Oxygen is the arch-enemy of food freshness. When exposed to air, the flavor, color, and texture of everything from sliced apples to frozen meats degrade. That’s where vacuum sealers come in as essential kitchen appliances. They remove air from bags or containers, creating an airtight seal that significantly extends shelf life and protects against moisture and freezer burn. With the right vacuum sealer, you can buy in bulk, preserve seasonal harvests, and even prepare emergency food supplies.
Beyond preservation, vacuum sealers offer surprising culinary versatility. They excel at quick-marinating meats, rapid-pickling vegetables, and even infusing spirits. Their airtight bags are crucial for sous vide cooking, a technique that delivers perfectly cooked steak and allows for the creation of unique dishes. Beyond food, vacuum sealing protects jewelry, silverware, and other valuables from rust and tarnish during storage.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer at Amazon
- Best Budget: Geryon Vacuum Sealer Machine at Amazon
- Best Splurge: FoodSaver 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System at Amazon
- Best for Beginners: Anova Precision Sous Vide Vacuum Sealer at Amazon
- Best Handheld: FoodSaver Cordless Handheld Food Vacuum Sealer at Amazon
- Best Chamber: Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer at Amazon
- Best for Soups and Sauces: FoodSaver VS5960 Elite All-in-One Liquid+ Vacuum Sealer at Amazon
- Most Versatile: FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System at Amazon
Best Overall
Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer
What We Like
- Precise control
- Gentle mode for fragile foods
- Easy to use
What We Don’t Like
- Loud
The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer stands out for its intuitive design, versatile settings, and unmatched performance. It offers specialized sealing settings for dry and moist foods, and a double heat-seal option for enhanced storage security. Its dual vacuum pump ensures nearly complete air extraction, even from irregularly shaped items.
The VS-12 features two vacuum pressure settings: “normal” and “gentle.” The gentle setting, combined with a pulse feature, provides precise control during the vacuuming process, preventing the crushing of delicate foods like pastries, cereals, and fruit. It includes an accessory port for jars and canisters (hose sold separately), along with integrated roll storage and a bag cutter.
While slightly pricier than some models, the VS-12’s powerful motor makes it a highly effective vacuum sealer. Just be aware that it operates at a higher noise level.
Dimensions: 17 x 5 x 9 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | Power: 130 watts | Includes: Bag cutter and storage, accessory port, 2 bag rolls | Warranty: 1 year
Best Budget
Geryon Vacuum Sealer Machine
What We Like
- Inexpensive
- Includes accessory port and multiple vacuum modes
- Disassembles for cleaning
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t remove all air from bag
- Overly sensitive touchpad
The Geryon Vacuum Sealer Machine offers impressive features for its budget-friendly price. It includes adjustable vacuum strength (gentle or normal) and settings for dry or moist foods. It also has an accessory port and hose for sealing jars and canisters (sold separately).
In tests, the Geryon delivered strong vacuuming and reliable heat seals. Its gentle mode performed well, minimizing crushing of delicate foods. The machine disassembles for easy cleaning, which is a convenient bonus.
One minor drawback is that it may not remove all air from the bag, potentially leading to some browning in certain foods. The touch controls can also be overly sensitive.
Dimensions: 14.4 x 5.5 x 2.6 inches | Weight: 3.4 pounds | Power: 110 watts | Includes: Accessory port, adapter hose, 5 bags, 1 bag roll | Warranty: 2 years
Best Splurge
FoodSaver 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System
What We Like
- Fast and powerful
- Easy to clean
- Built-in handheld sealer and bag storage
What We Don’t Like
- No gentle mode
For serious food preservation enthusiasts, the FoodSaver V4840 is a feature-rich powerhouse. It boasts onboard bag storage, a dishwasher-safe drip tray, a built-in handheld sealer, and automatic bag detection.
The V4840’s powerful motor delivers fast and snug seals. However, this power can be too much for delicate foods; a “gentle” mode is lacking. The retractable handheld sealer works with compatible canisters, jars, and reusable zip-top bags.
Dimensions: 11 x 12 x 20 inches | Weight: 10 pounds | Power: 127 watts | Includes: Bag storage and cutter, handheld sealer, 3 (1-quart) bags, 3 (1-quart) zipper bags, 2 (1-gallon) bags, 2 (1-gallon) zipper bags, 1 bag roll | Warranty: 5 years
Best for Beginners
Anova Precision Sous Vide Vacuum Sealer
What We Like
- Easy to use
- Quiet and compact
- Pulse button
What We Don’t Like
- No accessory port
- No vacuum strength settings
The Anova Precision Sous Vide Vacuum Sealer is designed with simplicity in mind. Its sleek design and straightforward controls make it perfect for beginners. It features three buttons: “vacuum and seal,” “pulse,” and “seal.”
In tests, the Anova extracted air quickly and sealed tightly with minimal noise. The automatic vacuum-and-seal mode is not ideal for delicate foods, so the pulse mode is essential.
The Anova lacks an accessory port, bag storage, and a bag cutter. However, its user-friendliness and reliable performance make it a solid choice for those new to vacuum sealing.
Dimensions: 16.7 x 4.8 x 3.1 inches | Weight: 2.3 pounds | Power: 80 watts | Includes: 10 bags | Warranty: 2 years
Best Handheld
FoodSaver Cordless Handheld Food Vacuum Sealer
What We Like
- Inexpensive
- Compact and portable
- Easy to use
- Long-lasting charge
What We Don’t Like
- Requires special bags and containers
- Slow
The FoodSaver Cordless Handheld Food Vacuum Sealer offers portability and convenience. This compact unit can seal up to 60 1-quart bags on a single charge.
It requires FoodSaver’s specialized accessories, including bags and containers with compatible valves. Its 2.5-watt motor is slower than countertop models. It has just one button, effectively a pulse control, which was helpful in keeping delicate items from being crushed.
Dimensions: 4.7 x 2.2 x 4.3 inches | Weight: 0.5 pounds | Power: 2.5 watts | Includes: 4 (1-quart) zipper bags, charging/docking station | Warranty: 1 year
Best Chamber
Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer
What We Like
- Easy to use
- Multifunctional
- Powerful
What We Don’t Like
- Limited chamber capacity
The Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer uses a different approach compared to typical vacuum sealers. Instead of sucking air from a bag, it depressurizes the entire chamber. This is effective for traditional vacuum sealing and enables advanced cooking techniques, including sealing liquids.
The Anova has additional settings such as extract/infuse, compress/pickle, and dry/cool, allowing for quick flavor infusions, rapid pickling, and preserving baked goods.
The main limitation is the chamber size, restricting the size of items you can seal. However, you can leave the bag outside the chamber and put the open end of the pouch inside to get a pretty good seal.
Dimensions: 13.6 x 11.2 x 8.9 inches | Weight: 23 pounds | Power: 280 watts | Includes: 20 bags | Warranty: 2 years
Best for Soups and Sauces
FoodSaver VS5960 Elite All-in-One Liquid+ Vacuum Sealer
What We Like
- Upright design saves space
- Automatic grab and seal
- Accessory hose included
What We Don’t Like
- Liquid viscosity is limited
The FoodSaver VS5960 Elite All-in-One Liquid+ Vacuum Sealer is designed to handle liquids with more success than standard vacuum sealers. It features modes for dry, moist, liquid, sous vide, marinate, and pulse.
It has onboard bag storage, an accessory hose, and an automatic bag grab and seal function. The upright design saves counter space.
Keep in mind that it has some viscosity limitations; liquids as thin as water are not recommended. Bone broth might be problematic, but pasta sauce should be fine.
Dimensions: 23.6 x 9.8 x 10.9 inches | Weight: 6.4 pounds | Power: 186 watts | Includes: Two 11″ rolls, five 1-quart bags, five 1-gallon bags, ten easy-fill quart bags, five easy-fill gallon bags, five vacuum zipper quart bags, five vacuum zipper gallon bags, wine stopper, and marinate and preserve container | Warranty: 5 years
Most Versatile
FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System
What We Like
- Bag sealer and accessory vacuum in one
- Some bags included
- Hand-held vacuum isn’t tethered
What We Don’t Like
- Vacuum bags are difficult to close
This FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System combines a standard vacuum and bag sealer with a removable handheld vacuum for reusable bags, wine bottles, and marinating containers. The handheld vacuum nests in the body of the FoodSaver and charges when plugged in.
It’s fairly compact and includes bags and wine bottle corks. The reusable vacuum bags can be difficult to zip closed, but a small gadget is included to make it easier.
Dimensions: 23.6 x 9.8 x 10.9 inches | Weight: 6.3 pounds | Power: Not listed | Includes: Handheld+ Vacuum Sealer, 5 quart-size bags, 5 gallon-size bags, 3 reusable quart-size bags, 3 reusable gallon-size bags, and 2 bottle stoppers | Warranty: 5 years
Final Verdict
The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer is our top choice due to its ease of use, versatility, and precise control. For a budget-friendly option, the Geryon Vacuum Sealer Machine offers great performance at a value price.
How We Tested Vacuum Sealers
We’ve tested numerous vacuum sealers to evaluate their ability to seal both hard and soft ingredients like strawberries, cereal, ground beef, and pork. These tests, along with extensive research, helped us choose 23 machines for head-to-head competitions in our lab.
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We Observed
- Air removal and seal quality: We sealed a chicken breast with teriyaki sauce, assessing how well each machine compressed the bag and removed air pockets. We then cooked the chicken sous vide to test the seal’s strength and check for trapped air bubbles.
- Oxygen protection: We halved avocados, sealing one half with each test unit and refrigerating them for five days. We compared the sealed avocados to an unsealed control, looking for signs of oxidation.
- Gentle sealing: We sealed Rice Chex with each machine, using gentle and dry-food options where available, noting the amount of crushing that occurred.
We Rated
- Ease of use and cleaning: We followed instructions and rated each unit on ease of use and cleaning.
- Power: We timed each sealer to judge its efficiency.
- Versatility: We tested all available settings and accessories.
- Design: We noted any problems with control buttons, hinges, lid latches, and other design aspects.
About Our Testers
Our lab team has decades of experience in professional kitchens, recipe development, and testing kitchen gear. Donna Currie, a seasoned food writer and cookbook author, has tested hundreds of products for us.
Learn More About How We Test Products
Long-Term Testing Takeaways
After years of testing, we’ve learned several key things about vacuum sealers:
- Budget-friendly: Vacuum sealers can save money by preventing freezer burn and extending the life of dry goods.
- Helpful accessories: Adapters for reusable bags, marinating containers, and wine bottles add versatility.
- Improved liquid handling: Standard vacuum sealers handle liquids better than before, but chamber vacuums are still needed for bone broth.
- Versatile uses: Vacuum sealers are useful for marinating, quick-pickling, and more.
Other Options We Tested
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What to Look for in a Vacuum Sealer
Type
Vacuum sealers work in three basic ways:
- External: Air is sucked out of a bag that sits outside the machine, and the bag is then heat-sealed. This is the most common type.
- Chamber: Air is removed from the entire chamber, allowing for sealing of bags, jars, and bowls. Chamber sealers are more powerful but bulkier and more expensive.
- Handheld: A battery-powered vacuum pump seals compatible bags and containers. These are small and convenient but less powerful.
Sealing Settings
Higher-end machines offer multiple settings for specific foods, such as a gentle mode for delicate foods and separate settings for dry and moist foods.
Size and Bag Storage
Consider the size of the foods you’ll be sealing. Larger machines can handle whole roasts, while smaller machines are better for single-serving packets. Some machines have on-board bag storage and a cutter.
Accessories and Supplies
Some sealers have an accessory port for sealing jars, bottles, and containers. Be sure to check if these accessories are included or need to be purchased separately. Most sealers include at least a few bags.
FAQs
How long does vacuum-sealed food last?
Vacuum sealing extends shelf life but isn’t magic. Follow proper food safety rules. Vacuum-sealed food can last several years in the freezer and several weeks in the refrigerator. Meat or fish lasts two or three years in the freezer compared to six months in unsealed bags.
Can you vacuum-seal soup?
Freeze soups solid in another container first, then seal the frozen block in a vacuum bag.
Can you vacuum-seal bread?
Freeze bread for a few hours before sealing to prevent crushing.
What foods should you not vacuum-seal?
- Raw onions, cabbage, and similar veggies (produce gases)
- Raw mushrooms or bananas (accelerated ripening)
- Soft cheeses (mold growth)
- Hot foods (steam can break the seal)
Do you need to cook meat before you vacuum-seal it?
No, but freezing for 20-30 minutes will help firm up delicate cuts.
What can you vacuum-seal besides food?
Important papers, medications, first aid equipment, jewelry, silverware, and bulky clothing.
Can you use Ziploc bags in a vacuum sealer?
No. Use special vacuum-sealing bags designed for effective sealing.
How do you clean a vacuum sealer?
Keep the heat strip clean. Some models have removable drip trays.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie, a product tester and writer for The Spruce Eats, specializes in kitchen tools and gadgets. She personally tested three of the vacuum sealers in this roundup. This article also contains reporting from Allison Wignall, Jason Horn, Taylor Rock, and Mary Kate Hoban.
Sources
- The 6 Best Food Dehydrators of 2025, Tested & Reviewed
