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CALOTO Vacuum Sealer AP-12X vs Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Side-by-Side Comparison

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CALOTO Vacuum Sealer AP-12X vs Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer

Overall Verdict

When comparing the CALOTO AP-12X with the BonsenKitchen Vacuum Sealer, the CALOTO emerges as the better choice due to its superior performance in face of the BonsenKitchen's failure to impress in performance tests — though their suction powers were similar, the CALOTO was able to vacuum-pack far faster than the BonsenKitchen in the moist food test So, it’s a pretty quick pick in this case if you’re hesitating between the two.

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Pros & Cons

  • Relatively affordable
  • Quiet operation (76.1 dBA)
  • Very compact form factor (3.2 inches in width)
  • Excellent safety features
  • Affordable
  • The lid is detachable for easier cleaning
  • Control panel is simple and easy to use
  • Quiet operation (76.1 dBA max)
  • Very bright indicator lights
  • Very mediocre performance
  • Dim and hard-to-view indicator lights
  • The lid is stiff and difficult to lock with one hand
  • Warranty details are very vague
  • Mediocre performance across the board
  • Cheap-looking and flimsy build
  • The lid is problematic to use and requires a lot of force to shut

Where to Buy

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
4.7
3.3

Dry Food Test

4.9
4.8
The CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer during its first dry food test session where we used it to vacuum-pack dry rice grains. It achieved a peak suction of 40 kPA during a 23-second working cycle.
The CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer during its first dry food test session where we used it to vacuum-pack dry rice grains. It achieved a peak suction of 40 kPA during a 23-second working cycle.
The CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer reached a higher peak suction in the second test, with our vacuum gauge recording a 43 kPA peak during a 21-second working cycle.
The BonsenKitchen VS2100 sealer during its first dry food test session, where we used it to vacuum-pack a bag of black rice grains. It achieved a peak suction of 30 kPA in a 6-second working cycle.
The BonsenKitchen VS2100 sealer during its first dry food test session, where we used it to vacuum-pack a bag of black rice grains. It achieved a peak suction of 30 kPA in a 6-second working cycle.
The BonsenKitchen VS2100 in the second dry food test session. This time around, it achieved a slightly higher peak suction at 34 kPA, but also a longer working cycle of 6 seconds.
Suction Mode
N/A
N/A
Food Mode
Dry - 1
Dry
Suction Strength
40 kPA (1) - 43 kPA (2)
31 kPA (1) - 35 kPA (2)
Cycle Time
23s (1) - 31s (2)
6s (1) - 6s (2)

Moist Food Test

4.5
1.2
The CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer during the first moist food test session where we used it to vacuum-pack fresh mango slices. It hit a peak suction of 18 kPA during a 33-second working cycle.
The CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer during the first moist food test session where we used it to vacuum-pack fresh mango slices. It hit a peak suction of 18 kPA during a 33-second working cycle.
The CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer is seen here vacuum-packing fresh mango slices for the second moist food test. It hit a peak suction of 20 kPA during a 33-second working cycle.
In the first moist food test with fresh mango slices, the BonsenKitchen VS2100 vacuum sealer only reached a peak suction of 11 kPA in a 49-second working cycle.
In the first moist food test with fresh mango slices, the BonsenKitchen VS2100 vacuum sealer only reached a peak suction of 11 kPA in a 49-second working cycle.
The second moist food test didn’t play out any better with the BonsenKitchen VS2100. Our vacuum gauge recorded a peak suction of just 10 kPA during a 49-second working cycle.
Suction Mode
N/A
N/A
Food Mode
Moist - 4
Moist
Suction Strength
18 kPA (1) - 20 kPA (2)
11 kPA (1) - 10 kPA (2)
Cycle Time
33s(1) - 33s (2)
49s(1) - 47s (2)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
6.1
6.3

In the Box

The content of the CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer’s shipping box. It includes a detachable power cord, air hose and adapter, sheets of pre-cut plastic bags, and an instruction manual.
The content of the GERYON E2900-MS shipping box, which comes in a simple cardboard box. There’s a roll and a few sheets of pre-cut plastic bags, air hose and adapter, and documentations.

Dimensions

The dimensions oft he CALOTO AP-12X. Its length is 14.9 inches, its width is 3.2 inches, and its height is 2.1 inches.
The dimensions of the BonsenKitchen VS2100 vacuum sealer. Its length is marked as 15.2 inches, width is 5.7 inches, and height is 3.0 inches.
Weight
2.2 lbs (1.0 kg)
2.6 lbs (1.2 kg)
Length
14.9" (37.8 cm)
15.2" (38.6 cm)
Width
3.2" (8.1 cm)
5.7" (14.5 cm)
Height
2.1" (5.3 cm)
3.0" (7.6 cm)

Build Quality

7.0
7.0
The build quality of the CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer is fairly decent, though its lightness and full-plastic detailing can make it seem slightly cheap.
The build quality of the CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer is fairly decent, though its lightness and full-plastic detailing can make it seem slightly cheap.
The CALOTO AP-12X sealer comes with a removable power cord for easier storage.
Anti-slip feet at the bottom of the CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer.
In the back, you’ll find the port for the modular power cord.
The BonsenKitchen VS2100 is fairly well-built, but it’s still obvious even at a distance that the sealer is a budget model.
The BonsenKitchen VS2100 is fairly well-built, but it’s still obvious even at a distance that the sealer is a budget model.
The sealer has a slightly flimsy feel to it due to being made almost entirely from plastic.

Control Panel

5.0
9.0
The control panel has four buttons with embossed labels. They’re somewhat hard to read because the embossings blend quite well into the black rubber buttons.
The control panel features five buttons, each with clear visual icons and indicator lights placed on top of them for more intuitive using experience.
Button Type
Physical
Physical
Number of Buttons
4
5
Number of Modes
2
2

Lid

8.0
5.0
The hinges of the CALOTO AP-12X are quite sturdy and don’t creak when we lift or lower the lid.
The hinges of the CALOTO AP-12X are quite sturdy and don’t creak when we lift or lower the lid.
To unlock the lid after it's locked, simply press the buttons on both sides of the sealer, and this will release the latches.
The lid is solidly-built, but difficult to close with one hand.
Lid Lock
Latch lock

Extra Features

0.0
0.0
Bag Cutter
No
No
Bag Holder
No
No
Bag Hooks
No
No
Removable Drip Tray
No
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
7.5
6.8

Ease of Use

8.0
6.0
You need to press down on the lid with two hands for the lid to click close properly. One-handed operation is very difficult.
The lid of the vacuum sealer is tricky to use one-handed. The user has to apply even force on both sides of the lid for it to click close properly.
The lid of the vacuum sealer is tricky to use one-handed. The user has to apply even force on both sides of the lid for it to click close properly.
The BonsenKitchen VS2100 comes with small, raised “brackets” in the vacuum channel to keep the bag straight, but they don’t function as well as bag hooks.

Safety & Noise

10
10
During a dry food test session, our noise level meter recorded the peak loudness of the motor to be around 74.8 dBA.
The BonsenKitchen VS2100 during a dry food test. Our noise level meter to the side recorded a peak loudness of 76.1 dBA. You can also see the safety sticker plastered on the front of the unit.
The BonsenKitchen VS2100 during a dry food test. Our noise level meter to the side recorded a peak loudness of 76.1 dBA. You can also see the safety sticker plastered on the front of the unit.
Inside of the sealer is another sticker that details all of the steps you need to know to run the sealer correctly and safely.
Maximum Noise Level
74.8 dBA
76.1 dBA

Indicator Lights and Chime

3.0
7.0
The indicator lights for the CALOTO AP-12X are small and aren’t bright. It’s very hard to monitor the sealer’s progress, especially under harsh lighting conditions.
There are corresponding indicator lights for each button on the control panel. The lights are bright and can be easily seen under harsh studio lighting.
Number of Indicators
8
5
Progress Bar
No
No
Chime
No
No