Lush Food & Drink

Buying Guide ·Storage

Best Vacuum Sealers for Dry and Moist Food

The deciding specification is whether the maker publishes a suction pressure rating, and five of these eight do.

By the Lush Editorial Team·Researched & Compared

  • Researched & ComparedSpecs pulled from the manufacturer listing
  • Like-for-LikeSame measures across every model
  • No Paid PlacementsNobody pays to appear here

I compared published specifications for eight vacuum sealers from the manufacturer fact sheet, including dimensions, weight, suction pressure, seal type and included accessories.

Our shortlist

Five products, one set of published numbers.
  1. Gasbye 95kPa Precision Vacuum Sealer Machine
    Best for double heat sealing

    Gasbye 95kPa Precision Vacuum Sealer Machine

    Publishes a 95kPa rating and dual sealing strips for dry and moist food.

    • Gasbye
    • 15.7"L x 7.8"W x 4.7"H
    • 6.5 lb
  2. 98kPa Smart Vacuum Sealer with FreshTrack Label Prin...
    Best for label tracking

    98kPa Smart Vacuum Sealer with FreshTrack Label Prin...

    Prints FreshTrack labels and manages sealed bags in an app.

    • Beelicious Pro
    • Standard
    • 5.87 lb
  3. Chef Preserve Compact Vacuum Sealer for Food (Vacuum...
    Best handheld for small spaces

    Chef Preserve Compact Vacuum Sealer for Food (Vacuum...

    Smallest and lightest pick at 2.22 pounds, stated 5 second seal.

    • Chef Preserve
    • Vacuum Sealer + 30 Bags
    • 2.22 lb
  4. FoodSaver Compact Vacuum Sealer Machine with Airtigh...
    Best for vertical storage

    FoodSaver Compact Vacuum Sealer Machine with Airtigh...

    Stores upright and includes a roll plus five bags.

    • FoodSaver
    • Large
    • 4.5 lb
  5. Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer
    Best for a viewing lid

    Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer

    Publishes a 130 watt double pump and a window over the bag.

    • NESCO
    • Compact (Pack of 1)
    • 6 lb

Side by side

Blank means the maker does not publish it.
ModelBrandSize (capacity)WeightBest for
Gasbye 95kPa Precision Vacuum Sealer Machine Gasbye 15.7"L x 7.8"W x 4.7"H 6.5 lb Best for double heat sealing
98kPa Smart Vacuum Sealer with FreshTrack Label Prin... Beelicious Pro Standard 5.87 lb Best for label tracking
Chef Preserve Compact Vacuum Sealer for Food (Vacuum... Chef Preserve Vacuum Sealer + 30 Bags 2.22 lb Best handheld for small spaces
FoodSaver Compact Vacuum Sealer Machine with Airtigh... FoodSaver Large 4.5 lb Best for vertical storage
Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer NESCO Compact (Pack of 1) 6 lb Best for a viewing lid

Each pick in detail

What the listing says for it, and against it.
1 Best for double heat sealing

Gasbye 95kPa Precision Vacuum Sealer Machine

Publishes a 95kPa rating and dual sealing strips for dry and moist food.

  • For it
  • Publishes a 95kPa suction rating
  • Double heat seal for dry and moist food
  • Built-in bag storage and cutter
  • Removable drip tray
  • Against it
  • Weighs 6.5 pounds, the heaviest of the five picks
  • No published seal time
2 Best for label tracking

98kPa Smart Vacuum Sealer with FreshTrack Label Prin...

Prints FreshTrack labels and manages sealed bags in an app.

  • For it
  • Publishes a 98kPa dual-pump rating
  • FreshTrack label printing and app food management
  • Extra Moist mode with a moisture sensor
  • Roll storage, bag cutting and hose storage
  • Against it
  • No published weight in the fact sheet
  • App features require a phone
3 Best handheld for small spaces

Chef Preserve Compact Vacuum Sealer for Food (Vacuum...

Smallest and lightest pick at 2.22 pounds, stated 5 second seal.

  • For it
  • Smallest and lightest pick at 2.22 pounds
  • Stated 5 second seal time
  • Rechargeable and wireless
  • Includes 30 reusable bags
  • Against it
  • No published suction pressure
  • No built-in roll storage or cutter
4 Best for vertical storage

FoodSaver Compact Vacuum Sealer Machine with Airtigh...

Stores upright and includes a roll plus five bags.

  • For it
  • Stores vertical to save countertop space
  • Dry and Moist settings
  • Connects to a FoodSaver Hand Held Sealer
  • Includes a roll and five bags
  • Against it
  • No published suction pressure
  • No published seal time
5 Best for a viewing lid

Nesco Deluxe Food VS-12 Vacuum Sealer

Publishes a 130 watt double pump and a window over the bag.

  • For it
  • Publishes a 130 watt double vacuum pump
  • Dry, Moist and Double Seal modes with gentle vacuum
  • Easy-lock handle and viewing window
  • Built-in roll storage and sliding bag cutter
  • Against it
  • No published suction pressure in kPa
  • Weighs 6.0 pounds

Our verdict

The Gasbye 95kPa and Beelicious Pro 98kPa lead on published suction pressure and both include double heat seals. The Chef Preserve is the smallest and lightest at 2.22 pounds, a handheld that seals in a stated 5 seconds. The FoodSaver Compact stores vertically and includes a roll plus five bags. The NESCO VS-12 publishes a 130 watt double pump and a viewing lid. The MEGAWISE lists an 80kPa pump and a 12 inch sealing wire. The Bonsenkitchen states up to 30 bags in 15 minutes. The QKWXV publishes no dimensions or weight.

“Suction pressure is the number that separates these machines.”

Lush Editorial Team

What separates these five

Suction pressure The Gasbye publishes 95kPa, the Beelicious Pro 98kPa, the MEGAWISE 80kPa and the QKWXV 95kPa. The Chef Preserve, FoodSaver, NESCO and Bonsenkitchen do not publish a pressure figure.
Seal type The Gasbye, Beelicious Pro, NESCO and QKWXV state double heat seals. The FoodSaver, MEGAWISE and Bonsenkitchen state single seals with dry and moist modes.
Stated seal times The Chef Preserve states 5 seconds. The QKWXV states 8 to 18 seconds. The MEGAWISE states 10 to 20 seconds. The Bonsenkitchen states up to 30 bags in 15 minutes.
Modes The Gasbye and Bonsenkitchen list pulse mode. The Beelicious Pro lists Extra Moist mode. The NESCO lists gentle vacuum. The MEGAWISE lists Vac Pulse.
Included accessories The Gasbye includes 5 bags and two rolls. The Chef Preserve includes 30 bags. The FoodSaver includes a roll and 5 bags. The NESCO includes two rolls. The MEGAWISE includes 10 bags.

How we chose

Priorities, not a computed score. The inputs are published specifications, so we rank by what matters most and say how much.

  1. 30% Published suction pressureIt is the only performance number most makers publish, and it separates the picks.
  2. 25% Seal typeA double heat seal is stated to reduce leaks during long sous vide cooks.
  3. 20% ModesDry, moist and pulse settings decide which foods a machine can handle.
  4. 15% Dimensions and weightSmall kitchens need a machine that stores easily.
  5. 10% Included accessoriesA starter kit determines what you can seal on day one.

How the Five Compare on the Numbers

The five picks span a wide range of published figures. The Chef Preserve is the smallest and lightest at 2.22 pounds, with a stated 5 second seal. The Gasbye publishes a 95kPa suction rating and weighs 6.5 pounds. The Beelicious Pro publishes 98kPa and adds label printing. The FoodSaver publishes a 10.24 inch height and vertical storage. The NESCO publishes a 130 watt double pump and a 9.0 inch height.

Seal times and modes differ. The Chef Preserve states 5 seconds. The QKWXV states 8 to 18 seconds. The MEGAWISE states 10 to 20 seconds. The Bonsenkitchen states up to 30 bags in 15 minutes. The Gasbye and Bonsenkitchen list pulse mode. The Beelicious Pro lists Extra Moist mode. The NESCO lists gentle vacuum. The MEGAWISE lists Vac Pulse.

Specification Gasbye Beelicious Pro Chef Preserve FoodSaver NESCO
Published suction pressure 95kPa 98kPa not published not published not published
Width (inches) 7.8 8.9 3.94 5.59 15.0
Depth (inches) 15.7 15.7 3.94 17.91 17.0
Height (inches) 4.7 4.8 3.94 10.24 9.0
Weight (pounds) 6.5 5.87 2.22 4.5 6.0
Double heat seal Yes Yes not published not published Yes
Stated seal time not published not published 5 seconds not published not published
Included bags 5 bags, 2 rolls not published 30 bags 1 roll, 5 bags 2 rolls

The table does not tell you how any machine performs. No one at Lush has used these sealers. The figures are what the makers publish, and several makers publish nothing for suction pressure, seal time or included bags. A missing figure is not a zero. It means the maker states nothing, and no comparison can be drawn.

Suction Pressure and Seal Type

What the kPa figures say

The Gasbye publishes 95kPa and the Beelicious Pro publishes 98kPa. The MEGAWISE publishes 80kPa and the QKWXV publishes 95kPa. The Chef Preserve, FoodSaver, NESCO and Bonsenkitchen do not publish a suction pressure rating. The difference between 95kPa and 98kPa is 3kPa, a small gap on paper. The larger gap is between machines that publish a figure and those that do not.

A kPa rating is a maker’s stated measure of suction force. It does not describe how a machine handles a wet bag or a soft food. The Beelicious Pro adds a moisture sensor and an Extra Moist mode. The Gasbye adds a pulse mode for delicate foods. The NESCO adds a gentle vacuum option. Those features are stated separately from the pressure rating.

Single and double heat seals

The Gasbye, Beelicious Pro, NESCO and QKWXV state double heat seals. The FoodSaver, MEGAWISE and Bonsenkitchen state single seals with dry and moist modes. A double seal uses two heating strips to create a wider sealing band. The Gasbye states that this helps reduce leaks during long water-bath cooks. The NESCO states that it helps prevent freezer burn and seal failures.

The QKWXV states that its dual heat strips are 30 percent wider than standard models and use 4-layer heating wires. The Beelicious Pro states widened dual heating strips. No maker publishes the actual width of the sealing band in inches, so the 30 percent figure cannot be checked against the others.

Size, Storage and Modes

Counter space and weight

The Chef Preserve is the smallest and lightest pick at 2.22 pounds, with a published width, depth and height of 3.94 inches each. The Gasbye weighs 6.5 pounds and the NESCO 6.0 pounds. The FoodSaver publishes a height of 10.24 inches and states that it stores vertically. The Beelicious Pro weighs 5.87 pounds and publishes a height of 4.8 inches.

The MEGAWISE publishes a weight of 2.65 pounds and a height of 2.5 inches, but it is not one of the five picks. The QKWXV publishes no dimensions or weight. For a small kitchen, the published figures point to the Chef Preserve for storage and the FoodSaver for vertical placement.

Modes and accessories

The Gasbye lists Auto Vac and Seal plus Pulse Mode. The Beelicious Pro lists Extra Moist Mode with a moisture sensor. The NESCO lists Dry, Moist and Double Seal modes with a gentle vacuum option. The MEGAWISE lists Dry, Moist and Vac Pulse. The Bonsenkitchen lists four modes including Pulse Vac. The FoodSaver lists Dry and Moist settings.

Included accessories vary. The Chef Preserve includes 30 reusable bags. The Gasbye includes 5 pre-cut bags, two 11 inch by 10 foot rolls, 2 replacement foam gaskets and an external air suction hose. The FoodSaver includes one 11 inch by 8 foot roll, 3 quart bags and 2 gallon bags. The NESCO includes two rolls. The MEGAWISE includes 10 bags. The Bonsenkitchen includes 5 bags and an air suction hose.

Which One Fits Your Kitchen

Buy the Gasbye if you want a published 95kPa rating and a double heat seal. It includes a built-in bag cutter and roll storage, a removable drip tray and a starter kit with bags and rolls. It weighs 6.5 pounds, the heaviest of the five picks.

Buy the Beelicious Pro if you want label printing and app tracking. It publishes a 98kPa dual-pump rating and an Extra Moist mode with a moisture sensor. The app turns each sealed bag into a digital record with dates and reminders.

Buy the Chef Preserve if you want a handheld that stores in a drawer. It is the smallest and lightest pick at 2.22 pounds and states a 5 second seal. It is rechargeable and wireless and includes 30 reusable bags.

Buy the FoodSaver if you want vertical storage. It publishes a height of 10.24 inches and states that it stores upright to save countertop space. It includes a roll and five bags and connects to a FoodSaver Hand Held Sealer.

Buy the NESCO if you want a viewing lid and a published 130 watt double pump. It lists Dry, Moist and Double Seal modes with a gentle vacuum option. It includes two rolls and has a built-in sliding bag cutter.

What We Could Not Verify

Several figures are missing from the fact sheet. These are the gaps we could not fill from published sources.

  • The QKWXV does not publish width, depth, height or weight.
  • The Chef Preserve does not publish a suction pressure rating.
  • The FoodSaver does not publish a suction pressure rating.
  • The NESCO does not publish a suction pressure rating in kPa.
  • The Bonsenkitchen does not publish a suction pressure rating.
  • No maker publishes the width of the sealing band in inches.

Frequently asked questions

What does a kPa rating mean on a vacuum sealer?+

kPa stands for kilopascals and is the maker's stated measure of suction pressure. A higher number indicates more vacuum force. The Gasbye publishes 95kPa, the Beelicious Pro 98kPa, the MEGAWISE 80kPa and the QKWXV 95kPa. The Chef Preserve, FoodSaver, NESCO and Bonsenkitchen do not publish a kPa figure, so no comparison can be made for those four.

Which of these vacuum sealers publishes the smallest weight?+

The Chef Preserve publishes 2.22 pounds, the smallest of the five picks. The Bonsenkitchen publishes 3.78 pounds. The FoodSaver publishes 4.5 pounds. The Beelicious Pro publishes 5.87 pounds. The Gasbye publishes 6.5 pounds. The QKWXV does not publish a weight. The MEGAWISE publishes 2.65 pounds but is not one of the five picks.

Do any of these vacuum sealers have a double heat seal?+

The Gasbye, Beelicious Pro, NESCO and QKWXV state double heat seals in their published features. The FoodSaver, MEGAWISE and Bonsenkitchen state single seals with dry and moist modes. A double seal is stated to help reduce leaks during long water-bath cooks and to create a wider sealing band.

Which vacuum sealer includes the most bags in the box?+

The Chef Preserve includes 30 reusable vacuum bags. The MEGAWISE includes 10 vacuum bags. The Gasbye includes 5 pre-cut bags and two 11 inch by 10 foot rolls. The FoodSaver includes one 11 inch by 8 foot roll, 3 quart bags and 2 gallon bags. The NESCO includes two rolls. The Bonsenkitchen includes 5 bags.

Can any of these seal moist food?+

The Gasbye, Beelicious Pro, NESCO, MEGAWISE and Bonsenkitchen all publish a moist or wet-food mode. The Beelicious Pro adds an Extra Moist mode with a moisture sensor. The NESCO lists a gentle vacuum option for soft foods. The FoodSaver publishes Dry and Moist settings. The Chef Preserve does not publish a moisture mode.

Which vacuum sealer stores vertically?+

The FoodSaver Compact publishes a vertical storage feature to save countertop space. Its published height is 10.24 inches, the largest among the five picks. The Gasbye publishes 4.7 inches tall, the Beelicious Pro 4.8 inches, the Chef Preserve 3.94 inches and the NESCO 9.0 inches. The QKWXV does not publish a height.

Specifications come from the manufacturers' own published listings. Lush Food & Drink may earn a commission if you buy through a link on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we research.