Welcome to Juicer Best! If you’re here, you’ve probably stood in your kitchen, looked at a pile of vibrant fruits and vegetables, and thought, “There has to be a better way to get all this goodness inside me.” You’re not alone. The world of home juicing is a gateway to better health, and a great machine is your key. In this comprehensive Breville Juicer Review, we’re going to dive deep into one of the most popular brands on the market. My goal is simple: to give you the real-deal, no-fluff information you need to decide if a Breville is the right partner for your wellness journey.
For years, I’ve tested, taken apart, and cleaned more juicers than I can count. Breville consistently stands out, but not every model is for everyone. So, grab a glass of water (for now!), and let’s figure out which Breville juicer, if any, deserves a spot on your countertop.
Centrifugal vs. Cold Press: The Great Juicing Debate
Before we can even talk about specific models, we need to get one thing straight: the technology. Breville is famous for its centrifugal juicers but also makes fantastic cold press models. Understanding the difference is the single most important step in choosing the right machine.
The Need for Speed: Centrifugal Juicers
Think of a centrifugal juicer as the sprinter of the juicing world. It uses a flat cutting blade that spins at incredible speeds (we’re talking 6,500 to 14,000 RPM) against a mesh filter. This process shreds the produce and flings the juice out through the mesh, separating it from the pulp.
- Pros:
- Fast: You can make a glass of juice in under a minute.
- Wide Feed Chutes: Many Breville models let you drop in whole apples or large chunks of produce, saving a ton of prep time.
- More Affordable: Generally, centrifugal juicers are easier on the wallet.
- Cons:
- Oxidation: The high speed introduces a lot of air into the juice, leading to faster oxidation. This means you should drink it right away for maximum nutritional benefit.
- Less Effective on Leafy Greens: They struggle to extract a high juice yield from things like spinach, kale, and wheatgrass compared to their slow-press cousins.
- Louder: The high-speed motor makes a fair bit of noise, like a blender.
The Slow Squeeze: Masticating (Cold Press) Juicers
If centrifugal juicers are sprinters, masticating juicers are marathon runners. They use a single auger (a corkscrew-like gear) to slowly crush and “chew” the produce, pressing it against a screen to squeeze out the juice. This process is much slower and more deliberate.
- Pros:
- Higher Nutrient Retention: The slow, heat-free process minimizes oxidation, preserving more delicate enzymes and vitamins. The juice can often be stored for up to 72 hours.
- Excellent Juice Yield: They extract significantly more juice, especially from leafy greens and soft fruits. Less waste!
- Quiet Operation: They are dramatically quieter than centrifugal models.
- Cons:
- Slower: It takes more time to produce a glass of juice.
- More Prep: Feed chutes are typically smaller, requiring you to cut produce into smaller pieces.
- Higher Price Point: This advanced technology comes at a premium.
Top Picks: A Deep-Dive Breville Juicer Review
Now for the fun part. Let’s look at a few of Breville’s star players. I’ve chosen models that represent different needs and budgets to give you a clear picture of what they offer.
For the Busy Beginner: Breville Juice Fountain Compact
This is the perfect entry point into the Breville family. It’s a no-fuss centrifugal machine that delivers on Breville’s promise of power and quality without taking over your entire kitchen. Its compact design is a lifesaver for smaller spaces. While the feed chute is a bit smaller than its bigger siblings, it still packs a punch for hard produce like carrots, apples, and ginger. If you’re new to juicing and want to test the waters without a huge commitment, this is your guy.
The All-Rounder: Breville Juice Fountain Cold Plus
This is, in my opinion, one of the best centrifugal juicers on the market and a flagship in any Breville juicer review. What makes it special is Breville’s proprietary Cold Spin Technology™. It’s designed to pass the juice through the cutting disk and mesh filter in a way that prevents significant temperature increase.
Expert Take: Does it truly make the juice “cold”? Not exactly, but it ensures the temperature increase is less than 1.8°F. This is a significant step in reducing the nutrient degradation that can happen with other high-speed juicers.
The Juice Fountain Cold Plus also boasts a massive 3.5-inch feed chute and an extra-large 70 fl. oz. seal-and-store jug, making it perfect for families or batch juicing. It’s fast, efficient, and easy to clean—a winning combination.
For the Green Juice Guru: Breville the Big Squeeze
This is Breville’s answer to the cold press world. The Big Squeeze is a vertical masticating juicer that is an absolute beast with leafy greens. When I first tested this with a big bunch of kale, the amount of rich, dark green juice it extracted was incredible, and the pulp came out bone-dry. It’s also whisper-quiet. You could make juice in the morning without waking up the whole house. The trade-off is the price and the time it takes. But if maximizing nutrient content and juice yield is your top priority, the investment is well worth it.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Breville Juicer?
This is one of the most common questions I get. When you’re comparing models, it can feel overwhelming. Here’s a simple checklist to guide you.
A great Breville juicer should balance your personal needs for speed, juice quality, and convenience. Focus on your daily routine: if you’re always in a rush, a centrifugal model like the Juice Fountain Cold Plus is ideal. If you’re a wellness enthusiast who savors the process, the Big Squeeze is your match.
- Juice Quality vs. Speed: Be honest with yourself. Do you need juice in 60 seconds, or are you willing to wait 10 minutes for a more nutrient-dense beverage? This will immediately point you toward either a centrifugal or masticating model.
- Ease of Cleaning: This is a deal-breaker. If a juicer is a pain to clean, you won’t use it. Breville does a great job here. Most of their parts are dishwasher-safe (top rack only!), and they include a handy cleaning brush. The less complex the machine, the faster the cleanup.
- Feed Chute Size: A wider chute means less time chopping. Breville’s 3-inch and 3.5-inch chutes are legendary for a reason—they are massive time-savers.
- Footprint: How much counter space can you spare? Measure your spot before you buy. The Compact models are great for apartments, while the larger ones are a statement piece.
- Noise Level: If you have an open-concept living space or early mornings, the near-silent operation of a masticating juicer like the Big Squeeze might be a non-negotiable feature.
Juicing at Home vs. Store-Bought: Is It Worth It?
This is a crucial consideration before investing in any juicer. Why not just grab a bottle from the store?
The difference is night and day. Most commercial juices are pasteurized—heated to a high temperature to kill bacteria and extend shelf life. This process also destroys many of the vital enzymes and heat-sensitive vitamins, like Vitamin C.
“Freshly pressed juice, especially from a cold press juicer, contains a vibrant ecosystem of live enzymes and phytonutrients that simply don’t survive the journey to a supermarket shelf,” says nutritionist Dr. Eleanor Vance. “When you make it at home, you control the ingredients, eliminate added sugars, and consume the nutrients at their absolute peak.”
Making your own juice ensures you’re getting 100% pure, unadulterated goodness. And over time, the cost of a daily store-bought juice habit can easily surpass the price of a quality Breville juicer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breville Juicers
1. Which Breville juicer is best for beginners?
For absolute beginners, the Breville Juice Fountain Compact is a fantastic choice due to its simplicity, small footprint, and affordable price. If you have a slightly larger budget, the Juice Fountain Cold Plus is an excellent step up that you won’t outgrow quickly.
2. Are Breville juicers easy to clean?
Yes, relative to many other brands, Breville juicers are designed for easy cleanup. Most models come with a custom cleaning brush to scrub the mesh filter, and many parts are dishwasher-safe. The key is to rinse the parts immediately after juicing before the pulp dries on.
3. Can you juice leafy greens in a Breville centrifugal juicer?
You can, but you need a little technique. It’s best to ball up the greens tightly or juice them between two hard items, like a piece of apple on top and a carrot below. However, for maximum yield from greens, a masticating model like the Big Squeeze is far superior.
4. How long does fresh juice from a Breville last?
Juice from a centrifugal model should be consumed immediately, or within 24 hours if stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Juice from a cold press (masticating) juicer like the Big Squeeze has less oxidation and can last up to 72 hours under the same storage conditions.
5. Is a Breville juicer a good investment?
Absolutely. If you are committed to incorporating fresh juice into your lifestyle, a Breville juicer is a reliable, high-performing investment in your health. The build quality is excellent, and they consistently deliver great results, making the daily habit of juicing a pleasure rather than a chore.
The Final Verdict
So, after this deep-dive Breville juicer review, what’s the bottom line? Breville has rightfully earned its reputation as a leader in the juicing space. They offer a fantastic range of powerful, well-designed, and user-friendly machines that cater to almost every need and budget.
Whether you’re a busy professional needing a quick morning boost or a health devotee looking to extract every last nutrient from your produce, there is likely a Breville juicer with your name on it. By understanding the core differences between their centrifugal and cold press models and aligning them with your personal health goals and lifestyle, you can confidently choose a machine that will serve you well for years to come.
Your journey to vibrant health starts with a single glass. Why not make it the freshest one possible?