The Best Vacuum Sealers in 2024 Tested and Reviewed
Despite not being a kitchen staple, vacuum sealers are incredibly useful to have around if you want to store your food and leftovers for the long term. In airless bags, your food can last weeks, possibly even a few extra months compared to if they were stored in open air or conventional containers. That’s yet to mention benefits like sous-vide, too.
That’s why we’ve taken ten of the most popular sealers on the market to our lab to test their mettle. We’ve used each sealer to package a variety of foods, from delicate slices of fruit to bulky bags of rice, while checking how their design and usability hold up in a real user’s hand.
As expected, every model has trade-offs. Even the best overall vacuum sealer we found so far, the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe, has downsides like its bulky frame and expensive price tag. Others, such as the FoodSaver Compact, while affordable, lack performance and features.
Everything We Recommend
With its powerful suction, intuitive control panel, and LCD progress tracking, this sealer efficiently removes air from both dry and moist foods. Although pricey, it's a worthwhile investment for frequent users and sous-vide enthusiasts.
Despite its affordable price, this sleek and compact sealer efficiently seals both dry and moist foods, with a removable drip tray for easy cleaning. It's a great choice for occasional users or those with limited counter space.
This aesthetically pleasing and feature-packed sealer offers professional-level performance, with strong suction for dry foods and a gentle mode for delicate items. Extra features like a bag compartment and flip-down cutter justify its higher price tag.
How We Test
To test the vacuum sealers’ performance, we put each model through two tests.
In the "dry food test", we vacuum-seal 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) of black rice grains in a pre-cut bag, while monitoring suction strength and sealing time — which are the two primary scoring criteria. The noise level of the sealer is also closely measured, although this data is only used as a reference and is not a scoring factor.
In the "moist food test", we vacuum-seal 12.4 ounces (350 grams) of fresh mango slices, following a similar process: suction strength and sealing time are tracked for scoring, and noise level is measured for reference.
We also look at how well the sealers are made and how they look. The better they do in this part of the test, the longer they should last. We check things like the vacuum channel, control panel, lid, and any extra features they have.
Lastly, we check how easy it is to use them. Our reviewers think about things like how easy they are to use, if they have safety features, how loud they are, and if they have indicators or alert chimes that make them easier to use.
How We Picked
We tested each vacuum sealer in this list very thoroughly using our testing methodology. The ones that did better in our tests are the ones we recommend the most. Our method checks everything about the product, from how well it works to how it looks and how easy it is to use. This way, you can learn a lot about the product even if you don't have it with you.
Nesco VS-12 Deluxe
Best Overall
With its powerful suction, intuitive control panel, and LCD progress tracking, this sealer efficiently removes air from both dry and moist foods. Although pricey, it's a worthwhile investment for frequent users and sous-vide enthusiasts.
Things We Like
- Strong performance in both dry and moist food tests
- Well-built design
- Intuitive control panel with an LCD screen for progress tracking
- Comes with a bag roll compartment and bag cutter
Things We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t come with a chime
The Nesco VS-12 did really well in our tests. It had strong suction when sealing both dry food (80 kPA) and moist food (70 kPA). It quickly removed air from dry food bags in just 17 seconds, and moist mode took a bit longer at 38 seconds. But the good news is that the fruit slices we used in the test stayed in good shape and weren't squished by the strong suction.
The Nesco VS-12 also got high marks for how it's built. It looks sturdy, has easy-to-use buttons and a little screen to show you what's happening, and a lid that locks securely with a handle. Inside, it has a place to hold the bag roll and a cutter for cutting bags.
Our reviewers found it easy to use because the buttons are clearly labeled, and the timer on the screen makes it easy to track progress. Safety is great with warning stickers around the heating bar, which can get hot after a few cycles. Even though it has strong suction, it's not much louder than other sealers we tested. It didn’t come with a chime, but the sounds of the lock disengaging and a small hiss of air rushing into the chamber would signal that the sealer had finished working.
Read our full Nesco VS-12 Deluxe in-depth review
FoodSaver Compact VS-0160
Best Budget
Despite its affordable price, this sleek and compact sealer efficiently seals both dry and moist foods, with a removable drip tray for easy cleaning. It's a great choice for occasional users or those with limited counter space.
Things We Like
- Decent performance in both dry and moist tests
- Beautiful design for the price
- Convenient storage lock
- User-friendly control panel
- Has a removable drip tray
Things We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t have many extra features
The FoodSaver VS-0100 performed well in our tests, although it didn't quite match up to the Nesco VS-12. In the dry food test, it achieved vacuum levels of 62-63 kPA, efficiently removing air from bags of black rice in just 11 seconds. In moist mode, it sealed fresh mango slices without squishing them, reaching a relatively gentle 45-58 kPA within 33-39 seconds.
Our reviewers were impressed with the design and build quality of the VS-0100. With a metallic top piece and a sleek, modern design, it’s quite hard to believe the VS-0100 is a budget pick. The control panel is minimalistic but clearly marked and user-friendly. The robust lid includes a unique storage lock to prevent accidental openings and, most notably, the sealer comes with a removable drip tray, which makes vacuum-packing moist or juicy food more convenient and safer.
Our reviewers found the sealer to be extremely user-friendly. Tasks like feeding the bag and working the lid are effortless. Safety is a minor concern due to the absence of warning stickers on and around the hot heating bar, but the risk isn’t too high. The motor noise, approximately 78 dBA, is acceptable and consistent with competitors. However, it lacks an audible alert when cycles finish, a slight drawback typical for a FoodSaver sealer in this price range.
Read our full FoodSaver Compact VS-0160 in-depth review
Anova Precision Pro
Premium Option
This aesthetically pleasing and feature-packed sealer offers professional-level performance, with strong suction for dry foods and a gentle mode for delicate items. Extra features like a bag compartment and flip-down cutter justify its higher price tag.
Things We Like
- 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)
Things We Don’t Like
- Relatively dim indicator lights
- Doesn’t come with a chime
The Anova Precision Pro was able to suck all air from out a bag of rice in 14-15 seconds using a powerful 67 kPA suction. It maintained a solid 43-45 kPA suction even in moist mode, completing a cycle in just 39 seconds. The sealer was gentle enough not to squish the delicate mango slices we used as test articles. But even if it did, the extra juices in the bag shouldn’t be a problem for the Precision Pro since it was rated to deal with liquid (this is why it comes to highly recommended sous vide cooking!)
In addition to its sleek and elegant design, our reviewers were impressed by the user-friendly control panel. There were only six buttons, all clearly labeled and easy to use. The well-built lid with sturdy hinges ensures stability, and the lid lock, which can be operated with one hand by flipping the front handle up and down, adds to the convenience. Inside, there's a nifty compartment for rolls of plastic bags, complete with a handy cutter.
Our reviewers particularly love the Precision Pro for its ease of use. You can perform every task with it using just one hand. Safety is great with warning stickers strategically placed inside the sealer. In terms of noise, the motor isn’t any louder (or quieter) than its peers in class. And while the indicator lights on the buttons are somewhat dim, they remain visible even in well-lit studios. Just remember that the sealer doesn't have a chime, so you'll need to keep an eye out for the flashing buttons to know when a cycle is complete.
Read our full Anova Precision Pro in-depth review
The Competition
- Inkbird Plus INK-VS01: Compact and reasonably priced, the Inkbird Plus INK-VS01 is the ideal choice if you're looking for something more lightweight and with a smaller countertop footprint compared to the other three options. Despite its small size, the INK-VS01 performed quite well in our tests. It even includes a built-in bag cutter on the top lid for added convenience.
- Megawise VS6621: Even more budget-friendly than the Inkbird is the Megawise VS6621. At a fraction of the price, the VS6621 provides just as many features, including a built-in bag cutter. As anticipated, the suction performance is, at best, mediocre, but it should still suffice if you're not expecting high performance from your sealer.
Things to Consider when Buying a New Vacuum Sealer
To find a good vacuum sealer that suits your budget as well as your needs, you have to pay attention to a couple of things while you’re browsing.
Suction performance and build quality are obviously important, but it’s very hard to tell without the product on hand. To complicate it even further, many manufacturers don’t disclose the specs of their products, which makes it even harder to compare one model’s suction to another. That’s where our reviews will be of most use to you.
In the meantime, you can take a look at the control panel and see how easily and intuitive it’s arranged. Check if they have extra features, such as a built-in bag cutter and storage compartment. Some models, like the Nesco VS-12, offer an LCD screen to track sealing progress. Most sealers will also come with a bundle of accessories, it’ll also be worth checking if it comes with everything you need. And last but not least, see the warranty information. The longer, the better.
You can check out our full buyer’s guide for vacuum sealers here!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For dry foods, the sealer will typically go all-out with its suction power. But when it comes to moist food, there’s a chance that liquid can be sucked into the sealer. Cool liquid can also make it harder for the heat bar to seal the bag. In moist food mode, the sealer will work at reduced power for longer to create a tighter, better seal.
Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflowers and cabbages are out of the question. As they ripen, they release a gas, which will quickly fill up the bag and cause spoilage. Onions, garlic, and mushrooms are also not recommended due to the higher risk of botulinum. You also shouldn’t vacuum seal any food with an organic component, like blue cheese. The beneficial mold on the cheese will die without oxygen, essentially ruining it.
Typically, plastic bags from different manufacturers have different sizes and thicknesses and are designed to be sealed at different temperatures. So, it’s still best to buy bags straight from the manufacturer. However, third-party bags work most of the time, too, though the sealing performance can be hit-or-miss. Experiment with third-party bags carefully and check for leaks before you use them to seal any delicate foods.
No, vacuum-packing your food without sanitizing it beforehand won’t fully remove the risk of bacterial growth.
Our Expertise
Matthew Lee has been a valued member of the Shouldit team for over two years, where he's been a dedicated reviewer. Before joining us, he was a well-known tech-savvy blogger, with articles in the International Business Times.
During his time, Matthew has reviewed various kitchen gadgets, from small ones like waffle makers and faucets to larger appliances like water softeners. So far, he’s completed two major projects with the Research, Testing, and Review (RTR) team: one on waffle makers and one on faucet-mount water filters.
Together with the RTR team, Matthew spent over 50 hours rigorously testing the top vacuum sealers in the market. We examined each model's performance, build quality, and ease of use using various hands-on and physical assessments.
References
- https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-is-vacuum-packaging - What is vacuum packaging?
- https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/vacuum-sealed-food-what-are-the-food-safety-concerns - Vacuum-sealed food: What are the food safety concerns?
- https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-I-keep-meat-in-vacuum-packages-at-room-temperature - Can I keep meat in vacuum packages at room temperature?
