Juicing has become an increasingly popular way to get more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Freshly squeezed juice retains most of the nutrients found in whole fruits and veggies. Many juicers believe that drinking juice made at home is better than store-bought since you can control the ingredients.
But with juicers ranging from $50 to $400, you may wonder if an expensive juicer is really worth the investment. This article will compare different types of juicers and examine the pros and cons of cheaper versus pricier models.
Types of Juicers
There are three main types of juicers to consider:
- Centrifugal juicers
- Masticating juicers
- Triturating juicers
Centrifugal Juicers
Centrifugal juicers, also called fast juicers, are the most common and affordable option. They use a rapidly rotating blade to grind fruits and veggies against a mesh sieve. Centrifugal force separates the juice from the pulp.
Pros:
- Less expensive, often under $100
- Fast juicing
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Louder operation
- Produce heat that destroys some nutrients
- Yield less juice from produce
- Not ideal for juicing leafy greens
Masticating Juicers
Masticating or cold press juicers crush produce between augers or gears. They operate at slower speeds than centrifugal models. The slower speed results in less heat buildup and oxidation.
Pros:
- Quieter operation
- Retain more nutrients
- Higher juice yields
- Juice leafy greens effectively
Cons:
- Higher prices from $200-$400
- Slower to juice
- More complicated to use
Triturating Juicers
Triturating juicers, also known as twin gear juicers, are the most expensive. They use two interlocking gears to crush produce into a fine pulp. The resulting juice contains minimal oxidation and the highest concentration of nutrients.
Pros:
- Maximum nutrient retention
- Juice yields up to 50% higher
- Versatile for juicing all produce
Cons:
- Very expensive, $300 to $500
- Slow juicing and prep
- More complicated to assemble and use
Juicer Comparison
Here is a comparison of some top-rated juicers in each category:
| Juicer | Type | Price | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mueller Austria Juicer | Centrifugal | $50 | Affordable, fast juicing, easy to clean |
| Omega J8006 | Masticating | $300 | High juice yield, quiet, juices greens |
| Super Angel Juicer | Triturating | $500 | Maximum nutrients, versatile |
What to Look for in a Juicer
Important factors to consider when shopping for a juicer include:
- Type of juicer – Centrifugal, masticating or triturating
- Speed – Slower speeds preserve more nutrients
- Power – Higher wattage motors have more torque
- Feed chute size – Larger fits whole produce
- Pulp ejection – External bin is more convenient
- Noise level – Quieter is better if juicing early/late
- Size – Compact is great for small kitchens
- Ease of cleaning – Dishwasher safe parts
- Warranty – At least a 1-3 year warranty
- Price – Budget dictates options
Benefits of Expensive Juicers
Higher end masticating and triturating juicers offer several advantages over cheaper centrifugal models:
More Nutrients and Enzymes
The slower rotating augers do not produce heat that can damage nutrients and enzymes like antioxidants, vitamin C, and digestive enzymes. You get the maximum nutritional benefit from your fruits and veggies.
Higher Juice Yield
Masticating juicers efficiently crush produce, resulting in up to 50% more juice from the same amount of produce. You get more juice for your money.
Juice Leafy Greens
Centrifugal juicers struggle when juicing spinach, kale, wheatgrass and other leafy greens. Cold press juicers easily extract juice and nutrients from tough greens.
Juice Wheatgrass
Nutrient-dense wheatgrass requires a slow masticating or triturating juicer to yield its juice. Centrifugal models shred the long blades of grass instead of juicing them.
Versatility
In addition to juice, slower juicers can extrude pasta, grind coffee, mince herbs, make baby food and nut butters. Their versatility makes them a multi-purpose kitchen tool.
Juice and Store
Juice from cold press juicers lasts longer when stored in the fridge since less oxygen is introduced during juicing. You can make larger batches and store juice for up to 72 hours.
Easy to Juice
Cold press models offer a larger feed chute so you don’t have to chop produce as small. You can juice whole apples, beets and oranges with no pre-cutting.
Quieter Operation
The slower rotating gears or augers create less noise than loud centrifugal juicers. You can juice early in the morning or late at night without disturbing others.
Downsides of Expensive Juicers
Costlier juicers also come with some disadvantages:
Higher Cost
With prices starting around $200 and going over $500, cold press and triturating juicers represent a big investment. Centrifugal models start around $50.
Slow Juicing
It takes longer to juice with a masticating or triturating juicer. What you gain in juice yield, you lose in juicing speed. Make juice in larger batches to save time.
Trickier Cleaning
The more parts a juicer has, the longer it takes to clean and reassemble. Cold press models have more parts than centrifugal juicers.
Space Hogs
The two gears and horizontal design of triturating juicers makes them very large. Make sure you have counter space for their footprint.
Pulp Not as Dry
The pulp from centrifugal juicers feels dryer than the pulp from cold press models. If reducing waste is a priority, this could be a downside.
Bottom Line – Are expensive juicers worth it?
Ultimately, deciding whether an expensive juicer is worth the investment depends on your juicing goals and budget.
Here are some final pros and cons to consider:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Maximum nutrients and enzymes | Higher upfront cost |
| Higher juice yields | Slower juicing time |
| Juice leafy greens and wheatgrass | Trickier to clean |
| More versatile uses | Takes up more space |
| Store juice longer | Wetter pulp |
| Juice whole produce | |
| Quieter operation |
Centrifugal juicers are best for beginning juicers on a tight budget who want fast juice. Masticating and triturating models are optimal for juicing enthusiasts who want higher yields, versatility, and nutrient retention.
Conclusion
While expensive juicers require a greater upfront investment, they deliver significant advantages over cheaper models. You get higher juice yields, richer nutrients, versatile functions, quieter operation, and can juice leafy greens and wheatgrass. If you plan to juice daily and want maximum quality, an expensive juicer is likely worth it.
However, centrifugal juicers are still a good option for those on a budget or who juice occasionally. Look for one with a powerful motor, large feed chute, pulp ejection bin, and dishwasher safe parts. Consider how often you will juice and the types of produce to determine the best juicer for your needs and budget.
