Is a Juicer Worth It? I Put This One to the Test—Here’s How It Changed My Morning Routine (Psst: It’s Over 50% Off)

Former me: the kind of night owl who could make a full-time job out of scrolling TikTok and debating the merits of different pasta shapes with friends at 1 a.m. (farfalle, FTW). Current me: a full-blown morning person. My pre-work hours are sacred—a time for movement, mindfulness, and a take-on-the-day bevvy or two.

Despite my early-bird tendencies, I’ve tried to resist the siren call of coffee and tank up on more hydrating fluids before caffeinating. But after a morning workout, I find myself wanting something more than water—and so, officially, I've become a juice person. The only issue with my new signature drink, though, is that I walk by exactly 45 cozy cafes on my way home from Pilates and very few juice shops (and the ones I do pass are serving up pulp at some astonishingly high prices).

So, my logical conclusion? Trying my hand at juicing from home. I hadn’t seriously considered getting a juicer until a friend raved about hers on Instagram. Fresh, homemade blends every day? No mystery ingredients? So cost-effective? And totally recommended by Charleston-based registered dietitian Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD? Say less.

“Adding fresh juice to your morning can provide a quick and easy way to load up on vitamins and antioxidants,” Manaker says. “It can increase hydration, provide a natural energy boost, and help you start the day feeling refreshed and nourished.” Added bonus: Depending on what you toss in, it can be a powerhouse of immune-boosting vitamin C or anti-inflammatory ingredients like ginger and spinach, she says.

With that in mind, I hit Walmart in search of an affordable, well-rated juicer and quickly landed on the Juilist Juicer Machine (which, by the way, is currently over 50 percent off). It arrived in two days—a small eternity for my impatient Taurus self—and I wasted no time before testing it out.

Juilist Juicer Machine — $37

Originally $76, currently 51 percent off

First impression? Assembly is a breeze, and despite my concern, it doesn’t take up a ton of counter space (shout out to my fellow small-apartment dwellers). The included recipe booklet has some solid inspo, but I decided to kick things off with a Manaker-approved green elixir: a bunch of kale, a few stalks of celery, an apple, a lemon, and some raw ginger root. “A good rule of thumb is to aim for at least a two-to-one ratio of vegetables to fruits,” she says. “This keeps sugar content lower while still allowing fruits to sweeten the juice naturally.”

Now, let’s talk logistics. If you’re looking for a grab-and-go option, juicing isn’t it. But I’ve actually come to enjoy the ritual of chopping, blending, and sipping something that I know is packed with goodness. I do have to check the manual for prep—some ingredients need to be diced or peeled first—but once everything’s in, it’s pretty seamless. There’s minimal splatter (though, heads up, smaller pieces can shoot out if you’re not careful), and the juice container conveniently separates foam from the final product, giving you that ideal smooth texture.

Yes, it takes a bit more effort than just popping into the juice shop in your neighborhood. But aside from the cost savings (you'll make up the initial investment of the juicer in just a few days), Manaker says that homemade juice is simply a healthier option. You know *exactly* what’s going into your homemade cup—no added sugars, no preservatives, no mystery ingredients, just fresh produce in its purest form, she says.

Of course, juicing isn’t a cure-all. Whole fruits and veggies still reign supreme when it comes to fiber, which is stripped away in the juicing process. “Juice can [help fill] nutritional gaps, especially when it is consumed as a part of a balanced and healthy diet,” Manaker says. “However, eating a variety of whole foods is still essential for overall health—it’s all about balance, not an all-or-nothing approach.”

So, is a juicer worth it? For me, absolutely. Fresh juice has become a treasured step in my morning routine *and* the easiest way I can guarantee veggie consumption on a daily basis. Plus, experimenting with different flavor combos (carrot-ginger-orange is a current favorite) has turned juicing into something of a creative hobby. And, hey, anything that tides me over till my first cup of coffee is a win in my book.