Fresh juice tastes different from anything in a bottle. There’s a brightness to it, a texture, a sense that the thing you’re drinking was just alive minutes ago. But the juicer you use determines whether you stick with it for more than a week.

We tested 7 juicers across two types: masticating (slow, cold-press) and centrifugal (fast, wide-mouth). We juiced celery stalks by the pound, wheatgrass by the handful, and enough oranges to turn our hands orange. What we found is that the best juicer depends almost entirely on what you plan to juice and how much you hate cleaning.

What to Look For in a Juicer

Masticating vs. Centrifugal

The main distinction in juicers is how they extract juice.

Masticating juicers crush and press produce through a slow-turning auger (40-80 RPM). They produce higher juice yield, less oxidation (so juice stays fresh longer), and can handle leafy greens, and wheatgrass better than centrifugal models. They’re quieter and generally easier to clean once you get used to the parts. The trade-offs: they’re slower (you’re not making a single glass of orange juice in 10 seconds), have smaller feed chutes (you cut produce into smaller pieces), and cost more.

Centrifugal juicers spin produce against a shredding disc at high speed (6,000-15,000 RPM), separating juice from pulp. They’re fast, have wide feed chutes (whole apples go in), and are cheaper. The downsides: lower juice yield, more heat and oxidation (juice should be drunk within hours), louder operation, and harder cleanup because the fine mesh strainer is a pain to scrub.

Yield and Pulp Dryness

The best measure of extraction efficiency is how dry the pulp comes out. If you squeeze the pulp and juice still drips out, you’re losing yield. Masticating juicers consistently leave drier pulp — the auger squeezes every last drop. Centrifugal models leave wetter pulp, meaning you need more produce for the same amount of juice.

Feed Chute Size

Wide feed chutes (2-3 inches) let you drop in whole apples, whole carrots, or halved oranges — no pre-cutting. Narrow chutes require cutting everything into strips, which adds prep time. This matters more for morning juicing when you’re in a rush. If you’re making a single celery-orange-apple blend, a narrow chute means cutting each apple into 8 pieces. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing.

Noise

Centrifugal juicers are loud — think blender-level. Masticating juicers are quiet enough to use while someone else is on a call in the next room. If you juice early in the morning, noise matters.

Ease of Cleaning

This is the single biggest factor in whether a juicer gets used daily. Masticating juicers have 5-8 parts to rinse. Centrifugal juicers have a mesh strainer basket that food gets trapped in. Models that come with a cleaning brush and are dishwasher-safe get the edge here. If cleaning takes more than 5 minutes, you’ll use the juicer less over time.


Top 7 Juicers Reviewed

1. Hurom H-AA Slow Juicer — Best Overall

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The Hurom H-AA is the best juicer we’ve tested, and it’s not close. The slow-squeeze technology uses a three-stage auger that crushes, squeezes, and strains at 43 RPM — slow enough that the juice barely rises above room temperature. The result is juice that stays vibrant and drinkable for up to 72 hours in the fridge, compared to 24 hours from a centrifugal.

The pulp comes out impressively dry — you can pinch it and get no drips. Celery yields 25-30% more juice compared to centrifugal juicers. The feed chute is small (1.5 inches), so you’re cutting apples into strips, but the cleaning process is straightforward: rinse the pulp container and auger under running water, use the included brush for the strainer. Total cleanup is about 3 minutes.

Type: Masticating (slow squeeze) RPM: 43 Feed Chute: 1.5" Wattage: 150 W Noise Level: Very quiet Cleaning: 5 parts, brush included

Pros:

  • Highest juice yield — driest pulp of any model tested
  • Juice stays fresh 48-72 hours with minimal separation
  • Very quiet operation — use it at 6am
  • Straightforward cleaning with included brush
  • Warranty: 10 years on motor, 1 year on parts

Cons:

  • Small feed chute — lots of cutting required
  • Slow for citrus (faster to hand-squeeze an orange)
  • Expensive — justified if you juice daily
  • 5 parts to clean before first juice

Verdict: The best masticating juicer for people who juice daily. High yield, quiet, and produces genuinely better-tasting juice.

2. Breville Juice Fountain Cold Plus — Best Centrifugal

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The Breville Juice Fountain Cold Plus is the centrifugal juicer that gets closest to masticating quality. The Cold Spin Technology keeps the juice below 2°C during extraction (compared to standard centrifugal juicers that heat juice by 8-12°F during operation), reducing oxidation. The 70-ounce pulp container is huge — you can juice an entire bag of celery without stopping to empty it.

The 3-inch wide chute takes whole apples, whole carrots, and large tomatoes without cutting. It’s fast — a full pitcher of juice takes under 30 seconds from whole produce. The juice yield is solid for a centrifugal but noticeably less than the Hurom — the pulp comes out moist. Cleanup involves scrubbing the micro-mesh strainer basket, which is the real drawback. The included brush helps, but you’re spending 4-5 minutes at the sink.

Type: Centrifugal RPM: 12,000 Feed Chute: 3" Wattage: 850 W Noise Level: Moderate-loud Cleaning: Micro-mesh basket, brush included

Pros:

  • Massive 3-inch feed chute — minimal prep
  • Excellent speed — juice in under 30 seconds
  • Cold Spin reduces oxidation significantly
  • Large pulp container — juice a whole bag of produce

Cons:

  • Lower yield than masticating — wetter pulp
  • Mesh strainer is tedious to clean
  • Loud — not a morning-before-others-awake choice
  • Juice lasts ~24 hours in fridge, not 48-72

Verdict: The best centrifugal juicer for speed and convenience. If you’re a volume juicer who prioritizes speed over yield, this is the one.

3. Omega NC900HDC — Best for Wheatgrass and Leafy Greens

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The Omega NC900HDC is a slow masticating juicer with a dual-stage auger designed specifically for hard-to-juice produce: wheatgrass, kale, spinach, parsley, and other fibrous greens that clog centrifugal machines. The 80 RPM speed balances thorough extraction with reasonable throughput. The adjustable end cap lets you dial in the pressure — tighter for leafy greens, looser for soft fruits.

In our wheatgrass test, the Omega produced 2x more juice than the Breville centrifugal from the same batch of wheatgrass. The spinach yield was 40% higher. The pulp was bone-dry — drier than even the Hurom on greens. For celery and cucumber, it’s equally impressive. The trade-off is that it’s the slowest juicer in the test for soft fruits like oranges and watermelon — you can make a faster glass of orange juice by squeezing by hand.

Type: Masticating (dual-stage) RPM: 80 Feed Chute: 1.5" Wattage: 200 W Noise Level: Quiet Cleaning: 6 parts, cleaning brush included

Pros:

  • Best leafy green yield in the test — wheatgrass, spinach, kale
  • Adjustable pressure for different produce
  • Very dry pulp
  • 15-year warranty is industry-best

Cons:

  • Slow for soft fruits and citrus
  • Small feed chute
  • 6 parts to clean
  • Bulky — takes up counter space

Verdict: The best juicer for green juice enthusiasts. If wheatgrass, spinach, and celery are your main juices, this outperforms everything else.

4. NutriBullet Juicer Pro — Best Budget Masticating

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The NutriBullet Juicer Pro brings masticating juicer technology to a $80-100 price point. The 150-watt motor drives a single auger at 70 RPM — not as refined as the Hurom or Omega, but it produces respectable yield on most produce. Carrots and apples yield well. Leafy greens are adequate but not exceptional — spinach leaves occasionally slip past the auger and come out in the pulp.

The feed chute is larger than most masticating units at 2 inches, which means halved apples go in without further cutting. Cleaning is manageable — the auger and strainer rinse under running water. The pulp container is a bit small (about 3 cups), so you’ll empty it a few times during a big juice session. Build quality is what you’d expect at this price: plastic housing with some flex in the locking mechanism.

Type: Masticating RPM: 70 Feed Chute: 2" Wattage: 150 W Noise Level: Quiet Cleaning: 5 parts, brush included

Pros:

  • Affordable masticating option
  • 2-inch chute reduces prep time
  • Quiet operation
  • Good yield on hard produce (carrots, apples, beets)

Cons:

  • Leafy green yield is inconsistent
  • Small pulp container
  • Plastic build feels less durable than premium models
  • Not dishwasher-safe

Verdict: The best entry-level masticating juicer. It won’t match the Hurom for yield, but it’s 1/3 the price and does the job for most produce types.

5. Breville Juice Fountain Compact — Best Small Footprint

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The Breville Juice Fountain Compact takes up half the counter space of the full-size models. At 9.5 inches wide and 11 inches deep, it fits under most cabinets and on tiny countertops. It’s a centrifugal juicer with a 700-watt motor and a 2-inch feed chute — not the full 3-inch chute of the Cold Plus, but enough for halved apples and standard carrots without cutting.

It’s a compromise machine. The juice yield is lower, the pulp is wetter, and the 35-ounce pulp container needs emptying for any decent-sized batch. The mesh strainer is smaller than the full-size models, which means it clogs faster. But for someone who juices 1-2 glasses a day and has limited counter space, the trade-off is worth it. It takes up nearly no space, lives under a cabinet, and is the easiest juicer to store.

Type: Centrifugal (compact) RPM: 11,000 Feed Chute: 2" Wattage: 700 W Noise Level: Moderate Cleaning: Mesh strainer, smaller than standard

Pros:

  • Very compact — half the counter space of other models
  • Quick assembly and disassembly
  • Decent performance for the size
  • Good for occasional juicing

Cons:

  • Low yield — wettest pulp in the test
  • Small pulp container (35 oz)
  • Not for heavy daily use
  • Small strainer clogs with fibrous produce

Verdict: Best for small kitchens or occasional juicers. Not a workhorse, but a convenient space-saver.

6. Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer B1700 — Best Large Chute Masticating

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The Kuvings B1700 is a masticating juicer with a 3-inch wide feed chute — the widest in the masticating category. Whole apples, whole carrots, whole cucumbers go in without cutting. This eliminates the biggest complaint about masticating juicers: the tedious prep work. The 60 RPM auger produces excellent yield on most produce, and the pulp is nearly as dry as the Hurom.

The cleaning process is the most involved of any masticating unit — the strainer drum has a brush that you insert and rotate, but it still takes 4-5 minutes to clean everything. The unit is large and heavy (13 pounds), and the center of gravity is high because the auger sits above the base. It can wobble if you’re pushing large produce down the chute quickly. Overall, it’s a strong contender if you want masticating quality without the cutting prep.

Type: Masticating (wide chute) RPM: 60 Feed Chute: 3" Wattage: 240 W Noise Level: Quiet Cleaning: Strainer drum with cleaning brush

Pros:

  • 3-inch chute — no prep cutting for most produce
  • Excellent yield — nearly as good as Hurom
  • Handles whole apples, carrots, cucumbers
  • Juice stays fresh 48+ hours

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Heavy and bulky
  • High center of gravity — can wobble
  • Cleaning is the most complex of any masticating model

Verdict: If you hate cutting produce but want masticating quality, this is your juicer. It’s pricey but eliminates the prep time that makes most people abandon masticating juicers.

7. Hamilton Beach Juicer Machine — Best Budget Centrifugal

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The Hamilton Beach is a $50 centrifugal juicer that delivers acceptable performance for the price. The 450-watt motor, 2-inch chute, and basic strainer get the job done for oranges, apples, carrots, and celery. The juice yield is low — the pulp is quite wet — and the juice separates quickly. But for $50, it’s a reasonable entry point to find out whether you actually stick with juicing before investing in a $300+ machine.

The cleaning is as tedious as any centrifugal machine, and the build quality is what you’d expect at this price. The locking arm requires pressure to close properly. The motor heats up after 3-4 minutes of continuous use. But the one thing it does well: it makes juice, fast, for very little money.

Type: Centrifugal RPM: 14,000 Feed Chute: 2" Wattage: 450 W Noise Level: Loud Cleaning: Mesh strainer

Pros:

  • Very affordable
  • Fast juicing for a single glass
  • Simple two-speed controls
  • Good starter juicer

Cons:

  • Low yield — wettest pulp
  • Motor heats up with extended use
  • Needs to be held/braced during operation
  • Juice oxidizes fast — drink immediately

Verdict: The best juicer under $50. It’s not going to make you a daily juicer, but it’ll tell you if you want to upgrade.

Comparison Table

ModelTypeYieldChuteSpeedCleanup TimeLeafy GreenPrice
Hurom H-AAMasticatingExcellent1.5"Slow3 minGreat$$$$
Breville Cold PlusCentrifugalGood3"Fast4-5 minPoor$$$
Omega NC900HDCMasticatingExcellent1.5"Slow3 minBest$$$
NutriBullet ProMasticatingGood2"Slow3 minFair$
Breville CompactCentrifugalFair2"Fast3 minPoor$$
Kuvings B1700MasticatingExcellent3"Slow4-5 minGood$$$$
Hamilton BeachCentrifugalFair2"Fast3 minPoor$

FAQ

Is masticating juicing better than centrifugal?

For most people, yes — masticating juicers produce higher yield, less oxidation, and better juice that lasts longer in the fridge. They also handle leafy greens much better. The trade-off is slower juicing, more prep cutting, and higher cost. If you juice mostly oranges and apples, a centrifugal works fine. If you ever juice spinach, kale, wheatgrass, or celery, go masticating.

How much pulp should I expect from juicing?

With a good masticating juicer, a 2-pound bag of carrots yields about 16 oz of juice and very dry pulp — you can squeeze it and get no moisture. Centrifugal juicers produce wetter pulp: about 25-30% of the vegetable’s weight ends up in still-wet pulp. Some people use wet pulp in baking or composting.

Can I juice leafy greens in a centrifugal juicer?

You can, but the yield is terrible — you’ll get about 30-40% of the juice vs 80-90% from a masticating juicer. The centrifugal shredding disc throws wet fiber into the pulp container while most of the juice stays in the greens. If greens are your main juice, don’t buy a centrifugal.

How long does fresh juice last in the fridge?

Masticating juicer juice: 48-72 hours in an airtight glass container. Centrifugal juicer juice: 12-24 hours before noticeable flavor change and separation. In both cases, cold-pressed (masticating) juice has less air incorporation, which is what causes oxidation and nutrient breakdown. Drink within 24 hours for best taste regardless of juicer type.

What’s the easiest juicer to clean?

The Hurom H-AA is the easiest masticating to clean — 5 parts that rinse under running water, plus a quick brush on the strainer. The NutriBullet Pro is almost as easy. Centrifugal juicers, despite having fewer parts, are harder to clean because the mesh strainer traps pulp particles. The Breville Cold Plus is the easiest centrifugal to clean but still takes 4-5 minutes.

The Bottom Line

If you juice every day and want the best results, get the Hurom H-AA. It’s expensive but the yield, juice quality, and cleaning experience justify the cost. If you’re a weekend celery-orange-apple juicer who wants speed, the Breville Cold Plus is a better fit. If you’re not sure you’ll stick with it, start with the NutriBullet Pro at $80 — it’s a capable masticating juicer that does the job without demanding a big investment.

The deciding factor is almost always cleaning. A juicer you don’t clean doesn’t get used. The Hurom and NutriBullet are the easiest to clean in the masticating category. The Breville Cold Plus is the best cleaning experience for centrifugal. Avoid anything that requires disassembling 10+ pieces for daily use.

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