Best FoodSavers
best FoodSaver products
Ready to buy now? Shop the best:
- Best of the Best: FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine
- Best Bang for the Buck: FoodSaver Compact Vacuum Sealer
- Most Premium: FoodSaver Elite All-in-One Liquid+ Vacuum Sealer
- Best Starter Kit: FoodSaver FM2100 Vacuum Sealer Machine
- Easy to Store: FoodSaver Handheld+ 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System
Throwing spoiled food away is like watching your money go out the door with the garbage. FoodSaver vacuum sealers prolong the life of food so that less of it ends up in the garbage can. Models range from large countertop vacuum sealers designed to seal fresh game to small handheld models that make sealing small, individualized portions fast and easy.
There’s a FoodSaver out there to meet your specific needs, and here at FranksWaffle, we’ve worked hard to help you find it. Our favorite is the FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine, which offers a wide range of settings and features to suit just about any need.
Editors’ picks
FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine
Editors’ Favorite
Dimensions: 11″ L x 20″ W x 12″ H | Settings: 3 | Weight: 10 lb | Bag storage: Yes
While the FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine is easy enough for beginners to use, it also offers advanced features that more experienced users will appreciate. Featuring fully automatic operation, it detects bags that are placed in the vacuum chamber and then senses how much moisture is present to switch to the appropriate mode for an airtight seal.
In addition to dry and moist food settings, the machine also has a marinate function, allowing you to get the most flavor from your marinades for meats and veggies. We also love the LED progress bar that lets you know exactly how far along in the vacuum-sealing process you are.
This vacuum sealer’s settings certainly make it versatile, but the retractable handheld sealer provides even more flexibility in what you can vacuum-seal. You can use the handheld sealer for FoodSaver vacuum zipper bags, canisters, containers and other FoodSaver accessories.
It also has built-in storage for vacuum seal rolls and an integrated cutter, making it very easy to create custom-sized bags for whatever food you’re sealing. Cleanup is a breeze, too, because the exterior easily wipes clean, and the removable drip tray is dishwasher-safe.
FoodSaver Compact Vacuum Sealer
Great Value
Dimensions: 17.91″ L x 5.59″ W x 10.24″ H | Settings: 2 | Weight: 4.5 lb | Bag storage: No
If you have limited storage space in your kitchen, the FoodSaver Compact Vacuum Sealer is the perfect option. Its slim, compact design allows you to store it vertically in a drawer, so it doesn’t take up valuable counter space. It weighs under 5 pounds, too, so it’s highly portable. It also features settings for both dry and moist foods, allowing you to create airtight seals no matter how much moisture the food contains.
It has a straightforward, intuitive control panel with just a few buttons, making it ideal for those new to vacuum-sealing. It also comes with a vacuum seal roll and pre-made bags, so you have everything needed to start vacuum-sealing as soon as you take the machine out of the box. Best of all, this vacuum sealer seals with 35% less bag waste compared to previous FoodSaver models, allowing you to get plenty of bang for your buck.
FoodSaver Elite All-in-One Liquid+ Vacuum Sealer
Most Premium
Dimensions: 23.6″ L x 9.8″ W x 10.9″ H | Settings: 6 | Weight: 6.4 lb | Bag storage: Yes
For those looking for the most versatility and features from their vacuum sealer, it’s difficult to top the FoodSaver Elite All-in-One Liquid+ Vacuum Sealer. It offers six settings, so in addition to the standard dry and moist options, it also allows you to vacuum seal liquids and items for sous vide cooking.
Because it creates such an airtight seal, you can seal things like soup, sauce and salsa. It even has a setting for marinating foods for more intense flavor. We especially appreciate the pulse setting because it allows you to control the amount of pressure used when vacuum-sealing to keep delicate foods like baked goods from getting crushed.
Despite its advanced features, this vacuum sealer is easy to use. It features an Easy Bag alignment design and an extra-wide sealing strip, allowing you to place the bags perfectly and reduce waste. It also senses when a bag is placed in the chamber and automatically locks the machine to begin vacuum-sealing. The built-in retractable handheld sealer lets you vacuum-seal FoodSaver zipper bags and containers, too, giving you even more options for the types of food you can seal.
How we analyzed
With so many models in the line, choosing a FoodSaver vacuum sealer for your food preservation needs can be challenging. To find the best FoodSaver vacuum sealer, we considered customer reviews from various online retailers to identify which models best met users’ expectations. Specifically, we analyzed which FoodSaver vacuum sealers are easiest to use, offer the most settings, create the most airtight seals and have the most convenient storage features. Ultimately, we evaluated more than a dozen FoodSaver vacuum sealers and chose the top models based on ease of use, performance, versatility and durability.
What does a FoodSaver vacuum sealer do?
If you’re looking to preserve food for a lengthy period, a FoodSaver vacuum sealer can help. FoodSaver vacuum sealers help prevent freezer burn and can preserve food for up to five times longer than unsealed food.
How does this work? A FoodSaver vacuum sealer removes excess air from the food bag and seals it with heat so air cannot re-enter. The brand’s specially designed vacuum seal bags can be frozen, heated in the microwave, or boiled. Bags come pre-cut or as a roll.
You can use a FoodSaver vacuum sealer for any or all of the following purposes.
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Preserving wild game
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Preserving domestic meat
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Sealing leftovers
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Marinades
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Preserving fresh fruits and vegetables
Which type of FoodSaver vacuum sealer is right for you?
Before you shop, it helps to decide which type of FoodSaver vacuum sealer would best serve your purposes. There are countertop models, handheld models, and models designed specifically for the preservation of wild game.
Countertop vacuum sealers
Countertop FoodSaver vacuum sealers come in three different sizes: compact, mid-size, and full-size. All compact models are manually operated; mid-size and full-size models are automatic, though the sealing function can be run manually if needed.
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Compact: These manually operated vacuum sealers consume less storage space, and many include a hose port that allows you to seal canisters for marinades. Manual models must be timed and sealed by the user; some products have an indicator light that signals the completion of the vacuuming process.
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Midsize: These automatic models take some of the guesswork out of the equation. A sensor detects when the air is removed and automatically seals the bag. Midsize FoodSavers often include roll storage within the machine and a roll cutter on the lid. Some have an extra-wide sealing strip to accommodate large portions or cuts of meat.
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Full-Size: These automatic sealers have special features such as pulse control and a variety of vacuum speeds to help prevent delicate foods from getting crushed. Bag storage, built-in bag cutters, and adjustable seal bars make these a top-of-the-line kitchen appliance. With so many features, full-size FoodSavers often come in an upright design that consumes less counter space.
Handheld vacuum sealers
Powered by a rechargeable battery, handheld vacuum sealers cost less than their countertop cousins, yet they offer great versatility without taking up much space. Handheld FoodSaver vacuum sealers can be used with FoodSaver bags, food storage containers, and canisters as part of the brand’s patented Food Preservation System.
FoodSaver bags have a vacuum-sealing hole where the handheld sealer attaches, removes air, and seals. FoodSaver containers can hold everything from leftovers to garden vegetables. The sealer attaches to a hole in the top of the container to remove air. These models save space, time, and money; they’re an excellent deal if you’re on a budget.
Wild game vacuum sealers
The largest of the FoodSaver vacuum sealers are specially designed to make preserving wild game easy and efficient. They have an extra-wide sealing strip and drip tray to accommodate large cuts of meat. Their powerful commercial-grade motors can perform 40 to 100 consecutive seals, which is needed when preparing meat from an entire animal. Some have titanium casings for extra durability, and others have power cords that plug into a cigarette lighter so meat can be sealed from anywhere.
Which FoodSaver features matter most?
When selecting a FoodSaver vacuum sealer, you may wonder which features to prioritize. Based on our research, here’s a look at the considerations that we find most important.
Use and purpose
Before buying a vacuum sealer, take a close look at your needs. Are you a hunter? Hunters need a vacuum sealer that can perform a high number of consecutive seals. If you plan to seal a lot of meat, a countertop or wild game vacuum sealer would work best. Are you looking for a way to efficiently store dinner leftovers? If you plan to seal smaller portions, a basic countertop or handheld sealer would probably be enough.
Manual vs. automatic
Which would suit you best, a manual vacuum sealer or an automatic vacuum sealer? Manual models require you to time, watch, and manually press the seal button once all the air has been removed. It takes more focus and leaves more room for error, but these models cost far less than automatic sealers. Automatic models have sensors that detect when all the air has been removed from the bag or container; the machine completes the seal for you. Automatic sealers are easier to use, but they’re usually larger and more expensive.
Size
If you live in a small house or apartment, you probably won’t have space for a countertop FoodSaver. Individual meat portions, food storage containers, and storage bags can instead be sealed using a handheld FoodSaver, saving you space and money.
A compact countertop vacuum sealer also saves some space and performs well, but it won’t have all the bells and whistles of a full-size FoodSaver vacuum sealer. If you have the need and a fairly large amount of kitchen space, you may wish to consider a compact countertop FoodSaver.
If you’re really serious about preserving food in bulk and you have plenty of space and an ample budget, a full-size or wild game FoodSaver makes the most sense. This workhorse machine will make quick work of preserving your food.
Sealing settings
Do you plan to seal delicate foods – bread, fruit, and so on – that could possibly sustain damage as a result of the sealing process? Not to worry. Some FoodSavers have a pulse setting that gives you manual control over the vacuum process. This is convenient because you can stop the process before you see your delicate foods get crushed. Other FoodSavers have a “gentle” seal setting that slows the vacuuming process and creates a seal before fragile foods like bread or fresh fruit sustain damage.
Built-in roll storage and bag cutter
Keeping all your sealing supplies together makes the process easier and faster. A FoodSaver with a built-in bag cutter and roll storage reduces bag waste, saving you money. It’s also easier because bags are automatically loaded into the seal position.
Wet/dry mode
A vacuum sealer with a wet/dry button allows you to seal moist foods such as fruit, soup, and sauce. A sensor tells you when the air has been removed and starts the seal before too much liquid is lost to the drip tray. The heat bar gets hotter while in wet mode to evaporate the extra moisture and achieve a good seal.
Some FoodSavers with a wet/dry mode also have automatic liquid detection. These models automatically switch to wet mode when liquid is detected.
Notably, a vacuum sealer without a wet/dry mode cannot be used to seal food with any kind of moisture in it.
Upright vs. horizontal design
Upright vacuum sealers take up less counter space while maximizing features. These models are large but are meant to sit on your counter for quick use at any time.
Horizontal vacuum sealers work just as well as uprights, but they take up more counter space. Some horizontal vacuum sealers have similar features to uprights, while others are basic manual machines.
FoodSaver offers both upright and horizontal models. How often you’ll use the sealer along with your available storage space will help you determine which type is best for you.
Removable drip tray
During the sealing process, any removed liquids fall into the drip tray. A removable drip tray can be emptied and placed in the dishwasher for fast cleaning. Drip trays that aren’t removable must be wiped clean and dried while still in the sealer. Some FoodSaver vacuum sealers have removable drip trays while others don’t.
Other valuable FoodSaver accessories
FoodSaver accessories can often cost as much as the machine itself. Sealers that come with extra accessories save you money in the long run. Accessories to watch for include the following.
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Jar Sealer: Jar sealers don’t come standard with all FoodSaver models. They preserve a greater variety of foods and come in regular and wide-mouth versions.
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Bottle Stopper: You can seal and keep wines fresh for days using this accessory.
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Food Storage Containers: Say goodbye to your old plasticware with these containers. They come in various sizes and hold everything from leftovers to casseroles and vegetables. The more food storage containers you can get with the vacuum sealer upon initial purchase, the better.
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Bags and Bag Rolls: After buying a vacuum sealer, bags and bag rolls will be your next biggest expense. FoodSaver bags can be washed and reused as long as the bag did not contain meat, eggs, or other foods that may contain bacteria after use. Bags that contained greasy or oily food should also be thrown away because completely removing the grease is difficult. Look for a vacuum sealer that comes with as many bags and bag rolls as possible.
How much do FoodSaver vacuum sealers cost?
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Around $50: Handheld FoodSavers cost as little as $20. Bear in mind that you’ll need to buy the accessories necessary to use it, such as food storage containers and bags. This will add to your expense.
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$100 to $150: FoodSavers in this range are usually manually operated with only one seal setting. At the higher end of the range, you may find a sealer with a wide sealing strip. Countertop FoodSaver prices start around $55.
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$150 to $200: You’ll find both automatic countertop and wild game FoodSavers with extra-wide sealing strips, two seal settings, and some built-in bag roll storage and bag cutters here.
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$200 to $350: In this premium price tier, you’ll find the largest countertop FoodSavers with adjustable sealing strip height, automatic sealing, wide sealing strips, and built-in roll storage with a bag cutter on the lid.
FAQ
Q. I want to save money with a manual vacuum sealer, but how do I know when the bags are sealed?
A. While you will need to time the process, manual FoodSaver vacuum sealers have an indicator light that turns off once the vacuuming process is complete. At this point, you’ll need to seal the bag.
Manual FoodSavers provide more control over the sealing process. Once you get used to how the machine works, you may find that you can simply listen and recognize when it’s time to stop sealing based on how the machine sounds.
Q. How long do marinades take in a vacuum-sealed canister?
A. By removing the air from a marinade container, you can infuse the food with a marinade in minutes rather than marinating overnight. After 30 minutes, most food will be ready to cook. You can give it a little more time if you want extra flavor.