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Vacuum Sealers
Print | Add to CookbookPublished August 1, 2009.
Do they save food from freezer burn, or simply suck your wallet dry?
Product Tested Frost-free Easy to Use Price*
Highly Recommended
Pragotrade Vacuum Sealer Pro 2300
The Rolls-Royce of vacuum sealers. It was the only model with bags strong enough to keep frozen food perfectly sealed and frost-free after two months. But it was expensive, large, and heavy (26.5 pounds), and you must press on the lid during vacuuming. Only for the devoted freezer-owner.
$469.95
Recommended
FoodSaver V2240 Vacuum Sealer Kit
Intuitive and easy to use, this hands-free model was much smaller and lighter than our heavyweight winner, sealing food tightly and quickly. After a month, tiny air pockets formed around food, but packages stayed sealed with minimal frost. At two months: early signs of freezer burn.
$99.99
Recommended
Rival Seal-A-Meal VS107 Food Saver with Hold Release
This relatively lightweight model was harder to use than the FoodSaver V2240; we had to push the lid during vacuuming, but it sealed as tightly. After a month, we saw tiny air pockets and frost, but packages stayed sealed. At two months: early signs of freezer burn.
$63.02
Recommended with Reservations
FoodSaver V3840 Vacuum Sealer Kit
This model sealed as tightly as the other FoodSaver model, but its bells and whistles didn't justify the extra $73. Sitting vertically to save space, it's still wider than other models. The sealing slot is too narrow, and we found no difference between "dry" and "moist" food functions.
$173.97
Not Recommended
Reynolds Handi-Vac Vacuum Sealer
As long as food didn't get caught in the zipper, this handheld device made a tight seal at first. But after one months, bags of coffee that had been brick-hard were loose, and other foods were covered in frost.
$18.35
Not Recommended
Zip Vac Portable Food Storage System
This handheld model sealed tightly, but broke after just six uses. A backup unit had similar problems. If food got near the zipper, it wouldn't seal. After a month in the freezer, bags lost their seal. And while the device is cheap, its bags are not.
$29.99
Not Recommended
Oliso Frisper Vacuum Sealer
This model works by puncturing a hole in a reusable bag to draw out air, then heat-sealing around the hole. But its vacuum was too weak for a tight seal, especially around curvy strawberries, and it was so loud we wanted earplugs.
$59.99
Not Recommended
Deni Freshlock Turbo II Vacuum Sealer
Between pressing on different corners and having to seal three sides of a roll to make a bag, this model is a hassle. Bags felt cheap, the thin melting wire almost broke after three uses, and its weak vacuum struggled mightily.
$97.99
*Prices subject to change.
Print | Add to CookbookPublished August 1, 2009.
Do they save food from freezer burn, or simply suck your wallet dry?
Product Tested Frost-free Easy to Use Price*
Highly Recommended
Pragotrade Vacuum Sealer Pro 2300
The Rolls-Royce of vacuum sealers. It was the only model with bags strong enough to keep frozen food perfectly sealed and frost-free after two months. But it was expensive, large, and heavy (26.5 pounds), and you must press on the lid during vacuuming. Only for the devoted freezer-owner.
$469.95
Recommended
FoodSaver V2240 Vacuum Sealer Kit
Intuitive and easy to use, this hands-free model was much smaller and lighter than our heavyweight winner, sealing food tightly and quickly. After a month, tiny air pockets formed around food, but packages stayed sealed with minimal frost. At two months: early signs of freezer burn.
$99.99
Recommended
Rival Seal-A-Meal VS107 Food Saver with Hold Release
This relatively lightweight model was harder to use than the FoodSaver V2240; we had to push the lid during vacuuming, but it sealed as tightly. After a month, we saw tiny air pockets and frost, but packages stayed sealed. At two months: early signs of freezer burn.
$63.02
Recommended with Reservations
FoodSaver V3840 Vacuum Sealer Kit
This model sealed as tightly as the other FoodSaver model, but its bells and whistles didn't justify the extra $73. Sitting vertically to save space, it's still wider than other models. The sealing slot is too narrow, and we found no difference between "dry" and "moist" food functions.
$173.97
Not Recommended
Reynolds Handi-Vac Vacuum Sealer
As long as food didn't get caught in the zipper, this handheld device made a tight seal at first. But after one months, bags of coffee that had been brick-hard were loose, and other foods were covered in frost.
$18.35
Not Recommended
Zip Vac Portable Food Storage System
This handheld model sealed tightly, but broke after just six uses. A backup unit had similar problems. If food got near the zipper, it wouldn't seal. After a month in the freezer, bags lost their seal. And while the device is cheap, its bags are not.
$29.99
Not Recommended
Oliso Frisper Vacuum Sealer
This model works by puncturing a hole in a reusable bag to draw out air, then heat-sealing around the hole. But its vacuum was too weak for a tight seal, especially around curvy strawberries, and it was so loud we wanted earplugs.
$59.99
Not Recommended
Deni Freshlock Turbo II Vacuum Sealer
Between pressing on different corners and having to seal three sides of a roll to make a bag, this model is a hassle. Bags felt cheap, the thin melting wire almost broke after three uses, and its weak vacuum struggled mightily.
$97.99
*Prices subject to change.
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