Juicer vs blender: which one should you buy?

If you are among the 9 % of adults who manage to meet the daily recommended dose of fruits and veggies, then this article is not for you. However, the chances are that your daily intake of healthy nutrients needs an urgent boost.

In that case, both juicers and blenders could be of use. But which one is a better option? Which one should you go for?

Well, if you stick with this guide, we will provide you with the answer to the juicer vs blender debate. So, without further ado, let’s dive deeper into the world of healthy fruits and vegetables.

What is a blender?

Before we proceed, we need to define the items we are going to talk about. In essence, a blender is a household appliance that will cut and slice the ingredients, blending them into a thick and creamy mix. Sometimes, we refer to this mix as a smoothie, but other terms are in use as well. For example, you can easily make a shake in a blender.

When it comes to the types of blenders, we can divide them into several groups:

• Extractor blenders
• Single-serve blenders
• Jug blenders

No matter the type and the model, a blender should be able to provide you with a delicious, pulp-filled smoothie.

What is a juicer?

One the other hand, a juicer is a device that separates the pulp from the liquid. In other words, a juicer will extract the juice, providing you with a thin liquid. To be honest, the name of the device is pretty much self-explanatory. A juicer can squeeze out the juice from different types of fruits and veggies, delivering a yummy beverage to your breakfast table.

Modern-day juicers are sophisticated and super-effective. As a rule of thumb, they come in two categories:

• Cold press juicer
• Centrifugal juicer

Depending on the type, the process of juicing could be slightly different. Yet, the end result will not have noticeable differences. In other words, the juice on the table will be full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. With that said, the best cold press juicer can reduce the presence of oxidants in the juice. This could help with the prevention of certain diseases and conditions.

What is the difference between a juicer and a blender?

As much as juicers and blenders may seem similar, there are differences between these two types of appliances. The actual purpose of the devices being one of them. Also, the design is different, and juicers are often more cumbersome. Blenders tend to be compact and smaller in volume.

Likewise, the cost of these units is different. So, in an average juicer vs. blender situation, which price tag will show a lower number? Well, blenders are often more affordable.

Above all else, the actual process of juicing or blending is the main distinction between the two types. Juicers can separate the pulp from the liquid component, while blenders keep it all together. For that reason, smoothies and shakes produced in a blender are rich in fiber. On the other hand, the juice from a juicer is almost fiber-free, because the pulp contains the majority of these elements.

So, how to know which one to use? What would be the best option for your needs – juicer or blender?

When to use a juicer

Since they are heavier, bigger, and more expensive than blenders, juicers are not as common as blenders in our kitchens. In fact, some people decide to use a blender for juicing, which may seem like a cost-effective option. However, juicers have a specific purpose, and these units can offer a range of benefits.

For example, juicers are great when you need an instant shot of vitamins and minerals. Just pop a couple of oranges in and your fresh cup of vitamin C will be ready in less than a minute.

Also, juicers are a wonderful gadget for people who are trying to detoxify their bodies. The liver in particular. Why do we say this? Well, a single serving juicer can let you prepare a tasty beverage by juicing green produce such as celery or cucumber. Throw in a carrot or two, and the refreshing drink will be as healthy as they get.

When to use a blender

On the other hand, blenders are more compact and more affordable than a juicer. Since blenders mix everything together, the smoothie can contain all sorts of nutritious elements. Of course, lots of fiber will be there as well! Blenders do not separate the pulp from the liquid, which results in a thick and fiber-rich mix.

For that reason, blenders are great for improving your digestive health. If for some reason, you need to boost your fiber intake, smoothies are the perfect solution.

Also, blenders can help you prepare the so-called energy bombs. In essence, these shakes contain all sorts of fruits, but also milk, nuts, berries, peanut butter, and so on. With all these ingredients in one cup, the resulting mix can satisfy hunger and provide you with energy. What’s more, these smoothies can make you full for longer. This plays a big role when you are fighting against unhealthy eating habits.

When it comes to the topic of juicing vs. blending for weight loss, it is important to note that juicers take the win here. The reason lies in the number of calories you will consume with an average smoothie vs the number of calories in a glass of fresh juice.

Speaking of that, it is clear that both of these methods of preparation come with a certain set of pros and cons. So, let’s take a closer look at those aspects of these two types of appliances.

Pros and cons of juicing vs blending

A healthy glass of fruit-based liquid can become a “fountain of youth”. Healthy smoothies and juices can help with the prevention of a wide range of diseases, including cancers.

With that said, it is important to note that both of these methods of preparation come with their sets of benefits. And a few drawbacks as well.

For instance, the main benefits of juicing are:

• Instant supply of vitamins and minerals
• Great for detoxification
• Fast absorption
• A low percentage of fiber

Juices made of fruits and veggies are easy to consume and digest. Because of the low percentage of fiber, our gut can process the juices much easier than a fiber-rich smoothie. So, when it comes to the juicer vs. blender debate, juicers clearly have a lot to offer.

But blenders have their pros and cons as well. We already mentioned some of them, but it wouldn’t hurt to do a quick recap here.

The main benefits of using a blender are:

• No waste of produce
• Lasting fullness
• Versatility
• Affordability

Modern-day blenders can tackle all sorts of food, not just fruit and vegetables. Eggs, powders, different types of milk – blenders can mix everything together. So, can a blender be used instead of a juicer, if an average blender is so powerful? Well, no one can prevent you from doing backflips in the living room either. But that doesn’t mean that you should be doing it all day long, does it?

Things to consider when buying a juicer or a blender

Now that you’ve learned the basics of juicing vs. blending, you should be ready to make an informed decision and choose a suitable device. But this is sometimes easier said than done. Both types of devices come with noteworthy benefits. Of course, they have certain drawbacks as well.

So, to solve the juicer or blender dilemma once and for all, here is what you should keep in mind before you splash the cash.

• Budget

We mentioned the fact that blenders tend to be cheaper than a juicer. In some cases, the gap can be as big as $100 or more. Therefore, pay attention to this element when planning to buy a new household appliance. Then again, many homeowners decide to buy both, which is probably the best course of action. So, if your budget allows, avoid the whole juicer vs. blender debate and go for both!

• Health reasons

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that both of these devices are super-healthy and beneficial. After all, the most important thing is to boost your intake of vitamins and minerals. However, some users may have problems with digestion or constipation. Or, they could be on a low-fiber diet. Either way, it is necessary to take into consideration those elements before making the final call.

• Lifestyle

Depending on your daily habits, juicers and blenders could provide different benefits. For instance, juicers tend to be better suited for families with toddlers and young children. Also, a glass of fresh juice can act as a strong energy booster when you get home from a busy day at the office. So, is juicing better than blending? Not necessarily. For example, blenders are a better option for people who have lots of physical activity. A scoop of protein powder can super-charge your mix of bananas and almond milk.

The bottom line

At the end of the day, your personal preferences will decide the juicer vs blender dilemma. Both of these types can provide a range of health benefits so there is no right answer to the big question. The key is to consume more fruits and vegetables, no matter how you prepare them. Just consider the pros and cons of juicers or blenders and find the best model for your taste.