Best FoodSavers

Buying guide for Best FoodSaver products

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 BestReviews, we’ve worked hard to help you find it. Take a look at our top picks, and read through our shopping guide to determine which model is right for you.

You can prep, seal, and freeze entire meals with sauces and vegetables using a FoodSaver. Once you’re ready, just thaw, warm, and eat.

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.

• Preserving wild game

• Preserving domestic meat

• Sealing leftovers

• Marinades

• 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.

• 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.

• Mid-size: 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. Mid-size 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Bottle Stopper: You can seal and keep wines fresh for days using this accessory.

• 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.

• 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?

• Around $20: 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.

• $20 to $100: 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.

• $100 to $150:  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.

• $150 to $200: 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.

FoodSaver bags can be microwaved or boiled, making it easy to thaw and warm foods.

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.