February 12, 2017

Last Updated: April 24, 2023



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Vacuum Sealer Reviews: The Best Sellers on Amazon

By trk

Last Updated: April 24, 2023


Updated for 2022

The number of vacuum sealers on Amazon can make your head spin. With such a huge variety, how do you know which one to buy? What makes one better than another one? What features are important? How much do you need to spend to get everything you want? 

We looked at the top best sellers on Amazon and did a detailed analysis. Find out what makes these sealers good...or not so good, depending on what you're looking for.

How We Tested for this Vacuum Sealer Review

Vacuum Sealer Reviews: The Best Sellers on Amazon

We selected the top sellers on Amazon based on the number of positive reviews. Then we did about 100 hours of research and testing on these vacuum sealers. We tested performance, durability, and ease of use, as well as looking at company histories and user reviews to arrive at well-rounded, detailed conclusions. 

The Best Sellers At a Glance

Here's a quick-view table of the best sellers on Amazon based on vacuum sealer reviews by customers. These models have the biggest number of customer reviews with an average rating of 3.5 stars or more. The rating given here is our rating based on our testing and how we think they compare to each other.

Note: Table may not be visible in mobile view.

Sealer (click to see on Amazon)

Reviews

FoodSaverV2244_150px

13000+

TRK Pick!

FoodSaverFM222-000_150px

7500+

FoodSaverV4440_150px
FoodSaverV4840_150px

7000+ (combined)

TRK Pick!

WestonPro2300_150px

900+

FoodSaverFM2435_150px

2900+

FoodSaverPremium5000_150px

700+

How Do Vacuum Sealers Work?

How Do Vacuum Sealers Work?

All vacuum sealers work on the same basic principle: a pump pulls air out of the bag and creates an airtight seal, which allows food to stay fresher longer. Depending on the type of food and storage conditions, food can stay fresh for up to 5 times longer when it's vacuum-sealed vs. other, non-airtight storage containers. 

For more information on how vacuum sealers work and why they're so great at preserving food, see our article Why Every Kitchen Needs a Food Vacuum Sealer

What Types of Vacuum Sealers Are Available?

There are 3 main types of vacuum sealers: edge/external sealers, handheld sealers, and chamber sealers. They all suck air out of bags, but each works a little bit differently and has unique advantages and disadvantages. 

Edge/External Sealers

FoodSaverFM2435_600px

Best For: Freezer storage, solid foods.

Edge sealers, also called external or channel sealers, are the most common type of vacuum sealer. All of the Amazon best sellers are edge sealers. The bag sits outside the sealer and the edge is inserted into a channel for sealing.

Because the vacuum is produced inside the bag only, these sealers work best with solid foods; the difference in air pressure between the bag and the outside air causes liquids to get sucked up into the pump.

Most edge sealers have settings for "moist" foods and "soft" foods, or you can pulse manually to control the amount of vacuum you pull (which is what the "moist" and "soft food" buttons do). However, all this really does is decrease the amount of vacuum created, and thus leave more air in the bag, which reduces safe storage time and increases the possibility of freezer burn. It works; it just isn't ideal.

Why are edge sealers the most popular type of sealer? They're cheaper and easier to store than chamber sealers, and they're more versatile than handheld sealers. For most home users, they're a good all-around option. Whether you want a cheap, entry level sealer or one that you can process game or do bulk freezing projects with, there's an edge sealer out there you can probably be happy with.

Handheld Sealers

WaringProHandheldSealer_300px

Best For: Leftovers (not for long term freezing).

Handheld sealers are small and lightweight. They can fit in a drawer or sit on a small charger when not in use. Rather than using a heat seal, they require proprietary bags that fit the nozzle on the sealer:

Vacuum Sealer Reviews: The Best Sellers on Amazon

The good news is that these bags are reusable, and most are dishwasher safe. The bad news is that these bags aren't great for long term storage, so should be used primarily for leftovers and other short-term storage.

Handheld sealers are easy to store and a good way to reduce plastic use in the kitchen because the bags are reusable. However, they aren't very powerful and almost impossible to use for big projects because they'll quickly overheat (just like an inexpensive edge sealer). Even so, the reusability factor is great, so if you don't plan on having a lot of large, bulk sealing projects, a handheld might be a good option for you. 

Handhelds are reasonably priced, but none of them show up in Amazon's best-selling vacuum sealer list. 

As sous vide gains popularity, handheld sealers are becoming more popular, too, because they're small, economical, and marketed to sous vide users. The best use for them, though, is for bags that you want to reuse. With both edge sealers and chamber sealers, bags have to be cut open, so they're not easy to reuse and are best used for long-term storage (such as in the freezer).

Thus, leftovers and pantry staples are great options for handhelds, and will keep these foods fresher than many other types of storage containers (because they remove air).

Chamber Vacuum Sealers

VacMasterVP215_300px

Best For: Freezer storage, refrigerator storage, liquids.

Chamber vacuum sealers, or chamber vacs, have an internal chamber where sealing takes place. The great advantage to this is that that you can seal liquids. Because the air pressure is equalized inside the entire chamber, liquids don't get sucked out of the bag. 

Being able to seal liquids and moist foods is a great option. If you want to seal soups, stocks, casseroles, marinades, or other runny foods, you don't have to freeze them first. It is also easier to vacuum marinade because the marinade stays in the bag.

On the other hand, chamber vacs have a few disadvantages. They're bulky and heavy--although this is because the internal parts tend to be very durable, which also means they can pull a stronger vacuum.

You're also limited to the bag size you can use by the size of the chamber. Most chamber vacs have a 10-inch sealing bar and max out at a 10x13-in bag. Some have longer sealing bars, but anything over 12 inches is probably going to cost in the 4-figure range.

Chamber sealers are robust appliances and people love them. However, because they're more expensive, there's a smaller market for them.

For more information on chamber vacs, see Chamber Vacuum Sealer Reviews: The 4 Best Deals on Amazon.

Which Type of Sealer Is Best for Sous Vide?

Which Type of Sealer Is Best for Sous Vide?

Many vacuum sealer ads will say Great for sous vide! Or say that the vacuum sealer is "designed for use with sous vide." But the truth is, any vacuum sealer will work with sous vide.

Even if you're looking for a food vacuum sealer primarily to use with sous vide, you're better off thinking how else you'll use it: do you want to seal liquids? will you use it for bulk freezing projects? For leftovers? And if just for sous vide, then how many times a week will you use it (i.e, what quality level do you need)?

Any sealer will work for sous vide. But by answering these broader questions, you're likely to get a sealer that will best fit your lifestyle and your needs. 

For more information on cooking with sous vide, see Why Cook With a Sous Vide Circulator?

NOTE! Some vacuum bags will fail at high sous vide temperatures, that is, above about 160F, if left in the water bath for more than a few hours. If you're doing a high-temperature cook or a long cook, keep an eye on your bag. You may want to double-bag for long cooks, or change out the bag if it feels like it's being compromised by the hot water.

Why Are There So Many FoodSaver Products on the List?

Why Are There So Many FoodSaver Products on the List?

FoodSaver is the largest maker of home vacuum sealers in the world. They make a dizzying array of sealers, ranging in price from about $50 on up to about $350. The number of models they offer, plus their history in the market as a reliable bargain-priced sealer, makes them a popular brand.

FoodSaver has dozens of videos on YouTube that do more than just promote their products. They show you how to use all the features and even provide tips on ways to use your FoodSaver that you may not have considered. 

Foodsaver makes several product lines: the 2000-, 3000-, 4000-, 5000-, and Outdoor Series. All are edge sealers. They also have a handheld line, plus bags and a number of accessories.

As the series number goes up, the extra features increase, although you can get automation and a 5 year warranty even at the 2000 level (such as with the FM-2435-ECR reviewed below). No Outdoor Series or handhelds made the Amazon best seller list.

In addition to differing design and automation features, some FoodSaver products have 1-year warranties and some have 5-year warranties (often for the same price!). The best advice with FoodSaver products is to read the fine print and make sure you're getting everything you want.

In the reviews below, we give as much information as possible to help you figure out the features of each model. Unfortunately, FoodSaver does not provide detailed specifications on their products, so it is not possible to include pump specs, motor wattage, vacuum pulled--details offered by other manufacturers such as Weston and VacMaster. They offer some replacement parts for their high-end models, but not for most of the best-selling, lower-priced models; these are considered "throw-away" products, that is, meant to be replaced rather than repaired.

Most FoodSaver vacuum sealer user reviews on Amazon (and elsewhere) are positive, and most FoodSaver products are a good light-duty option for home use. This means that regardless of which FoodSaver model you buy, you're going to get about the same quality product, plus some extras if you spend more. 

What does "extras" mean? Extras can include:

  • An accessory port and hose (although most FoodSaver models have this feature)
  • Moist and/or soft food settings (with which you can decrease the amount of air removed from the bag, which you can also accomplish with any vacuum sealer just by stopping the suction)
  • The option to use both pre-sized bags and rolls (rolls are cheaper and you can cut them to any length)
  • Storage space for rolls of bags (yes, inside the sealer)
  • A bag cutter (nice to get a straight cut every time)
  • A longer warranty (some FoodSavers have 1 yr. warranties and some have 5 yr warranties)
  • One-touch sealing--you don't have to "lock" the bag in place, just slide it into the slot and press a button
  • Fully automatic sealing--just place the bag in the slot and the vacuum sealer will do the rest (not even a button press required)
  • Automatic bag cutting and sealing: if the model uses rolls (most automatic sealers do), it will seal both ends automatically. This starts to get pricy. (5000 Series)
  • A bigger "starter kit," meaning the model comes with a lot of bags (which is nice, because bags aren't cheap) and maybe some accessories such as a hose for jars, a bottle stopper, mason jar lids, etc.
  • A detachable handheld sealer for use with reusable zipper bags as well as other accessories (the 2435-ECR, 4000, and 5000 Series sealers).

To reiterate: with FoodSaver, an increase in price offers more sealing features. However, the internal parts are all pretty much the same, whether you pay $50 or $250.

Some of the expensive FoodSaver sealers have a double pump so it can switch back and forth during bulk sealing projects, letting one pump cool down while the other one works. It' a good feature, but we have to ask, if you're spending more than $200 on a vacuum sealer, why not just buy one with a heavy duty pump (like the Weston Pro 2300) that can run for extended periods without needing a cool down?

So, Can I Trust These Amazon Reviews?

All the vacuum sealer reviews of the best-selling products on Amazon pass the Fakespot.com test. So yes, you can trust that people are giving their honest opinions.

However! You must remember that people buy products for different reasons, and one person's junk often may be another person's treasure. Nowhere is that more true than with vacuum sealers, which have a huge range of both price and quality. Most of these Amazon best sellers are best sellers because they're, well, cheap. Most of them are made for light-duty home use. And with most of them in the lower end of the price range, you can expect a life span of just a few years with average use (yes, even if they have a 5 year warranty--so buying with the longer warranty may be well worth it).

The moral? Be a savvy buyer: If you're a hunter and you want to process your own game, don't buy a $50 sealer (or, in our opinion, even a $150 sealer)--buy one that's going to last. No matter how many great reviews a vacuum sealer like this gets, it's not going to do what you want it to do. Instead, invest in a commercial-grade sealer that will make quick work of big jobs. Even at $500-$800, it will pay for itself in less than a year. 

What's the Difference Between a Consumer-Grade Vacuum Sealer and a Commercial-Grade Vacuum Sealer?

The primary difference is in the robustness of the parts. Here's what that means when it comes to vacuum sealers:

  • Pump/motor quality: Most home vacuum sealers have vacuum pumps made with plastic parts. They overheat easily and have to cool down between seals or they won't work. Commercial quality sealers have heavy duty pumps made of steel, usually with cooling fans that allow you to use the sealer continuously for long stretches at a time.
  • Vacuum: Because the pump is heavier duty, commercial sealers also pull a stronger vacuum. A stronger vacuum means more air is removed, and less air means longer shelf life.
  • Build quality: Sealers designed for home use are primarily plastic. These parts can break off more easily, stretch out of shape, and lose their ability to seal. What's more, many lower end vacuum sealers can't be repaired. They're designed to be thrown away and replaced when they break. 

This is not to say you shouldn't buy a consumer-grade vacuum sealer. It may serve your purposes just fine if you won't use it frequently and don't process large amounts of food at once. These are just the things to think about when you're reading vacuum sealer reviews and deciding which sealer to invest in. Like anything else, you should try to buy the best one you can afford.

What Kind of Bags Do I Need?

What Kind of Bags Do I Need?

ZipperBagCloseup_350px

Reusable zipper vacuum bags only work with a nozzle that fits the hole (a handheld sealer).

EdgeSealerBagCloseup_350px

Edge vacuum sealer bags have to be ridged on the inside to push air out--no ridges, no seal.

You need to buy bags designed for your type of vacuum sealer. Edge sealers, handhelds, and chamber vacs all require different bags.

You don't need to buy brand-name bags. You just need to make sure that if you have an edge sealer you buy edge sealer bags, if you have a chamber vac you get chamber vac bags, and if you have a handheld sealer that your bags work with the nozzle on the sealer. 

You'll be tempted to buy chamber sealer bags for your edge sealer, because they're the cheapest bag option by far. Don't do it! They won't work with edge sealers.

For edge sealers (every best seller on this list), bags need to be ridged on the inside. These ridges push air out of the bag during sealing. If bags aren't ridged, they won't work with an edge sealer. Here are some very popular rolls of bags on Amazon, and here are some popular quart-sized bags

How Do I Choose a Vacuum Sealer?

How Do I Choose a Vacuum Sealer?

As with any product, the first step is to think about your needs. With a vacuum sealer, the main considerations are how often you'll use it/quality, how much space you have, and, of course, how much you want to spend.

How Much Do You Want to Spend?

There's a huge range of vacuum sealers on the market, both in price and in quality. On the low end, you can spend under $50. On the high end, you can spend thousands. Higher quality edge sealers start at around $200. Good quality chamber vac sealers start at around $400. Handhelds run about the same as edge sealers, although some are priced significantly less.

Most of the best sellers on Amazon are inexpensive sealers (less than $150). The vast majority of these are designed for light-to-moderate home use. If you want something more heavy duty, consider the Weston Pro-2300 (reviewed below), or check out these articles to learn about other sealers:

How Will You Use the Vacuum Sealer?

Why are you buying a vacuum sealer? Do you want to buy meat in bulk and freeze it to save money? Do you have a new sous vide circulator? Or do you just want a better way to store occasional leftovers?

If you only plan on light use, you can get away with buying on the low end--although keep in mind that edge sealers with bag storage allow you to use cheaper bags, that you may want an accessory hose so you can seal jars, use it for marinades, and even use for wine bottles. You may appreciate a hands-off, automated sealing process. So instead of spending $50, you may be happier spending more like $130 for these little extras.

If you plan on doing a lot of bulk freezing and sous vide cooking, you should invest in a heavier duty model (such as the Weston reviewed below, or possibly a chamber vacuum sealer). Yes, you can use an inexpensive sealer for big projects, but it's a huge pain because the pump overheats after just a few seals and you have to wait for it to cool down, adding a lot of downtime to the project. This is not the case with a commercial duty sealer. They have fan-cooled motors and are designed for big projects and continuous use.

vacuumsealerfeaturedmeat_350px

If you do a lot of bulk sealing, buy a heavy duty vacuum sealer.

One thing to keep in mind: you are almost certainly going to use your sealer more than you think you will. It's a great tool for many things, in and out of the kitchen. You won't regret buying the best sealer you can afford.

How Much Space Do You Have?

You have to find a balance between cost, quality, and space. Go too low end, and storage won't be a problem because the sealer won't last, anyway. Go too high end, and you'll be having to deal with a bulky, heavy appliance that's likely to be a permanent fixture wherever you put it. 

Once again, edge sealers strike a nice middle ground for a lot of people. But there is a huge variety in size and weight of edge sealers (and quality!), so be sure and check the specs before you buy to see if it will work in your kitchen. How big is it? How heavy is it? Is it an easy-to-store shape, or is it bulky?

(Note: All size and weight specs are listed for the sealers reviewed in this article.)

Also, if it's going to sit out on your counter, you may want to consider design, too. You might prefer a pretty stainless sealer rather than a black or white plastic one. The bonus with stainless is that you're likely to get a higher quality sealer, as well--but you will also be spending more.

Without further ado, here are the vacuum sealer reviews of the best-selling vacuum sealers on Amazon.

FoodSaver V2244 w/Starter Kit

FoodSaver V2244 w/Starter Kit

The #1 Best Selling Vacuum Sealer on Amazon!

FoodSaverV2244_600px

Why people buy the FoodSaver V2244 sealer: Low price, comes with a lot of bags, 5 year warranty.

The FoodSaver V2244 is the #1 best selling vacuum sealer on Amazon. It's a basic sealer that comes with bags and an accessory hose; the hose means you can use this sealer with zipper bags. It also has a 5 year warranty. It gets an "A" rating on Fakespot.com.

Operation

The FoodSaver V2244 is easy to operate. You place the bag into the sealer, close and lock the lid, and press the Vacuum and Seal button.

You can stop the vacuum process at any time during the sealing process with the Seal button (this is how you control the vacuum for soft and moist foods).

You can activate the edge sealer without activating the vacuum (which means you can use rolls of bags, which are cheaper).

The FoodSaver V2244 also has a removable, dishwasher-safe drip tray for easy cleanup.

Specs

Color: Black

Size: 5.9x10.6x17.7 in.

Weight: about 5 lbs.

Max Bag Width: 11 in.

Edge Sealing without Vacuum Capability? Yes

Storage space for bags? No

Roll cutter? No.

Warranty: 5 year limited.

Included

11 in. x10 ft. roll of bags

3-1 gallon bags

Accessory hose for zipper bags, sealing canisters, and marinade containers (canisters sold separately).

FoodSaver Accessories Usable with This Model

These accessories work with the FoodSaver V2244 accessory port:

Here's a FoodSaver video showing how to use the mason jar accessory:

You can find videos for instructions on how to use all the FoodSaver hose accessories on YouTube.

Recommendation

Buy the FoodSaver V2244 Vacuum Sealer If:

  • You will use it primarily for sealing solid food.
  • You won't give it heavy duty use.
  • You're looking for a vacuum sealer under $100 with a hose accessory for doing jars, canisters, bottle stoppers, and marinade containers.
FoodSaverV2244_150px

BUY THE FOODSAVER V2244 vacuum sealer on amazon now:

FoodSaver FM2000 Vacuum Sealing System

FoodSaver FM2000 Vacuum Sealing System

The Rational Kitchen's pick for Best Bargain!

Why people buy the FoodSaver FM2000 vacuum sealer: New technology uses up to 40% less bag for sealing.
FoodSaverFM222-000_500px

The FoodSaver FM2000 Vacuum Sealer is a newer design that's been available on Amazon since mid-2014. It's greatest claim to fame--besides all the other great FoodSaver features, including an accessory port with a hose--is that it has new sealing technology which requires less bag to make a good seal--40% less, in fact. So you can use smaller bags, which are cheaper, and your rolls of bags will last up to 40% longer! 

If you read through the FoodSaver product reviews, you'll see that bag wastage is a common complaint. Old FoodSaver technology required that a large portion of the bag be put in the channel for proper sealing. This isn't the case with the FM2000. It needs less than a half inch at the top of the bag to make a good seal. This feature will save you a lot of money over the life of your vacuum sealer--those bags are expensive, so the less you have to use for sealing, the better!

The FM2000 is a small, compact sealer. It saves space (and cost) by not having roll storage or an automatic bag cutter. However, you can still use roll bags with it (which are cheaper); you just have to cut them manually.

The FoodSaver FM2000 is a favorite of Amazon customers. It has a 5 year limited warranty--almost unheard of at this low, low price. If you're looking for an inexpensive vacuum sealer, the FM2000 is a Rational Kitchen favorite pick.

FoodSaver2000HoseAccessory_350px

The FM2000's low price even includes an accessory hose!

Features

  • Uses 40% less bag material to seal
  • Removable drip tray for easy cleaning
  • Latch closure
  • Accessory port and hose included
  • 5 year limited warranty.

Operation

The FM2000 operates similarly to other FoodSaver sealers at this price point:

  1. Insert the bag in the channel.
  2. Close and lock the lid.
  3. Press the Vacuum&Seal button.

For soft or moist items, you can cancel the vacuum process at any time during sealing by pressing the Seal button.

You can also use the Seal button to seal the bottom of roll bags before filling and vacuum sealing, or to seal anything else without vacuuming.

Specifications

Color: Black

Size: 17.6x5.9x10.6 in.

Weight: 5.3 lb/5.9 lb shipping wt.

Max Bag Width: 11 in.

Edge Sealing without Vacuum Capability? Yes (Seal button)

Storage space for bags? No

Roll Cutter? No

Warranty: 5 year limited.

Included

3-1 Quart Bags

2- 1 Gallon Bags

1-11" x 10' Roll of Bags

Accessory Hose.

Accessories

These accessories work with the FoodSaver FM2000 vacuum sealer:

Recommendation

The FoodSaver FM2000 is a Rational Kitchen favorite. It's cheap, it reduces bag waste, and it has a 5 year warranty, plus an accessory hose. Highly recommended.

BUY THE FOODSAVER FM-2000 VACUUM SEALER ON AMAZON NOW:

BUY THE FOODSAVER FM-2000 VACUUM SEALER at home depot NOW:

FoodSaver V4440 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System

FoodSaver V4440 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System

Why people buy the FoodSaver V4440/V4840 vacuum sealer: Included handheld sealer, automatic functionality.
FoodSaverV4440_500px

FoodSaver V4440

FoodSaverV4840_600px

FoodSaver V4840

The FoodSaver 4000 Series vacuum sealers have a ton of features. They have roll storage, bag cutters, hose accessories, and a sensor that seals automatically when you insert a bag in the channel.

Their coolest feature, however, is the retractable handheld sealer built right in to the edge sealer. (You can see it on the left side in the sealer photos above.) This is more than just an accessory hose--handhelds are designed for use with special, reusable bags and are great for leftovers and items which you'll want to open and re-seal frequently (think cheese, produce, cookies, etc.). Regular heat seal bags aren't nearly as convenient for items you'll want to re-seal, like leftovers. Zipper seal bags, on the other hand, are designed for this.

How the V4440 and V4840 are different: The V4440 and the V4840 are nearly identical products and both have hundreds of reviews on Amazon with average ratings of 4.5 stars each. The V4840 has a Pulse function that allows you to manually control the vacuum; this is in addition to the adjustable food settings which both units have. The V4840 also has an all-stainless housing, which many people with modern kitchens might prefer. Everything else being equal, however, we prefer the V4440, as the pulse feature is easy to accomplish without the added button.

WHAT MAKES THIS A "2-IN-1" SEALER: The included nozzle sealer that's used only on reusable nozzle-sealed bags makes this a double-duty sealer. This is in addition to the accessory port you can use for jars, marinade containers, and wine bottles.

Features

  • Multi-functional design with built-in handheld sealer
  • Automatic bag detection
  • Bag storage 
  • Automatic bag cutter
  • Removable, dishwasher safe drip tray for easy cleaning
  • Marinade function
  • Starter kit including heat seal bags, zipper bags, and a marinade container
  • 5 year limited warranty.

Operation

As you can see below, the V4440 and V4840 control panels are identical except for the Pulse button on the V4840 (and a few minor design choices). Even though these vacuum sealers have a lot of options, operation is simple. You just choose the food setting you want and insert the bag in the channel, and the sealer does the rest. 

To use the handheld sealer, simply remove it from its base and put the sealer in Accessory Mode.

As with all vacuum sealers, you can cancel the vacuum at any time during the sealing process with the Cancel button or the Seal button.

You can also use the Seal button to seal without vacuum, such as for making bags out of a roll. 

All functions have LED indicator lights so you can easily monitor the sealer's functions.

V4440CP

The V4440 control panel (from the user manual).

V4840CP

The V4840 control panel, from user manual. Note Pulse button in #3 position, not available on V4440.

Specifications

Color: Black and stainless (V4440); Mostly stainless (V4840)

Size: 11 x 20 x 12 in.

Weight: 10 lbs

Max Bag Width: 11 in.

Edge Sealing without Vacuum Capability? Yes

Storage Space for Bags? Yes

Roll Cutter? Yes

Warranty: 5 year limited.

Included

  • 1 - 11" x 10' roll of bags
  • 1 - 8" x 10' roll of bags
  • 3 - 1 Qt. heat seal bags
  • 2 - 1 Gallon heat seal bags
  • 3 - 1 Qt vacuum zipper bags
  • 2 - 1 Gallon vacuum zipper bags
  • 1 - 2.25 Qt marinade container.

Accessories Usable with the FoodSaver V4000 Series

Recommendation

The FoodSaver V4000 Series is great if you want a light duty sealer with a lot of features, including the retractable handheld sealer. It comes with a lot of extras and people really love it. If you want the pulse feature and/or a stainless housing, go with the V4840 for about $45 more.

BUY THE FOODSAVER V4440 VACUUM SEALER (BLACK, NO PULSE FEATURE) on amazon now:

FoodSaverV4440_150px

BUY THE FOODSAVER V4840 VACUUM SEALER (STAINLESS, WITH PULSE FEATURE) on Amazon now:

FoodSaverV4840_150px

Weston Pro-2300 Vacuum Sealer

Weston Pro-2300 Vacuum Sealer

  • The Rational Kitchen pick for Best Overall Edge Sealer!
Why people buy the Weston Pro-2300 sealer: Heavy duty vacuum pump, 15-inch wide seal.
WestonPro2300_600px

With a 935-watt, fan-cooled pump that can pull 28' Hg of vacuum and a 15 inch sealing bar, the Weston Pro-2300 is made for serious vacuum sealing. It is a premium quality sealer, made for home use but heavy duty enough for commercial use. Its powerful motor and vacuum pump make quick work of bulk freezing tasks. The Pro-2300 is designed primarily for food storage; it does not have an accessory port. 

The 15 inch sealing bar is rare among sealers. The vast majority of home sealers have 11 inch bars. People who do a lot of bulk sealing are willing to pay the premium price for the option to use extra large bags. And indeed, it's a nice feature to have.

The Weston Pro-2300 is an Amazon favorite with a high average rating and an "A" rating from Fakespot.com.

Features

  • 935W motor
  • Double piston, 28' Hg vacuum pump
  • 15-inch seal bar with 5mm wide seal bar
  • Air-cooled vacuum pump
  • Auto and manual modes
  • Stainless steel housing
  • Clear lid so you can align bags and observe vacuum process
  • Detachable cord with storage space
  • ETL certified
  • 2 year manufacturer's warranty.

Operation

The Weston Pro-2300 is simple to operate. It has 3 buttons: Start, Stop, and Manual. You can seal with one button press, or use the Manual button for delicate items.

LED Indicator lights (to the left of the buttons) tell you what phase the sealer is in during operation.

WestonPro2300 controls

Specifications

Color: Stainless

Size: 15.3x23.9x9 inches

Weight: 14 lbs

Motor: 935W (standard US 120V/60Hz outlet)

Vacuum: 28' Hg, dual piston, fan-cooled

Vacuum Modes: Automatic and manual

Max bag width: 15-in.

Storage space for bags? No

Roll cutter? No.

WestonPro2300CordStorage_350px

Cord storage on the Pro-2300.

Recommendation

Buy the Weston Pro-2300 if you want superior quality, lightning fast sealing, an extra wide 15 inch sealing bar, and are willing to pay the price for a premium product.

Don't buy if you want the accessory hose option or bag storage.

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BUY THE WESTON PRO-2300 VACUUM SEALER on amazon now:

FoodSaver FM-2435-ECR Vacuum Sealer

FoodSaver FM-2435-ECR Vacuum Sealer

Why people buy the FoodSaver FM-2435-ECR vacuum sealer: Compact design with bonus handheld sealer, roll storage, and 5 year warranty.
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If you like the 4000 Series models but not the bulk, the FM2435-ECR offers many of the same features in a more compact package. It has bag storage! It has a bag cutter! It has a hose port and accessory! It has a stainless housing! And it has--wait for it--a handheld sealer included! This makes it a 2-in-1 sealer, just like the 4000 series sealers. But it's smaller and (we think) a lot prettier. If you want to leave your edge sealer sitting out on your counter, this is the one to get.

Sure, you're saying. But does it have the 5 year warranty the 4000 Series models have? Yes! The only difference, besides it being smaller and prettier, is that it doesn't have fully automatic sealing. You have to lock the lid down and press a button. Many people prefer this, though, because they feel they have more control over the sealing process--and it creates less bag waste.

The FoodSaver FM-2435-ECR Vacuum Sealer has a ton of reviews on Amazon and an average rating above 4 stars. It's as affordable as other edge sealers without all the extra features.

Features

  • Stainless housing
  • Integrated roll storage and bag cutter
  • Extra wide sealing strip to ensure a strong seal
  • Retractable hose accessory with handheld sealer
  • Bag starter kit
  • 5 year warranty.

Operation

Sealing a bag is an easy, 3-step process. You put the bag in the sealer, you lock down the lid, and you press the Vacuum and Seal button. That's it!

For the hose attachment, you just attach the hose to the container and press the button.

You can cancel the vacuum at any time during the sealing process by pressing the Seal button. This gives you full control over the sealing process, allowing you to seal soft and moist foods.

Specs

Color: Stainless and black

Size: 18.4x6.5x11 in.

Weight: 7.7 lbs

Max Bag Width: 11 in.

Edge Sealing without Vacuum Capability? Yes

Storage space for bags? Yes

Roll cutter? Yes

Warranty: 5 year limited.

Included

  • 1-11"x10' Roll
  • 3 - 1-Quart heat-seal bags
  • 2 - 1-Gallon heat-seal bags
  • 3 - 1-Quart zipper bags
  • Accessory hose with handheld sealer (containers sold separately).

Accessories Usable with the FoodSaver FM-2435-ECR

Recommendation

Buy the FoodSaver FM2435-ECR Vacuum Sealer If:

  • You want a compact design with extras like a handheld sealer, bag storage, and roll cutter
  • You want a stainless appliance
  • You want a 5-year warranty.
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FoodSaver Premium 2-In-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System

FoodSaver Premium 2-In-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System (FSFSSL5860-DTC)

Why people buy the FoodSaver Premium 5860 vacuum sealer: Full automation including bag making, handheld sealer included, 5 year warranty.
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The FoodSaver Premium 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System (FSFSSL5860-DTC) has all the features of the 4000 Series FoodSavers, with the addition of fully automated bagging: It dispenses, cuts, seals, and rewinds the roll, so no more worries about cutting the bag properly. Here's a FoodSaver video of how the bagger works:

As you can see, you control the bagging process, but the FoodSaver 5860 does all the work. You can also see that it has the handheld sealer, a nicely designed control panel, a stainless housing, and is an all-around attractive kitchen appliance.

There is a new Premium 2-in-1 product on the market, the FM5200. It doesn't have enough reviews to be a best seller, but it's the newest version of this model.

Features

  • Auto bag dispense and cutting
  • Retractable handheld sealer built in to the unit (accessories sold separately, some zip bags included)
  • One-touch operation
  • Adjusted speeds for moist and soft foods
  • Removable, dishwasher safe drip tray for easy cleaning
  • 5 year warranty,

Specifications

Color: Stainless and black

Size: 11.6 x 25.7 x 9.4 inches

Weight: 15.1 lbs

Max Bag Width: 11.8 in. (but only fits 11 in. rolls)

Edge Sealing without Vacuum Capability? Yes

Storage space for bags? Yes

Roll cutter? Yes

Warranty: 5 year limited.

Included

  • 1 - 11" x 10' roll of bags
  • 1 - 8" x 10' roll of bags
  • 3 - 1 Qt. heat seal bags
  • 2 - 1 Gallon heat seal bags
  • 3 - 1 Qt vacuum zipper bags
  • 2 - 1 Gallon vacuum zipper bags
  • 1 - 2.25 Qt marinade container.

Accessories Usable with the Premium 5860

Recommendation 

If you want full automation including bag-making, the FoodSaver Premium 5860 is the vacuum sealer for you.

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Final Thoughts on Vacuum Sealer Reviews (Bags and Accessories)

There are a ton of bags and accessories you can buy to go with your vacuum sealer. You can get expandable bags, liquid block bags, and bags from generic manufacturers that work just as well as brand names and save you quite a bit of money. There are also storage accessories for dozens of different applications, all of which will work with your accessory hose (be sure the vacuum sealer you buy has an accessory hose). There are even some replacement parts available that may extend the life of your vacuum sealer. It's impossible to discuss all of these here, but this link will take you to an Amazon page of vacuum sealer bags and accessories. Happy shopping! 

If you have questions or thoughts, please leave them in the comments section below. And thanks for reading!

Help other people buy wisely, too! Please share this article:

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About the Author

The Rational Kitchen (TRK) is a collaborative effort, but the founder, editor, and writer of most of our articles is Melanie Johnson, an avid cook, kitchenware expert, and technical communications specialist for more than 20 years. Her love of cooking and the frustrating lack of good information about kitchen products led her to create The Rational Kitchen. TRK's mission is to help people make the best decisions they can when buying kitchen gear. 

When not working on product reviews, Melanie enjoys reading, playing with her dog Ruby, vintage video games, and spending time outdoors and with her family.

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