So who needs a citrus juicer?

Over the last few years, there has been a growing trend towards healthy living and eating, and one of the healthiest options is to drink fresh juices. Buying a carton of juice may be easier and cheaper, but it’s difficult to beat fresh citrus juice for nutritional content, texture, and also taste. Therefore if you are a lover of fresh orange or grapefruit juice, want to make your own lemonade, or simply want some fresh lime juice in your homemade key lime pie or guacamole, investing in the purchase of a juicer could be a good idea.

There is a bewildering variety of different juicers to choose from that could suit your needs, including electric juicers and manual models, and they have a wide range of specifications and features. However, choosing one from the many options available can be difficult, for example, some are better for juicing smaller quantities while others are more suited for those who want to juice larger amounts of fruits.

There are also juicers to suit all budgets, and we’ve done the legwork to come up with our choice of the best citrus juice extractor, as well as some good alternatives. It’s worth noting that we are specifically reviewing juicers using citrus fruits, as some general juicers don’t cope as well with citrus fruits, leaving a soggy pulp without maximum juice extraction.

Things we checked when picked the best citrus juicer

In the many products that we tested we found out the positives and negatives of each juicer we tried. We considered different factors such as ease of operation, build quality, motor power, ease of cleaning, storage, durability, juice extracting efficiency, and of course taste.

A manual juicer machine requires the user to press the fruit against a cone, which results in extracting the juice from the pulp. As there is less chance of eating into the pith this can result in a sweeter flavor, as some electric juicers can overwork the fruit and result in a slightly bitter taste. However, this can mean that a manual juicer results in slightly less juice yield, and depending on your preference you might want to strain the results as larger pieces of fruit can end up in the extraction. On the other hand an electric citrus juicer works with a reamer, either made of plastic or metal, on a shaft that’s affixed to the motor. You simply cut the end of the citrus and press it down and the machine does all the hard work.

Further bonuses of an electric juicer is that some come with different sized cones to suit different sizes of fruits, and some also have a pulp-selection feature so you can get a smoother result. For reference, in our testing, we used oranges every time.

What are the Best Citrus Juicer?

Gourmia EPJ100 Electric Citrus Juicer

The sturdy Gourmia EPJ100 citrus juicer bridges the gap between a manual press and an electric juicer, as it’s extremely simple to use but has a noticeably powerful motor that makes juicing all kinds of citrus fruits easy. Simply cut your desired fruits in half, place on the reamer, and it starts turning and quickly does all the hard work for you. It also automatically shuts off on lifting the rind, and this could be the reason why we had no trouble with the motor overheating between batches.

It features the company’s X-Tract+ Juicing System that has been designed to extract the optimum amount of juice, whatever the size of the fruit, and in our testing we found that the extracted juice had barely any pulp or pits. This was thanks to the easy-to-clean SmartFlo filter system that resulted in a nice smooth drinking experience. However, there’s no adjustable pulp level function, but if you prefer a bit of pulp in your drink or for cooking, simply scoop out some of the remaining pulp that’s left in the stainless steel basket and add.

A nice feature with this one is a perfect pour spout that enables you to easily transfer the juice to your preferred container or glass, therefore resulting in less waste. The spout also flips up so that you can avoid juice dripping down if changing receptacles. If you’ve used an electric juicer before, you may have noticed how awkward they can be to clean properly after use, but with the Gourmet EPJ100 we found this to be very straightforward as the various parts that make contract with the fruit can all be placed in a dishwasher or be easily rinsed clean.

Although the appearance of the juicers we tested was not a major factor in which we considered to be the best, as these things can be fairly subjective, we also loved the stainless steel build and design of the Gourmet EPJ100, which won’t tarnish over time. Indeed, its metallic and sleek appearance would make this an attractive addition to the countertop in any kitchen, and it’s also much quieter than many other juicers of its kind. The power is 110v, it measures 13.6 x 12.9 x 8.4-inches, and it comes with a one-year warranty. Overall, we found it very difficult to find any flaws with this juicer and although it’s fairly tall it doesn’t take up too much room on the kitchen counter. It easily copes with small or large quantities and produces excellent results, and the rubberized pads on the bottom of the device give a good grip to surfaces.

Customer reviews about the product also give extremely high ratings, with many people particularly pointing to the quiet but speedy operation, although some noted difficulty with pressing smaller fruits on to the cone. Another thing worth noting is that this electric juicer lacks a reverse function. A reversing reamer can mean the juicer can extract more juice, although we found the yield impressive anyway. Ultimately, from the models we tested, the Gourmia EPJ100 was an easy pick as best citrus juice extractor and we found it to be extremely reliable.

Tribest CS-1000 CitriStar Electric Citrus Juicer

Our runner-up title goes to the Tribest CS-1000 CitriStar Electric Citrus Juicer, which is another mid-ranger as far as price is concerned, at $49.95. This doesn’t have the flashy looks of the Gourmia EPJ100, as it’s made of plastic with a stainless steel locking spout to prevent drips and leaks, but it’s also powerful yet quiet in operation. It has a 50-watt motor, and measures 6 x 9 x 6-inches so is nicely compact. Rather than a lever that lowers on to the fruit, with this one you simply place the halves of fruit onto the universal reamer (a smaller one that nestles inside a larger one) that’s suitable for small or large fruits, and it has an auto start/stop function.

The juicer has a sloped juice collector for optimal juice flow, a high-clearance spout that prevents clogging so there are no interruptions with the operation, and features a stainless steel strainer that is easy to clean. Unlike some other juicers of this type that we tried, we found in our testing that even when pressing heavily on the reamer there was still no stuttering with the motor. As with the Gourmia EPJ100, the extracted juice is dispensed directly to a suitable glass or other container for convenience. A handy feature with the CitriStar is the adjustable cord length and cord storage, and this one also comes with a one-year warranty. It’s mainly easy to disassemble and clean, although one drawback we found was the grooves in the design that can require a bit of brushing for getting it totally spotless. Customer ratings for the Tribest CitriStar are also very high, with many pointing out its efficient operation even after several years use. It takes well-deserved second place in our rankings.

BLACK+DECKER 34oz Citrus Juicer

For a budget pick our choice is the Black + Decker CJ625 34oz Citrus Juicer priced at under $20. It has a lesser-powered 30-watt motor but has a lot to offer for its money, so is well worth considering for those on a tighter budget. This one features auto-reverse juicing with two cone sizes, which we found gave maximum extraction, as well as adjustable pulp control with a removable pulp basket that makes it easy to use if required or to dispose of. Unlike the others, we’ve mentioned so far the clear-view container (with easy-to-read measurements) can also be used as a pitcher as it has a molded pour spout and handle. It’s easy to take apart and the parts can be easily cleaned in a dishwasher.

Like the Tribest CitriStar, it has built-in cord storage and also a plastic storage cover to keep it dust-free when not being used. It’s made of plastic and measures 7.68 x 7.68 x 9.45-inches. While it worked well for us in our testing apart from the odd motor glitch, it’s worth noting that some customer reviews point to a flimsy build that can easily crack. However, it’s a good economy pick, although noisier than some.

Breville 800CPXL Die-Cast Stainless-Steel Motorized Citrus Press

As an elite option we’ve picked the rather luxurious Breville 800CPXL Motorized Citrus Press in stainless steel at over $150. Like many electric juicers it comes with a one-year warranty, and it could be a worthwhile investment for juice fiends looking for something with a more industrial strength. The design is stunning, with a gorgeous professional-grade brushed stainless steel build that would befit any kitchen. That’s just as well as it’s on the large side, measuring 14 x 17 x 10-inches, so it might not be suitable for smaller kitchens or those with limited storage space. The motor is extremely quiet and the citrus press has a die-cast stainless one-size-suits-all steel cone that the manufacture describes as “Quadra-Fin”, which is also acid-resistant. This one features a power-assisted lever arm system and we found that the juicing action offered optimum extraction with minimum effort on our part. Features include a non-drip juice spout, soft-grip handle, cord storage, a dust cover, and two filters that enable pulp control options. Like most of the juicers we looked at, the parts can be cleaned in a dishwasher for ease and convenience. We really enjoyed the luxury of this one but have only used it for a short time. Therefore we should point out that some user reviews have mentioned internal parts breaking and that’s something worth taking into account considering the high price. On the other side of the coin, other customers have nothing but glowing things to say about the Breville 800CPXL Motorized Citrus Press.

Hand Juicer Citrus Orange Squeezer with Manual Lid Rotation

While we focused mainly on electric citrus juicers in our testing, we also want to mention two of the best manual juicers that we tried, one budget model and then a superior choice. Our cheap selection is the Hand Juicer Citrus Orange Squeezer, and though this is about as basic as you can get, it’s a steal for just about $10. It’s a convenient option for those wanting smaller quantities of juice and can be used for virtually all kinds of citrus fruits including lemons, tangerines, and oranges for a really pure flavor.

It does require some physical effort but it’s quick, and the rubber padding on the bottom stops it tilting when you use it. You simply position the fruit on top of the strainer and the lid design then fixes the fruit into position. Then just press down on the screw cap and rotate and the juice will start to flow. The strainer filters out most of the pulp and the seeds, and the juice flows straight into a handy container that has a spout for easy pouring, no sticky hands, and no splashes. All it needs is a quick rinse to clean it, and as this manual juicer is small (3.9 x 3.6 x 6.9-inches) it’s easy to store and portable enough to take with you on trips or to work for a fresh fruit juice fix. We found it great to use for the odd glass of juice and it also gathers excellent customer reviews, impressive for such an inexpensive kitchen gadget.

New Star Foodservice 46878 Commercial Citrus Juicer

For those willing to splash a bit more cash, it would be hard to beat the New Star Foodservice 46878 Commercial Citrus Juicer currently reduced in price. It’s beautifully designed in enameled black cast iron with stainless steel, although the negative side of this is it’s very weighty so it’s not one you’ll want to be putting away after each use. The heavy base does mean it has excellent stability though, helped by suction feet that really grip to the countertop, although we still found ourselves pushing down on the base when using the lever.

We found good juice yield with this manual juicer, helped by the fact that the ergonomically designed long handle makes it easier to get a decent leverage and therefore more juice extraction. It measures 9 x 7 x 23-inches and the funnel parts and detachable cone are dishwasher safe. While not as physically effortless as an electric juicer, we didn’t find using this too strenuous, and it’s certainly simple enough to use.

Proctor Silex 66331 Alex’s Lemonade Stand Citrus Juicer

The Proctor Silex Alex’s Lemonade Stand Citrus Juicer is another home appliance that you can buy. Although, this citrus juicer are not appropriate for producing gallons of juice at a time (only 34 oz. capacity), but it is just right for squeezing a few cups of fresh juice to enjoy at breakfast, to add to cocktails, or to use in cooking and baking. The best thing is that $1 of your purchase goes directly to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer research.

Braun CJ3050 TributeCollection Citrus Juicer

Do you want a juicer with unquestionable quality and you can spend much money to get him? Braun offers what you want. This wonderful device is simple, but at the same time has everything you need to be a juicer first. The main features of this machine focus on a power of 60 watts, but with a remarkably quiet activity, for faster results and effortless use and simple operation without additional buttons, because you can just press the fruit down to squeeze and release to stop. It also has a dispenser with drip system to serve the juice into the glass. It is very easy to clean.

Zulay Premium Quality Metal Lemon Lime Squeezer

In the kitchen, on the terrace or anywhere, thanks to this juicer you can get all the juice to orange anywhere. Easily transported by its small size, this machine is made of a high-quality, acid-free aluminum material that will not break when you do force to extract the juice. You only need your hands to press the fruit and liquid out alone. It is lightweight and easy to handle.

Comparing

There were more aspects to take into account than we realized when first taking on our extensive testing, and we soon appreciated that different juicers will suit different needs. We feel that our top Gourmia EPJ100 choice is the one that will be fitting for the average user, with a good all-round performance at a reasonable price.

It was exceptionally uncomplicated to use, doesn’t take up too much counter space, and has the added benefit of really looking the part with its stainless steel design. The appealing design and build tipped the balance in its favor against the Tribest CS-1000 CitriStar juicer, although if the Gourmia had been more expensive we may then have opted for the Tribest juicer as our top choice. As they are currently the same price though, the Gourmia juicer was the more appealing option.

If noise doesn’t bother you too much you can save a lot of money by choosing the Black + Decker CJ625 citrus juicer, which offered a surprisingly decent amount of juice extraction for such a budget device, or if money is no object and you do a lot of juicing you really might want to consider the Breville 800CPXL citrus press with its stunning brushed stainless steel finish.

Tips for care and maintenance

As with any kitchen gadget, one of the things that we always pay a lot of attention to in our testing regards ease of cleaning. After all, if you had a device that’s difficult to keep clean it can put you off using it altogether! Therefore the majority of our recommendations, including our top pick for best citrus juice extractor, the Gourmia EPJ100 Electric Citrus Juicer, have parts that are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. That said, we still find it easier to give them a quick rinse straight after use as otherwise the pulp can dry on and give the dishwasher a tougher job. Of course you should never place the bases where the motors are housed into the dishwasher or sink, and should simply wipe them down when necessary with a damp paper towel or cloth. Another tip that you may find useful when juicing extra-large quantities is to clear the strainer every now and then as you go to keep things running smoothly.

Final words

All of the models we chose to test were top recommended products from experts, retailers, and user reviews. We soon narrowed down our selection as some had weak motors and some had poor build quality, while others started well but started to have issues after a small amount of use. Those listed above are the best that we tried and we had no problems with any of them in our testing. After juicing an enormous amount of oranges we would always go for an electric juicer rather than a manual one, although if you want to build up your arm muscles and the strength of your wrists and hands the latter might be worth considering.

When making your choice of juicer you should consider the power of the motor (look for a 25-watt motor as minimum), simplicity of use, ease of cleaning, reliability, and durability. Other factors worth taking into account are the length of warranty, the quantities of fruit, and types of fruit you want to juice. So for instance, if you’ll be juicing both small and large citrus fruits you might want to look for one with different sized reamers. It’s easy to be impressed by the extra features available with some juicers, such as pulp control and automatic reverse, but we found these didn’t always make a lot of difference, and online customer reviews are well worth checking out to see if the particular models that have these offer better results than others. For example, as we found in our testing, if you actually prefer a little more pulp in your juice than your juicer offers, it’s easy enough to scoop out some of the remaining pulp in the juicer to add to the juice, so paying more for this feature might not be cost effective. Likewise, a juicer with a reversing reamer is something that many buyers look for as they can offer more juice extraction, but we found the difference to be almost negligible in some of those we looked at.

The final point to take into account is how much you’re willing to spend. It’s really not worth paying for some of the more luxurious electric juicers available that offer style over substance, unless you are going to juice large quantities every day. At the other end of the spectrum there’s a multitude of cheap juicers to choose from. However, while a few offer a decent enough juicing experience, many of them have a poor build quality, inadequate performance, and issues with reliability. Therefore, for most folk, a mid-range juicer like the Gourmia EPJ100 will be the best option. All that remains for us to say is “Happy Juicing” and here’s to a healthier life!

This article originally published on NextToTry at The Best Citrus Juice Extractor – (Orange juice maker reviews 2017)