Anova Culinary Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro, Includes 1 Bag Roll, For Sous Vide and Food Storage, black, medium

Product Information

The retractable handheld sealer is what makes this machine two-in-one, and it works with canisters, jars, reusable zip-top bags, and more—provided you have compatible ones. The set includes a few bags, but everything else is sold separately. There's a dishwasher-safe drip tray to capture any drips and spills, and the machine also has an indicator light for when it gets full in case you forget. The price tag on this machine is pretty steep for the casual user, though it's a powerful, heavy-duty option for the more dedicated vacuum-sealing enthusiast. This may not be the very best vacuum sealer you can buy, but with its low price, it's a pretty incredible value.

Besides its price, which is above-average but not absurdly so, the only negative we found with the VS-12 is that it's quite loud in operation. That's largely due to its powerful motor, which makes it an effective vacuum sealer; just don't expect to hold a conversation while it's running. Ground Turkey Test: We used the chamber to seal one pound of ground turkey, which we then froze for two weeks to see if any ice crystals formed.The best thing you can do to prolong the life of any sealer is to keep it clean," Miller says. You'll especially want to clean the heat strip that seals that bag, as buildup could lead to a weaker seal that may give out during the freezing and thawing process. Some models offer removable drip trays (and some are dishwasher-safe), which makes cleaning even easier. The machines don't last forever, though: If you notice ice crystals forming on your vacuum-sealed frozen foods "like a gentle winter frost," Miller says, "it might be time to look for a new one." Similarly, if the vacuum isn't pulling all of the air out of the bag during the sealing process, it may need to be serviced or replaced.

Chex Cereal Test: We sealed two cups of Chex in a bag using the normal setting and normal seal, then we sealed another two cups of Chex using the stronger setting and stronger seal. This was to examine how the machine handled vacuum sealing delicate items. This is a good beginner model and a solid choice for any kitchen where storage space is at a premium. It does have some trouble moist sealing if there’s a good amount of liquid in the vacuum bag, so we advise being cautious when using the moist seal option. The bags maintained a sturdy seal throughout testing, even the halved avocado hardly showing signs of ripening. Versatile and user-friendly, this vacuum sealer is perfect for anybody’s kitchen. We recommend it for somebody just starting to work with vacuum sealing or as a thoughtful gift for the home cook in your life. The best part of this device is its versatility. Like many other models out there, it has a built-in spot to keep a roll of bags along with a bag cutter. But on this model the bag cutter is positioned below the seal bar, almost at the very bottom of the device. This made it a lot easier to judge how big our bag would be. It also made it much more efficient to cut the bags. Every time we cut off a bag, we could seal the bottom of the next one at the same time.It is not just a Food saver vacuum – the vacuum sealer ensures no air is left in the bag during sous vide cooking, and food will stay submerged while cooking. It also keeps food safe in the refrigerator and freezer too with its food saving features. The Geryon performed well with the delicate foods test but struggled with liquids, as the marinaded meats caused it to freeze up and stalled sealing. Another nice aspect of the Mueller is its compact size. It's shorter and narrower than other models and can store away easily in a drawer or cabinet. The downside of this is that it doesn't have its own cutter to make custom-sized bags; you might need a separate bag cutter and sealer tool. It does come with five pre-cut bags and a small roll to get you started, and it's compatible with most replacement bags when you're ready to buy more. Plus point you can cook efficiently with the help of a Vacuum Sealer. Unfortunately, the small size is not enough to save food in large portions. Features: SEAL THE DEAL: Vacuum sealing is hands down the best way to ensure no air enters your bag during a sous vide cook – ensuring your food will stay fully submerged while cooking, and seal in maximum flavor. Additionally, the ability to seal, freeze, and store food for later makes prepping your meals in advance a breeze (Voltage: 110).

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine FM2000: This model doesn't have a pulse or gentle setting for delicate foods and was explicitly not recommended for use with wet items. It often “walked” on the table during use. Long Sous Vide/Seal Test: We sealed five bags (each filled with one new, dry kitchen sponge and 1/3 cup neutral oil) to see how each vacuum sealer did with wet ingredients subjected to a very high temperature for a prolonged period of time. We weighed the sealed bag before testing and then placed the bags in a water bath set to 197°F (using an immersion circulator) for 36 hours. We fully dried each bag, then weighed again to determine if any water entered the bag and visually evaluated the seal.

Best handheld vacuum sealer: FoodSaver Cordless 

FoodSaver is a brand focused exclusively on vacuum sealers, and it makes a lot of good ones. In fact, there are three different FoodSaver models on this list! The FM2000 is the brand's middle-of-the-road option, a unit with lots of power but a slim, lightweight design that can be stored vertically or horizontally. It carries a moderately high price tag, but it's exceptionally easy to use and has some convenient features. We found the handheld vacuum sealer so essential we could see getting a stand-alone version and skipping the multifunctional device. In a side-by-side tasting, meats marinated in the vacuum-sealed canister and bag were noticeably more moist and flavorful than the meat marinated in a regular zip-top bag. Still, those who want the flexibility of customizing their own bag size won’t be satisfied with just the handheld device. FRESKO Vacuum Sealer Machine: This model struggled with sealing liquid-rich foods, so we can't recommend it. This is our favorite compact model, but it also performed exceptionally well during our testing. All the vacuum bags we sealed were tight enough to leave no air bubbles and stayed sealed throughout our tests. It has a super short refractory period of only 20 seconds, and the design also features a removable drip tray. If you’re looking for convenience, this is a perfect vacuum sealer for your kitchen.

Potane Vacuum Sealer Machine: This model comes with everything that the Mueller vacuum sealer does at a higher price. Vacuum and seal time took longer than other models, too. A Mashable Choice Award is a badge of honor, reserved for the absolute best stuff we’ve tested and loved. We also recently evaluated a new handheld model ( from Anova) and found it worked well enough to be added as a winner.

Back to basics: The vacuum and seal function 

Nesco Food Vacuum Sealer Starter Kit:While this model from Nesco was lightweight, it was still bulky. It also required a whopping 2-minute refractory period between each seal, so forget about large-scale sealing projects. Excess moisture can create faulty seals. Use a paper towel to pat moist food, like meat, dry before adding it to the bag, or partially freeze it before sealing.