7 Top Rated Manual Citrus Juicers (2024 Guide)

I may earn a small commission from purchases made through product links on this website at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Last updated: February 7, 2024

Reviews of seven of the best manual citrus juicers available today, from basic handheld lemon squeezers to advanced orange press juicers.

A manual citrus juicer is a good solution if you’re looking to create quick fresh juices from citrus fruits such as oranges, limes, and lemons. However, there are a lot of options available when it comes to manual citrus juicers.

In this article, I will share seven of the best manual citrus juicers, considering juice yield, ease of use, build quality, and price. All juicers have been thoroughly tested using oranges and limes.

I’ve included selections of different manual juicer types so you can find the best product for your needs.

Best Manual Press
Zulay Kitchen Cast-Iron Orange Juice...
Best Citrus Reamer
OXO Good Grips 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer,...
Cast iron stainless steel
Plastic
7" x 11.25" x 15.75"
5.2" x 5.7" x 8.5"
Best Manual Press
Zulay Kitchen Cast-Iron Orange Juice...
Cast iron stainless steel
7" x 11.25" x 15.75"
Best Citrus Reamer
OXO Good Grips 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer,...
Plastic
5.2" x 5.7" x 8.5"

Top 7 Citrus Juicers:

Juicer Price
1 Zulay Manual Citrus Press Price
2 Gourmia Citrus Juicer Press Price
3 Eurolux Cast Iron Citrus Juicer Price
4 OXO 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer Price
5 Etinslant Manual Citrus Juicer Price
6 Zulay Metal 2-In-1 Citrus Squeezer Price
7 KitchenAid Citrus Squeezer Price

Top 7 Citrus Juicers

Let’s take a closer look at my top 7 manual citrus juicers, grouped by:

For wide-ranging juicing needs, a handle press juicer is a great choice. For less bulk with equal versatility, a manual reamer is worth considering. Or, for juicing only lemons and limes, the hand squeezer may be the best option.

Handle Press Juicers

1. Zulay Manual Citrus Press

Zulay Manual Citrus Press

The Zulay Manual Citrus Press is a handle press-style juicer that guarantees not a drop of juice gets wasted. This is true whether you’re squeezing key limes, grapefruits, or pomegranates.

The key to this juicer’s efficiency is in the long, curved lever and durable construction. With each pull, Zulay delivers maximum force to pop the pulp and claim the citrusy juices inside. The frame is made of heavy-duty cast iron, and the food contact zones are stainless steel.

The small holes in the filter cone easily let juice pass through while blocking pulp and seeds for a cleaner product. The 5″ wide cup is big enough for large fruit, while the press shape works with even the smallest citrus.

This heavy, 15-pound juicer won’t tip or fall with typical usage. But you will have to brace the back when juicing harder fruits like pomegranates and apples. The other downside I noticed is the juice release is low, making it hard to find a cup that will fit underneath it.

For a durable, effective juicer that takes the work out of fresh squeezed orange juice, the Zulay Manual Citrus Press is a great option. It is competitively priced, built to last, and comes in 8 great colors.

Check Price

2. Gourmia Citrus Juicer Press

Gourmia Citrus Juicer Press

Another countertop citrus press I love is the Gourmia Citrus Juicer Press. This juicer is also made with durable and heavy cast iron. The food contact surfaces are upgraded surgical stainless steel that is more resistant to corrosion.

One thing I really appreciate about the Gourmia is the suction-cup base. Four small suction cups keep the unit stable on the counter no matter what you’re juicing. It’s also a touch heavier than others at 16 pounds, making it less likely to tip.

Like the Zulay, though, it features a low-set juice release that is difficult to get a large cup under. It isn’t quite as efficient at removing every drop of juice, but it does a decent job for the price.

The steel parts of the Gourmia are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean by hand. This durable press is a bit harder to store than other types of citrus juicers, but also easier to use. It comes with a 1-year warranty and a price point below my other top lever-press choices.

Check Price

3. Eurolux Cast Iron Citrus Juicer

Eurolux Cast Iron Citrus Juicer

Last but not least in the lever press citrus juicer category is the Eurolux Cast Iron Citrus Juicer. This durable juicer features a stainless steel pressure cup, filter cone, and funnel cup. All are dishwasher safe.

It also comes with a stainless steel cup for catching the juice. I really appreciate this feature since it can be challenging to find the right-sized cup to fit under the spout.

This 15-pound juicer has four sturdy suction cup feet to hold it in place on your countertop. These prevent the unit from tipping, no matter how much pressure you put on the lever. With a 5″ wide cup, you can juice a variety of fruit, from large pomelos to tangelos to tiny limes.

One important pitfall of this unit to be aware of is the rest handle position. It is set farther forward than others, which can lead to the handle falling if not pushed all the way back. A heavy cast iron handle like this hurts, so be aware.

Aside from that one drawback, I was very impressed with this juicer. It is worth the slightly higher price and comes in 4 great colors to match your kitchen aesthetic.

Check Price

Countertop Citrus Reamers

4. OXO 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer

OXO 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer

In the category of manual reamers, the OXO 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer is one of my favorites. This type of juicer requires more from you since you must twist the fruit against the reamer blade to extract the juice. But, they also tend to be much easier to store thanks to their compact size.

The body and reamer of the OXO juicer are made of durable BPA-free plastic. The exaggerated ridges on the reamer do a great job of smashing and removing pulp so the juice can trickle down into the included cup.

The clear cup has multiple measurement markings in ounces, cups, and milliliters. This makes it perfect for home chefs who use a lot of lemon and lime to create homemade dressings and marinades. And the pour spout makes it easier to utilize the juices you create.

The OXO manual juicer comes with a large reamer for oranges, grapefruits, and pomelos. And a small reamer for lemons and limes. These units nest together and fit on top of the cup for compact storage.

While the product guide says all parts are dishwasher safe, I did find the clear cup got cloudy after running it through a cycle. To keep it looking its best, handwashing is the way to go. The pulp screens, however, are hard to clean by hand, thanks to the many filter slits. These are best soaked and then placed in the dishwasher.

While the OXO isn’t the sturdiest manual reamer I tried, it did a great job extracting juice. And it has many features I love, including a very reasonable price tag.

Check Price

5. Etinslant Manual Citrus Juicer

Etinslant Manual Citrus Juicer

For those looking to avoid plastic, the Etinslant Manual Citrus Juicer is a great option. This durable, long-lasting manual hand ream juicer is made entirely of stainless steel. It won’t rust, and it’s resistant to the corrosive acids found in citrus fruits.

The reamer is well-proportioned to handle large and small fruits. And the slotted pulp catch is easier to clean than others we’ve tried. When you’re done with it, you can just toss it in the dishwasher, but it’s easy enough to hand wash.

Oranges, mandarines, lemons, and limes juiced on the reamer drain into the attached stainless steel bowl catch. This bowl is small, only large enough for about a cup. But it can be easily emptied with the reamer in place thanks to the built-in spout and double handles.

One thing to be aware of with the Etinslant juicer is the sharp edges along the rim. The reamer isn’t sharp enough to cut you, but these features easily can. When used properly, this isn’t a problem. But you must be mindful if you try to twist the base or hold it by the wrong part.

Given the quality materials used to make this reamer, the reasonable price tag, and the included warranty, I think it’s a smart buy.

Check Price

Handheld Squeezers

6. Zulay Metal 2-In-1 Citrus Squeezer

Zulay Metal 2-In-1 Citrus Squeezer

Hand squeezers or hinged citrus juicers are another option worth considering. These smart products are compact, easy to store, and require minimal cleanup. On the downside, they can only be used with small fruits like lemons and limes, and require a good deal of strength to operate effectively.

In this category, I really like the Zulay Metal 2-In-1 Citrus Squeezer for its efficiency. This unique hinged juicer features two different loading cups to fit different-sized fruits better. The larger yellow cup is meant for lemons. And the smaller green cup is meant for limes.

A tight fit between the loading cup, fruit, and the press, is key to effective manual juicing. Taking advantage of these two hinged compartments makes a big difference in how much juice you can extract.

The Zulay is made of industrial aluminum with a protective coating. The aluminum is durable, and the coating offers a fun splash of color. While the unit is dishwasher safe, I recommend hand washing to extend its life and avoid bubbling paint. The small holes and smooth finish make cleanup as easy as rinsing the pieces under the faucet.

Whether you need a small juicer for flavoring cocktails or adding a spritz of tartness to your salad, the Zulay 2-in-1 Citrus Squeezer is a great option.

Check Price

7. KitchenAid Citrus Squeezer

KitchenAid Citrus Squeezer

If you like the idea of a hinged juicer but lack the strength to make them work effectively, the KitchenAid Citrus Squeezer might be for you. This hand squeezer has a unique design that allows you to put your body weight into the squeeze in order to save your hand. This is possible thanks to two ingenious design elements.

First, the bottom piece has a flat bottom and curved handle end that allow it to sit flat. If you place it on the counter, you only need to manipulate the top press piece to juice your fruit. This allows you to put your body weight into the press.

Second, this flattened bottom cup does not have any holes in it. Instead, it is designed to catch juice inside. Internal ridges ensure there is enough space for the juice to go while still providing the pressure needed to squeeze the lime or lemon.

This does reduce how much juice is extracted overall, but it’s worth it if you have arthritis or hand pain. My only gripe with this juicer is that the bottom piece is made of nylon instead of aluminum, like the rest of the product. It flexes each time it’s used, and it wouldn’t take much to snap it in two.

But the KitchenAid squeezer works well enough for those who aren’t likely to be putting a ton of weight behind their juicing. And it has a few key features that make it the best choice for certain users. This citrus squeezer is dishwasher safe, easy to clean, and available in green or yellow.

Check Price

Manual Juicer Buying Guide

Before buying a brand new manual citrus juicer, it’s essential to understand the different types of manual juicers that exist.

Once you’ve worked out the type of juicer you want, it’s important to look at some of the quality and performance factors of each juicer.

Manual Juicer Type

I differentiate between three types of manual citrus juicers:

  1. Handle press juicers
  2. Countertop citrus reamers
  3. Handheld squeezers

If you’d also like to juice vegetables, check out my reviews of centrifugal juicers for a list of quality juicers that can handle both fruits and veggies.

Or, if you have a higher budget, read my reviews of triturating juicers for a list of high-quality but expensive juicing machines.

1. Handle Press Juicers

Manual press juicers create juice by pushing down a lever or a handle. This movement efficiently squeezes the juice out of fruits with a pressing mechanism. A well-designed press juicer doesn’t require much physical force as the power is generated by the mechanics of the juicer.

Manual press juicer
Manual press juicer

Commercial-grade manual press juicers are used in cafes and restaurants serving fresh orange juice. They are highly efficient manual juicers that can create juices with great flavors and high yields. Keep in mind, though, that some of these juicers are on the expensive side.

2. Countertop Citrus Reamers

Citrus reamers come in two varieties:

  • Handheld reamer
  • Countertop reamer

I personally find the handheld citrus reamers a pain to use, so I’m not including them here. The countertop citrus reamers are affordable and super easy to use, but do require a bit of physical effort to achieve a good juice yield.

Manual citrus juicer
Manual citrus juicer

Using it is easy. Simply cut a (citrus) fruit in half, press, and rotate against the ribbed cone in the middle. With a manual citrus reamer, it’s important that the cone has a pointy design. Some of these models have rounded edges and angles, which doesn’t benefit the juicing process.

While they do typically produce juice with some pulp, manual citrus reamers are able to very quickly produce juice that is tasty. In addition, cleaning is a quick and easy process.

3. Handheld Squeezers

This is the most basic manual juicer. They’re small and very basic but can quickly create fresh juice for you.

The mechanics of a handheld citrus squeezer are the same as that of a commercial-grade press juicer. Instead of rotating (one half of) the fruit as you do with a reamer, a handheld press juicer squeezes the juices out of the fruit by pressing hard.

As a result, the juice typically contains far less pulp than juice made with a reamer and often tastes better. Handheld squeezers are cheap, small, efficient, easy to use, and also easy to clean.

Other Buying Factors

The models above are featured based on a combination of price, juice yield, price, and ease of use. Other factors taken into account are reviews, manufacturer, and product age.

  • Price:
    Price is always an important factor when buying a consumer product, as you need to get the best value for money. Cheap is not always the best choice, just like expensive doesn’t always mean good quality.
  • Juice yield:
    Juice yield essentially means how much juice a given manual citrus juicer is able to extract from fruit at a normal effort. The more yield, the better.
  • Ease of use:
    Ease of use is also important with manual juicers, particularly when physical labor is required to get that juice out. How easy or difficult it is to clean the juicer also falls under this criteria.
 
 

Manual citrus juicer buying guide

 
Donna Harrison

My name is Donna Harrison, and I created this blog because I am passionate about discovering new foods and learning everything about them. I am also a bit of a smoothie fanatic, and I try to document all my favorite smoothies and other recipes here on Healthy Food Tribe, in addition to recommendations and reviews of my favorite kitchen tools.

Leave a Comment