The 3 Best Vacuum Sealers

Our Picks of Vacuum Sealers

Best Overall Vacuum Sealer

Nesco Deluxe VS-12

The Nesco Deluxe VS-12 strikes an impressive balance between performance, thoughtful design, and versatility. This model outperformed all others during our in-house suction testing, delivering 21.0 inches of mercury (the units used to measure vacuum pressure), more than any other model tested, including those designed for commercial use, such as the Weston Pro 2300. During day-to-day testing, one tester commented, “I found this model to be reliable, with fewer bag suction failures than any other model in our lineup.” What really stands out about the Nesco Deluxe is its feature-rich design, which includes an integrated bag roll holder and built-in cutter, both convenient additions to help reduce counter clutter and prep time. It also has a simple-to-use lever closure system that testers particularly liked, noting that it frees up your hands and helps to ensure a solid grip on your bags.

Measured Weight	6.0 lbs
Measured Dimensions	15.6"L x 7.8"W x 4.5"H
Measured Vacuum Strength @ 6200'	21.0 -inHg
Measured Seal Thickness (Option Tested)	2 options: single 3.0 mm or two 3.0 mm double seals with 3 mm gap in between (single 3.0 mm)
Additional functions / modes avaliable	Double seal, moist, normal pressure, gentle pressure, canister, marinate, pulsee

Of course, the Nesco Deluxe VS-12 isn't flawless. Averaging 16 seconds, this appliance took longer to seal each bag than most models in the group. However, its resulting reliability and the option to choose a double seal make it well worth the wait. According to lead tester Sara James, “I am willing to wait a few seconds longer to do the job properly; I want to walk away from my sealed food packages with confidence.” The VS-12's feature-rich design is larger than most other models tested, occupying precious counter space. Those with smaller kitchens may prefer a slimmer, more minimalist design like the MegaWise One Touch, FoodSaver VS1050 Compact, or Mueller. The first two also offer a removable drip tray, a useful feature the Nesco lacks; without it, cleanup can become more time-consuming, especially when sealing juicy items. Still, its consistent performance, ease of use, and range of functions make it a strong contender for the everyday user who wants reliability and flexibility without stepping into commercial-grade territory.

Best Bang for the Buck

Mueller Vacuum Sealer

The Mueller Vacuum Sealer stands out for its simplicity, reliability, compact footprint, and price. It performed consistently during our testing rounds, thoroughly sucking every bit of air out of the bags and sealing them with consistency. While it doesn't feature an integrated bag cutter or roll holder like the bulkier Nesco Deluxe VS-12 or FoodSaver V4400, the Mueller's user-friendly button interface and automatic sealing modes make it a breeze for beginners. It features a moist/dry food setting and an accessory port, providing sufficient flexibility to handle a wide range of vacuum sealing tasks. It also excels at sealing fragile foods, with a unique, gentle setting that ensures delicate morsels won't get an unnecessary tenderizing treatment during sealing. Our testers also appreciated how lightweight it is at just under 2.5 pounds, making it easy to store in a drawer or cabinet when not in use, ideal for smaller kitchens or occasional users.

Measured Weight	2.3 lbs
Measured Dimensions	15.0"L x 6.0"W x 2.4"H
Measured Vacuum Strength @ 6200'	15.0 -inHg
Measured Seal Thickness (Option Tested)	2.5 mm
Additional functions / modes avaliable	Wet, soft, adapter

While the Mueller does not offer a specific pulse mode as seen on other models like the MegaWise One Touch and Nesco Deluxe VS-12, a sensitive “Vac/Seal” button can be used in a similar manner, allowing you to control the amount of suction so you remove just the right amount of air out. A bigger design miss, in our opinion, is its lack of a drip tray. One tester was quick to point out, “Without a removable tray, it can be a lot more challenging to clean up after sealing wet foods — a shortcoming that dropped the score slightly for this otherwise great product.” One other design deficiency noted during testing: the sealer overheats after sealing more than approximately 15 bags in a row, causing any following bags to melt around the seam slightly. Although we found that this can be avoided by giving the machine a couple of minutes to cool down, anyone who needs to seal in bulk may find such a delay a nuisance. Despite these limitations, the Mueller stands out as one of the best value picks in our lineup. It's an especially appealing choice for users who want reliable sealing performance without investing in a bulkier, feature-heavy machine.

A Great Compact and Convenient Option

MegaWise One Touch

The MegaWise One Touch delivers strong performance packed into a compact, user-friendly design. Our lead tester reports, “I found this the quickest to vacuum and seal bags across all our speed tests, and at just under 2.5 pounds and measuring roughly 15 by 4 by 3 inches, it will tuck neatly into tight kitchens or RV galley spaces.” The MegaWise also has a pulse option to control just how much air is sucked out of the back, making it perfect for working with delicate foods such as biscuits or berries. Among several other standout features is its built‑in sliding cutter with a measured ruler. This timesaver was especially appreciated by our test team, who report, “You can size bags on demand with ease — no extra tools needed.” While other models like the Nesco Deluxe VS-12 and FoodSaver V4400 may also include built-in cutters, the devices are substantially bulkier designs and do not include a measured ruler.

Measured Weight	2.4 lbs
Measured Dimensions	15.0"L x 4.1"W x 2.6"H
Measured Vacuum Strength @ 6200'	12.0 -inHg
Measured Seal Thickness (Option Tested)	3 options: thin 2.5 mm, medium 3.0 mm, thick 4.0 mm (medium 3.0 mm)
Additional functions / modes avaliable	Dry, moist, wet, wet and cold; thick, medium, thick bag type; pulse.

Although there is much to like in the compact MegaWise One Touch, we saw disappointing results in our suction test, where it delivered less suction power than all other machines in our lineup. Even other slimline designs, such as the Mueller Vacuum Sealer and FoodSaver VS1050 Compact, performed noticeably better. Similarly, while we appreciate the option to program a preferred bag type — selecting a thin, medium, or thick seal — we found the medium and thick settings sometimes melted through our bags during sealing. Yet, despite these setbacks, the One Touch delivered a comparatively reliable performance overall, fully collapsing bags around everything we presented, from rice to frozen meat. For those seeking a budget-friendly, feature-heavy vacuum sealer that's easy to use, takes up minimal space, and is surprisingly effective for everyday kitchen tasks, it remains a great choice.

Why Trust GearLab

As part of our rigorous side-by-side evaluation of vacuum sealers, we used a wide variety of food items, including berries, ground beef, sausages, and dried goods. We also spent many hours comparing the ease of sealing these different foods and the overall convenience of using each machine. Finally, we used a custom-built negative pressure gauge to objectively measure which models had the strongest suction power.

Our assessment of vacuum sealers is divided into four rating metrics:

• Sealing Performance (40% of overall score weighting)

• Convenience (30% of overall score weighting)

• Delicate Foods (20% of overall score weighting)

• Suction Power (10% of overall score weighting)

All vacuum sealers in this review undergo more than 17 individual evaluations, with the highest-value metric being Sealing Performance, which is based on eight different tests alone. Our scores are the result of extensive research, tester feedback, and objective lab results, comparing the advertised benefits and features of all products with our in-use results.

Our team of experts includes Austin Palmer, Genaveve Bradshaw, and Sara James, a group who has collectively tested and reviewed hundreds of different kitchen appliances ranging from juicers to top bread machines. They all frequently use these products at home as well — Austin is somewhat of a BBQ master, Sara loves to stock her freezer with freshly caught seafood after trips to the coast, and Genaveve is always perfecting her spice blends for her next roasted dinner.

Analysis and Test Results

Before getting started, we first conducted extensive research on the vacuum sealer market, reviewing and analyzing manufacturer information to narrow our list down to the models with the greatest promise of impressive performance. We then purchased each of these leading sealers for in-depth comparative testing to help you select the right product to fit your needs.

What's the Best Value?

We define value as the sweet spot between price and performance. The highest value products get the job done well and make the process seem easy, all without breaking the bank.

The Mueller fits the bill perfectly, earning top marks, despite selling at a significantly below-average price comparatively. The compact MegaWise One Touch and slightly bulkier NutriChef PKVS18BK don't score quite as well in total, but both still offer solid performances at a very reasonable cost. Conversely, the FoodSaver V4400 costs significantly more than most of the models we tested, even if often found at a sale price. However, it is a heavy-duty product that is far more suitable for individuals who hunt and fish, requiring a sturdy machine to handle the heavy workload required to preserve their hauls. Likewise, individuals who prefer to shop in bulk may find this product's bulk-sealing capability worth the investment.

Sealing Performance

At 40% of the overall score, sealing performance is our most important metric for gauging the quality of each device. We start our assessment by timing each machine to determine how quickly it can suck air from a bag and seal it off. To understand how its performance might vary across different food storage needs, we conducted this test repeatedly using four different food items: bread, rice, ground meat, and sausages. We also tracked how many individual bags could be vacuumed and sealed in a row without overheating the machine, melting the bags themselves, or experiencing any other drop in output. Finally, we awarded points to each unit based on the thickness of the heat seal, with thicker seals and/or the option to double-seal earning a higher score.

Claiming the top three spots overall in this metric are the Nesco Deluxe VS-12, followed by the FoodSaver V4400, and finally the FoodSaver VS1260 Space Saving and Weston Pro 2300 tied in 3rd. While the total scores for all four devices were very close in terms of sealing performance, they individually stood out for different reasons.

The Nesco Deluxe VS-12 consistently produced a reliable seal, even after putting 20+ bags through to seal. Additionally, it offers the option for a single or double seal, providing extra reassurance when handling particularly sensitive goods. The Deluxe fell short in our speed tests, taking longer than most to seal the bread, rice, ground beef, and sausages. But even though the time difference may be statistically significant, we still felt that in the long run, a wait of 5-10 seconds more per bag is well worth it for a seal that we could wholeheartedly trust.

The FoodSaver V4000 is another model that performed more slowly in speed tests. However, it excelled at bulk sealing, delivering well-sealed bags after bag with no sign of slowing down or delivering lesser results. We also quite liked that the V4400 allows you to manually seal without losing pressure.

The Weston Pro 2300 worked quicker than average, but where it really stood out was in its seal strength, producing a 5 millimeter seal — 2.2 millimeters more than the average seal produced by other models.

FoodSaver's VS1260 performed on par with the brand's similar VS1050 Compact for most sealing tests; however, it particularly excelled at manual sealing, allowing you to control the vacuum with precision, without losing any air with the final seal.

Our speed-test process involved timing each machine as it sealed four different food items: four slices of white bread, one cup of dried rice, one pound of ground beef, and four sausage links. The Nesco VS-02 was the leader in these tests, with the Mueller, MegaWise One Touch, and Weston Pro 2300 tying for second place. If you're in a hurry, these machines won't leave you twiddling your thumbs. Interestingly, those that sealed fastest did not fare as well in the bulk sealing test, with the Mega Wise and Mueller starting to show signs of melting bags after 15 rounds. Meanwhile, the speediest sealer, the Nesco VS-02, required a break to cool down after just 7+ bags.

In testing for the second submetric, volume, the FoodSaver V4400 and Nesco Deluxe VS-12 showed themselves to be true workhorses, sealing 30+ bags in a row without any indication of needing to cool off. The FoodSaver VS1050 Compact and FoodSaver VS1260 Space Saving sealed more than 20 bags without losing vacuum pressure. At the same time, on the other end of the spectrum, models like the FoodSaver FM5200 and NutriChef PKVS18BK struggled after just 4 and 5 bags, respectively.

As far as seal strength is concerned, you can't do better than the standard-setting 5.25 millimeter heat-sealed seam of the Weston Pro 2300. This seal gave us real confidence that it would not give out over time and let in air. Taking second is the Nesco Deluxe VS-12, thanks to its single and double seal options (each 3 millimeter thick with a 2 millimeter gap in between). Similarly, the MegaWise One Touch allows you to choose between a thin (2.5 millimeter), medium (3.0 millimeter), and thick (4.0 millimeter) seal. While we appreciated the choice, we did notice that choosing the medium or thick seals came with a greater likelihood of overheating and melting the bag.

Convenience

As the entrepreneur's adage goes, find a problem and sell a solution. More often than not, these problems and their proposed solutions focus on convenience. As such, we evaluated how easy it was to get these sealers to do their job — namely, prolonging airtight food storage times. We favored products with built-in storage for a roll of bags and those with an integrated bag cutter. We took note of products with removable drip trays to capture spills, facilitating an easier cleanup process. We also appreciated those with integrated attachments for sealing containers, such as zip-lock bags and wine bottles. The interface, locking mechanism, size, and weight of each device were also considered, ultimately resulting in a final metric score valued at 30% of each product's total score.

The FoodSaver V4400 stood out above the rest for this metric. It includes an integrated and simple-to-use bag cutter, as well as storage for a roll of bags. Additionally, it not only has a removable tray, but it comes with an indicator light to alert you when it needs emptying, making cleaning much easier should any liquid leak out during the sealing process. The V4400 comes with an integrated accessory port for sealing zipper bags or other containers. To top it all off, this machine sucks and seals automatically; all you need to do is feed the bag into the slot. If not for its bulky dimensions and considerable weight, the V4400 would have scored even higher.

The FoodSaver FM5200 also scored well for convenience, featuring onboard bag storage, an efficient cutter, push buttons, and auxiliary suction pumps. The FM5200's position in the lineup was limited by its relatively heavy weight of 7.1 pounds. That said, the FM5200 seems lean when compared to the gargantuan Weston Pro 2300 that tips the scales at 22.3 pounds.

The FoodSaver VS1260 Space Saving, FoodSaver VS1050 Compact, MegaWise One Touch, and Nesco Deluxe VS-12 all scored above average for convenience. FoodSaver's VS1050 and VS1260 models are straightforward to use and relatively slimline, including a drip tray for easy cleaning. The MegaWise doesn't have a similar tray, but outperforms them all for easy storage, thanks to its small footprint and streamlined design, including a removable power cord and an integrated bag cutter. Even though the MegaWise's bag cutter is not as simple to use as that of the Nesco or FoodSaver V4400, we still appreciate its presence and smart integration into the design.

The Geryon E2900-MS stood out for its minimalism, weighing in at only 2.2 pounds, it is one of the lightest sealers in our lineup. Those who expect to travel with their tools may be grateful for this feature.

The Nesco Deluxe VS-12 lever-closer system was our favorite, as it was easier to use than the more common press-and-lock systems we encountered. It could be closed using one hand if needed. We also felt confident that the bag was engaged once closed, something we weren't always sure of with other models.

The Weston Pro 2300 finished at the tail end of the group due to its aforementioned weight and lack of bag storage, cleaning tray, and auxiliary pump. Moreover, while its interface is reasonably responsive, you must press and hold the lid down when using it, something that becomes increasingly annoying over time. That said, if you are looking for a semi-industrial model with serious suction power, these convenience shortcomings may not be dealbreakers.

The Anova Precision also finished below average due to its lack of an accessory pump and cleaning tray. However, it earned one of the best scores of the bunch for its size and weight, thanks to its highly compact design.

Delicate Foods

We assessed each machine for how well it handled delicate foods, with the outcome accounting for 20% of a product's overall score. Specifically, we explored how well each device was able to preserve squishable or otherwise fragile foods during the sealing process, controlling vacuum pressure within the bag as it was being closed. Some products have a “gentle” setting that slows the suction process, while others feature a “pulse” mode that lets you toggle the suction on and off to control the amount. Even machines without a dedicated button may allow manual control of the vacuum switch, enabling users to hold and release pressure as needed, essentially mimicking a pulse function. We used two slices of bread in our test bag and aimed to remove as much air as possible, without squishing the bread.

Receiving an unprecedented perfect score for its performance, the Mueller impressively outperformed the competition. One tester described the outcome as “pretty amazing.” While you have to alternate between vacuum and stop (i.e., creating a "pulse") at the end of the process, the gentle mode setting sucks out air slowly, making it quite easy to get the level just right. The buttons are very responsive, and unlike much of the competition, the Mueller doesn't appear to let any air in when cycling off.

Coming in at a close second to the Mueller is the Nesco Deluxe VS-12, which features a dedicated pulse button that is easy to use and maintains suction effectively between cycles. When you are ready to seal, you can manually initiate the pulse, enabling you to finish the process exactly when you feel ready. The system appeared to drop a tiny bit of suction pressure before it hit that point, hence relegating the Deluxe VS-12 to second position for the metric. The Megawise One Touch also features a pulse button; however, it allows more air into the bag prior to sealing and, therefore, didn't rank as highly.

Suction Power

As the name suggests, the suction power metric evaluates how much negative pressure each sealer can generate. We measured the vacuum using a gauge we mounted in a standard vacuum bag, and those models that exerted the most negative pressure received the highest score. This metric accounts for the last 10% of a product's overall score.

The Nesco Deluxe VS-12, Weston Pro 2300, and Nesco VS-02 topped the list, pulling 21, 20, and 18.8 inches of mercury (in Hg), respectively. You may be wondering why these leaders, or at least the Weston, did not receive a score of 10. Well, when we consider that a true vacuum is 29.92 in Hg, we felt that there is still room for improvement across the board. The NutriChef PKVS18BK also produced respectable results, creating a vacuum of 18 inches.

How to Pick the Best Vacuum Sealer

There are several types of vacuum sealers to choose from, ranging considerably in their size, cost, functions, and capacity. To help you hone in on the right tool for your needs, it's important to consider a few questions first.

What Types of Products Will You Be Sealing?

How do you plan to use your vacuum sealer? Some food items require a more gentle touch and benefit from sealers with more refined control over the suction strength or with built-in pulsing options. Similarly, moist items can be difficult to seal. While typically such foods benefit from being frozen before initiating the sealing process, you will inevitably pull some moisture into the machine once you get started. An easy-to-clean design with a drip tray may become a favorite feature if liquids or other moist foods are likely to become part of your sealing routine.

How Much Space do you Have?

Some people prefer small, easy-to-store designs, while others have plentiful counter and cabinet space. Where you will be working is likely to determine what features you prioritize. Large, high-capacity models with all the extras, like handheld sealers and built-in bag holders or cutters, may be ideal for some, while others will find such add-ons and dimensions a distraction. If your workspace is limited in size, be sure to consider the features that are most important to you, including a size and shape that will work well in your home.

Conclusion

We hope our comprehensive review and shortlist of favorite vacuum sealers will help you decide which model is best for you. Whether you're looking for an industrial-grade machine for heavy-duty use, a model with a soft touch for preserving delicate foods, or a budget unit that won't empty your wallet, there's a quality machine in our review that will seal the deal.