Photo: FoodSaver
When the large, full-size vacuum sealers are beyond your budget or seem a little overkill, the handheld vacuum sealer will do you good. With the best handheld vacuum sealer, you get a more compact and easy to use vacuum sealing equipment that still gets the job done.
Handheld vacuum sealers are also more affordable than the full-size ones and will also be highly portable for use in different locations.
These vacuum sealers will come in cordless and corded types and will differ in several aspects, from the material to features and functionality. To help you pick a good model, here we look at some top-rated handheld vacuum sealers and also explain what to consider as you choose one.
In this post:
- 10 Best Handheld Vacuum Sealers – Review
- 1. FoodSaver 31161370 – Best Overall Handheld Vacuum Sealer
- 2. Shendian Mini – Best Budget Handheld Vacuum Sealer
- 3. Vicarko VK-9939 – Best Manual Operation Vacuum Sealer
- 4. Foyo VC-01 – Best Battery Operated Vacuum Sealer
- 5. FoodSaver FSFRSH0051-000 – Best FoodSaver Handheld Vacuum Sealer
- 6. FRESHeTECH AL – Smallest Handheld Vacuum Sealer
- 7. Waring Pro PVS1000 – Professional-Grade Handheld Vacuum Sealer
- 8. FoodSaver FSFRSH0053 – One-Touch Operation Handheld Vacuum Sealer
- 9. Gomile Handheld Vacuum Sealer – Adjustable Temperature Vacuum Sealer
- 10. Seal-a-Meal FSSMSL0160-000 – Reliable Corded Handheld Vacuum Sealer
- How to Buy the Best Handheld Vacuum Sealer
- Conclusion
10 Best Handheld Vacuum Sealers – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
---|---|---|---|
1. FoodSaver 31161370 (Best Overall) |
| ||
2. Shendian Mini (Best Budget) |
| ||
3. Vicarko VK-9939 (Best Manual) |
| ||
4. Foyo VC-01 (Best Cordless) |
| ||
5. FoodSaver FSFRSH0051-000 (Best FoodSaver Model) |
| ||
6. FRESHeTECH AL (Smallest) |
| ||
7. Waring Pro PVS1000 (Professional-Grade) |
| ||
8. FoodSaver FSFRSH0053 (One-Touch Operation) |
| ||
9. Gomile Handheld Vacuum Sealer (With Adjustable Temperature) |
| ||
10. Seal-a-Meal FSSMSL0160-000 (Reliable Corded Design) |
|
PRODUCT |
---|
1. FoodSaver 31161370 (Best Overall)
|
2. Shendian Mini (Best Budget)
|
3. Vicarko VK-9939 (Best Manual)
|
4. Foyo VC-01 (Best Cordless)
|
5. FoodSaver FSFRSH0051-000 (Best FoodSaver Model)
|
6. FRESHeTECH AL (Smallest)
|
7. Waring Pro PVS1000 (Professional-Grade)
|
8. FoodSaver FSFRSH0053 (One-Touch Operation)
|
9. Gomile Handheld Vacuum Sealer (With Adjustable Temperature)
|
10. Seal-a-Meal FSSMSL0160-000 (Reliable Corded Design)
|
1. FoodSaver 31161370 – Best Overall Handheld Vacuum Sealer
Photo: FoodSaver
- Power Source: Cordless
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 9.1 ounces
With the up to 24 hours charge that will allow you to seal at least 60 1-quart bags before having to recharge, you can do lots of work with the FoodSaver 31161370, which is what makes it our best overall model.
When it comes to charging, you have an easy time as this vacuum sealer comes with an efficient charging base that will provide a strong charge. Also, this charging base has a compact and sleek profile to ensure it looks fantastic on your kitchen counter. This base has handy cord management to keep things tidy.
For the actual sealing, this handheld vacuum sealer uses powerful vacuum technology and efficient motor to ensure you get quick and quiet sealing. And it is also easy to use as there is only one button to push.
The only notable drawback with this vacuum sealer is that it does not have an indicator light to let you know when the bags are sealed. However, this should be easy to figure out as you use it more and more.
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Powerful sealing
- Easy to use design
- Recharges fast and easily
- Handy built-in cord management
Cons:
- No seal indicator
2. Shendian Mini – Best Budget Handheld Vacuum Sealer
Photo: Shendian
- Power Source: Corded
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 4 ounces
Being the cheapest option on our handheld vacuum sealer review, the Shendian Mini Handheld Vacuum Sealer is your perfect choice if you want something inexpensive that still does a fantastic job.
Besides the smaller price tag, this vacuum sealer offers a faster heat-up time as it will be ready to use in as little as 30 seconds. With the heavy-duty ABS material, this vacuum sealer is also made to last a long time.
This vacuum sealer makes use of a corrugated suspension heating sheet that will be more effective to ensure you get the best quality seals.
The location of the on/off switch is not well-thought-out, but this does not affect its ease of use. Also, this sealer takes some getting used to, but there is not much to figure out as it does not have a lot of settings.
Pros:
- Highly affordable
- Faster heat up
- Heavy-duty material
- Unique and efficient heating element
- Independent switch control
Cons:
- Poor on/off switch location
- Takes some getting used to
3. Vicarko VK-9939 – Best Manual Operation Vacuum Sealer
Photo: Vicarko
- Power Source: Cordless
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 14.4 ounces
If you prefer a manual operation handheld vacuum sealer that will give you full control over the vacuum sealing process, the Vicarko VK-9939 is a perfect choice.
With the simple one-touch operation, it takes little effort to use this vacuum sealer, but it will still seal fast and effectively enough as it removes all the air in the vacuum bags.
Overall, this is a more compact handheld vacuum sealer that will be super easy to store as it takes up less space. With the removable and washable reservoirs, liquid overflows should be easy to deal with, and when you buy it, you also get 10 free bags for immediate use.
The bags that you will get on your purchase are by far not the best quality, but given that the vacuum sealer does a fantastic job, this should not be the deal-breaker.
Pros:
- One-touch manual operation
- Compact and easy to store
- Removable and washable reservoir
- Comes with several free bags
Cons:
- Bags are not the best
4. Foyo VC-01 – Best Battery Operated Vacuum Sealer
Photo: Foyo
- Power Source: Cordless
- Materials: ABS, MS, TPU and Silicone
- Weight: 16 ounces
A completely cordless handheld vacuum sealer like the Foyo VC-01 will always give you an easy time when it comes to operation as you can easily maneuver it around to get a perfect seal consistently.
Also, this is a one-handed operation model, which will ensure you have an even easier time when sealing. With a suction power of 8 liters per minute, you can be sure that this vacuum sealer will remove all the air in the bag.
The 8 to 12 seconds sealing time is fast enough to ensure you will not need to spend a lot of time vacuums sealing your food. To make sure that you get a long service life from this handheld vacuum sealer, it is made from high-quality materials that include ABS and silicone.
The only thing that many users might not like about this vacuum sealer is that you need to keep buying batteries as it uses the non-rechargeable AA batteries. But, these are cheap, and if you budget good quality ones, they should last a long time.
Pros:
- Completely cordless operation
- Simple one-handed use
- Highly durable materials
- High suction power
- Faster sealing time
Cons:
- You have to keep buying batteries
5. FoodSaver FSFRSH0051-000 – Best FoodSaver Handheld Vacuum Sealer
Photo: FoodSaver
- Power Source: Cordless
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 13.6 ounces
FoodSaver is one of those brands that you can be confident that you will always come across when shopping for a vacuum sealer as they have been an industry leader for some time now. If you are looking for the best FoodSaver handheld vacuum sealers, their model FSFRSH0051-000 is as good as it gets.
What makes this one of their best models is that it will come in a compact and convenient size that will be easy to handle and effortless to store as it takes up less drawer space.
This vacuum sealer is powerful enough to suction out air from both bags and containers quickly. There is also a removable and dishwasher-safe nozzle that will be very handy at catching liquid overflows.
Some users will find it a little inconvenient that this handheld vacuum sealer only seals the FoodSaver containers and not regular mason jars. But, given the wide availability of these containers, and the fact they are inexpensive, you can easily buy and use them to store your food.
Pros:
- Reliable product from a reputable brand
- Compact and easy to store
- Removable and dishwasher safe nozzle
- Seals both bags and containers
- Free reusable bags
Cons:
- Only seals the FoodSaver containers
6. FRESHeTECH AL – Smallest Handheld Vacuum Sealer
Photo: FRESHeTECH
- Power Source: Cordless
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 3.52 ounces
At just 3.52 pounds, this FRESHeTECH products is not only the lightest model on our list but also one of the smallest handheld vacuum sealers you can get out there.
This small size makes it highly portable and also ensures it will take less effort to handle, which makes vacuum sealing a simple task for you.
Despite the smaller size, this vacuum sealer will use an efficient micro-thermal heating technology to ensure you get airtight seals. Also, this technology will allow it to seal almost any plastic bag.
With the 2-hour charge, you can make over 1,000 seals, and when using it, you get to choose from two modes, which are the seal and safety lock modes.
While this handheld vacuum sealer seems to take quite some time to heat up, once it gets hot enough, it will seal the bags super-fast, which should make up for the long wait.
Pros:
- Small, lightweight and portable
- Faster recharge and long use time
- Allows you to choose from two modes
- Can seal any plastic bag type
Cons:
- Longer heating time
7. Waring Pro PVS1000 – Professional-Grade Handheld Vacuum Sealer
Photo: Waring
- Power Source: Cordless
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 56 ounces
Waring Pro PVS1000 is built to give you some professional-grade seals that will ensure your foods are sealed perfectly every time to preserve them for a long time.
This vacuum sealer is easy to use as it will come with an easy-grip pistol-style handle and a more compact size that will fit your hand perfectly.
Besides the ease of operation, this vacuum sealer has a relatively higher sealing capacity as it can handle the larger one-gallon bags. When fully charged, you can seal up to 30 bags before you need to charge it again.
Waring Pro PVS1000 is the priciest item on our list, but for a professional-grade vacuum sealer, it still comes at a bargain, and so you can be sure you will get great value for your money.
Pros:
- High-quality professional seals
- Comfortable pistol-style grip
- Long-lasting battery
- Easy to use
- Handles larger vacuum bags
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
8. FoodSaver FSFRSH0053 – One-Touch Operation Handheld Vacuum Sealer
Photo: FoodSaver
- Power Source: Cordless
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 16 ounces
The one-touch operation is one of the main highlights of the FoodSaver FSFRSH0053 because it means this vacuum sealer will be a breeze to use for anyone.
Also, this is one of the most portable handheld vacuum sealers as it will come in a compact design and only weighs 16 ounces. This compact design makes it easy to store in your drawers as it will take up little space.
With this vacuum sealer, you get a powerful enough machine that can seal both bags and containers. You never have to worry about liquid overflows as there is a removable nozzle. This nozzle is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
While the provided bags might not be the best quality, you do not have to use them as you can get better quality ones cheaply. Also, there is no charge status indicator light, but this is a small issue you can live with.
Pros:
- Simple operation
- Can seal both bags and containers
- Compact and space-saving
- Easy to clean nozzle
Cons:
- Provided bags are wanting quality
- No charge status indicator
9. Gomile Handheld Vacuum Sealer – Adjustable Temperature Vacuum Sealer
Photo: Gomile
- Power Source: Corded
- Materials: Iron
- Weight: 70.4 ounces
The Gomile Handheld Vacuum Sealer is designed to cater to all kinds of users as it will have an 8-level adjustable temperature to accommodate different kinds of vacuum bags.
This vacuum sealer has been designed for a long service life as it has an almost indestructible iron housing and upgraded copper transformer. The copper transformer will ensure you get to seal thousands of bags.
With the zero warm-up time, this machine has been designed for instant use, and because it will include a built-in fuse, it will be safer to use.
At 70.4 ounces, this vacuum sealer is quite heavy and will hence be harder to move around. However, the weight should not be an issue if you plan to use it from one spot. Even with the wanting instructions, this is still an easy machine to figure out.
Pros:
- Adjustable temperature level
- Highly durable housing
- Long-lasting and more efficient transformer
- Safer to use
- Zero warm-up time
Cons:
- Quite a heavy model
- Instructions are wanting
10. Seal-a-Meal FSSMSL0160-000 – Reliable Corded Handheld Vacuum Sealer
Photo: Seal-a-Meal
- Power Source: Corded
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 16 ounces
With the corded design of the Seal-a-Meal FSSMSL0160-000, you can be confident that you will get a reliable and continuous operation as you will never have to worry about running out battery charge.
The simple one-press operation helps make this one of the best handheld vacuum sealers as it will ensure users will have an easy time vacuum sealing. What’s more, there is a handy indicator light that will allow for hands-free operation.
This vacuum sealer works with a wide variety of vacuum sealer bags from the smaller 8-quart ones to the larger 1-gallons bags. When you buy it, you will get everything you need, including 4 bags.
The cord on this handheld vacuum sealer seems quite short, but an extension should help fix this minor drawback.
Pros:
- Corded design ensures uninterrupted use
- Simple one press operation
- Works with different bag sizes
- Handy hands-free indicator light
- Comes complete with everything you need
Cons:
- Cord is quite short
How to Buy the Best Handheld Vacuum Sealer
1. Power
While the handheld vacuum sealers might not be as powerful as the full-size models, it is still vital to make sure that the model you settle on still provides enough power for you.
For the corded types, you need to look at things like the voltage and amperage to have an idea of just how powerful the model will be. Here, something with 2.5 amp and 110-240-volt rating like Foyo VC-01 should deliver enough power for any vacuum sealing application.
When it comes to the cordless models, some use AA batteries and others that use lithium polymer batteries. Models with lithium batteries like the 1,000 mAh Vicarko VK-9939 will be powerful enough.
2. Your Skill Level
The best handheld vacuum sealing system for you will also be highly dependent on your skill level. What works great for an experienced user or expert will not necessarily give a newbie good results.
If you do not have a lot of experience with vacuum sealing, the external sealing types will always give you an easier time than the internal sealing models.
Internal vacuum sealers are more complicated and take a lot of effort and time to master. For beginners, it will be a good idea to go for something that will not involve a lot and complicated setup and come with easy to follow instructions.
3. Packing Requirements
Your specific packing requirements should help you decide which vacuum sealer will work best for you because needs will vary from one user to the other.
Here you will need to consider both the typical food types that you will need to pack often and the volumes you deal with to ensure you get a vacuum sealer model that can handle them.
For larger volumes of food, you will be better off with an internal vacuum sealer, while an external one will be more appropriate for small ones.
4. Attachments
While they might not be necessary for your handheld vacuum sealer to work, attachments are always nice to have as they will make it more versatile. Hence, you should check the specific attachments you get on your purchase.
These smaller models will not come with many attachments, but something that comes with things like jar and bottle sealers and vacuum paper cutter should be good enough.
Extra accessories like prep plate, marinating containers, and bag stand will also be nice to get on the package.
5. Ease of Use
A good handheld vacuum sealer should also be easy to use as you will want to spend more time sealing your food, and not trying to figure out how to use the machine.
Luckily, most of these vacuum sealers will have just one large button to press when sealing the bag to ensure you have an easy time. And they are also easy to grasp for an even easier time when sealing.
Something that is easy to take apart and assemble and comes with some detailed instructions like the FoodSaver 31161370 will be super easy to use.
6. Portable
Given that these vacuum sealers are handheld, it should be clear that most will be highly portable for use from different locations.
However, to make sure that the model you choose is portable enough, you need to look at the power source and overall weight. Here, the battery-powered vacuum sealers will be more portable than the corded one as you can use them from anywhere provided the batteries have charge since they do not require plugging-in to work.
For the weight, the lighter the model, the higher the portability. Hence, the super-light 3.52-ounce FRESHeTECH AL will be highly portable. Besides being lightweight, this model is also more compact to make it even easier to carry around.
Conclusion
Handheld vacuum sealers are simple and convenient to use and will also cost much less than the full size or countertop models. And you can be confident there is a model for you on our list above regardless of your preferences.
However, the FoodSaver 31161370 seems to have a slight edge over the others as it is a great all-round performer that offers a long run time and simple one-press operation.
But, for those that want to spend as little cash as possible but still get the best handheld vacuum sealer, the budget-friendly Shendian Mini Handheld Vacuum Sealer is our recommendation.