If you don’t already have a juicer in your home, you need to get one right now. This is the quickest and overall cheapest way to create delicious and healthy drinks. Get your orange juice or even cucumber juice without trailing through the shops.
But you deserve the perfect juicer, right? You want something that is always going to work. You need something that will get you the cleanest juice in the shortest space of time. Juicers can do much more than juicing some fruit and vegetables. They are powerful items to have in your kitchen, and you likely don’t even realize everything that they will be able to do.
At the same time, we’ll share a few words of caution when it comes to juicers during this ultimate review. We want you to walk away knowing that this is the type of equipment you need in your kitchen and help you find the best one for your exact needs.
Here’s a look at our ultimate juicer review so you can choose the right piece of equipment for your home.
What’s the Difference Between a Juicer and a Blender?
When you initially think about buying a juicer, you may think about a blender. The two appliances often get confused, but the terms aren’t interchangeable. Both are very different and used for different needs.
The clue is in the names of the two appliances. Let’s start with a blender. This will blend anything that you put into the machine down to a paste or a liquid— depending on the amount of water, milk, or yogurt that you put in with the other ingredients. This is the way that many people make their smoothies, ice creams, and other thick and creamy drinks and foods.
Blenders make it possible to use the whole fruit or vegetables. Everything is broken down, including any zest or pulp that you add to the mix. Everything is completely pulverized.
When it comes to juicers, the machine will just take the juice out of the fruit or vegetable that you use. The pulp and all other elements are removed and placed in a different container. You have the choice of adding that pulp back into the juice if you want, but you don’t need to.
The juicers will extract the nutrients from the ingredients and add them to the juice. Unfortunately, you also get plenty of sugars, and we’ll move onto why this can be a negative issue in a few minutes.
Because you’ve just got the liquid, juicers tend to be thinner and easier to drink. The idea is that you get a better concentration of the nutrients. By removing the fiber, the liquid isn’t as hard to metabolize and absorb all the nutrients. However, there is very little scientific proof that shows blender or juicing is better for you. They both have their pros and cons.
We’ll focus on the juicing pros and cons for the sake of this article. After all, you need to know about them to make sure you choose the right type of juicer. There are some juicers now that will allow you to keep some of the pulp into the mixture. Some of the juicers make it possible to create creamy foods and drinks.
Is Juicing the Best Way to Get Your Liquid?
There are a lot of mixed reviews when it comes to using a juicer. While yes it can be a positive way to get your liquid, it will depend on the type of liquid you choose.
Did you know that fruit juice can be bad for you? It’s full of sugar, which metabolizes in the liver. There is a higher risk of insulin resistance, which you’ll know is linked to type 2 diabetes. The resistance to insulin is also a problem for the heart, like heart disease because much more likely.
Whole fruit is good for you. This has all the pulp that your body needs to prevent the natural sugars from metabolizing in the body. The pulp contains the fiber to help satisfy your hunger and keep your digestive system working properly. There’s a common misconception that fruit juice does the same. The problem is the pulp is removed when you juice. You lose the fiber but keep all the sugar.
Does this mean you need to forget the whole idea of a juicer? Well, not quite! Vegetable juice is completely different and can be healthy for you.
Vegetables don’t have as many natural sugars in them. Deep down you know this. If you’re actively trying to lose weight, you’ll know that you want to focus on getting more portions of vegetables than you do fruit. They are much better for your weight loss because of the lower amount of sugars and calories—yes, even vegetables and fruit have calories!
When you juice the vegetables, you will still lose some of the fiber but you will get a higher concentration of the minerals and vitamins.
This doesn’t mean you can just drink your vegetables. You will want to eat them to get the fiber and support your digestive system. There’s no denying that eating your vegetables will make you feel fuller, so you end up eating less throughout the day.
And if you are thinking about juicing to support your weight loss efforts, think carefully about the amount that you juice. The odd glass of fruit or vegetable juice isn’t going to be that bad for you—after all, everything in moderation, right?
Juicing your vegetables will help to promote weight loss better, but it’s not the best way to get all your nutrients. It is highly likely that you will eat far more portions of your fruit and vegetables when you juice. You need more portions to create enough juice for a glass. That may seem like a good thing at first, but you need to remember that there are calories involved. If you eat too many portions, you get far more calories than you need and your weight loss stalls.
To support your weight loss, you only need a glass of juiced vegetables. That isn’t that much!
Is blending better? Well, there are some downsides, and you will still find that some of the sugar metabolize quicker than they would if you ate the full fruit or vegetable. You’ll also find that you’re at a higher risk of getting more fruit and vegetables in a day than you need because your body isn’t going through the chewing process to determine if you’re full or not. Like with juicing, you don’t need more than a glass or two of blended fruit and vegetables.
Is It Cheaper to Juice Yourself?
You can buy fruit and vegetable juices from the stores. Wouldn’t it make it more cost effective to do that?
Well, this depends on the amount of juice that you have a day. If you only want a glass or two a day, there are high chances that making your juice will work out cheaper for you. It will also depend on the type of fruit or vegetable juice that you make.
If you’re going to drink a lot of orange or apple juice, getting it from the store is likely to be cheaper. You can buy them in bulk for just a few dollars because they are so popular. They’re easy for the manufacturers to make, so less time goes into creating them.
When you opt for something that is unusual, or you start mixing juices, you will then find it harder to keep the costs down in the stores. Some vegetable juices are that uncommon that the stores don’t stock them. If they do, they keep the costs high, so they can make a profit. It will be cheaper to buy the vegetables and make your vegetable juices in your home.
The cost that you will find is high is the outright purchase of the juicer. You’ll need to use it regularly to make up for the upfront cost of this. If you have a small household, you can usually save on the cost of the juicer.
Of course, this depends on the reason for buying the juicer. Do you just want it for juicing your fruits and vegetables? This is just the most common use of the juicer, but it’s not the only way that you can benefit. As I’ve already mentioned, I will go through more of the uses of juicers to help you decide whether this is something you want and need in your home. This will also affect the type of juicer that you get.
Juicing Will Require Time and a Commitment
If you’re going to use juicing to help support your body, you will need to do it regularly. You can have a glass a day to support your weight loss, but that means lots of shopping for different vegetables and some fruits for your juicing needs.
You may find that you need to do extra shopping during the week if you do this regularly. You’ll need more vegetables and fruits that you would buy to eat to be able to juice it up.
We can’t forget about the time commitment to using and cleaning the juicer. You’ll need to clean it every single day straight after use. If you let the fruit or vegetable juices dry they will be much harder to clean. You also need to remember the acidic levels, especially in fruit, which can damage the juicer over time.
What Else Can I Make in My Juicer?
So yes, juices are the most commonly considered items when it comes to using a juicer. They’re not the only items that you can make. Did you know that you could make nut butter, for example?
There are multiple uses for a juicer that so many people haven’t considered. Nut butter creation is one of them. That means you can avoid paying for your nut butter in the store and create your own. If you are allergic to nuts, you can make your seed butter to feel still like you’re enjoying the same as your friends.
Nut butter does contain some health benefits. You get some healthy fats and plenty of protein in the nuts. These are foods that you can create in a blender, but what’s the point in buying two very similar electrical products? If you already have the juicer out, you can use that for nut butter creation.
And then you can make your sorbets. Remember that you’re juicing fruit and vegetables into liquid. You can freeze that liquid! Many people will make ice lollies instead of sorbets, and they are perfect for those hot days where you need more fluids or when you have a sore throat and struggle to eat.
You will need to get a juicer that has a homogenization method for sorbets. You need to create a creamy mixture to make this work perfectly.
When you have a homogenization method on the juicer, you can also make whips. Banana whip is one of the most requested around the world. It’s healthy ice cream for a dessert to end the day.
If you’re not interested in the sorbets, you can make soup instead. You get to liquefy the vegetables quickly to create a soup full of different aromas and flavors. If you want to make it a little chunkier, you can use the vegetable juice as a broth and still add your chopped vegetables to the mixture.
The soup broth can be used as a base for many other meals. Just think about the sauces and dishes that you’ll be able to make.
If you adore fruit rolls ups, you may be happy to hear that you can make these with your juicer. They are healthier versions of the ones that you get in the store, and your kids will love showing them off to their friends. You’ll just have parents lining up at your door to find out how you make them.
Still, think you can only make unhealthy juices with your equipment? It’s time to think outside the box and create an easier way of life in your home.
How Do You Make Your Juice Healthier?
I’ve shared some of the downsides of using juicers. Sure enough, there are plenty. If you’re losing weight, you may have dietitians or friends telling you to stay away from them. Well, it’s all about moderation and finding the best ingredients to use. It’s all about following the best tips for using juicers healthily.
Let’s start with the ingredients that you use. Vegetables are the best, as we’ve already mentioned. That doesn’t mean you can’t opt for some fruits. There are certainly benefits to including fruits into your juicing needs. You just don’t need as many fruits as you would choose vegetables.
The best fruit to add to your juicer is a small apple. While there are some sugars and acids, there aren’t as many of them as there are in many other fruits. Melons can also work out to your advantage since they are mostly water. Pears can also be beneficial for the juicer. Just choose one for each mixed juice you make with your vegetables.
Try to add two root vegetables to your juices. They are the best for you regarding antioxidants and other minerals and vitamins. Root vegetables include beets, carrots, and parsnips. Do look out for those that have extra natural sugars, such as parsnips and swede.
Always try to include a dark leafy green vegetable. Kale or spinach will be easier to find in the stores, and you can get either one in larger packets. However, you can also add collards, spring greens, and even broccoli to your juicers. The benefit of the dark leafy greens is the number of vitamins and minerals you will get. They are full of calcium, iron, vitamin A, and much more.
You will get a lot of strong flavors in one place when you choose these types of vegetables and fruits. To help dilute them, add watery vegetables with minimal tastes. These include cucumber and celery. They have very little regarding nutrients compared to other vegetables, but you do get plenty of water.
If you are worried about losing the fiber from your diet, you can always add some back in. Mix in some of the discarded vegetables and give your juice a good shake. This is often done with orange juice to add some of the pulp back in and eliminate some of the sugary problems in the liver.
What Do You Want Your Juicer to Do?
Now it comes to looking at the different types of juicers on the market. It can be difficult to look through all the features and prices and decide on the one that is best for you.
Before you even choose your juicer, you need to decide what you want it to do. There are two main types of juicers: Auger style and juice extractors. They work in different ways and help to create some of the various ideas that I’ve included above.
Let’s start with a look at the auger style juicer. This is usually called the cold-press juicer or a masticating juicer. It’s more expensive than a juice extractor and will take time to understand and get used to the many functions. Most of these juicers crush and mash, making it possible to make some of the creams, whips, and sorbets that we’ve mentioned.
One of the biggest downsides to an auger style juicer is the problem of jamming. You can put in way too many vegetables or fruits at the same time, and the juicer struggles with the amount it needs to handle. The great news is that most of the juicers will have a reverse button, meaning that you can work the fruits and vegetables out backward. If the juicer doesn’t have a reverse button, you want to avoid it or be exceptionally careful with the amount that you pack in.
If you’re worried about getting way too much sugar and not enough fiber in your juice, you want to get this type of juicer. It’s worth the extra money for the pulp that ends up passing through. This is your cross between a blender and a juicer to help to keep the sugar metabolizing in the liver to a minimum.
The juice extractor, on the other hand, is the most common type of juicer on the market. It’s affordable for most people but takes out all the pulp. You’re left with all the sugars in your juice. This type of juicer is also known as the centrifugal juicer because it cuts up the ingredients into pieces before separating pulp and juice. You can usually put larger pieces of fruit and vegetables in without the worry that they will get stuck and jam the system. There isn’t usually a reverse button because of this.
If you do want to include some of the pulp, it is mashed and separated into another cup from the blender. You can always add some of this to your juice, but it’s not going to look that appetizing.
Once the juice is extracted, it is strained into a glass or cup. While it sounds easy to use—and it is—it’s not the easiest to clean. Most of the time, you’ll need to dismantle various elements of the juicer to be able to clean it in full. This it can go into the dishwasher? Not all can, and there will still be other elements that you’ll need to keep out of the water. You’ll want to check this before buying if you think this will speed up the cleaning process.
These types of juicers don’t usually have the homogenization method. You just get the thin juice, which is excellent for soups and ice lollies. If you want to get whips and some sorbets, you’ll want to look at the auger style juicer instead.
It’s not just about the way that the juicer works to create the finished product. You also want to investigate the items that come with your juicers to make your recipe creation as easy as possible.
Look out for juicers that have clear cups for extracting the juice into. This will give you a clear indication of the amount of juice you’ve created as you’re creating it. If you only want to create X cups of apple juice before you add the kale juice, the clear cups will usually have a marker on the side, so you can watch as you make.
It is worth looking out for juicers that are dishwasher safe. This is just beneficially for most of the cleaning. While you can put the whole unit it, you want to get as much of it that is involved in the juicing in it. You should be able to find both extractors and auger style juicers that are dishwasher safe.
Don’t forget about checking how much needs to be pulled apart to wash and put in the dishwasher. You don’t want to spend hours dismantling and putting back together. Otherwise you’ll never use it again!
Check the sizing for storage. Some juicers are taller than they are wide. Others will involve some dismantling of storage. There are others that have long cords to allow for easier use on countertops, but they need to have an easy way to wrap up during storage.
It could be worth looking into models that have a pulp regulator. This will help to eliminate pulp completely or include some of it in your juice. This is regularly a feature on the auger style juicers to make your juice as healthy as possible.
The Best Juicers on the Market
Now you know what to look out for, it’s time to look at some of your juicer options. Looking into all the benefits and downsides of each one will help you determine the best one for your exact needs. We’re all different. While some people want something quick and easy to make a juice a day, others want something for other uses throughout the week.
Here’s a look at some of the more popular juicers on the market. We’ll include some of the most requested features and any pros and cons to the juicers. We’ll wrap up with the ultimate best juicer we believe would work for most needs.
Omega J8006 Nutrition Center
Let’s start with the Omega J8006 juicer—also marketed as a Nutrition Center. This is one of the auger style juicers, giving you a healthier way of juicing your fruits and vegetables. Yes, you’ll be able to make a paste with the ingredients, which is perfect for all your cooking needs. It’s no surprise that this is one of the most highly recommended juicers on the market.
The motor is powerful, offering a low speed of 80 RPM. It has one of the highest juice yields but does have some problem with blocking if you put too much in at the same time. The cutting ability is good, and there is a reverse button if you need to get a blockage out at all.
For those who want to make nut butter, you can use this juicer. The Omega J8006 may not have the 180RPM needed for blending down peanuts, but the high precision blades help to make up for that. It just may take a little longer than if you used a higher speed juicer or blender or your peanut crushing needs. You can also grind up coffee beans if that’s something that you want to make.
And we can’t forget about the 15-year warranty that comes with this juice. Omega has a belief that this juicer will last for the years to come and it makes it more than worth the money. By dealing with a well-known brand, you can also find it much easier to get the replacement or repairs if you ever need it. Just make sure you keep the proof of purchase for those years!
The Omega J8006 comes in a variety of colors to suit all needs. The chrome look is the most popular, but you buy in white, red, purple, yellow, and blue, among other colors. All the colors come at the same price, so you just need to decide which ones will work with your other appliances and your kitchen décor. The only color that is missing is black to work with most other modern-day alliances.
You won’t have the problem of hearing the radio or having a conversation while you juice. The motor is quiet, which is something that various previous customers have commented on.
While juicing, the system will take out most of the nutrients. It can take out some of the pulp to create a paste with the juice, making whips and healthy baby food in minutes. Unlike some other juicers, you can bulk make and store the juice in the fridge for up to 72 hours. You won’t see any separation in the juices within that time.
The Omega J8006 will replace your food processor completely. This juicer does both juicing and blending, meaning that you can chop up fruits and vegetables quickly if you need to. It’s possible to mince garlic, onions, scallions, and more quickly and effectively.
Customers have shared that this is the juicer to spend your money on. There’s no need to spend extra on other models or brands because this does everything that someone could want or need. The juicer is extremely easy to clean and can be used multiple times in the day with ease.
It does work better if you pop the fruit and vegetables in smaller chunks. It will work the full items in some cases—if they fit into the juicer! —but this can clog up the system. Some of the harder produce will be juiced better if they are partially chopped.
As with all other juicers, this isn’t perfect. There isn’t a perfect machine out there! But the cons are small. One of the problems is the smaller chute. However, it just means taking longer to break them down and pass them through the system. It’s worth it for the superior grinding ability.
Some of the plastic is clear. It won’t stay that way for long when you use many of the darker vegetables. It doesn’t matter how much you clean the juicer; you will find that it starts to stain over time, usually from greens, beets, and carrots!
It’s not the best option if you want to use up older vegetables or anything that has already been mushed. The cutting is designed for raw and fresh vegetables rather than softer options.
One of the downsides that I find with this juicer is the fact that it doesn’t stand upright. It’s longer than it is taller, which means that it takes up more space on the countertop. With a kitchen that only has three countertops, it would need to be put away daily, as the kettle and coffee machine are more important items to have out daily—and one countertop is for preparing vegetables.
If you have space, the size of the juicer probably isn’t going to be a problem. If you tend to put your appliances away between use, then the style of juicer likely won’t affect your purchasing decisions.
Breville 800JEXL Juicer
You’ve likely heard of the Breville brand. This is one of the most popular brands when it comes to appliances of all types, shapes, and sizes. It shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that Breville has created juicers. The Breville 800JEXL is one of the most popular products from the brand, offering a product that is around the same price as the Omega J8006 above.
The biggest downside right away to the juicer is that it’s a centrifugal system. Yes, it only extracts juice for the same price as the Omega auger style juicer above. So, why is the price justified?
Well, extractors do have their benefits over the auger style. One of those is the speed at which you get your juices. This Breville most importantly offers two different speeds to juice at, on a 1000-watt system. You can juice down at 6,500 RPM or 13,000 RPM. You can instantly see the major difference between this and the Omega above, right?
You will save plenty of time when you want to juice large amounts. You’ll also find it easier to juice raw vegetables without much cutting. When you see those people on TV shows throwing in their vegetables and getting the juice immediately, this is likely a style of blender that they have. There’s even an extra-large feeding tube with the 800JEXL, so you can keep the time down making large amounts of juice.
The pulp container is also large to work with the larger feeding tube. You don’t need to stop part way through juicing to empty your pulp container, so you can finish off with your vegetables.
Despite some of the downsides of juice extractors, the Breville 800JEXL is one that you’ll be compelled to invest in. The clean-up process is extremely easy. It’s dishwasher safe and doesn’t take long to pull apart and wash.
One of the downsides that customers have found is that the juicer doesn’t work too well for dark leafy greens. It’s excellent for other fruits and vegetables. However, there are others who have found a way around this. They roll up their dark leafy greens tight so that they juice fully.
Some customers have noted that the juicers will lose some of their capabilities over time. This is common, but there are some that have complained about problems after the first year. Breville doesn’t offer the longest warranty, which does make earlier breakages a major negative. There are some replacements that can be bought to fix leaking and filtering problems. However, they don’t always work.
It turns out that some of the leaking problems may be the design of the juicer. There is a joint where the pulp and liquid are separated, so some of the juice can end up seeping through accidentally. There is little that can be done about this and is just a design flaw that Breville will need to fix.
Breville also only covers the motor under warranty. So, if other elements stop working, then you won’t be able to get a repair or replacement. This is a negative sign for such a major and reputable brand.
As for the size of the juicer, it does have the advantage of the upright standing unit. This will take up less space on the counter than the Omega. The thing you need to decide is whether you want to pay the same amount for an extractor as you would for an auger-style juicer.
Breville JE98XLJuice Fountain
Another Breville option is the JE98XL juicer. This is another juice extractor option with a lower wattage than the 800JEXL. It comes with the two speeds, but the higher speed is 1,000 RPM lower. This may not be that much of a problem for those using it once a day. The problem is if you want to juice a large amount at the same time.
Breville markets this juicer as one that will give you 40% more nutrients than other juicers out there. I’d be interested in knowing the research that has been put into this to compare juicers and come to that 40% conclusion.
Some parts of the juicer are dishwasher safe. It’s relatively easy to pull apart and clean thoroughly. This will need to be done daily after use.
Like with the previous Breville, this comes with a 1-year warranty but only for the motor. If you have a problem with another element of the juicer, then you’re not going to get a replacement.
The benefit is that this is more than half the price of the previous two juicers we’ve mentioned. Considering it is a centrifugal system, this pricing seems more than fair. It is one of the cheapest juicers you will find on the market, but do the customer reviews support it?
If you’re not going to use the juicer daily, then this is one of those that you want to consider. It’s an introducer price point and something that you can justify placing it in a cupboard for a few days, weeks, or months at a time. You can then pull it out for daily use now and then, as many customers have admitted that they do.
While it doesn’t create the pastes and isn’t an auger style, there are some major benefits to the centrifugal system. Those who are busy parents have said that it is perfect for their needs. They can just keep feeding in the vegetables and not have to worry about the clogging. One busy mom is a customer and shared that she can juice her carrots in just a minute. It’s perfect for her exact needs.
When it comes to the high motor speed, there is still no need to worry about the noise. It is perfect for an average-sized kitchen. You’ll still be able to talk to people in the room or hear the radio. Those who want to use it daily will not be put off by the sound coming from the system, even at the highest speed.
The high speed is excellent for the harder fruits and vegetables. If you want to juice the softer options, you’ll need to consider using the lower setting. It’s perfect for oranges, Brussels sprouts, and more.
One of the downsides is the juice output. While Breville markets that the juicer extracts 30% more juice, customers have noted that other juicers do offer more juice from their vegetables. The JE98XL could offer more, but then the price needs to be considered. This is a low-cost juicer that does the main elements.
There was one negative review from a customer, who says that the pulp comes out with far too much juice. The user even puts the pulp through their Omega juicer and got 16 ounces of juice from it. This could be expecting more than they could get from the cheaper Breville unit. It’s the only such review, so it doesn’t look like a major problem for most users.
For me, the upright standing is a positive point. Like I’ve said before, I need something that doesn’t take up the counter space. The JE98XL is also thinner than it’s higher-end sister, which means it can be left out for a few days rather than being put away every single time.
Breville BJE200XL Compact Juice Fountain
When you want something under the $100 mark, this is the juicer that you want to consider. Breville makes sure that it offers something good quality in all price ranges. The downside is that it is a smaller machine and doesn’t have the strongest output. But you do get what you pay for.
The Breville BJE200XL is perfect for those new to juicing, when you’re not sure if it is something for you. It does have some of the most asked for features in the previous Brevilles I’ve shared, but there are some limitations. If you just use the juicer now and then or have a small kitchen, you’ll find that the pricing point is more than fair.
Like with the other juicers, there are parts that are dishwasher safe, and there is a 3-inch feeding tube for all the fruits and vegetables. It only has the one speed, though. At 14,000 RPM it is excellent for the raw fruits and vegetables that tend to be hard to break down and juice, but it’s not going to be the best for the softer and mushier options. If you want to juice them, you need something that has a lower RPM.
The motor speed is also only 700 watts. This is going to be more than enough for those who don’t juice on a regular basis. The lower speed motor also means a quiet system.
While the motor speed is lower, the fruits and vegetables are still juiced quickly. This will save you time compared to some of the other appliances on the market, supporting the reason for opting for the lower price point.
This is also a centrifugal system, which means it just extracts the juice. You’re not going to get all the mushier, thicker outcomes that you could with the auger style systems. Remember the lower pricing point when you find this a downside. If you have fruits that don’t have much juice in the in the first place, you’ll find it difficult to pass them through the system and get much from this. This is something that you’ll want some of the juicers with slightly slower speeds or an auger style juicer for.
There have been a few complaints about the pulp coming out wet. This appears to be a complaint with a few of the Breville juicers, including some of the options that I’ve already shared above. However, this appears to be an issue with the speed of feeding the fruits and vegetables into the system. The faster you do it, the wetter the pulp will be. Feeding fruits and vegetables in fast will mean that the juicer doesn’t quite have the time to work and will spit out the pulp as quickly as possible to move onto the next ingredient.
If you find that the pulp is coming out too wet, try slowing down on the rate of feeding ingredients in. You may notice a world of difference.
Others have also found that regularly cleaning the mesh basket helps to keep the juicer working properly. It seems like an obvious thing to do, but it’s surprising how many people will neglect it without thinking. They tend to leave it a few uses and then wash it out. It’s best just to wash and clean it thoroughly between each use.
Customers have been attracted by the compact size of the unit. It’s no lie that it’s one of the best juicers out there for smaller kitchens. Everything is contained in the one unit, so there are no parts that stick out at the back. The feeder stands up from the top, so you get just to keep popping the ingredients in one at a time.
You can feed some mushy options, but you will need to keep your hand over the feeder to prevent a mess. You’ll also need to feed them in much slower than you would with the harder fruits and vegetables, according to some of the customer reviews. Some customers have said even then that the juicing of the leafy greens is much harder. If you’re doing this to get the nutrients from the likes of spinach and kale, you may want to investigate some of the higher end options.
A major plus point is the dismantling of the unit. There are no tools needed to get elements out, like the mesh basket. Everything is held in place with magnets, meaning that clips can’t break accidentally and make the unit unusable. This makes cleaning much easier since there’s no issue with putting the appliance back together again.
One of the downsides is that it will stain. The juicer extraction unit is clear plastic, so it is subject to the staining from various fruits and vegetables. This is common with orange, purple, and green fruits and vegetables and it doesn’t matter how often you clean it. This is a common issue with all juicers unless you find something that has glass or metal for the jug and feeder. Of course, the heavier material will cost more, so it depends on where you want to save.
Omega J8004 Nutrition Center
While I shared the J8006 at first, the Omega J8004 is one of the predecessors. It does offer many of the same features, but there are some downsides to it.
First, let me point out that this is a masticating juicer. Yes, it’s an auger style, and that means it does so much more than the Breville centrifugal options that I’ve shared in the last few reviews. The downside is the speed that you will break up and juice the fruit and vegetables.
Like with the Omega J8006, this only has an 80 RPM rate. The great benefit of this is that there is no build-up in the heat at all, but you will need to think carefully about the amount that you put into the system at one time. If you want speed and efficiency, this isn’t the type of juicer that you want. It does have a habit of getting blocked up. There is a reverse button to help counter this issue if you suffer it.
Unlike the Breville, the Omega J8004 comes with a 15-year warranty and not just on the motor. Whatever happens to the unit, you will get a repair or replacement. Omega trusts that this will work and is well worth the money spent. As for the cost, though, you are looking at spending more than $200 at the time of writing this. It will be out of pocket for some people.
While the speed is low, like the J8006, it is possible to break down the food into a pulpy, thickness instead of just as a juice. This is a major benefit of the auger style. If you want ice creams and salsas, this is certainly one of the units that you want to save up for. The 80RPM isn’t quite enough for grinding nuts, but the high-precision and strong blades make up for that issue. That means nut butter are extremely easy to make from home.
Some customers will find the lack of color options disappointing. The J8006 and J8004 are very similar except for this aspect. However, both are plastic, so it’s not the biggest deal. The J8004 comes in plain white, which does work with most decors, but it may not quite fit in with the rest of your appliances on the kitchen countertop.
Most customers report that this is just the same as the J8006 and offers all the same benefits and downsides. The only difference is the price, and there are customers suggesting that if you’re choosing between the two then just look at the pricing. Sometimes the J8006 will be a lower price if it is on sale.
My downside would be the size. It is bulky and wider than it is tall. The spout is off to one side, rather than standing upright. This doesn’t work for my small kitchen. However, with a bigger kitchen, the size may not be an issue. I’d just need to keep putting the juicer in and out of the cupboard to use it, and that would get tedious after a while.
There have been a small number of complaints about Omega when the juicer has broken. These issues seem to be isolated and nothing to do with the actual juicer. In fact, even the negative reviews about the company have been positive about the juicer itself. Customers have shared that it is extremely easy to clean, even without a dishwasher. There are some parts that are dishwasher safe. Customers have also praised the ability to juice absolutely anything, meaning that you will never have to worry about any food going to waste. The worst to juice is potatoes, mashed or raw!
Omega NC900HDC 6th Generation Juicer
One of Omega’s most recent juicers on the market is the NC900HDV 6th generation juicer. This has many of the same features as the J8004 and J8006 but has a very different look. Unlike the other juicers, there is a carry handle, making it much easier to move the juicer around the kitchen or for travel.
Not many people will need the carry handle. In fact, it just looks like it is more for aesthetic reasons more than use.
The appliance is a step up from the J8007 and J8008, which were steps up from the J8006. It sports the same RPM with high precision technology, which means it can still break down the peanuts and mushy foods. There are also multiple speeds to help with the precision and better juicing abilities. You’ll just need to change the pulp adjustment for the types of foods that you’re putting through the juicer.
It is a masticating juicer, which means that you can get the creamier options. It also means that your juicer is likely to back up and clog if you put everything through too quickly or in large amounts. The slow speed does help to make sure all the juice is extracted from the fruits and vegetables, unlike with some of the faster centrifugal options.
Some customers have found that overfilling the chute has led to the juicer breaking. The great news is that the 15-year warranty that comes with most of the Omega products covers this. You do need to be careful if you want to avoid the hassle of repairs and replacements.
Some customers have shared that the advice on using the juicer is minimal. They needed to go out and buy other books to learn how to make the best juices for their needs. This isn’t a negative, as life is all about continuous learning. There are also plenty of YouTube videos to watch for free if this is something that you’d prefer to do.
Cleaning is extremely easy. There’s little to dismantle to wash, and most of the elements are dishwasher safe. It’s extremely easy to put everything back together.
This is much wider than it is taller. There is a modern day look to it, but some of it is just for aesthetics. There’s no need for many of us to have the carry handle, and there’s nothing wrong with the previous designs. It does have a chrome look but is made of plastic.
One of the biggest downsides is the price. This is over $300 for one appliance, which will be out of the budget for many people. If you want to opt for a masticating juicer, the J8004 and J8006 will do just the same jobs without the modern-day look. In fact, the $300+ price is when it’s on sale, and the full price is just short of $500. Not everyone wants to pay that much for a unit or can justify such a price.
Cuisinart CJE-1000 Juice Extractor
We can’t miss out the Cuisinart brand when it comes to juicers. This is another highly reputable kitchen appliance brand that most you will have heard of. It’s no surprise that a number of the juicers are highly recommended by customers and fans of the brand.
The CJE-1000 has a benefit over many of the other juice extractor juicers that we’ve already covered. It has five different speeds, making it possible to juice almost anything that you put into it. If it has juice, you’ll find that it is easy to remove the pulp from. Very few juicers have more than two speeds, and if they do, you will end up paying over the odds for that benefit.
Customers have raved about the multiple speeds. The slower speeds make it possible to juice leafy greens, which is something that many centrifugal systems fail on. The higher speeds make it possible to juice some of the harder fruits and vegetables, including carrots and apples.
You can get the Cuisinart CJE-1000 at just over $100, which is perfect for those who are new to juicing or don’t want to use it daily. You can justify $100 for the sake of improving your health and getting something tasty daily.
To make this unit even better, it comes with a cleaning brush. It also has die-casting, which helps to keep the staining to a minimum. While you’re juicing, you won’t find the need to keep stopping to empty the pulp basket, as it holds up to 2 liters of pulp. The juice jug holds up to a liter! This one-litre jug is just the right shape to store in the fridge, meaning you can save your juice for later. The juices won’t separate over the course of a couple of days, so there’s no need to worry about mixing everything back up.
The juicer jug is clean plastic. While the downside is staining, you will be able to see just how much juice you have made to avoid wasting anything. If you’re worried about wasting juice through dripping, the Cuisinart is one of the only brands that market its anti-dripping spout feature. You won’t have anything to clean up from the countertops between uses.
Some customers have found that the smaller fruits and vegetables aren’t the best for use in the juice. This could be because they’re too small for the blades, but it may also be due to the use of the wrong speed. It’s difficult to assess, as the complaints about small fruits are minimal. Most customers have found it a powerful blender, especially for the price range. It’s not perfect, but it’s excellent for the money that you are going to spend on it.
Many customers have compared the CJE-1000 to other Breville units within the same price range. The 1000-watt power is the thing that has attracted the customers to the Cuisinart brand since it is at a lower price than the 900-watt Breville options. The fast motor helps to save time for juicing everything, and there are minimal clogging issues. Some of the pulp is wet, but you can prevent that by not putting as much through the system at the same time.
There are no complaints over the noise coming from the unit. This would suggest that the high-powered motor is quiet enough to use in even the smallest kitchens. In fact, positive comments have stated that the quiet motor function is true, and that was from customers not putting much stock in the claims—as most brands claim it but don’t quite meet expectations.
When you want a juicer with a modern look, this is the juicer to opt for. The unit has a stainless-steel housing, unlike all the rest, making it much easier to clean. There is also an LED light on the speed setting. The pulp extractor and juicer jug are on opposite sides of the unit, keeping them separate and avoiding any possible mix up. The feeder is also at the top, keeping the size to a minimum. It’s still slightly bigger than some of the Breville, so many not be suitable for the smallest of kitchens where you want to keep the juicer out all the time, but it is good for the average-sized kitchen. It won’t take up too much cupboard space if you’re an infrequent user of your juicer.
Omega VRT350 Vertical Auger Style Juicer
If you want to get an Omega, you may be worried about the size. Well, the brand has answered that issue and even has an auger style juicer available. The VRT350 is a vertical option, with the spout standing right up from the top. The compact style makes it perfect for even the tiniest kitchen. Even I wouldn’t have to worry about space with this.
This is also the juicer for the lazy people who don’t want to clean daily. It has an auto cleaning feature. However, you’ll still want to do some cleaning after a few uses.
There are times that fruits, and vegetables will get stuck. This is common with most auger styles if you add too much at the same time. However, there is a reverse function. In short, you’re getting most of the features from some of the larger units, but it will take up much less space. It also looks more attractive than some of the other units on the market.
The main unit has a chrome look, but there are also red and dark purple options if you want your juicer to stand out. There isn’t a white or black option, which is two of the most requested colors for kitchen appliances.
The biggest downside with the Omega VRT350 is the price point. You are paying for the compact size with all the same features as the others. This is more than $400 when at full price, although like many other units there are regular sales of the product. If you have the budget for it, this could certainly be one of the best appliances for your kitchen.
If you opt for the different colored units, you could save some money. Some of them are under $200, which will take the juicer in line with most other Omegas and some Breville units. It’s still more expensive than some of the Cuisinart juicers on the market, but then you’re paying for an auger style at the same time!
Like with the other Omega masticating juicers, this only has one-speed setting and is set at 80 RPM. It is marketed as a heavy-duty option, which will mean that it can handle almost anything. This includes nuts, dark leafy greens, and mushy foods. It is also possible to put frozen fruits and vegetables straight in. Just keep the amount to a minimum to avoid clogging and to avoid too much work for the blades.
For those who want little pulp in their juices, is worth spending the money on the VRT350. Customers have shared that the pulp is less than that served in freshly juiced orange juice in restaurants. It’s a powerful little unit that you won’t be disappointed with.
Customers have also shared that the juice does come out in full. The pulp is extremely dry, even drying that the J8006 unit. If you can justify the price, then you will enjoy anything that you put through the system. If you can get it on sale for less than the J8006, the consensus is to jump at the chance to get it.
One of the biggest downsides of the Omega VRT350 is the lack of ability to add it to the dishwasher. This is part of the allure of the self-cleaning function. The good news is that washing by hand doesn’t take that long. Many customers wash their juicers out before us, and it takes them just minutes. For the laziest of juicers, this isn’t going to be the option for you.
This also isn’t going to be your fastest juicer. This should be a sign with the 80 RPM system, which is the same as other auger styles. The auger style juicers aren’t for speed but precision. If you want something faster, then you need to investigate getting the centrifugal systems on the market.
Hamilton Beach 67608A Juice Extractor
When you just want a juicer that is cheap, useful, and easy to use, the Hamilton Beach 67608A is the one that you want to buy. Yes, it is the cheapest I’ve found on the market, coming in at under $50.
The downside? Well, you are only getting a juice extractor. This isn’t your auger style for the nut butter and creamy options, but it is well worth it if you’re an infrequent user or you just want to try out making your juices. It’s also the best option if you’re on an extremely tight budget but still want to put your health first.
But does it work that well? Surely you get what you pay for, right? It does only have an 800-watt motor, which is much less than the Cuisinart brand above and some of the Brevilles, but that is still powerful. In fact, it’s more powerful than some of the more expensive Brevilles on the market and all the Omegas that we’ve shared above.
Power is good. When you have a stronger system, you will get your juice much quicker. If you’re a busy parent or individual, you want to consider this as your initial juicer purchase.
There is also a large pulp bin, and the pulp doesn’t come out too soggy. Okay, so you will still have some juice in the pulp, but you can limit this by slowing down the speed at which you put the vegetables and fruit into the spout. Yes, the spout is at the top, so it will be much quicker to add everything in.
Elements of the juicer are dishwasher safe to make cleaning easier. There isn’t a self-cleaning function, but it takes just minutes to dismantle and wash, and it isn’t difficult to put it all back together. It’s slightly harder than the Cuisinart and some of the other units but does keep the price point in mind.
A major selling point is the stainless-steel unit. I say this because of the cleaning element. It’s going to be much quicker and easier to get all the juice and pulp removed. You’ll also find that staining is kept to a minimum. Having the metal appearance on the outside will also mean that your juicer fits with most of your other kitchen appliances and your décor.
You will need to pre-cut some of the harder fruits and vegetables. This isn’t just the case for this cheaper option but all the juicers on the list. So, it’s not a negative.
Most of the customer reviews are extremely high—either four or five stars. There are a few one and two-star reviews, but that is to be expected. No juicer is perfect, and customers have different needs for the appliances. Some have also forgotten the lower price point that they paid for this and compared it to some of the units that cost hundreds of dollars.
Some customers have complained that the Hamilton Beach 67608A only lasts for two or three years, and there is only a one-year warranty. Again, this is very much due to the price point. You’re paying much less than other units on the market, especially those with the 15-year warranty. You’ll still save money if you need to replace it every few years. Other customers haven’t found the same problem, so it may depend on the amount of use the unit gets.
In fact, some customers have said the exact opposite about the use. They’ve used it heavily over the course of months and years and not found an issue with smoking or breaking.
One of the downsides that customers have noticed is the size of the juicing jug. It only holds around 20 ounces of juice. While the pulp holder is large, the small juicing jug defeats the purpose. You will still have to stop and pour the juice into another glass to keep using it. However, it’s worth remembering something that we mentioned at the start of this: you only need a glass of juice a day to get all the health benefits. This glass is usually around 8 ounces so that you will get a few days’ worth of juice from just one jug!
Cleaning the unit has been a complaint from some. While most of the unit is dishwasher safe, the housing unit isn’t. You need to get right into it to clean, and it can be tricky. This isn’t the unit for those who want a lazier lifestyle with their juicing. However, this is one of the downsides of juicing that we pointed out at the start.
So Which Is the Best Juicer on the Market?
We can’t tell you the best or the worst. The problem is that one juice will be perfect for one person but the worst option for another. We all have different needs and preferences when it comes to juices.
I will try to break this down into most needs to help you choose the best juicer.
If you want an auger style juicer, the Omega J004 or J006 will be your best option. Both are extremely similar except for the price. You’ll just want to opt for the one that is the cheapest at the time of buying.
There are times that the VRT350 unit is cheaper. This is an excellent auger style when you want something compact. If the price were much lower than it is now, I’d consider it for my kitchen as it is one of the smallest juicers on the market overall. The price just turns me off compared to the other two Omegas.
When you want a centrifugal system, then you want to consider either the Cuisinart or the Hamilton Beach. Both are much lower in price and a great value for what you get.
Why am I mentioning both? Well, there’s no denying that the Cuisinart is the most powerful on the market. It’s small and juicers everything. The downside is the pricing point for those who are very new to juicing. If you want to try it out or get used to it, then the Hamilton Beach unit is the best to choose. There are some downsides regarding cleaning, and some customers have noted that it doesn’t last, but for the price to see if juicing is for you then you won’t feel like you’re wasting your money.
Hopefully, this ultimate juicer review has helped you find the perfect juicer for your needs. Make a list of everything that you want to get from the juicer before you make your purchase and look through your options. Would you like an auger style or juice extractor? This is the first question that you need to ask; then you can look at whether you want a unit that has multiple speeds or one that is slow and breaks down absolutely everything. Remember that your needs will change over time, so the perfect juicer may change in a few years’ time.
Overall, juicing is a good way to get your nutrients in large amounts quickly. You don’t want to drink too much in a day, especially when it comes to fruit juices. Sometimes opting for the smaller units will help to keep the amount of juice you drink to a minimum to make sure you do put your health first when opting for this method to get your fruit and veggies.
