The Best Food Saver Vacuum Sealers This Year!

What is a Vacuum Sealer Machine?

Saving food to save money, and time is possible with the help of the best food saver vacuum sealer. It is a machine that removes air in food storage bags to prevent food from spoiling. 

We explored several leading models of vacuum food saver machines to identify the best one, gauging their ability to safely and effectively preserve normal and delicate foods. 

So, find out below which vacuum sealers rose to the top.

How Does a Vacuum Sealer Work?

A vacuum sealer creates a vacuum in a sealed package to create an airtight container. It has a pump that pulls out the air within the sealed package or bag. This vacuum then gets sealed with a press, heat sealer, or mechanical clamp. 

When air can no longer enter the package, the bag’s seal creates an airtight pocket, preserving foods for longer. Vacuum sealing can also apply to seal non-food items, such as electronics or documents, to protect them against moisture and dust.

What is the Best Food Saver Vacuum Sealer?

We pick Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer, 130 Watts, Kit Bags & Viewing Lid, Compact, Silver as the best food saver vacuum cleaner. This food sealer is one of the most versatile sealing machines among the ones we have reviewed. It has five sealing options.

Also, this food-sealing machine features food bag storage, unlike the rest on our list. Additionally, it has a double vacuum pump for optimal performance. Lastly, it is cheaper than some Foodsaver vacuum sealers we reviewed. 

A Quick Glance at Our Picks

1. Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer, 130 Watts, Kit Bags & Viewing Lid, Compact, Silver (Best affordable vacuum sealer machine)
2. FoodSaver 31161370 Cordless Food Vacuum Sealer, Handheld (Best handheld vacuum sealer machine)
3. NutriChef Automatic Vacuum Air Sealing System Preservation With Starter Kit Compact Design, Lab Tested, Dry & Moist Food Modes With Led Indicator Lights, 12 Inch, Black (Best automatic vacuum sealer machine)
4. GERYON Vacuum Sealer Machine, Automatic Food Sealer, Starter Kit | Led Indicator Lights | Easy to Clean | Dry & Moist Food Modes | Compact Design (Silver) (Best dry and moist food vacuum sealer machine)
5. FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine With Starter Vacuum Seal Bags & Rolls, Safety Certified, Black - FM2000-FFP (Best new-technology vacuum food sealer)
6. Anova Culinary ANVS01-US00 Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer, Includes 10 Precut Bags for Sous Vide and Food Storage (Best sous vide cooking vacuum sealer machine)
7. Vacuum Sealer Machine by Mueller | Automatic Vacuum Air Sealing System for Food Preservation W/Starter Kit | Compact Design | Lab Tested | Dry & Moist Food Modes | Led Indicator Lights (Best multi-set vacuum sealer machine)

Our Top Vacuum Sealers Reviewed Below

Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer, 130 Watts, Kit Bags & Viewing Lid, Compact, Silver: Best Affordable Vacuum Sealer Machine

Amazon’s Choice in Vacuum Sealers by Nesco

About This Product

The Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer makes you achieve maximum air extraction with the 130-watt, 25.1 InHG double vacuum pump with optimal performance. 

This vacuum sealer features dry, moist, and double settings for various food types. Regarding the double settings, the standard setting applies to primary sealing, while the gentle setting is ideal for delicate and soft foods.

This food sealer also has an optional double heat seal for added strength and security when sealing liquid-based or moist foods.

Lastly, the Nesco vacuum sealer’s easy-lock handle ensures smooth and simple one-handed operation.

• Brand: Nesco
• Dimensions: 17 x 15 x 9 inches (43.18 x 38.1 x 22.86 centimeters)
• Seal settings: 5
• Bundle inclusions: 2 rolls measuring 8.6 x 9.85 inches (21.8 x 25.02 centimeters) and 11.8 x 9.85 inches (30 x 25.02 centimeters)
• Bag cutter/storage: Yes
• Weight: 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms)
• Type: External
• Color/s: Silver
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• You can use it to seal your ingredients for sous vide cooking and food preservation, making it versatile. 
• It is more affordable than some food sealer brands, including FoodSaver.

Cons

• After detaching a bag from the roll, you must raise the sealer’s top to draw the next one, making it cumbersome.

FoodSaver 31161370 Cordless Food Vacuum Sealer, Handheld: Best Handheld Vacuum Sealer Machine

About This Product

Keep food fresher for longer, and make the most of your kitchen space with the FoodSaver 31161370 Cordless Food Vacuum Sealer. This handheld sealer has a powerful vacuum technology that seals up to 60 1-quart (0.95-liter) bags on a full 24-hour charge, preserving the freshness of your food. 

Forget unruly electrical cords, as the charging base of this food sealer provides a strong charge while the built-in cord management system keeps countertops neat. Plus, this system is compatible with all FoodSaver bags, containers, and accessories.

• Brand: FoodSaver
• Dimensions: 4.33 x 6.5 x 11.42 inches (11 x 16.5 x 29 centimeters)
• Seal settings: 1
• Bundle inclusions: Docking station, four 1-quart (0.95-liter) vacuum-seal zipper bags
• Bag cutter/storage: No
• Weight: 0.5 pounds (0.23 kilograms)
• Type: Handheld
• Color/s: Black
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• You can use it for camping or away from home because it is portable.
• It is more affordable than some old-style food sealers.

Cons

• You can’t use it to seal wet ingredients and food.
• It is not versatile because it is incompatible with all food bags.

NutriChef Automatic Vacuum Air Sealing System Preservation With Starter Kit Compact Design, Lab Tested, Dry & Moist Food Modes With Led Indicator Lights, 12 Inch, Black: Best Automatic Vacuum Sealer Machine

About This Product

Cooking and meal preparation can become easier, less expensive, and faster with the NutriChef Vacuum Air Sealing System. This easy-to-use, fully automatic electric plug-in design features a control center on the top panel, with soft-touch digital buttons and LED indicator lights.

This food sealer also features two sealing modes for optimal food preservation: a dry indication for solid food items and a moist indication for poached, simmered, or steamed food. 

Importantly, you will find it easy to clean this food sealer because it is stain-resistant and does not absorb any accidental spills. Also, you can use it to seal food and reseal half-full bottles of wine.

Additionally, its polyamide sealable bags are environmentally friendly and capable of withstanding food temperatures up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius). Plus, they are waterproof and reusable.

• Brand: NutriChef
• Dimensions: 6 x 14.1 x 3 inches (15.24 x 35.81 x 7.62 centimeters)
• Seal settings: 2
• Bundle inclusions: Wine stopper cork, air suction hose, five medium vacuum bags (78 x 118 inches/198 x 300 centimeters), and one extra-long vacuum bag roll (78 x 790 inch/198 x 762 centimeters)
• Bag cutter/storage: Yes
• Weight: 2.9 pounds (1.32 kilograms)
• Type: External
• Color/s: Black, silver, and silver and black
• Material: Engineered Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Pros

• It is compatible with most vacuum bags for food, including Costco food bags.
• After acquiring this food sealer, it is easy to set up and use because it is a plug-and-use food bag sealer machine. 

Cons

• You must freeze soup-based food before using it to seal the food.
• Some users found the bag cutter not very sharp, making it difficult to use.
• Some users found it straining to lock side latches after inserting the food bags for sealing.

GERYON Vacuum Sealer Machine, Automatic Food Sealer, Starter Kit | Led Indicator Lights | Easy to Clean | Dry & Moist Food Modes | Compact Design (Silver): Best Dry and Moist Food Vacuum Sealer Machine

About This Product

The Geryon Vacuum Sealer Machine easily removes air from specially designed bags, featuring a multi-layer material heat seal to keep air out and prevent freezer burn. It features two selectable sealing modes, providing the best possible preservation for different types of food. 

Plus, the separated design allows you to remove the upper portion of the lid for easy cleaning. Additionally, its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to store and transport. 

Powered by an advanced, high-quality, and durable motor, it can reach the highest vacuum degree in seconds with dual suction nozzles. The extra vacuum space and double-switch design make it extra efficient. 

With its user-friendly top control panel, this food sealer is perfect for easy, economical, fast cooking and meal preparation.

• Brand: GERYON
• Dimensions: 2.56 x 5.5 x 14.4 inches (6.5 x 14 x 36.58 centimeters)
• Seal settings: 2
• Bundle inclusions: one air suction hose, five heat-seal bags (7.8 x 11.8 inches/19.81 x 30 centimeters), one roll (7.8 x 78 inches/19.81 x 198.12 centimeters), one user manual
• Bag cutter/storage: Yes
• Weight: 2.6 pounds (1.18 kilograms)
• Type: External
• Color/s: Silver, black
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• It is easy to use because it comes with minimal instructions.
• It is durable because some users admit they have used it for over three years. 
• You can use it consistently for 20 to 30 minutes, making it very efficient.

Cons

• Some users find cutting food bags using this food sealer straining because they use extra force, and the sealer keeps sliding out of place.
• Its controls are sensitive, and they can start a sealing cycle before a user selects one.

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine With Starter Vacuum Seal Bags & Rolls, Safety Certified, Black - FM2000-FFP: Best New-Technology Vacuum Sealer Machine

Amazon’s Choice in Vacuum Sealers by FOODSAVER

About This Product

The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine provides unparalleled convenience and versatility in the kitchen, making meal planning and grocery shopping easy and hassle-free. 

This vacuum sealer isn’t just for food storage! You can seal and store liquids and creams, protect papers or photographs from mildew or water, and create re-freezable ice packs when traveling. Also, its patented, removable drip tray collects any excess liquid and debris, making it simple to clean it. The tray is also dishwasher safe. 

Notably, the new technology, FM2000-FFP (Form, Fill, and Seal), implemented in this FoodSaver machine reduces bag material usage by 40% compared to prior models. 

Lastly, this food sealer comes with a 24-inch (61-centimeter) cord, making it easy to reach the nearest power source. 

• Brand: FoodSaver
• Dimensions: 16.3 x 9.2 x 4 inches (41.4 x 23.4 x 10.16 centimeters)
• Seal settings: 1
• Bundle inclusions: Three 1-quart (0.95-liter) bags, two 1-gallon (3.8-liter) bags, one 11 x 10 inches (28 x 25.4 centimeters) vacuum seal roll, and an accessory hose
• Bag cutter/storage: Yes
• Weight: 5.3 pounds (2.4 kilograms)
• Type: External
• Color/s: Black
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Sealing a food bag with this food-sealing machine takes around 10 seconds, making it very efficient.
• It has a compact size making it easy to store.
• It is easy to set up because it comes with simple instructions.

Cons

• Its hard plastic bottom makes it slide on a counter, especially when closing its latches, making it difficult to use. 

Anova Culinary ANVS01-US00 Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer, Includes 10 Precut Bags for Sous Vide and Food Storage: Best Sous Vide Cooking Vacuum Sealer Machine

About This Product

Whether you’re looking for a vacuum sealer for sous vide cooking or storing food, the Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer is a great option. This sealer is easy to use, as pressing a single button will vacuum and seal a bag. 

Its compact design fits neatly in any kitchen and comes with free double-ribbed, seven-layer construction bags that will last even through extended cooking sessions. Plus, precut bag and roll refills are available in nearly unlimited size options. 

With this sealer, you can say goodbye to floating bags and air leaking out during storage or cooking.

• Brand: Anova Culinary
• Dimensions: 16.73 x 4.8 x 3.14 inches (42.5 x 12.2 x 8 centimeters)
• Seal settings: 3
• Bundle inclusions: 10 free precut Anova vacuum seal bags
• Bag cutter/storage: No
• Weight: 2.31 pounds (1.05 kilograms)
• Type: External
• Color/s: Black
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• You can reuse its food bags and reduce the cost of buying new ones.
• It is a simple food sealer that uses precut food bags, making it easy to use. 

Cons

• You cannot use food bag rolls because they have no cutter. Otherwise, you need a pair of scissors when using a bag roll.

Vacuum Sealer Machine by Mueller | Automatic Vacuum Air Sealing System for Food Preservation W/Starter Kit | Compact Design | Lab Tested | Dry & Moist Food Modes | Led Indicator Lights: Best Multi-Set Vacuum Sealer Machine

About This Product

The Vacuum Sealer Machine by Mueller makes preserving your food simpler than ever with its fully automatic design, a control center on the top panel, soft touch digital buttons, and LED indicator lights. 

It’s the perfect smart device in your family’s service, boasting two selectable sealing modes. These modes provide the best preservation for any type of food—dry mode for solid food items and moist mode for poached, simmered, or steamed items.

Does this food sealer have the option of heat sealing without the need for running the vacuum to make bags from rolls? The answer is yes, and using this option saves time when sealing your food in the future.

• Brand: Mueller Austria
• Dimensions: 16.54 x 7.91 x 4.92 inches (42.01 x 20.1 x 12.5 centimeters)
• Seal settings: 2
• Bundle inclusions: Air suction hose, five medium vacuum bags (7.8 x 11.8 inches/19.81 x 30 centimeters), and one extra-long vacuum bag roll (7.8 x 79.0 inches/19.81 x 200.66 centimeters)
• Bag cutter/storage: No
• Weight: 3.89 pounds (1.76 kilograms)
• Type: External
• Color/s: Black and silver
• Material: Stainless steel

Pros

• This sealer features an important feature: a vacuum port, which is essential for use with the canning jar sealer and other attachments.

Cons

• It has a latch closure mechanism instead of an easy-to-use lever one. 
• When using this food sealer, getting suitable size bags so as not to be wasteful requires practice.

Some Reader Questions Answered

How Do You Use a Vacuum Sealer?

Sealing Solid Food Items

The following procedure applies when sealing solid food items:

1. Choose a vacuum sealer bag that is suitable for your machine. 
2. Put the food in the bag, leaving at least 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) of space between the item and the top of the pouch for an external machine or at least 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) of space for a chamber vacuum sealer. 
3. Lay the open end of the bag on the seal bar of the vacuum sealer with no wrinkles.
4. Close the lid securely and firmly press down on the lid for automatic machines. When all the air gets removed, the seal bar will fuse the bag to create an airtight seal. 
5. Wait until the machine signals the vacuum sealing process is complete, then remove and store your food.

Sealing Liquids

The most efficient and effective way to vacuum seal liquids, sauces, soups, marinades, and wet food is with a chamber vacuum sealing machine. This method does not require any extra attachments and produces reliable results. 

For best results, make sure to freeze the liquid before packaging it. Upright the vacuum bag containing the liquid in the freezer, and once it is fully frozen, follow the same steps to vacuum-seal the bag as you would with solid food items. 

Notably, external vacuum sealers are not ideal for packaging liquid-rich items because liquids tend to get drawn out of the bag with the air. Depending on the type of machine, you may use a marinate button on the control panel to reduce the total cycle time. However, this method usually requires a canister.

Lastly, models with variable modes allow users to select the best vacuum mode for their food. For instance, the pulse mode is ideal for delicate foods like crackers and baked goods, as it prevents crushing.

How Long Does Vacuum-Sealed Food Stay Fresh?

Vacuum sealing can preserve food up to five times longer than conventional storage methods. This aspect applies to sealed items frozen, refrigerated, or stored in a pantry. However, you should still pay attention to the guidelines provided by your sealer manufacturer.

The following are some foods and their respective length of staying fresh after vacuum sealing:

• Frozen sealed beef and poultry can remain fresh for up to three years.
• Sealed hard cheese stays fresh for eight months in a fridge.
• Frozen fish and fruits stay fresh for two to three years
• Refrigerated fish and fruits stay fresh, say fresh, for one to two weeks.
• Rice will last one to two years when kept in the pantry.
• Sealed baking ingredients like flour and sugar can stay fresh for up to two years.

Which Foods Should Not be Vacuum-Packed?

Foods that should not be vacuum-sealed include those that may spoil faster under a vacuum and that will not seal properly. They include the following:

• Raw alliums and brassicas: Plants from the allium and brassica genera, such as onions, garlic, scallions, shallots, leeks, cabbage, broccoli, kale, radishes, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts, can create gases that can cause vacuum bags to lose the seal if they don’t get cooked beforehand. To ensure a secure seal, perform blanching or any other cooking before sealing.
• Raw mushrooms and bananas: Cooking mushrooms and either cooking or freezing bananas before vacuum-sealing will help to slow the ripening process and prolong the shelf-life of both, as vacuum-sealing hastens the ripening and leads to spoiling more quickly.
• Soft cheeses: Cheeses like brie, blue cheese, feta, goat cheese, or fresh mozzarella, which have a creamy or crumbly texture, contain live bacteria and fungi that tend to thrive in an airless environment. Vacuum-sealing these cheeses will cause them to mold more quickly than if they stay without a seal. However, this does not affect harder cheeses like gouda or parmesan, which can safely be vacuum-sealed.
• Hot foods: Wait until cooked food has cooled completely before attempting to vacuum-seal it, as the steam from the warmer-than-room-temperature food can expand the bag and break the seal.

Can Ziploc Bags be Used on Vacuum Sealers?

Using vacuum-sealing bags designed to work with a vacuum sealer is highly recommended. However, it’s technically possible, but not advisable, to seal food in standard Ziploc bags. 

Notably, vacuum-sealing bags look and feel like other plastic bags but feature air channels inside to help get all the air out. Also, their material can melt and seal at an exact temperature. 

You won’t get a good seal if you try to seal Ziploc or standard plastic bags in a vacuum sealer. Also, you could end up ruining your machine by smoking over-melted plastic. 

You should invest in vacuum-sealing bags to get the most out of your vacuum sealer. If you’re conscious about waste, opt for reusable vacuum-sealing bags, also widely available.

How Should I Clean My Vacuum Sealer?

The importance of cleaning a sealer is to prolong its life. Specifically, cleaning the heat strip that seals the bag prevents buildup, which can lead to a weak seal. 

Additionally, acquire a vacuum sealer model with a removable dishwasher-safe drip tray for easier cleaning. 

Notably, it may be time for a replacement if you notice an ice-crystal-like frost on frozen foods. You should also replace the food sealer if the vacuum is not pulling all the air out during sealing.

What to Look for

Pulse Control

Always assess a vacuum sealer’s ability to tightly seal food without crushing delicate or oddly-shaped items when buying one. Also, look for machines with power control options to adjust the power setting when sealing delicate foods.

Suction Power

Sucking air from sealer bags can be complex, especially if you want to preserve irregularly shaped foods or fragile items. Sometimes, a food sealer with ineffective suction power leaves excess room for air pockets. 

So, always buy a food bag sealer machine that can efficiently suck the air out to ensure no air pockets remain trapped. This aspect is essential for maintaining the shape of dry snacks, fragile products, and dehydrated ingredients.

Handheld vs. Countertop

Countertop vacuum sealers are superior to handheld ones due to their high functionality and versatility. They can handle more bag and roll sizes than handheld models and provide more powerful, consistent sealing. 

However, countertop food sealers have cords, making them less portable than smaller, cordless handheld models. Also, handheld food sealers are easier to store due to their shelf-friendly design. 

Nevertheless, countertop vacuum sealers offer more convenience and reliability and are worth the investment.

Bag Storage and Size

Are you looking for a convenient way to store and use vacuum sealer rolls? Certain sealer models can keep rolls inside the unit, so you can always have them on hand, and the machine can cut the bags to length. Alternatively, if you don’t need that feature, you can opt for a more lightweight compact model that you can easily tuck away in a drawer.

So, always consider how you will use your vacuum sealer and where to store it to make the best choice.

Extra Settings

For experienced vacuum sealer users, additional settings provide them with various sealing possibilities. Additionally, those who use a sealer with an accessory option can use attachments to vacuum-seal anything from an opened bottle of wine to a mason jar.

If you need more than a basic sealer, you may want to consider a higher-end model. Such a model usually comes with extra features such as special buttons for pulsing and sealing wet foods and even the ability to seal containers for marinating. Plus, they often have a “gentle” setting for more delicate items like fruits and pastries. 

However, keep in mind, though, that they tend to cost more and take up more room.

Type

There are primarily three kinds of vacuum sealers with their respective benefits and drawbacks:

• External sealer: It is the most common food sealer that vacuums the air out of a bag without passing the entire bag through the machine. Place the open end of the bag into this clamshell-shaped device to use it. The machine will clamp the bag, vacuum it, seal it, and cut it to a custom size, perfect for sealing any sealable food.
• Chamber sealer: This type of sealer is preferred for professional kitchens as it creates a more secure, airtight seal than an external sealer. It has a more powerful motor than the external model. This feature generally makes it bulkier, heavier, and more expensive. Notably, home cooks can find a smaller chamber sealer that fits their budget.
• Handheld sealer: This type offers the convenience of taking the sealer to the food instead of transferring the food to a stationary sealer. Rechargeable batteries power this small portable device, which can seal bags with a compatible valve. As such, purchasing food bags from the same company that produced the sealer is advisable to ensure compatibility.

Final Words

Even though we have reviewed some of the best food saver vacuum sealers on the market, Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer, 130 Watts, Kit Bags & Viewing Lid, Compact, Silver stands out. It is one of the most versatile food sealing machines with five sealing options, is affordable, and performs optimally because of its double vacuum pump.

Overall, you now know the benefits of a vacuum food sealer, how it works, and what to look for when getting one. Now, it is time to acquire one or replace the one you have with a better one.