5 Best Foodsavers To Save Money On Your Groceries

Updated 20 Jun 2022

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Finding the correct product can be difficult and time-consuming. You might not have time to do it yourself, so let us help you. RevuuBuddy reviews thousands of items in hundreds of categories, including home appliances, toys, camping supplies, and everything in between.

We compare the most popular brands and models, and we boil them down to the top five to give you the most in-depth and dependable buying recommendation - so you can make the best buying decision possible.

BEST OF THE BEST

How We Tested

These products are recommended based on a thorough research process that aims to cut through the clutter and uncover the best products in this category. We spend hours looking into the elements that matter with the assistance of experts to provide you with these options.

Models Considered

180

Consumers Consulted

Hours Researched

Updated 20 Jun 2022

Written by

Revuu Buddy

FoodSaver 5860 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System

BOTTOMLINE
Feature-Packed
You get two sealers for the price of 1 and automatic action; "cream of the crop," according to our cooking expert.

PROS
Includes retractable handheld sealer for numerous applications. Features a helpful starter kit and patented drip tray. Equipped with a Rapid Marinate mode that marinates in minutes instead of hours. Vacuum speed automatically adjusts based on wet or dry foods.

CONS
Although pricey, it provides a lot of convenient features and an impressive warranty for the cost.

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FoodSaver PowerVac Vacuum Sealer, Vertical Storage

BOTTOMLINE
Best for Small Spaces
This space-saving machine has half the size but all the power of full-size FoodSavers.

PROS
The model is 50% smaller than standard models and more compact for storage. Intuitive operation. The alignment guide eliminates wasted bags. The machine can use 8-inch vacuum seal bags, quart and pint bags, zipper bags, and more. Reliable design that is fairly beginner-friendly as well as affordable.

CONS
No mode for moist sealing, so liquids can cause closure issues. Questionable longevity.

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FoodSaver FM5200 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealer Machine

BOTTOMLINE
Great for Leftovers
This model offers some nice features for big tasks; earns our expert's approval for its viewing window.

PROS
A speedy 2-in-1 model with retractable handheld sealer and viewing window. Capable and user-friendly. Efficiently seals large quantities of food. Includes a pull-out drip tray that is dishwasher-safe. Automatically detects moisture and adjusts seal accordingly.

CONS
Consumes lots of counter space. Control buttons can be confusing.

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FoodSaver FM5200 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealer Machine

BOTTOMLINE
Great for Leftovers
This model offers some nice features for big tasks; earns our expert's approval for its viewing window.

CONS
Consumes lots of counter space. Control buttons can be confusing.

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FoodSaver VS0160 PowerVac Compact Vacuum Sealing Machine

BOTTOMLINE
Controlled Option
Gives you more control over the process than more automated FoodSaver products do.

PROS
Allows for manual control to expertly remove air and avoid crushing food. Express options. The viewing window helps you seal more effectively and maximize bag rolls. Includes a handheld sealer. Easy to store, our expert noted.

CONS
Larger-sized bags aren't compatible because of this model's compact size.

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Buying Guide for Best Food Saver Products

It is bad enough to be stuck with rotten food; wasting it is even worse. FoodSaver vacuum sealers extend the life of food, thus reducing the amount that goes into the garbage can. Vacuum sealers for countertop and tabletop use range from hefty countertop vacuum sealers that can seal whole fresh game to tiny pocket-sized ones that make sealing little, personalized amounts simple.

There's a FoodSaver for every need, and we've worked hard to help you discover it at BestReviews. Take a look at our top selections, as well as our shopping advice, to see which model is best for you.

You may make complete meals with sauces and vegetables in a FoodSaver. Simply thaw, warm, and serve when you're ready.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A FOOD SAVER VACUUM SEALER?

A FoodSaver vacuum sealer can assist you in maintaining food for an extended time. Vacuum sealers from FoodSaver can help prevent freezer burn and can keep food for up to five times longer than unsheathed food.

How does it operate? A FoodSaver vacuum sealer expels extra air from the food package and seals it with heat, preventing air from returning. The company's specially made vacuum seal bags can be frozen, heated in the microwave, or cooked. Bags are available as a roll or pre-cut.

For any of the following FoodSaver purposes, you may use a FoodSaver vacuum sealer.

Preserving wild game
Preserving domestic meat
Sealing leftovers
Marinades
Preserving fresh fruits and vegetables

EXPERT TIP

As an alternative to using your freezer, consider sealing food in FoodSaver vacuum bags. Consider storing your coin collection, antique film slides, or other cosmetics that you don't want to dry out in airtight bags. All of these and more may be kept safe with airtight seals.

Revuu Buddy Cooking and Baking Option

WHAT TYPE OF FOODSAVER VACUUM SEALER SHOULD YOU BUY?

Before you go shopping, it's a good idea to figure out which FoodSaver vacuum sealer would be the best fit for your needs. There are three different types of Foodsaver on the market: countertop, handheld, and wild game-specific.

Countertop vacuum sealers

FoodSaver compact, mid-size, and full-size countertop vacuum sealers are available. Compact machines are manually operated, while mid-size and full-size models are automated. If required, the sealing function can be run manually on mid-size and full-size models.

Compact: Vacuum sealers that are manually operated using less storage space and include a hose connection for marinades. Manual models must be started and ended by the user, with some items offering a light that informs them when cleaning is completed.
Mid-size: Some of the uncertainty is removed by these automatic versions. When the air is removed from a pressurized container, a sensor detects it and immediately closes the bag. Within the machine and on the lid, some mid-size FoodSavers have a roll storage feature and a roll cutter. Some models have an extra-wide sealing strip to fit big pieces of meat or whole animals.
Full-Size: These automatic sealers have unique characteristics such as pulse control and various vacuum speeds, which aid in the prevention of delicate foods from being crushed. This FoodSaver is available with a stainless-steel cutting tray, bag storage mechanisms, and adjustable seal bars. These are considered to be among the best kitchen appliances due to their numerous functions. Full-size FoodSavers that have many features often come in upright designs that take less counter space.

Handheld vacuum sealers

Handheld vacuum sealers are less expensive than their countertop relatives, yet they offer a lot of flexibility without taking up much room. FoodSaver vacuum sealers may be used with FoodSaver bags, food storage containers, and canisters in the company's patented Food Preservation System.

If you're preparing a large pan of soup or another dish, consider investing in FoodSaver vacuum-seal bags. They contain a vacuum-sealing hole where the handheld sealer connects and seals air out. They last for years and may be used to store anything from leftovers to veggies in the garden. To relieve the container of air, a sealer is inserted through a hole in the top. These techniques are efficient in that they save space, time, and money; if you're on a budget, they're a fantastic deal.

Wild game vacuum sealers

The largest FoodSaver vacuum sealers are built particularly for making preserving wild game simple and effective. They feature an extra-wide sealing strip and a drip tray that can accommodate big portions of meat. A seal is a term used in the meat industry to describe an operation that seals cuts of meat together. They can do 40-100 consecutive seals, which is required when processing a whole animal's meat. Some have titanium casings for further durability, while others come with power cords that fit into a cigarette lighter, allowing the meat to be sealed from almost anywhere.

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF A GOOD FOODSAVER?

When shopping for a FoodSaver vacuum sealer, you may be undecided about which characteristics to prioritize. Based on our study, here are the factors we believe to be most significant.

Use and purpose

Take some time to research before purchasing a vacuum sealer. Are you an outdoorsman? A vacuum sealer that can achieve a high number of consecutive seals is required by hunters. A countertop or a wild game vacuum sealer is the way to go if you want to seal a lot of meat. Do you want to know how to properly store leftovers from the evening meal? If you're only sealing tiny amounts, a simple countertop or hand sealer should be enough.

EXPERT TIP

With a FoodSaver vacuum sealer, meal prepping with leftovers is a snap. After serving a large holiday dinner, fill each bag with one main and two sides and seal it, then freeze them all. Simply open the bag, heat it up, and voila! A full dinner is ready.

Revuu Buddy Cooking and Baking Expert

Manual vs. automatic

What's the difference between a manual and an automatic vacuum sealer? Manual ones necessitate you to time, observe, and manually press the seal button after all of the air has been removed. The efficient sealer is a more expensive option that takes greater attention and leaves more room for error, but it's also less expensive than automatic sealers. In automatic models, sensors are used to detect when all the air has been removed from the bag or container; the machine closes the seal automatically. Sealers that work automatically are simpler to use, but they are usually larger and more expensive.

Size

If you don't have enough room in your home for a countertop FoodSaver, you may want to consider one of these alternatives. To seal individual portions, food containers, and storage bags with a handheld FoodSaver instead of using your original packaging, you'll be able to save both space and money.

Finally, a compact countertop vacuum sealer works well but takes up less room and performs similarly to a full-size FoodSaver vacuum sealer. If you need a compact countertop FoodSaver and enough of the kitchen area, it's worth considering.

If you're serious about food preservation in bulk and have enough room and cash, a full-size or wild game FoodSaver is the way to go. With this workhorse machine, you'll be able to prepare your meals with ease.

Sealing settings

Do you want to seal delicate foods like bread and fruit, which may be damaged as a result of the sealing process? Don't worry. Some FoodSavers feature a pulse option, which allows you to manually regulate the vacuum process. This is beneficial since you can stop the process before your delicate foods are crushed. Other FoodSavers have a "gently" sealed setting that slows down the vacuuming process and creates a seal before delicate foods like bread or fresh fruit are harmed.

EXPERT TIP

Use your FoodSavers to give sous-vide cooking a try. This involves cooking meals in bags at low temperatures, as described in the sous-vide technique. Citrus peels are great for adding flavor to your food. If you use rosemary and garlic, you've got yourself a delicious dinner for your visitors.

Revuu Buddy Cooking and Baking Expert

Built-in roll storage and bag cutter

Keeping all of your sealing materials together reduces the time it takes to finish the job. FoodSaver bags with built-in bag cutters and roll storage allow you to save money by reducing bag waste. It's also faster because the seal position is automatically used when the bags are loaded.

Wet/dry mode

A vacuum sealer's wet/dry button lets you seal moist foods like fruit, soup, and sauce. When the air is gone, a sensor alerts you and immediately starts the seal. To evaporate the extra moisture and create a good seal, the heat bar becomes much hotter when in wet mode.

FoodSavers with a wet/dry option also have automatic liquid detection, which is referred to as "liquid detection." When liquid is detected, these models automatically switch to the wet setting.

A vacuum sealer without a wet/dry function, for example, cannot be used to close anything with any sort of moisture in it.

Upright vs. horizontal design

Upright vacuum sealers are smaller and more compact than countertop models while still providing all of the same features. These are the biggest models we sell, but they're designed to stand on your counter and be used quickly at any time.

Horizontal vacuum sealers function similarly to uprights. However, they take up more counter space. There are a number of different sizes and types of vertical vacuum sealers available. Some are comparable to upright vacuum sealers, while others are basic manual devices.

FoodSaver produces both upright and horizontal sealers. The size of the sealer you'll need, as well as the amount of storage space you have, will help you decide which kind is best for you.

Removable drip tray

Any liquid that has been drained away during the sealing process falls into the drip tray. The drip tray can be cleaned and placed in the dishwasher for fast cleaning. Drip trays that are not detachable must be cleaned and dried before being removed from the sealer. Some FoodSaver vacuum sealers have detachable drip trays, while others don't.

OTHER VALUABLE FOODSAVER ACCESSORIES

The average cost of a FoodSaver system is around $200, which may be way more than the machine itself. Sealers that come with extra accessories are typically less expensive in the long run. The following are some of the accessories to look for.

Jar Sealer: FoodSaver models do not come with gaskets. Only certain models include a sealer for the jar lid, and it isn't standard. They preserve a wider variety of foods and are available in regular and wide-mouth versions.
Bottle Stopper: You can keep wines fresh for days with this accessory.
Food Storage Containers: These containers are perfect for storing your old plasticware. Collard greens are frequently made into wraps, coleslaw, and even burritos. They're found in a variety of sizes that can contain everything from leftovers to casseroles and veggies. When you buy a vacuum sealer, the more food storage containers it comes with, the better.
Bags and Bag Rolls: After you've purchased a vacuum sealer, bags and bag rolls will be the next financial investment. FoodSaver bags can be washed and reused as long as the bag is not used to store meat, eggs, or other products that may contain germs after use. Bags that contain greasy or oily food should also be disposed of since it is difficult to fully remove the grease. Look for a vacuum sealer with as many bags and bag rolls as possible.

DID YOU KNOW?

A vacuum sealer allows you to buy larger amounts of food in bulk. Cut the meat into smaller pieces, seal it, and you've got yourself a perfectly portioned meal for the next day.

STAFF

Revuu Buddy

WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF FOODSAVER VACUUM SEALERS?

Around $20: Handheld FoodSavers start at around $20. Keep in mind that you'll need additional food storage containers and bags to use it. This will increase your cost.
$20 to $100: The majority of FoodSaver vacuum sealers in this lineup are manually operated, with just one seal setting. At the higher end of the spectrum, a sealer with a wide sealing strip is available. Countertop FoodSaver models start at $55.
$100 to $150: You'll discover FoodSavers with extra-large sealing strips, two seal settings, and some built-in bag roll storage and bag cutters here that are both automatic countertop and wild game.
$150 to $200: In this premium category, the FoodSavers machines with the largest countertop are available. Adjustable sealing strip height, automatic sealing, wide sealing strips, and built-in roll storage with a bag cutter on the lid are all included.

You can microwave or boil FoodSaver bags to thaw and warm meals.

FAQ

I'm looking to save money with a manual vacuum sealer, but how can I tell when the bags are properly sealed?

A. You may manually vacuum seal meats, vegetables, and other foods with a handheld FoodSaver machine. Manual FoodSaver vacuums have an indicator light that goes off once the vacuuming process is completed. At this stage, you'll need to seal the bag.

Manual FoodSaver bags have a far greater degree of control over the sealing process. You may soon discover that you can simply listen and identify when it's time to stop sealing based on how the machine sounds after you've gotten used to how it works.

What are the shelf lives of marinades stored in vacuum-sealed canisters?

A. You may quickly inject the food with a marinade by removing the air from a marinade container rather than marinating it for hours. After 30 minutes, most ingredients should be ready to cook. If you wish to enhance the flavor, give it another 10 minutes.