As more people become aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, so has the popularity of juices, be it fruit or
vegetable-based. They are touted for their benefits, as nutrients from the produce are readily available without digestion – saving time and energy from cooking, whilst being easy to consume for the sick or the elderly. However, store-bought varieties are not cheap, and many are opting to make their own blends at home – that’s when the best masticating juicers come into play. We have also written complete guides about best blenders under 100 and best electric meat grinders to change your cooking experience more than you can imagine!
Types of Juicers
There are two main juice extraction techniques, the most common being centrifugal, which uses a fast-spinning grinding blade, and masticating, which uses an auger to crush and squeeze ingredients at a much slower pace.
Centrifugal juicers grind produce into a pulp, catching the liquids in a reservoir. Although convenient, the high speed produces heat which nullifies nutrients and minerals you might otherwise get from the juice. There also tends to be a lot of juice leftover in the pulp. When there is heat, oxidisation happens quickly, so users will have to consume the juice immediately.
Masticating juicers require some patience, but the slow squeezing action squeezes out every ounce of liquid, using an auger which presses the pulp through a strainer. It produces less heat, and is therefore better able to retain the nutrients and preserve the juice’s natural taste and flavours. In short, for better quality juice with higher nutritional value, masticating juicers are the way to go.
Types of Masticating Juicers
Masticating juicers are further broken down into horizontal and vertical types.
Vertical types work faster than horizontal ones and have wider feed chutes to accommodate bigger pieces, saving time on preparation of ingredients. Juicing is also easier, as produce goes directly down the chute and into contact with the auger, and the same applies for cleaning as it can be taken apart easily. Vertical designs often come with a juice cap that prevents spillage and allows users to control the flow during the juicing. The compact design allows for better space saving than the horizontal type.
However, if you’re looking to make juice with leafy vegetables such as wheatgrass, kale or spinach, horizontal is the way to go. Another plus point is that this type often comes with extra attachments for making pasta noodles, nut butters, sorbets or even smoothies.
Key Features of High Quality Masticating Juicers
Versatility – Some juicers can be used for a variety of purposes, with added attachments that instantly transform a regular fruit and vegetable juicer into a food processor to make nut butters, nut milks, sorbets, smoothies, or even mince and chop ingredients and extrude pastas.
High Juice Yield – A high quality masticating juicer should be able to extract the maximum amount of juice from produce, leaving a very dry pulp. If the pulp is still wet after the first round, the juicer is probably not very effective.
Build/Durability – As with any product, high quality juicers should be built to last. Some machines are made with top notch materials such as GE Ultem plastic that is eight times tougher than regular plastic. The unit should have good stability and not wobble when in use.
Low Noise – You can’t really use a centrifugal juicer late at night or early in the morning, unless you want to wake the entire household. Masticating juicers, on the other hand, are characterised by their quiet operation, allowing users to make their juices without having to worry about disturbing others.
Low RPM – Most masticating juicers run at 80RPM or below. The lower it is, the better, since there is no heat build up, foaming or clogging. However, the resulting yield still depends on the strength of the auger and the torgue.
Widely touted as THE masticating juicer to go for, the Omega J8006 is a high-end unit that is a worthy investment
for any juicing fan, allowing users to reap the full nutritional benefits of raw foods, without losing essential vitamins, antioxidants and minerals to the cooking process. The juicer accommodates both soft and hard vegetables and fruits, from leafy greens such as cabbage, kale, spinach and wheatgrass, to those with a harder texture like carrots and cucumbers. Meanwhile, juicing fruits such as apples, oranges, pineapple and berries is a breeze.
The Omega gets points for versatility, as it can double as an all-in-one food processor. Grind coffee beans, spices and flour, or make your own nut butters, fresh frozen desserts or natural baby food with the included homogeniser attachment. Users can also extrude pasta with the included pasta nozzles. Finally, chop and mince with the food processor attachment, which can be used on garlic, scallions, red pepper, ginger, and even herbs and seasonings.
Design and Performance
The Omega is a horizontal masticating juicer, and while its output may be slower than vertical units, it shines when it comes to performance and durability. Its GE Ultem Auger, which is the core of the device, is eight times stronger than most plastics, while its powerful gear reduction mechanism is equivalent to a 2 Horsepower motor. The juicer runs on a dual-stage juicing system, whereby juice is first extracted by crushing the fruit or vegetable. The pulp is then squeezed during the second pressed stage for higher juice yield, before it is ejected. An auto pulp-ejection function enables continuous juicing.
Unlike most juicers which are extremely noisy, the Omega is engineered for quiet operation, so users would still be able to have conversations over it. To further stabilise the unit and mitigate noise, it can be set on top of a thin towel. At 7 inches wide by 15.5 inches deep and 8.5 inches tall, the unit is moderately sized and weighs 17.75 lbs. It comprises four main parts and eight pieces that are easy to put together and disassemble, namely the pusher, two collection bowls, a juicing screen, auger, funnel, drum cap and drum. Although the juicer screen is already installed in the juicer, there is an additional sieve for those who want to further separate the pulp from the end product. However, with so many pieces, cleaning can take time.
A point of contention among users is the unit’s small chute size, which measures less than one inch in diameter. This means that prepping time is needed to cut ingredients into smaller sizes, which can be a hassle for some. Another minor inconvenience would be the unit’s collection cups, since they are not large enough to hold more than two to three portions of juice, and the opaque plastic material also stains easily.
Speed/Capacity
While most juicers process at a speed of 1,650 to 15,000 rpm, the Omega operates at just 80 RPM, so there is little to no clogging, foaming or heat-build up. This helps to protect and maintain the healthy enzymes, vitamins and nutrients from vegetables and fruits, in addition to retaining their freshness, pure colour and natural taste. The masticating process also prevents oxidation, allowing juice to be stored for up to 72 hours without degradation.
Additional Features
For peace of mind, the juicer comes with a 15-year warranty, which is much longer than many other brands or cheaper models. It is also UL and cUL-approved.
Pros
Versatile, suitable for soft and hard vegetables
Additional attachments for making pasta, nutbutters, baby food, etc.
Strong, durable auger
Low speed ensures no heat build-up
Retains enzymes and nutrients
Less oxidation
Cons
Small chute, needs time to cut ingredients into smaller sizes
The SKG is very clear about its juicing capabilities and the type of ingredients that it can or can’t juice, so it’s not a
device that you can chuck anything into and expect the same results. That aside, it is a very efficient machine and does well with medium-hard fruits and vegetables such as apples, cucumbers, pomegranates and watercress. Avoid ingredients that are too hard as they will likely break the juicer. Leafy greens or fibrous vegetables, such as ginger or kale, should be sliced into smaller portions, across the fibers, before juicing. Use the SKG with soft fruits such as bananas, kiwi and mangoes to make a smoothie or sorbet, or even tofu.
Design and Performance
For those who do not have time to prep their ingredients into smaller portions before feeding them into the chute, the SKG will be a lifesaver, as it comes with a three-inch-wide chute that easily accommodates larger items, thus helping to reduce preparation and cleanup time. The width means that it is also more resistant to clogging and oxidisation of ingredients, since the bigger the size of the piece, the harder it is to get oxidised. A top quality 240W AC motor delivers a powerful but quiet performance compared to loud and noisy centrifugal juicers.
A nice touch to the SKG’s design is a strainer base and a valve, which provides a sealed space to hold the juice while the user adds more vegetables or fruits into the mix. This ensures that there is no spilling or oxidisation during the juicing process, and you can neatly pour the end product into a collection cup afterwards. As with most masticating juicers, there is a high juice yield: up to 90% with oranges, 83% with pears and 75% with apples. Expect some fine pulp in the end product, which is good for nutrition, but if you don’t like any pulp in your juice, it can be further filtered out with a separate piece of cloth.
Owing to its vertical design, the unit is tall and measures 18 inches high by 9 and 6 inches. It weighs 16lbs but an easy grip handle allows for single-handed carrying. Parts are mostly high quality plastic, with some stainless steel and silicone components included. The only downside to the juicer is the overload protection system. While necessary to shut off the juicer in cases of motor overheating, unstable power supply or improper assembly, the juicer gets locked off for one hour and will not be usable in this period.
Speed/Capacity
With a low speed of just 60 RPMs, widely considered to be the golden ratio of force and time for masticating juicers, the resulting juice is more nutritious, fresher and lasts longer. The squeezing motion also minimises oxidation, preserving the natural taste and nutrients that are usually lost when using high-speed centrifugal juicers. There is little to no heat produced as well.
Additional Features
The product comes with various safety certifications by ETL, CE and ROHS. There is a two year warranty for parts and accessories, and an extended 10-year warranty for the motor and main body.
Another model from the Omega series, the VSJ843RS is a vertical-style juicer that is best used for regular fruits and
vegetables. While it can accomodate wheatgrass and leafy greens, it is not recommended as the fibres tend to get stuck in the pulp ejection spout. For fruits, it does well with the apples and oranges, as well sa harder vegetables such as raw beets, cucumbers, celery and carrots. It can also be used to make nut milks, such as almond, hazelnuts or cashew.
Design and Performance
The VSJ843RS is form and function combined. Its tall, sleek design measures 16.2 x 15 x 12.8 inches and takes up less space compared to a horizontal unit, making it perfect for small kitchens. As it only weighs 9 lbs, it is easy to carry around and store. The juicer’s dual edge auger with a tighter fit tolerance is designed to strain more juice while breaking down fibres to a palatable level, for a smoother, nutrient dense juice. Meanwhile, its gentle squeezing action helps to keep healthy enzymes from the ingredients intact. For those who dislike pulp, this is the model to go for as there is practically none in the end product.
A handy feature of the VSJ843RS is its automatic pulp ejection mechanism, so users can juice continuously without having to worry about removing the pulp. There’s even an auto cleaning system in place to keep the screen clear, which also minimises the cleanup process after you’re done. In spite of its powerful 1.5 horsepower motor, the juicer is made for quiet operation.
Buildwise, the materials are mostly BPA-free plastic, including the housing and chute, but sturdy enough to last. The opening chute is relatively wide, measuring 1.5 x 2.5 inches, but most ingredients will still need to be cut down into smaller chunks in order to fit.
Another convenient feature is a juice flap, which is a plug that allows users to blend the juices within the unit before releasing it into a collection cup. Cleanup becomes a breeze as one can simply pour water into the juicer, close it off and rinse without having to take the whole thing apart.
Speed/Capacity
The VSJ843RS is Omega’s lowest speed vertical masticating juicer on the market, and operates at only 43RPM, which is 50% the speed of the original vertical low speed juicers. This improvement further reduces heat buildup, delays the oxidation process and increases the juice’s shelf life.
Additional Features
The juicer comes with a 15-year warranty from Omega. It comes with a heavy duty brush for scrubbing the sieve basket and to facilitate cleaning.
Pros
Low speed, 43 RPM
Space saving
Dual edge auger
Little to no pulp
Cons
Limited use, not suitable for leafy greens, fibrous ingredients
Get the most out of your produce with the Tribestar, which does a good job at extracting juice from wheatgrass, leafy
greens and the usual fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, apples, oranges and grapefruit, as well as cucumber, celery, spinach, beet, carrot, ginger and turmeric. It also handles frozen fruit very well, thanks to an included mincing attachment that can make sorbets, smoothies, nut butters and salsas. It can even be used to crush ice to make snow cones, making the Tribestar a convenient all-in-one device.
Design and Performance
Stylish yet functional, the Tribestar is sports a sleek black and red appearance – perfect for modern kitchens. At 8 x 8 x 18 inches, it is space saving, but the 1 x 2 inch oval-shaped chute opening means that some prepping may be required to fit ingredients through the opening.
Unlike many slow juicers, the Tribestar has a doubled-bladed auger that does twice the work of juicing twice as fast, but with more yield and less pulp. The component is made from Ultem, which is eight times stronger than regular plastic. Its powerful 200W motor features three-stage reduction gears that produces a torque equivalent to a whopping 9 Horsepower.
Since the device has a low RPM, A higher torque is needed to generate enough force to crush hard and fibrous vegetables without jamming, but this also means that the juicer is prone to overheat and can’t be used for long periods of time at a stretch.
To control the flow of juice, the Tribestar comes with a convenient valve so that users can switch containers, premix juices and stop spillage, or run water through the housing for pre-rinsing.However, the downside to the Tribestar is the number of components in the unit, which take time to disassemble and clean.
Speed/Capacity
The Tribestar has a slow juicing rate of 47 RPM, which results in nutrient-rich, fresh juices with minimal oxidation and better preserved live enzymes and essential vitamins. Yield is higher by 30 to 40%. The low RPM has the added benefit of quiet, fuss-free operation.
Additional Features
There is a 10-year warranty on the juicer. Included with the set is a deluxe stainless-steel strainer and two 26-ounce juice and pulp collectors, as well as a cleaning brush.
Pros
Convenient and versatile
Works well with wheatgrass, leafy vegetables, frozen fruit
Homogeniser attachment for sorbets, nutbutters, etc.
The Kuvings is one of those juicers that will help you create a whole spread of goodies for the whole family, as it
comes with a blank strainer for making frozen desserts, nut milks and even smoothies, on top of regular juicing. Leafy veggies like cilantro, parsley, spinach and cilantro pose no problem for the Kuvings, as are fruits like citrus, strawberries and apples. With softer produce, there tends to be a build up around the masticator, so it is recommended to put those in first before ending the juice with firmer ingredients such as carrots or cucumbers to help push everything down.
Design and Performance
Convenience is the name of the game, as the Kuvings juicer has a large three-inch wide chute that can even fit small-sized apples without needing to slice it. This greatly reduces preparation time and nutritional loss from the cutting process. Its powerful 240W AC brushless motor boasts a high torque and effortlessly crushes ingredients whole, while an improved juicing system gives higher yield. A detachable hopper is included and makes putting smaller ingredients more convenient. Use the pulp strainer to adjust the amount of pulp in the juice, and the drip-free Smart Cap to prevent spillage and quick rinse between recipes.
Measuring 9 x 8 x 17.5 inches, the unit is heavy at 16lbs, which can be both a pro and con, as it makes it difficult to carry around on trips, but stable and not wobbly. Add to that a sleek silver design, and you’ve got a device that is just begging to be shown off in the kitchen.
However, there are some flaws. Although easier to clean than a centrifugal model, it is still a hassle owing to the sheer number of pieces that need to be taken apart, and the strainer especially requires some rigorous scrubbing. Also, it is not recommended to use the Kuvings for more than 30 minutes to avoid overheating.
Speed/Capacity
Featuring a patented low speed masticating technology that works at 60RPM, the Kuvings gently crushes fruits and vegetables to preserve all of the beneficial nutrients. This also preserves the healthy enzymes and delays oxidation, allowing the juices to be kept longer. As it has a low-speed gear reduction motor, operation is quiet and vibration is kept to a minimum.
Additional Features
There is a 10-year limited manufacturer warranty for the juicer. Cleaning tools are included.
The Hurom is a versatile unit that juices not only fruits and vegetables but also accommodates nuts and soybeans to
create nutritious nut milks, tofu and more. It also has the ability to create ice cream and sorbets with frozen ingredients. However, a common point of contention among users is when leafy greens are involved, as they need to be chopped into very small pieces; otherwise, the juicer tends to clog up at the pulp outlet.
Design and Performance
Optimised for taste, the Hurom uses an auger to squeeze instead of shred ingredients, therefore minimising damage to ingredients and keeping the natural flavours and vitamins intact. It also gives a higher yield, while an included spinning brush component thoroughly mixes everything together to enhance the taste of the juice. Use the control lever as a stopper to prevent spillage, and switch between the fine and coarse strainers to adjust the amount of pulp in the end product according to your tastes. All components are made from tough and sturdy BPA-free plastic, and are free from sharp edges as an added safety measure. However, the chute is narrow and will require some prepping of ingredients to feed them through.
Looks-wise, the Hurom has an attractive, streamlined design with smooth curves that gradually slim down the back, creating a stylish yet modern appeal. At 7.1 x 8.8 x 16 inches, its vertical orientation makes it easy to store, and it is also lightweight at just 10.6lbs.
Speed/Capacity
The Hurom spins at 43RPM, and the slow squeeze technology ensures that the juices retain all of its nutrients, whilst keeping its natural form, colour and cellular structure. There is less oxidisation as well and the juices can be kept for longer. The unit accommodates up to 500ml of juice in a single usage.
Additional Features
The Hurom comes with a 10-year warranty for its motor only.
Pros
Best for fruit or frozen treats
Low RPM
Control lever
Fine and coarse strainers allow control of pulp volume
Stylish design, space saving
Cons
Pulp tends to clog up with leafy or fibrous vegetables
Healthier living is just a juice away with the SKG, which allows users to make vegetable and fruit juice, a mix of both,
and even nut butters. Like many masticating juicers, it performs best with harder fruits and vegetables such as carrots, oranges, lemons, strawberries, cucumbers and carrots. While it can still accommodate leafy and fibrous vegetables like wheatgrass, it is perhaps not the best suited model.
Design and Performance
A well-loved feature of vertical masticating juicers is the wide chute, and the SKG has a large three-inch wide opening, which can easily fit large produce items, from oranges to small and medium-sized apples whole. It is not only more resistant to clogging, but also greatly reduces preparation and cleanup time since the produce can be put in whole.
Its 240W AC motor is powerful and crushes ingredients effortlessly for a high juice yield, up to 90% for oranges, 75% for apples and 70% for celery. In spite of the high-torgue motor, operation is quiet and you can even use it in the morning without fear of waking up the household. Parts are made from high quality anti-oxidation plastic designed for long-lasting, regular use. A convenient grip handle allows you to move it quickly from one end of the kitchen to another.
Measuring 8.7 x 11.4 x 20.4 inches, the unit weighs 16 lbs and is very sturdy when used on a flat surface. It even has an inbuilt reverse function for the auger to prevent congestion. Like many masticating juicers, the SKG comes in multiple parts that may require time to clean. However, we liked that the container can be separated from the mainframe. Each duty cycle should be about 20 minutes and no more than 30 minutes. The SKG is available in two colours to match your kitchen decor, either silver or champagne.
Speed/Capacity
Slow and steady at 43RPM, the SKG’s non-grinding juicing method retains the natural flavour and nutrients of the fruits and vegetables, with little to no oxidisation.
Additional Features
The SKG comes with ETL, CE and ROHS certifications. There is a two year warranty for parts and accessories, and an extended 10-year warranty for the motor and main body.
Delicious, healthy recipes are just at your fingertips with the Omega NC800, a versatile all-in-one juicer-cum-food
processor that churns out more than just juices. It handles regular fruits and vegetables such as beets, tomatoes and even tougher, fibrous greens like broccoli, celery, kale, spinach and wheatgrass with great efficiency. In addition, it has the ability to make a variety of healthy snacks, be it luscious nut butters, soy or almond milk and even baby food, using a homogeniser attachment. There are also attachments to extrude pasta dough to shape and make homemade pastas with ease. However, we noted that for nut butters and nut milk, end results were inconsistent so perhaps the unit would be better suited for juices and other uses.
Design and Performance
The Omega is a horizontal-style masticating juicer, and as such, has a small chute and requires prepping of ingredients. The slow-turning dual stage extraction and auger system forces produce into a tight chamber. By applying pressure and a strong grind from its powerful motor, even fine items like leafy veggies, are squeezed out of every drop of liquid. The result is a very dry pulp and high juice yield, so you get the most out of your produce. Automatic pulp ejection allows for continuous juicing, and the resulting extraction is froth-free and ready to drink. However, unlike vertical juicers, it does not include a control valve and some users have complained that the end result is somewhat pulpy. The recommended usage time is 30 minutes as the motor gets hot quickly.
The unit measures 14.5 x 6.5 x 15.5 inches, weighs 20lbs and will definitely take up some space on the kitchen counter, but its dark red colour is elegant and stylish – definitely not something you’d want to hide in a corner. It includes six nozzles and two juicing screens.
Speed/Capacity
While not the lowest on the market, the Omega’s rotation speed is relatively slow at 80RPM and helps to minimise heat-build up and oxidation, ensuring the juices stay fresh for longer, whilst retaining a pure and natural taste. It also accounts for its quiet, fuss-free operation.
Additional Features
The Omega comes with a 15-year manufacturer warranty for ease of mind.
Pros
Froth-free
Versatile usage
Great for leafy fibruous greens
Elegant design
Quiet operation
High juice yield
Cons
Somewhat pulpy juice
Small chute requires ingredient prepping
Inconsistent results with nut butters and nut milks
Touted as the solution for juice lovers, the Natalie Styx prides itself in creating healthy juices from fruits and vegetables, including, but not limited to oranges, apples, tomatoes, cabbages, carambola and celery that are not too hard or too soft. It can also be used to create milkshakes by adding some frozen fruits or crushed ice. However, its versatility is rather limited, as it cannot accommodate ingredients that are too hard, or those with tough seeds. Therefore, making nut milks or nut butters are not recommended.
Design and Performance
The Natalie Styx is a vertical-style masticating juicer, so it comes with a wider feeding chute than most, measuring three-inches. This allows for whole fruits and vegetables to be put in, so users can save on preparation time, as well as oxidisation and nutrients lost from the cutting process. For households with little children, utilise the anti-trap safety mechanism which prevents a toddler or young child from placing their hands into the chute.
A top quality 240W AC motor and auger system efficiently crushes produce, resulting in a high juice yield of up to 90% for oranges, 83% for pears, 75% for apples, 70% for celery and 47% for carrots.
Measuring 6.7 x 10.6 x 22 lbs, the unit is quite heavy at 20lbs, but is very stable when used on a flat surface. The silicone components and the juicing screw is made of high quality food-grade plastic with anti-oxidation properties, free from harmful BPA. The build is surprisingly sturdy and robust. A plus point is that you will no longer have to juice at certain hours of the day for fear of disturbing others, as there is barely any noise produced from the juicer. The downside is the number of parts in the juicer, which are not easy to clean, and chunks of pulp are regularly found stuck inside, a definite design flaw.
Speed/Capacity
The Natalie Styx runs at a low speed of 60 RPMs, which means less foaming, clogging and heat build-up. Apart from preventing oxidisation of the juices, so that it lasts longer, the slow motion helps to extract more vitamins, enzymes and nutrients from the juice and preserves its natural taste and flavour.
Additional Features
The company offers two-year warranty only. For its price tag, this is much shorter than other models on the market.
Pros
Works well with both fruits and vegetables
Ability to make fruitshakes
Large chute
Anti-trap mechanism for child protection
High juice yield
Low RPM
Robust construction
Cons
Not suitable for hard ingredients, not for nut butters and nut milks
The Omega brand is no stranger to making juicers, and their VRT350 series is a decent choice for juicing fans. The
unit works well with both soft and hard textured fruits and vegetables, such as beets, cabbage, pineapples, pears, apples, oranges and grapes. Leafy and fibruous greens can also be juiced, although those with longer fibres like ginger root or wheatgrass needs to be diced finely. However, do note that the end product for all juices is rather pulpy even after using the included strainer, so for those who dislike pulp this might not be your top choice.
Design and Performance
Boasting a powerful 1.5 Horsepower condensed motor, the VRT350 juices items with ease, using a dual stage processing system. First, juice is extracted via a crushing motion, efficiently delivered thanks to the auger’s patented screw design. Then, before pulp is ejected, it is squeezed during the second pressed stage, resulting in a higher juice yield. However, some users have noted that the resulting pulp is not entirely dry and some juice still remains.
The VRT350 is easy to use and operates with simple controls. Aside from the on/off power switch, there is a reverse function to assist in releasing jammed produce – a problem that often occurs due to the narrow design of its pulp chute. This is in contrast to its oversized juice spout that allows the juice to flow out quickly once juicing is complete. Users can pour water through the chute to rinse the juicer when changing ingredients. The rotating screen wiper works well and the pulp chute has a silicone rubber flapper valve that swivels out for easy cleaning.
Meanwhile, Its vertical form and compact dimensions of 7 x 15.5 x 8.5 inches fits well on kitchen countertops, although it is quite heavy at 22lbs. Choose from cinnamon, red or silver colours with a glossy, satin finish to match your kitchen decor.
There, are however, a few design flaws to be addressed. The auger, for example, is shaped to accept large pieces, so smaller material is always left unjuiced at the top. The pulp chute is tiny, just about ⅛ x ½ inch, and fibrous material like pineapple and celery quickly jams it up. With so many nooks and crannies, food particles tend to accumulate despite vigorous washing, and the effort to clean sometimes outweighs the benefits of a vertical-style juicer, as compared to a horizontal version which has less parts.
Speed/Capacity
Operating at a low speed of 80RPM, the VRT350 offers a high retention of nutrients that regular juicers processing at 1,650 to 15,000RPM are unable to deliver. This low speed keeps the healthy enzymes and nutrients intact, prevents oxidisation and frothing, and allows the juices to be stored for up to 72 hours without degradation. Its colour and taste are also kept intact. The juicer has a capacity of 32 to 48 ounces of juice in a single juice session.
Those planning to make a lot of green juices will find the BioChef Axis a suitable choice. It has an affinity for juicing
green, fibrous vegetables like wheatgrass, celery, kale and spinach, in addition to hardier vegetables like carrots and cucumbers, as well as fruits like apples, lemons, limes and oranges. Turn the unit instantly into a food processor, simply by switching to the processing screen or adding the included attachments, to make delicious fruit sorbets, nut butters, dips, pasta and even bread sticks.
Design and Performance
Save time on prepping with the Biochef’s wide feeding chute. Measuring 4.5 x 4.5 cm, users can even put in items whole without slicing and losing nutrients to the oxidisation process. The horizontal-style, combined with a tough auger and powerful 150W motor, produces a superior crushing and squeezing mechanism to effectively juice a vast array of ingredients with high yield. Parts are made from Tritan, a durable and hard-wearing polycarbonate that is free from harmful BPA. Operation is smooth and quiet.
A smart and convenient feature of the Biochef is its pulp adjustment nozzle, which gives users the freedom to alter the pressure which produce is juiced, from a scale of 0 to 5. Hence, more juice is extracted from harder vegetables, and better results are produced from juicing soft fruits. When juicing carrots, for example, putting the setting on five would squeeze the maximum amount of juice from its otherwise hard and dense texture. Meanwhile, softer and juicier fruits such as oranges or watermelon only need a setting of 0 to 1, which allows for freer flow of juice, less backup and better efficiency. However, the resulting pulp is not completely dry and may need to be run through the juicer again.
Another major plus point with the BioChef is its easy to clean features. Run it through a simple rinse under the tap. As the juicing strainers are much smaller than those used in vertical juicers and many other models, the entire unit takes only minutes to clean. The unit is moderately sized at 15 x 7.1 x 13 inches, and weighs 14lbs.
Speed/Capacity
The BioChef runs on a low 60RPM speed. The slow squeeze means that natural taste and flavours are preserved in the juices, alongside its nutrients and vitamins.
Additional Features
The BioChef has one of the longest warranties among the juicers on this list; an impressive 20-year period on the motor, and 10 years on parts. It comes with a user manual with recipes, 1L juicing and pulp jugs, as well as a tamper and cleaning brush.
For juicing made easy, go for the J8005 by Omega, a model similar in appearance to the much touted J8006, only slightly cheaper. However, the unit delivers with equal aplomb and is able to juice soft and hard vegetables and fruits, whilst doubling as a convenient food processor, pasta extruder, homogeniser and grinder. Make tasty and fresh nut butters, as well as icy treats with pieces of frozen fruits, or blend soft baby food for the little ones with the included attachments. You can even make a whole pasta dish by chopping and mincing garlic, herbs and seasonings, then extruding pasta with separate pasta nozzles.
Design and Performance
The design of both the J8006 and J8005 is virtually identical, in that they are both horizontal masticating juicers. The main difference, however, is the sturdiness. The auger of the J8006 is made from GE Ultem, which is stronger than most plastics, while the J8005 lacks that feature. However, it is still durable and has a metal base for added stability. The juicer has a powerful gear reduction mechanism with 2 Horsepower motor and a dual stage juicing system that extracts the maximum amount of juice from fruits, vegetables, leafy greens and even wheatgrass, resulting in a higher yield. A quiet operation gives the user peace of mind to juice at any time of the day. It measures 14.5 x 6.5 x 15.5 inches, and comes in two colours, chrome and black.
Like the J8006, the J8005 suffers the same flaws, such as a small chute size that requires users to prep their ingredients into small pieces before feeding them into the machine, as well as opaque collection cups that stain easily. The number of pieces also mean that cleaning can be a hassle.
Speed/Capacity
The J8005 runs at a low speed of 80RPM to prevent clogging, foaming or heat-build up in order to retain the healthy enzymes and nutrients from the produce. The resulting juice keeps its pure colour and natural taste, and can be kept for up to 72 hours without degradation, since there is little to no oxidisation of the ingredients.
Additional Features
Another difference between the J8005 and the J8006 is their warranty period, as the J8005 is covered for only 10 years. It is UL and cUL-approved.
Pros
Versatile, suitable for soft and hard vegetables
Additional attachments for making pasta, nutbutters, baby food, etc.
Low speed ensures no heat build-up
Retains enzymes and nutrients
Less oxidation
Cons
Regular auger, not as tough as J8006
Small chute, needs time to cut ingredients into smaller sizes
For an inexpensive masticating juicer option, the Chefmos is a decent choice as it can accommodate both fruits and
vegetables of varying textures. It performs best with medium hard to crisp fruits such as apples, oranges, carrots and pears, but will also work with softer ones like peaches, plums, berries, grapes and tomatoes. Greens do equally well, even fibrous ones like spinach, gingers, celery and wheatgrass. However, its capabilities are limited as it cannot be turned into a food processor or used for nut butters and frozen desserts.
Design and Performance
The Chefmos is a horizontal-style juicer with a small chute, so prepping time is to be expected. The device’s body is made of ABS, while the components, such as squeezing chamber, auger, juice cup and pulp cup are made of FDA food-grade plastic, all of which are dishwasher friendly.
The auger comes with a reverse function to unclog pulp or items stuck in the compartment. Construction is fairly sturdy and it runs on a 150W motor. While yield is higher than centrifugal-type juicers, users have noted that after some time, the device does not separate pulp as effectively as it does in the initial stages, resulting in pulpy juice. Also, the discarded pulp can sometimes remain wet.
At 11 x 5.9 x 13 inches, the unit is rather compact and can be carried around easily since it only weighs 11lbs. Juice at any time of the day without worrying about waking up the household, as it its quiet operation clocks in at less than 60 decibels. Since it has less parts and no metal screen, cleaning should be easy, if not for the squeezing chamber which can sometimes be difficult to uncap.
Speed/Capacity
Juices made by the Chefmos retains a higher nutritional value, thanks to its low speed of 80RPM per minute which helps to keep oxidisation of fruits and vegetables to a minimum and produces little to no heat build-up, less foaming and clogging. Taste the juice as it should be, with the full spectrum of flavours, packed with vitamins, enzymes, minerals and trace minerals that would have otherwise been lost.
Additional Features
The juicer is ETL and CE certified. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, lifetime technical support and 12 months warranty, which is undoubtedly shorter than most juicers on this list, but fair for its price.
An affordable option for those who want the benefits of a masticating juicer without burning a hole in their pocket, the Simple Taste is a decent choice for all types of fruits as well as fibrous vegetables, such as celery and ginger, or leafy greens such as wheatgrass and barley grass. It can handle both soft or hard fruits. As it is a basic unit, the juicer will not be able to process nut butters or frozen treats effectively.
Design and Performance
Operating the SimpleTaste may require some patience. Being a horizontal-style juicer, the chute is very small and ingredients need to be chopped finely. The motor is strong at 150W, but owing to the device’s lightweight of just 8.29 lbs, it tends to wobble back and forth with the masticating motion. That aside, it measures 12.8 x 12.8 x 7.1 inches and is reasonably well-built. It operates quietly, is easy to take apart and clean, and includes a reverse function to avoid clogging. While it still has better yield than centrifugal juicers, there is still significant wetness to the pulp. One of the biggest disadvantages s its short continuous operating time, which is recommended at less than 10 minutes. However, the minimum rest time should be more than 10 minutes – a hassle if you are making lots of juice and are unable to get everything within that time frame.
Speed/ Capacity
Slow and thorough, the SimpleTaste extracts juice at a low speed of 80RPM, effectively crushing the cell walls of fruits and vegetables to release extra juice and nutrients. This prevents a breakdown of nutrients and slows the oxidisation process, allowing the juice to be stored for up to 72 hours without degradation. It also preserves its taste, colour and nutrients.
Additional Features
The SimpleTaste is CE and ETL approved. It comes with a 30-day full refund and 12-month warranty.
Pros
Low RPM
Affordable
Good for fruits and vegetables
Quiet operation
Cons
Can only run for 10 minutes at a time, long waiting time for motor to cool
Whip up healthy, delicious concoctions with the Aicok, a cost effective masticating juicer that delivers decent results
at a fraction of the price. The juicer is designed to juice fruits and vegetables rather than frozen products, so it is unsuitable for making nut butters or accommodating ingredients with hard seeds. It does, however, work well with regular fruits and vegetables, although harder produce such as carrots will need to be chopped finely.
Design and Performance
The Aicok is a horizontal-style juicer with a small chute that measures 4.5 cm only, so ingredients will require prepping. The 150W motor is strong enough to crush and extract ingredients, but its noise level will not exceed 60 decibels owing to a special decelerating gear that reduces noise. While the auger seems to be high quality, overall construction is not ideal and the unit tends to move around while using. Components are made from plastic: strong, but easily scratched. When that happens, the unit creates grating sounds, especially when juicing leafy greens. The narrow pulp outlet tends to get clogged, although this can be remedied with the reverse function.
That being said, installation and removal is quick and easy, thanks to a simple button press mechanism, and parts are dishwasher safe. Using the machine beyond 20 minutes is not recommended as it will affect the motor.
Speed/ Capacity
The Aicok has a slow-acting squeeze and crush motion, operating at 80RPM. This extracts juice with minimal oxidisation, keeping nutrients and enzymes intact.
Additional Features
The juicer comes with UL and ETL certification and a two-year warranty.
vegetables, including, but not limited to oranges, apples, tomatoes, cabbages, carambola and celery that are not too hard or too soft. It can also be used to create milkshakes by adding some frozen fruits or crushed ice. However, its versatility is rather limited, as it cannot accommodate ingredients that are too hard, or those with tough seeds. Therefore, making nut milks or nut butters are not recommended.
slightly cheaper. However, the unit delivers with equal aplomb and is able to juice soft and hard vegetables and fruits, whilst doubling as a convenient food processor, pasta extruder, homogeniser and grinder. Make tasty and fresh nut butters, as well as icy treats with pieces of frozen fruits, or blend soft baby food for the little ones with the included attachments. You can even make a whole pasta dish by chopping and mincing garlic, herbs and seasonings, then extruding pasta with separate pasta nozzles.
the Simple Taste is a decent choice for all types of fruits as well as fibrous vegetables, such as celery and ginger, or leafy greens such as wheatgrass and barley grass. It can handle both soft or hard fruits. As it is a basic unit, the juicer will not be able to process nut butters or frozen treats effectively.
