Why Vacuum Sealers Are Essential for Food Preservation in 2025
- 1 Why Vacuum Sealers Are Essential for Food Preservation in 2025
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Top 10 Vacuum Sealers for 2025
- 2.1 1. Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro
- 2.2 2. Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer
- 2.3 3. FoodSaver VS3150 Vacuum Sealer
- 2.4 4. Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Sealer Machine
- 2.5 5. FoodSaver Multi-Use Handheld FS2160
- 2.6 6. Geryon Vacuum Sealer
- 2.7 7. Potane Precision Vacuum Sealer Machine
- 2.8 8. Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer
- 2.9 9. LEM MaxVac Go Cordless Plastic Vacuum Sealer
- 2.10 10. INKBIRD Vacuum Sealer
- 3 Comparison Table of Top Vacuum Sealers
- 4 Pros and Cons of Top Vacuum Sealers
- 5 Test Scenarios and Performance
- 6 Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Vacuum Sealer
- 7 Frequently Asked Questions
- 8 Conclusion
Vacuum sealers are the latest word in preservation and protection – but not just of food. While sealing food in a vacuum bag does keep it longer and fresher, consider using the vacuum sealer for better sous vide cooking or for re-sealing your bags of crisps (if you’re one of the few people who don’t eat them all at once!). Vacuum sealer attachments let you seal things in a vacuum inside jars (think canning) and even non-food items (your matches when camping, for example). Placing food in a vacuum by sucking all the air out of the bag or container keeps the food fresher and in better shape for up to seven times longer than in normal conditions. This is because there’s no oxygen left in the bag for mould to grow in.
Top 10 Vacuum Sealers for 2025
Here’s a curated list of the top 10 vacuum sealers for 2025, designed to help you preserve food efficiently, reduce waste, and enhance your kitchen prep.
1. Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro
The Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro proved to be the best overall, with plenty of useful functions and features in a slim profile. More compact than the Anova Chamber Sealer and more powerful than the brand’s base model, the Pro has modes for wet and dry ingredients, a manual pulse option for ultimate control, and a port for using the hose accessory. This accessory can be paired with things like Mason jars and rigid plastic food storage containers for removing excess air and prolonging shelf life. What we liked: The Anova Pro is one of the only models that explicitly allows liquids in the bag and can seal even with moisture on or in the bag. The high-power double-seal stood up to every test we put it through. It also allows for immediate sealing bag after bag (up to 100 continuous sealings, according to the manufacturer) with no refractory period. A simple design makes clean-up a breeze and it’s lightweight and easy to store, compared to other models with similar attachments and features. Buy on Amazon.
2. Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer
The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer is intuitive to use, features several settings to ensure the best results for a variety of foods, and its capabilities were unequalled in our tests. There are sealing settings for dry foods (like cereal) and moist foods (like raw meat) as well as an option to create a double heat-seal on any bag for extra-secure storage. A double vacuum pump extracts every last bit of air from your sealed package. Even with irregularly shaped items, we saw almost no air pockets or bubbles after sealing. There are two vacuum pressures to choose from: normal and gentle, the latter of which is designed for crisp items like crackers and delicate ones like fresh fruit. The gentle setting, in combination with the pulse feature, offers precise control over the vacuum process, so foods like buns, pastries, cereal, and potato chips don’t get crushed. Buy on Amazon.
3. FoodSaver VS3150 Vacuum Sealer
The FoodSaver VS3150 offers the best combination of features and utility for the money of all of the vacuum sealers we tested. It’s easy to understand, use and clean; works with a wide selection of bags and containers; and gave us solid results in our testing. The FoodSaver has a modern, clean clamshell design, with bag storage and the vacuum chamber integrated into the bottom shell and a bag cutter and main controls on the top lid. Like many vacuum sealers these days, this FoodSaver model has modes for wet and dry ingredients, and both worked very well. When using dry mode, it sucked out so much air the bags of rice felt like bricks. We used the pulse vacuum mode to seal crackers and cookies without crushing them. Buy on Amazon.
4. Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Sealer Machine
The Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Food Storage System is an impressive kit featuring the slender, space-saving vacuum sealer, two different sizes of reusable sealing bags and a large dishwasher-safe glass container (BPA-free plastic is also available). Quiet and simple with only one button to deal with, this sealing method is great for the household, camping and any other setting where compact, efficient vacuum sealing is a must. Also great: The QR codes on each item in the starter set provide access to Zwilling’s Culinary World app where you can track what’s in each container and how long it should stay fresh. Buy on Amazon.
5. FoodSaver Multi-Use Handheld FS2160
The FoodSaver Multi-Use Handheld FS2160 offers a useful marination function, which automatically turns the vacuum on and off over the course of 10 minutes when attached to a container. During testing, we found this function periodically released and increased vacuum pressure, forcing the marination juices into the meat. It made our grilled chicken wings even more delicious. We really like the 10-cup container that was sent to us for evaluation, which is strongly constructed out of a high-impact plastic and has a very tight vacuum seal, a marination setting that corresponds with the unit’s marination mode and a prominent pressure release knob. Buy on Amazon.
6. Geryon Vacuum Sealer
For the best bang for your buck, the Geryon vacuum sealer offers all of the quality of a great vacuum sealer without any of the frills. It features an incredibly simple design with two sealing modes. This prevents food spoilage and freezer burn by keeping air out. It also allows you to reseal previously opened packages to preserve freshness. The design is compact and lightweight for easy storage, and its upper lid is easily removed for cleaning purposes. Its external cutter allows you to cut bags into any size you need. Buy on Amazon.
7. Potane Precision Vacuum Sealer Machine
A vacuum sealer is like the cr¨¨me de la cr¨¨me of prep tools, and this Potane vacuum sealer tops them all. Powered by 120 watts, it uses 8 millimeters of sealing width, whereas many other styles use only 3 millimeters. It’s an overall stand-out for its smooth sealing method and robust, high-power motor. Plus, it stores up to 20 feet of bag rolls and features a built-in cutter that minimizes labor. Buy on Amazon.
8. Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer
Chamber sealers (where the air is removed from the entire chamber, including inside the pouch, creating an equally pressurized environment, both inside and outside of the bag) is already used and loved by professional chef’s due to its ability to reliably achieve an efficient, airtight, mess-free seal, even with liquids. And now Anova has created a product for the homecook to achieve the same vacuum seal at home! This vacuum sealer comes with a manual setting, as well as 3 pre-programmed settings, allowing you to do more than just vacuum seal: infuse/extract, compress/pickle and dry/cool. Buy on Amazon.
9. LEM MaxVac Go Cordless Plastic Vacuum Sealer
Best Portable Vacuum Sealer: LEM MaxVac Go Cordless Plastic Vacuum Sealer at Amazon $111 Jump to Review. We loved how well this sealer removed air, even with delicate foods, and it was so easy to use. Buy on Amazon.
10. INKBIRD Vacuum Sealer
Most Versatile Vacuum Sealer: INKBIRD Vacuum Sealer at Inkbird.com Jump to Review. This aesthetically pleasing and feature-packed sealer offers professional-level performance, with strong suction for dry foods and a gentle mode for delicate items. Extra features like a bag compartment and flip-down cutter justify its higher price tag. Buy on Amazon.
Comparison Table of Top Vacuum Sealers
Model | Price (Approx.) | Power (Watts) | Weight (lbs) | Settings | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro | $150 | 127 | 6.4 | Wet, Dry, Pulse | Sous Vide, Long-Term Storage |
Nesco VS-12 Deluxe | $100 | 130 | 6 | Dry, Moist, Double Seal, Gentle | Bulk Storage, Delicate Foods |
FoodSaver VS3150 | $120 | 120 | 5 | Wet, Dry, Pulse | General Use, Marinades |
Zwilling Fresh & Save | $100 | 130 | 2.62 | Single Button | Compact Storage, Camping |
FoodSaver FS2160 Handheld | $80 | 130 | 1 | Marination, Vacuum | Quick Sealing, Leftovers |
Pros and Cons of Top Vacuum Sealers
Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro
- Pros: Handles liquids well, double-seal technology, no refractory period, lightweight.
- Cons: Slightly expensive, limited accessory compatibility.
Nesco VS-12 Deluxe
- Pros: Powerful suction, intuitive controls, gentle mode for delicate foods, double pump.
- Cons: Bulky design, juice canal hard to clean.
FoodSaver VS3150
- Pros: Easy to use and clean, versatile bag compatibility, strong dry mode suction.
- Cons: Less powerful in wet mode, occasional seal issues.
Test Scenarios and Performance
To determine effectiveness, each bag’s seal was thoroughly tested to ensure there were no flaws present that could let air in and lead to freezer burn. In the “dry food test”, we vacuum-seal 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) of black rice grains in a pre-cut bag, while monitoring suction strength and sealing time ¡ª which are the two primary scoring criteria. In the “moist food test”, we vacuum-seal 12.4 ounces (350 grams) of fresh mango slices, following a similar process: suction strength and sealing time are tracked for scoring, and noise level is measured for reference. The Nesco VS-12 achieved a peak suction of 65 kPA in 10 seconds for dry foods, while the FoodSaver VS3150 hit 62 kPA in 11 seconds. For moist foods, the Anova Pro sealed mango slices at 60 kPA in 15 seconds without crushing.
Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Vacuum Sealer
- Consider Your Needs: If you want something simple and easy to use, you may have to forego some functions. For example, if you really only want a sealer to preserve cuts of meat, extra features like gentle suction or a hose attachment for sealing cans won’t be worth the extra cost.
- Type of Sealer: External vacuum sealers are ideal for most use cases, but chamber sealers are excellent for high-volume use and liquids.
- Bag Compatibility: Only channeled bags, like these ones, will work with external vacuum sealers. FoodSaver, Uline, OutOfAir, Kirkland, and Cabela’s all make great vacuum bags. The key is buying in bulk to save money and to make sure you buy the right type for your sealer.
- Features to Look For: Look for models with wet/dry modes, pulse options, and accessory ports for jars or canisters. A built-in bag cutter and storage are also convenient.
- Space and Portability: If counter space is limited, consider compact models like the Zwilling Fresh & Save or handheld options like the FoodSaver FS2160.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods should not be vacuum sealed?
Certain foods, like raw mushrooms, garlic, soft cheeses, and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), can spoil faster or release gases that weaken seals. Blanch and dry these vegetables before sealing.
Can vacuum sealers be used for sous vide cooking?
Yes, vacuum sealers are essential for sous vide, ensuring an airtight seal to prevent water from entering the bag during cooking. Models like the Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro are particularly suited for this.
How long do vacuum-sealed foods last?
Vacuum-sealed foods can last 3-5 times longer than non-sealed foods. For example, frozen meats can last 2-3 years, and refrigerated items like cheese can stay fresh for weeks.
Are vacuum sealer bags reusable?
Yes, bags can be washed and reused for dry goods like nuts or chips. For raw meats, use fresh bags to avoid contamination.
Conclusion
Vacuum sealers are a game-changer for preserving food freshness, reducing waste, and enhancing culinary techniques like sous vide. The Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro stands out for its versatility and power, while budget-friendly options like the Geryon Vacuum Sealer offer reliable performance. Choose a model that fits your kitchen needs and start enjoying fresher food for longer. For more kitchen appliance recommendations, check out Serious Eats or Food & Wine.