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The Best Masticating Juicers in 2024 Tested and Reviewed

Dozens of pounds of carrots, apples, kale, and celery later, we have found the best masticating juicers to buy this year.

By , , and ·Updated
Piles of carrots, apples, kale, and celery in front of several masticators in test to find the best masticating juicers

The quest for nutritious beverages has led many to explore the benefits of fresh homemade juices. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a novice to the juicing scene, there are a plethora of masticator models, all promising to take your juice game to the next level.

To find the best masticators, we bought several popular models on our own accord and tested them out. From leafy greens to stubbornly dense fruits and vegetables, we threw it all at them to see which one came out on top. It's not just about performance – we're spilling the tea on their designs and how easy (or not) they are to use.

From speed, juice yield, to ease of use and maintenance, join us as we explore the world of masticators and find the perfect juicer for your household.

How We Tested and Rated

We conducted tests on masticating juicers, evaluating them based on Performance, Design, and Usability.

Person pouring kale juice from container into glass on a scale, Elite Gourmet masticator, two baskets of kale, timer, sound meter
Juice yield is one of the major score factors

Performance: We conducted individual tests on the juicers, assessing their performance with kale, celery, apples, and carrots. Each testing session involved using 18 ounces (approximately 500 grams) of each ingredient. Ratings were assigned based on the time taken for juicing and the quantity of juice produced. For kale, we also considered the amount of foam generated.

In addition, we measured the sound level each machine produced during operation and in our trial test, the time it took for the juice to completely separate. We noticed that the discrepancies among the juicers were negligible, thus these were not factored in the ratings.

Design: Our evaluation of the design encompassed an examination of the material, build quality, and footprint of each juicer. Additionally, we assessed the construction of the auger to determine if it is engineered for more efficient food cutting.

Usability: For this aspect, we rated the juicers on their ease of assembly, juicing, and cleaning. Points were assigned for convenience features such as reverse functionality and options for adjusting speed or pressure.

How We Picked

Our top picks are the ones with the highest overall scores or the highest scores in a specific category.

All scores are given on a scale of 0 to 10. We use proportionally weighted scores for each component of the evaluation. For juicers, Performance accounts for 40% of the overall score, Design, 25%, and Usability, 35%. Each of the major components has its own sub-components with different score weights.

The Two Best Masticating Juicers of 2024

1. Best Overall: Omega NC900 Masticating Juicer

The Omega NC900 is a popular masticating juicer, and our testing revealed that it is for good reasons. Boasting an appealing design, the machine consistently delivers impressive juice yields across all four ingredient types within a reasonable timeframe.

The red Omega NC900 masticating juicer, fully assembled, with carrot pulp in the pulp collector
Pros
  • Spacious working area requires less prep work
  • Large containers allows for batch juicing
  • Various pressure options for different produce types
  • Secure, sturdy build
  • Dishwasher-safe parts
  • Makes clear, less foamy juice
Cons
  • Large parts, can’t store in standard drawer 
  • Juice mesh can be difficult to clean

The NC900 is not the fastest slow juicer: it works at a speed of only 80 RPM. The ample working area (feed chute and drum) means it does not clog as often as smaller juicer models, but that doesn’t help reduce the juicing time. That said, the NC900 required only 2 - 3 minutes to juice a 18 oz (500 g) batch of carrots, apples, or celery, and 7-8 minutes for the same amount of kale. It produced the most juice among the four juicers we tested, and the margin was especially significant with carrots and celery.

The Omega NC900 captures attention not only for its vibrant color (we bought the bright red version). It stands out with a robust and solid body that has far superior build quality than smaller models which are 30 - 40 dollars cheaper. The bulky size, however, also means it has a larger footprint and you can’t conveniently toss it in a drawer the way you can with the Elite Gourmet vertical juicer.

Pro tip: The Omega NC900 has a large auger with bigger distances between its “teeth”, so you don’t have to cut the ingredients into tiny pieces. It works best with food pieces of ½ to 1 inch across.

Person juicing apples, carrots, and celery using the Omega NC900 juicer

The juicer is very easy to assemble, like most other machines of this type. The parts are dishwasher-safe but are also simple to clean by hands. The only challenging part is the juice mesh, and there are brushes included for cleaning it.

All in all, the Omega NC900 is a well-rounded option for a household of 2-5 people.

Price at time of publish: $215

Key Specs

  • Type: Horizontal masticating juicer
  • Speed/pressure options: 5
  • Reverse function: Yes
  • Power: 150 W
  • Speed: 80 RPM
  • Warranty: 15 years on parts and performance
  • Suitable household size: 2 - 5 people

2. Best Budget: Jocuu Masticating Juicer

We purchased the Jocuu masticator on sale for less than $100, not expecting much from it. However, that's what we appreciate about product testing – the occasional surprise. This affordable juicer works like a charm, is easy to use, comes with dishwasher-safe parts, and would make a great entry-level masticator for an individual or small family.

The Jocuu masticating juicer next to a glass of green juice, some celery in a white basket
Pros
  • User-friendly design for effortless operation
  • Affordable price
  • Compact size allows for easy storage
  • Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
  • Working parts shake when juicing hard ingredients
  • Makes foamy kale juice

The Jocuu masticating juicer proved to be one of the faster "slow juicers." It took the shortest time to juice the same amount of kale (though the result was foamy and the yield unimpressive). Its speed and juice yield were on par with others when juicing apples, carrots, and celery. Though smaller than the Omega NC900, the Jocuu wasn’t slower by a noticeable margin.

The Jocuu slow juicer after juicing kale, next to a juice cup, pulp container, sound meter, and kale

Sporting a neat, simple design, the Jocuu looks almost identical to the AmzChef masticator, except that it comes with a nob that allows different speeds for soft and hard produce. It did a bit of “nodding” when juicing particularly dense vegetables, but was overall not noisier than other juicers, including the NC900. The juice cup and pulp collector are ample enough to make 2-3 cups of juice at a time.

Cleaning is a breeze—you can toss the parts into a dishwasher or manually wash them in a basin of soapy water.

Price at time of publish: $84.99

Key Specs

  • Type: Horizontal masticating juicer
  • Speed/pressure options: 2
  • Reverse function: Yes
  • Power: 150 W
  • Speed: 50 - 110 RPM
  • Warranty: 10 years on motor, 3 years on parts
  • Suitable household size: 1 - 3 people

Other Masticators We’ve Tested

Which didn’t make it to the recommendation list.

AMZChef masticator with carrot juice and pulp in its cups, next to a clear container of whole carrots

This masticating juicer is similar to the Jocuu above in many ways, even down to how much foam it produced when juicing kale. However, the AMZChef took a little more time than the Jocuu to juice most ingredients except celery. It comes at a slightly higher price too, which puts it at a further disadvantage in comparison.

The Elite Gourmet vertical masticating juicer with green juice and pulp in the cups, next to a timer, other juicers and blenders

You will get more juice with this vertical masticator than the AMZChef or the Jocuu; however, you will also have to spend more time prepping and juicing. The compact size means it doesn’t require much working or storage space, but that comes at the cost of speed and stability. We don’t recommend this juicer for people who juice often or who make juice for a family. That said, it may work as a personal juicer for those on a budget, especially if you’re juicing mostly leafy greens. The Elite Gourmet took its sweet time in our kale test, but it also produced more juice that’s less foamy than most.

Should You Buy a Juicer?

The answer depends on a number of factors, but mostly how often you think you’re actually going to use it. 

Timewise, it takes 20-30 minutes to make 4 cups of juice, prepping and cleaning time included. The time can be cut short by a few minutes if you use a dishwasher. There’s also the aspect of shopping for groceries. We recommend learning about the benefits and downsides to juicing before getting into it.

The idea of having fresh juice at the convenience of your own countertop can be appealing. However, if you have a history of purchasing and abandoning trendy appliances after a few months, it may be a better idea to just buy your juice from a juice bar or vendor. It’s faster, usually more delicious, and may actually be cheaper than buying an expensive juicer and not using it. Plus, you won’t have another bulky machine staring at you, questioning your life choices every time you open your cupboard.

If you decide to give it a go and make juicing a daily or even weekly part of your routine, investing in a juicer will be worthwhile. A good-quality, durable one can last for years and used often, it pays for itself within 6 months. Sure, you can make juice using a blender and cheesecloth the way you can cook rice in the microwave oven, but every Asian family I know owns at least one rice cooker.

FAQ

What does “masticating” mean in juicing?

"Masticating" in the context of juicing refers to the process of grinding, chewing, or crushing fruits and vegetables to extract juice. Masticating juicers slowly crush and grind the food, as opposed to centrifugal juicers, which cut and spin at a high speed to extract juice.

Is masticating the same as cold press?

Due to their juicing mechanism, which separates juice by slowly pressing the fruits or vegetables, masticating juicers are also known as cold-press juicers or slow juicers.

Are masticating juicers better than centrifugal juicers?

Masticating juicers operate at a slower speed and produce less heat during operation compared to centrifugal juicers. This potentially minimizes oxidation and degradation of the juice; however, we could not find any research to confirm this.

In our experience using both types of juicers, however, masticators are more versatile and efficient at juicing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables than centrifuges. They are especially better at extracting juice from leafy greens. 

We also found that masticators are easier to clean compared to centrifugal juicers. The former typically has only one small mesh, which takes 30-40 seconds to wash by hand. The latter, on the other hand, comes with a whole disc of tiny teeth surrounded by a large mesh, and it’s not uncommon to find small seeds and fibers stuck hard inside the nooks and crannies, which requires some effort to get rid of.

Our Expertise

The testers and reviewers at HealthyKitchen101, including Anh Ngo, Lap Vo, and Nguyen Ntk have been separately researching and testing different types of juicers and blenders since 2018, although our individual experience with these machines started  much earlier at our homes or office canteens. We have also been using these machines to test and develop our nutritionist-approved juice recipes. All this collective experience gave us a first-hand understanding of what to look for, and what to look out for, in a juicer.

Woman holding celery, with piles of carrots, apples, kale, and celery in front of her
Anh Ngo was the primary tester for masticating juicers

This review article is the result of hours of collaborative work. Numerous pounds of carrots, apples, kale, and celery were used—first for the trial tests, then the final tests. They were then sorted, prepped, and weighed, making sure the quality and quantity were consistent. We assembled, used, and cleaned our juicers more times during our test weeks than a typical user uses theirs in two months.

While some personal bias was inevitable, it was minimized with our standardized test process. We take pride in our efforts to bring you the most honest, practical, and subjective juicer reviews possible.

About your guide

Headshot of Anh Ngo
Anh NgoSenior Editorial Director

Anh Ngo is a writer with 9 years experience at different media outlets, covering from public news and events to product testing and analysis. At HealthyKitchen101, she works across different departments, communicating closely with its network of writers, editors, and health, tech, and search engine experts to provide a meaningful and pleasant reading experience for visitors.

Headshot of Lap Vo
Lap VoTest Lead

Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.

Headshot of Nguyen Ntk
Nguyen NtkVisual Specialist

Nguyen Ntk is a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer whose philosophy centers around respecting and celebrating the beauty of reality. Through his lenses, Nguyen strives to capture the true essence of objects and events, showcasing and highlighting authentic features without distortion or exaggeration.

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