicer, but perhaps not in the way you’d expect. The centrifugal models are the fastest, but they are also the least efficient.
So you’ll have your juice ready quickly, but it may be missing some of the nutrients that a slower-moving masticating or triurating juicer would have dug out from the crevices of that beet.
3. Noise
This one isn’t really a two-sided debate: the loud churning and grinding of a juicer on full blast is generally unsettling. Whether you are more protective of your own peace of mind or the sleep of those around you (we’re looking at you, morning juicers), it’s best to try and stay on the quiet side if possible.
You don’t have to pay an extra $100 for a juicer that is supposedly quieter, but keep in mind that these things can be loud. The price corresponds to the noise level: centrifugals are the loudest, while masticating and triuarating are significantly less so.
The Big Three: Centrifugal vs. Masticating vs. Triurating Juicers
Centrifugal Juicers
The first question you’re most likely asking is: “What on earth does ‘centrifugal’ mean?” Good question. It comes from centrifugal force, if that clears anything up (although it very well may not). Centrifugal force is a Newtonian law of physics that we won’t really waste time going into.
Just know that it’s the reason why a sharp blade spinning extremely fast can turn your pile of grapes into a glass of grape juice in a few seconds. That’s exactly what you get when you purchase a centrifugal juicer.
It has a slick, sharp spinning blade that spins against a mesh filter and breaks the food down into separate byproducts of juice and fleshy pulp.
Price
Centrifugal juicers are the most common type, and are generally the least expensive. You can get a very solid centrifugal juicer for $100-$200. sometimes less if you can find a good deal.
The centrifugal juicer is a nice beginner’s choice if you’re not an experienced juice drinker and aren’t quite sure what you’re looking for.
Performance
If you want speed, the centrifugal juicer is your best bet. It is by far the fastest model, and will get you your juice in as little time as possible. For those of us that are on a tight schedule in the morning and need to get our juice quickly and easily, then this model may be the way to go.
Centrifugal juicers also often come with the widest input tubes, meaning less preparation (cutting up produce) is required. You can stuff larger chunks of food down there without having to worry about clogging the machine.
They also can juice rougher objects more easily–carrots for example will be easier to break down using the high RPM cycle of a centrifugal spin (anywhere from 5,000-15,000 RPMs, depending on your model) than in almost any other type of juicer.
Cleanliness and the complexity of assembly also vary from model to model, but most centrifugals have score higher in these categories as well. This model is designed with the average juice user in mind.
Juice Quality
Overall, the juice produced by centrifugal juicers is lower in quality and less rich in nutrients than juices from other types. That being said, you will have it in your hands quicker, and some people claim not to notice much of a difference in taste.
The juice will still be delicious and extremely healthy. There has been a lot of debate about whether the heat generated by the spinning of the blade in centrifugal juicers kills enzymes and makes the juice less nutritious, but it seems that those concerns seem to be unsubstaniated.
There is little scientific evidence to back up the enzyme-killing theory, and that which has been conducted seems to refute it. So that shouldn’t be a factor when considering which juicer to buy.
Conclusion
It’s safe to say that most people who go to the store to buy a juicer end up with a centrifugal model, since they are the most widely available and cheapest of all versions. If you’re looking for a simple, affordable juicer to complement other food and perhaps introduce more juice into your diet, this is a great option.
If you’re a well-worn juice drinker, or are looking to up your game into the realm of the juicer extraordinaire, read on.
Masticating Juicers
Mastication. It sounds like a terminal disease or some form of ancient torture, but actually it takes place in your mouth every time you eat. Mastication is what your teeth do when you chew your food–it’s this process of grinding of the teeth together to break down food that gives the masticating juicer its name.
As you can imagine, the mastication process of these juicers is a bit different from the centrifugal method. As one would expect, it’s more of a slow, grinding process that takes longer but is more thorough and does a more complete job of extracting nutrients.
It is that crucial factor–the actual quality of the juice–that makes masticating juicers preferable to some juice drinkers, and generally a little more expensive.
Price
Quality masticating juicers will most likely run you upwards of $200, and some may reach upwards into the $500 range. If you have a better sense of the different types of juicers and know that you will benefit from the advantages of a masticating juicer, it’s definitely worth dipping into the pocketbook and making an investment.
Performance
Masticating your produce takes longer than pulverizing it via centrifugal force, but the end result is worth the wait. Whereas with a centrifugal juicer the distinction between your juice and your pulp will be a little less dramatic, the masticating juicer’s pulp is almost completely dry and tasteless.
You won’t want to eat the pulp from any of your juicers (most likely), but the point here is that masticating juicers really suck every ounce of sweet goodness out of the produce, albeit at a slower rate. A spinning auger, which looks like a large drill bit, does the grunt work here. Instead of centrifugal force and speed, it relies on torque to mash up the produce, which explains why it works slower but produces a thicker, more rich juice.
In many cases, the masticating juicer also produces more juice, which is something worth keeping in mind when considering the price–the efficiency of this model may make up for its initial cost by requiring you to purchase less produce over the course of its lifetime.
Juice Quality
The juice quality from a masticating juicer is definitely a step up from the centrifugal juicer. It is often thicker, tastier, and contains more nutrients. If you prioritize the quality of the juice over the speed, ease, and price of the centrifugal model, then this might be the option for you. Another important note is that the auger form of juicing lends itself well to juicing vegetables.
The liquid in a vegetable is generally more difficult to extract, which makes the slow-moving and torque-heavy auger of a masticating juicer preferable whenever you find yourself in the mood for something green.
Conclusion
The masticating juicer is for the more determined juice drinker. If you want to make sure you get the most out of every fruit and vegetable you juice, you will want this type of machine. It’s slow, churning diligence is sure to create some of the best juice you’ve ever tasted.
It is a little more difficult to operate, and a little more expensive, but if you want the most punch out of your juice you should looks through these options.
Triurating
The centrifugal and masticating juicers are the two most common types, but the last type of juicer worth bringing into the discussion is the triurating juicer (sometimes known as the “dual gear” or “double auger” juicer).
We continue drifting here towards the more efficient, productive, but higher-priced juicers. These babies are effective in juicing almost anything, from vegetables to nuts, and will give you the most bang for the buck you spent on produce.
Price
Naturally, these high-end juicers come at a slightly higher cost. A normal list price for these is $600+, but if you search thoroughly you can usually find some for a bit less.
Performance
Perhaps the greatest advantage to the triurating juicer is its versatility. While the centrifugal specializes in coarse fruit and the masticating is better for vegetables, you need not sacrifice any attribute with the triurating juicer.
It handles all juiceable objects with ease, and its efficiency rivals (or surpasses) that of the best masticating juicers. Its slower speed and torque ensure a greater extraction rate of juice, and its twin augers make it a more powerful tool than a single-auger masticating juicer.
Their ease of use is compatible to both other models, and most of the parts should be easy to assemble and clean.
Juice Quality
The juice quality from these juicers is incomparable. If you really want the purest, healthiest juice experience, you will want to look into these options.
Conclusion
For those looking for the highest quality on the market, you should be browsing through triurating juicer models. Twin augers ensure incredible efficiency, and their versatility certainly gives them a leg up on the other two models.
The price reflects their superiority, but if you’re willing to pay you will not be disappointed.
Health Ambition’s Pick: The Best Juicers On The Market Per Category
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with all this information, but you think you know at least vaguely what type of juicer you want, perhaps we can help you out with a few recommendations. The following are some juicers, of each category, that we would suggest looking into.
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Other Juicing Equipment
Aside from these types of juicers, there are a few other appliances that serve specific juicing functions that you may want to consider looking into.
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Common Questions
Is It Good or Bad to Eat the Pulp?
Eating the pulp is absolutely fine! Most people throw it away or compost it but it’s perfectly edible. Most of the good-tasting parts have been extracted, as well as much of the food’s nutrients, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with the pulp if you don’t feel like wasting food.
Do You Have to Peel Fruit Before Juicing It?
In most cases, no. Apples, pears, and even pineapples can be put into the juicer as is without any peeling. The skin of citrus fruit is often bitter, so you should probably avoid adding that if you want your juice to taste good. If your fruit is non-organic, you may want to consider peeling it so as to keep pesticide and chemical preservatives out of your juice.
Can I Store My Juice and Drink It at a Later Time?
This isn’t really a good idea. The main reason is that the nutritious enzymes present in your freshly-produced juice began to degrade after juice a few minutes. If you put your juice in the fridge and drink it later that day, you’ll have lost some of the benefits of having juiced your food in the first place.
Is There Such a Thing As Too Much Juice?
Yes and no. No, it’s not unhealthy to drink the same juice every day – particularly if you’re sticking to basic fruit and vegetable combos that are undoubtedly healthy. However, since juicing is often associated with weight loss, some people forget to consider the fact that freshly-squeezed juice still has a great deal of calories. It’s preferable to starting your morning with a croissant and a bagel, but just because you’re drinking juice doesn’t mean you can’t gain weight or consume unhealthy amounts of sugar.
Why Is Homemade Juice Better Than Bottled Juice?
It might be tempting to forego juicing altogether in favor of the so-called “fresh-squeezed” juices you find at your supermarket. But fresh homemade juice gives you so much more. As alluded to above, the juice you make will have enzymes and nutrients that deteriorate if not consumed right away. No matter how local the juice you buy, it will never be as healthy as the juice you make. Not to mention all of the sugars and other things that get added to bottled juice. When you make juice at home you know exactly what’s in it. That’s what makes it rewarding. That’s what makes it juice!
I’m trying to decide whether to buy a masticating juicer or a ‘super’ blender like a Vitamix; the idea being keeping the health benefits of the fibre. Would the speed and action of the blender destroy some of the health benefits much the same as a centrifugal juicer?