Best Masticating Juicers - Why are They Better than Centrifugal Juice Extractors?

According to most juicer experts masticating juicers, also known as single-gear juicing machines (or auger type juicers) yield better quality vegetable and fruit juices than centrifugal juicers do. Why it is absolutely true, regarding vitamin and enzyme content of the juice provided by a masticating juice extractor some might find this type of machines unsuitable for their lifestyle.

This article overviews the benefits of owning a single-gear juicer and provides recommendations and reviews of the best masticating juicers.

How Masticating Juicers Work

As the adjective "masticating" suggests this type of juicers chew and grind vegetables and fruits into a pulp through a slow, mechanical process.

The heart of a masticating juicer is the auger that pushes the produce forward, while tearing and meshing it into a paste then pushing it through a fine-screen stainless steel strainer to separate juice form pulp. The end product is denser, pulpier and contains more fibers than juice gained from a centrifugal juicer.

The main difference between masticating juicers and centrifugal juicing machines is that the masticating type works at a lower speed (cc. 80-120 rpm) generating less heat during the juicing process.

The slow, rotating motion of the auger breaks down effectively the fibrous cell walls of vegetables and fruits, while protecting their nutrient content. A good masticating juicer can juice wheat grass and and other leafy greens, too.

While juice prepared with a centrifugal juicer such as the Breville models (Breville Juice Fountain) is still a delicious and vitamin-rich drink compared to bottled, conserved fruit drinks, the high-speed extraction will get more oxygen into the juice resulting in the oxidation of vitamins and enzymes and accelerating the degradation process of the juice. Oxidation of the nutrients contained in the fruits and vegetable cells reduces the nutrient value and health benefits of the juice made with a centrifugal juice extractor.

Considering the number of stages occuring during juicing there are single auger style and twin-gear dual stage masticating juicers.

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What Can Masticating Juicers Juice?

A masticating juicer can juice vegetables and fruits, leafy greens including wheat grass (with the exception of the Champion juicer), as well as citrus fruits. One of the drawback of auger juicers is that they don't handle fruits well.

If you want to juice mostly fruits then the Champion juicer is the best option. The Green Star juicers are also good at juicing fruits: apples, pears, melon, especially with the fruit attachment.

You can juice fruits with the other auger juicers like the Omega 8003/8005/8006, Samson, the Green Star, Solo Star, and the L'Equip Visor, but they'll tend to clogg when processing fruits alone. This is beacuse the machine needs fibers contained in vegetables to push the pulp forward.

L'Equip 509 Visor single auger masticating juicer

If you juice fruits and vegetables at the same time to get a combo drink a masticating juicer will do a fairly good job. Make sure you alternate the vegetable and fruit pieces for more efficient juicing: feed some fruit cubes then some veggie pieces until you used up all produce you planned to juice.

Cutting up the produce into smaller pieces (cubes) before juicing is also recommended to get the best results with this type of juicers.

Benefits of Masticating Juicers

Slower, multi-stage juicing process provides you with a more nutrient-rich, fresh juice. A single auger juicer won't destroy the vitamins and enzyme content of the juiced fruits and vegetables providing you with a whole juice drink rich in nutrienta. This is the most important advantage of a masticating juicing machine. If you devote your time to make fresh fruit and vegetable juices every day then you want it to contain the highest possible levels of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. That's why you juice in the first place.
A single-gear juicer yields more juice with less foam from the same amount of produce than a centrifugal machine. Pulp from a masticating auger juicer is drier than pulp from a centrifugal juicer meaining the auger machine will retain more.
Since you need less produce to prepare the same volume of juice with a single auger juicer it is a cost-effective option over a centrifugal unit. Athough a good quality masticating type machine usually costs more than a centrifugal unit, but you return the initial cost because you'll need less vegetables and fruits to fill an 8 ounce glass with a healthy drink than you would have to use in a centrifugal juicer.
A single auger juicer is a solidly built, very durable appliance (most masticating type juice machines weigh 5-10 kg) - no need to replace parts since the auger won't go blunt. A masticating juicer will be part of your household for many years providing the whole family with fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
Silent operation - a masticating juicer operates quietly as opposed to centrifugal machines which are rather noisy.
Multi-purpose appliance - with a good masticating juicer you'll have a a versatile kitchen appliance: a complete food processor with wich you can grind nuts to make nut butters, it will mill seeds, make baby food and delicious fruit ice cream. Most models can make pasta and bread sticks, too.

Disadvanatges of Masticating, Juicers

As with all kinds of appliances masticating (auger) juicers have some weak points, too. Here are the most important cons of masticating juicers that you should consider before deciding on buying one:

Cleaning a masticating juicer is not as simple to clean as a centrifugal one - many of these machines come with various attachments, especially the twin gear models - which require more time to assemble and disassemble as well as to clean. The cleaning of some of the high-end models, like the Green Star juicers, is really fussy and time-consuming.

Masticating juicers are sturdy appliances with considerable weight (cc. 5-10 kg) so if you look for a machine that you can easily carry around get one with a handle (e.g. the Australian-make LexSun juicers, or the Green Star machines have carry handle).

Not as good for juicing fruits and carrots as a centrifugal machine - a single auger juicer is not a best option if you juice mostly fruits.

The Best Masticating Juicers

You'll find a wide selection of masticating juice extractors in stores. We listed only those models that provide the most benefits for you and your family and that received very good consumer reviews.

Best Masticating Juicers - Recommended Makes & Models		Shop For Auger Style/Masticating Juicers
Omega 8006 Juicer- Our Choice for the Best Masticating Juicer	The Omega 8006 is no doubt one of the best-value single-auger, cold-press juice maker available on the market today. The 15-year warranty period is the longest in the industry.	ads from Shopzilla,Inc
Omega Vert (VRT 330) Juicer	Features space-saving vertical design. Single-auger juicer with dual stage juice extraction for better yield. Operates at low speed (80 rpm). Unique self-feeding mechanism and auto wipe feature ensures effortless juicing and quick clean up.
Samson Matstone 6 in 1 Juicer	The Matstone 6-in-1 is a cute juicer available in various colors. It juices wheatgrass, herbs, and other leafy greesn as well as fruits. Price: cc. $ 230.
Easy Health Live Enzyme Juicer	The Easy Health Live Enzyme is made in the United Kingdom. Price: cc. GBP 100, cc. $ 150. It's a an affordable juicer ideal for leafy vegetables like spinach, parsley, wheat grass and for fruits: apples, melon, citrus fruits.
L'Equip Omni Juicer	A versatile single auger machine with higher juice volume and oil extraction function.
L' Equip 509 Visor Juicer	Recommended for juicing wheatgrass and leafy greens. Price: cc. $ 170-220.
Green Star Juicers	Equipped with advanced features such as bioceramic and magnetic technology the shelf life of the juice is increased. According to the manufacturer you can store the juice for up to 72 hours without very little nutrient loss.
Samson GB-9001 Single Auger Juicer	It can juice pine needles, a unique feature that no other juice machine has, and aloe vera. Find out more about Samson juicers.
Oscar Vitalmax Juicer	The Oscar Vitalmax is similar to the Omega 8001 juicer model. It comes with 20 year warranty on the motor. Price: cc. GBP 240, cc. $ 360.

Dual Stage Single Auger Juicers
SoloStar and SoloStar II Juicer	These models are great for juicing wheatgrass and leafy veggies. It also juices carrots better than other single auger machines. SoloStar juicers are equipped with innovative-design auger and are dual stage single auger juice extractors. Price: cc. $ 250
Omega 8003/ 8005 Juicer Models, Omega 8006	For juicing wheat grass and leafy vegetables. It yields more juice than a one stage single auger unit. Price: cc. $ 230-260.

More Low-Speed Masticating Style Juicers

One of the cheapest models amongst the multifunctional, single auger juice extractors is the Lexen Healthy Electric Juicer. Other inexpensive units are the Easy Health Live Enzyme Juicer and the L'Equip 509 Visor (costs around $ 170-220).

A more expensive, high-end model is the Super Angel Juicer which is a twin-gear machine operating at low speed (86 rpm). The Super Angel is extremely easy to clean and use and it produces very high juice volume.

A "best masticating juicers" list woudn't be complete withou mentioning the Champion juicer a very popular juicing machine that can juice a wide variety of produce except leafy greens. The Champion juicer runs at higher speed (cc. 1800- 2700 rpm) than the single auger or twin gear machines so it's a bit louder. Price of Champion Juicers: cc. $ 210-240)

Conclusion on Best Masticating Juicers

To pick the best auger-style masticating juicing machine several factors have to be taken account and one has to decide based on individual needs and preferences. Before buying a juicer you alwasy has to think through what type of produce you're going to juice most frequently (mostly fruits or vegetables or both) and how often you plan to juice (once a day or 2-3 times a week). See our Juicer Buying Guide for tips and guidance on what factors to consider before purchasing a juicing machine.