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Best vacuum sealers to keep food fresher for longer
Tired of limp lettuce and rotten tomatoes in the bottom of your fridge? Finding you’re losing food due to freezer burn? A vacuum sealer may be just what you’re looking for. Here’s our pick of the bset vacuum sealers to make food storage that much easier.
By Claire Marie Perry | Last updated Feb 6, 2024
The best vacuum sealer is a nifty device that can help extend the shelf life of your food. According to FoodSaver, the sealing process can help keep produce fresh for up to five times longer than standard storage methods, depending on the type of food and where you store it. So you’ll soon find that you throw less away, not only doing your bit for planet Earth, but saving precious money on wasted food too.
When food is stored normally (even in a top-of-the-range American fridge freezer), it can come into contact with oxygen, which can cause it to rot or attract bacteria. A vacuum sealer can delay this from happening by removing air from the bag and creating a tight seal to preserve it for longer. Food which has been vacuum packed tends to take up a lot less room than a standard lunch box too, so this storage method may save you space in your fridge or freezer. They're also a handy buy if you like sous vide cooking, so experimental chefs and kitchen gadget aficionados alike will get plenty of use out of one.
To help you find the best vacuum sealer for your kitchen, we’ve extensively researched the top makes and models on the market, scrutinising experts’ recommendations, bestseller lists and authentic consumer reviews. We've also taken a deep dive into the Mumsnet forums for our users' best buys and tips when it comes to vacuum sealing – as the largest online network of parents in the UK, our community is an invaluable source of insight for ways to make family life (and meal prep!) easier.
Plus, for more buys to help you spruce up your kitchen, we also have guides to the best glass cleaner and oven cleaner.
Sleek design
Starter pack included
Easy to operate
Effective on a range of different foods
Noisy
A few people couldn't find the in-built cutter
Price on writing: £34 | Settings: Dry, moist, gentle, seal and external vacuum | Accessories included: 1x vacuum roll bag, 5x vacuum seal bags, 2x connectors, 1x vacuum tube | Dimensions: 42.39 x 23.9 x 11.09cm | Weight: 1.9kg | Power: 600W
Bonsenkitchen is a brand that came up repeatedly during our research into the best vacuum sealers, in large part thanks to its glowing consumer reviews. Multifunctional, simple to operate with loads of added extras, this model is a great buy for family kitchens, particularly if you're new to vacuum sealing or sous vide cooking.
According to the manufacturer, this sealer can help preserve food for up to seven times longer in the freezer than standard storage methods, and there's five modes to choose between, including a wet and dry setting so you can tailor the sealing process to the items you're storing. It also comes with a fantastic little starter kit, including a variety of bags and two vacuum tubes, allowing you to get started as soon as it’s delivered.
Reviewers report that it's easy to use – though a thorough read of the instructions is recommended first – and the removable lid makes the clean-up fuss-free too. The main downside is the noise – it's pretty loud when in use, though it should only take up to 20 seconds for each bag, so you may find it's bearable in short bursts.
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Easy to use
Very lightweight
Not too bulky
Cheap
No cutting facility
A few found the vacuum seal function was hit and miss
Only two settings
Price on writing: £25 | Settings: Seal only and vacuum seal | Accessories included: 10x BPA-free seal bags | Dimensions: 35.5 x 8.2 x 0.6cm | Weight: 0.57kg | Power: 80W
Currently available for just under £30, this small vacuum sealer is easy to use with just one touch needed to kick it into action. What's more, with the help of your trusty fridge freezer, it claims to keep food fresher for up to seven times longer than usual.
Unlike more expensive models, there's only two modes (vacuum seal or seal only) so there's less versatility than other options, but we think the appeal of this machine lies in its simplicity and ability to get the job done without the need for bells and whistles. Helpfully, it comes with 10 bags to get started, and there's also three colourways available – white, pink, or black – although our favourite is the black for its sleek design and ability to fit into almost any kitchen style.
A few reviewers did find the suction power was a bit inconsistent, but overall most found it easy to use and highly effective.
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Saves space and easy to store
Transportable
Reasonable price
Won’t preserve food for as long as other sealers
Only one setting
Price on writing: £36 | Settings: Vacuum seal only | Accessories included: 1x charging dock, 1x vacuum storage container (1.2L), 10x vacuum zipper bags (0.94L) | Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.7 x 12 cm | Weight: 1.2kg | Power: 2.5W
The FoodSaver Handheld Vacuum Sealer certainly lives up its promise of “small size, big power”. Ideal for use in small kitchens, this pocket-sized sealer is just the ticket if you don't want a bulky machine cluttering up your countertops. This cordless model is easy to use too; simply push the button on the top to start the vacuum.
It promises to keep your food fresh for twice as long as standard storage methods, so while it's not quite as impactful as some other sealers, it has an impressive amount of power for a machine that can easily be stowed away in a drawer. However, there's only one vacuum seal setting, something to bear in mind if you're looking for more versatility. That being said, we think only having one option adds to its simple charm as there's no complicated features to get your head around.
The FoodSaver also comes with a charging dock that powers the unit to provide 100 seals per charge, plus a container and 10 bags.
Related: Discover the best toaster and kettle to add to your kitchen
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User-friendly
Sleek design
Excellent quality for the price
Doesn't have a bag cutter
Pricier than some options
Price on writing: £39 | Settings: Automatic mode and external vacuum | Accessories included: 10x bags, 1x air suction accessory | Dimensions: 37L x 18.3W x 5.8H cm | Weight: 1.6kg | Power: Not specified
For the ultimate hands-free sealing experience, the Fresko Vacuum Sealer comes highly recommended.
Simply put the food items into the bags, feed the edge of the bag into the machine, press a button, and the machine will do the rest for you. With its nifty and straightforward LED display, this is a foolproof way to seal or vacuum your food, and it even automatically detects whether food is wet or dry for optimum results.
We love that the Fresko also comes with a starter kit including 10 food vacuum sealer bags and an air suction tube for jars and bottles – ideal if you want to preserve open wine for longer than usual. It's not the cheapest option, but according to reviewers, it's simple to use, versatile and powerful, making it the perfect sealer for a vacuum food novice.
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Different options for sealing or vacuuming
Excellent starter kit included
Effective seal
Loud
Some find the buttons too sensitive
Expensive
Price on writing: £70 | Settings: Canister, vacuum seal, gentle, normal, moist, dry, and seal only | Accessories included: 1x air suction hose, 5x heat-seal bags, 1 x roll | Dimensions: 36.6L x 14W x 6.6H cm | Weight: 1.18kg | Power: 110W
If you’re wanting to enhance the taste of your food with a marinade, vacuum sealing is a great way to ensure your food soaks up all the flavours while it rests. The two ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ functions of this Geryon sealer allow you to marinate food effectively in a liquid sauce, and reviewers found the seal was sufficient enough to prevent any leaks from the bag.
We also like the separated design which makes post-sealing tidying a cinch; simply remove the sealer lid to reach all areas for a thorough clean.
While most reviewers agreed that the machine was super easy to use, one did remark that the set-up wasn’t the easiest, so do make sure you read all the instructions, but once it’s up and running it’s likely to be a fantastic addition to your kitchen.
What is a vacuum sealer?
A vacuum sealer works by sucking out the air from specially designed storage bags and then sealing them with heat. Stopping the food coming into contact with the air means it’s less likely to attract bacteria and will therefore stay fresher for longer periods of time.
Sealing food also helps prevent freezer burn and can keep food moist for longer. The more comprehensive models can seal moisture rich foods, dried foods and have attachments for liquids, but different models have different primary functions.
Vacuum storage is also a great space saver for your fridge, as it's likely to take up less room than the original packaging, so you can store more for longer – win, win!
How do you clean a vacuum sealer?
One of the downsides of a kitchen gadget is that they can be a pain to clean. If your vacuum sealer has a removable drip tray you can take it out and give it a good wash. You’ll also need to make sure you give the machine, including the heat seal, a good wipe down and use an antibacterial spray to avoid the spread of bacteria. Some machines also have a separated design, meaning you can lift the lid off to clean too, which is handy for cleaning.
Products with LED screens as opposed to dials and buttons will also leave less hiding places for germs. You should also read the instructions provided to see if there’s any care and cleaning requirements for your machine.
Is a vacuum sealer worth having?
If you're a fan of prepping meals ahead of time, a good vacuum sealer may well be a worthy investment. Many Mumsnetters swear by them as an essential for sous vide cooking. They will keep food fresh, reduce food waste and benefit the environment.
What to consider when shopping for food vacuum sealers
If the world of food vacuum storage is new to you, there's a few questions you may want to ask yourself before investing in a new gadget.
Storage bags
Ordinary food bags aren’t fit for purpose when it comes to using a vacuum sealer. You’ll need to purchase specially designed bags which will allow the vacuum to suck out all of the air from the inside and that won’t melt with the heat of the sealer. Some machines only accept bags of a certain size or are only compatible with particular brands so double check before you buy.
Are you cooking sous vide?
All our recommended products can cope with the sealing of basic foodstuffs and leftovers but if you plan on using a sealer for sous vide cooking you may have to spend a bit more as cooking food in a water bath requires a tighter seal and therefore a more powerful machine.
Can it handle liquids?
If you plan on sealing liquids you’ll need to make sure your product creates a reliable seal. Many find it tricky as the liquid can get sucked up into the tube and damage the machine so you’ll need to be careful. If you’re planning on sealing liquids regularly, you need a machine that is capable. Real-user reviews are also good for making sure they’re fit for purpose too.
Which is the best vacuum sealer?
Based on its overwhelmingly positive reviews, the Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer is our top pick. It promises to keep food fresh for up five times longer, and we love that it has all the added extras and even comes with starter pack.
This vacuum sealer will suit nearly all your sealing and vacuuming needs whilst representing excellent value for money. A clear winner in our eyes.
How we chose our recommendations
It’s always daunting buying a product that may be new to you. That’s why we’ve spent an extensive amount of time researching the brands, models and makes rated by food experts. We also scrutinised bestseller lists and authentic online reviews to check we were bringing you the top sealers that real people love and use every day. We also took to the Mumsnet forums to see the features that our trusted users look for in a vacuum sealer, also noting any tried and tested tips they had for use along the way.
We took into consideration price, functionality and reliability; leaving us with a comprehensive list of products that customers love and we hope you will too.
Why you should trust us
We base all of our product recommendations on unbiased, independent advice that you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.