Is the Omega VSJ843 Juicer Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Mar 2021). How we score
Save $181Depends. Breville Juice Fountain Cold for most people.
Amazon prices as of Sep 30, 2:51 AM EDT (details)
Why
America's Test Kitchen's Best Masticating Juicer: "This juicer was the most straightforward and enjoyable to use of the masticating juicers," and its auger "chewed through carrots, kale, and grapes with ease." Like every masticating juicer ATK tested, it needs produce cut to fit its narrow feed tube. ATK's Best Centrifugal Juicer, the Breville Juice Fountain Cold, rated higher for juice quality and speed, lower only for cleanup, and takes whole carrots in its 3-inch tube. The difference is greens: "The masticating juicers were able to squeeze juice from the leaves more effectively," while the Breville "had trouble efficiently processing kale leaves." Splurge if you juice a lot of kale and leafy greens; save if you mostly juice carrots, apples and other firm produce.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Omega VSJ843
Juice Fountain Cold, Silver
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's Best Centrifugal Juicer, rated higher than the Omega for juice quality and speed: "It's fast, powering through a pound of carrots in 34 seconds, and it produced smooth juice from carrots, kale, and grapes alike." Kale was the struggle: "It had trouble efficiently processing kale leaves," though packing or rolling the leaves helped. It "contained debris fairly well" for a centrifugal model but rated lower than the Omega for cleanup. ATK published no durability rating; the warranty is 1 year.
| Criterion | Omega VSJ843 | Breville Juice Fountain Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | 2.5/3 | 2.5/3 |
| Juice quality | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Assembly | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Cleanup | 2.5/3 | 2/3 |
| Speed | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Electric Juicers (Mar. 9, 2021)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Electric Juicers (Mar. 9, 2021), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Common questions
Masticating or centrifugal juicer?
America's Test Kitchen tested both. Centrifugal models like the Breville Juice Fountain Cold are fast, take whole produce and did slightly better with carrots; masticating models like the Omega VSJ843 did better with kale and grapes but need produce cut to fit a narrow tube. ATK found no difference in flavor or freshness between the types.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Electric Juicers (Mar. 9, 2021), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
