You Won't Believe How Well This $25 Handheld Food Sealer Works

When you settle on cooking that quality cut of meat you stashed in the freezer weeks earlier, there’s nothing worse than pulling it out to prep dinner and discovering a freezer-burned mess. Because this phenomenon typically occurs when food isn’t properly wrapped, a food vacuum sealer — a device that sucks the air out of a plastic bag to create optimum storage conditions — can help prevent this problem from ever occurring. It’s an investment that's well worth the money for anyone who hunts, tends to buy in bulk and freeze, or likes to defrost pre-portioned amounts for meal prep.

Food vacuum sealers work by removing air from plastic bag before sealing the bag with heat, keeping 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, and both handheld and countertop styles help food last longer (except for anaerobic bacteria, which loves oxygen-free zones and can be found in soft cheese, raw mushrooms, and fresh garlic — don't vacuum seal these!).

Over the years, we’ve tested both types of devices in the Good Housekeeping Institute, evaluating how well foods like chicken breast and hamburger patties keep without any signs of freezer burn. We also test more delicate items, like berries, to see if they can be stored without being crushed. When testing, we also asses functionality — ease of use, how intuitive the settings are, how loud the machine is, how long it takes to seal food — and any added features like built-in bag cutters and holders. Though we haven't tested all of these picks formally in the Lab, these are the best food vacuum sealers you can buy in 2021, according to testing, in-home use, and online reviews:

• Best Overall Food Vacuum Sealer: NESCO American Harvest VS-12 Vacuum Sealer
• Best Value Food Vacuum Sealer: NutriChef Vacuum Sealer
• Best-Selling Food Vacuum Sealer on Amazon: GERYON Vacuum Sealer Machine
• Best Food Vacuum Sealer for Beginners: Anova Culinary Precision Vacuum Sealer
• Best Handheld Food Vacuum Sealer: FoodSaver Cordless Food Vacuum Sealer
• Best Food Vacuum Sealer for Hunters: Weston Pro-2300 Commercial Grade Stainless Steel Vacuum Sealer
• Most Versatile Food Vacuum Sealer: FoodSaver 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine

Nesco

amazon.com

$274.92

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A well-priced and highly efficient machine suitable for most household use, 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, it also has a built-in bag cutter and roll storage compartment. A large handle makes it easy to use, and the control panel is clearly labeled, a feature we look for in all items we test.

NutriChef

amazon.com

$60.06

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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, oily foods like fish, of 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.

GERYON

amazon.com

$69.99

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It's easy to see why this food vacuum sealer has nearly 13,000 glowing reviews. It's compact and lightweight, plus easy to use and versatile. 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.

Anova Culinary

amazon.com

$79.99

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For a sleek, modern option you won't mind stashing on your countertop or taking in and out of a drawer, try the Anova. It's a great option for anyone new to vacuum sealing, because it performs well, but has just three buttons and easy-to-follow illustrative directions. 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.

FoodSaver

amazon.com

$24.99

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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 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. Battery life was impressive, too. It was sealed 60 FoodSaver quart-size zipper bags on a single charge. What's more, bags are meant to be reused—a cost-saver and a win for the environment.

Weston

homedepot.com

$299.99

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Though undoubtedly bulkier and less attractive than other models, this machine is about as close to commercial-grade as you can get for 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 its simple enough for novices to use. It can handle 16-inch wide bags, aka, a large hunk of meat!

FoodSaver

amazon.com

$199.99

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Though undeniably bulky, this two-in-one machine is a great pick if you want a vacuum sealer that does it all. It functions as both a countertop and a handheld food sealer, so you can power through mass quantities of steaks and other foods or tackle anything packaged in jars of containers. If you can keep it closeby, you'll surely use it often. Plus, there's no need to fuss with manual settings, either — this device has a special smart technology that automatically detects moisture and switches to the correct mode to ensure an airtight seal.

The best vacuum sealers are slim and can do it all (seal both dry foods and liquids, as well as pulse and seal), but it's worth considering the following factors when looking to buy:

✔️Handheld vs. countertop: If you lack space or tend to move around a lot, you'll likely prefer the maneuverability of a handheld machine, but if you rely on your food vacuum sealer often, the superior performance and durability of a countertop model may suit you better. Here's the difference:

• Handheld models typically use Ziplock-style bags that have a small port for air removal, ideal for small jobs and meal prep. They're less effective at keeping air out, though.
• Countertop models are larger and can often use both pre-cut and cut-to-size bags. They're more versatile and provide longer-lasting results since there's nowhere for the air to escape or let other air in. Most can also re-seal bags, like potato chip and cereal bags.

✔️Functions: Before buying a vacuum sealer, think about your needs. Do you need something straightforward and intuitive for simple tasks, like freezing occasional cuts of meat or leftovers? Or, do you need a do-it-all workhorse that's also designed for sous vide? Keep in mind, you can use these gadgets for practically anything: In addition to things like poultry, beef, and fish, you can also seal dry goods (flour, sugar, pasta, cookies, and even coffee beans), as well as fruits, veggies, cheese, and pre-cooked meals like soups and stews.

✔️Type of bags: If you need different sized bags for different tasks, consider buying rolls instead of pre-cut bags, since you can size these bags to fit your needs. And if you plan to sous vide, make sure you get boil-safe bags or rolls. Just remember: Not all vacuum sealer bags are compatible with all machines, so double check the model's specifications first.