Best vacuum sealer under $150 of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

1.  Anova Culinary ANVS02-US00

The Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro boasts all the characteristics that make for a top-notch vacuum sealer. It has powerful suction, various user control options, a slot for bag storage, a bag cutter, an accessory port for sealing jars or marinating meat, and a sealing bar measuring one foot in length that creates a double seal on bags. Despite having the same features as larger models, the Anova Pro is compact and ideal for storage in a cupboard or kitchen counter. The unit's simple and sleek design, including intuitive controls, is a plus. If the lid is opened, the machine will automatically cease suctioning, and the lid can be easily closed due to the handle that spans the length of the unit. The Anova Pro also comes with a starter bag roll.

Brand     Anova Culinary
Material     Plastic
Color     Black
Item Dimensions LxWxH     14.75 x 7 x 4.3 inches
Item Weight     5 Pounds

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2. Anova Culinary ANVS01-US00 - Best for small spaces  

The Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer ANVS01-US00 is a compact model and ideal for those with limited storage space. Despite its simple design that lacks additional features such as an accessory port, bag cutter, and storage, it still enables pulse and vacuum sealing. This Anova sealer is not as strong as our primary pick, making it suitable for occasional use or sous vide enthusiasts but not for frequent sealing of meat and pantry items.

Brand     Anova Culinary
Material     Plastic
Color     Black
Item Dimensions LxWxH     16.73 x 4.8 x 3.14 inches
Item Weight     2.31 Pounds

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3. Best Overall: Nesco VS 12

The Nesco VS 12 vacuum sealer is the top pick among testers for its ability to preserve food without crushing it. With a pulse function and three power settings, users can control the suction force to gently preserve delicate foods like raspberries. The easy-to-lock lid, sealer bag storage compartment, and sliding bag cutter make it user-friendly. The seal is sturdy, the bag remains intact, and the machine offers more control than any other option tested. Despite being slightly louder than other models, it does not affect performance and comes with two rolls of bags. Testers found it they're favorite due to its power, ease of use, and affordability.

The Nesco VS 12 vacuum sealer has a complete power control feature that allows users to control the suction force, making it possible to preserve delicate foods without crushing them. This is a major advantage compared to other machines tested. The only drawback is that it is slightly louder than other models, but this does not impact its performance.

Brand     Nesco
Material     Plastic
Color     Silver
Item Dimensions LxWxH     15.75 x 8 x 4.5 inches
Item Weight     6 Pounds

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4. Best Value: Geryon E2900-MS Food Vacuum Sealer Machine

The vacuum sealer in question received positive reviews from our testers for its affordability, functionality, and ease of use. Its lightweight design, easy-to-clean surface, and powerful suction make it a great choice for sealing meats, fish, and vegetables. The option of two pressure modes and six food settings adds a level of customization to the process. However, it struggled with sealing delicate items like strawberries and cereal, crushing them instead of preserving their shape. This vacuum sealer comes with an air suction hose and five sealing bags, and its compact size makes it a convenient option for storage and use.

This concise summary highlights the pros and cons of the vacuum sealer. The pros include its lightweight and easy assembly, as well as its impressive power. The con is that its strong suction may crush delicate foods during sealing.

Brand     GERYON
Material     Plastic vacuum sealer
Color     Silver
Item Dimensions LxWxH     2.56 x 5.5 x 14.4 inches
Item Weight     2.6 Pounds

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5. Best for biginers - Nesco VS-02

This compact vacuum sealer is a great choice for new or occasional users who want versatility and control in a small, affordable package. It has strong suction and offers power control options, effectively sealing food without crushing it. However, it may not be suitable for sealing delicate ingredients and is one of the loudest vacuum sealers on the market. Additionally, it doesn't have a pulse function like many other models.

This vacuum sealer is a simple and affordable option for first-time or occasional users. It has a slim design, making it easy to store, and offers increased suction control, allowing for easy operation. The main disadvantage is that it does not have a pulse function, unlike other models.

Brand     Nesco
Material     Plastic
Color     Black
Item Dimensions LxWxH     18.31 x 5.06 x 11.81 inches
Item Weight     6.63 Pounds

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6. Best compact - FOODSAVER VS0150 PowerVac

This vacuum sealer is a compact and simple option, ideal for small kitchens and occasional users. It offers pulse control and efficiently seals delicate foods without crushing them. The straightforward interface and vertical storage option are also appreciated features. The vacuum sealer comes with two sealing settings for dry and moist foods.

The vacuum sealer is a compact device that can be stored either horizontally or vertically, making it a good option for small kitchens with a limited countertop or cabinet space. However, the narrow design can make cleaning a bit challenging.

Brand     FOODSAVER
Material     Silicone, Plastic, Steel
Color     Black
Item Dimensions LxWxH     15.94 x 6.16 x 2.71 inches
Power Source     HandHeld

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7. Best for delicate foods - NutriChef PKVS18SL

The NutriChef PKVS Sealer is a lightweight and gentle machine that performs well when sealing fragile foods. It has a strong suction and a simple touchscreen interface with LED lights. It comes with five reusable vacuum bags and one extra long vacuum bag roll, and has both dry and moist food functionalities. It is not suitable for sealing in bulk.

The NutriChef PKVS Sealer has a strong and gentle suction for sealing delicate foods and is suitable for fruits, cereals, and delicate fish. The machine is lightweight with a simple interface that uses touchscreen buttons and LED lights. It comes with five reusable vacuum bags and an extra-long vacuum bag roll. However, it is not recommended for bulk sealing and may struggle with back-to-back sealing.

    Dimensions: 6.07 x 14.18 x 3 inches
    Weight: 2.93 pounds
    Seal Settings: 2
    Bundle Includes: 5 medium vacuum bags, 1 extra long vacuum bag roll

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8. FoodSaver 2 in 1

Overall, this gadget was not well received in terms of its user-friendliness. The machine has an automatic sealing feature, which seals the bag as soon as the vacuum process is finished. Unfortunately, there is no pulse function, leading to the crushing of delicate foods in our tests. On the positive side, it was exceptionally powerful (sometimes too much so) and did an excellent job of sealing meats securely.

Brand     FOODSAVER
Material     Stainless Steel
Color     Silver
Item Dimensions LxWxH     17.6 x 9.3 x 9.6 inches
Item Weight     9 Pounds

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When purchasing a vacuum sealer, look for a machine that offers pulse control and enough suction power to remove air without crushing delicate or irregularly shaped foods. Consider purchasing a countertop model, as they generally have more functionality and can work with various bag sizes, while handheld models are portable but limited in functionality.

Three types of vacuum sealers

There are three main types of vacuum sealers: external vacuum sealers, chamber vacuum sealers, and handheld valve sealers. Each type has its own unique features and benefits, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. External vacuum sealers remove air from a bag that is placed outside the unit, while chamber vacuum sealers have a chamber in which the food and bag are placed. Handheld valve sealers are compact, portable devices that can be used to seal bags quickly and easily.

What about FoodSaver vacuum sealers?

There are three main types of vacuum sealers: external, chamber, and handheld valve sealers. Each class has unique features and benefits, and your best choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences. External vacuum sealers remove air from a bag placed outside the unit, while chamber vacuum sealers have a chamber where the food and bag are placed. Handheld valve sealers are compact, portable devices that can seal bags quickly and easily.

What about chamber vacuum sealers?

VacMaster is a highly regarded brand of chamber vacuum sealers, known for its power and effectiveness. The VacMaster VP210 and VP215 models are recommended for those looking for a more powerful machine. However, these models are expensive and intended for frequent use, making them best for avid hunters or those who fish often. The Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer, which is intended for home use, was tested but was dismissed because its internal cavity was too small to seal large cuts of meat or fit pint Mason jars.

Care and maintenance

When using an external vacuum sealer, it is essential to remember that liquids cannot be packaged and must be frozen or patted dry with a paper towel before sealing. The foam gaskets on the vacuum chamber should not be locked in the closed position when not in use to avoid damage. Specialty quilted bags with channels are required for external vacuum sealers, and it is recommended to avoid using bags intended for chamber vacuum sealers. Bags can be washed and reused for pantry items, but new bags should be used for raw meats. Fruits and vegetables that naturally release ethylene gas should be avoided. Waiting several seconds to a minute between sealings is recommended to prevent overheating.

 

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The Nesco VS 12 is a great choice for an affordable, user-friendly option that offers strength and gentleness. During our tests, this machine was able to effectively extract air without damaging delicate foods like raspberries and pretzels, making it a top performer in terms of preservation and food preservation.

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The Nesco VS-02 Vacuum Sealer is a previous budget pick due to its low price, versatility, and strong suction power. However, it is larger than the current budget pick, the Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer, and costs only $10 less. It offers more controls than most models in its price range, including the option to extend sealing time for moist foods, but lacks a pulse button for delicate foods like crackers. The Nesco machine has a slot to store extra bags and a sliding bag cutter, but takes more effort to close.

For those willing to spend more for an external machine that doesn't need to rest between sealings, the 12-inch Cabela's Commercial-Grade Vacuum Sealer is a good option. It has a suction strength of 26 inHg and many of the same controls as the runner-up pick. The sealing bars automatically adjust the temperature to prevent overheating, and there's a side storage compartment for accessory hoses. However, this machine is expensive and goes beyond what most home cooks need. It is ideal for those who do a lot of hunting and fishing and don't want to spend a lot on a chamber vacuum sealer

This article compares different vacuum sealers under various price ranges. For those under $100, the FoodSaver FM2000-FFP is more expensive than the budget pick Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer but doesn't offer any additional controls. The FoodSaver Space Saving Food Vacuum Sealer VS1150 is smaller but still not as slim as the budget pick.

For those between $100 and $200, the FoodSaver V4440 was not tested due to limited availability and the Weston 65-0501-W had a lid that required too much effort to close and a struggling motor.

For those over $200, the FoodSaver V4840 lacked a dedicated pulse button and was more expensive but offered less control options. The FoodSaver FM5460 had similar features as the main pick but was awkward to use. The FoodSaver FSFSSL5860-DTC was over $300 and not tested. The Weston Pro-2300 was of disappointing quality and the Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer was only intended for home use with a small inner chamber.

 

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