Yahoo LifestyleWith Food Prices on the Rise, Now Is the Perfect Time to Buy a Vacuum Sealer
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With Food Prices on the Rise, Now Is the Perfect Time to Buy a Vacuum Sealer
We updated this article in July 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab. Our original top-rated picks remain the same.
A vacuum sealer is a useful tool for food preservation — the device sucks the air out of a plastic bag to create optimal storage conditions for raw protein, uncooked grains and even whole coffee beans. With food prices on the rise, ensuring that your food stays fresh and in good condition before you get the opportunity to consume it is worth the purchase of a food vacuum sealer alone. It’s an investment that's well worth the money for anyone who hunts, tends to buy in bulk and freeze, likes to defrost pre-portioned amounts for meal prep or cooks sous vide.
Vacuum sealers work by removing air from a plastic bag filled with food before sealing it with heat, keeping your food fresher for longer by creating an environment that makes it very hard for bacteria to thrive. The tight seal also helps prevent moisture loss and freezer burn. Both handheld and countertop vacuum sealers can help all kinds of food last longer (except for foods like soft cheeses, raw mushrooms and fresh garlic that contain anaerobic bacteria, which loves oxygen-free zones).
For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has researched and evaluated all kinds of kitchen products, including ones that can help you keep your food fresh for longer, from the best food storage containers to the top reusable produce bags. Our picks for the best vacuum sealers to buy in 2022 are a mix of top-performing models tested in our Labs, favorites that staffers use in their own homes and well-reviewed products with unique features that impressed our analysts, based on their extensive testing experience with popular kitchen appliance brands.
Our top picks:
Scroll to the bottom of this article for more information on how we test vacuum sealers, how to choose the best vacuum sealer and more helpful FAQs.
amazon - 2/8
1) VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer
Nesco
amazon.com
$119.99
A well-priced and highly efficient machine suitable for most home cooks' needs, thanks to powerful suction, various pressure settings, an accessory port for things like jar attachments and the ability to create either a single or double seal on bags. As an added bonus, this sealer also has a built-in bag cutter and roll storage compartment. Its versatility makes it great for all kinds of activities, including vacuum sealing bags and jars for sous vide and meal prep. A large handle makes it easy to use, and the control panel is clearly labeled, a feature we look for in all kitchen appliances we test.
amazon.com - 3/8
2) Vacuum Sealer Machine
GERYON
amazon.com
$39.09
This popular food vacuum sealer is compact, lightweight, versatile and under $50. Two sealing modes are accessible via user-friendly soft touch digital buttons and it works with both vacuum sealer bags and rolls. What's more, a separated design makes the machine easy to keep clean and sanitary, since you can take off the upper lid to clean the vacuum chamber and gaskets. Just take note that online reviewers say that this vacuum sealer takes a little practice to get the seal perfected.
amazon.com - 4/8
3) Vacuum Sealer With Roll Cutter
Weston Brands
walmart.com
$370.22
Though bulkier and less attractive than other models, this machine is about as close to commercial-grade as you can get for sealing large quantities of meat. It's a real workhorse with a 680-watt, fan cooled motor that prevents overheating even during heavy use. Still, an intuitive control panel with one-touch operation ensures it's simple enough for novices to use. It can even handle 16-inch wide bags for large hunks of meat, if you like to sous vide brisket or pork butt.
Weston - 5/8
4) VS3150 Vacuum Sealer & Food Preservation System
FoodSaver
amazon.com
$175.95
This new vacuum sealer from FoodSaver does it all. It vacuum seals moist and dry food using pre-cut bags or a roll that stores within the unit; it also features a built-in handheld adaptor that can be used with resealable bags and additional attachments, like bottle-stoppers and reusable containers. We tested all of the features and found it was relatively easy to use, though positioning the bags for proper sealing took some getting used to. Vacuum-sealed chicken breast and burger patties lasted for weeks in the freezer with no signs of freezer burn, and apple slices retained their just-cut color in the fridge. It proved to be handy for sous vide and meal prep, too.
amazon - 6/8
5) Vacuum Sealer
NutriChef
amazon.com
$47.59
This machine has two dedicated modes — dry and moist — accessible with one-touch operation. The moist mode is particularly important if you tend to package marinated meats for sous vide, oily foods like fish or leftovers with residual moisture, since it'll help you get a tight seal regardless of any little droplets of liquid. We like the slip design and sleek buttons on the control panel — it makes it extra easy to wipe down. If you also like to match all of your appliances, this vacuum sealer comes in four different colors.
NutriChef - 7/8
6) Cordless Food Vacuum Sealer, Handheld
FOODSAVER
amazon.com
$76.27
Despite being extremely compact (it fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just one pound!), this handheld vacuum sealer was highly effective in our tests. After three weeks of storage, apple slices didn't brown, strawberries showed no signs of visible mold and chicken showed no signs of freezer burn. Its battery life was impressive, too: It sealed 60 FoodSaver quart-size zipper bags on a single charge. What's more, the bags are meant to be reused, which makes it a great for meal prep; plus, it's a cost-saver and a win for the environment. If you are looking for a vacuum sealer with multiple settings and lots of versatility, this isn't for you, but it's a great choice if you want to keep things easy, especially if you're new to vacuum sealing.
FoodSaver - 8/8
7) Precision Vacuum Sealer
Anova Culinary
amazon.com
61.74
For a sleek, modern option you won't mind stashing on your countertop or pulling out of a drawer, try the Anova, the same brand famed for its sous vide cooker (our top pick for the Best Soude Vide Machines of 2022). It's a great option for anyone new to vacuum sealing or sous vide because it performs well, but has just three buttons and easy-to-follow illustrative directions. This model also comes with 10 bags so that you can start vacuum sealing right away. In tests, it was relatively quick, too, sealing steaks in just 20 to 30 seconds. If there's any downside, it's that it lacks extras, like an accessory port, a bag cutter and bag storage.
Anova
