With wholesale stores where you can buy food in bulk, we are constantly looking for ways to preserve the food until we are able to eat it. While freezing the food is almost always a good option, you do have to worry about eating it quickly, so it doesn’t end up freezer burnt. However, sealing it into an air-tight bag will likely keep the freezer burn at bay without harming your food.
A vacuum sealer is your all-in-one machine to suction the air from food bags and seal them tightly to prevent leakage or deep freezes. Good vacuum sealers are a decent size to save counter space, freezer safe, provide large enough bags to hold all your food, seal quickly and reliably, and have multiple options and settings for sealing. All of the favorites on our list have all these qualities and more.
NutriChef PKVS Vacuum Sealer
Best Overall
Highly Efficient
This vacuum sealer is small to allow plenty of space on your counter without compromising the efficiency when it seals the freezer-safe bags. The bags are durable enough to handle large amounts.
Why We Love It:
- Small yet efficient device
- Are freezer safe
- Can handle larger and heavier amounts per package
Something to Consider:
- Directions may be hard to follow
- Buttons may be over-sensitive
Mueller Austria Vacuum Sealer
Quickest Sealer
Chic and Clean Looking
This chic and clean-looking stainless steel vacuum sealer matches any style of home while sealing bags well in the blink of an eye. It comes with both wet and dry options to seal all your foods.
Why We Love It:
- Seals bags well and quickly
- Has dry and wet options for sealing
- Chic and clean stainless steel look
Something to Consider:
- Bags may be made of thinner material
- Suction may not be as strong as expected
GERYON Vacuum Sealer
Easiest to Use
Stops Freezer Burn
Even if you’ve never had a vacuum sealer before, this one is super easy to set up and use. This is a great way to keep food fresh for longer and prevent freezer burn in the process.
Why We Love It:
- Easy to set up and use
- Bags are thick and durable
- Prevents freezer burn when placed in freezer
Something to Consider:
- Seal may not be as sturdy as expected
- May not be able to complete a partial seal
FoodSaver VS0160 Vacuum Sealer
Most Options
Straightforward, Easy Vacuum Sealer
This vacuum sealer is incredibly straightforward and easy to use to seal both foods that need to be kept wet and foods that need to be dry, and it is very easy to get bag refills for your sealer.
Why We Love It:
- Incredibly straightforward and easy to use
- Settings for both moist and dry food
- Easy to get bag refills
Something to Consider:
- Suction may stop before air is completely removed
- May not come with instructions for use
Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer
Best Suction
Seals All Bags
This vacuum sealer has great suction to take all the air out of any bag you happen to buy, as it works well on both the bags that come with it and different brands. It’s great for keeping freezer-burn off your food.
Why We Love It:
- Good suction
- Can seal bags not from the same brand as the sealer
- Keeps freezer burn at bay
Something to Consider:
- May not shut off as expected after many uses
- Customer service may not be as helpful as expected
MegaWise 80kpa Vacuum Sealer
Most Lightweight
Features Everything You Need
Everything you need to operate this small and lightweight vacuum sealer comes right with it when you order it. It includes directions to help you set up this simple and easy-to-use vacuum sealer.
Why We Love It:
- Small and lightweight
- Everything you need comes with sealer
- Very simple and easy to use
Something to Consider:
- May not function as well after many uses
- Cannot adjust heat on sealing strip for thicker bags
FAQs
What should I do if my vacuum sealer isn’t sealing bags?
If you run into problems with your sealer closing your bags tightly, one adjustment you may be able to make based on the sealer is to increase the heat to melt the plastic better. If you cannot change the heat on your sealer, cleaning it off when it is cool may help. A fail-safe is to buy some thinner bags to make it easier on the sealer.
How do I know if I need to do a partial seal with my vacuum sealer?
If you are trying to vacuum seal something that is soft (such as baked goods), a full seal may crush the food and make it misshapen. If that is something that matters to you, a partial seal is necessary to keep your food from being crushed if it is too soft.
Buying Guide
Since it is frowned upon to take food to the store with you and seal them with vacuum sealers, it can be hard to know which ones are right for you. Here are some tips we came up with to help you find your ideal vacuum sealer:
- Suction Power: One of the main goals of a vacuum sealer is to remove air from the bag that you put your food in. If it doesn’t have good suction power, your food bag will still have air in it.
- Seal Strength: The other main duty of a vacuum sealer is to seal your food tightly in place. Look for a vacuum sealer where you can adjust the sealing heat to make sure your food is always protected.
- Easy to Use: Like any device, if your vacuum sealer is too difficult to set up or use, you will just become frustrated. Search for vacuum sealers that have simple directions.
- Size: You don’t want this device to take up too much room on your counter or wherever you store it, so look for ones that work well but have smaller dimensions.
- Options: Some foods need to be stored with absolutely no water in the package, while others will do better with some moisture inside the bag. Look for vacuum sealers that offer both wet and dry sealing options.
