Purchasing a juicer should be an exciting step toward better health, but too often buyers end up with machines that don't fit their lifestyle—leading to frustration, wasted money, and juicers that collect dust in cabinets. After years of reviewing juicers and hearing from countless readers about their purchasing experiences, I've identified the most common mistakes that lead to buyer's remorse.
Learning from others' experiences can help you make a smarter choice the first time. Here are ten common juicer buying mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Ignoring Cleaning Time
This is the number one reason juicers get abandoned. People focus on juicing features and forget that they'll need to clean the machine after every single use. A juicer that takes 20 minutes to clean properly will likely end up unused, regardless of how excellent its juice quality might be.
How to Avoid It
Before purchasing, research cleaning requirements thoroughly. Look for reviews that specifically mention cleaning time. Count the number of parts that need washing. Check if components are dishwasher safe. As a general rule, simpler designs with fewer parts clean faster. Some manufacturers now prioritise "quick-clean" designs—these are worth seeking out if cleaning time concerns you.
💡 The Realistic Test
Ask yourself: "Will I clean this immediately after every use, including on busy mornings?" If the honest answer is "probably not," prioritise ease of cleaning over other features. A simpler juicer you actually use beats a premium model that sits unused.
Mistake 2: Buying Based on Price Alone
Both extremes cause problems. The cheapest juicers often have short lifespans, poor juice yield, and frustrating limitations. But spending more doesn't automatically mean better results—some expensive models have issues or features you don't need.
How to Avoid It
Set a realistic budget based on your commitment level. If you're unsure whether juicing suits your lifestyle, a mid-range centrifugal model ($150-250 AUD) makes sense for testing the waters. Committed juicers get genuine value from quality masticating models ($300-500 AUD). Premium twin-gear machines ($600+ AUD) are only worthwhile if you juice daily and prioritise maximum nutrition.
Mistake 3: Overlooking Feed Chute Size
The feed chute—the opening where you insert produce—significantly impacts your juicing experience. Small chutes require extensive cutting and preparation before juicing, adding substantial time to each session.
How to Avoid It
Consider your patience for prep work. Wide-mouth chutes (3 inches or larger) accept whole apples and large carrot pieces with minimal cutting. Smaller chutes require everything to be cut into small pieces. If you value speed and convenience, prioritise wider chutes. If you don't mind extra prep, smaller chutes are acceptable.
Key Takeaway
The time spent cutting produce to fit a small feed chute adds up quickly over months and years of juicing. Calculate the realistic daily time commitment, not just the juicing time.
Mistake 4: Choosing the Wrong Type for Your Produce
Centrifugal and masticating juicers excel with different types of produce. Buying the wrong type for your primary ingredients leads to poor yield, frustration, and wasted produce.
How to Avoid It
Be honest about what you'll actually juice. If you plan to juice mostly leafy greens, wheatgrass, or soft fruits, a masticating juicer is essential—centrifugal models struggle with these ingredients. If you'll primarily juice hard fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots, celery), centrifugal juicers work well and offer speed advantages. For mixed use, masticating models are more versatile but slower.
Mistake 5: Forgetting About Noise
Centrifugal juicers can be startlingly loud—comparable to blenders or vacuum cleaners. If you juice early in the morning with sleeping family members nearby, or value quiet kitchen appliances, noise levels matter significantly.
How to Avoid It
Check decibel ratings and reviews mentioning noise. Masticating juicers are dramatically quieter—often quiet enough for conversation during operation. If noise is a concern and you're considering a centrifugal model, try to hear one in operation before purchasing if possible (some kitchen stores have display models).
Mistake 6: Ignoring Warranty and Support
Juicers contain motors and moving parts that can fail. Warranty coverage and manufacturer support quality vary dramatically between brands. Some offer decade-long motor warranties; others provide just one year with difficult claim processes.
How to Avoid It
Research warranty terms before purchasing. Look for:
- Motor warranty length (longer is better for this critical component)
- Parts warranty coverage
- Whether warranty claims are handled in Australia
- Availability of replacement parts for long-term maintenance
- Customer service reputation (check reviews mentioning support experiences)
Established brands with Australian presence typically offer better support than obscure imports.
🔧 Parts Availability Matters
Even with the best juicer, parts like filter screens and gaskets eventually need replacement. Check whether replacement parts are readily available in Australia before purchasing. Machines with scarce parts become useless when something wears out.
Mistake 7: Being Seduced by Wattage
Higher wattage doesn't necessarily mean better juicing. Marketing often emphasises motor power, but wattage tells you about energy consumption more than juicing effectiveness. A well-designed low-wattage masticating juicer can outperform a high-wattage centrifugal model in juice quality and yield.
How to Avoid It
Focus on juicing performance metrics rather than raw wattage. Juice yield, pulp dryness, and noise levels matter more than motor wattage. Read reviews that test actual juice output rather than specs sheets. A 150-watt masticating juicer can produce more juice from a kilo of carrots than an 1000-watt centrifugal model.
Mistake 8: Not Considering Kitchen Space
Juicers vary dramatically in size and footprint. Large juicers that won't fit comfortably on your counter or require awkward storage are less likely to be used regularly.
How to Avoid It
Measure your available counter or storage space before shopping. Check product dimensions carefully—marketing photos often don't convey actual size. Consider whether you'll store the juicer or leave it out. Horizontal masticating juicers typically require more counter depth than vertical models. If space is tight, compact centrifugal or vertical masticating models might suit better.
Mistake 9: Buying Without Researching the Brand
Unknown brands selling through online marketplaces may offer attractive prices but can disappear without providing support, replacement parts, or warranty service. When something goes wrong, you're left with an unrepairable machine.
How to Avoid It
Stick with established brands that have demonstrable Australian presence. Brands like Breville, Hurom, Omega, and Tribest have proven track records, available support, and reliable parts supply. Saving money on an unknown brand often costs more when something goes wrong.
Mistake 10: Not Thinking About Your Actual Routine
The juicer that sounds perfect in theory may not fit your actual lifestyle. A machine requiring 15 minutes of prep and cleaning won't work for busy weekday mornings. Features you imagine using may go unused if they don't match your realistic habits.
How to Avoid It
Honestly assess your routine before purchasing:
- When will you juice? (Morning, evening, weekends?)
- How much time do you realistically have?
- Will you juice daily or occasionally?
- Are you disciplined about immediate cleaning?
- Will noise during your juicing time disturb others?
Match the juicer to your honest answers, not to an idealised version of yourself.
A Better Buying Process
Instead of being swayed by marketing or impulse, follow this process for a satisfying purchase:
Step 1: Define your priorities. Rank what matters most: speed, juice quality, ease of cleaning, noise, versatility, price, or durability.
Step 2: Identify your primary produce. List what you'll juice 80% of the time and ensure any juicer you consider handles those ingredients well.
Step 3: Set a realistic budget. Include a small buffer for accessories or replacement parts.
Step 4: Research thoroughly. Read multiple reviews from different sources. Look for reviews mentioning long-term use, not just first impressions.
Step 5: Verify warranty and parts availability for your top choices.
Step 6: If possible, see the juicer in person before buying to assess size and build quality.
Taking time to make an informed choice pays dividends for years of satisfying juicing. The right juicer—one that fits your lifestyle, handles your preferred produce, and doesn't burden you with difficult cleaning—becomes a valued kitchen companion rather than a regretted purchase gathering dust.