When it comes to making smoothies, juices, and other blended drinks at home, two appliances often come to mind – the blender and the juicer. But which one is better suited for your needs? Blenders and juicers have some overlaps in function, but there are important differences that impact the end result of your drink. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare blenders vs. juicers, so you can decide which is the right choice for your kitchen.
Blenders vs Juicers: Key Differences
Here are the main distinctions between these two appliances:
| Blender | Juicer |
|---|---|
| Retains all parts of ingredients, including fiber | Removes fiber, yielding only liquid juice |
| Results in thicker consistency | Creates a thinner, drinkable juice |
| Best for smoothies, shakes, sauces | Ideal for making juice from fruits/veggies |
| Requires added liquid for blending | Juice is extracted from produce |
While both appliances are useful to have, blenders take the cake when it comes to versatility. Blenders can make smoothies, shakes, dressings, dips, and more. Juicers are more of a one-trick pony, dedicated to juice only. However, juicers excel at maximizing liquid extraction from produce.
Blending vs Juicing: Nutrition
One key nutrition difference between blenders and juicers relates to fiber:
| Blender Nutrition | Juicer Nutrition |
|---|---|
| Retains 100% of fiber | Removes nearly 100% of fiber |
| Slower nutrient absorption | Rapid nutrient absorption |
| Keeps intact vitamins and minerals | Some vitamin/mineral loss |
| Provides fuller feeling | Less filling per volume |
Blending retains all the fiber content from your ingredients, while juicers strip it out. This impacts the nutrition you receive, as well as how filling the drink is. Blending is better if you want a meal replacement drink that will stick with you for hours. Juicing extracts the liquid nutrients rapidly, but doesn’t satisfy hunger very long.
Blenders vs Juicers: What Can They Make?
Here’s a comparison of common drinks and foods you can make with each appliance:
| Blender Creations | Juicer Creations |
|---|---|
| Smoothies | Fruit and vegetable juices |
| Shakes | Wheatgrass shots |
| Nut milks | Apple cider |
| Soups | Lemonade |
| Dips | Bloody Mary mix |
| Dressings and sauces | Vegetable broth |
| Batters | Coconut water |
| Desserts | Herbal tonics |
While juicers excel at producing juice, blenders offer far more versatility in terms of what you can make. Blenders can handle hot or cold ingredients to make both drinks and blended foods.
Blender vs Juicer: Ease of Use
For convenience and simplicity, blenders have a slight edge:
| Blender | Juicer | |
|---|---|---|
| Prep work required | Less | More |
| Processing time | Faster | Slower |
| Cleanup difficulty | Easier | More difficult |
| Noise level | Quieter | Louder |
Blenders require little prep work besides chopping ingredients and adding liquid. Juicers need more prep time to wash produce, remove peels, cores, stems and seeds. Blenders also process ingredients faster. And while neither appliance is fun to clean, blenders usually involve fewer parts and simpler cleanup. Juicers also tend to be louder in operation.
Blending vs Juicing: Cost Comparison
In terms of price, here’s how blenders and juicers typically compare:
| Blender | Juicer | |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance cost | $$ | $$$ |
| Produce cost | Less | More |
| Yield per lb produce | Higher | Lower |
| Cost per serving | Lower | Higher |
Blenders range from $25 for basic models to $400+ for high-powered blenders. Juicers start around $100 for centrifugal models but can cost over $400 for masticating types. Since blenders retain all of the ingredient instead of removing the fiber, you’ll also get more volume of finished drink per pound of produce. This makes the cost per serving lower with blenders.
Most Popular Blender and Juicer Models
Here are some top-rated blender and juicer options to consider:
Best Blenders
| Blender | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Vitamix 5200 | 64 oz capacity, aircraft-grade stainless steel blades, variable speed |
| Blendtec Total Classic | BPA-free jar, pre-programmed cycles, touchpad controls, 1560 watt motor |
| Ninja Professional | 72 oz pitcher, Total Crushing blades, 1100 watt motor, 3 manual speeds |
| Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender | 200 watt motor, detachable 8″ shaft, whisk and chopping attachments |
| Oster Pro 1200 | 7-speed settings, Boroclass glass jar, 24 oz capacity |
Best Juicers
| Juicer | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Breville JE98XL | 850 watt dual speed motor, 1-year limited warranty, dishwasher safe parts |
| Mueller Austria Juicer | Centrifugal type, stainless steel blades, anti-drip design, foam separator |
| Aicook Slow Masticating Juicer | 150 watt motor, cold press for minimal oxidation, juice and pulp separation |
| Omega J8006 | Masticating dual-stage juicer, 150 watts, high juice yield |
| Hamilton Beach Juicer Machine | 800 watt motor, 3″ feed chute, stainless steel cutter and strainer |
Bottom Line: Blender or Juicer?
So should you buy a blender or juicer? Here are some bottom line recommendations based on your goals:
| If you want to… | Choose… |
|---|---|
| Make nutrient-packed smoothies and shakes | Blender |
| Enjoy juice cleanses and detox regimens | Juicer |
| Whip up dressings, dips, nut milks, etc. | Blender |
| Maximize liquid extraction from produce | Juicer |
| Retain fiber for gut health | Blender |
| Make hot soups or cold desserts | Blender |
| Get a more affordable appliance | Blender |
| Minimize produce waste | Blender |
For most people, a quality blender is the better investment. With their versatility and lower cost, blenders make it easy to whip up great-tasting smoothies, shakes, and more on a daily basis.
However, serious juicing fans may want both appliances. Using a juicer a few times per week and a blender for other days is a great combination. This gives you the benefits of both fresh juices and fiber-rich smoothies.
When choosing between a blender vs juicer, think about your personal nutrition goals, budget, and how often you plan to use each appliance. This will help you pick the best machine (or machines) to match your needs!
