7 Best Vacuum Sealers, Tested and Reviewed

The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products since 1900. Today, the analysts in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab carefully and rigorously evaluate kitchen gear and cooking tools to find the best products on the market that actually work.

To evaluate food vacuum sealers, the GH Kitchen Appliances Lab tests how well foods like chicken breast and hamburger patties keep without any signs of freezer burn. We also test more delicate items, like berries, to see if they can be stored without being crushed. When testing, we assess functionality — ease of use, how intuitive the settings are, how loud the machine is, how long it takes to seal food — and any additional unique features like built-in bag cutters and holders.

The best vacuum sealers are slim and can do it all (seal both dry foods and liquids, as well as pulse and seal), but it's worth considering the following factors when looking to buy:

✔️Handheld vs. countertop: If you lack space or tend to move around a lot, you'll likely prefer the maneuverability of a handheld machine, but if you rely on your food vacuum sealer often, the superior performance and durability of a countertop model may suit you better. Here's the difference:

• Handheld models typically use Ziploc-style bags that have a small port for air removal, ideal for small jobs and meal prep. They're less effective at keeping air out, though.
• Countertop models are larger and can often use both pre-cut and cut-to-size bags. They're more versatile and provide longer-lasting results since there's nowhere for the air to escape or let other air in. Most can also re-seal bags, like potato chip and cereal bags.

✔️Functions: Before buying a vacuum sealer, think about your needs. Do you need something straightforward and intuitive for simple tasks, like freezing occasional cuts of meat or leftovers? Or, do you need a do-it-all workhorse that's also designed for sous vide? Keep in mind, you can use these gadgets for practically anything: In addition to things like poultry, beef and fish, you can also seal dry goods (flour, sugar, pasta, cookies and even coffee beans), as well as fruits, veggies, cheese and pre-cooked meals like soups and stews.

✔️Type of bags: If you need different sized bags for different tasks, consider buying rolls instead of pre-cut bags, since you can size these bags to fit your needs. And if you plan to sous vide, make sure you get boil-safe bags or rolls. Just remember: Not all vacuum sealer bags are compatible with all machines, so double check the model's specifications first.

Whether you buy in bulk, freeze small portions for meal prep or hunt, vacuum sealing is worth it. It helps most food from going stale as quickly as it would in a non-airtight container, and also helps prevent freezer burn, which affects taste and texture. "I really like vacuum sealing for keeping food fresher in the freezer," says Kitchen Appliances Lab Director, Nicole Papantoniou. "I tend to vacuum seal individual portions so I can defrost them quickly."

Vacuum sealers are also helpful for sous vide cooking. It ensures a tight seal to prevent any liquid from entering the bag.

All vacuum sealers are not the same – they mostly differ in type. For most home cooks, a handheld or countertop sealer will get the job done. There are also chamber vacuum sealers that are primarily found in restaurants, which are typically bigger, heavier and work faster than household versions. Chamber vacuum sealers work by putting the bag of food inside the chamber and closing the lid to seal the bags. They can handle multiple bags at once and are also good for larger foods.

Since most home models provide similar results and features, it's best to look for the model that fits best in your kitchen, has the settings that you need (like moist, marinate or dry) and includes vacuum sealer bags.

Nicole Papantoniou, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, oversaw testing for this article. She has been professionally testing kitchen gear for nearly 10 years.

Brigitt Earley is a freelance writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience at lifestyle publications like Real Simple, Oprah Daily and Apartment Therapy. She specializes in writing product review content in a wide range of coverage areas, including home, health and food.