The 5 Best Vacuum Sealers of 2024 To Keep Your Food Fresh, According to Lab Testing

The Bottom Line

Overall, the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer is the best vacuum sealer for its versatility, option for single and double sealing, and its ability to handle delicate foods.

Our Testing Process 

To find the best vacuum sealers, we put 23 different ones to the test at our testing lab in Birmingham, Alabama. For two days, we thoroughly tested each one, focusing on ease of use, performance, suction power, and versatility. 

To start, we used each pick's instruction manual to assemble the sealer, if necessary. Then, we prepared a vacuum bag large enough to fit an entire chicken breast. We then placed a chicken breast in the bag, pushing it to flatten it, before covering it in teriyaki sauce and sealing it. 

Next, we placed the bag in the 165°F water bath and set a time for one hour. During that hour we read the instructions for cleaning the sealer, and after cleaning it we moved on to our next test: Chex cereal.

We set the bags up according to the instructions of the manufacturer and placed one cup of Rice Chex into the bag and sealed the bag. We then repeated these steps if the sealer had a delicate/gentle option.

Last, we cut an avocado, removed the pit, and put half of it inside a prepared bag. We then sealed it, using a gentle option when available, and labeled the date, time, and device used in Sharpie. After five days, we looked at the avocados for signs of oxidation and compared them to a control avocado. 

In addition to the four main criteria listed above, we also focused on the overall value for the price, taking into consideration both the price and whether or not we’d recommend the sealer. 

What to Know About Vacuum Sealers Before Shopping

Dimensions

Vacuum sealers come in a variety of sizes and dimensions. Small, handheld options like the FoodSaver Handheld Cordless Vacuum Sealer can be smaller than four inches wide, while large, commercial-grade models could be 20 inches long by 10 inches high or larger. 

If you are mainly working with small quantities of food in your kitchen, you likely won’t need a large, bulky vacuum sealer in your home. However, commercial-grade sealers may be helpful to someone who is frequently preserving large quantities of meat or making bulk recipes.

Bag Roll

The best vacuum sealers come with bag rolls that make it easy to store your food long-term. A bag roll is simply a large roll of vacuum seal bags that can be cut to the exact measurements you need, making it easier to seal different foods without needing to keep multiple bag sizes on hand. Our pick for the best vacuum sealer overall, the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer features a bag roll.

When used properly, these bags can be incredibly efficient at extending the shelf life of a wide variety of foods, including meats, vegetables, cheeses, and more. Bag rolls come in different lengths, so consider the size and quantity of food you seal most frequently before purchasing. Many can be used across a variety of vacuum sealer brands and models.

Sealing Options

There are two types of vacuum sealers: suction vacuum sealers, like the Inkbird Vacuum Sealer Machine, and chamber vacuum sealers. Suction vacuum sealers work by pulling air out of a compatible food bag or container, which prevents the build-up of moisture that can cause mold, freezer burn, and general food spoilage. 

Chamber vacuum sealers, which we don’t feature on this list, remove air by using pressure to push it out. This can sometimes result in a more uniform airtight seal, making them the best vacuum sealers for large food items and liquids.

Accessories

The best vacuum sealers will come with a few accessories that make it easy to put your device to use the moment it arrives at your doorstep. Common accessories include bag rolls and bag pouches. Some vacuum sealers, like the Bosenkitchen Food Sealer Machine, also come with a hose attachment, which can be used to remove air from compatible containers. Vacuum seal hoses are particularly useful for canning.

Operation Mode

Vacuum sealers typically function in either automatic or manual settings. Automatic or one-touch settings allow you to simply press one button and watch as the air is removed from your vacuum seal bags. Manual operating modes, like the FoodSaver Handheld Cordless Vacuum Sealer, on the other hand, allow you to have more control over how your vacuum seals the food. This can be useful when working with more delicate foods.

Other Vacuum Sealers We Tested 

Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer

We also tested Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer and we liked that it came with multiple settings between dry and moist and that it had a pulse setting. We found that it wasn’t as good at dealing with delicate foods as some other options we tested. 

Zwilling Fresh and Save 7-piece Starter Set

We appreciated that the Zwilling Fresh and Save 7-piece Starter Set didn’t have a refractory period. However, it doesn’t have as many settings as other tested picks and was not able to manage liquids well. Additionally, when we used it, we found that air pockets would develop and expand over time.

FoodSaver FM5200 Series 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System

The FoodSaver FM5200 Series 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System impressed us with its power, as it was able to flatten the chicken that we tested and didn’t leave any visible air pockets. It also has a removable drip tray. Unfortunately, it wasn’t able to handle any delicate foods and when we tried it with marinated foods, it prevented the device from sealing and vacuuming.

Your Questions, Answered

Is getting a vacuum sealer worth it?

For many people, the best vacuum sealers will be a helpful tool to keep in your kitchen. To help you decide if a vacuum sealer is the right purchase for you, Wolner suggests considering what your main uses for the device will be since this can ensure you end up with one of the best vacuum sealers for your needs. 

“If you are interested in sous vide cooking, a chamber machine would be your best choice because of their versatility,” Wolner says. “If your main goal is to buy food in bulk and meal prep, look for a vacuum sealer with a built-in roll storage and cutter bar, which can speed up the sealing process. If you have space constraints, go with a compact or handheld model.”

What are the biggest benefits of a vacuum sealer? 

The best vacuum sealers can extend the shelf life of all kinds of dry goods, including cereals and grains, milled products, coffee, spices, nuts, and beans. Not all vacuum sealers are good with delicate products though, so if you are looking to store things like cereal, we recommend the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer. 

“Sealed foods will stay fresher longer and take up less storage space,” Wolner says. “Vacuum sealing can of course help you save money with fewer trips to the grocery store and less food in the garbage.”

Wolner notes that vacuum sealing is also great for sous vide cooking. “Although it’s not totally necessary, removing the air from the cooking bag by vacuum sealing ensures that the food will be cooked efficiently and evenly,” Wolner says. “It also prevents bag leakage, allows you to prep and store ahead of time, and it prevents the food from floating in the water and needing to use an object to weigh down the food.”

Plus, Burkle adds that convenience is a key factor when it comes to vacuum sealers. “When considering [the] busy schedules of working parents, meal prep can be tough to organize for the week. Vacuum sealing helps with both maintaining the freshness and organization of these needs,” says Burkle.

What food should you vacuum seal? 

Most foods can be vacuum sealed, although there are a few exceptions. However, keep in mind that some foods will not benefit from vacuum sealing.

“You don’t want to vacuum seal raw mushrooms, bananas, raw garlic and onion, soft cheeses, freshly cooked vegetables—let them come to room temperature before sealing— and whole apples,” Wolner says. “With these types of foods, the absence of oxygen can actually make them spoil faster.”

Additionally, not all devices can vacuum seal everything well, as Burkle notes, “Not all vacuum sealers seal liquid products like soups and sauces so it's important to read the information about them before purchasing.” 

In testing, we found that some vacuum sealers weren’t able to effectively seal marinated items. If you are someone who likes to marinate, then you’ll want to look into something like the Bosenkitchen Food Sealer Machine.

How long do vacuum sealers last?

According to Burkle, “vacuum sealer itself should last as long as any kitchen appliance when kept clean and maintained,” noting that sometimes parts of it like heat strips will need replacement to ensure that they can continue to seal. Burkle also adds that some will come with warranties, like the FRESKO V8 Pro, which has a 24-month warranty. This can be another way to ensure longevity with your purchase.

How much do vacuum sealers cost?

Vacuum sealers range in price, with Burkle telling us that the most important thing to consider is how often they will be used. “In the restaurant business when we are using them daily, we look for a commercial vacuum sealer that can range anywhere from $500 to upwards of $3000. For at-home use, there are many options that are anywhere from $50 to $300,” he tells us. 

On our list, the prices range from around $30, like the Bosenkitchen Food Sealer Machine to as high as $135 with the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer.

Who We Are

This article was written by Adria Greenhauff, who has been writing about food and lifestyle topics for over a decade, and Jack Byram, a freelance writer who covers all things home and home appliance related.

To make this list, they reviewed insights from our testing lab in Birmingham, Alabama. They also consulted Sandy Wolner, registered dietician and test kitchens director at Pampered Chef, and Ronnie Burkle, corporate chef for SoDel Concepts. 

What Is BHG Recommends?

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.