10 food vacuum sealers to save money on your weekly grocery bill

An airtight solution to mouldy food, forgotten leftovers and freezer-burnt ingredients.

Food vacuum sealers

by Natalie Knowles |
Updated on

A food vacuum sealer is a handy kitchen gadget to have if you go shopping once a week or receive an online delivery. This kitchen gadget prolongs shelf life and preserves the freshness of food in your fridge and freezer. A vacuum sealer removes all the air from a bag or container, retaining the vitamins, flavour and aroma of ingredients. It is exposure to air that spoils food, so this simple process is a sure-fire way to reduce food waste.

It is possible to buy food in bulk with no fear of it spoiling, because, with a vacuum sealer, fresh food can be preserved for significantly longer. Batch cook pasta, stews, even thick soups and vacuum seal them for perfectly portioned meals throughout the week or store them in the freezer for handy winter warmers. It saves money on food in comparison to buying ready meals. A vacuum sealer is actually quite a multi-functional gadget. Did you know it can also be used to package fishing bait, craft items and cosmetics? As well as protecting food from spoiling, vacuum sealing items protects against oxidation and corrosion.

Best food vacuum sealer at a glance

For busy households, a vacuum sealer enables you to meal prep on Sundays and have the dinners for the week. By Saturday, your lasagne and salad will taste just as fresh as Monday's chicken noodle stir fry. Making pre-portioned meals is easier with a food vacuum sealer – plus, if you love food, it's fun to prep your own version of Hello Fresh. Another advantage is that air removal saves on freezer space; by avoiding bulky containers you can pack more in. Just like vacuum bags for clothes, all the air is sucked out, so you have a slim package that's a fraction of the size. A bonus is that vacuum sealing also protects against freezer burn.

Some food bags can be used to sous vide (vacuum seal and cook in hot water) meat and fish. By vacuum sealing an ingredient in an appropriate food-safe plastic bag, it can be cooked low and slow in a water bath. This retains restaurant-worthy succulence and flavour. A food vacuum sealer makes it possible to impart flavours faster for speedy marinades and deeply flavoured meats. So, you're getting the picture that it is a must-have kitchen gadget for food lovers and fans of batch cooking recipes.

Best food vacuum sealers

Best overall food vacuum sealer

Mesliese Vacuum SealerMesliese

Rrp: £119.99

Price: £69.99

If you're serious about vacuum sealing, the Mesliese Vacuum Sealer is a powerful appliance. The high-temperature sealing strip creates a 12mm thick seal up to 32cm wide; it removes air and seals in 10-15 seconds. It has 90Kpa powerful suction power (12 litres per minute) and could potentially work continuously for 24 hours. It has six functions, including dry/moist, gentle/normal, seal/vac, seal and stop. In addition, this vacuum sealer works on a range of bags. Accessories are also available to vacuum seal jars and wine bottles. For safety, it has overheating protection and has been tested up to 10,000 times use.

Vacuum sealing is a great way to maximise storage space in a fridge-freezer, contain odours and keep fresh food up to six times longer. Customers have used this Mesliese Vacuum Sealer to make perfect portions of mince and steaks.

As an indication of its power, a customer comments that it can crumple a small drinks can. It is a robust machine, yet compact, so it's easy to store away when not in use. The only gripe is that the cutter for vacuum bag rolls is a bit fiddly.

Pros

  • Vacuum seals a bag fast between 10-15 seconds with powerful 90Kpa suction
  • Works with a variety of bag types
  • Six versatile functions including dry and moist
  • Accessories are available for jars and bottles
  • Compact but powerful, ideal for home use

Cons

  • A customer comments that the cutter is a bit fiddly
Dimensions:‎35.99 x 15.01 x 7.8cm
Includes:Vacuum sealer machine, 2 x diamond-textured and thickened vacuum sealer bag rolls (8" x 6.6"), 5 x precut diamond-textured and thickened vacuum sealer bags (11" x 16"), vacuum accessory hose, cutter for vacuum bag rolls, user manual, power cable, 2 x sealing sponges

Best food vacuum sealer for speed

The Geryon Vacuum Sealer is easy to use, compact and lightweight, making it convenient for any kitchen. Customers praise its ability to create a thick, reliable seal, often noting its superiority in speed and quality over other brands they’ve tried. With powerful 80kpa suction, this model efficiently removes all air, protecting food against freezer burn and preserving freshness and nutrients. Standout features include red clips that hold bags securely—a rarity among vacuum sealers—and a detachable lid for easy, hygienic cleaning. It can seal bags up to 11.8 inches wide, keeping food fresh up to five times longer. It offers dry and moist modes, 6-in-1 functionality and a quick 6-12 second sealing time. Additionally, accessories are available to remove air from containers.

Pros

  • Built-in clips to hold bag mouth in place
  • Creates strong seals quickly and praised for quality
  • 80kpa suction efficiently removes air
  • Supports dry and moist foods with 6-in-1 functions

Cons

  • Requires 40 seconds rest time between each sealing
Dimensions:L36.6 x W14 x H6.6cm
Includes:1 x Air suction hose, 5 x Heat-seal bags (7.8"<em>11.8"), 1 x roll (7.8"</em>78"), 1 x User Manual, 1 x Vacuum Sealer

Tested

Best vacuum sealer for creating multipack portions

Natalie Knowles/Power XL
Price: £69.99 (was £79.99)

www.highstreettv.com

What stands out about the Power XL Duo Nutrisealer – 6-in-1 Food Vacuum Sealer is that you can create multipacks, as this device can seal its accompanying bags horizontally and vertically. Create little pouches of marinades, or store craft items or cosmetics and keep them fresh. This is a great way of marinating meat or preparing snack portions of cheese and crackers. It eliminates excess packaging, bulkiness, and the need to buy heavily packaged and expensive convenience snacks. The steps are simple: cut a bag to size, seal one end, add food, vacuum and seal, then remove the sealed bag. Note that items still need to be refrigerated or frozen; vacuum sealing is not a substitute for canning.

Reviewed by Commercial Content Writer, Natalie Knowles: "This is a brilliant alternative to plastic containers in the fridge so that I can store more and food stays fresher for longer. I prepared some batch meals for the week ahead using the vacuum sealer bag roll. The Vacuum and Seal function works extremely well on chopped vegetables, whole mushrooms and meat. I even kept chopped apples in lemon juice for five days. However, I found that the vacuum function is too aggressive on slices of bread. The instruction manual advises that for delicate food, partially remove the air from the bag by pressing the Vacuum & Seal button again to stop the vacuum sealing process.

"You can make portions of your size for snacks and marinades (or craft items and jewellery). Use the Seal Only function to make bags of any size you wish. Fill the first row, then seal, fill a second row, and so on until you've made your multipacks, which can then be cut into individual sachets using scissors. You can make fruit puree ice lollies using this method outlined in the recipe book that comes with the appliance.

"It is possible to vacuum seal liquids; you just need to allow for more space in the bag. When the liquid is vacuum sealed, it will rise towards the top of the bag, so you must stop the process by pressing the Vacuum & Seal Button again. Then, press the Seal Only button to finish sealing the bag. The process better suits thicker liquids, such as soups and sauces, rather than broths and juices.

"I recommend this Nutrisealer if you like to organise and prepare batches of food. I could add sauce and herbs to my chopped veg, which blended and tasted more delicious than my usual containers of veggies in plastic tubs. The stand-out was some marinated mushrooms in soy sauce – and actually – I was impressed that the apple in lemon juice tasted good and looked fairly pale and crisp after five days.

"The vacuum sealing process removes excess volume from food portions, so I can fit lots of bags of fruit and vegetables from the garden in the freezer, perfect for the glut of runner beans and plums we had this year.

"It's not a fool-proof gadget and can be fiddly until you get the knack for it. Specifically, it's tricky to position the open top of a bag under the Alignment Bar Tab when the bag is heavy with food. It has to be carefully positioned this way so the vacuum engages and sucks the air out. Additionally, you have to include 7.6cm extra in the bag to allow enough space for it to be sealed. Try to get a few uses out of bags before buying bag roll refills to keep it economical.

"In terms of build, the unit is reasonably compact and can be stored away in a cupboard. A two-metre cord length gives you more freedom regarding which work surface you position it on. The Sealing Arm must be closed and locked in order to seal, and you must press down quite firmly for the latch to engage. It has thorough instructions and a great little recipe book to get you started. Personally, I enjoyed using this vacuum sealer as I'm someone who enjoys food prep and organisation. My fridge freezer is full!"

Power XL Nutrisealer Bag Roll Refill Kit is available from HSTV.

Pros

  • The accompanying bags can be sealed horizontally and vertically to create multipacks
  • Vacuuming and sealing extends the life of food
  • Built-in bag cutter to cut and customise any resealable bags

Cons

  • Requires the specific bags that are supplied; refills can be purchased separately
Dimensions:L45cm x H7.5cm x W7.5cm
Includes:Power XL Duo Nutrisealer, 4 x3m Long Vacuum Bag Rolls, Reusable Small Valve Vacuum Bag, Reusable Large Valve Vacuum Bag, Multi-Use Accessory Compatible with the Included Vacuum Bags, Recipe Book
  • Vacuum & Seal – automatically removes the air and seals the bag
  • Seal Only – ideal for resealing cereal, snacks and crisp bags
  • Vacuum Only – which is used with the Vacuum Tube Attachment
  • The Vacuum Tube Attachment removes air from jars, containers, and bottles
  • A range of resealable containers are sold separately

Tested

Best small food vacuum sealer

Natalie Knowles/HOMEASY

This automatic vacuum and sealer removes air in seconds and seals the accompanying plastic bags with the press of a button. With the vacuum and seal function, fresh vegetables and meat can be preserved up to seven times longer. Their nutritional value is retained. Vacuum packing also protects non-food items from moisture, oxidisation and corrosion. Additionally, you can use it to remove the air from commercially sealed bags of cheese or meat, to keep them fresher for longer. Accessories (sold separately) are available: Vacuum canister lid, wine bottle stopper, vacuum hose, and vacuum sealer rolls.

Reviewed by Commercial Content Writer, Natalie Knowles: "The HOMEASY Vacuum Sealer is the perfect size for a single person household. It comes with five 25 x 20cm bags and five 20 x 12cm bags, which can be used for sous vide cooking. The bags are the ideal size for single portions of marinated meat, vegetables and servings of leftover roast potatoes. I used the vacuum sealer for batch preparing vegetables for Crockpot dinners to last a week. The bags are good quality and held sauce without any issues. Allow at least 4cm of space between the contents in the bag and the top of the bag for sealing.

"Insert the plastic bag's open end under a clip inside the vacuum sealer to prevent slipping. The vacuum sealer has locks on each end, which take a little bit of force to press down on. Press the cover with both hands until there is a click. Then press the Seal button or Vacuum and Seal button. Finally, gently pull the vacuum release valve before lifting the fasteners on both sides of the unit and removing the bag. If you are sealing delicate foods, you can press the Vacuum button to stop the process manually, then use the Seal button to finish sealing it. According to the instruction booklet, a short press of the Vacuum Seal button will achieve a standard vacuum and seal, while a long press will seal a thicker bag.

"The HOMEASY Vacuum Sealer is small enough to be kept in a kitchen drawer. The slim and lightweight design makes it portable – ideal for sealing food or crafts at artisan markets. I think this vacuum sealer is best suited to individuals or for those who are packaging small items such as jewellery and spices. It doesn't have the versatility of the Power XL Duo Nutrisealer. However, the HOMEASY sealer is good value for money when it is on offer."

Pros

  • Good value for money when it's on offer
  • Great for a single person – the bags are the perfect size for single portions
  • Easy to use, plus it's good quality sealer and bags
  • Small, slim and lightweight unit that could easily be stored in a kitchen drawer

Cons

  • Cannot vacuum seal large portions
Dimensions:L35.5 x W8.2 x H6.5cm
Includes:Vacuum sealer machine and 10pcs BPA-free seal bags

Best value food vacuum sealer

Bonsenkitchen Vacuum SealerBonsenkitchen

There are so many benefits to vacuuming sealing food, and this Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer can cater to most types of food thanks to its four operating modes. The Seal function can be used to reseal an open bag of crisps. Whilst Vacuum and Seal removes the air from the bag too and can preserve fresh food for up to six times longer. This function can be used to preserve meat, nuts, ham and, vegetables – the airtight seal locks in flavours as well as nutrients and moisture. If you're freezing food, this vacuum sealing process prevents freezer burn. For delicate foods, such as bread and berries use Pulse Vac to manually control how much air is removed. In addition, with the accessory hose you can reduce food oxidation in jars and other containers, even remove the air from an open bottle of wine to keep it for longer.

Perhaps you're prepping homemade fudge to sell at a maker's market? This food vacuum sealer offers high-speed continuous working can seal up to 30 packs in 15 minutes.

This Amazon's Choice recommended product is under £40 at full price and even better value for money when it's on offer. Customers have used this vacuum sealer to pack fishing bait and pets' dinners. It's praised for its ability to vacuum-seal delicate food. A review comments that it's ideal for marinating meat and storing perfectly sized portions in the freezer. However, a minority of reviews question this vacuum sealer's longevity. It's ample for general use, whilst anything more may require a professional appliance.

Pros

  • Vacuum seal keeps food fresh for up to six times longer
  • One-touch Vacuum and Seal function for dry food
  • Use Pulse Vac to manually control the process for fragile or moist food such as bread and meat
  • Easy to use button controls with clear icons on each button
  • Compact and easy to store in a drawer

Cons

  • Long-term durability is questioned in a customer review
Dimensions:38.8 x 14.5 x 7.7cm
Includes:Food vacuum sealer machine, manual, vacuum bags, Air suction hose

Best food vacuum sealer with integrated bag roll

Foodsaver Food Vacuum Sealer MachineFoodsaver

The Foodsaver Food Vacuum Sealer Machine has several features that set it apart from other food vacuum sealers, including automatic liquid detection, an integrated bag roll holder and a marinate mode. Foodsaver bags preserve food for up to five times longer and prevent freezer burn. By using the Foodsaver system, you can save money on food as leftovers can be kept fresh and even fragile foods, such as whole eggs, can be vacuum sealed. Reduce food waste by vacuum sealing cut fruits. Quick marinate meats and impart extraordinary flavour in hours – perfect for a impromptu BBQ.

You are not limited by bag size, as Foodsaver bags are supplied on a roll for you to seal and cut to size. Therefore, it's possible to vacuum seal awkward shapes, such as whole fish.

Customers praise this appliance for being durable and surprisingly more versatile than initially expected. It's been a game-changer for batch cooking, and reviews indicate it was worth the higher price point. However, a review comments that the vacuum-seal container that came with their appliance did not retain its airtightness.

Pros

  • Integrated bag roll and cutter to measure and cut bags, minimising wastage
  • Create custom-size bags – ideal for large or awkward shapes, such as whole fish
  • Retains the quality and taste of leftovers
  • Delicate function for vacuum sealing

Cons

  • A customer comments that the accompanying vacuum seal container does not stay airtight
Dimensions:L41 x W23 x H10cm
Includes:1 x FoodSaver Unit, 5 x 0.94L bags, 5 x 3.78L bags, 1 x Roll (28cm x 3m), 1 x Storage Canister, 1 x Accessory Hose

Best food vacuum sealer for wide bags

Amazon Basics Vacuum Sealer Machine for Sous Vide CookingAmazon Basics

This Amazon Basics Vacuum Sealer Machine accommodates bags up to 30cm wide while remaining compact and slim, offering versatile features like Dry/Damp modes for sealing moist foods like meat and fish. A Pulse function allows careful control over suction, which is ideal for preserving delicate items like pastries and bread. Bags and rolls are sold separately and can preserve food freshness up to 10 times longer, preventing freezer burn and handling sous vide cooking. An optional canister and hose (sold separately) provide additional versatility for sealing containers. Customers praise its performance and value for money, though some note that pressing firmly on the lid is needed to engage it fully.

Pros

  • Accommodates larger bags while being slim and easy to store
  • Dry/Damp and Pulse functions allow for sealing of moist and delicate foods
  • Durable bags and rolls prevent freezer burn and withstand sous vide cooking
  • Great value and performs as well as higher-end models, according to reviews

Cons

  • You need to be able to press down firmly on the lid for it to work properly
Dimensions:L38.1 x W15.2 x H6.1cm
Includes:10 vacuum bags

Best handheld food vacuum sealer

CEROBEAR Portable Food Vacuum SealerCEROBEAR

For a wire-free, mini handheld vacuum sealer, look no further than the CEROBEAR Portable Food Vacuum Sealer. It's small and lightweight at just 150g – ideal for taking on camping trips and picnics. This vacuum sealer removes air from a bag in just 10 seconds with a power of 50kpa/3.5L per minute. On a full charge, the CEROBEAR Portable Food Vacuum Sealer can be used up to 216 times. Recharge the unit via a USB port with the supplied charging cable.

It's a doddle to use, with a one-click button on the top of the vacuum sealer. This is placed against the air valve of the supplied zip-lock bags. These reusable sous vide bags come in four sizes, ranging from 22 x 21cm to 25 x 34cm. This system can keep food fresh between 3-5 times longer. Use it to preserve meat, seafood, nuts, cereals, and vegetables. Just bear in mind that it is not suitable for use with liquids. It can preserve non-food items, such as photographs and jewellery.

Customers praise this handheld vacuum sealer, saying that they use it to keep ground coffee tasting fresh. Albeit, there are a minority of comments that say that air seeps back into the bag. At less than £20 it's great value for money.

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight – weights only 150g, perfect for travel
  • Up to 216 uses on a full USB charge
  • Simple one-click operation with reusable bags in four sizes
  • Keeps food fresh 3-5 times longer and preserves non-food items too

Cons

  • It is not suitable for use with liquids
Dimensions:L11.5 x W5 x H5cm
Includes:Vacuum sealer, 10 vacuum bags, sealing clips, USB cable, User Manual

Best food vacuum sealer for freezing meat

The John Lewis Vacuum Sealer offers a simple way to keep food fresh, marinate meats, and prep for sous vide cooking. It operates quietly at up to 68dB which is akin to the sound of people talking. It has settings for dry and moist foods and includes options to vacuum, seal or stop at the press of a button. It also has built-in storage and a cutting function for convenience. It comes with two bag rolls to get you started. Plus, this John Lewis product has a two-year guarantee.

Customers highly praise this vacuum sealer, which has a 5/5 rating. In particular, reviews comment that they use it for vacuum sealing and freezing meat because the bags eliminate freezer burn. They like the integrated bag roll and cutter, which keep everything compact. Just be aware that some individuals might find the clips fiddly.

Pros

  • Versatile functions – for keeping food fresh, marinating and sous vide prep
  • Built-in bag storage and cutter make it a neat and convenient unit
  • Settings for dry and moist foods – a wide range of ingredients and items can be vacuum sealed
  • Highly praised in reviews for preventing freezer burn and ease of use
  • Comes with a two-year guarantee

Cons

  • Some users found the bag-holding clips fiddly
Dimensions:Not specified
Includes:Two rolls included

Best food vacuum sealer for salads

Zwilling Fresh & Save 5 Piece Prep and Save SetZwilling
Price: £89.95 (was £107.85)

www.zwilling.com

Zwilling's innovation Fresh & Save 5 Piece Prep and Save Set is ideal for prepping light lunches, such as salads and chopped fruit. These stylish and stackable borosilicate glass containers containers have an airtight vacuum system that locks in freshness and flavour for up to five times longer. Plus, the containers are microwave, freezer and dishwasher-safe. This set makes the perfect starter kit to keep your fridge organised and functional. Alternatively, the containers can be purchased individually. As you would expect from Zwilling, these containers are premium quality and designed to last. When used in conjunction with Zwilling's Fresh & Save vacuum pump, food can be kept for extended periods and nutritional content is retained. It is especially effective at preserving dry food, such as cereal and rice.

This system makes it possible to prepare meals days in advance and enjoy fresh flavours. Simply dock the vacuum pump onto the air valve in the lid and all the air is extracted from the container at the push of a button. The vacuum pump automatically stops once all the air has been removed. For meal prepping fanatics, keep a track of your stored food with the ZWILLING Culinary World App, which will give you reminders of when to eat stored meals.

Pros

  • Locks in freshness and flavour for up to five times longer
  • Containers are microwave, freezer and dishwasher-safe
  • Made from durable borosilicate glass designed to last
  • Prepare meals days in advance while retaining nutritional content
  • User-friendly vacuum pump

Cons

  • Not the most space-saving food storage solution
Dimensions:Not specified
Includes:Three ZWILLING FRESH &amp; SAVE vacuum boxes, 4-in-1 spiral cutter, 7-in-1 multifunctional grater

Our verdict on the best food vacuum sealers

The Power XL Duo Nutrisealer and HOMEASY Vacuum Sealer were tried and tested in a domestic kitchen. Both have their own merits. The HOMEASY Vacuum Sealer is ideal for prepping single portions. It's very easy to use and produces an excellent vacuum seal. However, you are limited by the small size of the pre-cut bags.

The Power XL Duo Nutrisealer is more versatile, in that you create your own bags and seal vertically to create multipacks. But, be prepared for a bit of a learning curve while you get the knack for it.

The Homeasy and Power XL food vacuum sealers tried and tested in a kitchen by Yours.co.uk
©Natalie Knowles

Food vacuum sealer FAQs – we asked the expert

Lydia Mallinson, Content Marketing at ZWILLING UK, answers frequently asked questions about food vacuum sealers.

Food vacuum sealer FAQs

How does a vacuum sealer work?

"Compared to regular, non-vacuum sealable meal prep containers, the advantage of vacuum sealing is that it significantly reduces the amount of air surrounding the food.  This lowers the oxygen content and delays oxidisation and the aerobic process.  As the vacuum sealed box or bag has minimal air content, there’s a reduction in moisture – so no more mould or limp ingredients.  What’s more, food’s flavour, taste, vitamins and nutrients are all preserved for longer – perfect for everything from meat and fish to dairy, herbs, soups and sauces.  For best results, allow food to cool to room temperature before sealing and avoid opening the lid unnecessarily to prevent air entering inside."

How does vacuum sealing preserve food?

"Vacuum sealable food storage containers that extend the life of fresh ingredients and also enable you to digitally track use by dates are a great way of keeping the kitchen not only super organised, but also more efficient and less wasteful. Plus, there’s the added bonus of extra money saved by not letting food go to waste and utilising every inch of leftovers."

What foods are best for vacuum sealing?

"Any type of ingredient or produce can be vacuum sealed. Simply use the vacuum pump to remove the air and extend the freshness and fridge-life of your food for up to five times longer using ZWILLING FRESH & SAVE."

Can a vacuum sealer be used for marinating food?

"Yes – try marinating meat or vegetables in a glass container, vacuum sealing and then allowing to marinate for a few hours or overnight before cooking."

Zwilling's Fresh & Save vacuum and containers for keeping chilled foods fresh for longer
©Zwilling

This article contains expert commentary from Lydia Mallinson, Content Marketing at ZWILLING UK.

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances. When she's not testing sparkling water makers, she flexes her creative flair as an artist.

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