Best Juicers 2022: The Definitive New Zealand Guide

Find the best juicer with our definitive guide, outlining must-know considerations and comparing models from Cuisinart, Breville, Oscar ​Neo and BioChef.

Updated 13 October 2021
Our guide outlines everything you need to know to help select the best juicer for your needs. Our guide covers:

Types of Juicers

When it comes to juicers, there are four general alternatives to choose from:
  1. Centrifugal force juicers
  2. Masticating juicers
    1. Single gear juicer
    2. Twin gear juicer
    3. Juice press

Depending on your budget, how important it is for you to take advantage of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, and the amount of time you can devote to juicing, one type is more suitable than the other. We outline each option below and explore the pros and cons.

Centrifugal Force Juicers

This is the most common type of juicer in New Zealand. And there are several reasons for this. For one thing, it is the fastest. Simply put the fruit or vegetables into the juicer compartment, press a button, and the high speed rotating blades do the rest. For another, its simple design makes it one of the most economical juicers around. However, centrifugal juicers also have disadvantages. They are noisy, produce juice with many solids, and degrade the nutrients in the juice quite fast. With this in mind, centrifugal juicers are ideal for kiwis who drink juice occasionally and value speed over juice quality or yield.

Centrifugal Force Juicers, What We Like
  • Economical. There is no doubt that one of the main reasons for the popularity of centrifugal juicers is that you can buy a basic model for less than $100. Moreover, even if you prefer more advanced centrifugal juicers, you will hardly pay more than $300.
  • Simple operation. The operation of this type of juicer is very similar to that of a blender. You place the product in the machine, and when you turn it on, the blades will rotate at a very high speed to cut the fruits and vegetables. The centrifugal force is responsible for "squeezing" the juice which is then collected in the container of your choice.
  • Fast. Depending on the model, the motor of the centrifugal juicer can rotate from 3000 to 14000 RPM. This speed is essential as it is the centrifugal force that extracts the juice; the blades only cut the product. For this reason, centrifugal juicers are usually faster than masticating juicers. For your reference, filling a glass of juice could be done in just over a minute.
  • Easy to clean. Another great benefit of centrifugal juicers is that they are straightforward to clean. In fact, most quality centrifugal juicers are dishwasher friendly.
​​
Centrifugal Force Juicers, What We Dislike
  • Degrade nutrients. The biggest reason why juice lovers dislike centrifugal juicers is that their use causes the nutrients to oxidise too quickly. This is due to the heat generated during the process, which means that the juice must be drunk immediately or within a few hours of being extracted.
  • Quite noisy. This is the loudest type of juicer. Once you turn it on, the juicer can be as loud as a blender. Keep this in mind if you plan to make juice in the morning while the other members of your family are still sleeping.
  • Produce a large amount of pulp. 
  • Limited use. Given their principle of operation, centrifugal juicers are limited to extracting the juice and reducing the amount of fibre in them. Furthermore, this type of juicer is recommended more for relatively soft fruits and vegetables.

Masticating juicers

Masticating juicers, also known as cold-press juicers or slow juicers, work differently from centrifugal juicers. Instead of blades spinning at high speed, this type of juicer uses one or more augers to crush fruits and vegetables. In many cases, this type of juicer also has a mesh screen that separates the pulp from the juice, which is very useful in maximising the use of fruits and vegetables for both juicing and for food recipes that require fibre from the pulp.

Masticating juicers: Single gear juicers

As the name suggests, this type of slow juicer uses a single gear to squeeze the juice from fruits and vegetables. Among its main benefits are its very high juice yield, low noise level, and high juice quality. In addition, since it does not heat the product, the juice extracted with single gear juicers retains its nutrients for approximately 36 to 72 hours. All of the above makes single gear masticating juicers ideal for fresh juice lovers.

Single gear juicers, What We Like
  • Excellent juice quality. Unlike centrifugal juicers, single gear masticating juicers allow you to enjoy a more protein-rich juice with a more natural taste.
  • Simple operation. One aspect these juicers share with centrifugal juicers is that they are effortless to operate. Simply place the fruit or vegetables in the juicer and turn the machine on. The rest of the process is automatic.
  • Versatile. Due to their principle of operation, this type of juicer can also be used as a food processor, e.g. for chopping or making pasta, making them more versatile than centrifugal juicers that can only make juice.
  • Quiet. One of the major advantages of single gear juicers is that they are noticeably quieter than centrifugal juicers. 

Single gear juicers, What We Dislike
  • Could be harder to clean. Depending on the model, cleaning this type of juicer can be somewhat complicated because access to the gear may be difficult.
  • Produce a large amount of pulp. While the juice yield of single gear juicers is high, so is the amount of pulp that is separated from the juice. Name brand juicers often alleviate this problem by using a mesh filter that retains the fibre as the juice is extracted.
  • Can be bulky. The screw-type system of these juicers usually takes up more space in your kitchen than centrifugal juicers. This is something to consider if you have limited counter space.
  • Slow. While centrifugal juicers rotate their blades at speeds that can exceed 10,000 rpm, single gear juicers barely reach 100 rpm in some cases. This means less noise but also a long time to extract the juice.

Masticating juicers: Twin gear juicers

Twin gear juicers (aka Triturating juicers) are very similar in design to single gear or slow juicers. They use two augers that pull and squeeze the fruits and vegetables while they pass them through various mesh-type filters. Brand juicers separate the excess pulp from the juice, while some cheaper designs do not use filters, and this causes a large number of solids such as skin and seeds to mix with the juice. However, regardless of its design, this type of juicer is the one that preserves more nutrients for the longest amount of time.

Twin Gear Juicers, What We Like
  • Produce juice rich in nutrients. You can think of these juicers as an improvement on single gear juicers. They have a very high juice yield that is rich in nutrients and can last up to 3 days without oxidising. No doubt, this makes them the preferred choice of hard-core juice lovers.
  • Simple operation. Like other types of juicers, twin gear juicers are very simple to operate. Some models require you to "push" the fruit to squeeze it, but most are fully automatic.
  • Silent. This is one of the quietest juicers of all, making it ideal for large families and even commercial applications in offices and other work environments.
  • Multi-purpose. One advantage they share with single gear juicers is that they can be used to extract juice, make pasta, powder grinding, and process all types of food.

Twin Gear Juicers, What We Dislike
  • Expensive. High-quality juice usually comes with a price tag. Depending on the model and brand, you can expect to pay up to a couple of thousand dollars for a premium twin gear juicer.
  • Slow. Like other masticating juicers, twin gear juicers are not known for being fast but rather for producing large volumes of high-quality juice.
  • Could mix the juice with solids. There is a wide variety of twin gear masticating juicers on the market. Some do not incorporate any post-extraction filtering mechanism, resulting in a huge amount of solids and pulp in the juice.
  • Hard to clean. This may be one of the most difficult juicers to clean due to its intricate double auger mechanism. ​

Masticating juicers: Juice press

Juice presses, also known as cold-press juicers, is the most expensive type of juicer of all. And for a good reason. Their principle of operation is simple, as they are similar to manual juicers that squeeze fruits by pressing them hard against a filtering surface. The difference from manual juicers is that juice presses use thousands of pounds of pressure to extract the juice. This makes them the type of juicer that produces the best juice, with more nutrients, less foam, less pulp, and higher yield.

Juice Press, What We Like
  • Unequalled juice quality. In terms of quality, nothing beats this type of juicer. The juice produced with this type of juicer has an extraordinary texture, an unbeatable taste and retains its nutrients for up to 5 days. That is why they are considered juicers for purists and juice lovers who appreciate quality above all else.
  • Simple operation. Few adjustments need to be made to operate a press juicer. Just put the fruit inside the machine, make sure to close the mechanism, and then choose the force with which to squeeze the juice.
  • Relatively fast. Unlike other masticating juicers, the juice press is relatively fast, thanks to its pneumatic mechanism. Add in the fact that it is one of the highest-yielding juicers and the result is that you can enjoy your juice in a matter of minutes.
  • Utmost versatility. The versatility of this type of juicer is unparalleled. Thanks to their powerful pneumatic force, cold-press juicers can be used to make dairy milk from nuts, oats, and even soybeans.

Juice Press, What We Dislike
  • Quite expensive. If you think twin gear juicers are expensive, then think again. This type of juicer is basically a commercial quality unit, so be prepared to pay good money for a quality press juicer.
  • Very hard to clean. One of the big disadvantages of these juicers is how complex they can be to wash. Keep in mind that it can take up to 30 minutes to wash them after use.
  • Require maintenance. Like all pneumatic tools, these juicers require periodic maintenance to keep them in optimal working condition. This is an additional cost to bear in mind when purchasing this type of juicer.

Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Juicer in New Zealand

Before making a decision, the following considerations need to be made carefully:
  1. Noise: This is certainly one of the aspects that most people overlook. Until it is too late. If the noise level is an important factor for you, your best option is a masticating juicer or juice press.
  2. Price: The price range can vary considerably from one type of juicer to another. At one end of the spectrum are centrifugal juicers, which are the cheapest, while at the other end of the spectrum are juice presses. Single and twin gear juicers tend to fall in the middle, but even so, they are still noticeably more expensive than centrifugal juicers.
  3. Brand: We cannot stress enough how important it is to buy juicers from a reputable brand. Look at it this way; it’s your family's health that is at stake. Low-quality juicers can alter the nutrients in the fruit, or even worse, mix oil or plastic/metal shavings into the juice you drink.
  4. Speed: The speed of juicing can be an important aspect, especially if you have a juice bar in mind. To that effect, you should know that centrifugal juicers are faster for families of 3, but beyond that point, the higher juice yield of masticating juicers makes them a better choice.
  5. Juice quality: If juice quality is your priority, then the choice is simple. You get the highest quality using a juice press, followed by a twin gear juicer, a single gear juicer and finally, a centrifugal juicer.
  6. Versatility: While few think of juicers as food processors, in practice, masticating juicers are, in fact, just that. Depending on the model, you can separate the nutrients in the juice from the fibre in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and more.
  7. Size: Despite their many advantages, masticating juicers tend to take up considerable space when compared to compact centrifugal juicers. So if you have limited space in your kitchen, this may be something to consider.

Three of the Best Juicers Available in New Zealand Right Now

Choosing the juicer currently available in New Zealand is not an easy task. We have compiled our list (in no particular order) based on average consumer reviews collected from consumer.org.nz as well as other sources both in New Zealand and overseas.

1. Best Centrifugal Juicer: Cuisinart CCJ-500 Pulp Control Citrus Juicer

More details: Cuisinart CCJ-500 Pulp Control Citrus Juicer​​
​Pricing: From $67
​What We Like
​What We Dislike
  • Brushed stainless steel exterior 
  • Straightforward operation
  • Ultra-compact
  • Dishwasher-safe parts
  • Unbeatable value
  • Noisy
  • Requires pre-cutting the fruit/vegetables
If you are looking for a traditional juicer that is compact and economical, then the Cuisinart CCJ-500 Pulp Control Citrus is one of your best options. Its premium stainless steel and black polycarbonate construction, ease of use, and easy to clean parts are definitely points in its favour. However, one of the aspects we like the most is its price which makes it the best centrifugal juicer in New Zealand.

Cuisinart CCJ-500 Pulp Control Citrus Key Features
  • Recommended for: Small families / occasional usage
  • Dimensions: 6.75 x 7.88 x 12.25 inches (17.1 x 20 x 31.1 cms)
  • Construction Materials: stainless steel exterior, plastic, and stainless steel parts
  • Versatility: Fruits and soft vegetables
  • Juice Quality: Foamy, with noticeable fibre and pulp
  • Noise Level: Noisy
  • Settings: adjustable speed control settings (low, medium, high)​

Runner-up: Breville Juice Fountain Compact- From $119

For a more convenient centrifugal juicer, the Breville Juice Fountain provides special blades that allow you to juice whole fruits and vegetables without pre-cutting.

2. Best Single Gear Juicer: Oscar Neo DA 1000 Ultem Tough Juicer

More details: Oscar ​Neo DA 1000 Ultem Tough Juicer​
​Pricing: From $529
​What We Like
​What We Dislike
  • Available with chromed or coloured exterior 
  • 3 step auger crushing system
  • Pulp adjustment nozzle
  • Quiet operation
  • 20-year warranty on motor and 10 on parts​​​
  • Somewhat bulky
  • Not as affordable as centrifugal juicers
If you are a health enthusiast, then the Oscar Neo DA 1000 will not disappoint. This extraordinary single gear juicer allows you to process almost any type of food quickly and conveniently. Moreover, Oscar Neo’s unique 3-stage system crush, squeeze and then separates the juice from the pulp so you can get the most out of both. Undoubtedly one of the best choices for New Zealanders who favour high-quality juice above all else.

Oscar Neo DA 1000 Ultem Tough Juicer Key Features
  • Recommended for: Medium to large families or juice bars
  • Dimensions: L 41cm x W 17cm x H 34cm
  • Construction Materials: BPA-free Ultem tough polycarbonate
  • Versatility: Soft and hard fruits, pasta, vegetables, wheatgrass, etc
  • Juice Quality: High-quality, high-nutrient, with little pulp
  • Noise Level: Quiet
  • Settings: adjustable speed, reverse function, and several accessories included

Runner-up: AMZCHEF Slow Juicer- From $223

A cheaper alternative from a lesser-known brand is the AMZCHEF Slow Juicer which is easy to use and clean.

3. Best Twin Gear Juicer: BioChef Gemini Twin Gear Juicer

More details: ​BioChef Gemini Twin Gear Juicer​
​Pricing: From $559
​What We Like
​What We Dislike
  • High yield of juice
  • Cutting-edge triturating technology
  • Quiet operation
  • 20-year warranty on motor and 5 on parts​
  • Bulky
  • Only available in white
The BioChef Gemini Twin Gear juicer offers unique magnetic and bio-ceramic technology that allows you to separate the juice from the fibre and harmful residues that come with food. The result is the purest, healthiest juice you can drink. Add to that its competitive price, and you have a juicer that is hard to pass up. If you are looking for a quality juicer capable of delivering nutrient-rich juice, then the BioChef Gemini Twin Gear juicer is hard to beat.

BioChef Gemini Twin Gear Juicer Key Features
  • Recommended for: Medium to large families or juice bars
  • Dimensions: L 41cm x H 28cm x D 16cm
  • Construction Materials: BPA-free polycarbonate
  • Versatility: Soft and hard fruits, pasta, vegetables, wheatgrass, etc
  • Juice Quality: High-quality, high-nutrient, with little pulp
  • Noise Level: Very quiet
  • Settings: adjustable speed, reverse function, and several accessories included

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