The good news about vacuum sealers is that most do exactly what they promise: vacuum and seal, and any model worth its salt should at least deliver on that basic premise.

From our experience, ease of use and intuitiveness, along with various additional features, price and required real estate are what separate the “fine” from the “great” in this category.

A vacuum sealer can serve a number of purposes in your kitchen. Food storage longevity is its most basic function; an oxygen-free environment makes for longer-lasting freshness, whether your vacuum-sealed food items are stored in the pantry, fridge or freezer.

To that end, it’s an ideal appliance to consider for dedicated bulk shoppers or meal preppers.

Vacuum sealers also serve myriad other purposes: marinating, infusing and preparing foods for sous vide cooking, to name a few.

Best overall vacuum sealer: Nesco Deluxe VS 12

Nesco’s and Anova’s vacuum sealers were honestly neck-and-neck in this and the budget/beginner categories. Functionally, they are very similar, offering consistent results while being extremely easy to operate. Anova’s models may be a little sleeker design-wise, but ultimately it came down to intuitiveness on several fronts, giving Nesco the advantage.

The Nesco VS 12 push-down handle is the easiest locking mechanism of any vacuum sealer we tried.

We also very much appreciated Nesco’s display, which shows a countdown progress for each stage of the vacuum and seal, where other top models just show a blinking light. A canister sealing option is available with the inclusion of a plug-in tube.

Best vacuum sealer for newbies: Anova Culinary Precision

All of Anova’s models that we tested performed extremely well in terms of functionality and ease. Its basic model has a slightly smaller footprint than Nesco’s similar model, and it was the quickest and easiest to get set up and start sealing with, giving it the advantage in the starter vacuum sealer category.

Along with its modest price and high-level functionality, it’s an ideal model for someone with occasional vacuum sealing needs looking for a low-maintenance but worth-the-effort countertop model.

Most versatile vacuum sealer: FoodSaver Premiere Multi-Use

As a brand, the aptly named FoodSaver makes one thing: vacuum sealers (and their accessories). With more than a dozen models to choose from, FoodSaver is a safe bet no matter your budget or space parameters. The Premiere Multi-Use Vacuum Sealer was our top choice among the FoodSaver models we tested, offering a number of desirable features.

A slightly pricier option, we found its functionality to be less intuitive than some others. It does have a feature we very much appreciated, however: a drip tray built into the mechanism that can prevent small amounts of errant liquids from getting sucked into the machine. (This wasn’t much of a problem with any model we tested, but we still like the reassurance.)

The bag cutting mechanism that FoodSaver offers is also one of the easiest to operate, utilizing the hood of the apparatus to hold the plastic in place while it is cut. A built-in handheld mechanism with a hose is included and attached to the machine to keep you from losing it.

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