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Amazon Basics Vacuum Sealer Review

This inexpensive and easy to use machine can seal bag after bag to just the right amount of suction
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Amazon Basics Vacuum Sealer Review (In opposition to the trend to put touch screens on every electronic possible, we preferred sealers that had good ol'...)
In opposition to the trend to put touch screens on every electronic possible, we preferred sealers that had good ol' tactile push-buttons with clearly marked labels.
Credit: Laura Casner
Price:  $50 List
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Manufacturer:   AmazonBasics
By Nick Miley, David Wise and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Feb 15, 2022
72
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 11
  • Sealing Performance - 40% 7.0
  • Convenience - 30% 7.0
  • Delicate Foods - 20% 9.0
  • Suction Power - 10% 5.0

Our Verdict

The Amazon Basics Vacuum Sealer is a leader in the class as it is competitively priced, easy to operate, and, most importantly, effective. This vacuum sealer boasts onboard bag storage and a cutting tool, as well as an auxiliary pump to use on standard kitchen containers. Finally, this appliance has a practical size and weight, such that it is heavy-duty without being burdensome. It doesn't have the most powerful vacuum, but we didn't feel let down by this in regards to performance, especially when more delicate food items needed to be sealed. Its great performance and unbeatable price tag make the Amazon Basics easy to recommend as our favorite model. See how the rest of the competition ranks next to this one in our best vacuum sealer review.
REASONS TO BUY
Integrated bag roll and cutter
Limited overheating issues
Auxiliary suction hose
Excellent price
REASONS TO AVOID
No drip tray
So-so suction power
Editor's Note: The Amazon Basics Vacuum Sealer review was updated on February 15th, 2022, with additional information on what we would buy and more in-depth comparisons for competing products.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Vacuum Sealer
Top Pick Award
Best for Delicate Foods
   
Price $50 List$70 List$70 List
$59.00 at Amazon
$120 List$70 List
$35.70 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line This affordable and convenient unit can seal up to 30 bags in a row while remaining gentle on tender foodThis relatively inexpensive unit is packed with convenience features, is easy to operate, and has a soft touch for delicate foodsThis sealer offers above-average performance particularly in delicate foods assessmentThis mid-size model is convenient and generally performs well across the boardWhile not a leader in any of our evaluations, this model is nonetheless functional and quite inexpensive
Rating Categories Amazon Basics Vacuu... Mueller Vacuum Sealer NutriChef PKVS18BK FoodSaver FM2000 Geryon E2900-MS
Sealing Performance (40%)
7.0
6.0
6.0
7.0
4.0
Convenience (30%)
7.0
6.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
Delicate Foods (20%)
9.0
10.0
8.0
5.0
6.0
Suction Power (10%)
5.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
6.0
Specs Amazon Basics Vacuu... Mueller Vacuum Sealer NutriChef PKVS18BK FoodSaver FM2000 Geryon E2900-MS
Measured Vacuum Strength @ 6200' 14.5 -inHg 19 -inHg 18 -inHg 15 -inHg 16.5 -inHg
Measured Weight 3.1 lbs 2.7 lbs 2.9 lbs 3.7 Ibs 2.2 lbs
Air Suction Hose Included? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Removable Tray? No No No Yes No
Built-in Roll Storage? Yes No No No No
Built-in Bag Cutter? Yes No No No No
Measured Seal Thickness 3 mm 2 mm 2.5 mm 3mm 2 mm
Measured Average Seal Time 9 seconds 6 seconds 7 seconds 13 seconds 6 seconds

Our Analysis and Test Results

What sets the Amazon Basics sealer apart from the rest of the pack is that it has a simple design that is effective and affordable. The unit's dimensions are relatively compact, and the weight is no burden at all. The model has welcome features such as integrated bag storage and a bag cutter. Additionally, it has a hose that allows you to remove air from common food and beverage containers. All and all, one would be hard-pressed to beat this sealer at any price.

Performance Comparison


amazon basics vacuum sealer - this sealer is a leader in our review for its all-around top-notch...
This sealer is a leader in our review for its all-around top-notch performance throughout our testing regimen and an unbeatable price point.
Credit: Laura Casner

Sealing Performance


Amid stiff competition, the Amazon Basics secured a leading position in this metric because it can seal an awful lot of bags in one go. Much of the competition required a cool-off period after packing around ten bags, but this one will keep up the pace for 30 or more. Add an above-average seal width (3mm), and it is clear that this machine is designed for regular use.

We employ a few basic tests to inform our appraisal of vacuum sealers. As was mentioned above, we measure the width of the heat seal. We do this because a thin seal is indicative of a subpar heating element that produces a poor closure of the bag ends. The Basics seal is robust but not over the top for typical applications. We also tested the unit for the number of bags sealed. We used dry rice in this procedure and were nearly exhausted when this machine finally threw in the towel. Finally, we measured how much time each sealer needed to package certain foods.


We analyzed the machines' start to finish sealing times with four variations of the bag contents — bread, dry rice, ground beef, and sausage links. While the Basics didn't perform terribly, its sealing times were clustered around the class averages. Despite its middling pace, this sealer remained an overall leader in the sealing evaluation.

amazon basics vacuum sealer - this unit has rapid sealing times that set the standard for the...
This unit has rapid sealing times that set the standard for the review class.
Credit: Laura Casner

Convenience


The convenience metric concerns the machines' ease of use as defined by specific features that reduce the workload and make the device more versatile. The Amazon Basics did not fail to impress in this category as it is chock-full with nifty doodads, including a control interface that is both simple to learn and very responsive.


We have found that an integrated bag holder and cutter are a great time saver as one is never looking for materials and tools, so we're glad the Amazon Basics sealer offers these features. It was also pleasing to see that this unit has an auxiliary pump for removing air from various containers such as wine bottles and zipper bags. Additionally, this sealer is operated with push buttons instead of the overly sensitive (and annoying) touch interfaces used by some of the competition. Finally, the dimensions and weight of this unit are reasonable and manageable. If there is one thing the Basics is missing, it's a removable drip tray that would help to streamline clean-up.

amazon basics vacuum sealer - this machine has the convenience of onboard bag storage and a...
This machine has the convenience of onboard bag storage and a cutting tool.
Credit: Laura Casner

Delicate Foods


No one wants to take the time to preserve food with a vacuum sealer only to have it be the worse for the wear. As such, we took the time to test how the sealers in our review handled delicate foods. Happily, the Amazon Basics has a gentle touch, as was demonstrated using a pair of soft and airy white bread slices.


It doesn't take an experimental physicist to show which sealers can pull air out of a vessel slowly and steadily enough to prevent constriction of the contents. For this test, we placed two slices of bread into a bag and began to remove the air by the usual means. However, as the negative pressure reached the compression point, we began to pulse the on/off button to allow the remaining air to work its way to the bag opening. The Basics performed well in this evaluation due to its immediate response when the on/off button was pressed. It also did not release the suction when cycled off. As such, the bread in question was near-perfectly preserved both in form and quality.

amazon basics vacuum sealer - the ability to pulse the suction pump at the end of the sealing...
The ability to pulse the suction pump at the end of the sealing process allows air to escape the bag without overly compressing the contents. This is great for more delicate fare and something the Amazon Basics sealer offers.
Credit: Laura Casner

Suction Power


While there is a certain measure of subjective analysis in any product review, we love it when we get to run a purely objective test. Such is the case with the suction metric. This category relies on a single test that quantifies the amount of suction produced by each machine as measured in inches of mercury (in. Hg). We used a built-to-purpose gauge that tied directly into a vacuum bag as it was suctioned. In the case of the Amazon Basics, the machine can pull 14.5 in. Hg, which is quite low for our tested sealers. Power is the one metric where this sealer scored poorly, though we don't feel it negatively affected its overall performance.


Should You Buy the Amazon Basics Vacuum Sealer?


This hands-on review of the Amazon Basics shows our in-depth analysis of the performance characteristics as well as the features that make the kitchen appliance both easy to use and effective. After sealing various foods, this model is one of the best vacuum sealers and is excellent at preserving without smashing the stored items. You can't really go wrong with this unit as it is both a leader in performance and it's competitively priced.

What Other Vacuum Sealers Should You Consider?


The Amazon Basics is undoubtedly a hot deal. This machine performs at a level comparable to much more expensive products yet costs the same as some budget models. Now, that's value. We think this vacuum sealer is a suitable choice for almost everyone. However, if you are an avid hunter or angler looking for a machine that can handle super heavy-duty use to process a successful haul, then you may want to check out the Weston Pro 2300. It is not great with delicate foods but has one of the most robust suction measurements in our tests, making it perfect for solid chunks of meat.

Nick Miley, David Wise and Austin Palmer