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Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro vs FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160 Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro

$94.95 from Amazon(+2 more)

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160

$81.23 from Amazon(+1 more)
Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro vs FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160

Overall Verdict

If you care about how well it sucks, then the FoodSaver beats the Anova. In our tests, the FoodSaver did better, especially when sealing moist foods, scoring 8.1 while the Anova got 7.8. The FoodSaver also has a removable tray to avoid spills when sealing liquids, something the Anova lacks.

On the flip side, the Anova shines with its fancy design and extra features, like a built-in bag cutter and a place to store bags inside. Even though it scored lower than the FoodSaver in performance, it still did pretty well, according to our reviewers.

Many folks will love the good looks and ease of use of the Anova Precision Pro, plus it comes with a longer warranty. Meanwhile, the FoodSaver is a great choice for those looking to save some money.

Ranking by
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Pros & Cons

  • Powerful performance in the dry test
  • Suction is strong in the moist test, but gentle enough not to crush the mango slices
  • Rated for liquid
  • Sleek, elegant design
  • Comes with extra features (bag compartment and cutter)
  • Affordable for what it can do
  • Excellent vacuum sealing performance
  • Beautifully designed and well-built
  • The lid actuates smoothly and has a storage lock
  • Relatively quiet
  • Relatively dim indicator lights
  • Doesn’t come with a chime
  • Doesn’t have bag hooks
  • Safety could be improved with stickers that warn new users about the heat bar.
  • No extra feature.

Key Specs

Suction strength
67 kPA (Dry) / 43-45 kPA (Moist)
62-63 kPA (Dry) /45-58 kPA (Moist)
Working time
14 (Dry)/39-41s (Moist)
11s (Dry)/33-39s (Moist)
Dimensions
L 15.5 x W 7.1 x H 4.3 inches
L 15.7 x W 6.1 x H 2.7 inches
Weight
5.0 lbs (2.3 kg)
5.8 pounds
Warranty
2 years
1-year

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$121.30
$86.53
$94.95 at AmazonCheck Price on AnovaCheck Price on Homedepot
$81.23 at AmazonCheck Price on Walmart

*You help support Shouldit's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
7.8
8.1

Dry Food Test

8.9
8.3
The Anova Precision Pro performing the first dry test with black rice grains. It achieved a peak suction of 67 kPA in 14 seconds.
The Anova Precision Pro performing the first dry test with black rice grains. It achieved a peak suction of 67 kPA in 14 seconds.
The Anova Precision Pro performing the first dry test with black rice grains. It achieved a peak suction of 67 kPA in 14 seconds.
The Anova Precision Pro performing the second dry test. Peak suction was still at 67 kPA according to our vacuum gauge and the sealer finished its working cycle in precisely 14 seconds like before.
FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer hooked to a bag of black rice. A vacuum gauge to the right measures 62 kPA and a timer marks 11 seconds.
First dry food vacuum seal test of the FoodSaver VS-0160. The vacuum gauge reads 62 kPA. Timer marks 11 seconds.
FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer hooked to a bag of black rice. A vacuum gauge to the right measures 62 kPA and a timer marks 11 seconds.
FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer hooked to a bag of black rice. A vacuum gauge to the right measures 63 kPA and a timer marks 11 seconds.
Suction Mode
N/A
N/A
Food Mode
Dry
Dry
Suction Strength
67 kPA (1) - 67 kPA (2)
62 kPA (1) - 63 kPA (2)
Cycle Time
14s (1) - 14s (2)
11s (1) - 11s (2)

Moist Food Test

6.1
7.9
The Anova Precision Pro as it’s performing the first moist food test. It achieved a peak suction of 45 kPA in a working cycle lasting 41 seconds.
The Anova Precision Pro as it’s performing the first moist food test. It achieved a peak suction of 45 kPA in a working cycle lasting 41 seconds.
The Anova Precision Pro as it’s performing the first moist food test. It achieved a peak suction of 45 kPA in a working cycle lasting 41 seconds.
The Anova Precision Pro as it is performing the second moist food test. It achieved a peak 43 kPA suction power in a working cycle lasting 39 seconds.
The FoodSaver VS-0160 during the moist food test. It achieved a peak suction of 45 kPA within a 39-second working cycle. The motor was quite noisy at 81.6 dBA.
The FoodSaver VS-0160 during the moist food test. It achieved a peak suction of 45 kPA within a 39-second working cycle. The motor was quite noisy at 81.6 dBA.
The FoodSaver VS-0160 during the moist food test. It achieved a peak suction of 45 kPA within a 39-second working cycle. The motor was quite noisy at 81.6 dBA.
The FoodSaver VS-0160 during the second moist food test. Its suction is lower than the first test at 58 kPA within a 33-second working cycle. Motor noise is also less loud at 80.1 dBA.
Suction Mode
N/A
N/A
Food Mode
Moist
Moist
Suction Strength
45 kPA (1) - 43 kPA (2)
45 kPA (1) - 58 kPA (2)
Cycle Time
41s (1) - 39s (2)
39s (1) - 33s (2)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.8
8.8

In the Box

The content of the Anova Precision Pro’s shipping box, which includes a roll of plastic bag, an accessory air hose, and a simple user manual.
The content of the FoodSaver VS-0160 shipping box, consisting of the vacuum sealer, three rolls of food bags, and manual.
The content of the FoodSaver VS-0160’s shipping box.

Dimensions

The Anova Precision Pro, being a full-size vacuum sealer, may take up quite a lot of countertop space with a length of 15.5 inches, a width of 7.1 inches, and a height of 4.3 inches.
The dimensions of the FoodSaver VS-0160 is about average compared to other sealers we’ve tested. It has a length of 15.7 inches, width of 6.1 inches, and a height of 2.7 inches.
Weight
5.0 lbs (2.3 kg)
5.8 lbs (2.6 kg)
Length
15.5" (39.4 cm)
15.7" (39.9 cm)
Width
7.1" (18.0 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
Height
4.3" (10.9 cm)
2.7" (6.9 cm)

Build Quality

10
9.5
The interior of the Anova Precision Pro is all-black, except for the high-vis orange sticker that marks where the heating bar is.
The interior of the Anova Precision Pro is all-black, except for the high-vis orange sticker that marks where the heating bar is.
All of the components in the interior of the sealer are very well-built.
The underside of the Anova Precision Pro. It has non-slip feet in all four corners, as well as a small compartment near the back to tuck the power cord inside for easier storage.
An interior shot of the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer. A green protective bar covers the vacuum channel.
The interior of the FoodSaver VS-0160
An interior shot of the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer. A green protective bar covers the vacuum channel.
A close-up shot of the non-slip feet on the underside of the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer.
The black heat bar and foam seal installed on the underside of the top lid of the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer.

Control Panel

10
10
The indicator lights of the Anova Precision Pro can be a little bit dim if you place the sealer under harsh light sources or direct sunlight through a window.
The indicator lights of the Anova Precision Pro can be a little bit dim if you place the sealer under harsh light sources or direct sunlight through a window.
The control panel of the Anova Precision Pro, with function buttons arranged neatly in a row in three distinct groupings.
A close-up shot of the buttons and the indicator lights on the FoodSaver VS-0160
Button Type
Physical
Physical
Number of Buttons
7
3
Number of Modes
2
2

Lid

10
10
The handle lock of the Anova Precision Pro in the “Open” position. When raised, you can open and close the lid as normal.
The handle lock of the Anova Precision Pro in the “Open” position. When raised, you can open and close the lid as normal.
The handle lock of the Anova Precision Pro in the “Locked” position. The lid is solidly anchored to the housing and can no longer be opened.
The locks on either side of the Anova Precision Pro’s lid. These can be operated by lifting or pressing down on the handle above.
The interior of the FoodSaver VS-0160 with the green protective plastic bar removed from the vacuum channel.
The interior of the FoodSaver VS-0160 with the green protective plastic bar removed from the vacuum channel.
The slider to the side of the FoodSaver VS-0160 that you can use to engage the storage locks.
The locking mechanism built into the lid of the FoodSaver VS-0160. Shown here is also the storage slider.
Lid Lock
Handle lock
Latch lock

Extra Features

8.0
1.0
Inside the Anova Precision Pro is a large compartment that you can use to store a roll of plastic bag. There is a flip-down cutter for you to cut out any length of bag that you want.
Inside the Anova Precision Pro is a large compartment that you can use to store a roll of plastic bag. There is a flip-down cutter for you to cut out any length of bag that you want.
The Foodsaver VS-0160 doesn’t come with any additional extra feature other than a removable drip tray, which will help you safely vacuum-pack moist food better.
The Foodsaver VS-0160 doesn’t come with any additional extra feature other than a removable drip tray, which will help you safely vacuum-pack moist food better.
Bag Cutter
Yes
No
Bag Holder
Yes
No
Bag Hooks
No
No
Removable Drip Tray
No
Yes

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.6
8.2

Ease of Use

9.0
8.5
The lid and the handle lock are easy to operate with just one hand.
The lid and the handle lock are easy to operate with just one hand.
The Anova Precision Pro has a handle lock, which greatly simplifies the operation of the sealer and enables one-handed lid locking and release.
The lid of the FoodSaver VS-0160 doesn’t require a lot of force to click close.
The lid of the FoodSaver VS-0160 doesn’t require a lot of force to click close.
The lid of the FoodSaver VS-0160 doesn’t require a lot of force to click close.
Despite not having bag hooks, feeding a new plastic bag into the FoodSaver VS-0160 and aligning it with the vacuum channel is quite easy.

Safety & Noise

8.0
8.0
Anova has thoughtfully included a bright, high-vis orange sticker across the heating bar as a safety precaution.
Anova has thoughtfully included a bright, high-vis orange sticker across the heating bar as a safety precaution.
During a dry food test, we measured a peak loudness of 77.9 dBA for the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer.
During a dry food test, we measured a peak loudness of 77.9 dBA for the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer.
Maximum Noise Level
83 dBA
77.9 dBA

Indicator Lights and Chime

7.0
7.0
The indicator lights are built into the individual button. The Dry vacuuming mode is on at the moment.
The FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer’s control panel with the indicator lights lit up. The light will pulse depending on what phase of the working cycle it’s performing at the moment.
Number of Indicators
9
2
Progress Bar
Yes
No
Chime
No
No