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.
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 |
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 |
| Super compact and lightweight |
Razorri E1800-C Portable Vacuum Sealer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Super lightweight and compact | No locking mechanism on the lid - has to be held down |
| 3-year warranty | Sealing is a little sensitive to moisture |
| Compete with name brands on both speed and efficiency |
Gourmia GVS9945 Sous Vide Vacuum Sealer and Bag Set
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Hand held | Designed as a starter sous vide kit |
| Comes with reusable bags | Limited warranty |
| BPA plastic free | Zipper doesn't always seal perfectly |
| Includes sous vide clips |
Food Saver V3230 Vacuum Sealing System
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Roll storage | Loud |
| Inbuilt bag cutter | Vacuum sealing wrap is 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 contenders at other price points.
For people who are looking to learn on a budget we’d recommend the Gourmia GVS9945 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!