How Expensive is Juicing? A Complete Cost Breakdown

January 12, 2026 •

4 min read

Juicing at home can be significantly cheaper than buying fresh juice from a cafe, with one analysis finding that homemade carrot juice can cost less than a third of its store-bought equivalent per ounce. The overall cost, however, is heavily influenced by your initial equipment investment and ongoing spending on ingredients.

Quick Summary

The total cost of juicing involves an initial investment in a juicer and ongoing expenses for produce. The price varies dramatically depending on the juicer type, ingredients used, and frequency, but homemade is generally more cost-effective long-term.

Key Points

Initial Investment Varies: The most significant cost is the juicer itself, with prices ranging from under $100 for basic centrifugal models to over $500 for high-end masticating units.
Homemade is Cheaper Long-Term: For regular juice drinkers, making juice at home becomes significantly more affordable over time than purchasing from a juice bar, despite the initial equipment expense.
Produce Choices Impact Costs: Leafy greens and exotic fruits are more expensive to juice than common, high-yield produce like carrots and apples, making ingredient selection crucial for budgeting.
Hidden Costs to Consider: Time for preparation and cleaning, along with managing leftover pulp, are additional factors that influence the overall cost and effort of juicing.
Budget-Conscious Strategies Exist: Shopping for seasonal produce, buying in bulk, and prioritizing vegetables over fruit can drastically reduce ongoing expenses and make juicing more affordable.

The Initial Cost: Choosing a Juicer

The most significant upfront cost when starting to juice at home is the machine itself. Juicers range widely in price, from budget-friendly models to high-end appliances designed for maximum efficiency. Your choice will depend on your budget, how often you plan to juice, and the types of ingredients you want to use.

Types of Juicers and Their Price Points

Centrifugal Juicers: These are the most common and typically the least expensive option. They use a high-speed spinning blade to shred fruits and vegetables, separating the juice from the pulp. They are fast and easy to use but create more froth and are less efficient with leafy greens. Basic models can range from $50 to $150.
Masticating Juicers (Slow/Cold-Press): These juicers crush and press produce at a slower speed to extract juice, which is said to preserve more nutrients and produce a higher yield with less oxidation. They excel at juicing leafy greens and hard vegetables but are slower and more expensive. Prices typically start at $200 and can exceed $500 for high-end models.
Citrus Juicers: These simple, inexpensive devices are designed exclusively for citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Electric models are widely available for under $50. They are a great choice if you only plan on making citrus-based juices.

The Ongoing Cost: Produce and Ingredients

After the initial juicer purchase, the primary expense becomes the fresh fruits and vegetables. The cost of produce can fluctuate based on several factors, including the season, whether you buy organic or conventional, and the specific ingredients you choose.

Factors Influencing Produce Costs

Type of Ingredients: Some produce is more cost-effective to juice than others. Carrots and apples are generally inexpensive, yielding a good amount of juice for a low price. Conversely, leafy greens like kale and spinach are more expensive per unit of juice produced, as a large volume of leaves yields a small amount of liquid.
Organic vs. Conventional: Organic produce is often pricier, and while some believe it offers health benefits, a dietitian notes that the nutritional difference between organic and conventional produce isn't always significant when juicing. For those on a tight budget, conventional options can still provide valuable nutrients without the premium cost.
Seasonal Shopping: Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs. Seasonal produce is more abundant and therefore less expensive.
Bulk Purchasing: Buying in bulk from a wholesale store or a local farmer's market can also lead to substantial savings on produce costs.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: A Cost Comparison

While buying a ready-made juice from a cafe offers convenience, homemade juicing is almost always the more economical option for regular drinkers. Here is a simplified comparison based on typical costs:


Item	Homemade Juicing (Daily)	Store-Bought Juice (Daily)
Initial Juicer Cost	$150 (amortized over 3 years)	$0
Daily Ingredient Cost	$3.50 (for a standard green juice)	$7.00 (average cafe price)
Annual Ingredient Cost	$1,277.50	$2,555.00
Annual Juicer Cost	~$50	$0
Total Year 1 Cost	$1,427.50	$2,555.00
Total Year 2+ Cost	$1,277.50	$2,555.00

As the table shows, the initial investment in a juicer is recouped fairly quickly if you juice regularly. Over time, the cost savings from homemade juicing become very significant.

Hidden Costs and Maximizing Your Savings

Beyond the primary expenses, there are a few less obvious costs associated with juicing. However, these can be managed effectively:

Time and Effort: Preparing produce and cleaning the juicer can be time-consuming. Slow juicers, while efficient, may take longer to clean due to their design.
Pulp Waste: Juicing removes fiber, leaving behind pulp. If you don't find a use for it, this can feel like wasted produce. You can mitigate this by using the pulp in recipes for muffins, soups, or composting it.
Energy Use: While minimal, juicers do consume electricity. This is a very small cost, but still a factor.

To keep your juicing habit affordable, focus on buying seasonal and bulk produce, prioritize vegetable-based juices over fruit-heavy ones to manage both cost and sugar content, and find creative uses for leftover pulp.

Conclusion: The True Price of Your Juicing Habit

So, how expensive is juicing? The answer depends on your choices. While a regular, high-end juicing routine can be a significant investment, especially in the first year, it offers substantial long-term savings compared to buying from juice bars. By choosing a budget-friendly juicer, focusing on seasonal and cost-effective produce like carrots and apples, and managing pulp waste, you can make juicing a more affordable and sustainable part of your healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, the cost of juicing is a trade-off between upfront investment, time, and convenience, but for dedicated juice enthusiasts, the long-term savings and control over ingredients make the habit well worth the investment.

CHOICE, an independent consumer advocacy group, has published detailed research and comparisons on the value of owning a juicer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, for regular juicers, making your own at home is cheaper in the long run. While there is an upfront cost for the machine, your ongoing daily ingredient expenses are significantly lower compared to the high markups at cafes or juice bars.

The cost of a good juicer varies by type. A basic centrifugal model can be found for $50-$150, while higher-quality masticating (slow) juicers, which are better for leafy greens, typically start at $200 and can cost over $500.

Yes. Centrifugal juicers are the cheapest upfront but produce a bit more waste and foam. Masticating juicers cost more initially but are more efficient with produce, which can save money on ingredients over time.

To lower produce costs, focus on buying seasonal fruits and vegetables, and purchase produce in bulk. You can also prioritize lower-cost, high-yield items like carrots and apples over expensive greens or exotic fruits.

Conventional produce is a perfectly acceptable option for juicing, especially for those on a budget. While organic may have some antioxidant benefits, both conventional and organic provide important vitamins and minerals. The focus should be on getting enough produce in your diet.

Juice from a juice bar includes costs for labor, rent, equipment, and marketing, in addition to the expensive, often organic, ingredients. These overhead costs lead to a much higher price per serving compared to making it yourself at home.

Blending is generally a more affordable method for consuming fresh produce because it retains the entire fruit or vegetable, including the fiber, which means you get more volume and nutrients from less produce. This reduces the ongoing cost of ingredients compared to juicing.