10 Best Citrus Juicers in 2022 (Chef-Reviewed)

The simplest tool for getting the juice out of citrus fruits is a handheld squeezer or a reamer. If you're looking to make large batches of juice, using a handheld juicer would be a tedious task. However, they are easy to use and work great at getting some citrus juice for recipes or a cup of fresh juice

Handheld squeezers look like a lever with two spoons that press down on each other with a lemon or lime cut in half in between. Many squeezers come with a built-in strainer to collect pulp and pits. 

On the other hand, reamers look more like a hand tool but with a pointed cone on one end that you pierce through a halved orange or other citrus fruits and twist to get the juice out. They're small and can be easily stored inside a drawer. 

Compared to handheld squeezers, manual juicers can handle more batches of juice. Typically, they have a cone tip where you press and squeeze the fruit, then the juice gets collected at the bottom container. They often come with a separate layer in the middle to filter out pulp and seeds so you can easily pour your juice into a cup.

Manual juicers do require some setup, but they provide you with more durability and less required pushing and twisting. They have a lever, much like an enlarged old-school seal. You put the citrus slice on the compartment and push down the lever. You get gravity working in your favor as the juice is extracted at the bottom.

The downside to manual juicers is they lack full pulp filtering. So, if you prefer your juice smooth, you might need to strain it a bit more. Also, with too much pressure placed on the fruit when pressing down manually, the dome can reach the rind of the skin and produce a bitter aftertaste.

Lastly, you have the electric juicer, which comes with a motor. It might look like a manual juicer, but the dome moves on its own, usually in the reverse direction whenever you release and press down again. This makes the work of juicing so much easier, allowing you to juice more fruits if needed.

You can also get a fully automatic electric citrus juicer wherein you simply position half a fruit on top, a lever kind of cap is pressed down, and you have your juice. These often come at a higher price but offer pulp control on various settings and total convenience.

Larger commercial citrus juicers are bulky and may take up your counter-top space. Meanwhile, manual juicers, handheld squeezers, and reamers are portable and can be stored in a drawer or canister. They also don't need electricity and thus can be positioned and used anywhere.

Manual juicers and other non-electric tools, however, require more work, effort, and time. If you have space and need juice in big quantities or frequently, then perhaps an electric juicer is the way to go.

Consider the juicer's capacity to extract juice from different sizes and types of fruits. Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, and pomegranates are commonly juiced citruses. These vary significantly in size and sticking to a handheld squeezer limits you to lemons and limes. So your choice really depends on what you'll be juicing!

If you're going for pomegranates or other large fruits but plan to include some lime zest for a recipe, a manual juicer that can also handle smaller citruses is recommended. These come with different cone sizes, which are quick to switch out depending on the fruit being juiced. Meanwhile, an electric juicer can juice all citrus fruits in a matter of minutes!

Squeezing juice for the whole family is no easy task, so if that's your goal, you'll want to make sure it doesn't require too much time and energy. In this case, a reamer would definitely be too laborious. If you're only squeezing a piece or two for recipes or that occasional cup of lemonade, then electric juicers would be too cumbersome to set up.

Your choice will depend on the frequency of use and how much juice you need at the time. If you only use your juicer every once in a while, it's a waste of counter space to have it out all the time, and a handheld juicer might be the better choice.

Pulp is highly a subjective topic. Some of us prefer ultra-smooth juice that glides down the throat, while others like to have a little something to feel and chew. Most citrus juicers have some sort of filtering layer to limit the amount of pulp that gets through, although you might need an extra strain if you're going for zero bits.

Meanwhile, no one likes juice with seeds, so pit control is a must. Pulp and pit control are are often specified in the juicer's description by the seller, so be careful to read up on what you're buying. 

The lack of electrical components and wires makes manual juicers the easiest to clean. Simply pop them in the top rack of a dishwasher! Electric juicers often come with removable parts which are also dishwasher safe. Check to see if the remaining parts have difficult corners that could pose a problem when wiping or cleaning.

For the filtering layer, make sure it's easy to remove the pulp or seeds that get stuck in the grooves or holes of the machine. Some models may be harder to clean because the material makes the pulp stick or leaves a residue that requires extra scrubbing to remove.

If you're someone who will be juicing with a passion, then it's best to go for something guaranteed to last you a long time without your machine breaking down on you midway. Buying something durable will save you from purchasing a replacement anytime soon, too. 

Juicers made with heavy-duty metal, stainless steel, or cast iron are typically durable. They can withstand squeezing thousands of citruses. They're also heavier and provide more stability when juicing, so you don't need to worry about spilling your collected juice in the process.

If you're going for more lightweight juicers, look for those with suction or rubberized bottoms. They will keep the container from tipping over in case of an accident.

An often overlooked feature of handheld squeezers is the handle. It might be super durable and made of stainless steel, but you may end up hurting your hand in the process of pulling both spoons together. Non-slip or ergonomically designed handles ensure minimal fatigue and accidents while you operate the juicer.

For manual or electric juicers, consider whether it has a good drip tray that can be snapped up to prevent spilling precious juice. Manual juicers usually have a compartment underneath for the collected juice that makes it easily transferrable to your glass. They can even double as a storage container or drinking glass.