Most kitchens need a countertop (edge) sealer for freezing meat, sous vide and pantry goods. Buy a chamber sealer if you seal soups and marinades or buy meat in bulk. We compared 11 models across all three types.
- Best overallAnova Precision Vacuum Sealer ProAbout $100
- Best chamber sealerAnova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer$374 list
- Best valueFoodSaver FM2100About $90
- Strongest suctionNesco VS-12 Deluxe$149.99 list
- Most automaticFoodSaver V4400 2-in-1About $235
- Best cordlessChef Preserve Compact Vacuum SealerAbout $99
The top picks side by side
| Model | Price | Seal bar or bags | Liquids | Warranty | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro | About $100 | 11.8 in rolls | Wet mode; freeze liquids first | 2 years | Double seal, roll cutter, accessory port |
| FoodSaver FM2100 | About $90 | 11 in rolls | No | 5 years (limited) | Built-in roll cutter |
| Nesco VS-12 Deluxe | $149.99 list | 11.8" | Moist mode; not for liquids | 1 year | Gentle and pulse modes, cutter and roll storage |
| FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1 | About $235 | 11 in rolls | No | See FoodSaver | Automatic bag detection, handheld for containers |
Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro
- Price
- About $100
- Type
- Countertop (edge)
- Seal bar or bags
- 11.8 in rolls
- Liquids
- Wet mode; freeze liquids first
- Pump
- Single pump
- Warranty
- 2 years
The Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro does everything most people need for about $100: a double seal for sous vide, a wet mode for juicy meat, a built-in roll cutter, and an accessory port for jars and canisters. It's backed by a two-year warranty.
In Healthy Recipes 101's test it pulled about 67 kPa and passed the sous vide seal test on its default setting, but it was loud (about 83 dB) and the lid has to be pressed in the center to lock evenly.
What we like
- Double seal and wet mode
- Accessory port
- 2-year warranty
What to know
- Loud
- Plastic body
- Press the lid in the center
Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer
- Price
- $374 list
- Type
- Chamber
- Seal bar or bags
- 11.8"
- Liquids
- Yes
- Chamber size
- 12 × 8.6 × 3 in
- Pump
- Dry pump, no oil
If you seal liquids or a lot of meat, skip edge sealers entirely. The Anova Precision Chamber has a 12 × 8.6 × 3 in chamber, an 11.8 in seal bar and a maintenance-free dry pump, with infuse, compress and dry-food programs. List price is $374; Anova had it at $279 when we checked.
What we like
- Seals liquids cleanly
- Dry pump, no oil
- 2-year warranty
What to know
- $374 list
- No accessory port for jars
FoodSaver FM2100
- Price
- About $90
- Type
- Countertop (edge)
- Seal bar or bags
- 11 in rolls
- Liquids
- No
- Pump
- Single pump
- Warranty
- 5 years (limited)
FoodSaver's FM2100 is a simple one-touch sealer with a built-in roll cutter and a five-year limited warranty, the longest in the category. Prepared States listed it at $89.99. You position each bag by hand, and Healthy Recipes 101 rated it only fair at protecting crushable snacks.
What we like
- 5-year limited warranty
- Built-in cutter
- Around $90
What to know
- Manual bag positioning
- Loud when struggling
Nesco VS-12 Deluxe
- Price
- $149.99 list
- Type
- Countertop (edge)
- Seal bar or bags
- 11.8"
- Liquids
- Moist mode; not for liquids
- Pump
- Double pump, 130 W
- Warranty
- 1 year
The Nesco VS-12 had the strongest suction Healthy Recipes 101 measured, about 80 kPa, from a 130-watt double pump. It has dry, moist, gentle and double-seal modes, a pulse button, a cutter and roll storage. It was also the loudest they tested, and it took three runs to get a sous vide-ready seal.
What we like
- 80 kPa in testing
- Many modes
- Cutter and roll storage
What to know
- Loudest tested
- 1-year warranty
- Bulky
FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1
- Price
- About $235
- Type
- Countertop (edge)
- Seal bar or bags
- 11 in rolls
- Liquids
- No
- Pump
- Automatic
- Warranty
- See FoodSaver
The FoodSaver V4400 detects the bag and seals it automatically, which speeds up long freezer-stocking sessions. It includes a handheld attachment for containers. It's bulkier than basic sealers and isn't for liquids.
What we like
- Automatic bag detection
- Handheld for containers
What to know
- About $235
- Not for liquids
Chef Preserve Compact Vacuum Sealer
- Price
- About $99
- Type
- Handheld
- Seal bar or bags
- None (reusable bags)
- Liquids
- No
- Pump
- Cordless, rechargeable
- Warranty
- See Chef Preserve
Chef Preserve's handheld seals its reusable bags in about five seconds and runs about three hours per charge, per Healthy Recipes 101. It only works with its own bags, and its freezer seal is weaker than a countertop machine's.
What we like
- Cordless
- Reusable bags
What to know
- Proprietary bags
- Not for long-term freezing
Suction (kPa) and noise (dB) figures come from Healthy Recipes 101's test of 18 sealers; the USV32 figures come from Taste of Home's test. We haven't run these tests ourselves, and we say whose test each number is from.
How to choose
- Liquids decide the type. Edge sealers pull liquid toward the pump; chamber sealers don't. See chamber vs edge.
- Bags are the running cost. Edge sealers need textured bags; chamber sealers use smooth pouches that cost less per bag. See chamber bags vs embossed bags.
- Double seal for sous vide. Two seal lines are less likely to fail in a long water bath.
- Warranty. From one year (Nesco, Avid Armor) to five years limited (FoodSaver FM2100).
Questions
What's the best vacuum sealer for most people?
A countertop sealer with a double seal and a wet mode, like the Anova Precision Pro, for about $100.
Are chamber vacuum sealers better?
For liquids and bulk sealing, yes. For occasional freezing and sous vide, an edge sealer is cheaper and smaller.
