Before buying a juicer, decide whether slow masticating or fast centrifugal extraction fits your produce and routine. That single choice answers what is the best kind of juicer to buy for most people. This guide breaks down the two main types, plus a third option, so you can pick with confidence.
You do not need the most expensive machine. You need the one that matches what you juice and how often you juice it.
The Two Main Types Of Juicers
Almost every juicer on the market falls into one of two groups. Each group works in a very different way.
Centrifugal Juicers
These spin a blade basket at high speed. The force throws juice through a mesh, and pulp stays behind.
- Fast: a glass of juice in under a minute
- Cheaper: many good models under $100
- Best for hard produce like carrots, apples, and beets
- Noisy and less efficient with leafy greens
- Juice oxidizes quicker, so drink it soon
Masticating Juicers
These crush and squeeze produce at low speed, like a slow gear grinding fruit. They are also called slow juicers or cold press juicers.
- Higher yield from greens, wheatgrass, and soft fruit
- Juice keeps longer, up to 72 hours in the fridge
- Quieter and handles nuts and frozen fruit
- Slower: expect 5 to 15 minutes per batch
- Costs more, usually $150 to $500
What Is The Best Kind Of Juicer To Buy
There is no single winner for everyone. The best kind depends on your budget, your produce, and your patience.
Choose A Centrifugal Juicer If:
- You mostly juice apples, carrots, oranges, and beets
- You want juice fast on busy mornings
- You want to spend under $150
- You will drink the juice within a few hours
Choose A Masticating Juicer If:
- You juice leafy greens, wheatgrass, or herbs
- You want to batch juice for two or three days
- You care about getting the most juice from each piece of produce
- You can accept a slower routine and a higher price
Consider A Twin-Gear Or Triturating Juicer If:
This is a step up from a standard masticating model. Two gears crush produce with almost no heat, which protects nutrients. They are the top pick for wheatgrass and nut milks, but they cost the most and are slow. For most homes, a single-gear masticating juicer is the better value.
How To Match A Juicer To Your Routine
Think about your real week, not your ideal one. A juicer that fights your schedule will sit in a cupboard.
- List the produce you will juice most weeks.
- Decide how often you will juice: daily, or a few times a week.
- Set a firm budget, including the cost of produce.
- Check counter space and cupboard height.
- Read reviews about cleanup time, not just juice quality.
Cleanup is the detail most buyers forget. Centrifugal juicers have more parts with mesh screens that need scrubbing. Many masticating juicers rinse clean in a few minutes, but some have several pieces to wash.
Key Features That Matter
Motor Power
Centrifugal juicers need 700 to 1000 watts to spin hard produce. Masticating juicers run on 150 to 250 watts because they work slowly. Do not judge a slow juicer by its wattage.
Feed Chute Size
A wide chute means less chopping. A narrow chute means more prep time. If you hate cutting apples into wedges, pay attention to this spec.
Speed Settings
Two speeds help. Use low for soft fruit and leafy greens, high for hard vegetables. Single-speed models are fine for simple juicing.
Noise Level
Centrifugal juicers sound like a blender on high. Masticating juicers hum quietly. If you juice early in the morning, this matters a lot.
Warranty
Look for at least 10 years on masticating models and 1 to 3 years on centrifugal models. A long warranty signals a durable motor.
Common Buying Mistakes
- Buying the cheapest model, then finding it clogs on greens
- Buying a huge machine for a one-person household
- Ignoring cleanup time in reviews
- Assuming higher price always means better juice
- Forgetting that produce costs more than the juicer over a year
One more tip: buy from a store with a easy return policy. If the juicer does not fit your routine in the first two weeks, send it back.
Quick Comparison Table
- Centrifugal: fast, cheap, loud, best for hard produce
- Masticating: slow, quiet, higher yield, best for greens
- Twin-gear: slowest, priciest, best for wheatgrass and nuts
Final Verdict
For most households, a masticating juicer is the best all-round choice. It handles every kind of produce, makes more juice per pound, and the juice last longer. If speed and budget come first and you mostly juice apples and carrots, a centrifugal juicer is the smarter buy.
So the honest answer to what is the best kind of juicer to buy is this: match the machine to your produce and your patience. Do that, and you will actually use it every week instead of storing it next to the bread maker.