If you're trying to cut back on food waste this year, investing in one of the best vacuum sealers is a great way to do it. Vacuum sealers remove air from packaging, which keeps meat, fruits, veggies, and pantry staples fresh five times as long as their typical shelf life — perfect for budget-savvy bulk buyers, gardeners looking to extend the lifespan of their harvest, or the home cooking enthusiast. Vacuum sealers are also an excellent tool for sous vide lovers.
We suctioned bags of ground beef, fresh berries, and delicate crackers in our own kitchens to test and compare the best vacuum sealers. Read on to see our top picks.
Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and evaluates kitchen products.
Our top picks for vacuum sealers
Best overall: Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer - See at Amazon
Best budget: Geryon Vacuum Sealer - See at Amazon
Best handheld: Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Sealer Machine - See at Amazon
Best compact: NutriChef PKVS 12-inch Vacuum Sealer - See at Amazon
Best overall
The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe is a versatile vacuum sealer with three different settings and even a pulse function for delicate items. It's the best vacuum sealer for meat we've tested.
What we like
What we don't like
Our best overall is also the best vacuum sealer for meat. Meat can be tricky for vacuum sealers since it has some liquid that can be sucked up into the machine or create air pockets. The Nesco VS-12'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 months in the freezer, the ground beef showed no signs of frost accumulation.
It's not as bulky as other models. We like this vacuum sealer's moderate size. I'd stop short of calling it compact, but it's not nearly as bulky as other equally powerful machines. Its moderate footprint means you have a lot of versatility when sealing larger amounts or different-size cuts, but it's still slim enough to store away easily.
It's powerful, so it's best for meats and hearty vegetables. It's a little overpowered for delicate foods. Though it does have a gentle mode, this vacuum sealer crushed avocado slices slightly and nearly pulverized saltines. On the plus side, the avocado was still fresh after sitting on the counter for 10 days. You'll want to use this model primarily for saving heartier vegetables and meats.
Best budget
The Geryon Vacuum Sealer does an excellent job for its budget price. It was among the best at vacuum sealing meat in our tests, it's lightweight, and operates quietly.
What we like
What we don't like
This vacuum sealer rivals even the most expensive models. Th $40 Geryon sealer performed better than many vacuum sealers that cost three times as much. The Geryon performed especially 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 month.
It boasts a plethora of settings. 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.
It's fast, quiet, and lightweight. The suction was a little too powerful for delicate items, though. Even in gentle mode, it crushed crackers and slightly smushed an avocado. Still, the avocado looked green and delicious 10 days after being sealed. However, the Geryon was one of the fastest, quietest, and lightest units we tested, making it an excellent budget pick.
Best handheld
This handheld device quickly removes air from bags and storage containers and is small enough to stow away neatly in a drawer when not in use.
What we like
What we don't like
This sealer is so simple, anyone can use it. 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 voila. The handheld sealer can fit in a drawer and comes with a charger so that you can operate it wirelessly if needed.
It's only compatible with special bags and containers. 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.
We love the companion app. The best part of the Zwilling vacuum sealer is the accompanying app. 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.
It doesn't do as well with foods containing lots of liquid. 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 compact
The NutriChef PKVS 12-inch vacuum sealer is sleek, portable, and takes up minimal storage space. It has multiple settings to seal various foods, from dry to wet.
What we like
What we don't like
It's sleek and simple. 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 gentle setting is actually gentle. 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 built-in cutter allows for custom bag sizes. 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.
I love the wine stopper attachment. 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.
It's compact and convenient for everyday use. 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.
Our top picks compared
| Our pick | The winner | Standout feature | Sealing type | Bag type | Works with liquids? | Price tier |
| Best overall | Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer - See at Amazon | Manual pulse control, moist mode, and strong suction | Automatic + manual/pulse | Standard vacuum sealer bags | Yes (moist mode + pulse control) | $$ |
| Best budget | Geryon Vacuum Sealer - See at Amazon | Automatic sealing with standard compatibility | Automatic | Standard vacuum sealer bags | Limited (moist mode only) | $ |
| Best handheld | Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Sealer Machine - See at Amazon | Ultra-compact, one-touch operation | One-touch automatic | Proprietary reusable bags and containers | Not ideal for liquids | $$ |
| Best compact | NutriChef PKVS 12-inch Vacuum Sealer - See at Amazon | Slim design with full 12-inch bag support | Automatic | Standard vacuum sealer bags | Limited (moist mode) | $-$$ |
What to look for
Vacuum sealer type: Most of our picks are external vacuum sealers, but you'll also find chamber and handheld options. Below is a breakdown of what tasks each is best for:
| Type | Pros | Cons |
| External | Versatile and convenient, often comes with accessories and ports | Can be bulky |
| Chamber | Heavy-duty suction, can be used for several tasks, including quick pickling, infusing, and extracting | Expensive, chamber's size limits the size of the items you can vacuum seal |
| Handheld | Great for quick tasks, affordable, easy to store | Need special bags and containers, don't seal as well, not as powerful |
Settings: 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 it handled each food's different textures, moisture, and shapes. I also put the bone-in pork chops 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, such as whether the pulse or gentle vacuum functions were necessary for delicate foods like raspberries.
Vacuum sealer FAQs
Is a food vacuum sealer worth it?
We think so. Vacuum sealing preserves food for longer, so you're able to buy in bulk while lowering food waste. Each of the sealers we tested kept food fresh five times longer than usual, so vacuum sealers are great for meal prep or storing bulk food.
How long do vacuum sealed foods last?
It depends on the type of food you're vacuum sealing. Meats can last up to three years, while most produce will stay fresh for one to two years.
How do you maintain a vacuum sealer?
The best way to maintain your vacuum sealer depends on its components. Always follow the care instructions for your vacuum sealer and clean it after each use.
Do I need a vacuum sealer for sous vide?
You don't need a vacuum sealer to sous vide, but it certainly makes 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 remove all the air from a bag, creating a barrier between the air and the food. Air carries bacteria and gas compounds, which eventually makes food go bad. Vacuum sealed food stays fresh longer because it keeps the air out.
What foods should not be vacuum sealed?
According to the University of Michigan Extension School, you should avoid vacuum sealing certain foods because they can grow harmful bacteria quickly, which can be hard to detect since the it won't alter a 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)
Also, take the following precautions when vacuum sealing:
- Vacuum-sealing food does not replace the need to pressure-can or water-bath home-canned foods.
- Wash your hands before and during the vacuum sealing process.
- Do not touch food with your hands. Instead, use clean spoons, tongs, or something else to handle it.
- 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?
Many vacuum sealers collect liquid in a separate chamber, so if you're planning on sealing liquid-heavy foods, look for this feature when shopping.
If you don't have a separate liquid chamber, 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."
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