Which is better centrifugal or cold press juicer?

Juicing has become an increasingly popular way to get more vitamins, minerals and nutrients into your diet. With the array of juicers available on the market, it can be tough to decide which type of juicer is right for you. The two main styles of juicers are centrifugal juicers and cold press juicers. Centrifugal juicers shred produce at high speeds to extract juice, while cold press juicers crush and press produce to squeeze out juice. But which one makes the better juice?

How They Work

Understanding how centrifugal and cold press juicers work can help determine which is better suited for your needs.

Centrifugal Juicers

Centrifugal juicers use a fast spinning metal blade that shreds vegetables and fruits against a grater disc. The centrifugal force generated separates the juice from the pulp. The juice flows through strainers and into a container, while the pulp is discarded.

Benefits:

  • Fast – Centrifugal juicers can make juice in seconds.
  • Affordable – Centrifugal juicers tend to be more budget friendly.
  • Easy to Use – Just drop ingredients in and juice comes out.

Drawbacks:

  • Noisy – The high speeds generate noise.
  • Foam and Oxidation – Friction creates heat and oxygen which can cause foaming and oxidation, decreasing nutrient quality.
  • Pulpy – The strainers allow some pulp into the juice.

Cold Press Juicers

Cold press juicers, also known as slow or masticating juicers, crush and press produce to extract juice. A cold press juicer has an auger that rotates and crushes produce against a chamber, then presses the pulp to squeeze out juice before ejecting the dry pulp.

Benefits:

  • Minimal Oxidation – The slow process prevents heat buildup and oxygen exposure.
  • Nutrient Retention – The juices retain more vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
  • Versatility – Can make nut milks, baby food, sorbets and more.

Drawbacks:

  • Slow – Cold pressing juice takes more time.
  • Expensive – Cold press juicers have a higher upfront cost.
  • Pulp Management – Wet pulp collects inside and needs more cleanup.

Juice Quality

One of the biggest factors when choosing a juicer is the quality of juice it produces.

Nutrients

Cold pressed juices retain more vitamins, minerals and enzymes because the slower process minimizes exposure to heat and oxygen. Centrifugal juicers generate heat and incorporate air which degrades nutrients. Research shows fresh cold pressed juices can contain 2-3 times more nutrients than centrifugal juices.

Oxidation

Oxidation causes juices to degrade faster. The high speeds of centrifugal juicers introduce a lot of oxygen which accelerates oxidation. Cold pressed juices have less oxidation resulting in longer lasting juice with better flavor.

Fiber and Pulp

Centrifugal juicers remove more fiber and pulp from produce. This results in a clearer, thinner juice. Cold pressed juices retain more fiber and pulp giving them a thicker, cloudier appearance. The extra fiber and pulp in cold pressed juice offers nutritional benefits but some find it unpleasant.

Foam

The high speed shredding action of centrifugal juicers whips air into the juice creating foam. Cold pressed juices have much less foam and air bubbles due to the slower crushing process.

Speed and Convenience

How quickly you can make juice and the juicer’s convenience are other factors to weigh.

Juicing Speed

Centrifugal juicers are extremely fast, able to make a glass of juice in 5-15 seconds. Cold press juicers are much slower, taking 1-5 minutes to make juice. Centrifugal models are better for juicing on-the-go or making large amounts quickly.

Prep and Cleanup

Most centrifugal juicers require little prep besides trimming off hard rinds, stems or pits. Cold press models often need more prep like chopping produce into smaller pieces. Centrifugal juicers are also easier to clean with detachable, dishwasher safe parts. The nooks of cold press models require more scrubbing and rinsing.

Versatility

Cold press juicers offer more versatility. Most can make nut milks, baby foods, sorbets, nut butters and pasta. Centrifugal models really only juice fruits and veggies.

Cost Considerations

Juicer Type Cost
Centrifugal $50 – $200
Cold Press $200 – $400

In general, cold press juicers cost 2-4 times more than centrifugal juicers. However, centrifugal models have a shorter lifespan of 3-5 years compared to 10+ years for most cold press juicers. So the higher initial investment of a cold press juicer may balance out over time.

Common Brands

Here are some top rated and popular juicer brands in each style:

Centrifugal Juicers

  • Breville
  • Hamilton Beach
  • Cuisinart
  • Mueller Austria
  • Aicook

Cold Press Juicers

  • Tribest
  • Omega
  • Aicook
  • SKG
  • Mueller Austria

Both Breville and Omega are considered top brands and offer models in both centrifugal and cold press styles. Aicook is a budget friendly option available in both types as well.

Key Differences

Here is a quick summary comparing centrifugal and cold press juicers:

Centrifugal Juicer Cold Press Juicer
Working Mechanism High speed blade shreds and spins produce Slow auger crushes and presses produce
Juicing Speed Very fast, seconds Slow, 1-5 minutes
Oxidation Higher Lower
Nutrient Retention Lower Higher
Pulp in Juice Minimal Moderate
Foam More Less
Prep and Cleanup Easy More involved
Noise Louder Quieter
Versatility Just juicing Juicing, nut milks, baby food, etc.
Cost $$ $$$$

Which Is Better?

So is a centrifugal or cold press juicer better? There is no definitive answer, it depends on your priorities and needs. Here are some guidelines:

  • For max nutrients – Cold press is better
  • For fast juicing – Centrifugal is better
  • For versatility – Cold press is better
  • For budget buyers – Centrifugal is better
  • For minimal oxidation – Cold press is better
  • For pulp free juice – Centrifugal is better

In summary:

Cold press juicers are best if you want nutrient dense juice with minimal oxidation. The slower juicing preserves more vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants. Cold pressed juices also have a longer shelf life. But they require more prep, have pulpier juice and come at a higher price.

Centrifugal juicers are ideal for fast juicing and those on a budget. You can whip up juice in seconds with easy cleanup afterwards. Centrifugal models have lower juice quality due to oxidation but produce a clearer, pulp free juice. They also tend to be more affordable.

The Bottom Line

Choosing between a centrifugal vs cold press juicer depends mainly on your priorities. Cold press juicers produce better quality juice with higher nutrient content. But centrifugal juicers offer speed and convenience for much less money. Evaluate why you want a juicer and how you plan to use it to determine which type best fits your lifestyle and needs.

Both centrifugal and cold press juicers have their pros and cons. Either can help you improve your health and wellness through the power of juicing fruits and vegetables. Drink your juices right after making them to get the most out of their nutritional value.

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