The KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer is the summer companion I never knew I needed

Every summer, I test the season's hottest appliances, from the best juicers to the top ice cream makers and best portable travel blenders. Last year, one small appliance left a lasting impression. It was a cordless Cuisinart blender – surprisingly powerful for its size and a dream for making fresh pestos, herb drizzles, and salsas on the go. I took it everywhere: to the barbecue, the beach, and even friends' gardens.

One evening, we gathered with the makings of margaritas – liquor, limes, and even ice cubes in a cooler – but found ourselves stalled. There were eight of us, one manual citrus squeezer, and more than a little grumbling. I wished that my portable blender could juice.

Fast forward to this summer, and I’ve been delighted to find a solution in the KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer. I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks, and it has fulfilled all my al-fresco juicing dreams.

Specifications

Design

This is not the most photogenic member of the KitchenAid family. If you were expecting the glossy colors and retro curves of the best KitchenAid stand mixers, think again. The juicer is functional, but a little plain to look at.

Inside the box, you'll find a 16 oz reservoir bowl, a single reamer, a stainless steel sieve, a 12V Max rechargeable battery and a handy USB charging cable.

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer charges quickly and feels reassuringly solid. I wouldn’t think twice about tucking it into a weekend bag for a trip to the lakes or a friend's garden party.

Is it easy to use?

I spend a lot of time reviewing the best cold press juicers, and they can be a bit tricky to get your head around. However, the KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer has very simple controls.

The juicer is ready to use almost out of the box. I simply charged it up (which didn't take very long), then rinsed the parts, and it was ready to start juicing. There’s no power button; the reamer begins to spin automatically when you press your citrus fruit onto it.

Test 1: Orange juice

The main test for a citrus juicer is fresh oranges, and the KitchenAid passed with ease. I tried using a Kilner jar to collect the juice at first, but the rim was too wide and caused some spillage. Switching to the built-in reservoir and pouring from the tap once the juice was ready worked much better. The strainer collected all the pulp and seeds for me, and the resulting orange juice was fresh and clean.

Test 2: Grapefruit & lime juice

It was equally simple and effortless to juice a large grapefruit, but when I checked my glass of juice, I could see a few tiny seeds floating which had escaped through the sieve. I had to run it through a finer strainer to solve the issue. I would have been disappointed, but the seeds were unusually tiny, so I am inclined to blame that particular grapefruit variety.

Later that day, my partner and I took the juicer out to the garden and made a non-alcoholic Paloma with more fresh grapefruit, lime, and soda water from our cordless Smeg soda maker. Juicing outside was a dream, as I didn't have to walk back up to the house when we wanted a refill. It is my dream to have an outdoor kitchen with a drinks-making station, and I could see how the KitchenAid cordless juicer would help fulfill that.

Cleaning

I am pleased to say that the clean-up was fairly painless. The pulp collects neatly and is easily tipped out. Every removable part – the reservoir bowl, reamer, removable knob, and stainless steel sieve – is dishwasher safe. The parts are fairly easy to hand-wash with a scrubbing brush, too . As someone who has spent hours scrubbing the corners of cold-press juicers with an old toothbrush, this was a welcome change.

How does it compare?

The Smeg Citrus Juicer is still the best I've ever tested. First off, it is beautiful enough to keep on the counter with its 1950s Italian charm and powder-coated finish in shades like powder blue and creamy white – or even Dolce & Gabbana florals.

It also has a weighty, premium feel that gives it an edge over KitchenAid’s lighter alternative. With the Smeg, I could gently maneuver the fruit around the reamer to extract every last drop, thanks to its sturdy base. By contrast, the KitchenAid Go can wobble slightly if you apply pressure off-center.

That said, the KitchenAid Go Cordless Electric Juicer is lightweight because it is designed to roam. Plus, the Smeg comes at a very steep price, whereas the KitchenAid rival is much more affordable.

What do customer reviews say?

Reviewers echo my experience: the KitchenAid Go Cordless design is a game-changer for juicing large quantities of citrus or prepping family-sized dishes. Several owners mentioned that it’s perfect for apartment living or kitchens where multiple appliances compete for power outlets.

One reviewer noted: 'I like not having cords hanging all over the counter as I juice. I already own the KitchenAid Cordless Blender, but now I'm going to save my coins until I can invest in all the KitchenAid Go products. I hope this juicer lasts me for years to come.'

It averages 4.7 stars on the KitchenAid site, but a measly 3 stars on Amazon.com. This appears to be down to the fact that there are only two reviews. The five-star reviewer has waded in to defend the KitchenAid Go Cordless juicer, suspecting that the low rating is from somebody who didn't buy the battery separately. It raises a good point: make sure you buy the battery bundle directly from KitchenAid so you're not left frustrated without power.

Should you buy it?

It's always worth considering how much you will use an appliance before you make the investment. I think if you're entertaining regularly or love a fresh morning juice, you'll find yourself reaching for this juicer often. If that is the case, it is excellent value for money. It is one of the most effective, useful appliances I've tested; with the added perk of being cordless, so you can move it around the counter and even take it outside or on vacation. Just remember not to lose the charger.