The best vacuum sealers to preserve freshness

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If you want to save money on groceries, a vacuum sealer can help. These gadgets remove air from food packaging, prolonging shelf life so you can buy perishable foods in bulk, preserve the produce you harvest from your garden, or keep your daily catch fresh in your freezer for months.

To find the best vacuum sealer, we tested 14 models using a variety of different foods. Our top pick is the FoodSaver V4800 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System, which has both a body sealer and a handheld sealer for lighter jobs. It's easy and intuitive to use and even works well with wet foods. If you're looking for a budget option, the Geryon Vacuum Sealer is fast, lightweight, and quiet; it passed all our tests and clocks in under $50. 

Vacuum sealers are a great add-on if you regularly cook sous vide. Check out our guide to the best sous vide machines for more about using a vacuum sealer with this cooking technique.

Read more about how the Business Insider Reviews team tests and evaluates kitchen products.

Our top picks for vacuum sealers

Best overall: FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System Starter Kit - See at Amazon

Best multipurpose: Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer - See at Amazon

Best chamber: Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer - See at Best Buy

Best budget: Geryon Vacuum Sealer - See at Amazon

Best compact: NutriChef PKVS 12-inch Vacuum Sealer - See at Amazon

Best handheld: Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Sealer Machine - See at Amazon

Best for sous vide cooking: Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer - See at Amazon

Best overall

At first glance, the FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer is a little intimidating, with its big size and many accessories, but it's easy to use with little to no direction. What we love most about this vacuum sealer is that it functions automatically. When you're ready to vacuum seal, you simply place the open end of the bag into the vacuum channel, and it starts suctioning, no buttons required.

One great feature is the indicator lights. I never had to guess if the sealing and vacuuming were complete because the lights flashed red and green along a progress bar. Once the cycle was complete, the lights turned off, letting me know I was good to remove the bag.

The sealer is great for various foods, from dry to wet. I tested some meat cuts, raspberries, and crackers. I didn't have any trouble with liquid entering the sealer, but if it does, a separate drip tray keeps the liquid away from the actual vacuum. There is even an indicator light to tell you when the tray is full. To empty it, you just remove the tray and rinse it with soapy water or run it through the dishwasher on the top rack.

The sealer also comes with a handheld vacuum for even more versatility. This feature requires you to push down with a little pressure, so it may be difficult to use if you have limited mobility. The handheld works for small bags, jars, and marinating.

This vacuum sealer is a pricier option, and it takes up a lot of space. If you have the room and vacuum seal regularly, this option is worth it for versatility and ease of use. 

Best multipurpose

Buying in bulk from one of the best meat delivery services will save you a lot of money, but you'll need a good vacuum sealer to help you freeze the meat in more manageable chunks. The Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 is the best vacuum sealer for meat that we tested, keeping it free from freezer burn for months or even years. 

The Nesco's powerful vacuum removed virtually all the air when packaging pork chops and ground beef. The pork chops' seal stayed strong through a sous vide water bath. After 10 days in the freezer, the ground beef showed no signs of frost accumulation, something we will monitor for the next several months. 

Unfortunately, the Nesco VS-12's vacuum was too powerful for fragile foods, even when using gentle mode. It crushed avocado slices slightly too much and nearly pulverized saltines. On the plus side, the avocado was still fresh after sitting on the counter for 10 days.

The seal held well when marinating chicken, though the Nesco didn't remove as much air as I would have liked, and some of the liquid escaped into the vacuum chamber. Fortunately, it cleaned up easily. The Nesco is easy to use and features bag roll and cord storage, but it was the loudest model we tested, louder than a hair dryer.

Best chamber

While the classic external vacuum sealers just vacuum and seal one end of a bag, chamber vacuum sealers feature an enclosed chamber that holds the entire bag. All the air is removed from the chamber, so you can use other containers, like jars and bowls, for quick pickling, extractions, and more. Chamber sealers are more powerful, expensive, and bulkier, so you usually only find them in professional kitchens.

We tested the Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer and were impressed with its performance and ease of use. The bag clips inside the chamber, and you can then choose between normal and strong vacuuming and sealing. There are also settings for infusing, extracting, and pickling.

The Anova Precision was the best vacuum sealer for fragile foods despite not having a gentle function. The avocado slices had an airtight seal without getting squished. After sitting on our countertop for 10 days, the slices were still a vibrant green. This sealer did crush many of the crackers, but no more so than the other models we tested.

The Anova sealed liquids without making a mess, though we would have liked to see it remove more air from the bag before sealing. It also left more air than ideal when sealing ground beef and pork chops, but that didn't affect sous vide cooking. Only minimal frost formed on the ground beef after 9 days in a freezer.

The Anova doesn't have a bag cutter or manual sealing. It was also one of the slowest, heaviest, and loudest vacuum sealers we tested, but we think its ease of cleaning and versatility outweigh its negatives.

Best budget

We didn't have high hopes for the Geryon Vacuum Sealer, considering its bargain-basement $40 price, and we'd never heard of the brand before. Yet, it performed better than many models that cost three times as much.

The Geryon is easy to use: Put items in the bag, place the end in the internal clips, close the lid until both sides click, and press the Vac Seal button. It features gentle and normal modes, plus settings for moist and dry foods. You can also manually seal bags or attach the provided tube for canister sealing, though canisters are sold separately.

The Geryon performed well in all of our sealing tests. Sealing ground beef and pork, the machine got most of the air out, and there were no leaks when we put the pork in a sous vide water bath. The ground beef showed minimal frost collection in the freezer after more than a week.

The vacuum sealing was a little too powerful for delicate items, though. Even in gentle mode, it crushed crackers, and an avocado got slightly smushed. Still, the avocado still looked green and delicious 10 days after being sealed.

When walking the fine line between getting the air out of a liquid-filled bag and not making a mess, the Geryon avoided major spillage. When we marinated the chicken, there was still a significant amount of air in the bag, but the seal held well. Overall, the Geryon was also one of the faster, quieter, and lighter units we tested, making it an excellent budget pick.

The Nesco VS-02 is another solid budget option. It comes with a bag cutter and bag roll storage, performed well in our tests, and operates quietly. However, it's about $30 more than the Geryon, and the lid is harder to close.

Best compact

The NutriChef PKVS vacuum sealer has a sleek, modern look so it's pretty and compact enough to leave out on the counter. The elegant digital button controls make it different from the other vacuum sealers. The sealer is simple to use — I could operate it easily without even looking at the instructions. Yet, if you need instructions, I found the manual for this sealer to be the most informative. 

The sealer comes with a gentle and normal sealing mode and dry and moist food settings so you can use it with various foods with different textures and shapes. I tested cuts of meat, raspberries, strawberries, and crackers. Though I used the moist, gentle setting for the raspberries, they still crushed a bit. However, the gentle setting still worked well for the strawberries and crackers.

The sealer also has a built-in cutter to cut the seal roll into a custom-size bag. You can press the Stop button to stop the unit safely during the vacuum seal process. 

An air suction hose (included with the sealer) easily plugs inside the main unit and connects to an included wine stopper. This unique feature purports to preserve the quality and taste of your wine for longer, so it's a great option if you end up wasting wine after you open a bottle.

If you're looking for a sealer for various foods and don't want to deal with constantly moving and storing a sealer, this compact one easily does the job.

Best handheld

The Zwilling vacuum sealer is the simplest vacuum sealer I tested. It works at the click of a button. You just place the sealer over the port on one of Zwilling's bags or containers, hit the button, and viola. The handheld sealer can fit in a drawer and comes with a charger so that you can operate it wirelessly if needed.

Since the vacuum sealer works by placing the suction over a port, you must use Zwilling's specially designed bags and containers with the sealer. The glass containers are oven-, microwave-, dishwasher-, and freezer-safe.

The best part of the Zwilling vacuum sealer is the companion app (available for iOS and Android.) You scan the bag or container you're using and input the type of food, date, and storage method. The app will then send you alerts when it's getting close to expiration. It helps me stay organized and makes me less likely to forget the foods lurking in the back of my freezer.

I use this sealer daily and have tested it with many other items, including salad mixes and fruits I eat daily. It keeps the salad mix fresher for almost three times as long as a standard storage container — about 18 days instead of a few days. The one downside is that this sealer isn't great for any foods with liquid. When I sealed raw cuts of meat, the liquid would get sucked up into the sealer.

Best for sous vide cooking

If you love the idea of a no-fuss vacuum sealer, the Anova may be just what you're looking for. It only has three buttons: "Vacuum & Seal," "Seal," and "Pulse Vacuum." It's not as powerful of a sealer, but you don't need that if you're primarily interested in sous vide. It's a definite upgrade from zipper top bags, and the weaker suction is ideal for keeping liquids in the bag and out of the sealer. The "Pulse Vacuum" function also helps with this. 

It's also small and lightweight, so you can keep the sealer on the counter or easily tuck it inside a cabinet. The vacuum sealer doesn't have a built-in cutter, but all the bags in the starter set are precut. 

What to look for in a vacuum sealer

Types of vacuum sealers

External: External vacuum sealers are typically long and narrow. You put one end of the bag you want to seal in the machine, close the lid, and it sucks out the air and seals the bag. Most of the units in our guide are external vacuum sealers because they tend to be versatile and convenient.

Chamber: Chamber vacuum sealers are often used in commercial kitchens because they have heavy-duty suction and can be used for several tasks, including quick pickling, infusing, and extracting. The chamber's size limits the size of the items you can vacuum seal. Chamber sealers also tend to be expensive.

Handheld: These are great for quick tasks. Handheld vacuum sealers are small yet not as powerful as the other types. They tend to be more affordable upfront, but they can get pricy because you need special bags and containers to use them with. We also found they don't seal as well.

Best features of vacuum sealers

Settings: If you want a vacuum sealer for breaking down large quantities of meat into smaller portions, a straightforward powerful vacuum sealer will get the job done. However, to store delicate items like crackers and chips, look for a vacuum sealer with a manual pulse. This makes it easier to achieve the right balance between removing air and avoiding crushing fragile foods.

Vacuum sealer bags: The cost of vacuum sealer bags can add up. If cost is a concern, look for models that come with bags and bag rolls. Units with bag cutters and manual seals are great because you can make your own bags. If you want to use your external vacuum sealer for quick pickling, marinating, and more, look for one with a suction hose.

How we test vacuum sealers

I spoke with Chelsea Cole, food blogger and cookbook author of Sous Vide Meal Prep to learn more about what attributes make for the best vacuum sealer. Then, I tested each model based on the following criteria:

Sealing: I tested each vacuum sealer using several foods: ground beef, salmon, bone-in pork chops, chicken breast, crackers, raspberries, avocados, and strawberries. I evaluated each sealer to see how they handled each food's different textures, moisture, and shapes. I also put the bone-in pork shops through a sous vide water bath to see how well the seal held up.

Freshness: I put vacuum-sealed ground beef in the freezer and vacuum-sealed produce and crackers in the pantry. I evaluated all food for freshness at the end of the testing period. 

Ease of use: I noted how easy it was to assemble the sealers, whether the instructions were clear and intuitive, and whether the machines were easy to operate. I also considered how heavy they were to move and carry and if I could easily store them.

Extra features: I tested every sealer's extra functions as long as I had the proper materials (for example, if the sealer's starter kit didn't come with a canister, I didn't test the canister function). I also determined how useful certain functions were, like if the pulse or gentle vacuum functions were necessary for delicate foods like raspberries.

Vacuum sealer FAQs

Is a food vacuum sealer worth it?

Yes, buying in bulk saves you money in the long run, and since vacuum sealing preserves food for longer, you will have less food waste. All the sealers we tested kept food fresh five times longer than when left in its original packaging, which makes vacuum sealers great for meal prep and storing bulk food.

How do you maintain a vacuum sealer?

It depends on the components of your sealer. For instance, our top pick, the FoodSaver 4800, has a drip tray that collects excess moisture. When the sealer indicates the drip tray is full, you must remove it and rinse it with soapy water. In the case of our top chamber vacuum sealer, the Anova requires a gentle wipe-down of the door and interior with a cloth and mild soap after each use.

Do I need a vacuum sealer for sous vide?

No, you can sous vide using zipper-top bags, but a vacuum sealer can help make the process easier. "Although you can use zipper top or silicone bags [for sous vide cooking], a vacuum seal bag is the best way to ensure a successful cook," said Cole. "It's the most effective way to get as much air out of the bag as possible and get a good seal."

How do vacuum sealers work?

Vacuum sealers work by creating a barrier between the air and the food. Air carries gas compounds and bacteria, which alter food's quality and taste and will eventually cause the food to go bad. Since vacuum sealing removes any existing air from the packaging and keeps other air out, the food lasts longer.

What foods should not be vacuum sealed?

According to the University of Minnesota Extension School, some foods grow harmful bacteria faster in air-free settings and are hard to detect since it doesn't alter the food's look or smell. You should avoid vacuum sealing the foods below:

• Raw mushrooms
• Garlic
• Soft cheeses 
• Freshly cooked or steamed produce (only vacuum seal room temperature produce)

Additionally, the University of Minnesota Extension School recommends taking the following precautions when you vacuum seal:

• Vacuum-sealing food does not replace the need to pressure-can or water-bath home canned foods.
• Wash hands before and during the vacuum sealing process.
• Try not to touch food with your hands. Use clean spoons, tongs, or something else to handle the food.
• Be sure to keep utensils, cutting boards, and counters clean.
• Keep vacuum-sealed foods in the refrigerator or freezer. Dry food, like crackers and nuts, can be stored at room temperature.
• Thaw frozen vacuum-sealed food in the refrigerator.

How do I prevent liquid from getting into my vacuum sealer?

Vacuum sealing foods with a lot of liquid can be messy, but there are ways you can do it seamlessly. First, many sealers have a chamber to collect the liquid safely without harming the sealer. If you plan on sealing liquid-heavy foods, invest in a sealer with this capability.

Otherwise, you can try this trick: "Hang your bag off the edge of the counter when sealing so gravity is on your side and use the manual setting," said Cole. "As soon as you see liquid creeping toward the seal line, hit 'Seal' on your vacuum sealer to stop the suction."

Best overall: FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System Starter Kit

Pros: Easy to use, clear lights indicate when sealing and vacuuming are done, handheld vacuum sealer is good for delicate foods or jars

Cons: Bulky and takes up a lot of storage space, heavy, pricier than other vacuum sealers

At first glance, the FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer is a little intimidating, with its big size and many accessories, but it's actually easy to use with little to no direction. What I loved most about this vacuum sealer is that it functions automatically: when you're ready to vacuum seal, you simply place the open end of the bag into the vacuum channel and it starts suctioning, no buttons required.

One feature I loved was the indicator lights. I was never left guessing if the sealing and vacuuming was complete because the lights flash red and green along a progress bar. Once the cycle is complete, the lights turn off letting me know I'm good to remove the bag.

The sealer is great for a variety of foods, from dry to wet. I tested some meat cuts, raspberries, and crackers. I didn't have any trouble with liquid entering the sealer, but if it does, there is a separate drip tray to keep the liquid away from the actual vacuum. There is even an indicator light to let you know when the tray is full.

The sealer also comes with a handheld vacuum for even more versatility. This feature does require you to push down with a little pressure, so it may be difficult to use if you have limited mobility in your hands. The handheld works for small bags, jars, and marinating.

This vacuum sealer is a pricier option, and it is a little heavy and bulky, but if you have the space and vacuum seal regularly, this is a great option for versatility and ease of use.

Best budget: Nesco VS-02

Pros: Sealer function is quiet, sleek design, portable and stores easily

Cons: Sliding cutter isn't as seamless to use as others, harder to close (takes some strength), doesn't have a manual vacuum option

The Nesco VS-02 is a good option if you aren't quite ready to spend a lot of money on a vacuum sealer.  Maybe you aren't sure if vacuum sealing is for you or you only want to use it occasionally. Whatever your reason, the Nesco vacuum sealer is great to start with. It's easy to use, comes with enough bags to get started, and includes a built-in roll cutter.

My favorite part of the sealer is the two different seal times: extended and normal. The extended seal time is perfect for vacuum sealing liquids since they require a tighter seal. Normal is great for your typical foods: I tested it with cuts of meat, raspberries, and crackers, and they all sealed well.

A smaller price point means it doesn't come with an attachment hose for trickier sealing situations, but you do get 10 bags and a large roll, meaning you won't need to buy bag refills anytime soon. The built-in cutter isn't as easy to use as others and it takes a little strength to properly close the sealer. However, this is a great option if you're on a budget but still want the same functionality as some of the pricier options out there.

Best compact: NutriChef PKVS

Pros: Lightweight, has a gentle mode for delicate foods, dry and moist modes, digital button controls

Cons: Was too powerful for raspberries but not crackers, hard to close (doesn't always click to let you know it's closed)

The NutriChef PKVS vacuum sealer has a sleek, modern look so it's pretty and compact enough to leave out on the counter. What makes it different from the other vacuum sealers is the sleek digital button controls. The sealer is simple to use — I was able to operate it easily without even looking at the instructions. (But if you do need instructions, I found the manual for this sealer to be the most informative.) 

The sealer comes with a gentle and normal sealing mode as well as dry and moist food settings so you can use it with a variety of foods with different textures and shapes. I tested cuts of meat, raspberries, strawberries, and crackers. Though I used the moist, gentle setting for the raspberries, they still crushed a bit. However the gentle setting still worked well for the strawberries and crackers.

The sealer also comes with a built-in cutter so you can cut the seal roll to a custom size bag. You can press the Stop button so you can stop the unit safely at any time during the vacuum seal process. 

An air suction hose (included with the sealer) easily plugs into the inside of the main unit and connects to an included wine stopper. This unique feature purports to preserve the quality and taste of your wine for longer, so it's a great option if you end up wasting wine after you open a bottle.

If you're looking for a sealer for a variety of foods and don't want to deal with constantly moving and storing a sealer, this compact one easily does the job.

Best handheld: Zwilling Fresh & Save Starter Set

Pros: Compact and portable, comes with food-safe glass containers, has a phone app, stores easily

Cons: You have to use Zwilling's bags and containers, containers aren't ideal for bulk freezer storage

The Zwilling vacuum sealer is the simplest vacuum sealer I tested. It literally works at a click of a button. You just place the sealer over the port on one of Zwilling's bags or containers, hit the button, and viola. The handheld sealer can fit in a drawer and comes with a charger so that you can operate it wirelessly if needed.

Since the vacuum sealer works by placing the suction over a port, you have to use Zwilling's specially designed bags and containers with the sealer. The glass containers are oven-, microwave-, dishwasher-, and freezer-safe.

The best part of the Zwilling vacuum sealer is the companion app. You scan the bag or container you're using and input the type of food, date, and method of storage. The app will then send you alerts when it's getting close to expiration. It helps me stay organized and makes me less likely to forget about the foods lurking in the back of my freezer.

I use this sealer in my day to day life and have tested it with many other items, including salad mix and fruits I eat on the daily. I found that it keeps the salad mix fresher for almost three times as long as a standard storage container – about 18 days as opposed to a few days.

The one downside is that this sealer isn't great for any foods with liquid. When I sealed raw cuts of meat, the liquid would get sucked up into the sealer.

Best for sous vide cooking: Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer

Pros: Made by a well known sous vide company and made specifically for that use, lightweight, portable, sleek design for storage, has a pulse vacuum for delicate foods

Cons: More manual than other sealers (you have to line up the bag and make sure lid is closed), suction power isn't as strong 

If you love the idea of a no-fuss vacuum sealer, the Anova may be just what you're looking for. It only has three buttons: "Vacuum & Seal," "Seal," and "Pulse Vacuum." It's not as powerful of a sealer, but you don't really need that if you're primarily interested in sous vide. It's a definite upgrade from zipper top bags, and the weaker suction is actually ideal for keeping liquids in the bag and out of the sealer. The "Pulse Vacuum" function also helps with this. 

It's also small and lightweight, so you can keep the sealer on the counter or easily tuck it inside a cabinet. The vacuum sealer doesn't come with a built-in cutter, but all the bags in the starter set are precut. 

How we test vacuum sealers

I spoke with Chelsea Cole, food blogger and cookbook author of Sous Vide Meal Prep to learn more about what attributes make for the best vacuum sealer. I then tested each model based on the following criteria:

Sealing: I tested each vacuum sealer using measured amounts of the same foods: ground beef, salmon, chicken breast, crackers, raspberries, avocados, and strawberries. I evaluated each sealer to see how they handled the different textures, moisture and shapes of each food.

Freshness preservation: I put all the vacuum sealed meat in the freezer for a month, vacuum sealed produce in the refrigerator for two weeks ,and vacuum sealed crackers in the pantry for a month. At the end of the testing period I evaluated all food for freshness. All sealers passed this test.

Ease of use: I took note of how easy it was to assemble the sealers, whether the instructions were clear and intuitive, and if the machines were easy to operate. I also considered how heavy they were to move and carry and if I could easily store them.

Extra features: I tested every sealer's extra functions as long as I had the proper materials (for example, if the sealer's starter kit didn't come with a canister, I didn't test the canister function). I also determined how useful certain functions were, like whether or not the pulse or gentle vacuum functions were necessary for delicate foods like raspberries.

Vacuum sealer FAQs

How do vacuum sealers work?

Vacuum sealers work by creating a barrier between air and the food. Air carries gas compounds and bacteria, which alter food's quality and taste and will eventually cause the food to go bad. Since vacuum sealing removes any existing air from the packaging and keeps other air out, the food lasts longer.

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Are vacuum sealers safe?

Most foods are safe to vacuum seal as long as the food is still fresh when you seal it. You can check the freshness date of foods by category using the FoodKeeper app or chart, which was developed by the USDA.

According to the University of Minnesota Extension School, some foods grow a harmful bacteria faster in air-free settings and are hard to detect since it doesn't alter the food's look or smell. You should avoid vacuum sealing the foods below:

• raw mushrooms
• garlic
• soft cheeses 
• freshly cooked or steamed produce (only vacuum seal room temperature produce)

Additionally, the University of Minnesota Extension school recommends taking the following precautions when you vacuum seal:

• Vacuum sealing food does not replace the need to pressure-can or water-bath home canned foods.
• Wash hands before and during the vacuum sealing process.
• Try not to touch food with your hands. Use clean spoons, tongs or something else to handle the food.
• Be sure to keep utensils, cutting boards and counters clean.
• Keep vacuum sealed foods in the refrigerator or freezer. Dry food, like crackers and nuts, can be stored at room temperature.
• Thaw frozen vacuum sealed food in the refrigerator.

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How do I prevent liquid from getting into my vacuum sealer?

Vacuum sealing foods with a lot of liquid can be messy, but there are ways you can do it seamlessly. First, many sealers have a chamber to collect the liquid safely without harming the sealer. If you plan on sealing liquid-heavy foods, make sure to invest in a sealer with this capability.

Otherwise you can try this trick: "Hang your bag off the edge of the counter when sealing so gravity is on your side and use the manual setting," said Cole. "As soon as you see liquid creeping towards the seal line, hit "Seal" on your vacuum sealer to stop the suction."

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Can you reuse vacuum sealer bags?

Depending on the previous contents of the bag, you can wash, reuse, and reseal vacuum bags. We don't recommend reusing bags that previously stored raw meats or oily, greasy foods because they're difficult to clean and may harbor bacteria.

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Is a food vacuum sealer worth it?

Yes, buying in bulk saves you money in the long run and since vacuum sealing preserves food for longer, you will have less food waste. All the sealers we tested kept food fresh five times longer than when left in its original packaging, which makes vacuum sealers great for meal prep and storing bulk food.

---

Do I need a vacuum sealer for sous vide?

No, you can sous vide using zipper-top bags, but a vacuum sealer can help make the process easier. "Although you can use zipper top or silicone bags [for sous vide cooking], a vacuum seal bag is the best way to ensure a successful cook." said Cole. "It's the most effective way to get as much air out of the bag as possible and get a good seal."