extraction type showdown
Centrifugal vs Masticating Juicers: Which Type Should You Buy?
The honest engineering differences between centrifugal and masticating juicers: speed, yield, noise, cleanup, and cost.
Our top picks at a glance
Centrifugal standard
Breville Breville Juice Fountain PlusBusy households juicing apples, carrots, and citrus fast with minimal prep chopping.
Masticating standard
Omega Omega NC900HDC Juice ExtractorDaily green-juice drinkers who want maximum yield from kale, celery, and wheatgrass.
Budget centrifugal
Hamilton Beach Hamilton Beach Big Mouth JuicerOccasional juicers who want fast, no-fuss juice without a serious investment.
Buy centrifugal (Breville) if you juice apples, carrots, and citrus and value speed above all. Buy masticating (Omega, Hurom) if you juice greens daily, want quieter operation, and accept slower prep. There is no universally better type, only a better type for your produce.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Type | Motor | Feed chute | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centrifugal standardBreville Breville Juice Fountain Plus | Centrifugal | 850 watts, 2 speeds (6,500 / 13,000 RPM) | 3 inches (whole fruit) | Check price |
| Masticating standardOmega Omega NC900HDC Juice Extractor | Masticating, dual-stage | 2 HP equivalent gear reduction | — | Check price |
| Budget centrifugalHamilton Beach Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juicer | Centrifugal | 800 watts, single speed | 3 inches | Check price |
 Quiet masticatingHurom Hurom H-AA Slow Juicer | Masticating, vertical | 150 watts, AC induction | — | Check price |
Centrifugal standard
Breville Breville Juice Fountain Plus
The fast centrifugal workhorse with a 3-inch whole-fruit chute.
Strengths
- 850-watt motor with two speeds reaches 13,000 RPM for fast extraction of hard produce.
- Extra-wide 3-inch feed chute fits whole apples, reducing prep chopping significantly.
- Titanium-reinforced cutting disc and micro-mesh filter are dishwasher safe for easier cleanup.
Limitations
- Centrifugal design extracts less juice from leafy greens than any masticating juicer.
- High-speed spinning is loud and produces more foam and faster-oxidizing juice.
- The large footprint and multiple parts make storage and assembly bulkier than slow juicers.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Fast juicing with a wide feed chute
- Easy to clean for a centrifugal juicer
- Great value
Common complaints
- Bulky on the counter
- Wet pulp with leafy greens
- Loud, like most centrifugal juicers
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Centrifugal |
|---|---|
| Motor | 850 watts, 2 speeds (6,500 / 13,000 RPM) |
| Feed chute | 3 inches (whole fruit) |
| Juice jug | 1.1 qt with froth separator |
| Pulp container | 2.6 qt, integrated |
Best for: Busy households juicing apples, carrots, and citrus fast with minimal prep chopping.
Skip if: You juice kale, wheatgrass, or celery daily, or you want the quietest possible machine.
Masticating standard
Omega Omega NC900HDC Juice Extractor
The 80 RPM slow juicer with a 15-year warranty behind it.
Strengths
- Dual-stage masticating extraction at 80 RPM squeezes more juice from leafy greens than centrifugal models.
- Adjustable end cap with 5 settings lets you tune pressure for different produce types.
- 15-year warranty on parts and performance is the longest coverage in this guide.
Limitations
- Narrow feed chute means apples and carrots must be cut into strips before juicing.
- Slow by design: a full pitcher takes several minutes versus under a minute centrifugal.
- More parts to scrub by hand; the auger and screens need prompt rinsing to avoid staining.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- High juice yield and quiet operation
- Very durable, with a 15-year warranty
- Handles greens well
Common complaints
- Small feed chute requires chopping
- Soft fruit can clog the screen
- Slower than centrifugal juicers
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Masticating, dual-stage |
|---|---|
| Speed | 80 RPM |
| Motor | 2 HP equivalent gear reduction |
| End cap | Adjustable, 5 pressure settings |
| Warranty | 15 years |
Best for: Daily green-juice drinkers who want maximum yield from kale, celery, and wheatgrass.
Skip if: You want juice in under two minutes or hate disassembling an auger for cleaning.
Budget centrifugal
Hamilton Beach Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juicer
800 watts and a 3-inch chute for the price of a dinner out.
Strengths
- 800-watt motor and extra-large 3-inch chute juice whole fruits with minimal prep.
- Stainless-steel cutter and strainer with dishwasher-safe parts simplify cleanup.
- Simple assembly with few parts makes it the easiest juicer here to use and store.
Limitations
- Build quality reflects the price: more plastic, louder operation, shorter expected lifespan.
- Like all centrifugal models, it wastes potential juice from leafy greens.
- No variable speed control; one speed for everything.
| Type | Centrifugal |
|---|---|
| Motor | 800 watts, single speed |
| Feed chute | 3 inches |
| Cutter | Stainless-steel cutter/strainer |
| Parts | Dishwasher safe |
Best for: Occasional juicers who want fast, no-fuss juice without a serious investment.
Skip if: You juice daily and care about yield, noise, or long-term durability.
Quiet masticating
Hurom Hurom H-AA Slow Juicer
43 RPM slow squeezing in the most compact premium footprint.
Strengths
- 43 RPM Slow Squeeze Technology runs quieter than any centrifugal juicer and minimizes heat buildup.
- Sleek, compact vertical design takes less counter space than horizontal masticating juicers.
- Fine and coarse strainers included for texture control from smooth juice to thicker blends.
Limitations
- Premium pricing without the Omega's 15-year warranty (Hurom covers 10 years).
- Small hopper requires more frequent feeding during big batches.
- Pulp ejection can clog with very fibrous celery if fed too aggressively.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Excellent juice yield
- Quiet, compact design
- Easy to assemble
Common complaints
- Struggles with very fibrous greens
- Some report auger or noise issues over time
- Customer service experiences vary
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Masticating, vertical |
|---|---|
| Speed | 43 RPM |
| Motor | 150 watts, AC induction |
| Strainers | Fine and coarse included |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Best for: Design-conscious kitchens that juice daily and value quiet operation and countertop looks.
Skip if: You need the absolute highest green-juice yield per dollar, or you juice large batches at once.
Questions, answered
Which type is easier to clean?
Centrifugal juicers have fewer, simpler parts and most are dishwasher safe, but the fine mesh screen needs prompt scrubbing. Masticating juicers have more parts including the auger, which must be rinsed immediately to prevent staining. Call it a draw with different chores.
Does high speed destroy nutrients?
Marketing claims about heat and oxidation destroying nutrients are overstated; the measurable difference between types is yield and foam, not nutrition. Drink the juice promptly and either type is fine.
Which type lasts longer?
Masticating juicers generally outlast centrifugal ones: their gear-reduced motors run at low RPM under less stress, and warranties reflect it (10-15 years vs 1-3 years typical for centrifugal).