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Vacuum sealing machines can be a valuable tool in the kitchen. If you buy in bulk, you can use them to separate the food into smaller batches and keep it fresh. You can also use them to preserve food for easy meal prep and even for sous vide cooking.
However, it's important to choose the right kind! For this purpose, we've put together a list of the best vacuum sealing machines. We found the Avid Armor Chamber Sealer Ultra Series to be our favorite because it has a strong vacuum and seal, various settings, and a glass window for easy viewing. To see more options, check out the rest of our 10 best list, and read on until the end for a helpful buying guide reviewed by a professional chef.
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef who loves everything food-related and the tools, both big and small, to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it, or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Before buying a vacuum sealing machine, there are a few points you should take into consideration. To help you with this, we've put together this handy buying guide!
A chamber vacuum machine is best for heavy use, such as frequent sealing of large batches and sealing food items that have a lot of liquid. With these, the entire bag is placed inside and the air is sucked out of the chamber. These machines can be about two feet wide, are more expensive, and suit commercial or very frequent home use.
The most common machine for home use is external vacuum machines. These are best for less frequent sealing and for dry or moist foods. They’re smaller than chamber vacuum machines, can easily sit on a countertop, and only the open end of the bag is placed inside.
The final type is handheld vacuum sealers. On some, the main part of the machine looks like a pistol, and others are like small pumps. They work differently from the other machines, as you manually seal special bags or jars first and then use the machine to draw out the remaining air. These are best for occasional use and small amounts of food.
Vacuum sealers can serve several different purposes. The most common is as a way to separate larger batches of food into smaller portions so they can be frozen and used later. Practically all vacuum sealers will be able to serve this function.
Another popular use for vacuum sealers is for sous vide cooking. This is a style of cooking where food in vacuum-sealed bags is then slowly cooked at a precise temperature in a water bath. Sous vide cooking has long been popular in high-class restaurants, as it gives consistent results that other cooking methods can’t.
It’s starting to become popular in home cooking, also. If you’re looking to do your own sous vide cooking, then external vacuum machines are suitable. However, if your sous vide ingredients have a lot of liquid in them, then a chamber vacuum machine is the better choice.
Another decision you’ll need to make is whether a manual or automatic vacuum sealer will be better for you. Manual vacuum sealers allow you to adjust how long you want the machine to pull the air out of the bag. This is the best option if you will be vacuum-sealing lots of softer food items, such as cakes.
Automatic vacuum sealers are, as their name suggests, automatic! They just keep going until all of the air is sucked out of the bag. This is generally faster than doing it manually or setting a manual timer. If you’re mostly going to be sealing items such as meats, this will be fine. You can also get machines that have both manual and automatic sealers.
Most vacuum sealers work by sealing individual bags that are already cut to size when you purchase them. Different machines use different sizes and styles, so always check this before you buy any bags. Some machines, however, can work with bag rolls. This enables you to cut the bags to the size of the food.
Some vacuum sealing machines can also be used to pull air out of other types of storage containers, such as jars or hard plastic containers. This is done by a separate hose-like attachment that plugs into the machine. If you're interested in this function, check if the machine can do it and if it comes with the needed parts.
Something to note when you're choosing a vacuum sealing machine are the controls each offers. Almost every machine has a start and stop button, but others offer more controls that allow you to choose a length of time or different modes.
Modes that can be offered by a sealing machine are for moist foods and dry. Dry is used for foods like nuts, beans or crackers, but marinated meats and the like can make it hard for the machine to seal. In such cases, use the moist setting. Having a machine that offers different modes allows you to tailor the process to your needs.
Some machines offer a double seal mode, which offers an extra-strong seal to keep your food fresh. Some also have a seal-only mode, which allows you to re-seal bags. Other machines offer controls that let you determine how strong you want the pressure of the seal to be for use with different types of bags.
A pulse mode is useful to draw out air from delicate foods that might not hold up well under high pressure. You can better control the strength of the vacuum so the food doesn't get squashed. Some vacuum sealing machines also have built-in cutters that ensure the bags are cut perfectly, making the process even more seamless.
Some machines come with vacuum sealer bags so you won't have to buy them separately, and even come with storage for them. Typically, this will be built-in storage inside the machine. These are usually included in larger machines. Smaller machines may offer storage for bags in a lower compartment, too.
These machines will also likely come with built-in cutters so that when the bags feed out from the machine, they're easy to cut. Some built-in cutters are adjustable, so you are able to choose your preferred size for the vacuum-sealed bags.
It's also worth looking for a machine with a drip tray that collects any liquid that escapes during the sealing process. This makes cleaning easier and prevents liquid from dripping into the machine, which keeps your machine running smoothly.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Avid Armor Chamber Vacuum Sealer Ultra Series|USV32 | $599.00 High | Best for Frequent Home or Commercial Use | ||
2 | Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer|VS-12 | $114.00 Mid | Best Strong Seal | ||
3 | FoodSaver Manual Vacuum Sealer System|V4400 | $199.49 Mid | Best for Beginners | ||
4 | FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine|31161370 | $29.99 Low | Best for Saving Space | ||
5 | FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine|FM2100 | $131.83 Mid | Best for Sealing Dry Foods | ||
6 | Potane Chamber Vacuum Sealer|VS5736 | $149.99 Mid | Best for One-Handed Operation | ||
7 | FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine|VS2150 | $146.99 Mid | Best With Accessory Port and Hose | ||
8 | VEVOR Vacuum Sealer Machine|DZ 260S | $278.99 High Mid | Best Automatic Chamber Machine | ||
9 | Magic Vac Commercial Grade Stainless Steel Vacuum Sealer | $134.95 Mid | Best for Fragile Foods |
Pros:
Cons:
The glass lid on top of this chamber vacuum sealing machine allows you to watch the vacuum sealing process as it occurs. The machine is easy to load and has simple controls, including a single touch function that will use previous settings. There are two handles on either side of the machine so it is easier to move.
Although some customers mention that the machine doesn't always produce the perfect seal, especially after several years of use, they agree that it is usually effective and of good quality. Some said they appreciate the glass top that they can look through, and say that this machine is easy to clean.
Pros:
Cons:
This machine gives you the option of manually sealing the bags if you wish. You can choose between settings for dry or moist foods and watch the progress from either the LED display or through the glass window. The machine has storage space for a bag roll and an internal bag cutter.
Reviewers state that this machine is best for light use and shouldn't be used for more than a few bags continuously as it can damage the machine. However, others love that it has good suction strength and that the seal is equally strong. It has a handle lock system and this also comes in for praise, as it is easier than other methods.
Pros:
Cons:
This vacuum sealing machine's automatic, simple operation makes it easy to use. In addition to the moist and dry modes, this machine also offers automatic moisture detection, which automatically switches modes as needed. The built-in bag storage and cutter make it easy for beginners to use, as well.
Although some reviewers warn that this machine doesn't work quickly and needs time to cool off between seals, many agreed that its simplicity makes it easy to use. Many also say the drip tray makes it easy to clean up afterward.
Pros:
Cons:
This vacuum sealing machine is great if you're trying to save space. It can seal up to 60 quart-sized bags on a single charge and is compatible with both FoodSaver bags and containers. It's also easy to use since all you need to do is press start.
Some reviewers mention that this machine struggles to vacuum seal items containing liquid. However, they like how it's easy to use and doesn't take up much room in their kitchens. Some add that they appreciate that it can be used to seal bags, containers, and even jars if you buy an accessory to do so.
Pros:
Cons:
This vacuum-sealing machine includes both dry and moist modes, and has built-in storage for bags and a built-in cutter for customized sizes that produces less bag waste. The slim design is made to save counter space, which also makes it easier to store.
Although some reviewers say this product works better on dry items than moist ones, many agree that it saves space with its design, and say the built-in cutter is convenient. They mention that the seal is strong due to the dual heat function, and like that it comes with a five-year warranty.
Pros:
Cons:
This machine is designed for anyone to be able to use it, with its simple controls and one-handed operation. It also has built-in bag storage and a cutter, making the process even easier. The product comes with two extra bag rolls.
Some reviews say that this machine's seal isn't strong enough. However, others thought that it was very easy to use and is great for sous vide cooking. They also found the bag storage and built-in cutter to be very convenient.
Pros:
Cons:
This machine provides all the functions of a typical vacuum sealer but comes with accessories as well. The hose can be used to seal zipper bags and containers, and the handheld sealer can be attached to other accessories like the jar sealing kit sold separately. The lock latch function makes this machine operable with one hand, and the drip tray makes it easy to clean.
Although some warn that the hose can be tricky to attach to the port, they agree that overall the machine is simple to use and has a strong seal.
Pros:
Cons:
This chamber vacuum sealing machine is perfect if you're looking for something that can hold up against heavy use. You can use the indicator lights to follow the process as the machine works through the vacuum, sealing, and cooling steps. The transparent lid also makes it possible to watch the process yourself.
Some reviewers warn that the instruction manual included is hard to understand and unhelpful. However, they agree that the suction is strong and that the machine can handle regular use. Some reviews recommend using this machine for sous vide cooking or camping meals.
Pros:
Cons:
This machine has options that make it great for fragile that are more susceptible to damage during the sealing process. The pulse mode works as a manual option. There are also three food settings based on moisture level, so you can tailor the process to every food. The built-in cutter and storage compartments are included for convenience.
Some reviews mentioned that this machine struggles to seal larger items like chicken breast. However, reviews overall agreed that this machine is very effective in its sealing and is easy to use. Some add that it is both quick and quiet, making it an overall enjoyable experience.
There are always more ways to store your food! Check out these lists for more products that can keep your food fresh.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Avid Armor|Chamber Vacuum Sealer Ultra Series|USV32
No. 2: Nesco|Deluxe Vacuum Sealer|VS-12
No. 3: FoodSaver|Manual Vacuum Sealer System|V4400
No. 4: FoodSaver|Vacuum Sealer Machine|31161370
No. 5: FoodSaver|Vacuum Sealer Machine|FM2100
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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