I love green juice. But kale and wheatgrass are tough. Many juicers just choke on them. Some waste half the greens as dry pulp.
So I tried three juicers made for leafy greens. I used each one at home. I ran kale, wheatgrass, and spinach through each machine. I also added some apples. Then I timed each step. I cleaned each part. I checked how much juice came out.
This guide is based on my own tests. It is not copied from a spec sheet. It is real use, in my own kitchen, with my own hands.
Our Expertise
I test kitchen tools for a living. I care about small things. How long does setup take? How hard is cleanup? Does the juicer jam on tough greens?
For this test, I used the same greens each time. I used the same amount of produce. I used the same cleanup steps. I timed each part with a kitchen timer.
I am not paid by these brands. I do not get free gifts for good reviews. My only goal is to help you pick a juicer that works. A juicer you will use, not one that sits in a box.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for anyone who wants fresh green juice at home. It is for people who juice kale or wheatgrass most days. It is also for people who are new to juicing and want an easy start.
You may drink green juice for health. You may just like the taste. Either way, this guide will help you pick a juicer that fits your life.
If you want a fast electric juicer for soft fruit, this guide is not for you. These three picks are hand crank models made for tough leafy greens.
Our Top Picks
Here is a quick look at how each juicer did in my tests.
- Best Overall for Leafy Greens: ORIGINAL Healthy Juicer
- Best for Steel Build: Kilixin Manual Wheatgrass Juicer
- Best for a Steady Grip: Luzrise Manual Wheatgrass Juicer
Each pick has its own strength. Read on to see which one fits your kitchen best.
Quick Look Table
| Juicer | Made Of | Best For | My Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Juicer | Plastic body, steel tip | Daily leafy greens | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Kilixin | Full steel | Heavy daily use | 4 out of 5 |
| Luzrise | Full steel | Clamped, steady use | 4 out of 5 |
1. ORIGINAL Healthy Juicer
This juicer has been sold since 2004. I was not sure an old design could keep up. It did great.
Product Features
- A slow press style juicer made for leafy greens
- A light plastic body with a steel tip
- Easy to move around the kitchen
- Made for wheatgrass, kale, and spinach, plus some fruit
What I Like
- It felt light in my hand
- The tip pulled kale through with very little jam
- It handled wheatgrass better than I hoped
- Setup took less than two minutes
Why It’s Better
Most leafy green juicers use a lot of metal. That adds weight. This one stays light but still grips tough leaves well. The slow press style also keeps more of the good stuff in your juice. If you juice each day, a light body means less strain on your arm.
How It Performed
I ran two cups of kale through it. I also added a handful of wheatgrass. The juice came out smooth. There was only a little pulp left. It took about four minutes to juice both greens. I cut the apples first. Once cut, they moved through with no fuss.
How I Clean It
Cleanup took under three minutes. I rinsed the tip and screen right away. Dried pulp is much harder to remove later. I clean mine right after each use. A small brush helped clear the tiny holes in the screen.
Testing Results
- Juice from two cups of kale: about three fourths of a cup
- Time to juice greens: four minutes
- Time to clean: under three minutes
- Noise level: quiet, since it runs by hand
2. Kilixin Manual Wheatgrass Juicer
This one is made of full steel. I hoped that meant more strength. It did, but it also took more effort to turn.
Product Features
- Made from food grade steel
- A hand crank turns this juicer
- Works with wheatgrass, spinach, kale, apples, and more
- A small size that fits small kitchens
What I Like
- The steel body felt solid on my counter
- It handled celery and ginger with ease
- Parts came apart fast for cleaning
- The crank turned in a smooth, steady way
Why It’s Better
Steel juicers tend to last longer than plastic ones. This model also works with more foods, like celery and ginger. Some leafy green juicers cannot do that. If you want one juicer for many jobs, this gives you more range.
How It Performed
I juiced spinach and baby kale first. Then I fed in small apple chunks, just like the brand says to do. Cutting the apples small did stop clogs. The crank took a bit more arm strength than the Healthy Juicer. But it also gave a bit more juice.
How I Clean It
The strainer took a bit more work to pull out. I used the scissor tip trick from the product notes. It worked well. Once loose, all parts rinsed clean in about four minutes.
Testing Results
- Juice from a mix of kale and spinach: about one cup
- Time to juice greens: five minutes
- Time to clean: four minutes
- Noise level: quiet, with more crank effort
3. Luzrise Manual Wheatgrass Juicer
This juicer clamps right onto your table. That changes how it feels to use. I liked having both hands free to feed in greens.
Product Features
- Made from shiny steel
- A clamp base for a steady hold
- Works with wheatgrass, kale, spinach, parsley, and more
- Fits tables up to about two inches thick
What I Like
- Clamping it down took the strain off my wrist
- The shiny finish wiped clean fast
- It handled kale and parsley with steady force
- Feeding greens in with one hand felt easy once clamped
Why It’s Better
Since this model clamps to your counter, you get more grip and less wobble. Many hand crank juicers slide around if you do not hold them tight. This one stays put. That means you can focus on the greens. You do not need to hold the machine still.
How It Performed
I clamped it to my kitchen island. Then I ran wheatgrass through first. The clamp held firm the whole time. The juice yield was close to the Kilixin model. The crank felt smooth. I did feed greens in small batches to stop clogs, just as the notes say to do.
How I Clean It
Taking it apart was simple. Each part comes off by hand. I rinsed each piece and dried it right away. Steel can spot if left wet too long. Full cleanup took about four minutes.
Testing Results
- Juice from a mix of wheatgrass and kale: about one cup
- Time to juice greens: five minutes
- Time to clean: four minutes
- Noise level: quiet, with a steady crank motion
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick a Juicer for Kale and Wheatgrass
There are a few key things to check before you buy.
Look for a Slow Press or Hand Crank Design
Fast spin juicers often struggle with leafy greens. Slow press and hand crank models press greens with care. That pulls out more juice. It also keeps more good stuff in the juice.
Check the Body Material
Plastic bodies are light but may wear out over time. Steel bodies tend to last longer. They also work with more kinds of food. But they often weigh more and need more arm strength to use.
Think About Your Counter Space
Some juicers clamp to a table. Others sit on their own. Clamped models stay steady while you juice. That helps a lot if you juice often.
Pick One That Cleans Fast
Leafy greens can leave sticky pulp behind. Look for a juicer with parts that come apart with ease. That makes rinsing and drying much faster.
Match It to What You Juice Most
If you mostly juice kale, spinach, and wheatgrass, a simple green juicer will do the job. If you also want to juice celery, ginger, or apples a lot, pick a model that can juice more kinds of food.
Think About How Often You Will Use It
If you plan to juice each day, pick a model that is fast to clean and light to hold. A heavy juicer that takes ten minutes to clean may end up in a drawer.
Tips to Get More Juice From Kale and Wheatgrass
Here are a few things I learned during my tests.
- Roll or fold kale leaves before you feed them in. This helps them slide through with less jam.
- Cut apples into small chunks first. Big chunks tend to clog the tip.
- Feed greens in small amounts. Do not pack the feed tube full at once.
- Rinse the parts right after use. Dry pulp is much harder to clean off.
- Dry steel parts fully. This helps stop spots and rust over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I made a few mistakes during my tests. You can skip them.
- I fed in a big handful of kale at once. It jammed right away. Small amounts work best.
- I left pulp in the screen too long. It turned hard and stuck. Rinse it fast.
- I forgot to peel one apple. The skin got stuck in the tip. Peel first for a clean run.
- I did not dry a steel part all the way. A small water spot showed up the next day. Dry each part well.
Common Questions
Can I juice wheatgrass in a normal juicer?
Most fast, spinning juicers cannot grip the thin, tough fibers in wheatgrass. A slow press or hand crank juicer works much better for this job.
Do I need to cut kale before I juice it?
You do not need to cut kale into tiny bits. But rolling or folding the leaves helps them feed through with less jam.
Why does my juicer clog with leafy greens?
Clogs often happen when too much goes in at once. Feed greens in small amounts for a smooth, clog free juice.
How often should I clean my juicer?
Clean it right after each use. Dried pulp gets much harder to remove once it sits for a while.
Can these juicers also handle fruit?
Yes. All three juicers in this guide can juice fruit like apples. Just cut the fruit into small chunks first to stop clogs.
Is a hand crank juicer better than an electric one for greens?
Hand crank juicers often pull more juice out of leafy greens since they press with care. Electric juicers are fast. But they can leave more juice in the pulp.
Will a steel juicer rust over time?
Good steel does not rust much. Just be sure to dry each part fully after you wash it.
Where to Store Your Juicer
A small juicer can live on a shelf or in a drawer. Steel models are a bit heavy but still fit on most shelves. Keep the parts dry before you put them away. Store the pieces loose, not locked in place. This helps air flow and stops any smell.
If you juice each day, you may want to keep the juicer out on your counter. That way, it is close at hand each morning. A quick rinse is much easier when the juicer is right there.
A Quick Note on Safety
Always keep your fingers clear of the feed tube. Use the tool that comes with your juicer to push food down. Never use your hand. This keeps you safe and keeps the juicer clean.
Final Thoughts
All three juicers did better with kale and wheatgrass than I first thought they would. The Healthy Juicer stood out for its light feel and quick setup. The Kilixin gave a strong juice yield with a solid steel build. The Luzrise gave the most steady grip thanks to its clamp base.
If you juice greens each day, any of these three will serve you well. Pick the one that fits your counter space and the arm strength you want to use each morning. A good juicer should feel easy to reach for, not like a chore.