EmailBest Reviewed
Vacuum Food Sealers
- Best vacuum food sealer FoodSaver V2440 Advanced Design *Est. $125
- Budget vacuum food sealer Reynolds Handi-Vac *Est. $20
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Budget vacuum food sealer
- Inexpensive
- Easy to use
- Inexpensive zipper bags
- Suction is not very powerful
- Seals can loosen over time
- Wet foods can be hard to seal
- Not as sturdy as countertop sealers
- Shouldn't be used for frequently-opened items
We read the best reviews of the Reynolds Handi-Vac in Good Housekeeping, Consumer Reports, and Fine Cooking. To see what owners are saying about this handheld sealer, we turned to Amazon.com, where we found more than 80 consumer reviews. We also read reviews of this sealer at Chowhound.com, a site for food lovers.
Reviewers and owners agree that Reynolds Handi-Vac is the best handheld, battery-powered vacuum food sealer. Unlike more flexible countertop food sealers like the FoodSaver V2440 (*est. $125), this food sealer can be used only with special zipper bags; it can't seal canisters or use bulk rolls of tri-ply plastic. While the Reynolds Handi-Vac is inexpensive and effective against freezer burn, it is best reserved for storing foods such as hamburger and fish in the freezer, not for storing frequently-used items, such as cereal and coffee. Reviews say that zipper bags that are opened and re-sealed with this sealer don't remain airtight. If you're looking for a vacuum food sealer that's sturdier and more versatile, reviews indicate that the FoodSaver V2440 (*est. $125) is an excellent choice. It keeps food fresh in the refrigerator and prevents freezer burn.
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Our Sources
Good Housekeeping tries out four vacuum sealers but placing moisture-sensitive beads in each sealed bag then checking for leaks. The Reynolds Handi-Vac passes the tests and is recommended.
Review: Vacuum Sealers for Food Storage Tested, Editors of Good Housekeeping, Feb. 2008
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Editors test the Reynolds Handi-Vac Sealer over the course of a month, sealing steaks then checking for freezer burn. This isn't a comprehensive test of vacuum food savers, but the article serves as a good overview.
Review: Two Products Promise Fresh Food, Editors of Consumer Reports, June 2008
3. Fine Cooking
The Reynolds Handi-Vac is included in this two-model test at Fine Cooking. Lisa Waddle writes that both work well for freezer storage, but she had a hard time opening and resealing bags, so they aren't recommended for items like coffee or cereal.
Review: Hand-held Vacuum Sealers, Lisa Waddle, Mar. 12, 2008
4. Amazon.com
About 90 owners review the Reynolds Handi-Vac at Amazon.com, with a mix of positive and negative ratings. One third of owners report that they just couldn't get the bags to seal very well.
Review: Handi-Vac Starter Kit, Contributors to Amazon.com
In this busy forum, one contributor asks for vacuum sealer recommendations. Contributors say that FoodSaver models are the most flexible and durable, but several recommend the Reynolds Handi-Vac as a good choice for light duty or for those who don't want to spend so much.
Review: Vacuum sealer, Contributors to Chowhound.com
6. Epinions.com
There are only a handful of reviews here for the Reynolds Handi-Vac. Owners generally say it's easy to use, durable, and it keeps food fresh. One complains that seals weaken over time, allowing air into bags, but others are very happy with this sealer.
Review: Reynolds Handi-Vac Reviews, Contributors to Epinions.com
Vacuum Food Sealers Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
1 pick by top review sites.
1 pick by top review sites.
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FoodSaver V2460 Advanced Design Vacuum Food Sealer
 from Amazon.com New: $110.95 In Stock.
Average Customer Review:   |
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Packmate 95000 Vacu-Seal Starter Kit with Handheld Vacuum Sealer and Bags
from Amazon.com New: $9.98 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
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