Pros
- Small and lightweight
Cons
- Poor performance in our juicing performance tests
- Its small chute size means that more cutting of more produce is required when juicing with this juicer
- Difficult to clean and keep clean because of its white plastic and clear plastic parts
- No cleaning brush is included with this juicer
Contents
Category Scores
| Assembly Diff. | 5.0 |
| Food Prep. | 4.5 |
| Soft Produce | 2.0 |
| Hard Produce | 2.5 |
| Pulp Free | 3.0 |
| Overall | 2.5 |
| Cleaning Diff. | 2.0 |
| Ease of Use | 2.5 |
| Versatility | 3.0 |
| Durability | 2.5 |
| Value | 2.0 |
| Cumulative | 31.5 |
All category scores are out of 5.
Assembly
Parts List
- Food pusher
- Juicer cover (with feed chute)
- Filter basket
- Filter bowl
- Motor base (main body)
- Juice container
- Pulp container
The JM250 is small in size but is composed of almost all of the same parts as larger centrifugal juicers. As such, its assembly follows almost exactly the same procedure as is required for those other larger juicers. The only exceptions are the following:-
- The JM250’s food pusher is composed of two different parts – a smaller food pusher that fits inside of a larger food pusher (more on this in the next section of this review on food preparation). Most other centrifugal juicers have a single food pusher.
- The JM250 comes equipped with an anti-drip juice spout. The spout can be rotated from an open position to a closed position to prevent it from dripping juice. Most other centrifugal juicers do not feature this functionality.
- The JM250’s parts are locked into place with latches. Most other centrifugal juicers come equipped with a safety locking arm to accomplish this task.
Those features unique to the JM250 that we listed above do make its assembly ever so slightly more complicated but not sufficiently so to reduce its score in the category as compared to the other more standard centrifugal juicers we tested. Like those other juicers, it earns a perfect 5 out of 5 for assembly difficulty.
Food Preparation
As we mentioned above, the JM250’s food pusher is composed of two different parts – a smaller bean-shaped food pusher that fits into a larger circular food pusher. The larger pusher can be temporarily placed inside of the juicer’s feeding chute to serve as a smaller temporary replacement feed chute. If it is used in this way, the smaller food pusher is the only pusher that is used to push produce into the (temporarily small) feed chute. In this scenario, the juicer’s feed chute is effectively the length and width of the bean-shaped opening inside of the larger food pusher – this opening is 1 inch wide and 2 inches long. Alternatively, the smaller pusher can be placed inside of the larger pusher and both pushers (the larger pusher with the smaller pusher inside of it) can be used together as one pusher. In this scenario, the juicer’s feeding chute is as large as the opening on the juicer’s cover – 2.5 inches in diameter.
The juicer’s manual advises that the “small bean-shaped pusher is best for small fruits and vegetables” as “its unique shape guides produce towards the center of the strainer, where it is spinning the fastest, therefore aiding in maximum extraction”. It instructs that the large pusher can be used to accommodate most other larger fruits and vegetables. Our goal when testing each juicer we tested for review was to put each juicer in a position in which it would be able to have the best chance to perform well in our tests – to put it in a position in which it would be able to obtain maximum yields. In this case, it meant following the manufacturer’s recommendations as outlined above. We used the small bean-shaped pusher (in which case the large pusher was a temporary feed chute) when possible and only resorted to using the larger pusher (with the small pusher inside of it) if the produce we were juicing to test the juicer was too large to fit into the temporary bean-shaped feeding chute of the larger pusher.
We juiced five different fruits and vegetables to test the JM250’s juicing performance: oranges, grapes, carrots, celery, and apples. We were only able to juice grapes and celery using the smaller food pusher (with smaller temporary feed chute). We had to juice oranges, carrots, and apples using the larger food pusher and larger feed chute. The grapes and celery did not need to be cut before they could fit inside of the small bean-shaped opening of the temporary feed chute provided by the large pusher. However, both oranges and apples had to be cut before they could fit in the large 2.5-inch diameter opening of the larger feed chute. Both fruits had to be cut into quarters before they could fit into the opening. Note that 15 of the 17 centrifugal juicers we tested only required that apples be cut before they could fit into those juicers’ feeding chutes. Most of those juicers had feeding chutes at least 3 inches in diameter. The JM250 and the Black and Decker JE2200B were the only two centrifugal juicers we tested that required other fruits and vegetables (other than apples) to be cut as well. The JE2200B required that oranges, carrots, and apples be cut into very small pieces (oranges into eighths, carrots into halves, and apples into sixteenths). The tables below show this data in a more organized manner.
Juiceman JM250
| Fruit/Veg. | Size of Cuts | Time to Cut | Avg. Time to Cut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oranges | quarters | 22 | 24 |
| Grapes | no cutting required | ||
| Carrots | no cutting required | ||
| Celery | no cutting required | ||
| Apples | quarters | 22 | 18 |
| More Information | |||
| Chute Size | 2.5″ |
JE2200B
| Fruit/Veg. | Size of Cuts | Time to Cut | Avg. Time to Cut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oranges | eighths | 78 | 59 |
| Grapes | no cutting required | ||
| Carrots | halves | 71 | 71 |
| Celery | no cutting required | ||
| Apples | sixteenths | 131 | 99 |
| More Information | |||
| Chute Size | 1.25″ by 2.5″ |
Most Other Centrifugal Juicers
| Fruit/Veg. | Size of Cuts | Time to Cut | Avg. Time to Cut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oranges | no cutting required | ||
| Grapes | no cutting required | ||
| Carrots | no cutting required | ||
| Celery | no cutting required | ||
| Apples | quarters | NA | 18 |
| More Information | |||
| Chute Size | 3″ diameter |
Note: all times are in seconds. For a comparison of “time to cut” vs. “avg. time to cut” see here.
Performance
The JM250’s yields (along with those for every other centrifugal juicer we tested) for juicing 1 lb. each of oranges, grapes, carrots, celery, and apples are shown in this table. Note that the table lists two different types of yields: out of juicer yield and after sieve yield. Out of juicer yield is the initial yield as it was extracted by the juicer. After sieve yield is the yield that was collected after the out of juicer yield was poured through a sieve. The difference between out of juicer and after sieve yield is the amount of pulp in the initial out of juicer yield.
The JM250 obtained well below average yields in all tests except for our celery juicing test. Its out of juicer and after sieve yields in our orange juicing test were both the worst yields obtained in the same test. Its after sieve grape juice and carrot juice yields were the second worst yields obtained in each respective test. Its after sieve celery juice yield of 11.1 oz. was good for an 8th place result while its after sieve apple juice yield was only good for a 12th place result among the 17 centrifugal juicers we tested for review.
The JM250 is absolutely not recommended if juicing performance is a priority to you. It is also not recommended if value is a concern for you because of its lack of performance. For those consumers looking to spend as little on a juicer as possible and want a juicer with similar features to the JM250, the Black and Decker JE2200B is recommended instead. We’ll have a detailed comparison of both juicers at the end of this review.
Cleaning
The JM250’s body and filter bowl are both made of a white plastic. This white plastic stains very easily. Most other centrifugal juicers are also mostly made of plastic parts but those parts are normally darker in color to combat and/or prevent staining. The Juiceman’s juice container, pulp container, and cover are made of a clear plastic that also stains very easily. Most other centrifugal juicers also have a clear plastic cover and juice container but the clear plastic is normally tinted (darker) to make such parts more stain resistant. Finally, the JM250 has chrome latches. These latches pick up smudges very easily and are therefore very difficult to keep “smudge-free”.
All in all, the JM250 is absolutely not designed to be stain resistant and will absolutely stain with continued use over time. However, the primary reason it receives a very poor rating of 2 out 5 in the category is because it does not come with a cleaning brush for cleaning its filter basket. We discuss why this is so important in our review for the Black and Decker JE2200B, another juicer we tested that does not come with a filter basket cleaning brush.
Note that the manufacturer does warn in the juicer’s manual that certain produce might stain certain parts and it gives several solutions for removing such stains from the same parts. All of these solutions involve soaking the stained parts overnight. While such solutions may very well remove most stains from stained parts we do not believe it is acceptable for manufacturers to expect consumers to soak a juicer’s parts overnight to clean them, which is another reason why this particular juicer receives as low of a score in this category as it does, despite these solutions.
Also of note in this category is the fact that the juicer sprayed pulp from underneath its cover while it was in use. This pulp made cleaning all of the parts onto which it sprayed more difficult.
Dishwasher Safe Parts
The juicer’s manual does imply that all of its removable parts are dishwasher safe. However, we did not wash its parts in a dishwasher during testing and neither do we recommend that you do the same at home. Note that washing the parts in a dishwasher will not prevent staining as most staining occurs the moment the pigments inside of stain inducing fruits and vegetables make contact with them during the actual juicing process.
Ease of Use
Juicing Speeds
The JM250 can be set to one of two different speeds – a high speed setting or a low speed setting. The juicer’s manual advises that high speed is “best for harder fruits and vegetables” while low speed is best for softer produce. We discuss our thoughts regarding multi-speed functionality – how it negatively impacts ease of use while doing virtually nothing for a juicer’s performance – in great detail in the relevant section of other reviews such as this one.
Manual Quality
The JM250 comes with a very well done, high quality, well organized and sufficiently comprehensive manual.
Weight, Power Cord Length, Juice and Pulp Containers
The defining feature of the Juiceman JM250 is its small size and its low weight. The juicer is just over 12 inches tall, measures about 12 inches wide, and is about 7 inches deep. It weighs just over 5 lb. fully assembled. Most other centrifugal juicers we tested are at least 15 to 16 inches tall, often just as wide, and just over 8 inches deep. Most weigh at least 7.5 to 10 lb. fully assembled.
The JM250’s small size makes it very easy to store in a kitchen cabinet or underneath cabinets on a countertop. Its low weight makes it very easy to move in and out of storage or around the kitchen from one location to another such as when its moved from the counter on which you might be using it to another counter next to where you might be cleaning it. The juicer’s low weight is also a negative, however, in that it allows the juicer to more easily move around the countertop while it’s in use. Take a look at the animation below. Note how the juicer moves around the countertop while it’s juicing carrots. It exhibited this movement while it was juicing other fruits and vegetables also.
The juicer does come with a very short 25.5 inch power cord (most juicers of this type come with at least 40 inch long power cords) which limits where you can place it on the counter relative to wall outlets.
The JM250 comes with a juice container with a measured volume of 20 oz. The container itself is really nothing more than a plastic glass. In any case, its 20 oz. capacity is, not surprisingly, on the smaller side for a centrifugal juicer. Most other juicers of this type come with at least 30+ oz. juice containers. The Juiceman comes with a 45 oz. pulp container, also on the smaller side for a centrifugal juicer. Most such juicers come with a pulp container with a volume of at least 60 oz.
Ease of Use Summary and Score
The JM250 earns a below average 2.5 out of 5 for ease of use. On the positive side of things its small size and low weight make it very easy to move around and store. On the negative side, its low weight allows it to more easily move around the countertop while it’s in use. It also has a short power cord and small juice and pulp containers. Lastly, it also features multi-speed functionality – a definite negative for this juicer with regard to how easy it is to use.
Versatility
Please see here for more information on this topic as it relates to centrifugal juicers, in general.
Durability
Build Quality and Materials
The JM250 is a very inexpensive juicer, normally retailing for well under $50. At this price point it should come as no surprise that this juicer does not come equipped with nearly as high of a quality of parts as most other more expensive centrifugal juicers we tested. This goes for all of its parts including its filter basket and motor. Of particular note is the fact that its motor is only rated at 400 watts. Compare this wattage to the 700+ watt motors of 15 of the 16 other centrifugal juicers we tested for review.
Brand Reputation, Support, Warranty
Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. was established in 2005 as a successor company to Rayovac Corporation. The company (Spectrum) owns a myriad of different brands including Rayovac, Varta, Remington, George Foreman, and Juiceman. Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. is thus the actual company behind Juiceman branded products.
Interestingly, the juicer’s manual does list Spectrum Brands, Inc. as the company through or by which the warranty is issued but lists a third party, Applica, as the company that should be contacted for product support (and through which any warranty claim should be made). A website URL and toll free number is given for product support, including warranty claim requests. The URL and phone number given are the exact same as those given in the Black and Decker JE2200B’s manual. The exact relationship between Spectrum Brands, Juiceman, and Black and Decker is unclear. But what is certain is that all of the Juiceman and Black and Decker juicers we tested come with customer support that is offered by the exact same “Product Protection Center”, as the JM250’s manual calls it. And that “Product Protection Center” is run by Applica.
The warranty terms for the JM250 are also almost exactly the same as they are for the Juiceman JM400 and Black and Decker JE2200B. Those terms state that the warranty lasts for 2 years from the date of purchase and that it covers “any defect in material or workmanship” with several listed exclusions including “damage from commercial use, damage from misuse, abuse, or neglect,” etc. The warranty also states that it doesn’t cover “shipping and handling costs associated with the replacement” of the juicer. Those costs are the customer’s to bare.
Summary and Score
The JM250 has very similar build quality to that of the Black and Decker JE2200B which is to say that it is well below average but appropriate considering the juicer’s price. The JM250 also comes with the exact same 2 year warranty as the Black and Decker. It should come as no surprise then, that it earns exactly the same score as the JE2200B in the category – a 2.5 out of 5.
Value and Recommendations
We’ve mentioned at several points in this review that the JM250’s “juicer doppelganger”, so to speak, is the Black and Decker JE2200B. Both juicers are uniquely small in size, are lightweight, come with small juice and pulp containers, offer similar build quality and performance, and come with exactly the same warranty. If you’re interested in purchasing either juicer it’s likely because you’re looking to spend as little as possible on a juicer purchase and in choosing between these two juicers, specifically, will simply end up buying the juicer that’s available at the lowest price at the time that you make your purchase. If this describes your motivations we strongly encourage you to read the end of our JE2200B review, where we outline the only two scenarios in which you should follow through with such intentions (to purchase of the JE2200B which also applies to purchasing the JM250).
We already discussed why you would want to purchase other juicers (and which other juicers to purchase) instead of a juicer like the JE2200B at the end of its review. To finish this review, we want to compare the JE2200B to the JM250 and make a recommendation between these two juicers, only, should you be dead set on purchasing a juicer for under $50 (these are the only two juicers we tested at this price point). Below we’re going to list all of our review parameters and which juicer wins each category and why.
Assembly
Tie: both juicers are equally easy to assemble
Food Preparation
Winner: JM250 because the JE2200B has a much smaller feed chute.
Performance
Tie: both juicers performed poorly in our performance testing.
Cleaning
Winner: JE2200B because it’s made of darker more stain resistant parts.
Ease of Use
Winner: JE2200B because it is a single speed juicer which makes it easier to use than the multi-speed Juiceman despite the fact that it comes with a smaller juice container.
Durability
Tie: for the reasons we listed in the respective section above
Conclusion
The JE2200B is the better option between these two juicers as it’s much easier to clean and keep clean (because it’s more stain resistant) and it’s easier to use (because it’s only a single speed juicer). It also doesn’t move around the countertop or spray pulp out from underneath its cover while in use like the Juiceman does. We feel that these positives outweigh the one negative of having to cut produce to a smaller size for juicing with it.