You are about to buy a new juicer, but quickly get confused over the terms juicer and slow juicer. Although manufacturers claim that a slow juicer is better and healthier, this has not been scientifically proven. So we think it is not that bad. Beyond the question of whether a slow juicer is healthier, there are still big differences. There are reasons to choose a slow juicer, but there are just as many for a juicer.
Slow juicer versus juicer
The difference is mainly in how the juicers work:
- Slow juicer: The name says it all: with a slow juicer, the juice is slowly squeezed from the ingredients. A mortar slowly rotates and crushes the fruit and vegetable pieces.
- Juice extractor: At high speeds and with great force, the juice is extracted from the ingredients. This is done with the help of a grater.
The differences in a nutshell: the pros and cons
The differences in a nutshell: the pros and cons
Slow juicer pros:
- Suitable for all ingredients with high or low moisture content.
- Healthier: slow juicing preserves nutrients. More fibre also comes along.*
- Quiet: a slow juicer makes little noise
- Easier to repair
- Produces more juice from the same amount of ingredients
Juice extractor pros:
- Mainly suitable for soft ingredients with high moisture content.
- Less chopping due to a larger filling opening
- Much cheaper to buy
- Better suited for several juices in a row
*despite manufacturers claiming otherwise; it is not scientifically proven that a slow juicer is healthier than a juicer.
Slow juicer cons:
- Expensive to buy
- More chopping
- Takes longer
Juice extractor cons:
- Makes a lot of noise
- Can release heat, which is not good for nutrients
- The pulp is still a bit wet, meaning not all the moisture is extracted
Slow juicer or Juice extractor: the difference in results
- Juice extractor: the juice is slightly clear and contains slightly less fibre than juice from the slow juicer. The taste is the same and so are the nutrients (source: Coolblue).
- Slow juicer: the juice contains more fibre, making it slightly healthier than juice from the juicer. The difference in fibre richness becomes clear when you leave the juices from both juicers on the countertop for a while. With juice from the slow juicer, you see the fibres sinking down.
However, a slow juicer does extract more juice from fruit and vegetables than a juicer. You can also see this in the pulp, which is a lot drier than the pulp from a juicer.
Slow juicer or juicer: which one suits me?
Whether a slow juicer or juicer suits you better depends on usage, your needs and your budget.
Fibres are important to me
A high-fibre diet is important for everyone, but if you want to pay attention to this, a slow juicer is a better option than a juicer. Nevertheless, juice in general contains little fibre and I would then rather recommend a blender for making smoothies.
I make several juices a day
If you make several juices a day, we recommend a slow juicer above 200 euros. These have a better build quality and are therefore suitable for frequent use.
I use the juicer for leafy vegetables and moist ingredients
Do you like to juice leafy vegetables and other low-moisture ingredients such as nuts, ginger or turmeric? Then opt for a slow juicer. This one is better at extracting all the moisture.
I make juice for the whole family
Basically, you can get by with both juicers. However, a juicer has a large collection jug and is a bit faster than a slow juicer – as the name suggests.
I don’t have much space in the kitchen
A vertical slow juicer often takes up the least space, but there isn’t really much difference. Should you have a very small kitchen, look carefully at the dimensions.
I hate appliances that make a lot of noise
Obvious. A slow juicer is ‘quiet as a mouse’ compared to a juicer.
I am on a budget
Then look at a juicer. These are cheaper than a slow juicer, although sometimes you can find a slow juicer for 50 euros.
My conclusion: slow juicer or juicer?
Personally, I would rather choose a slow juicer as it is better suited for leafy vegetables and other ingredients with little moisture. It also makes less noise and they have a longer lifespan in my opinion. But in terms of health benefits compared to a juicer, it does not seem to be all that bad. At least the benefits are limited to more fibre while the manufacturers claim that juice from the slow juicer contains more nutrients.