Best Vacuum Sealer Reviews of 2018
Are you looking for a safe and effective way to store your food? We have put together a list of reviews for top-rated products to help you find the best vacuum sealer for you.
Have you ever went home tired, stressed out and hungry, anticipating a delicious meal, only to find your fridge full of rotting, bland foods that make you angrier by the minute? This is usually the time you realize that you either need a) a new fridge, or b) a new way of storing your food.
A vacuum sealer can preserve your meal to be as fresh as the time you put them in, for as long as 3 to 5 times most storage options. Plus, they take up less room in your fridge, freezer or pantry once you take the air out, making them great for saving space. But which particular sealer should you choose? We’ve got you covered in this department as well.
Check Out This List For 2018's Best Food Vacuum Sealers
- FoodSaver V4840 – Ranked No. 1
- FoodSaver V3240 – Crush Free Instant Seal
- FoodSaver V4880 – Wet & Dry Detection
- FoodSaver V2244 – Budget Vacuum Sealer 2018 (Under 100 Bucks)
- Weston Pro-2300 – Fan-Cooled For Long Operation
- FoodSaver V3460 – Space Saver
- Crenova Vs100S – Used on Any Food 2 in 1 function
- The Weston 65-0501-W Pro – Used on Any Food 2 in 1 function
Other Resources
FoodSaver V4840 – Ranked No. 1
FoodSaver has once again proven itself to be one of the top brands with the V4840 2 in 1 Sealer! We seek to answer what’s on everyone’s mind- “How is it different from the other FoodSaver offerings in the market?”
The first thing that you’ll probably see in the features are the words “fully automatic”, which isn’t false advertising. Simply feed a food-filled heat-seal bag to the FoodSaver V4840, and voila! You get a completely sealed and vacuumed bag with just one push of a button.
At the same time, the fully automatic feature can turn out to be the greatest weakness. You’ll find that sometimes, nothing beats the human touch, especially when packing special ingredients such as leafy greens and juicy meats. It will do you a world of good if you read the included manual first before operating.
The V4840 is a good product for those who want to seal their food quickly and easily using the excellent automatic feature. Moreover, they can enjoy the all-in-one bonuses such as being able to use any bag and create any-sized packing bag with the included cutting bar. Finally, you’ll be able to enjoy marinated meals after just a few minutes of sealing them in. Have that BBQ party you’ve always wanted!
FoodSaver V3240 – Crush Free Instant Seal
The FoodSaver V3240 caters to a specific type of market. People who are already experienced and are enjoying the way vacuum sealing keeps their food fresh will have a lot to like about the V3240. Let’s take a look at how it does a lot of things the right way:
It has a lengthy sealing strip that you can use on 12″ bags. It works on a variety of bags. It even has a built-in cutter to complete the closing process! Perhaps the most impressive is the Crush Free feature, which makes it stand out among other machines in the market.
Aesthetics could probably be its worst feature- it looks like a printer from the 80s! Nevertheless, you probably won’t mind the looks when the V3240 does a LOT of things to preserve and even improve your quality of life.
We’ve tried it on whatever we could get our hands on. We vacuum sealed steak, pizza slices, salads (with dressing included), and of course, bananas. It worked all amazingly well! The included hose is the topping on the dessert as it allows you to seal in the freshness for storage containers. Couple that with the small footprint and a reasonable price tag, and you have yourself a winner!
FoodSaver V4880 – Wet & Dry Detection
The FoodSaver brand is bigger and badder than ever with the addition of the V4880 in the V4800 series! But is bigger really better? We take a look at the innovation, the additions and the bonuses that come along.
Prepare some premium kitchen or countertop space for when you plan to buy this behemoth. The V4880 measures about 22 by 10 by 9, which is bigger than the V4840 by a few inches. What it lacks grace it makes up for its snazzy-looking appearance and wealth of included features, including one that isn’t on any V4800 model.
It’s big and it looks clunky. The controls are now found at the bottom part of the machine. Part of the problem is finding space for the V4880 to sit on without it looking out of place. The size isn’t just for show- it can work on most commercial kitchen establishments (restaurants, cafes, bakeries, etc.) and perform exactly like a powerhouse would.
The FoodSaver V4880 can handle any kind of vacuum sealing job you can throw at it. The automatic technology is smart enough to seal the bag according to conventional wisdom without you ever lifting a hand. Those who prefer a bit of a hands-on approach can make use of the V4880’s pulse vac feature for a picture-perfect seal every time. Make sure to read the included manual to know the extent of what the V4880 can do. From there, you can seal with impunity and watch your friends’ and family’s jaw drop to the floor with your newfound sealing expertise!
FoodSaver V2244 – Budget Vacuum Sealer 2018
(Under 100 Bucks)
FoodSaver has been around for a number of years now, and their latest offering, the V2244 is a product of all those years of experience. Let’s take a look at how the item fares in our review, shall we?
One thing you’ll notice about the V2244 is its compact size. It measures roughly about 10 by 17 and weighs about a pound. This small yet powerful sealer can do its magic on ready-made or custom-sized bags. With a bit of patience and some preparation, it seems that there’s nothing that it cannot seal!
You’ll need to keep an eye out for the gaskets. These gaskets are the first to wear out since they are the one doing the work most of the time. Pick out a dry and cool place, it can mean the difference between immediate gasket replacement and enjoying a few months of sealing without replacing the gaskets. Good thing that these gaskets are cheap to acquire and easy to replace. It’s a pull and slot affair!
The V2244 is a shining example of excellent, inexpensive sealers that can get the job done quite reliably. This product has enjoyed a huge following in the Amazon marketplace and it continues to do so today. Those who bought the V2244 will easily recoup the investment when they see how much they’re saving on sealing!
Weston Pro-2300 – Fan-Cooled For Long Operation
Reliable and sustainable. Those are the 2 standout features that you get when you consider the Weston Pro 2300. This product is a bit pricier than its counterparts, but it all makes up for the cost with convenient features and a powerful sealing technology. Let’s take a closer look and see what the Pro 2300 has to offer:
The Pro 2300 casts off the plastic moldings and dons a stainless steel body that looks sleek. Go ahead and put it anywhere you like, because this will look good no matter the kitchen or countertop location! Just make sure to peel off the protective layer of film wrapped around the sealer before you start operating though, or you’re in for a bit of trouble.
If you think that all machines come with a complementary supply of bags, you’d be wrong. You’ll have to remember to add in bag orders to the purchase of your Weston Pro 2300 so you can test it out as soon as you get home. Keep in mind that not all bags are compatible with it, so you have to specifically purchase the same-brand bags.
The Weston Pro 2300 should shine in most commercial settings but it is equally outstanding when you use it at home. The consumable parts can easily be replaced without needing to contact the manufacturer. You can be sure that this will work under your care for years even under heavy usage.
FoodSaver V3460 – Space Saver
FoodSaver dares to be a little bit different this time with their V3460 model. Aside from the form factor, are there any other differences when it comes to features? We answer that question when we take a look and explore the V3460:
The V3460 comes in with a new form that may surprise you. No longer do the outlines resemble a computer printer; rather, the V3460 now looks like a futuristic space oven. Which means you get to save on premium counter and kitchen space while having all the benefits.
Ease of use can go from 5 to zero stars in a matter of minutes after using the V3460. It really depends on the user, though. The right way to start using a product right is still to consult with the manual after opening the box. You won’t need to read it all the way through; just scan for a few minutes to ensure you get a good grasp on how to operate the V3460 properly.
Apartment and condo owners and renters will now have something they can use in tight spaces. The vacuum sealing technology is spot-on, and there’s no need to use scissors and a holder with the included bag cutter and roll holder. Some people may just buy it because of its nifty Marinade setting that has the ability to produce huge quantities of BBQ-ready meat anytime!
Crenova Vs100S – Used on Any Food 2 in 1 function
This plays the role of keeping your food preserved in its natural state for a long, long time. For this reason you’ll need a good sealer that can do a variety of functions while still being a bargain for the price.
The Crenova Vs100S is one such product- it seals well, is well-built and takes up little space on your countertop. Let’s take a look and see what else this can offer.
The Crenova Vs100S doesn’t have a drip tray, so you’ll have to put something to catch the liquids with if you’re sealing veggies or meat. It’s not as powerful as other high-end models, but it does the job well, albeit with a longer processing time. If you can wait, then this is serviceable enough.
The Crenova Vs100S is an affordable for the everyday person who wants a basic, no-fuss unit. The durability and stainless steel body alone will probably outlast other higher-end products on the market. The pulse feature is a huge bonus. All in all, its’s worth every penny!
The Weston 65-0501-W Pro is a bit of a mouthful in terms of name, but make no mistake about it- this ETL-certified countertop vacuum sealer does the job as expected. The adequate watt motor, the suction capacity and a wealth of other features make it a solid choice for both household and professional use.
The Weston 65-0501-W Pro – Used on Any Food 2 in 1 function
There are a few minor hiccups and isolated cases in using the 65-0501-W. For one, it does not include a mechanism for storing or cutting custom bags. You’ll have to be very careful when sealing food that has liquid in it. You’ll also have to be pretty focused on the sealing part and ensure that there aren’t any gaps or risk re-doing the process all over again.
Stuck with a decision when planning your first purchase? The Weston 65-0501-W Pro Advantage is a good option to consider. The feature that stands out the most is how easy operating is. You can vacuum seal up 11″ bags quite quickly and with minimal fuss. The design is a nice touch as it adds elegance and class to any kitchen space or countertop.
Vacuum Sealer 2018 Buyer’s Guide
In choosing among vacuum sealers and other types of preservation methods, there’s only one question to ask- “how well and how long can it preserve food?” In the past, you have foil papers, plastic wraps and various Tupperware products, but all of these can preserve meals only up to a couple of days.
They quickly rose up the ranks of food preservation when it was found that they could keep your groceries fresh for a far longer time. If you’ve done a bit of homework online, you’ll find that they are indeed the best choice to store your meat..
Types of Vacuum Sealer Machines
Now that you’re thinking of buying a food sealer, but there’s a new question to be answered- what’s the suitable sealer that I can buy now? There’s a lot of features and functions, but food sealers can generally be divided into 2 types. These are classified on how powerful they are in sucking the air out of the bag, and on how well they can seal the bag.
Personal Use: External Vacuum Sealers
Industrial Application: Chamber Vacuum Sealers
Aside from the two mentioned above, you also get Clamp and Retractable Nozzle Sealers. Let’s take a closer look at each and see what they can offer.
External Vacuum Sealer
The array of sealers you see sitting on store shelves and in online stores are most probably external vacuum sealers. They are the first choice for consumers and with good reason. They work well in most home chores such as storing leftover and bulk groceries. Other models are formed in such a way to save precious kitchen space.
Specialty: Stores and perfectly preserves the flavor for about 5 to 6 times more than other storage methods. The taste is the same as it was days before you packed it in the bag. Operation versatility is another plus- they can seal almost any size bag and can even seal 2 smaller bags in one go.
Advantages: Space saving, intuitive, relatively powerful engine and has a variety of sealing functions.
Disadvantages: Non-portable.
Chamber Vacuum Sealer
The quickest. You’ll need a bit of know-how to do this though. The double-sealing mechanism does the work in half the time. Chamber sealers cost significantly more than external sealers and are often seen in industrial applications.
Specialty: When it comes to commercial packaging, nothing beats the chamber sealer.
Advantages: Can do heavy-duty operation. Can be utilized for wet and dry packaging.
Disadvantages: Heavy and expensive. Takes up a lot of real estate.
Clamp Vacuum Sealer
Clamps are named for their unique, clamp-down designs. The channel bags are used for effective vacuuming. As the air is emptied out, a waterproof seal closes the entrance via heating processes.
Specialty: Great as a low-duty sealer.
Advantages: Has an easy operation that’s cheaper than most sealers. Works in canning jars.
Disadvantages: Clamp sealers are quite rare. Specialty bags are needed for it to work.
Retractable Nozzle Vacuum Sealer
It’s somewhat a subcategory of industrial vacuum sealers. As such, dependability is one of its strengths. The retractable nozzle can be used to create a vacuum inside any bag, so buying in specially-textured bags isn’t a must-have.
Specialty: Light industrial use, or for heavy home usage.
Advantages: Good choice for gas-flush packaging. Has a number of useful features and options anyone will come to appreciate.
Disadvantages: Needs to cool for longer.
Vacuum Sealer Features To Look Out For
- Power. For a food sealer to be worth its weight in gold it has to have a near-perfect sealing ability each time. Airtight packages last longer and taste better, after all.
- Technology. Air pockets are solely responsible for the dreaded freezer burn, and it won’t be much of an issue if it has a potent suction technology housed within.
- Warranty and Replacements. Vacuum machines have moving parts that could wear and tear over time. The motors could fail and the sealers might erode. Getting your money’s worth usually means looking for replacement warranties, free services and repairs where possible.
- Extra Goodies. They come with a wealth of bonuses such as additional bag storage or a bag cutter.
5 Useful Tips When Buying Your Food Sealer
Tip # 1. Think about how you would use the machine. Will you be sealing mostly dry or moist foods? Do you intend to re-use the bags as soon as the ingredients is consumed? Then zip-top bags are your prime option. Look for brands and models that are a perfect fit for your needs.
Tip # 2. Consider how often you’d use it. Smaller models are great holding foods to be fresh for about a week, while the larger, more expensive models make it last for more than that.
Tip # 3. Is space a concern? Perhaps you’re living in an apartment or a condo. If so, then you’ll want a slimmer rather than one that takes up a lot of space for the same features. Estimate the size allowance on your kitchen, then compare them until you get the perfect-sized product without compromising on the features.
Tip # 4. Last but not the least, consider the money you’re willing to shell out. You shouldn’t buy the first one you see, nor should you get the cheapest one in the list. Go for the right balance of features and bonuses that are within your spending budget. For a better value, you may consider sealers that come with complementary resealable bags and containers.
Haste makes waste. Make sure you take the time to check out all the available brands and models. Read about their standout features and try to imagine and see what they can do for your home or your kitchen. Some brands do better than others. Read and see what the people who have bought the product has to say about it. Narrow down your list until you come up with a clear winner for what you really need.
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