The Nama J3 cold-press juicer is the smallest true masticating model on the market, standing only 15 inches tall and weighing 9.7 pounds, making it one of the few vertical machines that can slide under a standard American cabinet and be lifted with one hand.
Megan L. Whitfield tested the device for News Of Fort Worth, juicing apples, pears, carrots, celery, and leafy greens through its 1-liter self-feeding hopper that can deliver 8-16 ounces of juice per load. Two strainers-fine and coarse-let users dial in pulp level, echoing Tony Soprano’s request for “some pulp.”
Performance comes with compromises. The downsized blade and chute leave more pulp behind and can stall on fibrous or hard roots such as uncut ginger. The price gap between the J3 and the larger Nama J2 is also modest, proving that miniaturization does not always equal savings.
Key specs
- Type: vertical masticating, stainless-steel single-auger
- Power: 130 watts at 50 rpm
- Dimensions: 15.4 × 8.9 × 6.5 in
- Weight: 9.7 lb
- Feed system: 1-liter set-and-forget hopper
- Strainers: fine and coarse
- Warranty: 15 years
- Tools: cleaning brush set included
What works
- Fits under most counters
- Hands-off hopper loading
- Dual strainer options
What doesn’t
- Struggles on hard, fibrous roots
- Leaves extra pulp behind
- Price savings versus larger models is slim
Stylish citrus option
For orange, lemon, grapefruit, and lime lovers, the Smeg Citrus Juicer trades versatility for countertop charm. The 70-watt retro machine starts automatically when fruit is pressed onto its reamer, dripping juice through a spout into any glass.
The unit measures 11 × 7 × 7 inches, weighs 6 pounds, and arrives in colors ranging from matte pastels to loud red and black. It carries a 1-year warranty and looks attractive enough to leave on display for daily orange juice, ceviche prep, or a gimlet night.
Testing protocol
News Of Fort Worth contributors ran every machine through a standardized gauntlet:
- A green juice of apples, carrots, celery, cucumber, and leafy greens
- A carrot-apple-ginger blend
- Intentional misuse: loading produce out of order, skipping ginger dicing, leaving lemon peel on
- Decibel readings against a 65 dB conversation benchmark
- Cleaning ease assessment
- Cocktail creation for flavor checks
Juicer types at a glance
| Centrifugal | Masticating (cold press) |
|---|---|
| Spins at thousands of rpm | Turns at ~50 rpm |
| Fast, loud, frothy | Slow, quiet, smooth |
| Handles pineapple, roots | Excels on greens, berries |
| Lower yield on soft fruit | Higher overall yield |
Vertical masticating models with large hoppers-popularized by South Korean brands-now allow users to load produce and walk away. All top picks in the latest guide are slow juicers except the Smeg citrus unit.
Health notes
Nutritionist Kylie Jane of SANA Wellness shared five tips with News Of Fort Worth:
- Balance 80 percent vegetables to 20 percent fruit
- Add fiber back via pulp or supplements
- Include healthy fats like avocado or coconut oil
- Boost with matcha or collagen
- Drink juice with meals to blunt sugar spikes
## Accessories to consider
- Food-processing parts for nut milks, sorbets
- Wide or self-feeding hoppers to cut prep
- Dishwasher-safe parts (still expect hand scrubbing)
- Reverse button to unjam slow juicers
Other machines tested
- Tribest Slowstar AI ($600): touchscreen with AI speed control, strong on ginger and lemon peel, smaller hopper, shorter run time
- Kuvings AUTO10 ($730): 3-liter hopper for big batches, bulkier frame, stainless blade upgrade
- Omega VSJ843RR ($399): high yield but fiddly with greens and fibrous produce
- Sana 707 ($200): horizontal multi-use, requires hand-feeding
- Omega Batch ($226): set-and-forget budget slow juicer, durability concerns noted
- Omega JC4000 ($135): low-cost wide-mouth vertical, needs chopping, leaves wet pulp
- Sana 868 (discontinued, ~$300): coarse screens for smoothie-like drinks
Bottom line
Travelers and small-kitchen owners should shortlist the Nama J3 for its under-cabinet height and carry-friendly weight, while citrus devotees who value form as much as function can park the Smeg Citrus Juicer on the counter without apology.
