We all know about the basic function of vacuum sealers. But for sour vide, there must be some extra features to consider, such as food-safe material, spillage prevention, and the ability to enhance the marinating process.
If you want to learn more, this ultimate guide provides everything needed. Start with the following 6 best vacuum sealers for sous vide:
Here are the best vacuum sealers for sous vide you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: FoodSaver FM5200
- Best For Big Families: FoodSaver FM2435
- Best For Delicate Food: NESCO VS-12
- Powerful: Foodsaver V4400
- Durable: FoodSaver V4840
- Compact: FoodSaver FM2000
| Top 6 Best Vacuum Sealers For Sous Vide | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | FoodSaver FM5200 | Read Our Review |
Best For Big Families | FoodSaver FM2435 | Read Our Review |
Best For Delicate Food | NESCO VS-12 | Read Our Review |
Powerful | Foodsaver V4400 | Read Our Review |
Durable | FoodSaver V4840 | Read Our Review |
Compact | FoodSaver FM2000 | Read Our Review |
Best Overall: FoodSaver FM5200
- Make food vacuuming less messy and neater – patented removable drip tray and automatic moisture detection
- Reduce 30% of roll waste and 50% of bag making steps – dual heat sealing strips
- Easily guide you through the vacuum sealing progress – LED light indicators
- The instructions could be improved a bit
The FoodSaver FM5200 works just as advertised.
It cuts and seals the end so you can put your leftover food or ingredients in to seal the top.
What we really like about it is the dual heat sealing strips to automatically prepare the next bag, meaning for 50% reduced bag making steps compared to the FoodSaver V4000.
Another big bonus is the smart technology automatic moisture detection to ensure the airtight seal is achieved, in addition to a detachable drip tray to catch overflow moisture. So vacuuming your food isn’t messy at all.
| FoodSaver FM5200 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 9.3 x 17.6 x 9.6 inches |
Weight | 8.77 pounds |
Bags | (3) 1-quart pre-cut heat seal bags, (2) 1-gallon pre-cut heat seal bags, (3) 1-quart vacuum zipper bags, (2) 1-gallon vacuum zipper bags |
Rolls | One 11” x 10’ heat seal roll |
Highlight Features | Patented removable drip tray Automatic moisture detection Equipped with dual heat sealing strips Led light indicators |
Made with extra convenience, bag-saving, and good moisture detection, the FoodSaver FM5200 is the best overall performer in our tests.
Best For Big Families: FoodSaver FM2435
- Safe and convenient to use – provide microwave safe and BPA-free bags
- Can pack up huge quantities of food with airtight - includes two packs of 11” by 16” long rolls and sixteen 1-quart bags
- Ultra-convenient – the latch system has a storage position
- Work loudly
- Not work with bags that have a narrow width
If you’re a big family that loves doing a big shopping for every six weeks to make cooking much easier, this large-scaled vacuum sealer is the best assistant to help you store more without suffering freezer burn.
It includes two packs of 11” by 16” long rolls and sixteen 1-quart BPA-free microwave-safe single-cooking bags.
That is enough to pack up a huge amount of vegetables, muffins, big roasts, chubs of beef, or an entire chicken.
A compliment for the latch system as it works much better than other counterparts and it also comes with a storage position, which we really like.
| FoodSaver FM2435 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 16.5" x 9.25" x 4" (Width x Depth x Height). |
Weight | 5 -6 pounds |
Bags | Sixteen 1-Quart Freeze 'N Steam Microwavable Single-Cooking Bags |
Rolls | 2-pack of 11 x 16-Inch Portion Pouch Vacuum Seal Long Rolls |
Highlight Features | BPA-free and microwave- safe |
All-in-all, for those big families that love buying in bulk for easier cooking, you should have this in your arsenal to keep them last longer and stored neater.
Best For Delicate Food: NESCO VS-12
- Customizable and versatile – provide variable settings and three sealing choices
- Ideal for delicate foods – feature the pulse function
- User-friendly – have clearly marked controls and built-in guides
- No hose included
- Slow cycle time
- No bags included
Pick this if you don’t want to overly crush delicate things, like bread and rolls.
It has a “pulse” function to just slow down the rate at which the vacuum sealer extracts the air out of the bag. There are three sealing choices: double, moist, and dry, in addition to double vacuum pumps.
The controls of this gadget are marked clearly and there’re even built-in guides to show you the bags’ position to ensure they’re in the right place before use.
We also love that it can pair with all rolls we have on hand, which is convenient and versatile. Up to now, we have no issues with overheating yet. Very satisfied!
| NESCO VS-12 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 15.75 x 8 x 4.5 |
Weight | 6 pounds |
Bags | 2 sizes of bags |
Rolls | one 8.6” x 9.85’ roll and one 11.8”x 9.85 roll |
Highlight Features | Sealing Choices: Dry, Moist, and Double Variable Settings: Regular or Gentle Hands-Free Sealing with Locked Handle |
We’re pleasantly impressed by how strong and pretty quiet of this vacuum sealer when it’s running, whether making a rock hard brick of salt and pepper or delicate and moist. And we think you will, too.
Powerful: Foodsaver V4400
- Safe and reliable – meet ETL or UL certifications
- Hands-free construction - Automatic bag detection & Built-in roll storage and cutter
- Space-saving
- Require a break-in between actions
- Not work efficiently for bread
Looking for a more powerful vacuum sealer to upgrade your old one? This is our proud recommendation!
Built with tons of power, it can vacuum huge quantities of food with no problems. We’ve endorsed its performance by trying vacuuming more than 5 steaks at once and turn out it didn’t let us down. In comparison to other counterparts, it gives us more control over how we seal our bags based on what’s inside.
The sealing strip is really wide and the hands-free operation is so convenient.
For those who don’t know, this model is UL or ETL certified by NRTLs for safety to use.
We love the new features of the accessory hose to utilize on the zip lock bags and canisters with the vacuum valve, as well as its compact design to take up less room on the counter in the kitchen.
| Foodsaver V4400 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 11 x 20 x 12 inches |
Weight | 10 pounds |
Bags | All Pre Made Bag Sizes |
Rolls | FoodSaver 8 inches and 11 inches Vacuum Seal Rolls |
Highlight Features | ETL or UL certified by Nationally Recognized Test Laboratories (NRTLs) Automatic bag detection Built-in roll storage and cutter |
Specifically designed with tons of more power and ease of use, the Foodsaver V4400 is a wonderful appliance that you can’t be without.
Durable: FoodSaver V4840
- High compatibility – pair with all pre-made bag sizes and different sizes of seal rolls
- Ensure the safety – NRTL tested and certified
- Create an airtight seal food with no leakage
- Expensive
The FoodSaver V4840 is a super-durable vacuum sealer for sour vide that that can create an airtight seal on food with no leakage.
The machine is easy to operate and works reliably on the sealing system for the canisters while the bags are priced well and very endurable. It’s also great for delicate things by simply pressing the seal button before they get crushed.
Thanks to the high compatibility, it can pair with many new gadgets that you can buy.
While being your best workhorse in vacuum sealing for sous vide cooking, its sleek and modern look also adds a great looking on the kitchen counter, which is best of both worlds.
| FoodSaver V4840 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 11 x 20 x 12 inches |
Weight | 10 pounds |
Bags | All Pre Made Bag Sizes |
Rolls | FoodSaver 8 inches and 11 inches Vacuum Seal Rolls |
Highlight Features | High compatibility NRTL TESTED & CERTIFIED |
While most similar models at the same price point would have this or that issue after operating for a while, this still stands up with decent durability.
Compact: FoodSaver FM2000
- Keep the vacuum sealer clean and less mess – removable drip tray
- Compact and space-saving – measured by 17.6 x 5.9 x 10.6 inches
- Not really efficient with softer foods or delicate things
Don’t be afraid if you have a narrow counter in the kitchen as this compact vacuum sealer can fit all. It is measured by 17.6 x 5.9 x 10.6 inches but packs a bunch.
The automatic hands-free construction is our most favorite.
All you need to do is adding food to the sealed bag, inserting the open end into this machine, and it will finish all the remaining legwork for you then automatically stop when done. Simple, right?
The biggest selling point is you can make use of this unit to store creams or liquids when traveling or protect vital papers from getting mold and mildew.
All thanks to its efficient vacuum sealing performance with no leakage.
| FoodSaver FM2000 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 17.6 x 5.9 x 10.6 inches |
Weight | 5.3 pounds |
Bags | (3) 1-quart vacuum seal bags (2) 1-gallon vacuum seal bags |
Rolls | (1) 11"" X 10' vacuum seal roll |
Highlight Features | Removable drip tray 17.6 x 5.9 x 10.6 inches SIMPLE TO USE |
In need of a functional workhorse vacuum sealer in your kitchen but don’t want to cramp up the limited space? Here it is!
How To Choose The Best Vacuum Sealers For Sous Vide?
Purpose Of Use & Types
- Sous vide vacuum sealers are divided into two main types – the canister sealer and the bar sealer.
Canister sealers
Bar sealers
Highlight features
Use sealed canisters
Use sealed bags
Pros
More versatile
Work for both dry foods and liquids
Simple to use
Best for dry foods
Cons
Less common
Not for liquids
Rolls Or Bags
- In comparison, rolls are more flexible to customize than bags because it can be cut to your desired length then sealed one side to store food.
- Bags, on the other hand, are easier to use because of their Ziploc bags alike looking. You can don’t need to pre-seal it on three sides before adding food, which saves more time and effort.
Size And Weight
- These two features matter because you will likely move it around or store somewhere when not in use. So, a compact and lightweight unit comes in handy.
- But take note that a vacuum sealer only seals bags/rolls as widely as the bar width.
- Not to say that size and weight of the unit will affect the suction motor size built into it. When considering these two features, ensure to balance everything to fit your needs.
Which Brands Make The Best Vacuum Sealers For Sous Vide?
FoodSaver
- One of the leading brands specializing in food sealers with guarantee to keep food fresh up to5x longer than other brands. Above all, their products are assured of safety to use with ease in mind.
NESCO
- Founded in 1931, NESCO has now been a trusted brand with a solid reputation in home appliances and kitchenware.
FAQs
What are the benefits of having the best vacuum sealer for sous vide?
Here are the most typical advantages of using vacuum sealers for sous vide:
- Fast and efficient
- Limit food wastage
- Extend food preservation and freshness
- Enhance margination with no use of additives or chemical preservatives
- Avoid freezer burn and dehydration
What should you not vacuum seal?
Always avoid sealing these foods:
- Freshly steamed or cooked veggies
- Soft cheese
- Garlic
- Raw mushrooms
How do you use a vacuum sealer?
Watch this video:
How to make your sous vide food even more delicious?
Invest in the right vacuum-sealed bags/rolls that help enhance the marinating process of sous vide and choose the right food for sous vide.
Can you use any vacuum sealer for sous vide?
Yes, you can.
Just to make sure the Ziploc bags should be high-grade and spillage-resistant.
Conclusion
With the many options available, it can be a daunting task to choose the best vacuum sealer for sous vide. But we hope that our recommendations have helped you maximize the joyfulness of cooking.
Jane Orta
