This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my affiliate policy.
In a world that’s increasingly turning to foods that are low in nutrients, I want to instill the healthy habit of smoothies and fresh juice each day to as many people as I possibly can. I get asked all the time, should I use a juicer or a blender? Especially from people who are starting a plant-based diet journey.
The honest answer is, it depends on what you want to make and how you want to fuel your body. Both are a small appliance that can help you drink more fruits and veggies, but they work in very different ways. Today I’m breaking down the juicer vs blender debate in a simple, practical way so you can decide what fits best in your kitchen, or if you might actually want both.
Table of Contents
Why Use a Juicer or Blender?
Whether you choose to blend or juice, you are gifting your body improved health by using these nutrient-packed drinks. Regularly drinking smoothies or fresh, veggie-based juice will:
- Increase your veggie intake dramatically.
- Make it easier and quicker for your body to absorb nutrients. Blending and juicing breaks down the food into a form that’s easier for your body to process.
- Curb appetite and reduce cravings for sugar and processed foods by nourishing your body with real nutrients.
Now, let’s put the juicer vs blender debate to the test!
Juicer vs Blender: Key Differences
At first glance, juicers and blenders might seem similar. After all, both help you turn fruits and vegetables into a drink. But the way they work and the results you get are quite different. Here are a few quick, easy-to-scan differences:
| Feature | Juicer | Blender |
| Texture | Thin and smooth | Thick and creamy |
| Fiber | Removed | Retained |
| Fullness | Less filling | More filling |
| Best for | Juice | Smoothies |
| Versatility | Limited | Very versatile |
| Cleanup time | 10 minutes | 2 minutes |
| Nutrition | More concentrated nutrients | More complete nutrition |
At the end of the day both options offer great nutritional value. It really comes down to what you want. If you want something filling and satisfying, go with a blender. If you prefer something lighter and more concentrated, a juicer might be your best pick. Let’s break down both.
Benefits of Blending
Spoiler alert—I’m firmly on team blender when it comes to drinking my greens. But there’s a reason for that. Whether you’re using a full-size countertop blender or a personal blender, having plenty of power helps create that silky smooth consistency we all love in smoothies. Here’s why blending wins for me in the juicer vs. blender debate:
- More versatile: Blenders let you combine non-dairy milk, ice, nuts, seeds, nut butter, oils, protein powders and supplements. You can also make soups, protein shakes, sauces—you name it.
- Fiber is your secret weapon: When you blend the whole fruit and veggie, you keep the fiber that helps you stay full, supports digestion, and keeps your energy steady. Plus there’s less food waste since nothing gets left behind
- Cost of the blender is minimal: Most people already have a blender in their kitchen.
- Smoothies are much more kid-friendly: In my experience, kids love smoothies more than veggie-based juice because you can thicken them up to look and taste like a frozen dessert.
Cons of Blending
- Lower nutrient density per sip than juice: Because fiber stays intact, smoothies are more filling, so you may not consume as many fruits and veggies in one sitting compared to juice.
- Some veggies don’t blend well: Root veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, parsnips, and beets are nutrient-dense but can taste chalky or bitter in smoothies. They’re often better suited for juicing.
But that’s not all… juicers have a lot of great features too. So let’s talk about the flip side of the juicer vs blender debate.
Benefits of Juicing
I may be team blender, but I won’t lie, fresh juice has its moments. It feels fancy, refreshing, and seriously delicious. But is it actually better? Let’s break down the benefits and drawbacks of juicing:
- More veggies per serving: Since the fiber is removed, you can fit more fruits and veggies into one glass, giving you a more concentrated dose of vitamins and nutrients.
- Easier to digest nutrients: Unlike blending, juicing pulls out the vitamins, minerals, and water from fruits and veggies while leaving the fiber behind. That means your body can absorb those nutrients more quickly, without having to work through the fiber first.
- Quicker energy boost: Juice has a higher concentration of veggies (and therefore nutrients) per glass versus a smoothie, and is in an even more pre-digested format than smoothies for quicker nutrient absorption.
- Less heat exposure: Juicers don’t rely on fast-spinning blades, which can slightly warm ingredients during blending.
Downside of Juicing
- Juicing machines are sometimes more difficult to clean: Juicers usually have more parts to clean and take a little longer to clean than blenders.
- Requires more produce (and fridge space): Juicing uses more fruits and veggies per serving, so you’ll need to buy and store more ingredients.
- Can get expensive: It takes a lot more produce to make a single glass of juice, which can add up quickly.
- You don’t get the whole fruit or veggie: Juicing removes the fiber and pulp, so while you still get plenty of vitamins, you’re not getting the whole plant.
As you can see, both juicers and blenders have some great positives. No matter which appliance you’re in the market for, I’ve got my personal recommendations to share.
Best Juicers to Buy
Juicers can be pricey, but there are great options that won’t break the bank. Here’s my recommendations in order for you to explore:
- My top pick is the Nama J2 Cold-Press Juicer (10% off with code: JEN10). It’s a little more pricey, but the hands-free design and high juice yield make it totally worth it. Plus, it’s the easiest to clean and sleekest model ever.
- I’ve also enjoyed the Breville Juice Fountain Plus — it’s the most affordable option, quite powerful and handles leafy green vegetables with ease.
- In the demonstration video, I used the Kuvings Cold Press Juicer, which is also quite powerful, highly rated and very good.
Best Blenders to Buy
While I’m always on the lookout for different types of blenders for smoothies, these are my top picks:
- Vitamix Ascent X is my go-to for the best blender out there—you can’t go wrong with this brand.
- The Breville Super Q Blender is a powerful blender that can handle just about anything you throw in, giving you smooth, consistent results every time.
- You don’t need a high-end blender to get started. Handheld options like an immersion blender or budget-friendly models like Nutribullet can still whip up numerous smoothie recipes.
If you’re new to blending or just want to perfect your technique, check out my guide on how to make a smoothie for tips, tricks, and step-by-step instructions.
Can You Make Juice in a Blender?
Yes—you actually can! If you don’t own a juicer but want to try juice-style drinks, a blender can still work. Here’s a simple method:
- Blend fruits or vegetables with water.
- Pour the mixture through a fine mesh filter, strainer, or nut milk bag.
- Press out the liquid and discard the pulp.
This gives you a homemade juice without needing a separate appliance. You can also check my blender green juice recipe for a detailed guide.
5-Day Smoothie Challenge
Join my free challenge for recipes, smart tips, and a printable tracker to help you eat more fruits & veggies— and build a healthy habit that actually sticks.
Juice and Blender Recipes You’ll Love
If you can’t get enough of creamy smoothies and fresh juices, these recipes are about to become your new favorites. Packed with fruits, veggies, and all the good stuff, they’re easy to make, delicious to sip, and perfect for keeping your energy up all day:
Juice Recipes
If this juicer vs blender guide helped clear things up for you, I’d love to hear which one you prefer in the comment box below. And if you’re interested in more smoothie tips and plant-based recipes, sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Common Questions
Both juicing and blending can be healthy ways to enjoy fruits and vegetables. Juicing provides a concentrated source of vitamins and minerals because the liquid and nutrients are extracted from the produce. Blending, however, keeps the fiber from the whole fruits and vegetables, which helps support digestion and keeps you feeling fuller longer.
Blenders typically retain more of the whole fruit or vegetable because they blend everything together, including the fiber. While juicers still provide plenty of vitamins and minerals, they remove the pulp and fiber during the extraction process.
Yes, you can make juice in a blender. Simply blend fruits or vegetables with a little water until smooth, then strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or nut milk bag to separate the liquid from the pulp. For a more detailed guide, you can check out my blender green juice recipe.
If you’re choosing between the two, a blender is often the better first investment. Blenders are more versatile and can be used for smoothies, shakes, sauces, nut milk, and more. A juicer is great for making fresh juice, but it has a more limited range of uses compared to a blender.
Both appliances can handle vegetables, but they serve different purposes. Juicers work well for extracting juice from vegetables like carrots, celery, and leafy greens. Blenders, on the other hand, are great for incorporating vegetables into smoothies while keeping the fiber intact.
I do both. I use a Blendtek for smoothies and Omega 9000 for juice. This is my third juicer and it leaves the driest pulp out of the 3 I’ve had over the years. My kids and I prefer green juice over green smoothies. I love the consistency of a fresh juice but I find that smoothies are more filling and better for adding superfoods. And I don’t feel wasteful! So both are used almost daily.
What is the difference between juicing in a juicer and whole juicing in my blendtec (there is a whole juice button and recipes)?
Hi Kathy! A juicer will extract any liquid from fruit and leave out the fibrous and fleshy parts–so you are only getting the juice. If you use the whole juice setting on your Blendtec then you will still be getting all the fibrous and fleshy parts of the fruit–so you will be getting the juice and the rest of the fruit (or veggies). The consistency will be different, too. Hope this helps!
I would like to know what the best way is for me to lose weight juicing or a smoothe? I would like to start doing one of the two but just have no idea were to begin, can any one on her give me step by step on how to begin this process, I hear different things all the time only juice for three days then eat what you want for 4 days, then i hear just juice two meals and have a light salad for dinner what is the best but most effective way to lose weight. as you can tell I am so confused and just need a little help to get me started, can anyone HELP ME lol thank in advance:)
Hi Regina.
This is Angela, the nutritionist that wrote the article. I have helped people lose 5-100 lbs and utilize juicing and smoothies in the program. I counsel in person, over the phone and one Skype. IFeel free to call me for a FREE 15 min consult to discuss how I an help. 925-389-7107.
Best wishes,
Angela
I do both. I love to juice because I can use alot of fruit and vegetables andget it smooth. Then I blend it with ice to get it really, really cold and to add my Super Booster Greens supplement and sometimes avocado.
My juicer is Philips Juice Maker Aluminium Collection 800 W 2 l and I love it!
It has many different parts but everything goes in the dishwasher so it´s easy. And my blender is nutri bullet but my birtday is coming up so a new blender is at the top of my list 😉
(I´m from Sweden and I love this website!!)
Thanks Maxine from Sweden for letting us know about the Philips Juice Maker Aluminium Collection 800 W 2. Love that you can throw all the parts in the dishewasher for easy clean-up! Let us know what new blender you end up getting for your birthday and how you like it.
Currently, I’m using my Vitamix Creations II and I’m loving the green smoothies. However, at times, I would like for my smoothies to be less smooth. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes I don’t want the smoothies to be so thick, so what can I do about the consistency? Or is this telling me I need to purchase a juicer?
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Sheila C
Hi Shelia.
It is the pulp that is making the smoothies so thick, and that fiberful pulp is missing in juice. You could try thinking out your smoothie with water, or blending it a little longer, or both. The other option, like you mentioned is to juice when you are looking for a thinner beverage. Be wary however to juice mostly veggies and eat something filled with protein alongside the juice, so you blood sugars don’t spike and then crash later leaving your tired.
You can add more liquid to make it not so thick. Water helps a lot.
I Love the Idea of the soup! My husband makes fresh chicken soup almost every thursday. This is perfect for both of us. I’ll drink the juice & he’ll use the pulp!
Thanks you! Linda
Pleasure! Juice pulp also works great added to pancake batter along with dried herbs. You can make then and eat them with your soup!
I love to both juice and blend. I think I juice more but only because I enjoy the tastes when I mix the flavors right there, with no milk or any extra calories added. The thing is, you can’t go wrong either way!
Beginners Luck Smoothie is delicious… I might be having Beginner’s Luck all week (smile)
I blend, by the way.
Veggies are not my first food of choice so smoothies work great for me. I’ve signed up for the April 1st challenge and will be using my handy dandy Black and Decker blender. I did, however, run my carrots thru the food processor last night to be ready for today. I’m not sure how carrots would do in my blender. 🙂
I actually juice and blend. I juice the veggies I want for that day and use the juice as the base for my smoothie. Add ice and all the fruit I want and use the juiced veggies. Can’t taste the difference at all.
I’m on beta blockers and ace inhibtors and duretics for cardiomyopathy and when I juice all day I get painful muscle spasms..what do I do to modify to be able to keep juicing?
When you blend oranges you don’t leave he peel on do you?!
Nancy
Hi Nancy.
Angela here…the nutritionist who wrote this article.
Normally when you blend oranges or other citrus fruits like grapefruit, limes or lemons, you remove the peel first, because they leave a bitter aftertaste and can interfere with some of the nutrient absorption from the juice. That said, go ahead and leave on thinner peels on apples, pears, grapes, carrots, etc. They don’t interfere with taste, and provide extra fiber and other healthy micronutrients in your smoothie.
Leave a reply and let us know how it goes with the oranges in your smoothie.
Hi I Everyone, I just started making green smoothies with my vitamix. btw-best investment for better health.. I would like to know has anyone achieved making juice with the blendtec or vitamix?
Thank you for this. I’ve always used a juicer, but my mom has a Ninja, and what I’ve found is that I have to add some sort of ‘base’ like water or coconut water to get the blender going. While she enjoys ‘getting everything’ from the blender, I prefer to have the pulp separate from my juice, so I use the juicer for me, and the blender for her. My question is: which is better? she’s diabetic, so I want to avoid so many fruits in her juices. Thanks.
Hi Sherly.
Angela here….the nutritionist who wrote the article.
All of us should try to balance out the sugar we ingest with fiber, protein and healthy fats to keep from spiking our blood sugars and induce a sharp insulin response. This of course is especially important for diabetics.
When blending, you can add nuts, flax seeds, protein powders, avocados to help even out the body’s insulin response to the natural sugars from the fruit. When juicing, I advise my clients to make sure the majority of your juice is veggie based, and also eat a hand full of nuts or eat some avocado, almond butter or hummus with whatever else you are eating with the juice.
I Have all of the fore mentioned units but the Blendtec. All are great.After a 60 day juice fast 1 year ago I found both to be very important. The body can get in trouble if you do not get 1 or 2 smoothies a day if for fiber and good intestinal health. I do 1 juice per day and 1 smoothie per day and have kept off 90 pounds for 1 year. I have since Gone to school at The Institute of Integrative Nutrition to get smarter along with healthy. lol Great post you have here. Very informative too.
What an awesome journey Mike! I love my Blendtec. So happy to hear that you blend and juice. Rawk on! 🙂
I started my journey to better nutrition by juicing. A friend linked me to my first smoothie challenge (yours from Feb). Since then I do a combination. I juice certain greens, fruits and veggies (esp. beets and sweet potatoes) then put them in blender with added ingredients. Hopefully I am getting the best of both worlds.
You are totally getting the best of both worlds! Glad you found us. So happy to have you here Shae! 🙂
Keep us posted Lynn! I’d love to hear if blending is just as helpful for you. 🙂
I love juicing in the mornings & evenings. I think of it as my “grown-up” play time. I love watching my juicer tear apart the veggies & squeeze the life out of them and into a juice. WOW – don’t I sound like a big kid. It’s fun! I like smoothies occasionally also so I use my blender for that. Cheers to good health!
Happy to hear you do both Reasie! And playing in the kitchen is so much fun!!! 🙂
I blend more because its do m ch work to clean the juicer. Actually I make one batch of two servings in the big blender, pour half in a glass and half in a magic bullet mug and put a closed lid on it to store in the fridge for later. Then when it’s time to drink the second half I do a quick blend to make sure it isn’t settled and enjoy from the mug.
I do the same Heather. I have a Blendtec and Magic Bullet. I use mason lids and storage caps to store the leftovers. I forgot I could use my Magic Bullet cups with lids. Thanks for the idea! I usually just give mine a good shake, but a reblend would be nice. 🙂
I do both. Juice and blend. Depending on my mood. 🙂
Love it! Our moods can definitely play a role in what we end up doing for the day. 🙂
I love both but primarily blend. The only real con to juicing IMO is that you lose all the fiber you get when blending but it IS a great way to get the nutrition of those stubborn hard greens and carrots!
So true! I love getting all the fiber I can get. And I’ve never been a big salad person, so smoothies are perfect for me. 🙂
Hi Fefe.
Angela here….the nutritionist that wrote the article.
I too struggle with all the fiber that seems “wasted” when I juice. So I refrigerate it or freeze it (up to a month) and add it to soups. Since my juices are mostly veggie based, I just add it to a couple of liters of organic veggie broth and add beans or lentils and sometimes leftover brown rice or gluten-free pasta. Very versatile.
Here’s a quick recipe I share with my cleansing students who are are new to juicing.
Veggie Soup from Juice Pulp
The pulp created from the juices above can be used to make a quick and tasty veggie soup.
Ingredients:
1 half onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
32oz veggie broth
1 cup veggie pulp
1 can black beans or garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)
½ cup cooked brown rice (optional)
black pepper
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil in medium pot until translucent. Add broth and veggie pulp and bring to a boil. Toss in beans and cooked rice. Season with black pepper to taste. Enjoy!