Juicers: Centrifugal vs Masticating. If you like to drink juice all the time, then buying a juicer is something that will help you prepare the best juice you can think of. However, not all juicers are the same, so you must understand how they work before you decide which type of juicer you want to buy.
There are two main types of juice machines, centrifugal juicer and slow press (also known as masticating or cold press) juicer. They produce entirely different results. In this guide, we answer the most basic questions you may have about them, and help you make a choice.
What is the difference between masticating and centrifugal juicers?
The main difference between masticating and centrifugal juicers is how they process the fruit. Centrifugal juicers usually have one blade that spins very fast, dicing and slicing the fruit, thus allowing the juices to flow free. Think of it as a blender.
Masticating juicers, on the other hand, make use of specialized gears to press and grind the food, extracting the juice by use of high pressure. Centrifugal juicers often produce heated juice, while masticating juicers produce cold juice. This is why they are also called cold press juicers.
Juicers: Centrifugal vs Masticating Overview
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Name | KOIOS Slow Masticating Juice Extractor | Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Centrifugal Juice Extractor | Aicok Slow Masticating Juicer | Aicok Centrifugal Juicer | Mueller Ultra Centrifugal Juicer |
Color | Red-Black | Black | Gray-Black | Silver | Silver |
Material | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic BPA Free, Food Grade | BPA Free, Stainless Steel, Food Grade Materials | MU-ULTJUICER |
The first product on our select list is the KOIOS Slow Masticating Juice Extractor. This modern device comes with several ways you can press the food for juice, and has enough power to extract all kinds of fibrous fruits and vegetables, including celery, ginger, carrots, apples and more.
If you are looking for a moderately priced masticating juicer that still packs some punch, then this one might be for you. Also, it makes almost no noise, which is an attractive feature for households who like to keep their kitchen as silent as possible. The stainless steel and black plastic design will also help give your kitchen a modern look.
Advantages
- Several options to choose from
- Affordable price
- Makes almost no noise
Disadvantages
- Price may be too high for some budget users
- Low height, which limits where you can use to collect the juice
- Small feed chute
Second on our list is the Hamilton Beach Big Mouth, a very popular centrifugal juice extractor . It’s called Big Mouth because it comes with a 3-inch wide feed chute that can fit whole fruits and vegetables with ease. That big of a mouth requires enough power, and this model has it: the Big Mouth comes with an 800 watt electrical motor that will turn a dense beet into smooth juice in just a few seconds.
If you like hot juice, or want a juicer for things that you will later cook, then the Big Mouth is an excellent choice for your kitchen. Not only it can swallow big vegetables (no need to slice!), it will also help you speed up the cooking process, saving precious time.
Advantages
- 3 inch feed chute
- Ideal height, which means many options to collect the juice
- Powerful motor for speed / Affordable price
Disadvantages
- It’s all plastic, so questionable durability
- It’s louder than other models
- Low weight means it rattles in counter
Do centrifugal juicers destroy nutrients?
Although it is widely believed that centrifugal juicers destroy nutrients, most people overstate the amount of nutrients that get destroyed and how it actually affects them. Centrifugal juicers produce juice spinning blades very fast. This high speed spin creates heat, which breaks down nutrients and enzymes in the food.
However, the amount of nutrients that are destroyed by a centrifugal juicer machine is not as significant as you might think. In general, and depending on the quality of the juicer, around 2 percent of the total amount of nutrients inside a fruit or vegetables will be destroyed by a centrifugal juicer. Masticating juicers, by comparison, produce 15 percent more nutrients than a centrifugal juicer.
If you have never used a masticating juicer before and have no idea which one is better for you, the Aicok Slow Masticating Juicer is a good place to start. This affordable masticating juicer machine costs only $90, though you can pick it up for much less than that during a sale. And you won’t regret it!
Although small and simple, the Aicok Slow Masticating Juicer still comes with a sleek, modern design and enough power in its low RPM motor to extract as many nutrients as possible. Also, all of its parts are designed to safely go through the dishwasher, although it comes with a cleaning brush in case you don’t want to use or don’t have a dishwasher. If you want an high-quality entry-level option, then this one’s for you.
Advantages
- Optimal size for all counters
- Makes no noise
- Easy to take apart and clean
Disadvantages
- A bit expensive for budget users
If you are a fan of Aicok but aren’t convinced about their Slow Masticating Juicer, don’t worry. The company also manufactures the Aicok Centrifugal Juicer. This particular model comes with a 3-inch wide mouth and 1000 watts of power, which is more than enough to break any food and obtain as many ingredients as possible.
The Aicok Centrifugal Juicer is even cheaper than its masticating sibling, which is even better for low budget households who want an entry level juicer machine and who don’t care too much about nutrient efficiency. It’s big mouth also helps break down big vegetables such as cabbage.
Advantages
- Powerful motor for speed and efficiency
- Comes with accessories, including juice cup
- Affordable price
Disadvantages
- Juice spout can be difficult to use with generic liquid containers
- If you care about nutrients, choose a masticating one instead
Which is better, masticating or centrifugal juicer?
Centrifugal or masticating? That’s the question many households ask when they decide to add one of these machines to their homes. The final choice will depend on your priorities.
If you will use the machine mostly for cooking, or any other process where heat is involved, then a centrifugal juicer might be the best choice. Centrifugal juicers are also a good choice for people who don’t really care about nutrient efficiency and want to save some cash.
Masticating juicers or cold press juicers are better for people with a higher budget and who want as many nutrients as possible. Because cold press juicers do not heat up the juice, they are also the best option for people who like to prepare cold beverages, nut milks and green juices.
The last item on our list is the Muller Ultra Centrifugal Juicer. This particular model is quite popular among enthusiasts because of its high quality stainless steel sleek design. So far, it has won many awards as one of the best centrifugal juicers in the market, including the Excellence in Housewares Award of 2020.
Don’t let the prestige scare you away, though. The Mueller Ultra is only $50, which makes it one of the most affordable juicer machines in the market. Despite its low price, the Mueller Ultra comes with 1,100 watts of electrical power and a standard 3-inch feed chute for whole fruits and vegetables.
Advantages
- Award-winning design
- Affordable prices
- Advanced options
- 1,100 watt motor with RPM up to 18,000
Disadvantages
- Quite noisy in the highest speeds
- Lower nutrient results than masticating juicers
Juicers: Centrifugal vs Masticating Conclusion.
Which one is the best?
Choosing one particular model is difficult in this case, especially because we are comparing two fundamentally different types of machines. However, we finally decided that the best choice overall is the Mueller Ultra. Its affordable price, sleek stainless steel design and powerful motor make it the best quality vs price option.
Our verdict for the Juicers: Centrifugal vs Masticating