If you're thinking of buying a juicer any time soon, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer choice. There are five different types of juicers on the market, and to make sifting through all the information even more confusing, some of them go by more than one name.
One of the jobs we take on weekly is product testing. Our product review team has hands-on experience with every juicer brand, so we know a centrifugal juicer from a cold press, and the pros and cons of each type, meaning we can make short work of helping you divine which is the best juicer for you.
Here, I'll break down the varying types of juicers to help you determine which will be the most beneficial for you and your nutrition goals.
What are the 5 types of juicers?
The two most common types of juicers are centrifugal and cold press juicers. If you already know you'd like one of these, you can find out more in depth information in our investigation of centrifugal vs cold press juicers. Otherwise, this guide looks in detail at all juicer types, and I recommend our pick of the best, too.
1. Centrifugal or 'fast' juicers
Centrifugal or fast juicers utilize a fast-spinning blade to chop up fruit and vegetables against a fine mesh filter to separate the juice from the pulp. They require little prep and can quickly make delicious juice thanks to their high speeds, typically between 6,000-14,000 RPM.
These are better for use with softer fruits, but aren't as adept with ingredients such as leafy greens and herbs. They also tend to require a higher volume of produce to create the desired amount of juice and are noisier than other juicers.
The high speeds of a centrifugal juicer's blades will generate heat which can cause the nutrients to be compromised a little, and they are not as efficient as slow/masticating juicers, as some juice can sometimes be taken along with the pulp, and come out overly frothy.
Centrifugal juicers are regarded as entry-level buys, which makes them a starter buy for anyone on a tight budget. Among the best centrifugal juicers, you'll want to seek out designs like the Breville Juice Fountain which has a wide chute, a high-power motor with two speeds, and ample juicing capacity. You can read our review of the Breville Juice Fountain for more details.
Pros: Varying price points, easy to use.
Cons: Noisy, juice has a lot of pulp or froth and oxidizes faster
2. Cold press or 'slow' or masticating or auger juicers
Cold press or slow juicers, also known as masticating juicers, use a crushing, squeezing element known as an auger to extract the juice and separate the pulp and fibers. In theory, the process is slower, but not in a way that you'd have to wait an extended period of time before being able to enjoy it.
The exacting construction of the best cold press juicers results in a pricier investment, but it offers some of the highest-quality juice. They offer a higher juice yield than their centrifugal counterparts and provide more nutrients because of their slower extraction process.
Slow juicers offer the most versatility, and some even have the capacity to make nut milk and butter, smoothies, and sorbets. Our favorite is the Kuvings EVO820 Whole Slow Juicer.
It's also of note that these machines are generally harder to take apart and clean, with few having dishwasher-safe components.
Pros: Highest juice extraction, quieter operation, more versatile.
Cons: Expensive, hard to clean
3. Triturating or twin gear juicer
Triturating juicers, or twin gear juicers, are part of the masticating family of juicers but use two twin stainless steel interlocking gears (augers) to grind produce between them at a slower RPM than single auger masticating juicers to provide the most thorough and efficient extraction process.
These are definitely the priciest of the bunch, though offer the most efficient juice extraction while providing the highest nutritional content that will last the longest.
Pros: Best fruit extraction and most nutritious, particularly good for leafy greens and wheatgrass.
Cons: Most expensive.