Masticating vs Centrifugal Juicer: Which One You Should Buy

The debate between masticating juicers vs. centrifugal juicers can be hard to wrap your head around due to many different factors. It’s much more than a case of fast versus slow.

If you’re a juicing aficionado, you likely already know which kind of juicer you prefer based on your personal preferences. 

However, if you’re new to juicing or just want to know which juicer is best for different purposes, then read on for a comprehensive breakdown of both.

We’ll start by defining both the masticating and centrifugal juicers is and who they’re best suited to. Then, we’ll dive deeper into the technical differences and qualities of each. 

At the end of the guide, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic to get to the bottom of some of the biggest issues concerning the two types of juicers.

After reading this guide, you’ll be equipped with everything you need to know to make an informed decision about which juicer is best for your needs.

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Masticating Juicers

Known for producing high-quality juices, what is a masticating juicer and how suitable is it for your needs?

Masticating juicers have an auger that crushes any and all fruit and vegetables you feed through the chute.

This is a slow process that generates little heat and so preserves more of the nutritional value of the ingredients.

The pulp is then separated from the juice as the machine squeezes the produce. As the pulp is discarded and stored in a container, the juice is filtered through a mesh to ensure a smooth consistency.

In a nutshell, the benefits of masticating juicers are high juice yield, multi-functionality (they can double up as food processors), and quality juice fit for the most discerning of juice-lovers.

The main downsides are the expensive price tags and the slow speed.

Best For: Juice-lovers, families, juice bars.

Centrifugal Juicers

One of the most commonly used juicers due to convenience, what is a centrifugal juicer?

Centrifugal juicers use sharp teeth and centrifugal force caused by fast spinning to grind down produce which is fed down the chute.

A concern many people have, though, is if centrifugal juicers waste many nutrients.

Since this type of juicer uses a fast process that usually takes less than a minute some of the nutritional value of produce is compromised. This is due to the excess heat it can generate which can oxidize the ingredients.

The pulp is separated from the juice and gets sent down a spout into one container as the juice goes to another.

In a nutshell, the benefits of centrifugal juicers are incredibly quick juicing times, ease of use, and very affordable price tags.

The main downsides are the oxidation of the produce, which can lead to lower quality juice and difficulties grinding tougher ingredients like leafy greens.

Best For: Juicing beginners, individuals, those on a budget.

Masticating vs Centrifugal Juicers: The Breakdown

Both masticating and centrifugal juicers have their pros and cons.

While there isn’t an objectively better option, there will be a best option for your needs, so it’s important that you take the time to consider what your preferences are.

For example, when it comes to speed do you need to make a juice that’s ready before you walk out of the door in the morning, or is time not an issue?

Likewise, do you want your juice to retain as many of the nutrients of the individual ingredients as possible, or is that not a priority for you?

By answering questions such as these using the following information on both juicers you’ll be better able to make an informed decision that works out for you in the long run.

Health Benefits

If the main reason you enjoy the idea of juicing is to make all kinds of tasty juices to keep you going, then the health benefits might not be as important to you.

However, most people consider juicing as an easy way to get the health benefits from fruit and vegetables without needing to eat a plate full of them each day.

With that said, which of the juicers offers the user the healthier juice?

First, let’s take a look at nutrient retention since this will determine how much of the good stuff in the ingredients make it into your juice.

The best way to ensure that you retain most of the healthy qualities of fruit and vegetables is to keep them cool and reduce oxidation.

While centrifugal juicers come up with the goods quickly, they do so at the expense of quality. 

This begs the question: are masticating juicers really better?

Well, given that masticating juicers use a slow process, you can expect less oxidation of the ingredients and gives you more health benefits and a better juice yield. So in terms of quality and nutrient retention, yes, masticating juicers can be a better pick.

Another factor to consider here is the types of food you can juice. Centrifugal juicers excel with softer fruits and vegetables but struggle with tough leafy greens like kale and swiss chard. On the other hand, Masticating juicers are much better equipped to deal with leafy greens and hard ingredients.

Winner: Masticating Juicers.

Speed 

It’s one thing to make a healthy juice, but another to make one quick enough to be out the door in time for work.

If you regularly find yourself short on time, then speed is going to be a very important factor in which juicer you should invest in.

Masticating juicers produce healthier juices as we’ve already established, but the process that allows for the extra nutrient-retention also happens to be quite slow.

On the other hand, Centrifugal juicers are capable of whipping up a fresh batch of juice in next to no time, which’ll be ready to be bottled up and taken with you.

So if you value speed in a juicer, then centrifugal juicers are your best bet.

Winner: Centrifugal Juicers.

Quality 

Two main factors determine quality when it comes to juices.

First, let’s take a look at freshness. What do we mean by this?

Basically, how long the juice stays good after you’ve made it. In this regard, masticating juicers excel, since the slow cold-press process ensures the juice will still be great after hours or even days have passed if you refrigerate it. 

The same can’t be said of centrifugal juicers.

The other factor in which masticating juicers come out on top is juice yield. You want the highest juice yield possible and the driest pulp for a quality end product, and this tpe of juicer offers just that.

While centrifugal juicers can leave you with moist pulp and not as much juice as you’d hoped for, this isn’t the case with the masticating models.

Winner: Masticating Juicers.

Price

Last up in this breakdown of centrifugal vs masticating juicers is the money factor; which can you pick up for more affordable prices?

Centrifugal juicers are undoubtedly cheaper than masticating juicers.

Starting at around $40, with the higher-end models at around $150, you don’t need to break the bank to start juicing with the centrifugal models.

Masticating juicers, however, are much more expensive. You’ll struggle to find many for less than $200, and the high-end models can cost you thousands.

If you want value for money and don’t need your juicer to have many extra features and functions, you should consider a centrifugal juicer.

Winner: Centrifugal Juicers.

As you can see, both types of juicers have their strong and weak points and are suited to different people.

Depending on which factors you prioritize, you will be able to determine which juicer is best suited for your needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Masticating and Centrifugal Juicers

Do centrifugal juicers destroy nutrients?

It isn’t necessarily the case that centrifugal juicers destroy nutrients, but it is true that they retain less of them than masticating juicers.

This myth may have come about due to the efficacy of masticating juicers in yielding high levels of nutrients, making centrifugal juicers look poor in that regard by comparison.

If you’re looking to invest in a centrifugal juicer, you certainly shouldn’t be worried that you are going to be drinking juice devoid of health benefits.

Is masticating juicer the same as cold press?

Yes, cold press is another term for the mastication process used by this type of juicer.

It is referred to as cold press because it keeps the temperature very low during juicing, and produces a cold end product.

What is the best masticating juicer on the market?

We believe the best masticating juicer is the Omega NC900 HDC Juicer.

With a large chute, a 15-year-long warranty, and five adjustable pressure settings, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better value in a masticating juicer right now.

You can make just about anything with this juicer, including nut milks and butters, ground beans, frozen fruit sorbet – you name it!

Plus, thanks to the mastication process we’ve explored a lot already, this model will make high-quality, high-yield juices that stay fresh for a long time after being made.

How long does juice last from a masticating juicer?

Generally speaking, you can expect your juice to last up to 2 days with a masticating juicer.

Whereas juice made with centrifugal juicers has a shorter shelf life of around 24 days, masticating juicers give you a whole extra day to store your juice.

Some models like the more advanced twin gear masticating juicers will go a step further and keep your juice fresh for as many as five days.

So you won’t need to worry about a fresh batch of homemade juice going off before you get a chance to drink it all. Masticating juicers achieve this length of freshness through the slow process, which reduces the oxidation of fruits and vegetables, spoiling them.

A Final Word from the Energetic Lifestyle Team

It’s a tough debate to settle, and you’ll have to excuse us for sitting on the fence for this one, but we believe that both juicers have their merits.

If you’re a casual juicer or lead a busy lifestyle, you’ll prefer a centrifugal juicer. If you’re a veteran juicer looking for the best quality and health properties, you’ll prefer a masticating juicer.