best vacuum sealer contenders lined up on the counter

There is no shortage of vacuum sealers on the market today, but how do we know which is the right one for us? We're taking the guesswork out of it by running 8 different models through a series of tests.

Here at The Barbecue Lab, we help you grow more confident in your backyard barbecue, and the vacuum sealer plays an important role in what we do.

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I'm pretty sure that like us, you cook briskets and pork butts to feed a crowd, and the vacuum sealer is like magic for leftovers and freezing grilled and smoked meats.

They come with a price tag as low as $50 and can range well into thousands of dollars, so we're doing the testing for you, so you can decide which unit is right for your budget.

vacuum sealer bags protecting food from freezer burn

Why Trust Our Review?

You can trust all of our reviews because we have actually used these products. Our reviews feature our own photos and video that we've captured ourselves and not stock photography from the manufacturers. That means we've actually experienced the pros and cons that we mention in this review. Just ask our dining room table which has played host to these vacuum sealers for the past month...

best vacuum sealer testing set up in the Barbecue Lab dining room

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Best Vacuum Sealer Winners

Winners

Product Information

EXTERNAL

Nesco Deluxe vacuum sealer

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Nesco VS 12 Deluxe 

Seal Width: 11.8 inches
Features: bag storage and cutter, accessory port, 3 sealing modes and 2 pressure modes
Warranty: 1 year
Winner: Best Overall

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EXTERNAL

Geryon external vacuum sealer

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Geryon 

Seal Width: 12 inches
Features: bag cutter, accessory port
Warranty: 2 years
Winner: Best Compact vacuum sealer

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EXTERNAL

Meat! external 16" vacuum sealer machine

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Meat! External 16"

Seal Width: 16 inches
Features: bag storage and cutter, accessory hose port, 3 preset vac levels plus adjustable, massive width
Warranty: lifetime
Winner: Best For Hunters

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EXTERNAL

VacMaster Pro VP360 vacuum sealer machine

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VacMaster Pro VP360

Seal Width: 16 inches
Features: bag storage and cutter, accessory hose port, marinate feature, pulse vac button, massive width
Warranty: 1 year
Winner: Best Home Professional

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CHAMBER

Vevor chamber sealer

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Vevor DZ-260A

Seal Width: 10 inches, 8mm thick seal
Features: swing away bar to hold bag in place, customizable vacuum and seal times
Warranty: 1 year
Winner: Best Budget Chamber

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CHAMBER

VacMaster VP95 chamber sealer

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VacMaster VP95

Seal Width: 9.25 inches, double seal
Features: auto-lift lid, lid lock for storage, removable incline plate, accessory hose port for external canister, customizable vacuum and seal times
Warranty: 1 year
Winner: Most Versatile

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CHAMBER

Meat! chamber vacuum sealer

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Meat! Chamber 

Seal Width: 12 inches, double seal
Features: auto-lift lid, lid lock for storage, bag clip to hold in place, customizable vacuum and seal times
Warranty: Lifetime
Winner: Last Vacuum Sealer You'll Need to Buy

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CHAMBER

VacMaster VP230 chamber vacuum sealer

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VacMaster VP230

Seal Width: 12.25 inches, double seal
Features: auto-lift lid, lid lock for storage, removable filler plate, customizable vacuum and seal times
Warranty: 1 year
Winner: Best Professional

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Two types of vacuum sealers

It's important to note that there are two categories of vacuum sealers, the external kind like you see in most big box stores across the US, and chamber vacs.

The external vacuum sealers clamp around a bag and suck the air out. Chamber vacs have a cavity where you place the bag inside, and it pulls the air out of the entire chamber.

There are benefits to each, and we'll cover those along with things like:

  • how loud they are when they're in operation
  • how much air stays in the bag when sealing
  • size measurements
  • convenience features
  • and so much more

1. External Vacuum Sealers

external vacuum sealers create a tight seal to eliminate food waste

Best Vacuum Sealer Overall: Nesco VS 12 Deluxe

Nesco VS 12 vacuum sealer
Nesco VS 12 Deluxe vacuum sealer

Nesco VS 12 Deluxe Specifications


Measurement

17 x 15 x 9 inches

Weight

10 lb

Built in bag cutter

yes

Bag storage

yes

Accessory port

yes

Warranty

1 year

What we like:

  • We love that this vacuum sealer has 3 sealing modes including dry foods, moist foods, and double seal.
  • The Nesco VS 12 Deluxe offers internal storage for 1 bag roll as well as a bag cutter to give maximum customization when it comes to making your own vacuum-sealing bags.
  • We really like the locking mechanism on this vacuum sealer. It's very clear and obvious whether it's ready or not to create a vacuum.
  • While it's not the smallest vacuum sealer we tested, it is still a reasonable size and weight for storage in the kitchen.

What we don't like:

  • There is no removable drip tray so if liquid makes it past the seal bar you just have to get in there with a dishcloth and try to clean it out that way.
  • It is pretty loud when in operation.

The Nesco VS 12 Deluxe is our pick for the best vacuum sealer overall because it gets most of the jobs done quite well at an affordable price. It's not going to be the tool you use to vacuum seal up bags of liquid, but that's not the intended use for external vacuum sealers in the first place. For most home-kitchen vacuum sealing jobs, the Nesco is both affordable and reliable. 

Check Price on Nesco VS 12 Deluxe

Best Compact Vacuum Sealer: Geryon Vacuum Sealer

Geryon vacuum sealer
Geryon vacuum sealer machine

Geryon Specifications


Measurement

14.6 x 5.67 x 3.3 inches

Weight

3.44 lb

Built in bag cutter

yes

Bag storage

no

Accessory port

yes

Warranty

2 years

What we like:

  • This unit easily disassembles the top from the bottom for easy cleanup. Since there are no electronics in the bottom half, it can be run directly under water if there is a mess.
  • It's super lightweight and small so it's pretty easy to find a corner of the kitchen cupboard or pantry in which to store it.
  • The price is right. At only $50, this is a super affordable vacuum sealer.

What we don't like:

  • The Geryon vacuum sealer struggled some when sealing foods with a high moisture content. You have to watch it very closely and hit the seal button prematurely if it looks like the liquid level is going to reach the seal bar.
  • It's loud to operate.
  • There is no place to store a bag roll.

If you live in an apartment or are just working out of a tiny kitchen, the Geryon vacuum sealer is a great fit for you. It can perform most vacuum sealing jobs just fine with proper monitoring and it won't break the bank to get one.

Check Price on Geryon

Best Vacuum Sealer for Hunters: Meat! 16" external

Meat! 16" vacuum sealer machine
Meat! 16" vacuum sealer

Meat! 16" Specifications


Measurement

19.49 x 11.85 x 6.38 inches

Weight

11.68 lb

Built in bag cutter

yes

Bag storage

yes

Accessory port

yes

Warranty

lifetime warranty

What we like:

  • The Meat! external vacuum sealer has a removable drip tray that is so helpful when it comes to cleanup.
  • With a 16" seal bar, even large pieces of meat like a full brisket can be vacuum sealed with ease.
  • There is built-in storage for an extra large roll of sealing bags that you can custom-cut to size with the attached bag cutter.
  • It comes with a lifetime warranty. I mean, when literally everything else on the market comes with only 1 year or 2 years at best, a lifetime warranty is significant.
  • We like the pulse button that allows you to be in control of how much is vacuumed before beginning the sealing process. This is especially helpful when vacuum-sealing foods with high moisture as well as soft or delicate foods.

What we don't like:

  • There's no locking mechanism so you have to manually press down on the handle as you start the process of vacuum sealing.
  • It's loud to operate. But pretty much all external vacuum sealers are.

I'm not a hunter or a fisherman and therefore don't process my own meat. But if I was, this vacuum sealer would be a total game changer. Preserving your protein with the Meat! vacuum sealer will virtually eliminate freezer burn ruining your hard-earned catch. And with the 16" seal bar and ability to custom cut bags to size, no cut of meat will be too big or awkward-shaped to vacuum seal with the Meat! external vacuum sealer.

Check Price on Meat! 16" external

Best Home Professional: VacMaster Pro360

VacMaster Pro 360 vacuum sealer
VacMaster Pro 360 vacuum sealer machine

VacMaster Pro360 Specifications


Measurement

19.25" x 11.5" x 6"

Weight

16 lb

Built in bag cutter

yes

Bag storage

yes

Accessory port

yes

Warranty

1 years

What we like:

  • The clear lid is really nice. It's helpful when monitoring the sealing process of high-moisture foods.
  • We love the double seal on this vacuum sealer. When we vacuum sealed raw chicken in a marinade we were still able to get a great seal in spite of the marinade traveling past the seal bar.
  • There is a marinade function that allows you to marinade meat in only minutes.
  • Your options of what can be vacuum sealed is practically endless with a 16" seal bar and built in bag roll storage and bag cutter to make custom vacuum seal bags.

What we don't like:

  • There is no lock on this vacuum sealer so you have to press down on the handle in order for the vacuum sealing process to begin.
  • There is only a 1 year warranty on this vacuum sealer.

If you want to take your home vacuum sealing to the next level, we've ranked the VacMaster VP 360 as the best home professional. If you do a lot of vacuum sealing, particularly of larger items, this vacuum sealer would be an excellent step up for your kitchen.

Check Price on VacMaster Pro360

2. Chamber Vacuum Sealers

chamber vacuum sealers

Best Budget Chamber: Vevor DZ-260A

Vevor vacuum sealer
Vevor chamber vacuum sealer

Vevor DZ-260A Specifications


Measurement

16.1 x 12.6 x 11.8 in.

Weight

48.5 lb

Accessory port

no

Auto-lift lid

no

Warranty

1 years

What we like:

  • The Vevor chamber vac creates a nice thick seal on your bag so there's no question of liquid or air leaking through.
  • You can vacuum seal liquids with ease in this  vacuum sealer.
  • The price is amazing compared to other chamber vacs on the market.
  • We appreciate the swing away bar that helps hold the bag in place.

What we don't like:

  • It is large and very heavy so you really have to have a permanent space dedicated for it to stay.
  • This particular vacuum sealer still has a rather strong manufacturing smell to it even after a month of being unboxed and use.
  • There's no auto-lift lid once the process of vacuum sealing is complete.

If you're wanting to make the transition to chamber vacuum sealers but aren't thrilled with the price tag that usually comes with them, this Vevor is definitely one to consider. It performs very close to the level of the much-more-expensive chamber vacs at a fraction of the cost.

Check Price on Vevor DZ-260A

Most Versatile: VacMaster VP95

VacMaster VP95 vacuum sealer
VacMaster VP95 vacuum sealer

VacMaster VP95 Specifications


Measurement

11” x 16” x 9”

Weight

42.5 lb

Accessory port

yes

Auto-lift lid

yes

Warranty

1 years

What we like:

  • Though we didn't have the opportunity to test it yet since we don't have any canisters, the fact that this chamber vac has an accessory port and can vacuum seal canisters is a standout feature in this category.
  • It has a sleek and attractive design.
  • It makes a nice secure double seal.
  • The lid auto-lifts upon completion of a vacuum sealing program. 
  • It comes with a removable incline plate for when you're vacuum sealing bags with liquid.
  • It's much quieter than the external vacuum sealers.
  • It does an impressive job sealing liquids.
  • To be honest, it's super fun to watch the process through the glass lid. We have literally had guests come to our house and vacuum sealed leftovers for entertainment.

What we don't like:

  • The manual wasn't as helpful as we would have liked it to be. Particularly if you're new to using chamber vacuum sealers, it may take you a little longer to figure some things out.
  • It's really heavy. But it's a chamber vac. So heavy is really your only option.

The VacMaster VP95 is the tech nerd of the bunch because it has such an amazing feature set. It isn't the vacuum sealer I'd choose to process a whole deer, but for work around the kitchen and here at The Lab, it's been the one that we reach for the most. It has an auto-lift top and countless customization options for dialing in your sealing sessions. 

Check Price on VacMaster VP95

The Last Vacuum Sealer You'll Ever Buy: Meat! Chamber

Meat! chamber food vacuum sealer
Meat! chamber vacuum sealer machine

Meat! Chamber Specifications


Measurement

16.73 x 14.17 x 14 inches

Weight

65 lb

Accessory port

no

Auto-lift lid

yes

Warranty

Lifetime

What we like:

  • It comes with a lifetime warranty. This is a huge benefit over the competition.
  • We really appreciate the bag clip that holds things in place over the seal bar.
  • You can fully customize the vacuum time and the seal time depending on the type of food you are vacuum sealing.
  • It vacuum seals liquids with ease.
  • The lid auto-lifts when the sealing is complete.

What we don't like:

  • It beeps pretty loudly at the end of the cycle. It's the only one of the 8 units that we tested that beeps. That wasn't a function we really found to be necessary so we found it to be a little annoying but for some users, they may appreciate that!
  • It is very heavy. And big. Have a plan for a permanent resting place for this if you decide to purchase, because you don't want to be moving it around more than necessary.

With a lifetime warranty, the Meat chamber vac is the last vacuum sealer you'll have to buy. Yes, it is expensive to purchase initially. But with a lifetime warranty, you'll literally never have to purchase another. And it does all the things you'd want it to do, and does them well.

Check Price on Meat! Chamber

Best Professional: VacMaster VP230

VacMaster VP230 food vacuum sealer
VacMaster VP230 food vacuum sealer machine

VacMaster VP230 Specifications


Measurement

15.5” x 19” x 15.75”

Weight

89 lb

Accessory port

no

Auto-lift lid

yes

Warranty

1 years

What we like:

  • The VP230 makes a 12.25" double seal. That's a decent sized bag width and a nice secure seal.
  • The capacity of this chamber vac is pretty substantial and it comes with a removable filler plate to occupy some of the space you don't need when your vacuum sealing needs are on the smaller side.
  • It vacuum seals liquids with ease.
  • You can completely customize the vacuum time and sealing time to the exact needs of the food you're sealing. 

What we don't like:

  • This thing is huge. And crazy heavy. You'll need the right space to put it... and leave it there.
  • The price.

If I'm honest, you're probably not going to want to purchase this vacuum sealer for your home. However, the VP 230 is the Best professional for those of you whose vacuum sealing needs are extending outside of the home into more of a restaurant or catering scenario.

It comes the closest to an industrial chamber vacuum sealer as any that we have in our testing group, and it's big enough for any task I throw at it.

Check Price on VacMaster VP230