I thought if she didn't know what a citrus reamer was, then there must be others out there that can benefit from the explanation that follows. What is a citrus reamer exactly? Just note that when we tested this, we found that the the double-layered pulp filter doesn't come apart for cleaning and traps more pulp as a result, so it may take some extra effort on your part to get it all out. I assessed the squeezers in batches: the first with fresh lemons, then lemons that had been refrigerated for a few days, followed by lemons that had been left out on the counter for three days. I found that my experience with each squeezer would vary slightly based on the ripeness of the fruit. This 30-watt juicer allows you to juice up to 34 ounces in one go and boasts an auto-reversing cone that will help you extract as much juice as possible from citrus. There's even a pulp control feature, so you can adjust the amount of pulp in your juice. Cleanup is easy (all removable parts are dishwasher-safe), and the unit comes with a plastic cover and integrated cord wrap for hassle-free storage.

OXO Good Grips Citrus Squeezer: While this squeezer didn’t yield as much juice, it was sturdy and had rubber on its handles for added grip. Similar to the Zulay and Imusa models, this one did not provide added leverage to assist with squeezing. Easy to use: Citrus reamers are designed to be user-friendly. With a comfortable handle and a conical, ridged surface, using a citrus reamer requires minimal effort. Simply cut your fruit in half and twist the reamer into the fruit, allowing the juice to flow and collect in a bowl or container. In addition to time trials, we also weighed the citrus before and after juicing. We were looking for a product that produced a maximum quantity of juice, but not without affecting the quality. We took points off if a ton of pulp or seeds passed through the juicer, and we awarded bonus points for orange juice that didn’t have any traces of bitterness.In our tests, we appreciated how easy it was to use the press. Despite the heavy-duty cast iron appearance, it didn't take a ton of effort to press down on the lever. No need for extra arm workouts to get the most out of your citrus. We did wish the juicer lifted up a bit so we could fit taller containers beneath it. These citrus juicers, which we like to call citrus squeezers to differentiate them from other juicers, are a favorite among bartenders. They work sort of like a garlic press: Put the citrus half in the well of the juicer cut-side down (yes, we agree that it’s a bit counter-intuitive!), then squeeze the two levers together. The domed part of the juicer flips the citrus inside out, squeezing out juice. Thanks to holes in the juicer wall, juice comes out but seeds and pulp stay nicely trapped inside. When I tried to use this model to squeeze a lime, it didn’t seem as if it was necessary to have the two different flaps, because both wells were conducive to squeezing the fruit. The slot you put the fruit in may just depend on the size of the citrus—whether it’s a large lime or a small lemon. Zulay Lemon Squeezer: The yield from this model was a bit behind the other handheld squeezers. Unlike the Chef’n FreshForce Citrus Juicer or KitchenAid Citrus Squeezer, there’s no leverage assistance with this one so it’s really up to your own hand strength to get citrus juiced. When you think juicers, your mind probably goes to those big electric citrus juicers capable of taking down leafy greens and tough root vegetables. Those models will work, but they’re often overkill when it comes to citrus. Instead of throwing any of those juicers into the mix, we focused on the simple models, including some manual juicers, that allow you to slice a lemon in half and get to juicing.

With its pointed tip and sharp edges, this reamer ensures a much more efficient juicing performance. The KitchenAid Citrus Juice Press Squeezer comes with a pretty cool feature: a built-in cup to catch it all, plus a little spout for easy pours. The top-third of the device is made up of aluminum, and the underside, which is meant to press into the cut-side of the citrus, features reamer-like detailing. The middle layer is a nylon cup where the citrus half is meant to sit in; it comes with ridged detailing in the interior, for grip, and 19 tiny holes for the juice to flow through. The benefit of the 2-millimeter holes is that they prevent seeds from slipping through and minimize pulp as well. The bottom layer is also made from nylon and features a well where the juice of the citrus collects post-squeeze. Once you’ve finished squeezing the lemons, you can pour the juice into a glass or run it through a strainer for an even smoother product.

The takeaway

Chef’n Lemondrop Citrus Juicer: We appreciated the built-in strainer, but the collection bin was far too small. With its simple bamboo design and well-distributed carvings, this reamer is the perfect choice for beginners.