Best Masticating Juicers (2016)

What is a masticating juicer?

All types of juicers have their own naming conventions and masticating juicers happened to have three—slow juicer, single gear juicer, or cold press juicer. Similar to how we chew food this type of juice extractor slowly crushes fruits and vegetables. Using a dual stage juice extraction process, it crushes the produce into tiny bits then it presses the pulp as it passes along the shaft of the screw against the juicing screen. This slow but efficient process minimizes oxidation keeping all the nutrients intact. A cold pressed juice can last up to 72 hours, ideal for juice cleansing.

Masticating juicers have two designs, horizontal and the newer upright models. The main advantages of vertical masticating juicers are compact design and self cleaning system. It’s basically easier to clean and operate, and it can fit a counter space of any size. On the other hand the core capabilities of a horizontal masticating juicers are efficiency of processing wheatgrass and being multi-functional. Depending on your model and available attachments you can transform your horizontal masticating juicer into a food processor, noodle or pasta maker, homogenizer, coffee grinder and even your very own grain mill. However, I had to admit, since I bought my masticating juicer I never used it for any of its non-juicing functions.

Top 10 Masticating Juicers Comparison Table

Updated: Feb 2016

Rank	Juicer Photo	Brand / Model	Price	Design	Rating	Versatiltity (Can Juice)	BPA Free	Ultem Auger	Warranty
1	read review	Hurom HH Elite Vertical Slow Juicer	$$$	Vertical	4.33	Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Soft Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans	Yes	Yes	10 Years on motor 2 Years on parts
2	read review	Omega J8007S Nutrition System	$$$	Horizontal	4.66	Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Soft Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans	Yes	Yes	15 Years
3	read review	Omega J8008C Nutrition System	$$$	Horizontal	4.56	Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Soft Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans	Yes	Yes	15 Years
4	read review	Hurom HK Slow Juicer	$$$	Vertical	4.67	Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Soft Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans	Yes	Yes	10 Years on motor 2 Years on parts
5	read review	Hurom HO Slow Juicer	$$$	Vertical	4.67	Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Soft Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans	Yes	Yes	10 Years on motor 2 Years on parts
6	read review	Omega VSJ843RS & Omega VSJ843RR	$$$	Vertical	4.71	Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Soft Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans	Yes	Yes	15 Years
7	read review	Omega VSJ843QS & Omega VSJ843QR	$$$	Vertical	4.63	Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Soft Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans	Yes	Yes	15 Years
8	read review	Omega J8006 Nutrition Center	$$$	Horizontal	4.59	Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Soft Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans	No	Yes	15 Years
9	read review	Omega J8004 Nutrition Center	$$$	Horizontal	4.63	Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Soft Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans	No	Yes	15 Years
10	read review	Omega NC800HD Nutrition System	$$$	Horizontal	4.71	Hard Produce, Citrus Fruits, Soft Fruits, Leafy Greens, Nuts & Beans	Yes	Yes	15 Years

Pricing Info

Advantages

• Slow RPM motor prevents heat build up and oxidation
• 72 hours juice shelf life
• Higher juice yield than centrifugal juicers
• It can process all types of produce such as soft fruits, hard produce, citrus fruits, leafy greens
• You can make soy and almond milk with it as well
• Array of non-juicing functions such as food processor, homogenizer, noodle maker, and grinder (this is true for the horizontal type)
• The vertical type is easier to clean and operate and highly compact
• Quiet operation
• Longer warranty period

Disadvantages

• Mid-priced, but still within the spectrum of affordability
• Masticating juicers are typically slow at 40-80 RPM
• Narrow chute requires chopping your produce into fine pieces making your juicing process even slower

What to look for when buying a masticating juicer?

Ultem Auger

Auger is the juicing screw which crushes the produce into tiny bits and further squeezes it into the juicing screen to separate the juice from the pulp. It has to be durable, otherwise a few rounds of ultra tough produce such as carrots and beets might break it. Standard plastic were used for older model of masticating juicers, whereas newer machines uses the upgraded GE Ultem auger, eight times harder than a regular polymer.

Ultem Juicing Screen (Vertical Type)

Juicing screen is the part which the auger presses the pulp against. It receives significant amount of pressure which can break easily if standard plastic was used to support the metal screen. Models with a non-ultem juicing screen are prone to getting damaged. By the way this issue is only for upright masticating juicers.

BPA Content

BPA is a toxic substance found in plastic which has been known to cause a number of diseases including cancer. Though FDA released a report that the level of BPA found in plastic items is not significant to cause health issues, it’s still advisable to go BPA free with your juicer.

Dishwasher Safe Parts

Keeping your juicer clean is vital to keep it at its peak performance and washing it right away is highly advisable. This will prevent any build up of residue from your juice. If you can find a model which is compatible with your dishwasher it’s going to be a huge plus.

Warranty

Newer models with Ultem auger and Ultem juicing screen have longer warranties. Usually you’ll get 10-15 years due to its durability. If you happen to see shorter warranty period stated in your juicer’s manual there is a good chance that it doesn’t have Ultem auger or Ultem juicing screen.

Conclusion

Though it’s a little bit expensive and slow, I still prefer a masticating juicer over a centrifugal juicer mainly because of the juice quality. Juice cleansing is a part of my healthy routine and I would rather prepare my juices in one go than prepare it every single day.

To be more specific I like the vertical type because it’s very compact, visually appealing and easy to use and clean. In my humble opinion I won’t be needing any of the other functions offered by a horizontal masticating juicers. I have a theory that the plastic auger can absorb the taste of other stuff that you’ll put in it like coffee and I really don’t like the idea of processing meat in my juicer.

Didn’t find a good slow juice extractor in the top ten list above? Here’s a list of over 20 masticating juicers worth checking out.