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Head-to-head · Best Vacuum Sealers

Anova Vacuum Sealer vs Nesco Deluxe VS-12

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Nesco Deluxe VS-12 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 2.7). Nesco Deluxe VS-12 is best for: Frequent bulk sealing of dry and dense foods on a counter with room to spare. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Anova Vacuum Sealer
Ranked #5 in Best Vacuum Sealers
Anova Vacuum Sealer
1 source$66.4as of Oct 18

The base Anova Vacuum Sealer is the slim, featureless sibling of the Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro. TechGearLab tested it against 11 other sealers and scored it 45 out of 100, the lowest in its group, concluding that the storage-friendly design suits casual use but that it could not recommend it for more serious applications. The outlet liked the small footprint, low weight, pulse button and simple interface, and criticised mediocre overall performance and a finicky latch system.

Strengths
  • — Small storage footprint and light weight; TechGearLab gave it one of its best scores for size and weight
  • — Has a pulse button, per TechGearLab
  • — Simple interface
Watch-outs
  • — TechGearLab scored it 45 out of 100, the lowest of 12 sealers tested
$66.4 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Nesco Deluxe VS-12
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Vacuum Sealers
Nesco Deluxe VS-12
1 source

TechGearLab named the Nesco Deluxe VS-12 its Best Overall Vacuum Sealer with a score of 81 out of 100. Both labs recorded the strongest suction in their tests, and both praise the one-handed locking handle, built-in roll storage and cutter, and optional double seal. The trade-offs they report are a large footprint, slower cycles, no removable drip tray, and enough suction to crush fragile foods; Shouldit also needed three attempts to pass its sous vide seal test.

Strengths
  • — Strongest suction in both tests: 21.0 inHg at TechGearLab, 80 kPa at Shouldit
  • — Lever handle locks the lid with one hand, a favourite feature of TechGearLab's testers
  • — Built-in roll storage, bag cutter and bag hooks
Watch-outs
  • — Large footprint; Shouldit calls it more of a permanent fixture than a stow-away appliance
  • — Shouldit recorded 29% breakage of crunchy food even in Gentle mode
  • — Needed three attempts to pass Shouldit's sous vide seal test
Buy at target.comFull review →

How they stack up

Anova Vacuum Sealer

TechGearLab scored the base Anova 45 out of 100, against 71 for the FoodSaver V4400 and 81 for the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe in the same test. It measured 13.0 inHg of vacuum from the Anova, 16.0 from the V4400 and 21.0 from the Nesco. The base model has no roll storage, bag cutter or accessory hose port, all of which the Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro includes. At a measured 2.3 lbs it is the lightest machine on this page.

Nesco Deluxe VS-12

TechGearLab scored the Nesco VS-12 at 81 out of 100, ahead of the FoodSaver V4400 at 71 and the base Anova Vacuum Sealer at 45. Shouldit measured stronger suction from it than from the Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro (80 kPa to 68 kPa) but a weaker sous vide result: three attempts where the Pro passed on the first. At 6.0 lbs it is lighter than the roughly 10 lb V4400.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAnova Vacuum SealerNesco Deluxe VS-12
Weight2.3 lbs (TechGearLab measured)6.0 lbs (measured by TechGearLab and Shouldit)
Dimensions16.7 x 4.8 x 3.1 in (per manufacturer, via TechGearLab)15.6 x 7.8 x 4.5 in (TechGearLab measured)
Measured Vacuum13.0 inHg at 6,200 ft (TechGearLab)—
Seal Thickness2.0 mm (TechGearLab measured)—
Bag CutterNoneBuilt-in
Roll StorageNoneBuilt-in
Accessory Hose PortNone—
MaterialPlastic—
Vacuum Modes—Dry, Moist, Double seal, Normal or Gentle pressure, Pulse
Suction Power—80 kPa (Shouldit measured); 21.0 inHg at 6,200 ft (TechGearLab measured)
Seal—Single 3.0 mm or double 3.0 mm (TechGearLab)
Noise—83.4 dBA maximum (Shouldit)
Included—Two bag rolls, 8.6 in x 9.85 ft and 11.8 in x 9.85 ft
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