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FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160 vs Nutrichef Vacuum Sealer PKVS18BK Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160

$69.99 from Amazon(+1 more)

Nutrichef Vacuum Sealer PKVS18BK

$53.99 from Amazon
FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160 vs Nutrichef Vacuum Sealer PKVS18BK

Overall Verdict

The FoodSaver VS-0160 is at an advantage design-wise with a lighter, more well-built housing. Its performance in our performance test is excellent in both the dry and moist food tests.

On the other hand, the NutriChef is slightly heavier, but comes in a more compact form (great if you don’t have a lot of countertop real estate.) However, the performance of the Nutrichef is fairly disappointing, with a mediocre score in the dry food test portion and a failing score when we used it to vacuum-pack moist, delicate foods.

Overall, you’ll have a better using experience with the FoodSaver VS-0160 than with the Nutrichef.

Ranking by
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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
  • Relatively affordable
  • Visually-appealing design
  • The lid and the attached locking mechanism are well-built
  • Simple and intuitive control panel
  • Bright and comprehensive indicator lights
  • Safety could be improved with stickers that warn new users about the heat bar.
  • No extra feature.
  • The lid requires quite a lot of force to close properly.
  • Motor is loud.
  • Doesn’t come with any extra feature.

Key Specs

Suction strength
62-63 kPA (Dry) /45-58 kPA (Moist)
33-45 kPA (Dry) / 28-30 kPA (Moist)
Working time
11s (Dry)/33-39s (Moist)
17-21s (Dry)/15-28s (Moist)
Dimensions
L 15.7 x W 6.1 x H 2.7 inches
L 14.1 x W 6.0 x H 3.0 inches
Weight
5.8 pounds
2.94 pounds
Warranty
1-year
1-year

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$86.53
$56.12
$69.99 at AmazonCheck Price on Walmart
$53.99 at Amazon

*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
5.7

Dry Food Test

8.3
4.7
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 Nutrichef PKVS18BK during the first dry food test. The suction flow during the 17-second working cycle was measured at 33 kPA by our vacuum pressure gauge.
The Nutrichef PKVS18BK during the first dry food test. The suction flow during the 17-second working cycle was measured at 33 kPA by our vacuum pressure gauge.
The Nutrichef PKVS18BK during the first dry food test. The suction flow during the 17-second working cycle was measured at 33 kPA by our vacuum pressure gauge.
The Nutrichef PKVS18BK sealer during its second dry test, which reported a suction flow of 45 kPA at the end of a 21-second working cycle.
Suction Mode
N/A
Normal
Food Mode
Dry
Dry
Suction Strength
62 kPA (1) - 63 kPA (2)
33 kPA (1) - 45 kPA (2)
Cycle Time
11s (1) - 11s (2)
17s (1) - 21s (2)

Moist Food Test

7.9
7.1
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 Nutrichef PKVS18BK sealer during the first moist food test, during which it reported a vacuum strength of 30 kPA over a working cycle of 17 seconds.
The Nutrichef PKVS18BK sealer during the first moist food test, during which it reported a vacuum strength of 30 kPA over a working cycle of 17 seconds.
The Nutrichef PKVS18BK sealer during the first moist food test, during which it reported a vacuum strength of 30 kPA over a working cycle of 17 seconds.
The Nutrichef PKVS18BK sealer during the first moist food test, during which it reported a vacuum strength of 28 kPA over a working cycle of 15 seconds.
Suction Mode
N/A
Gentle
Food Mode
Moist
Moist
Suction Strength
45 kPA (1) - 58 kPA (2)
30 kPA (1) - 28 kPA (2)
Cycle Time
39s (1) - 33s (2)
17s (1) - 15s (2)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.8
7.2

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 Nutrichef PKVS18BK vacuum sealer shipping box, which includes plastic bags, accessories, and documents such as warranty card and user manuals.

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 Nutrichef PKVS18BK. It is of about average size, measuring 14.1 inches in length, 6 inches in width, and is 3 inches tall.
Weight
5.8 lbs (2.6 kg)
2.9 lbs (1.3 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)
3.0" (7.6 cm)

Build Quality

9.5
8.0
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 side profile of the Nutrichef PKVS18BK vacuum sealer.
The side profile of the Nutrichef PKVS18BK vacuum sealer.
The outer portion of the lid hinges of the Nutrichef PKVS18BK.
The underside of the Nutrichef PKVS18BK, which comes with four white anti-slip feet in four corners of the sealer.

Control Panel

10
8.0
A close-up shot of the buttons and the indicator lights on the FoodSaver VS-0160
The control panel of the Nutrichef PKVS18BK. All of the buttons (five in total) are touch-sensitive. The panel also has four indicator lights, plus a progress bar.
The control panel of the Nutrichef PKVS18BK. All of the buttons (five in total) are touch-sensitive. The panel also has four indicator lights, plus a progress bar.
There's an extra button inside the sealer that you can use if you prefer vacuuming through the air hose and adapter included with the sealer.
Button Type
Physical
Physical
Number of Buttons
3
6
Number of Modes
2
4

Lid

10
8.0
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.
A locking latch on one side of the sealer. You can also see the button that releases the latch to the 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
8.3

Ease of Use

8.5
8.0
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.

Safety & Noise

8.0
9.0
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.
There are numerous safety stickers inside of the sealer.
Maximum Noise Level
77.9 dBA
84.5 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.
Number of Indicators
2
5
Progress Bar
No
Yes
Chime
No
No