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FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160 vs Mueller Vacuum Sealer MV-1100 Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160

$69.99 from Amazon(+1 more)

Mueller Vacuum Sealer MV-1100

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160 vs Mueller Vacuum Sealer MV-1100

Overall Verdict

The FoodSaver is praised by our reviewers for its excellent vacuum sealing performance, sleek design, and quiet operation. Specifically, in our performance tests, the sealer’s scoring never slipped below 8.0. It's also highly user-friendly with bright indicator lights. The only complaint we had is that it notably lacks extra features.

The Mueller’s key advantage is that it is more affordable than the FoodSaver. It predictably offers less vacuum-packing performance, but in return, you get a pretty decently-built sealer with good safety features and a helpful progress bar. However, its creaky lid hinges and uneven lid locks made it quite clear that the Mueller is meant to be a budget sealer. Plus, our reviewers noted that the control panel’s buttons aren’t reliable.

All in all, you’ll have a better experience in virtually every aspect with the FoodSaver VS-0160. Though if it’s out of your budget, the Mueller should still be a passable choice (with a few quirks.)

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • 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
  • Passable vacuum-packing performance for the money
  • Decent build quality
  • Good safety features
  • Bright indicator lights
  • Comes with a progress bar for easy tracking
  • Safety could be improved with stickers that warn new users about the heat bar.
  • No extra feature.
  • The lid hinges creak when the lid is lifted or lowered
  • Uneven lid locks
  • Buttons on the control panel are unreliable

Key Specs

Suction strength
62-63 kPA (Dry) /45-58 kPA (Moist)
46-47 kPA (Dry) / 29-30 kPA (Moist)
Working time
11s (Dry)/33-39s (Moist)
18-22s (Dry)/22-25s (Moist)
Dimensions
L 15.7 x W 6.1 x H 2.7 inches
14.1 x 6 x 3.1 inches
Weight
5.8 pounds
2.2 lbs (1.0 kg)
Warranty
1-year
2 years

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$86.53
$40.09

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

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
8.1
6.0

Dry Food Test

8.3
5.8
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.
The Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer demonstrating peak suction of 46 kPA in an 18-second dry food test.
The Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer demonstrating peak suction of 46 kPA in an 18-second dry food test.
The Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer demonstrating peak suction of 46 kPA in an 18-second dry food test.
The Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer during the second dry food test. It achieved a peak suction power of 47 kPA over a 22-second working cycle.
Suction Mode
N/A
Airtight
Food Mode
Dry
Dry
Suction Strength
62 kPA (1) - 63 kPA (2)
46 kPA (1) - 47 kPA (2)
Cycle Time
11s (1) - 11s (2)
18s (1) - 22s (2)

Moist Food Test

7.9
6.5
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.
The Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer during a moist food test achieves a peak suction of 29 kPA in a 22-second working cycle.
The Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer during a moist food test achieves a peak suction of 29 kPA in a 22-second working cycle.
The Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer during a moist food test achieves a peak suction of 29 kPA in a 22-second working cycle.
The Mueller vacuum sealer during the second moist food test. It achieved a suction peak of 30 kPA over a 25-second working cycle.
Suction Mode
N/A
Gentle
Food Mode
Moist
Moist
Suction Strength
45 kPA (1) - 58 kPA (2)
29 kPA (1) - 30 kPA (2)
Cycle Time
39s (1) - 33s (2)
22s (1) - 25s (2)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.8
5.5

In the Box

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.
The content of the Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer’s shipping box. There’s the sealer itself, sheets and rolls of plastic, air hose and adapter, along with the documentation for the sealer.

Dimensions

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.
The dimensions of the Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer. The length is 14.1 inches, the width is 6.0 inches, and the height is 3.1 inches.
Weight
5.8 lbs (2.6 kg)
2.2 lbs (1.0 kg)
Length
15.7" (39.9 cm)
14.1" (35.8 cm)
Width
6.1" (15.5 cm)
6.0" (15.2 cm)
Height
2.7" (6.9 cm)
3.1" (7.9 cm)

Build Quality

9.5
6.0
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.
The Mueller MV-1100 comes with a glossy, metallic top lid, which made it look slightly more premium.
The Mueller MV-1100 comes with a glossy, metallic top lid, which made it look slightly more premium.
The interior of the Mueller MV-1100 is textured.

Control Panel

10
8.5
A close-up shot of the buttons and the indicator lights on the FoodSaver VS-0160
The rows of function buttons on the control panel of the Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer.
Button Type
Physical
Touch-sensitive
Number of Buttons
3
5
Number of Modes
2
4

Lid

10
4.0
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.
The hinges do a great job at keeping the Mueller MV-1100’s lid aloft, but the locking mechanism is problematic.
The hinges do a great job at keeping the Mueller MV-1100’s lid aloft, but the locking mechanism is problematic.
The hinges on the Mueller are solid, keeping the lid from shifting even when we push it from side to side.
Lid Lock
Latch lock
Latch lock

Extra Features

1.0
0.0
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
No
No
Bag Holder
No
No
Bag Hooks
No
No
Removable Drip Tray
Yes
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.2
6.0

Ease of Use

8.5
5.0
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.
The lid requires a lot of downward force to click close, so you almost always have to use both hands to shut the lid.
The lid requires a lot of downward force to click close, so you almost always have to use both hands to shut the lid.
The Mueller’s ease of use could use a lot of improvements, starting with its unreliable lid locks and the overtly-sensitive control panel.

Safety & Noise

8.0
8.0
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.
The various safety and instruction stickers that Mueller has included on the inside of the Mueller MV-1100 sealer.
The various safety and instruction stickers that Mueller has included on the inside of the Mueller MV-1100 sealer.
The “Caution: Hot Surface” warning sticker located near the heat bar within the interior of the Mueller MV-1100 sealer.
The sealer can get as loud as 81.2 dBA, like during this dry food test.
Maximum Noise Level
77.9 dBA
81.2 dBA

Indicator Lights and Chime

7.0
9.0
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.
Besides the four indicator lights that display vacuuming and food modes, there are also two lights beneath the two function buttons (“Seal” and “Vac Seal”) and the progress bar.
Number of Indicators
2
6
Progress Bar
No
Yes
Chime
No
No