The best vacuum sealers

The FoodSaver GameSaver Big Game Vacuum Sealing Kit is designed to simplify the storage and preservation of large cuts of wild game, including venison and fish.

FoodSaver created the GameSaver line to handle more difficult sealing jobs. What sets the GameSaver Big Game apart is its large fan, powerful motor, and the 10-year limited warranty. There are two vacuum speeds and two seal levels. These features are important for avoiding crushing soft foods. It also comes with 10 pre-cut pouches, two bag rolls, a dishwasher-safe drip tray, and an accessory port with an included hose.

If you only have one sportsman in the house, that doesn't mean no one else gets to use the vacuum sealer. The GameSaver Big Game can also be used to vacuum pack and store your surplus garden vegetables, seal cheese to keep it from molding, and reseal crackers, chips, and other crunchy snacks that tend to go stale otherwise.

We looked at several expert reviews of the FoodSaver GameSaver Big Game, and the overall verdict is that this sealer is a good value for its price. The review site Ratingle liked the GameSaver Deluxe because it was able to handle larger workloads while not being too loud. The Healthy Kitchen Shop appreciated the appliance's intuitive interface and the built-in bag cutter. And, the GameSaver earned points from Your Vacuum Sealer for its small footprint and strong sealing powers.

Owners like that the sealer can handle larger items and that it has some weight to it — it weighs 8 pounds — so it doesn't slide around when you use it. One buyer feedback we found, said you should be careful when vacuum packing liquids because the moisture may get sucked up into the nozzle and cause the machine to malfunction. Instead, consider freezing liquids in a silicone pan before you seal them.

Pros: Quality customer service, 10-year warranty, user-friendly interface

Cons: Susceptible to overheating

The FoodSaver V4440 2-in-1 Automatic Vacuum Sealing System is a great cost-saving vacuum packer that's almost as fancy as our top pick.

The FoodSaver V4440 is similar to our top choice, the V4840. The biggest differences are that the V4840 is significantly more expensive, and it has a pulse mode. Why is the pulse mode important? It makes it easier for you to seal chips, lettuce, bread, and other soft foods without destroying them. The V4840 is also able to detect wet and dry foods. However, the V4440 lets you input this information, and it has a sleeker design. So, if you do not plan on sealing soft foods and don't mind inputting info manually, you can save some money with the V4440.

What are the experts saying about the V4440? Cooking Hacks gave it the highest rating for a vacuum sealer because of its flexible, simple-to-operate functions, and streamlined countertop design. Healthy Cooking Corner also appreciated the versatility of the V4440 and felt the lower price made it easy to live without the added capabilities of the V4840. Lastly, Vacuum Mania, a site that specializes in all vacuum-based appliances, liked how affordable the V4440 is, but noted that it does not seem to be the best unit for heavy-duty work.

Buyers like that the seals are wide, at about 3/16 of an inch. They also like that you can indicate whether you are sealing wet or dry foods. The biggest negative we found was that the retractable vacuum hose may not retract properly. The vacuum works fine, but you may have to patiently work the hose back into the cabinet.

Pros: Handles wet items well, detects and seals bags automatically, features retractable hand sealer

Cons: Doesn't have a pulse mode, seals bags slowly

With its hefty, durable construction, the Weston Pro-2300 Stainless Steel Vacuum Sealer can handle all your biggest vacuum sealing projects.

The Weston Pro-2300 is about twice as expensive as the second priciest vacuum packer on our list. That's because it is designed to last, and with its wide sealing area, it can take on big jobs. With some sealers, you need to allow the machine to cool down after you seal a few bags, but this model has internal cooling fans that keep it from overheating after extended use. Also, the manual controls let you process delicate items without crushing them.

Many of the expert review sites have taken the Weston Pro-2300 for a test drive. Top Ten Reviews liked its durability, superior suction power, and quality design, but pointed out that its size and lack of a bag cutter were inconvenient. The Healthy Kitchen Shop was impressed with the sturdy, stainless steel construction and the variety of control options. Vacuum Sealer Digest rated it one of the best vacuum sealer designs since it has a large mouth that seals bags up to 15 inches wide.

For the most part, buyers reported that the added suction power did not justify the high price. And, many found the unit to be unwieldy with its 22-pound weight and 15.3 by 23 by 9-inch sprawl.

Pros: Wide mouth, 28 Hg pressure suction

Cons: Takes up a lot of space, doesn't have built-in bag cutter