How to Choose a Citrus Press for Fresh Juice
By Breville | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: Buying Guides
Learn how to pick the best citrus press for your kitchen. Compare manual vs electric models, consider juice yield and cleanup, and find the right fit for your juicing habits.
Quick answer
Choose a citrus press based on how often you juice and how much effort you want to put in. For daily fresh juice with minimal cleanup, a lever-style or electric model is best; for occasional use, a simple hand reamer works fine.
Manual vs. electric: which suits your routine?
Manual citrus presses (hand reamers or lever-style) are quiet, portable, and easy to clean. They give you full control over pressure, which helps extract juice without bitter oils from the peel. The trade-off is arm effort—juicing more than a few oranges can get tiring.
Electric citrus juicers automate the pressing and often include a motor that spins the reamer. They are faster for larger batches and require less physical effort. However, they take up more counter space, cost more, and have more parts to wash.
Juice yield and pulp control
A good citrus press should extract maximum juice while letting you decide how much pulp ends up in your glass. Look for a reamer shape that matches the fruit—cone reamers work well for lemons and limes, while wider reamers handle oranges and grapefruits better.
Some models include a pulp control dial or a strainer insert. If you prefer smooth juice, choose a press with a fine mesh strainer. If you like a bit of texture, a coarser strainer or no strainer at all may be better.
Drip-free design and cleanup
One of the most annoying things about juicing citrus is the mess. A drip-free spout that flips up after juicing prevents sticky drips on your counter. Removable parts that are dishwasher-safe make cleanup much faster.
The Breville Citrus Press features a clever flip-up spout that stops drips instantly. After juicing, simply flip the spout upward and the remaining juice stays inside the machine—no puddle on your counter.
Decision rules for choosing a citrus press
- Juicing frequency: If you juice citrus daily or in large batches, choose an electric or lever-style press. For occasional use (once a week or less), a manual reamer is sufficient and cheaper.
- Counter space and storage: Electric models take up more space. Measure your counter or cabinet before buying. Manual reamers and small lever presses store easily in a drawer.
- Ease of cleaning: Look for dishwasher-safe parts and a drip-free spout. The fewer nooks and crannies, the better. Removable reamers and strainers are a must for quick rinse-and-go cleanup.
- Fruit size range: Check if the press handles both small limes and large grapefruits. A press with a wide reamer and adjustable pressure works for all citrus sizes. If you juice multiple fruit sizes, choose a model like the Breville Citrus Press that handles from the smallest lime to the largest grapefruit.
Product spotlight
- the Citrus Press™: The simple one handed operation allows you to create a delicious juice with minimal effort. This makes it easy to juice multiple oranges quickly without arm fatigue, ideal for daily fresh juice drinkers.
the Citrus Press™ - the Citrus Press™: After juicing, simply flip the juicing spout upwards to prevent drips. No more sticky countertops or wasted juice—cleanup is faster and less messy.
Which citrus press is right for you?
Best for
- Daily fresh juice drinkers who want minimal effort and easy cleanup
- Households that juice a variety of citrus sizes from limes to grapefruits
Not ideal for
- Those who only juice occasionally and prefer a low-cost, compact tool
- Anyone who wants to juice leafy greens or hard vegetables (you need a masticating or centrifugal juicer for that)
