We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Extend the life of your food with these handy appliances. air sealed bags for food
Hannah Selinger's IACP Award-nominated lifestyle work has appeared in numerous high-profile publications, including Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
If you’ve ever removed a pricey steak from your freezer and found it encrusted in ice crystals and its color dulled, then you know about the unfortunate effects of oxidation on food (and the disappointment that ensues when you eat that steak). As the word implies, oxidation occurs when food is exposed to oxygen. Over time this draws out the moisture in the food and causes it to deteriorate in color, taste, texture and overall quality.
Luckily, vacuum sealers are a great way to combat oxidation, and they may be the solution to all of your food storage struggles. These convenient contraptions use a suction mechanism to remove the air (i.e. oxygen) from a package of food, which helps to extend its shelf life and reduce food waste.
Vacuum sealers have another purpose beyond food storage: they are also essential for sous vide, a low-and-slow cooking method that involves placing food into a sealed plastic bag and immersing it in a water bath for a long period of time. (In fact, the word “sous vide” literally translates to “under a vacuum” in French. The more you know!)
To help you find the best vacuum sealers out of the myriad options available, we put 23 popular models to the test. After using each vacuum sealer on a variety of foods, we were able to gain a sense of which ones offer the best features and the most value. Read on to find our top picks.
When food is exposed to air, it becomes susceptible to oxidation, a chemical process that can lead to changes in an ingredient's color and flavor (think: wine turning vinegary or an avocado turning brown). It can even change a food’s nutrient content—though that you can’t usually see. To combat oxidation, a vacuum sealer sucks out the air and creates a tight seal that prevents air from leaking into the container and ruining your food.
There are two types of vacuum sealers: those that seal bags and those that seal containers. Vacuum bags are commonly used to freeze produce like berries or greens to enjoy when they're not traditionally in season, or to vacuum seal bulk purchases of meat for later use. A vacuum bag can also be used to seal foods for use in a sous vide cooker, where the aforementioned sealed food cooks in a water bath at a low temperature for an extended period of time. A vacuum bag is also great for marinating foods, as the tight seal imparts the flavor quickly. The majority of vacuum sealer bags are not reusable, however—and if they are reusable, it's only for a limited number of times. For this reason, they may not be the most cost-effective or eco-friendly choice for vacuum sealing.
Compared to the bags, vacuum sealer containers are a more budget-friendly option in the long run, as they can be used again and again. Depending on the container, the removal of air can happen in two different ways. Some vacuum sealer machines come with an attachment that fastens on the lid of the container to remove the air, and others come with either an automatic or a manual pump.
If you're looking for the best of both worlds, some models allow you to seal both containers and bags. In fact, several of the sealers on our list have both of these functions.
If you're in need of an affordable, user-friendly vacuum sealer that gets the job done efficiently, look no further than the Inkbird. This machine scored perfect 5s across the board during our testing—and it's easy to see why.
Right off the bat, we were impressed with how detailed the manufacturer's instructions were for this sealer. The sleek and intuitive control panel consists of six buttons that are clearly labeled for each of the machine's functions: "seal only," "food," "vac & seal," "pulse," "canister" and "cancel." The "seal only" button, fittingly, is what you’ll use if you only need to seal a bag without removing any air. If you press the "food" button, you can customize the sealing settings to either dry or moist; "dry" is used for sealing dry foods like cereal, rice and other pantry staples, while "moist" is for—you guessed it—moist foods like marinated meats.
The "vac & seal" button performs the standard vacuum sealing function, but if you'd like to manually control the amount of air you remove from the bag, you can use the "pulse button." (This comes in handy if when sealing soft or delicate foods like bread.) If you're sealing something other than a bag, such as a jar, you'll use the "canister" function with the included suction tube. And if you need to stop the machine for any reason while you're sealing, simply press "cancel."
When we tested the Inkbird, we loved how versatile it was, allowing us to seal everything from Chex mix cereal to marinated beef to sliced avocados with ease. We especially loved the pulse function, which gave us complete control over the power and suction of the machine. We also appreciated that the Inkbird included bags, a built-in bag cutter, a suction hose and a few replacement parts like an extra sealing strip and a replacement foam gasket—all for an approachable price of $80. (And if you ask us, this machine is worth every penny.)
Our only gripe? This thing can be a bit tedious to clean. The sealing tray is not removable, and liquids can get trapped in the nooks and crannies, which are difficult to reach with a towel. That aside, we think the Inkbird makes a stellar choice for anyone looking to amp up their kitchen toolkit with a quality vacuum sealer.
Dimensions: 14.7”L x 6.1”W x 3.15”H inches | Settings: 5 | Bags Included: Yes | Additional Accessories: Suction tube, extra vacuum sealing strip, foam gasket replacement
What we like: This versatile and straightforward machine offers plenty of bells and whistles at a very affordable price point.
What to know: The suction on the machine can be inconsistent at times.
If you’re looking for a true multifunctional sealer that includes all of the essentials, it’s hard to do better than the Bonsenkitchen Food Sealer Machine. Equipped with a straightforward user manual, a built-in bag cutter and an entire roll of vacuum bags, the Bonsenkitchen Food Sealer Machine allows you to start sealing right away without buying any special accouterments. It also comes with a suction tube, which you can use to seal containers, jars and even bottles of wine.
The Bonsenkitchen machine has five buttons for different functions—“seal,” “dry,” “moist,” “vac” and “accessory.” The first three buttons are pretty straightforward: “Seal” is for sealing bags without removing air, and “dry” and “moist” refer to the type and texture of the food you're sealing. The “vac” button lets you manually control how much air is removed from the bag as you seal, and if you’re using the suction tube, you’ll press the “accessory” button.
In testing, this machine was a top performer, handling a variety of different products without skipping a beat. However, we did notice that, when using the “moist” setting to seal some marinated chicken, some of the marinade got sucked out during the process. Because of this, we had to run the bag through the machine a few times to get a good seal. To keep this from happening, make sure that you don’t overfill the bags before sealing them.
Dimensions: 15.39”L x 7.05”W x 2.95”H inches | Settings: 5 | Bags Included: Yes | Additional Accessories: Suction tube
At $41, this GERYON Vacuum Sealer is the cheapest option on our list. But don't let the low price tag fool you—this thing packs a punch, and it scored high marks across nearly every category in our rounds of testing.
This model performed incredibly well when sealing our avocados—in fact, out of all the sealers we tested, this one did the best job with them. We were also able to seal our Chex mix with minimal crushing when we used the "gentle" setting. And despite the fact that the instruction manual advises against sealing moist foods with this machine, we had no issues sealing a bag of carrots tossed in olive oil.
One thing to keep in mind is that this machine requires a brief refractory period between sealings. This means that after you finish sealing one bag, you'll have to wait for the machine to cool down for 40 seconds before sealing another. While there aren't a ton of luxe features on this machine, we think it's a great option if you want to get the job done without spending much.
Dimensions: 14.6”L x 5.67”W x 3.3”H | Settings: 7 | Bags Included: Yes | Additional Accessories: Air suction hose
What we like: This ultra-luxe chamber machine offers a touchscreen control panel with multiple settings, including "infuse/extract" and "compress/pickle."
What to know: Works a little better with dry foods than wet.
Looking to try out a chamber-style vacuum sealer? This Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer is a splurge-worthy option. Boasting a wealth of functions and features, including "infuse/extract," "compress/pickle" and "dry/cool," this Anova sealer gives you the flexibility to accomplish multiple tasks with one tool. There are also manual vacuum and sealing settings, which you can use to seal foods at either "normal" or "strong" levels.
At first glance, this device looks more like a printer-scanner combo machine than a vacuum sealer—but lifting the glossy glass lid reveals a roomy inner chamber where all the sealing magic happens. To use this sealer, you'll fill one of the pre-cut bags (which are included with the sealer) with your food of choice. Then, slip the open side of the bag under the sealing bar, secure it with the latch and close the lid. When you're ready to vacuum seal your food, press the "vacuum" button on the touchscreen control panel and select either "strong" or "normal." Then, simply sit back and let the machine do its thing.
Unlike traditional vacuum sealers, which simply suck the air out of the bags before sealing them, this chamber sealer starts by inflating the bag with air. After roughly 30 seconds, the air is suddenly sucked out of the chamber (including the bag). The bag is then sealed and ready to go.
When we put this Anova chamber sealer to the test, it did an excellent job with our Chex mix. None of our cereal was crushed in the process—we didn't even hear any crackling sounds. We also used the machine to seal a bag of carrots with olive oil, and while it eventually sealed the bag effectively, we did encounter some trial-and-error along the way. The first time we tried sealing the carrots, there were some gaps along the seal and quite a bit of air left in the bag. After some troubleshooting, we discovered that the bag opening was not properly aligned on the sealing bar, which led to the gaps in the seal. So, we transferred the carrots and oil into a fresh bag and tried again—making sure to align the bag properly this time—and we were able to achieve a tight, secure seal on our carrots.
Overall, we think this Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer makes a great choice for avid cooks who prioritize versatility. But if you're new to the world of vacuum sealers, you may wish to skip this pricey machine in favor of a more basic, wallet-friendly model.
Dimensions: 11.2”L x 13.6”W x 8.9”H | Settings: 7 | Bags Included: Yes | Additional Accessories: N/A
What we like: An affordable machine that can even reseal your favorite bottle of wine.
What to know: It may be best to stick to small jobs with this one.
Equipped with multiple sealing modes, including “normal,” “gentle,” “dry” and “moist,” this affordable NutriChef model allows you to seal anything from poached foods to raw proteins to dried fruit and nuts. The sealer comes with five medium-sized, reusable vacuum bags, as well as an entire roll of extra-large bags. As a bonus, the NutriChef comes with an air suction hose and a wine stopper cork, which you can use to reseal a bottle of leftover wine to prevent it from premature oxidation.
In testing, this machine created a tight seal around our avocado and chicken breast. However, the sealer did demonstrate some strain with heavy use, meaning that it may be best for short jobs and not bulk sealing. Additionally, when sealing a bag of Chex cereal, we noticed that most of the Chex got crushed during the sealing process, even though we used the “gentle” setting. For this reason, we think the NutriChef may not be the best for sealing delicate foods.
Dimensions: 6.07”L x 14.18”W x 3”H | Settings: 2 | Bags Included: Yes | Additional Accessories: Air suction hose, wine stopper cork
What we like: This flexible, beginner-friendly set allows you to seal food in either plastic containers or reusable bags.
What to know: You may need to purchase extra containers for added storage.
If this is your first foray into using a vacuum sealer, the Zwilling Fresh & Save 7-Piece Vacuum Starter Set is what we recommend. This approachable set comes with one handheld, rechargeable vacuum sealer, plus two plastic storage containers and four reusable, BPA-free sealer bags in both small and medium sizes. There’s also a downloadable Zwilling Culinary World app that you can use in tandem with the sealer, which helps keep track of the shelf life of your food.
When we tested this sealer, we loved how streamlined and intuitive it was. We found the automatic pump to be extremely easy to use, particularly for those who are less technologically inclined, and since there’s only one vacuum setting, there’s no guesswork.
One important note, however: Do not use this device to seal wet foods. (In fact, the instructions specifically tell you to avoid liquids when using this sealer.) In the name of testing, we tried using the Zwilling on a package of marinated chicken breast, and the results were not pretty. Some of the marinade got sucked up into the device, resulting in an absolute headache of a cleaning process. So, learn from our mistakes and only use this machine for dry foods.
Dimensions: 1.97"L x 1.97"W x 7.48"H | Settings: 1 | Bags Included: Yes | Additional Accessories: Plastic storage containers, downloadable app
What we like: A durable luxury buy with a wealth of extra features.
What to know: It’s one of the priciest machines on our list.
Although the FoodSaver V4400 comes with a higher price tag, it’s worth considering due to the plentiful extras. It boasts multiple smart technology features, including an automatic bag and moisture detection. Thanks to the automatic bag detection feature, you can simply slide your bag into the machine and it will start sealing as soon as the bag is detected. And if you’re sealing a bag with liquids in it, the automatic moisture detection will kick in and ensure an extra-tight seal.
The FoodSaver comes with a built-in bag cutter and storage for the bag roll, plus both “dry” and “moist” vacuum settings. There’s also a built-in handheld sealer that you can use for jars or containers. A pull-out drip tray prevents messes from seeping into the countertop, and you can place the tray in the dishwasher after use.
The machine itself is strong and durable, working both quickly and effectively to seal foods. When we tested this sealer, it created an extremely tight seal around everything we put into it, including chicken, avocado and Chex cereal. However, due to its powerful suction mechanism, roughly half of our Chex got crushed into breadcrumb consistency, so we suggest sticking to non-delicate foods with this machine.
Dimensions: 11”L x 20”W x 12”H inches | Settings: 4 | Bags Included: Yes | Additional Accessories: Drip tray, handheld sealer
What we like: A streamlined machine that treats delicate foods with care.
What to know: Not recommended for wet foods.
With multiple settings including “pulse vacuum,” “seal” and “vacuum and seal,” this sleek Anova machine lets you customize your sealing experience to fit whatever food you’re working with. The sealer also comes with 50 pre-cut bags plus two extra rolls, and there’s a non-removable drip tray to catch any stray bits that may seep out during the sealing process.
The manual pulse vacuum feature is why we recommend this sealer for soft and delicate foods—it gives you control of the rate at which air leaves the bag. Thanks to that particular setting, we were able to seal a bag of Chex cereal with virtually no crushing. We think the pulse setting is “about as gentle as it could possibly be,” since you’re essentially controlling the vacuum yourself with the touch of a button. We think this model would also work well when sealing soft foods like berries, which are often bruised when air leaves the bag too quickly.
That said, we’d advise against using the “automatic” sealing function for delicate foods; when we tried this setting on our Chex mix, most of the cereal got crushed. Additionally, for this particular Anova model, the manufacturer states not to seal any foods containing liquids, so keep this in mind before investing in this vacuum sealer.
Dimensions: 16.73”L x 4.8”W x 3.14”H | Settings: 3 | Bags Included: Yes | Additional Accessories: N/A
What we like: A powerful and comprehensive machine that seals dry foods with ease.
What to know: Lacks extra features, like a drip tray.
When it comes to sealing dry foods, the Nesco Deluxe sealer was one of our top performers. When testing this Nesco sealer, fragile items like pretzels held up well, as did a variety of other foods like uncooked bacon and half of a peeled banana.
This model features three seal settings, including “dry,” “moist” and “double,” plus a manual pulse setting for delicate items like cereal or bread. We’ll note that there's not a specific “gentle” setting for delicate items like cereal or bread, but you can use the “pulse” setting to seal these items without crushing or squishing them. While there’s no drip tray or hose attachment included, the Nesco Deluxe does come with two rolls of bags, a built-in cutter and a bag storage compartment.
Although the instruction manual states that you can seal liquids with this machine, we’d advise against that. When we used the Nesco to seal our marinated chicken breast, we noticed that the seal wasn’t as tight as it was with our avocado or our Chex cereal. Additionally, some of the juices from the chicken got sucked into the machine, seeped out of the bottom and made a big mess (which was exacerbated by the lack of a drip tray). We recommend sticking to dry foods with the Nesco—you’ll thank us later.
Dimensions: 15.75”L x 8”W x 4.5”H | Settings: 3 | Bags Included: Yes | Additional Accessories: N/A
If you’re looking for an all-around efficient vacuum sealer at a wallet-friendly price point, we love the Inkbird Vacuum Sealer (view at Amazon). This user-friendly powerhouse scored perfect marks in all categories during our testing, and we love that it includes bags and a built-in cutter. The Bonsenkitchen Food Sealer Machine (view at Amazon) is another stellar choice, boasting a multitude of settings and a complimentary roll of bags, as well. If you’re new to vacuum sealing, we recommend the handheld Zwilling Fresh & Save 7-Piece Vacuum Starter Set (view at Amazon), which we found easy to use and extremely comprehensive, despite a slightly higher price point.
The goal of vacuum sealing is to keep air out of your food for a prolonged period of time. So, when selecting a vacuum sealer, it’s important to consider how effective it is at creating an airtight seal—and if it is equipped to handle the types of foods you’ll be sealing, whether that’s dry foods like nuts or grains or wet foods like marinated meats. You’ll also want to consider how well the sealer handles bulk jobs if you plan to preserve large batches of items (more on that below).
Manufacturers often use inches of mercury (inHg) to denote the strength of a vacuum’s suction power, but not all sealers have this indication listed. Instead, you may want to look for the wattage, which is a more standard power measure, to give a sense of how strong each machine would be. The strength of the vacuum sealer will make a difference if you intend to seal bulk items, or if you intend to use the sealer for a prolonged period of time. Generally speaking, vacuum sealers under 200 watts may not be able to handle bigger jobs.
When it comes to user-friendliness, vacuum sealers range from super easy to quite challenging, and novices may want to take this into account when purchasing a model. Handheld models like the Zwilling, which seals both containers and bags, can be easier to operate than some of the larger and bulkier countertop models. On the flipside, more experienced home cooks may want to opt for a more professional-grade countertop sealer like the FoodSaver. While this one may require more of a deep-dive into the instruction manual, you’ll have many more settings to choose from when sealing your food.
If you intend to use your vacuum sealer for the sole purpose of packaging and freezing food, some of the simpler, more straightforward models will do the trick. But if you’re looking for a vacuum sealer that does it all, from sealing marinated foods to closing up wine bottles and jarred items, you may want to consider a higher-end model that offers more bells and whistles.
In order to find the best possible vacuum sealer, we rounded up 23 popular sealers from various brands and conducted a series of tests to see how they stacked up. First, with each model, we sealed a variety of items, such as Chex cereal, a halved avocado and marinated chicken breasts, before rating each machine on a range of criteria including ease of use, performance, suction power and versatility.
We also tested how much air the sealer removed and how well it continued to keep air out. To do this, we stored vacuum sealed spinach, avocado and strawberries in the refrigerator for two weeks before moving those items to the freezer, where they were then stored for one month. In the sealed containers, we looked to see whether or not the produce had browned, wilted or decomposed compared to produce that had been stored in regular, non-vacuum-sealed containers.
FoodSaver VS3150 Vacuum Sealer & Food Preservation System ($221 at Amazon): We liked this top-of-the-line model, which comes with four settings, roll storage and a built-in cutter. That said, we found that the updated FoodSaver V4400 on our list, with its drip tray, was a better fit for those looking for a luxury upgrade.
FoodSaver Elite All-in-One Liquid+ Vacuum Sealer ($340 at Amazon): We appreciated the wealth of functions this machine offers, and we found it relatively easy to use. However, when we were sealing our carrots with the FoodSaver Elite, we noticed a lot of air was left in the bag. Ultimately, this vacuum sealer underperformed when compared to other models on our list—especially when considering its steep price tag.
Dash SuperSeal Vacuum Sealer ($70 at Amazon): This model struggled a bit when we were sealing our carrots with olive oil, which makes us think it's better suited for dry foods than moist. It also comes with a detachable bag cutter, which sounds convenient in theory; however, we found it a bit clunky and difficult to use, and it didn't always cut our bags effectively.
Vacuum seal bags are recommended—not only are they made of a material that can be adequately sealed, but also they provide an appropriate barrier to ensure they will hold a vacuum. Regular plastic bags may not work because they may allow oxygen to enter the package after it has been sealed. Vacuum seal bags are often textured, which also promotes efficiency and a better seal.
Under most conditions, many foods can be vacuum sealed. Raw and cooked foods that have been vacuum sealed should be kept frozen, then cooked or reheated after thawing out in the fridge. Dry foods like seeds, nuts and spices can also be sealed and then stored frozen, under refrigeration or at room temperature.
How long any food lasts—including vacuum sealed foods—depends on how it is being stored. Even food that’s frozen will degrade in quality over time. For a more comprehensive understanding of how long food lasts when refrigerated and frozen, refer to the FDA’s Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Chart.
Hannah Selinger is a James Beard Award-nominated writer who has written about food and drinks since 2015. A former sommelier and a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, Hannah has worked for some of New York’s top restaurant groups.
vacuum food bag This article was edited and updated by Kayleigh Drake, a former full-time baker and current EatingWell commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats and Simply Recipes. It was reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., R.D., Senior Commerce Editor, who has 15 years of experience reporting, writing, and editing nutrition and health content. An earlier version of this article was written by Alex Loh and it still contains some of her writing and recommendations.