Best Vacuum Food Sealers

Heavy-duty vacuum food sealers

There are two main types of vacuum sealers: handheld and countertop models. Countertop vacuum food sealers tend to perform better in reviews than their handheld counterparts because they are sturdier and more powerful (handheld vacuums run on batteries). Experts say that you should consider the price of the bags before settling on a vacuum sealer. Although the initial outlay for a countertop food sealer is greater, customizable plastic roll material can be bought relatively cheaply in bulk. The plastic can be cut into bags of any length, reducing waste and saving money in the long run.

Countertop vacuum sealers that cost more than $80 are larded with features, including automatic shut-off; a setting that stops the vacuum instantly to prevent delicate items, such as potato chips, from being crushed; extra-wide sealing strips; multiple speeds; marking pen and bag storage; and dishwasher-safe drip trays. Apart from the crush-free setting, reviews say that these features aren't really worth paying more for.

FoodSaver is the biggest name in vacuum food sealers, and these machines are consistently top-rated in comparative reviews. Good Housekeeping calls the FoodSaver V2840 Advanced Design (*Est. $150) the "Rolls Royce of vacuum sealers." This easy-to-clean machine boasts a stainless-steel finish along with relatively quiet operation, a crush-free setting, two speeds, a marking pen, plastic roll and a bag cutter. In Good Housekeeping's tests, the V2840 sealed bags tightly and prevented ice crystals from forming on food. Owners posting to Amazon.com say that this vacuum food sealer works beautifully, and rolls of cookie dough and steaks taste as fresh after months of storage as the day they were purchased. At 16 inches long and 13 inches wide, the FoodSaver V2840 is bulky, but it can be stored upright. Many owners complain about FoodSaver's canisters, which are not freezer-safe and are said to be prone to cracking and leaking. FoodSaver makes a canister specifically for marinating, and while owners say it's effective at tenderizing meat, experts haven't checked out this claim.

The FoodSaver V2440 (*Est. $125) differs from the FoodSaver V2840 in that its housing is white plastic instead of stainless steel. It is, however, slightly more compact than its sister machine. In Good Housekeeping's tests, the V2440 performed just as well as the V2840, and it costs a bit less, so we've included it in the ConsumerSearch Best Reviewed section. Real Simple magazine also recommends this model. The FoodSaver V2440 features variable speeds, food-specific settings, a crush-free setting and a dishwasher-safe drip tray. At Amazon.com, owners rave about the V2440's ease of use and top-notch performance. The only reason to spend more for the FoodSaver V2840 is if you like its sleeker look.

At 18 inches by 13 inches, the FoodSaver V2460 (*Est. $80) is larger than the V2440, but it's a winner in Amazon.com reviews for its price and performance. Although the V2460 appears to work as well as the V2440, it has not been professionally reviewed, and it has only garnered a handful of owner reviews. These reviews, however, are almost uniformly positive.

The Tilia FoodSaver V2860 Advanced Design (*Est. $300) has the largest number of features of any FoodSaver machine, but its performance appears no better than that of the V2840 or V2440. It has a bag cutter and roll storage, adjustable vacuum strength, a dishwasher-safe drip tray and two crush-free settings. It flips up for easy storage, and the housing is stainless steel. Like the cheaper V2840, the V2860 is said to work beautifully and look good on the counter.

FoodSaver's newest vacuum sealers are designed to save countertop space by sitting upright. We found only one user review of the FoodSaver V3840 (*Est. $175), which is brief but full of compliments. The V3840 has LED progress lights, two vacuum speeds and two seal levels, a crush-free setting and a built-in cutter, roll storage and bag opener. It sits about 10 inches tall and comes with a variety of canisters and plastic bag material.

Handheld food sealers

Handheld vacuum food sealers cost a fraction of the price of freestanding sealers, but they run on batteries, and reviews say that they are best reserved for light-duty sealing and foods that are destined to be sealed just once, not opened and resealed repeatedly. Unlike countertop sealers, handheld sealers use zip bags, which don't have to be cut open with scissors. Although this is convenient, reviews say that FoodSaver's bags are heavy and thus better at preventing freezer burn over the longer term than zipper bags. In Fine Cooking's tests, two of the most popular handheld sealers -- the PackMate Vacu-Seal (*Est. $25) and Reynolds Handi-Vac (*Est. $20) -- couldn't keep all the air out of bags that had been sealed once, then opened and resealed.

The Reynolds Handi-Vac is a favorite of both pro testers and owners posting to consumer-review sites. Bags cost 20 to 35 cents per bag, depending on their size. The area around the seal must be dry, so it can be difficult to seal bags of soup or fruit purees tightly. But once you get the hang of it, reviews say, sealing with the Handi-Vac is a breeze. Owner reviews for this vacuum food sealer are generally positive, but some owners say that seals can weaken over time, allowing air to seep into bags. If you plan to seal foods for long-term storage, reviewers agree that countertop vacuum food sealers are the better choice.