The 5 Best Masticating Juicers of 2024

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These are the best cold-press juicers for getting the most nutrition out of your produce.

Brierley is a dietitian nutritionist, content creator and strategist, and avid mental health advocate. She is co-host and co-creator of the Happy Eating Podcast, a podcast that breaks down the connection between food and mental wellness. Brierley previously served as Food & Nutrition Director for Cooking Light magazine and the Nutrition Editor at EatingWell magazine. She holds a master's degree in Nutrition Communications from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Her work has appeared in Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Living, Real Simple, Livestrong.com, TheKitchn and more.

In This Article

EatingWell / Will Dickey

Juicing can be a great daily habit, but it can also be an expensive one. Investing in a quality juicer can be a smart strategy to get your daily green juice without standing in line (or paying upward of $10 a serving). However, knowing which one to choose can be overwhelming, and one of your first decisions will be which type of juicer you should select. Of the available options, masticating juicers are often considered superior due to the amount of juice they can extract from produce.

However, even among masticating juicers, you’re faced with a lot of options. That’s why we put some of the top models on the market through their paces to determine the best ones to fit your juicing needs. We compared them based on price, performance, ease of use, and, of course, how the juice turned out. After juicing over 60 pounds of produce, these are our top picks for masticating juicers.

You might understandably be wondering what the difference is between masticating juicers and centrifugal juicers. A centrifugal juicer uses a blade to slice up produce; this blade spins at a rate of thousands of rotations per minute to separate the juice from the pulp. On the other hand, a masticating juicer (“masticate” means “to chew”) uses a screw-like mechanism called an auger to slowly grind up produce. This essentially mashes everything together before pushing everything through a strainer to extract the juice, leaving the pulp behind.

The speed of a centrifugal juicer is one of its most significant benefits, as you can be sipping your serving of juice in about a minute. They’re also generally more affordable, but there are some drawbacks. A centrifugal juicer’s speed is great, but not as much juice will be extracted from the ingredients as with a masticating juicer. The speed of the blade also introduces more air into the juice, increasing oxidation and discoloration, as well as a higher heat level, which could negatively impact some nutrients.

An immediately identifiable benefit of masticating juicers is that they emit fewer decibels; the blade speeds of centrifugal juicers produce far more noise during the juicing process. Aside from sounds, however, masticating juicers have a major benefit over centrifugal juicers: A masticating juicer’s slow grind can squeeze more juice from the same amount of ingredients than a centrifugal juicer, meaning your grocery dollars will stretch further. "They provide a higher yield than [centrifugal] juicers and [produce] less waste," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It—Taking You from Label to Table.

While they're also not quite as fast as centrifugal juicers, the difference in speed is only a few minutes, and the slow juicing process should still be under five minutes, depending on the type of produce used. However, even though they can help save money on ingredients, the up-front cost of masticating juicers is usually higher than centrifugal juicers, which can easily be found for under $100.

What we like: This impressive juicer model is quiet and hands-off, with a small footprint ideal for small kitchens.

What to know: All components of this machine must be washed by hand.

The Nama J3 is a mighty appliance in a small, sleek package. We were immediately impressed by how hands-off the Nama J3 is. After cutting up your produce, you place it into the hopper, which is controlled by a simple dial with settings for on, off and reverse. This does not come with a pusher, but we did not need it; we simply waited five minutes or so for the produce to juice (although items like the oranges or pineapple were processed much faster). We also liked that if we wished to add more produce, the machine shut off automatically when the lid was raised, and resumed its work as soon as the lid was closed. It is also whisper-quiet while in operation, which is not a common descriptor for masticating juicers.

The Nama J3 comes with two different strainers; a finer version that completely removes pulp, and a coarse option that allows some pulp to filter through, giving you options when it comes to how much heft you want in a juice. After use, we examined the leftover pulp and found it to be dry and pellet-like, a sign that the juices were thoroughly extracted (although the orange and pineapple did come out a little wetter than the beets and celery).

There are additional attachments that can be purchased for the Nama J3, like for sorbet, and the machine can be used for nut milks. None of the components are dishwasher-safe, but the machine is easy to disassemble and clean. As a complete package, this is a compact, efficient juicer that left us thoroughly impressed.

Wattage: 130 watts | RPM: 50 | Dimensions: 6.5” D x 8.9” W x 15.4” H

What we like: Don’t let its smaller footprint fool you; the Nutribullet Slow Juicer packs a punch when it comes to juicing power.

What to know: This juicer did struggle a bit with more fibrous produce like celery. (We recommend chopping tougher produce beforehand.)

Juicers, masticating juicers in particular, have a bad reputation for being exceedingly noisy while at work. It can be off-putting when using one, particularly if it means disturbing others in the household, and no one should fear using their well-earned kitchen appliances, right? The Nutribullet Slow Juicer is so subtle when it comes to noise that we had to trumpet it here too. During testing, we found it quiet enough to run at home without disturbing anyone, making it a fantastic option for any family who likes to juice.

When we tested the Nutribullet, juicing proved to be an almost hands-off operation with very little prep work. The machine relies on gravity to feed produce through the chute rather than a food pusher, and it works well. It also has a surprisingly large chute, considering its compact size, so we could feed whole carrots and apples through it without issue. We encountered some snags when juicing whole stalks of celery and beets; it would have been best to cut them down into smaller pieces before feeding into the chute. We also found some leftover pulp in the juice at the end, and some items, like orange and pineapple, left us with a rather wet pulp.

Still, this machine has a lot going for it, and in previous tests, we named it our favorite juicer for small spaces. In addition to being easy on your hearing, it also has a compact profile and is very easy to clean. A majority of the components are dishwasher-safe, which is a great feature as it is key to wash juicer parts as soon as possible after use (trust us, it doesn’t get easier if you wait).

Wattage: 150 watts | RPM: 65 | Dimensions: 7" D x 6.25" W x 17" H

What we like: This juicer is easy on your wallet and on the cleanup effort.

What to know: The chute is slightly offset on this model, which requires the assistance of a food pusher to feed your produce through.

The Cuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer made our list after multiple rounds of re-testing, and deservedly so. For well under $200, you get a reliable machine that makes an easy job of juicing your favorite fruits and veggies. Also, true to its name, we dubbed it "easiest to clean" in previous tests.

This model has an opening for more slender items, like celery, to be put through and a chute for larger items that will accommodate decently sized chunks of produce. We did find that apples and pineapple got stuck in the chute without assistance. There is a pusher that can be used to move food down toward the auger, and we found this accessory essential for moving food through the chute; the offset angle of the chute means you don’t get the added assistance from gravity. This made it a little trickier than normal to get everything sent through for processing.

All of the produce fed through for juicing was done in less than three minutes and, overall, was processed well. We did notice a significant amount of foam on the beet juice, and there were approximately 2 tablespoons of pulp left after juicing 2 lbs. of celery. But with its excellent output and reasonable price, the Cuisinart Easy Clean Slow Juicer is a winner, especially if you’re new to juicing.

Wattage: 200 watts | RPM: Not listed | Dimensions: 10.24" D x 6.97" W x 18.27" H

What we like: This juicer tackled any juicing job we threw at it while leaving less pulp than the competition.

What to know: At almost $400, this is also one of the most expensive options on our list.

One of our favorite things about the Omega is how easy it is to use; the controls are simple to operate, and it’s a snap to put together. While it wasn’t difficult to disassemble, cleaning the Omega juicer was a little tricky; the auger needed to be cleaned thoroughly and the chute was not the most straightforward to scrub. Still, these relatively minor inconveniences failed to detract from this machine’s outstanding performance.

We were particularly impressed with how well the Omega juicer handled citrus and pineapple; however, it should also noted that no produce performed poorly during testing. Additionally, when checking over the leftover pulp, we found it to be remarkably dry, which means the Omega is doing precisely what it has promised to do—pull out every last drop of juice from the produce it’s being fed. It’s not overly noisy and did not seem to struggle with any of the tasks given to it.

This Omega juicer has some weight to it, so it is worth considering if you’ll find moving a heavier piece of machinery around difficult. It also comes with a heftier price tag, closer to the $400 mark. That being said, there’s a reason the Omega has consistently been one of our top picks, even after multiple tests. For those serious about juicing and willing to invest in a quality product, the Omega Vertical Square Low-Speed Juicer is the way to go.

Wattage: 150 watts | RPM: 43 | Dimensions: 8.5” D × 7” W × 15.5” H

What we like: With its speed and efficiency, this juicer will make weekly juicing sessions a breeze.

What to know: The Nama J1 struggled a bit with longer pieces of celery; we recommend chopping more fibrous vegetables before feeding them into the chute.

The Nama J1 Cold Press Juicer has a juice container that will hold 35 ounces, enough to accommodate several days of juicing at once. When we tested, we did notice that produce needed to be cut up to process through the chute; beets had to be quartered, and pineapples cut into spears; otherwise, the J1 struggled. That said, the pulp from the beets came out very dry, as did the celery, and we were pleasantly surprised at how well the fruits performed. The celery produced the most juice and, while it needed to be diced into smaller pieces, did not clog up the machine with its fibers.

The machine is sturdy and easy to assemble, though not entirely intuitive and the instruction manual was needed to ensure everything was done correctly. While it produces a large volume of juice, the machine is still relatively compact, standing only 16 inches tall. If you’re a dedicated juicer who likes to stock up for the week ahead, the Nama J1 is a worthwhile investment.

Wattage: 150 watts | RPM: 43 | Dimensions: 7.1” D x 8.8” W x 16” H

Although there are several solid options on our list, our recommendation for the best masticating juicer is the Nama J3 Cold Press Juicer (view at Nama). Its nearly hands-free, exceptionally quiet operation made it a favorite during testing. However, you still can’t go wrong with the Nutribullet Slow Juicer (view at Amazon). Although it's a more budget-friendly option, it remains a strong competitor. Additionally, it takes up very little real estate in the kitchen, making it perfect for when storage is an issue.

"Masticating juicers might take a little more work to clean," says Taub-Dix. Masticating juicer manufacturers recommend hand-washing immediately after making juice to care for the delicate parts and to prevent clogs in the strainer. Some models may be dishwasher-safe, but even cleaning by hand shouldn't take more than a few minutes. However, it is worth keeping this in mind, as it’s important to weigh how much time and effort you are willing to put into keeping a juicer clean, especially as it’s critical to clean it quickly after use before debris hardens.

Masticating juicers tend to be pricier than their centrifugal counterparts, mainly because they’re designed to extract more juice out of produce. How much you are planning to juice is a major consideration when choosing a masticating juicer. Are you juicing for a crowd or just for yourself? Do you like making a huge quantity that lasts a few days or just something to drink each morning? Some juicer models can handle large amounts of produce and, therefore, produce larger volumes of juice. They may, however, take up more room in your kitchen; if quantity and quality of juice aren’t as important, a masticating juicer with a smaller footprint may fit the bill for your needs.

There is a masticating juicer built for every type of juice consumer and how often you plan to use the machine should be taken into consideration when comparing models. If you plan on juicing every day or large quantities of juice at one time, it’s essential to find a highly durable machine, which may be more expensive but will last longer.

Design is equally important. Is it difficult to clean or take apart, making it frustrating to use? Is it intuitive and practical for daily needs? A juicer that doesn’t fit your ease-of-use criteria could just end up gathering dust on your countertop. Ultimately, the right masticating juicer for you is one that you can envision using as part of your personal juicing routine.

In our work to determine the best masticating juicer, we rigorously tested each machine using the same number of ingredients. This included two bunches of celery, 2 lbs. of beets (including the tops), 2 lbs. of peels and quartered oranges and one pineapple to evaluate how each machine performed with various textures. Stopwatch tests were conducted to see how long each machine took to juice each item. We then noted the volume of juice produced, measured how much pulp the machine extracted and the presence of foam in the juice.

The juicers selected are some of the most popular models currently on the market, and we included models we’d tested previously alongside newer entries. We made sure to assemble, disassemble and clean each juicer to record how easy or difficult the process was. All of these factors, including the final taste of the juice extracted, were considered as part of the evaluation process when putting together our final list.

Dash Deluxe Compact Cold Press Power Juicer ($80 at Amazon): This more affordable option was easy to put together and clean. In our previous tests, we found the juice was tasty and the foam minimal. However, during our more recent tests, we found this model’s motor lacked strength, and we ended up having to fish out pieces of produce that became stuck in the auger.

Breville the Juice Fountain Cold Plus ($300 at Amazon): The Breville is still a great choice for folks who make big quantities of juice. In previous tests, we found this machine very easy to assemble and clean, and it can produce an impressive nine cups of juice. During more recent tests, we simply ended up liking the design and efficiency of the Nama J1 a bit better.

Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer ($700 at Williams Sonoma): This was a previous pick for our "Best Spurge" category. It has many unique presets and a powerful (yet quiet) 240-watt motor. However, it requires quite a bit of assembly, and it has since been upstaged by Omega's cold-press juicer.

Hamilton Beach Masticating Slow Juicer ($140 at Amazon): Our previous runner-up remains an excellent budget option for folks who want to try juicing but prefer a more introductory-level price. This juicer is on the smaller side, which means you'll want to cut your produce up into pieces before feeding it through the machine. Besides this minor caveat, the Hamilton Beach performed admirably at juicing produce of different textures, and produced a velvety-smooth juice.

Masticating juicers don’t use heat in their juicing process, which is what the term “cold-pressed” references. They are also more thorough at extracting juice from fresh produce, particularly when it comes to leafy greens. But the claim that the juice from masticating juicers contains more nutrients and vitamins isn’t necessarily true. A 2019 study tested the antioxidant and vitamin C values of juices made in masticating versus centrifugal juicers and found no significant nutritional differences.

It’s worth noting that there was a potential flaw in the study. The researchers prepared the juice in 30 seconds in the centrifugal juicers and noted that if juice extraction takes longer than half a minute, the juicer will produce more heat—and that might end up affecting the nutritional value of the juice (i.e., levels of heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin C might be lower). Most centrifugal juicers require 30 to 40 seconds to make juice.

So, while there may not be a definitive answer on which has the upper hand on nutrient density, there is one way masticating juicers may provide additional health benefits. Some will produce juice with a thicker, pulpier mouthfeel, meaning there will be more fiber in your juice. "This is a good thing—less waste, more fiber, and it might even make you feel a little fuller when you're done with it," Taub-Dix says.

As mentioned earlier, masticating juicers are better at producing juice from leafy greens. The machines are built to handle more fibrous material by using an auger to grind everything down and then passing the juice through a screen to remove pulp. Although they are slower than a centrifugal juicer, the motor's power is what’s needed to appropriately process the structure of leafy greens, making a masticating juicer the better choice if juicing greens is a high priority.

Pits—like those of an avocado or peach—should be avoided with masticating or any other type of juicer, as well as seeds (like from apples) and peels from citrus fruits. "It's also better to include watery produce and not drier produce like coconut unless you include the water from within the coconut," Taub-Dix says.

It’s possible, says Taub-Dix, but not recommended. "I'm not sure how tasty that would be, and it might also cause some gastrointestinal distress unless you swallowed it with fluids," Taub-Dix says. While the remaining pulp can be a source of fiber, Taub-Dix recommends using your blender instead. "If you're going to [eat the pulp], you might as well throw your produce in a blender and blend it all up together!" If you are looking for alternative ways to use the remaining pulp, you may want to consider cooking or baking with it.

This article was written by Asonta Benetti, a freelance writer who has written about all aspects of the kitchen for U.S. News and World Report, Food & Wine, and The Spruce Eats, among others. An earlier version of this piece was written by April Benshosan, M.S., and this update still contains some of her research. Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, provided additional expert insights.

This article was edited by Katie Tuttle, a commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats. She owns a centrifugal juicer, but primarily uses it for making margaritas. She vows to do better.

This article was edited and reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, senior commerce editor, who has 15 years of experience reporting, writing and editing nutrition and health content.

Khaksar G, Assatarakul K, Sirikantaramas S. Effect of cold-pressed and normal centrifugal juicing on quality attributes of fresh juices: do cold-pressed juices harbor a superior nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity? Heliyon. 2019;5(6):e01917. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01917