Needing to add more fruits and veggies to your diet? There is no better or more delicious way than consuming freshly squeezed juice. I won’t go into all the benefits of juicing, but if you want more information, check out our Juicing 101 article.
Table of Contents
Overview | Vertical Masticating | Horizontal Masticating | Press | Centrifugal | Twin Gear
As you already know, there are many juicers on the market. But when you are buying a juicer, the many options causes confusion. Like many things, the best juicer for you depends upon your own needs, desires, and budget.
By the end of this article, you’ll know the difference between slow juicers, high speed juicers, and every other type as well. You’ll also be aware of the pros and cons of each.
Types of Juicers
The types of juicers are:
- Vertical Masticating
- Horizontal Masticating
- The ultra-premium Hydraulic Press Juicers
- Centrifugal
- Twin Gear (triturating)
Each excels in certain categories and with certain types of produce. As you begin your juicing journey, think about what types of produce you will be juicing. Then pick a juicer that will satisfy most of your juicing needs.
We will help you start by introducing the types of juicers, where they excel, and where they come a bit short:
| Type of Juicer | Why To Buy | Why To Avoid |
| Horizontal Masticating | – Less expensive that vertical masticating juicers – Great at juicing leafy vegetables – Low oxidation of juice which preserves flavor and nutrients | – Doesn’t juice soft fruits and vegetables very well |
| Vertical Masticating | – Better than Horizontal juicers at juicing soft fruits and vegetables – Faster than Horizontal juicers – Larger chutes means less prep work – Low oxidation of juice which preserves flavor and nutrients | – Not as good as juicing leafy greens as horizontal varieties – More expensive than horizontal juicers |
| Juice Press | – Produce the greatest yields of juice – Least oxidation of any juicer – Superior taste relative to any juicer | – By far the most expensive option |
| Centrifugal | – Least expensive option – Fastest juicers on the market | – Greatest amount of oxidation and nutrient loss Juice doesn’t store for very long |
| Twin Gear | – Better nutritional extraction than masticating juicers – Superior flavor of juice relative to masticating juicers | – More expensive than masticating juicers |
Masticating Juicers (AKA Slow Juicers and Cold Pressed Juicers)
Masticating juicers are also known as slow juicers and cold-press juicers. This is because they work slowly to produce an efficient yield of juice. Also, they don’t produce the amount of heat that centrifugal juicers do. The slower speed and reduced heat subjects the juice to less oxidation. This results in a more nutritious and flavorful juice.
As a masticating juicer works by crushing produce that is then passed along a multiple-stage auger. The auger squeezes the juice through a screen where it then falls into a catch. We call them masticating juicers because the process of extracting juice is like a chewing, or masticating, action.
Baby Food, Pasta, & More with Masticating Juicers
Many models of masticating juicers have attachments that help make baby food puree, pasta, and bread sticks.
The Omega Juice Cube300 comes with several nozzles. They allow you to make nut butters, nut milks, sorbets, other desserts, pasta, breadsticks, and baby food. It can also mince, chop, and grind coffee.
Vertical and Horizontal Masticating Juicers
To make matters more confusing, there are two types of masticating juicers. They are the vertical and horizontal masticating juicers.
Masticating juicers are sometimes referred to as cold press juicers. This because the juice is slowly pressed out of the produce with an auger. This generates the smallest amount of heat relative to other juicers.
Vertical Masticating Juicers
Vertical Juicers are still considered slow juicers. But they work faster than their horizontal siblings. Also, because the chutes of these juicers tend to be winder, they need less chopping and prep work.
Vertical masticating juicers are more expensive than horizontal ones. But they are better at extracting juice from softer fruits and vegetables. If you juice pineapple or mango, for example, you probably want to spring for a vertical masticating juicer.
How Much Do Vertical Masticating Juicers Cost?
If you go with a vertical masticating juicer, you’ll be going with a device that’s on the higher end of the juicing scale. They aren’t as expensive as hydraulic press juicers, which can cost thousands of dollars. But they aren’t cheap, either.
On the low end, you can get a vertical masticating juicer for the high $100s. But for a good model, you’ll need to spend $450 – $550.
Vertical Masticating Juicers Pros & Cons
PROS
- Superior juicing of soft produce like pineapple
- Usually have large chutes which require less chopping & prep work
- Low oxidation of juice
- Produces very flavorful juice
- Low nutrient loss
CONS
- Not as fast as centrifugal juicers
- One of the more expensive options
Horizontal Masticating Juicers
Horizontal juicers have smaller chutes. Thus, more chopping and prep work is required. They have been around longer than horizontal juicers and are the more affordable option. They are also superior at juicing leafy greens and wheatgrass.
Horizontal masticating juicers extract the juice by slowly squeezing with an auger against a fine mesh screen. The slowness of this process means less heat is produced and less oxidation of the juice occurs. This preserves the flavor and the nutrients in the juice.
The juice exits the juicer through the screen and the dry pulp exits out the end of the juicer.
They aren’t the best at juicing soft fruits. Sometimes, soft fruit like pineapple can clog a horizontal juicer. If this happens, you’ll have to break your juicer apart to clean it out before resuming.
If you are primarily juicing firmer fruits and vegetables, a horizontal masticating juicer is the way to go.
How Much Do Horizontal Masticating Juicers Cost?
A horizontal masticating juicer is a moderately priced device. You can find a low-end model in the high $100 range. A high-end horizontal masticating juicer can cost you upwards of $400+. But you’ll find plenty of options in the $250 – $350 range.
Horizontal Masticating Juicers Pros & Cons
PROS
- More affordable than vertical masticating juicers
- Low oxidation of juice
- Produces very flavorful juice
- Low nutrient loss
CONS
- Does not juice soft produce like pineapple very well
- Easily becomes clogged with soft produce
- Not as fast as centrifugal juicers
See our Reviews for the Best Horizontal Masticating Juicers →
Hydraulic Juice Press
Juice Presses utilize a pneumatic or hydraulic press to squeeze juice out of produce. They also chop and grind your produce to a pulp before it separates it from the juice with the press. Juice presses are superior in the following ways:
- They produce the greatest juice yield
- Juice incurs less oxidation
- Less oxidation means the juice will last longer and have the highest quality taste
These superior results come as a cost. Juice presses are the most expensive types of juicers on the market.
How Much Does A Hydraulic Juice Press Cost?
Be prepared to spend A LOT on a hydraulic juice press. The crème de la crème of hydraulic Juice Presses, the Pure Juicer, can cost anywhere from $2000 – $2600 as of this writing.
Pros & Cons of Hydraulic Juice Presses
PROS
- Lowest oxidation of any juicer
- Most superior flavor preservation of any juicer
- Lowest nutrient loss of any juicer
- Highest juice yield of any juicer
CONS
- Can be insanely expensive
See Our Reviews on the Best Hydraulic Press Juicers →
Centrifugal Juicers – Fast Juicers
Centrifugal juicers are sometimes referred to as fast juicers. They are much faster than masticating juicers. Centrifugal juicers slice the produce and separate the juice using centrifugal force. The centrifugal force pushes the juice through a mesh screen, filtering out the pulp.
These juicers produce more heat than masticating juicers. Increased heat subjects your juice to more oxidation. This has negative consequences on flavor, nutrient value, and shelf life.
Centrifugal juicers do not need much prep work. Some juicers come with chutes so large you can place an entire apple into the juicer. They tend to be more lightweight and require less counter space than other types of juicers.
They clean up quicker than almost any other juicer. Many models have parts that are dishwasher safe.
Centrifugal juicers are best for those who:
- Are short on time
- Have no need to store juice for days
- Don’t want to spend a lot on a juicer
How Much Do Centrifugal Juicers Cost?
Centrifugal juicers are the most affordable option for at-home juicing. If you are on a tight budget, you can get an inexpensive centrifugal juicer for under $100 on Amazon. Mid-priced units will be in the $100 – $200 range with higher-end units selling for more.
Pros & Cons of Centrifugal Juicers
PROS
- Low cost
- Fast
- Easy clean up
- Low prep work (chopping & cutting) required
- Low counter space need
- Light weight
CONS
- Highest oxidation of juice vs other juicers
- Juice only lasts ~24 in the refrigerator
See Our Reviews for the Best Centrifugal Juicers →
Twin Gear Juicers
Twin gear juicers, also known as triturating juicers, are like the masticating juicers described above. The biggest difference is that twin gear juicers use a double-auger design.
They extract juice by pulling and chewing and crushing the produce. The juice from the produce is then passed through a screen and into a catch.
A twin gear juicer is considered a slow, cold-press juicer. The nutritional value derived in the juice is better than even a masticating juicer. But some models may produce a juice that has an elevated concentration of pulp.
These juicers are also expensive. But if you want juice with a superior flavor and nutritional value, give twin gear juicers a look.
How Much Do Twin Gear Juicers Cost?
The twin gear (triturating) juicers have the widest price range. You can get a very low-end twin gear juicer for around $400. Higher-end machines can go up to $2,000.
Pros & Cons of Twin Gear Juicers
PROS
- Produces a high yield of juice – very efficient
- Low heat and oxidation of juice
- Juice can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours
CONS
- Can be expensive
- More pulp generated than with other types of juicers
See Our Reviews for the Best Twin Gear Triturating Juicers →
