Top Five Vacuum Sealers for Budget Sous Vide
Vacuum sealers are the quiet cornerstones of sous vide and come in many different shapes, sizes, and prices. Below are five vacuum sealers for budget sous vide.
A good vacuum sealer can make all the difference in the world. They suck every ounce of air out of the bag, stop leaks in their tracks, and guarantee even cooking. A better seal means better sous vide. Better sous vide means a happier kitchen. But how about vacuum sealers for budget sous vide?
Vacuum sealers are also a good tool to have around for freeze bagging or increasing the shelf life of food. They’re a good investment not just for anyone who likes sous vide, but people who just like to cook too.
Here are five different vacuum sealers with a focus on external vacuum sealers.
Although this isn’t the most eye-catching device on our list, for its price tag it can’t be beaten. It boasts a one-touch automatic seal mode as well as a manual mode and is equipped to seal both wet and dry foods. This durable and lightweight little machine is backed by a 3-year warranty and is made from ABS materials that’s easy to clean.
Ymiko Vacuum Sealer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can seal multiple vacuum bags at the same time | Finicky one touch sealing button |
| Quiet for a vacuum sealer | Moderate to poor build quality |
Available in black and grey finishes, the GERYON Vacuum Sealer features five different food settings: vac seal, canister, moist, dry, seal and of course, a stop button. You can even swap between two pressure settings to ensure you get the most out of your food. With easy-to-clean housing, LED indicator lights and an electric plug-in option, this is a great budget-friendly option.
Geryon Vacuum Sealer Machine
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Hands free with multiple sealing modes | Occasionally doesn't start after the first button press |
| Stop button can also be used to control air flow | Vac-sealing with marinades can be tricky |
| Compact and lightweight |
For those of you with limited storage space who still want to enjoy the perks of a vacuum sealer, a handheld model will help you save your food and space. This mini electric sealer from KOSBON works fast – it can have the air out of your bags in just 10 seconds. As an extra bonus, this portable vacuum sealer includes 5 cooking clips, 5 sealing clips, 10 replacement air vales as well as 30 reusable bags ranging in size.
Kosbon Electric Vacuum Sealer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Super lightweight and compact | Does not include power adapter |
| Includes extra sealer bags, clips and replacement air valves | Sealing is not as strong as other models |
Coming in a bit higher on the price range is the Mueller Vacuum Sealer. With just a few extra dollars, you can enjoy this fully automatic smart device that sports dual sealing modes. Similar to most vacuum sealers, you can switch between dry and moist sealing modes, as well as gentle and airtight vac modes. This is also a great starter kit as it comes with an air suction hose, medium vacuum bags and an extra long vacuum bag roll.
Mueller Vacuum Sealer Machine
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple plug-in design | Finniky sealing placement |
| Comes with reusable bags and air suction hose | Not ideal for sealing large amounts consecutively |
| Dual sealing modes | |
| Small and compact |
This last option is a little pricier than the other models on this list, but compared to other high-end vacuum sealers, this product is a great value buy. What set’s this Food Saver Vacuum Sealer apart from the rest is its unique space-saving design. Rather than sitting horizontally on your shelf, this device can be stashed vertically. It also features two custom settings for both dry and wet foods so you can make sure your food is always properly sealed.
FoodSaver VS0160 PowerVac Compact Vacuum Sealing Machine
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Roll storage | Difficult to close |
| Inbuilt bag cutter | Pricey |
| Moist and dry settings | Rolls don't last long |
| Space saving vertical design |
We saved the biggest brand name for last. Food Saver is the king of sous vide vacuum sealing and at the price to point to match. This is undoubtedly one of the best brands in the game, but as you can see from above there are plenty of contenders at other price points.
For people who are looking to learn on a budget we’d recommend the KOBSON or Geryon Vacuum Sealer.
Both are affordable, entry level external vacuum sealers. For those who are interested in really getting serious about sous vide it’s hard to go wrong with Food Saver.
In our 2017 round up for vacuum sealers we dove into a full breadth of high tech kitchenware. If you’ve got the budget to spare chamber vacuum sealers are a solid investment. Their bags are also much more affordable than external vacuum sealers.
Some of you might be already asking about Ziplock bags for sous vide.
The truth is Ziplock bags might be cheaper, but they fall short when it comes to several key features.
Sous vide literally means to vacuum seal. The problem with ziplock bags is that the seal, such as it is, will never, ever be perfect. Ziplock bags are almost impossible to seal air tight. If your bag floats it leads to an uneven distribution of heat during cooking and, as a result, imperfectly cooked meat or vegetables.
If you’re really interested in making a go at sous vide then getting a good vacuum sealer is an absolute must. We hope you found our top five vacuum sealers for budget sous vide helpful!