The 6 Best Food Vacuum Sealers
Some will keep food fresh for *years* longer than usual.
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You know how it goes: You try a new oven-baked ribs recipe without reading the serving size and now you have way too many leftovers to finish before they go bad. Or you simply couldn't resist a sale on whole salmon and now have more steaks than you know what to do with. Or maybe you've hit a few of those can't-miss sales and are stuck with a freezer that's practically overflowing with containers... and you still have more to pack in.
No matter how you got here, we all know what happens next. You have two options: Eat all that food until you get so sick you can't even stomach the thought of making it again, or throw it out and feel that guilt of wasting both your food and your money. But what if we told you there was another way?
Obviously, we can't wave a magical churro wand and make all your food-storage troubles disappear, but there is a kitchen tool that can help. When it comes to keeping food fresh or putting it in long-term storage, nothing is better than a food vacuum sealer. These handy machines beat freezer bags by a landslide. They can package cooked or raw food so effectively that you can keep them in your freezer or pantry for months at a time without the fear of freezer burn, staleness, or leakage. (Just know there are some foods you should never put in the freezer.)
To find out the best food vacuum sealers on the market, we went straight to the Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab, Nicole Papantoniou, who has been has been professionally testing kitchen gear for nearly 10 years. Consider this our manifesto for why you need one of these babies in your kitchen, and which to buy.
We’re all about that vacuum-sealing life, but we have other tips to actually use all your groceries before they go bad too! And to really get the most fun out of your new favorite kitchen tool, check out our recipe for the best sous vide brisket to enjoy mouthwatering BBQ right at home—your tastebuds will thank you.
Our top picks
- Best Food Vacuum Sealer: Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Food Vacuum Sealer
- Best Budget Food Vacuum Sealer: Geryon Food Vacuum Sealer Machine
- Best Splurge Food Vacuum Sealer: Weston Brands Pro-1100 Vacuum Sealer
- Most Versatile Food Vacuum Sealer: FoodSaver VS3150 Vacuum Sealer Machine
- Easiest to Use Food Vacuum Sealer: Anova Culinary Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer
- Best Handheld Food Vacuum Sealer: FoodSaver Cordless Food Vacuum Sealer
- Best Food Vacuum Sealer for Sous Vide: Nutrichef PKVS Sealer
How we picked these products
To find the best vacuum sealers, we turned to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who have identified the best and highest-rated brands and put them to the test. Their team of on-staff experts—which includes all types: engineers! data analysts! registered dietitians!—rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City-based labs to determine which ones you can trust.
From monitoring hamburger patties and chicken breasts for signs of freezer burn to determining whether or not these machines would crush delicate produce like berries, these Kitchen Tech Experts assessed a gaggle of these gadgets based on rigorous in-lab testing, staff favorites, and impeccable user reviews. They then analyzed each machine’s user-friendliness, efficiency, noise level during operation, and the capabilities of their accessories to ensure they were deserving of that coveted Good Housekeeping endorsement. After reviewing their findings and discussing their road tests in-depth with Papantoniou, we’ve determined that these are the best food vacuum sealers you can buy in 2022.
Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer
Pros
- Powerful suction
- Secure double-heat seal
Cons
- Slow seal cycle
Don't worry about potentially compromising a bag’s seal by cutting the edges yourself. The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Food Vacuum Sealer comes fully-loaded with a built-in cutter for extra peace of mind and ease of use. As a result, you can eliminate both wasted food and wasted space by customizing the size of each bag to ensure a proper fit and maximizing storage space in your freezer or pantry. This reliable, efficient machine also boasts three seal settings (dry, moist, and double) and the choice of either normal or gentle vacuum pressure, so you can be sure any soft foods you seal don’t get crushed.
Though Papantoniou has not used the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe herself, she said “This is a really popular model on Amazon. It’s sturdy and has a really large handle and really intuitive settings on the buttons. I think it’s just really easy and straightforward to use.” And you can even use it one-handed thanks to the easy-lock handle.
Plus, the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe is proof that it really does take two to make a thing go right (if that thing is storing pancakes for easy breakfast prep, that is). It comes with two rolls of vacuum sealer bags—one small and one large—and its double vacuum pump ensures maximum air extraction when sealing larger items, while the double-heat seal it produces offers extra security, especially when sealing liquids or wetter foods. Just bear in mind that it’s recommended users wait about a minute between seals, which can be time-consuming if you're meal prepping or vacuum sealing a lot of food in one sitting.
Pros
- Affordable
- Tons of included accessories
Cons
- Less user-friendly
Don't let the low price fool you. The GERYON Food Vacuum Sealer Machine is compact, lightweight, easy to store, and comes with all the necessary functions for the casual user. This fully automatic model offers two sealing modes, and you can also reseal bags of other foods, like challah rolls and prepackaged snacks, for optimal freshness. (That’s right, no more stale potato chips!)
Papantoniou has not tested the GERYON Food Vacuum Sealer Machine herself, but she noted “What stands out to me is its sleek design and it’s considered to be lightweight.” Other notable features include soft-touch digital buttons, LED indicator lights, and a removable upper lid to optimize cleaning and storage.
What’s more, this sealer fits up to 12-inches wide vacuum sealer bags and rolls and comes with everything you need to get started, including five pre-cut bags, a vacuum roll, and a vacuum tube with an external vacuum pumping function.
If you’re familiar with using a vacuum sealer but don’t plan on using it often enough to warrant spending any extra cash, the GERYON Food Vacuum Sealer Machine is just as capable as pricier options—it just takes a bit of a learning curve.
Weston Pro-1100 Vacuum Sealer
Pros
- One-touch design
- Durable and powerful
Cons
- Pricey
- Bulky
At more than triple the cost of the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Food Vacuum Sealer, the price tag of the sleek Weston Brands Pro-1100 Vacuum Sealer may be steep, but we think the payoff is well worth it, especially if you buy in bulk or own a restaurant.
This powerhouse of a gadget features a lockable lid, a fan-cooled 680-watt motor for reliable sealing, a detachable power cord, and a 5-mm-thick seal bar, so it can seal bags up to 11 inches wide.
And boy, can the Pro-1100 Vacuum Sealer seal. On top of its one-touch automatic sealing mode, it offers a manual mode for packaging softer, more delicate foods (from melon to muffins) and a fully adjustable sealing time function with an LED progress light.
“The bags for this can be stored in the back of the machine, which is interesting because most machines have them stored inside, so it’s a two-step process to cut the bag, but it makes it easier to use,” Papantoniou said. “It is pretty large, though, so you’ll need the space for it.”
This extra bulk isn’t for nothing. The commercial-grade Pro-1100 Vacuum Sealer also boasts not one, but two displays to monitor seal time and vacuum progress, as well as a a built-in bag cutter that allows you to create custom sizes to meet your needs and a side-mounted vacuum port for use with Weston’s Vacuum Storage Containers. These canisters are sold separately, but you do get a roll of vacuum seal bags with your purchase to get things started.
FoodSaver VS3150 Vacuum Sealer Machine
Pros
- Includes built-in handheld sealer
- Multiple settings
Cons
- Has a learning curve
FoodSaver has been perfecting its vacuum sealers for years, and out of all the models out there, the VS3150 Vacuum Sealer Machine is one of the best. This unit’s four custom functions ensure an airtight seal no matter what you’re storing: a dry setting, wet setting, marinate setting, and, our personal favorite, a pulse setting for gently sealing delicate foods like that last slice of birthday cake.
“This was part of our GH Tested program, which involved us extensively testing and using this product,” Papantoniou explained. “It’s pretty lightweight for what it is, but it’s also somewhat large and bulky, so you’ll need the space. There’s a bit of a learning curve in terms of loading up the bags and letting it seal, but it’s pretty intuitive and lets you know what you need to do as you go.”
She also was quick to note the FoodSaver VS3150’s myriad of convenient features, saying, “It also has a handheld vacuum sealer built into the unit, which I really like for their reusable bags, and it can be used with the marinade containers that are sold separately and wine stoppers, so you can pull out all the air and help your wine last.”
Also built into the machine is a bag storage compartment with a built-in cutter, which is optimized with unique time-saving features, like the ability to cut one bag as you're sealing another. (Speaking of sealing, it’s also good to note that FoodSaver recommends you use the VS3150’s heat seal strip for freezer storage and the handheld sealer for fridge and pantry storage.)
Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- 3 sealing functions
Cons
- No bonus accessories
The Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer a great option for folks who are new to the vacuum sealing game. This machine can vacuum seal a bag with just the touch of a button and offers two additional functions: pulse (which offers more control over air extraction) and seal (which can seal the ends of individual bags whether you’re sucking the air out of them or not).
Calling it “really slim, which is nice, but super basic,” Papantoniou said, “This machine was part of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s consumer tests, and testers appreciated that it came with 10 bags and low noise level while sealing. However, you’ll need to ensure the bag is properly lined up so your food is effectively sealed.”
Though the Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer doesn't come equipped with the bevy of bonus accessories possessed by other models on this list—like a bag storage container, an accessory port, and a bag cutter—it still comes with 10 vacuum-sealing bags to get you started.
FoodSaver Cordless Food Vacuum Sealer
Pros
- Excellent performance between charges
- Compact and portable
Cons
- Only one setting
At a price that’s even better than that of our budget option, the FoodSaver Cordless Food Vacuum Sealer doesn’t have as many bells and whistles of the other models on this list—but it makes up for any shortcomings with its excellent battery life (it can seal up to 60 bags before needing a charge) and lightweight, compact design for maximum portability. Perfect for the minimalist home chef, this machine offers all the benefits of vacuum sealing while taking up minimal counter space.
As another food vacuum sealer evaluated as part of the GH Tested program, Papantoniou said the FoodSaver Cordless is "really small, really compact, really powerful—especially if you make sure it’s fully charged. The cord can be wrapped around the bottom, and it’s used with Foodsaver’s zipper bags. However, it’s better for dry goods because they don’t recommend putting them in the freezer because they’re not sealed with heat, so it’s not as air-tight.” That said, Papantoniou shared “This is the one I reach for the most often.”
The FoodSaver Cordless also comes with four 1-quart vacuum seal zipper bags, which are reusable (just remember that this unit doesn’t come with any added accessories for cutting or storing them).
NutriChef PKVS Sealer
Pros
- One-touch operation
- Great for sous vide
Cons
- May produce inconsistent results
Sous vide cooking is a great method for almost any food, but it can be tough to master. But with its fully automatic plug-in design and intuitive control panel with soft touch digital buttons, the Nutrichef PKVS Sealer will have you livin’ la vida sous vide.
This handy kitchen tool offers a seamless one-touch operation and the ability to create a tight seal, and the Good Housekeeping Institute’s testers noted that it was just as simple to clean as it was to use. “We like the slip design and sleek buttons on the control panel—it makes it extra easy to wipe down,” they said.
This machine may produce inconsistent results if bag is too full, but it still comes with everything you could possibly need, like an air suction hose, wine stopper cork, and two sealing modes—dry for solid food, and moist for poached, simmered or steamed foods. And that's not all! To get you started, the Nutrichef PKVS Sealer also comes with five medium vacuum bags and one extra long vacuum bag roll, all of which are reusable and waterproof.
Is vacuum sealing food worth it?
A vacuum sealer is well-worth the extra expense when it comes to making food last. Just make sure you have the pantry and freezer space to back up all the bread flour, fruit, nuts, meats, and veggies you’ll be storing.
Depending on a variety of factors, including where you’re storing your sealed foods, a vacuum sealer can extend their shelf life by up to 4-6 times what it would be if it were exposed to all that extra air and moisture. There are plenty of tasty rewards to be reaped when these machines are properly utilized, but just know that some aspects of this storage method—such as how long food can last when properly vacuum sealed—take a bit more guesswork.
“I don’t think there is a set date on how long things can last in your freezer. You should pop it in before the use by date, but I wouldn’t put an exact expiration date on it,” advised Papantoniou. Instead, she said, “I would look for signs that something has gone bad. When food is vacuum sealed, it means the air is pulled completely out of it, which helps prevent the growth of bacteria that causes food to go bad. And when you put it in the freezer, that not only helps prevent bacteria growth as well, but vacuum sealing it also helps prevent freezer burn, which can negatively affect the taste and texture of your food. So if the food still looks good in the bag and it looks and smells good when it defrosts and you are ready to prepare it, then it should be fine.”
Though the purpose is to keep your food fresher for longer, there is a risk that mold can grow in a vacuum sealed bag, based on certain conditions: “It can if it’s not sealed properly. Also, it can depending on the food you vacuum seal, because there are some foods you should not vacuum seal, such as soft cheeses, raw mushrooms, and fresh garlic,” warned Papantoniou. “Some foods are anaerobic, which means they like low oxygen environments where some bacteria can flourish.”
As with any packaging method, there are advantages and disadvantages to vacuum sealing. “It’s designed to help food stay fresh longer, and that can be dry goods, raw food like protein, and then, of course, for your freezer. The disadvantages are using plastic that can sometimes be reused, but you probably aren’t reusing them. Some companies make reusable bags, which can be good for dry goods, but I can’t imagine most people are reusing their plastic. And they’re bulky, they take up a lot of space," Papantoniou said.
She also suggested that shoppers be wary of any additional claims made by manufacturers, saying, “Some companies also tout that they can be used for marinating, and the idea behind that is that if there’s no air, then the marinade can infuse better because it supposedly makes it more pungent. But in my experience, I haven’t noticed there to be a difference, but I haven’t conducted enough long-term, side-by-side testing to really make that determination.”
What should you look for when buying a vacuum sealer?
All vacuum sealers may be in the same general category, but when practically compared, they’re not much alike.
“They are not the same,” Papantoniou emphasized. “There are different sizes, they have different settings, and actually, there’s a whole other type of vacuum sealer that’s called a chamber sealer—or vacuum-sealing chamber—that’s basically designed for much larger foods. You put the food inside this huge piece of plastic to seal it, and it’s usually more powerful too.”
That’s why it’s important to know what to look for when shopping for a vacuum sealer. But to do that, you’ll need to do a bit of self-reflection, because there’s no singular right answer of which features you should look for until you know exactly what you’re looking for.
“It would depend on what you want to vacuum seal. For example, the most versatile vacuum sealer is pretty bulky, but it does have a handheld vacuum sealer in it as well and you can store your bags in it, so it’s a true all-in-one type of machine. But if you’re looking for something more basic, you can find something that’s slimmer. There are also models that are specifically for different types of food and usage, like wet goods, dry goods, and sous vide,” Papantoniou said. “But for me, it’s mostly about space—do you have enough room to store it, is it heavy, do you have enough cabinet space where it won’t be a pain to get it in and out, etc.”
Using the right materials is just as important as getting a good seal when using these machines. That’s why you should also consider factors like how much you plan to use your vacuum sealer and the cost of bags, which can cost you a pretty penny depending on the size, thickness, material, and quantity you think will best suit your needs. As Papantoniou mentioned before, you can always go the reusable route, but if for whatever reason that’s not your style, your best bet is to pick up some universal-style bags (unless you actually want or have to pay for that name brand label).
Home design website Hunker claims you can even vacuum seal with Ziploc bags, which “can be sealed with a FoodSaver for a stronger seal that can be used for long-term storage. The FoodSaver will remove the air and seal the [Ziploc] bag, allowing the contents to stay fresh for a much longer period of time.” Personally, we’d recommend being cautious when using regular bags, as their plastic can be so thin that they’ll run the risk of melting. But if you have them on hand, Ziploc’s vacuum sealing bags can serve as a suitable substitute, even with other brand-name machines, like Foodsaver’s VS3150 Vacuum Sealer Machine or Cordless Food Vacuum Sealer.
You can also consider whether it’s better to get individual bags or rolls. The price difference is relatively negligible in the long run, but if your machine has built-in storage that accommodates rolls, it’ll be more convenient to store and organize them. However, bags are generally easier to work with, especially if you’re doing a lot of sealing.
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