My Favourite Vacuum Sealer

I’m often asked, which make and model is my favourite vacuum sealer? And, are they worth having. Here’s my response.

I like using my vacuum sealer to:

reseal (not vacuum) commercially packaged food – chips, pretzels, crackers, coffee beans, cereal, etc.
pack and freeze garden produce
pack food for camping and backcountry adventures
pack small, custom made pouches of liquids, spices or other items when travelling
vacuum seal jars of dried food and dried herbs
pack and freeze bulk meat and leftovers
seal wine bottles
seal fresh berries and herbs for extended shelf life in the fridge

vacuum sealer and bags of chips and crackers — We keep a vacuum sealer on the counter and often re-seal chips, crackers, coffee beans and other foods we want to keep fresh. It’s a great diet aid!😉

If you see yourself repeatedly doing any of the above, it’s worth looking into a vacuum sealer! If you only buy food when you need it and aren’t storing lots – a vacuum sealer may not be for you.

I have not used a vacuum sealer for marinating or sous vide although those are options too.

Disclosure: I’ve provided Amazon links for you to explore and be able to see the exact models I’m talking about. As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Also Read: My Favourite Dehydrator

My Vacuum Sealing Experience

I’ve been using a vacuum sealer since 2012 when I started using it for backcountry meal prep and storing dehydrated fruit (see my favourite dehydrator). I mostly kept my machine tucked away and only used it occasionally during harvest season and camping food prep. Today, I use it much more frequently and I keep my newest model on the counter so it’s accessible and more convenient to use.

Before I bought my first model, I asked as many people as I could for their feedback and experience. The consensus seemed to be “you get what you pay for” and “don’t buy the cheapies”. Common complaints from those who opted for cheap knock offs were that the heat sealing bar broke or heated inconsistently. The FoodSaver brand came highly recommended.

So, I chose a middle of the line version no longer available but similar to the current VS2120 and it’s still going strong. I’ve never had a seal failure – which would be a real drag when camping in the back woods!

Food Saver vacuum sealer vs2120 — The FoodSaver VS2120 – Great Starter Option

FoodSaver® Select Vacuum Sealer Machine Starter Kit with Vacuum Seal Storage Bags & Rolls Stainless Steel VS2120

it has a cutter bar built in so I can easily cut my own bags to whatever size I want
roll storage inside
adapter and hose for other accessories like the bottle stopper, the canned jar lid sealer and the FoodSaver zipper bags

Other Models of FoodSaver Vacuum Sealers I’ve Used

In early 2024, I was happy to partner with FoodSaver to test 3 different models they sent me. I did three social media posts in return, but this article is not sponsored.

elite big food saver with bags — Elite All in One Liquid Food Saver

handheld food saver in dock — Elite All in One Liquid Food Saver

I’ve been using them almost daily since April.

My Feedback and Thoughts on the Different FoodSaver Models

All the machines have worked according to specifications. I have not had any issues with any of them.

The Handheld Model

The little handheld model is great for the reusable Food Saver zipper lock bags, the bottle stopper, jar sealer and FoodSaver containers. It does not work with other bags or rolls.

It’s fun to use and really sucks! It’s small and portable with the charger taking little space on the counter. Watch my YOUTUBE video on the Handheld model.

If you like having fun little gadgets, think you’ll use the zipper bags, jar sealer, containers or bottle stop only. This is the sealer for you.

But NOTE– most other models come with a handheld attachment can do the same things and work with all of these attachments. So if you want to seal bags – get one of the other models that have the adapter hose.

handheld foodsaver on counter next to other kitchen things — The Handheld FoodSaver doesn’t take up a lot of space!

The Space Saving Model

This model really does fit into my drawer and comes with a handheld attachment, so can do all the things the handheld above can do. BUT it does not come with a cutting bar – so you either have to use the pre cut bags (which can get $$) or you have to cut your custom sized bags with scissors. This doesn’t sound like a big deal – but dang, I can never get a straight cut and it’s not very convenient. While this machine works great and is nice for storing, it comes in at the bottom of my list of favourites.

Watch my YOUTUBE video on the Space Saving Model.

vacuum sealing pork chops — Buying meat in bulk and refreezing in thick bags that keep out freezer burn is worth it!

The Elite All in One Liquid Model

Whoo Whee what a machine! This is the del uxe model for sure. If you are serious about vacuum sealing this is worth considering. It comes with a built in handheld unit, so it works with all the different attachments. I still haven’t tried the sous vide feature, but I’ve tried the pulse feature and the liquid feature. It has a built in cutter and roll holder which is handy and convenient. (Note: the cutter works a little differently on this model than on the VS2120, but once you have the hang of it, it’s actually very smart).

The Pulse feature – this button gives you ultimate control of how much air you want to remove from your bag. It’s a little more sensitive than just hitting the cancel button (which I did on my original machine). This is a feature that is useful for delicate foods like crackers, breads, berries or baked goods that would get squished by the force of the full vacuum seal. It’s also useful for food that might poke a whole into the bag when the bag is vacuum sealed around it – like dried spaghetti or rice in a camping meal.

vacuum sealing buns for freezer — The pulse feature on the Elite Model allows me to vacuum seal even delicate foods like these homemade buns.

The Liquid feature – This model is higher off the counter than the others so it’s easier to bring a bag of liquidy food to the machine. The vacuum is also more gentle so that the liquid isn’t drawn up and out of the bag. And finally, there seems to be a bigger gap between the top of the bag and the sealing bar, so there’s less likely to be moisture where the seal is formed. (If you’ve never used a vacuum sealer before, this may not make any sense – but trust me, it makes a difference). That bigger gap does mean your bags end up being bigger than with the other models – only those are truly miserly about cutting our bags to the nth degree would likely notice this.

vacuum sealing tomato sauce — The Elite model lives on our counter. Notice how it’s taller so I can put my sauce right underneath without it spilling. You can see some of the sauce being sucked up, but it shuts off just at the right time to ensure a good seal.

The Food Saver Accessories

My most frequently used item is a roll of customizable bags. I wait for these to go on sale or I buy off brand versions – but thick, high quality bags. If you’re not sure, stick to the FoodSaver brand.

These bags are tough. They’re rugged enough for our backcountry adventures and excellent for keeping food in the freezer. I do wash and reuse them. I have not boiled food in them.

mason jars with foodsaver attachment — The jar sealer attachment is great for dried foods in canning jars. (Not a replacement for canning).

Other Accessories

canning lid jar sealer beside berries on jam jar — Jar Sealer

bottle stopper attached to hose next to two other bottles — Jar Sealer

The jar sealers are fantastic for my dehydrated food and dried herbs. I have the wide mouth and regular size.

I also like using the bottle stopper – now that we’re older we’re not as quick to finish a bottle of wine!😉

I am still trying to decide if I like the reusable zipper bags. They’re expensive and they are definitely better quality and stronger than any other zipper bag I’ve used – but not all of them are holding the vacuum seal as tightly as on day one of sealing. Am I not closing the zipper tightly or is there a slow leak from the valve? I’m not sure, but I’ll keep an eye on it and report back once I know for sure.

The containers are nice. I have used them to seal herbs and berries – both lasted longer than other storing methods – so that’s great. However, I get a little lazy and don’t always vacuum seal the containers. If that sounds like something you might do – these containers are too expensive not to be used for their vacuum sealing potential (ah – yeah, note to self!😉).

My Favourite Vacuum Sealer by FoodSaver

So, which is my favourite vacuum sealer? Which would I recommend you get?

I haven’t tried any other brand other than FoodSaver – I never been disappointed, so I definitely recommend the brand. To get the best model for you, consider how you will likely use it and how you naturally operate in the kitchen.

If you’re just starting, go for the VS2120 and if you’re all in and can find a good deal go for the Elite All in One Liquid Model. They both allow you to use various attachments and they have built in roll storage and a cutting bar. Having the flexibility to easily cut bags to any size is a must for me. It saves money in the long run and offers the most flexibility for all the different foods & items I vacuum seal. For example, I make tiny bags to pack First Aid items and pills to take on backcountry trips.

Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about the Food Saver Vacuum sealers or if you love a particular brand/model and why.

Cook with the seasons, effortlessly! I’m Getty, a food educator and Professional Home Economist, helping you select, store, and serve seasonal ingredients in delicious, simple, everyday meals. Sign up for seasonal tips and recipes delivered straight to your inbox, and dive deeper with my books, guides, or YouTube content.