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The Spruce Eats / Chloe Jeong
Most people would agree that fresh juice makes everything taste better, from lemon meringue pie and French lime sorbet to blood orange panna cotta and grapefruit shandy. While you can squeeze these fruits by hand, a dedicated citrus juicer will help get the job done pulp- and seed-free with very little effort.
Best Overall
Zulay Professional Heavy Duty Citrus Juicer
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Amazon
Great for larger quantities
Very efficient juice extraction
Professional grade and built to last
Heavy and requires counter space
Pricier than most manual citrus juicers
This commercial-grade juicer by Zulay uses gravity and leverage to help extract as much juice as possible with a simple pull of the handle. With its cast-iron base and sturdy design, this classic juice press is a true workhorse. Often used by bartenders who make their own mixers, it's exceptional for pressing large quantities of any size citrus fruit, from key limes to grapefruits and everything between. It also comes in a multitude of colors (even rose gold; view on Amazon) to complement your kitchen decor.
One thing to note is that this juicer will likely have to live on a countertop full time, as its weight and size make it awkward to transfer in and out of storage. But if you do have the counter space, this press is perfect for making fresh-squeezed orange or grapefruit juice at a moment's notice. To clean, give it a thorough wipe down with a damp cloth and let air dry.
Price at time of publish: $99.99
Material: Cast iron/stainless steel | Weight: 15 pounds | Dishwasher Safe: No
Best Handheld
Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer
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Amazon
Takes up very little space
Easy to use
Dishwasher safe
Not great for large quantities
Bowl doesn't fit larger citrus fruits
If your kitchen is on the small side, the handheld Chef’n FreshForce Citrus Juicer is an ideal pick for making lemons into lemonade. It actually comes in three sizes—orange, lemon, and lime (but sadly, there isn’t one to accommodate larger citrus, like grapefruit). Since this juicer is portable and lightweight, you can put it directly over whatever you’re making, whether it be a pan-seared sole meunière or zesty summer cocktail.
“It has only one moving part and, perhaps most importantly, takes up very little space,” says Omid Tavallai, chef and cofounder of Emperor Norton in Paris. This model is also dishwasher safe, making for easy cleanup. It’s an easy-to-use piece of kitchenware. The only caveat is that if you’re planning on juicing a lot of fruit, your hands may get tired after a while.
Price at time of publish: $24.99
Material: Nylon/stainless steel | Weight: 10.6 pounds | Dishwasher Safe: No
“A slick, modern version of the classic ‘Mexican elbow,’ it squeezes out every milliliter of juice with almost no effort." — Omid Tavallai, Chef and Cofounder of Emperor Norton
Best Budget
Black+Decker CJ625 Citrus Juicer
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Amazon
Compact design
Auto-reversing cone provides maximum extraction
Pulp control feature
Noisy motor
If you want the ease of an electric juicer, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, this modestly priced model might be just what you’re searching for. “The Black+Decker juicer fits my budget, and the brand has a reputation for good products,” says Cristina Topham, chef and owner of Spread Catering in Sonoma, California.
This 30-watt juicer allows you to juice up to 34 ounces in one go and boasts an auto-reversing cone that will help you extract as much juice as possible from citrus. There's even a pulp control feature, so you can adjust the amount of pulp in your juice. Cleanup is easy (all removable parts are dishwasher safe), and the unit comes with a plastic cover and integrated cord wrap for hassle-free storage.
Price at time of publish: $27.99
Material: Plastic | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (removable parts) | Capacity: 34 fluid ounces
"It’s withstood the test of time in a commercial kitchen, which is more than I ever expected." — Cristina Topham, Chef and Owner at Spread Catering
Best Electric
Breville Citrus Press Pro Juicer
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Amazon
Durable die-cast construction
Quiet motor
Can juice a variety of citrus fruits
Pricey
No pitcher included
Can over-ream fruit
This top-of-the-line citrus press by Breville has built-in sensors to start the juicing process once the press arm and fruit are in contact. Made out of die-cast aluminum and zinc and housed in brushed stainless steel, this sturdy 100-watt machine can juice most citrus, from small limes to large grapefruits and everything between.
The press arm allows you to juice with minimal effort, meaning you can glean larger quantities without fatiguing your arms or hands. Plus, this machine is quieter than other electric models despite its more powerful motor. Fast, efficient, and easy to use, this is an excellent choice for those who juice often.
Price at time of publish: $229.95
Material: Die-cast aluminum/zinc/stainless steel | Weight: 15.6 pounds | Dishwasher Safe: No
Best Manual
OXO Good Grips 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer
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Amazon
Two sizes for small and large citrus
Built-in measuring cup
Easy to take apart and clean
Measurements might be difficult to read
The Oxo Good Grips 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer is perfect for those who need more than just a squeeze here and there. This tabletop reamer has its own measuring cup to catch every drop of juice (up to 1.5 cups), great for measuring the amount needed for your recipe or making individual servings of orange juice.
The BPA-free vessel is marked in both metric and imperial measurements and features a drip-free pour spout. The two included reamers allow you to juice any size of citrus fruit, and the entire unit comes apart for easy cleaning. You can even run it through the dishwasher.
Price at time of publish: $16.99
Material: Polypropylene | Weight: 0.43 pounds | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Capacity: 1.5 cups
Best Design
Smeg Citrus Juicer
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Attractive retro design
Stainless steel universal reamer and strainer
Quiet 80-watt motor
Built-in sensor
Expensive
This retro-style juicer by Smeg is easily one of the most attractive citrus juicers out there. It’s beautiful enough to sit on your countertop all the time and is available in a variety of colors to match your decor.
Besides being easy on the eyes, this Italian-designed appliance has a built-in sensor that activates when you apply pressure onto the universal reamer, making quick work of juicing any size of citrus fruit. The stainless steel strainer removes all seeds and also catches most of the pulp, keeping just enough to add some texture to the juice.
To prevent spills, the anti-drip spout flips down to release the juice into your receptacle and flips back up again to stop the flow. The Tritan dome lid doubles as both a bowl for citrus rinds and dust cover for the machine when it’s not in use. Cleaning is easy, thanks to the removable components that can go right into the dishwasher (or be hand washed quickly). It is a gorgeous and functional addition to any kitchen.
Price at time of publish: $199.95
Material: Die-cast aluminum/stainless steel | Weight: 6 pounds | Dishwasher Safe: No
Most Ergonomic
Cuisinart Pulp Control Citrus Juicer
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Amazon
Easy to clean
Can accommodate fruits of various sizes
Extra-long spout
Challenging to clean with a sponge
Enjoy making fresh-squeezed orange juice, lemonade, or limes for a margarita entirely hands-free with the Cuisinart Pulp Control Citrus Juicer. Just cut the fruit in half, insert and juice without the work. This is a great choice for someone with arthritis, a hand injury, or simply anyone who wants to avoid getting juice on themselves. Best of all, it has pulp control with low, medium, and high settings.
This juicer was also designed to maximize juice extraction with two helpful features. The reamer can reverse, so you can get every last drop. There's also a final spin mode. It's also worth noting that the plastic top protects the machine from dust when sitting out on the counter.
Price at time of publish: $29.95
Material: Brushed stainless steel and BPA-free plastic | Weight: 4 pounds | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Reamer
Williams Sonoma Citrus Reamer
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williams-sonoma
Affordable
Comfortable grip
Dishwasher safe
Not as quick as other handheld juicers
A citrus reamer can be very useful if you need to make small batches of juice on occasion. Simple and easy to use, this classic from Williams Sonoma gets the job done. Unlike other types of juicers, a reamer can be used at any angle to extract every last drop of citrus juice, whether it's an extra-large lemon or small key lime. Better yet, because it’s more compact than a standard manual juicer, a reamer is great for people who are short on counter or storage space.
One of our product testers fell in love with this particular reamer during a power outage when she couldn't turn to her electric juicer, and she has continued to use it over all other options ever since. She reports excellent yield no matter the size of the citrus fruit she's juicing and loves its comfortable handle. This is a reliable gadget that's also portable (perfect for camping).
Price at time of publish: $13
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The Spruce Eats / CJ Honaker
Material: BPA-free ABS plastic | Dimensions: 3.75 x 8.75 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
"These are handy in a pinch. I keep one in my knife kit. If you don’t do a lot of juicing, but would like to have something in your kitchen in the event you need to whip up a cocktail or dress a salad, this is a superb choice." — Cristina Topham, Chef and Owner at Spread Catering
The Zulay Professional Heavy Duty Citrus Juicer is our No. 1 pick because of its top-notch extraction and ability to juice large quantities. Plus, it's built to last. For those on a budget, we recommend the Black+Decker CJ625 Citrus Juicer.
What to Look for in a Citrus Juicer
Type
There are two main types of juicers: manual and electric. Manual juicers are great since they can be used anywhere—no plug required. If you prefer electric models, you'll want to check that you have space near an outlet for your juicer when it comes time to use it or that your machine has a cord long enough to reach an available outlet.
Size
Most juicers (with the exception of handheld models) require counter space, so you'll want to be sure that the footprint of the juicer is just right. Lever-type manual juicers are often left on the countertop, as they tend to be heavy and difficult to move. Smaller electric juicers are usually light enough to be taken out only when needed (you'll just have to ensure you have somewhere to store it when it's not in use). If you have a very compact kitchen, a manual handheld juicer (like a citrus reamer) is the way to go.
Capacity
Some juicers are designed with their own canisters that collect juice as it is being pressed. While it is very convenient, bear in mind your capacity needs as some of these containers can be on the smaller side. If you want to be able to squeeze more than 4 cups of juice in one go (like if you're making lemonade for a picnic), consider picking a model that lets you use your own containers, so you can keep juicing without having to stop and empty your canister.
FAQs
How do you use a citrus juicer?
For best results, roll your citrus fruit on your countertop or cutting board using the weight of your hand to gently press the fruit to help the flesh start to release its juice. Then, cut the fruit in half crosswise to expose its sections. For juicers with a reamer, place the center of the cut citrus on the pointy end and continue juicing according to the manufacturer's instructions. For handheld squeeze-type juicers, you will want to cut the skin off of the ends of the fruit as well and place it into the juicer's bowl with the large end up, then press the handles together to squeeze out all of the juice.
Do you peel citrus before juicing?
For dedicated citrus juicers, peeling your fruit is unnecessary. All you have to do is slice your citrus in half (crosswise) so that the flesh is exposed. From there, you can use your juicer as directed by your user's manual. If you're using a regular juicer (a centrifugal or masticating type), you'll want to consult the juicer's manual to see how it handles citrus fruit.
How do you clean a citrus juicer?
For best results, you will want to clean your juicer as soon as you're done using it. While citrus juice actually helps to keep things clean, you still need to run all its detachable parts under running water (or through the dishwasher if recommended by the manufacturer). Luckily, most electric citrus juicers have a simple design that allows for easy cleaning. Many manual juicers are top-rack dishwasher safe, as well. Wooden reamers should be washed by hand, and heavy lever-type juicers can typically be wiped clean with a damp cloth. As always, consult the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning instructions specific to your juicer.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ease of use, material, or price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This piece was written by Bernadette Machard de Gramont, a Los Angeles-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. After a two-year stint at Williams-Sonoma Headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.
Amanda Lauren, who updated this roundup, is an experienced lifestyle and food writer.
Sources
Omid Tavallai is a chef and the cofounder of Emperor Norton in Paris, France.
Cristina Topham is a chef and the owner of Spread Catering in Sonoma, California.
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