To help you choose the best vacuum sealer for your kitchen, we tested ten top-rated vacuum sealers side by side and rated each model based on ease of use, pulse control, suction power, and cleanup. We also checked for broken seals by sous vide-cooking vacuum-sealed meat. After vacuum-sealing raw meat, delicate fruits, and odd-shaped food items like cereal, we compiled a list of the best vacuum sealers suited for a range of purposes.
#1Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer
Pros
- Excellent pulse control
- Great for fragile foods
- Easy to use
Cons
- Loud
- No attachment hose for canisters
Aside from its impressive performance, we also loved how user-friendly this machine is. The latch locks easily, and there’s a timer that counts down until it manually seals (although it is a bit slow). An accessory port allows you to attach a hose to the sealer to extract air from jars and vacuum canisters, while a built-in bag roll storage and bag cutter allow you to cut bags to the exact size you need. Two different sized bag rolls are included to get you started, and this sealer is compatible with any brand of vacuum sealer bags when you need more.
#2GERYON Vacuum Sealer Machine
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- User friendly
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Reviewers say there’s an initial learning curve
Pros
- Quick, strong seal
- Compact
- Includes accessory port and hose
Cons
- No bag cutter or roll storage
- Accessory hose doesn’t include an adapter
This vacuum sealer from Mueller Austria is definitely worth checking out. It’s not just affordable, but it also creates tight seals and features an intuitive control panel that gives you full control over the vacuum-sealing process. Plus, it’s compatible with other brands of vacuum sealer bags and rolls, making it incredibly versatile.
One of the great things about this vacuum sealer is that it offers options for both gentle and airtight vacuuming. This means that you can seal delicate items like crackers or soft produce without worrying about them getting crushed. We even used it to freeze leftover brownies, strawberries, and overripe bananas for smoothies, and it worked perfectly. We also used it to keep walnuts fresh.
Another thing we appreciated was the compact design of this vacuum sealer. It’s small enough to store in a cabinet, pantry, or drawer, making it easy to keep out of sight when not in use. However, the compact design does mean that there’s no onboard storage for bag rolls or an integrated bag cutter. Despite this, it still comes with an accessory air suction hose, five medium vacuum seal bags, and a vacuum bag roll. Overall, we think the Mueller vacuum sealer is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable vacuum sealer.
#4.Anova Culinary ANVS01-US00 Anova
Pros
- Easy to use
- Quiet
- Compact
Cons
- No accessory port for containers
- No adjustment for sealing dry/moist foods
#5.FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine
Pros
- Can be stored vertically or horizontally
- Easy to use
- Good pulse control
Cons
- Expensive
#6.NESCO VS-02 Food Starter Kit
Pros
- Intuitive control panel
- Built-in bag roll compartment
- Can be used on opened snack bags
Cons
- Bulkier than some other models
This particular vacuum sealer comes with a bag roll compartment that lifts smoothly and easily, a built-in bag slicer, and large, clearly marked buttons. The customization options for your bag size make for a smooth operation. Another great feature of the Nesco is its ability to re-seal snacks like chips in their original packaging.
We tried out a variety of foods and found the Nesco to be successful with uncooked bacon, peanut butter sandwich cookies, and even half of a peeled banana. While there were a few air pockets when we tried to seal ground beef, this machine still performed admirably. The only drawback we found was that there’s no drip tray, which makes cleaning a bit trickier. Nevertheless, overall, this vacuum sealer offers convenient features and excellent performance at an unbeatable price.
#7.GERYON Vacuum Sealer Machine
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Lightweight and compact
- Powerful suction good for meat
Cons
- Not good with delicate items
- Overly sensitive touchpad
This vacuum sealer may not have all the fancy bells and whistles that higher-end models boast, but it excels at its primary function of vacuuming and sealing bags for freezing, food storage, and sous vide cooking. You can use it with any brand of vacuum-sealer bag rolls up to 12 inches wide, or with pre-made quart or gallon-sized bags. Setting it up is a breeze; simply plug it in, and you’re ready to seal. To seal bags, insert the end into the machine, press down to lock it in place, then press the vacuum button.
The sealing indicator lets you track progress, and you can stop the vacuuming at any point to seal the bag before it’s fully vacuumed. One feature we appreciate is the ability to operate the sealing function without vacuuming first, making it perfect for creating bags. We were impressed with the previous model’s power and ease of use during testing, but we found it challenging to get a good seal on delicate items without crushing them in the process. Additionally, the sensitive touchscreen takes some getting used to. On the cleaning front, the Geryon vacuum sealer is quite convenient; the upper lid detaches entirely, providing easy access to all the nooks and crannies in both halves of the machine.
#8.FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine
Pros
- Fully automated and simple to operate
- Powerful suction is quick to seal
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not great for delicate items
They offer some of the best-selling vacuum sealers on the market today. Their vacuum sealing system is completely automated, which means it takes care of bag detection to start the vacuum-sealing process and moisture detection that selects the appropriate mode for your food. This way, you can use it to seal delicate pantry snacks or marinated steaks, which makes it a versatile option.
Apart from being useful for sealing food, using a vacuum sealer can also help you reheat steak and keep it juicy. The FoodSaver vacuum sealer has an LED light display that shows you how far along the process is, so you don’t have to worry about checking on it constantly. Once it’s done, the machine automatically turns itself off.
If you’re someone who likes to store meat in the freezer, the FoodSaver vacuum sealer may be an excellent option for you. It has some of the most potent suction power of all the vacuum sealers we tested, which makes it ideal for sealing meat. It’s also speedy, which is a plus if you want to stock and organize your freezer quickly. However, we did notice that it can be too strong for some items, so you’ll need to be careful when sealing delicate foods. Additionally, there is no pulse control option, so you’ll have to pay more attention to the process when sealing these types of items.
Although it may be a bit pricey for the casual user, the FoodSaver vacuum sealer comes with several convenient features that may make it worth the investment. The machine is easy to clean, thanks to a pull-out drawer that houses a dishwasher-safe drip tray. It also has built-in roll storage, a bag cutter, and a retractable handheld sealer that you can use to preserve pantry snacks, cereals, and nuts in FoodSaver zipper bags, containers, and canisters. Lastly, the machine comes with a five-year limited warranty, which gives you peace of mind in case anything goes wrong.
#9.NutriChef Automatic Vacuum Air Sealing System Preservation
Pros
- Incredible pulse control
- Compact, lightweight design
- Includes hose and wine stopper
Cons
- Overheats quickly
The machine received high praise for its pulse control feature, which offers two sealing options for dry and moist foods. This allows for a range of sealing applications, from soup to chicken or steak for sous vide. Additionally, the sealer has normal or gentle options that are perfect for different types of foods.
In testing, the NutriChef performed exceptionally well with delicate food items such as strawberries, raspberries, cereal, and pretzels. When we used it to seal raw pork, there were minimal air pockets, although some juices were released. The one major drawback of the NutriChef is that it tends to feel hot after each use, which may not be ideal if you’re planning to seal a lot of items at once. Additionally, cleaning can be a bit of a hassle since the sealer lacks a removable drip tray.
The vacuum sealer kit comes with five medium-sized vacuum bags and one extra-large vacuum bag roll, both of which are waterproof and reusable. If you need more, NutriChef and other vendors offer replacement bags that are easy to purchase. As a nice bonus, the kit also includes an air suction hose and wine stopper cork, which allows you to seal any leftover wine.
#10.FoodSaver 31161370 Cordless Food Vacuum Sealer
Pros
- Small and very portable
- Inexpensive
- Easy to use
Cons
- Requires special bags and containers
- Slow sealing
There’s a portable cordless unit available that’s about the size of a salt or pepper shaker and can seal up to 60 quart bags on a single charge. Despite its small size, this vacuum sealer was able to create an effective seal that held well. Although its 2.5-watt motor took longer than other machines to remove air from containers, it was still impressive for such a tiny device. However, we did encounter a problem when it crushed the Chex cereal we sealed with it.
One of the best things about the FoodSaver handheld vacuum sealer is its compact size, but it also comes with a few drawbacks. If you’re sealing anything with liquid ingredients, you need to use a lidded container (which you’ll need to purchase separately). The vacuum nozzle is positioned right next to the electric motor, so if it sucks up any liquid, it’s likely to cause irreparable damage. Additionally, this machine only works with bags or lidded containers that have a built-in valve that is specifically sized for it, which limits you to using FoodSaver-branded bags (that don’t come on a roll). Fortunately, FoodSaver does offer a range of compatible containers.
How We Tested
Over the course of several weeks, our editors researched vacuum sealers, developed a standardized methodology to test them side-by-side, and put them to the test in The Lab. We analyzed the data, reviewed insights from our at-home testers, determined ratings, and used our findings to finalize our list.
Each vacuum sealer was judged on its ease of use, pulse control, suction power, and cleanup. To evaluate all of these elements, we used each one to vacuum seal raspberries, strawberries, Life cereal, pretzels, ground beef, and pork. We placed the individually sealed pork into a sous vide bath of 200 degrees Fahrenheit and checked to make sure the seals stayed intact.
What to Look for in a Vacuum Sealer
When it comes to vacuum sealers, there are three main types to choose from, each with its own pros and cons.
Next, we have chamber sealers, which are often found in professional settings like restaurant kitchens. These machines work by removing all the air from a chamber inside the machine, which creates a more effective vacuum seal. Chamber sealers are able to hold bigger food items than external sealers, but they are also bulkier, heavier, and more expensive. However, there are some smaller models available for home use if you’re willing to invest in them.
When selecting a vacuum sealer, it’s important to consider the size and bag storage options. Do you want a sealer that stores bag rolls, allowing for easy access and the machine to cut bags to the desired length? Alternatively, if the rolls don’t store inside the unit, you’ll have two separate items to keep track of, although the machine itself will likely be more compact. Think about how often you’ll be using the sealer and whether you need it to be easily stowed away in a drawer. Some models are lightweight, weighing just a few pounds, but more heavy-duty professional models will likely require a permanent spot on the counter.
You should also consider the extras included with the machine. While you will eventually need to purchase additional sealing bags and rolls, some models include a variety of both so you can decide which you prefer before purchasing more. Many sealers also come with an accessory port, allowing you to attach a suction hose (which may or may not be included) and use it to seal canisters or even unfinished wine. Some starter kits even include containers or a cork for your sealed wine.