Juicer Review

Sizing up juicer reviews

There are two main types of juicers: citrus juicers and juice extractors. Citrus juicers -- essentially electric hand reamers -- are meant solely for citrus fruits like lemons, limes and oranges. The process is simple: You press the fruit onto the peak of a cone that spins, extracting the juice. Release the pressure and the machine stops.

That said, the best juicer reviews we found were not conducted in the United States. ConsumerReports.org, for example, doesn't test juicers, and Cook's Illustrated tests only citrus juicers. Rather, the best reviews come from Australia's Choice magazine, New Zealand's Consumer magazine and Britain's Which? magazine. While the products in these reviews are not all available in the U.S., (mostly due to different electrical voltage and differing distribution), several models have U.S. equivalents. Editors at Which? magazine test 25 juicers with 600 oranges, 10 pineapples and more than 100 pounds of carrots. Choice details the good and bad of the 17 juicers it tested. New Zealand's Consumer magazine rigorously tests 11 juicers. There's a surprising amount of consensus in their results, too -- Breville juicers are rated highest in all three reviews.

The Wall Street Journal offers a roundup review of manual and electric citrus juicers, but editors don't explain their testing process. An older 2003 review offers a better explanation of results. In the earlier review, testers compare five juicers ranging in price from $100 to $400. Although a test of five juicers doesn't do justice to the dozens on the market, the five chosen are mainstream models also covered in reviews from other sources. Two American publications -- Food & Wine and Good Housekeeping magazines -- recommend juicers without revealing how many juicers they tested or describing their methodology.

We also read some helpful reviews at juicer retailers, such as VitalityPlus1.com, 877MyJuicer.com and Juicing.com. VitalityPlus1.com tests eight juicers with several pounds of carrots and spinach, and editors aren't afraid to downgrade juicers for excessive noise, vibration or poor juice output. Editors at 877MyJuicer.com and Juicing.com point out which types of juicers are best for specific needs and critique individual models. Not surprisingly, less expensive juicers do not merit much mention on these sites, which is why we also evaluate review data from owners at Amazon.com, Cooking.com, Target.com and Epinions.com.

Although it isn't a perfect indicator, owner opinion can really shed light on a juicer's performance in the real world, especially for models that aren't included in comparison tests. For example, the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer Classic JLPJB (*Est. $100) has a 3-inch-wide chute, which allows you to juice fruit without first chopping it into smaller pieces, and a powerful motor. Like many products sold via TV infomercials, this juicer gets mixed reviews. Numerous users at Amazon.com and Epinions.com say it can be difficult to clean by hand (though most of its components are dishwasher safe). Some owners complain that carrots and beets stain the white plastic housing, and the pulp isn't as dry as the infomercial claims. We also read complaints about overheating and breakage. Although the infomercial touts a lifetime guarantee, it applies only to the motor. The remaining parts are only covered for 90 days (most other juice extractors have at least a one-year warranty), and the warranty covers only the original purchaser. Despite these drawbacks, many owners believe that the Jack LaLanne juicer is a good entry-level juicer.

LaLanne also sells the silver Power Juicer Deluse JLSSS (*Est. $120), which also has a 3-inch-wide chute and a 90-day parts warranty. Like the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer Classic JLPJB, the Power Juicer Deluse JLSSS is the target of many complaints about incomplete juice extraction. Owners note that the drain is prone to clogging, and the catch basin and lid don't align properly. Most owners agree it's relatively quiet, but complain that cleaning is a hassle, in part because you can't remove the blade by hand. Worse, the housing is plastic plated with chrome, which can flake off in the high heat of a dishwasher. And many owners say that the machine can choke on soft fruits, such as strawberries and bananas.

There are other juicers that leave reviewers and owners soundly unimpressed, too. For example, the Cuisinart CCJ-100 (*Est. $30) citrus juicer earns low scores at Amazon.com, where many owners report that the too-short spout has a tendency to drip. They add that this lightweight juicer wobbles and walks across the counter during operation.

Owners posting to Amazon.com also say you should avoid the inexpensive Hamilton Beach HealthSmart 67800H juice extractor (*Est. $35). Owners complain about leakage, a too-small feeding chute, wasted juice, excessive noise and cleaning difficulty. Although the Hamilton Beach is one of the least expensive juicers on the market, reviews indicate it's not a good value.