The best vacuum machines in the UK 2023

The vacuum packing machine allows the prolonged conservation of food. It is essential in the kitchen to fight against waste. Indeed, each French person throws away 155 kg of food per year! According to the function, the power, the price, the bag or the roll, we distinguish between vacuum machines with external suction and vacuum machines with bell. Before buying, you should also take into account the sealing, the products to be packed and the brand (FoodSaver, Tefal...). So, which vacuum packing machine should you choose?

Caso VC 10 1
9/10

Best value for money

Caso VC 10

The best vacuum packing machine

This vacuum packaging machine has the essential features to seal and preserve your food longer and safer. Fast and accurate, it was originally designed for professionals.

65,41 £ on Amazon

The VC 10 vacuum packaging machine represents the know-how of the Caso brand in terms of technology and quality. The attention to detail seduces both professional and private restaurateurs. Moreover, given its dimensions, it has been designed to seal a large quantity of food in much smaller portions. This technique allows a great saving of money and time without neglecting the quality of food preservation.

With a power of 110 W and its exclusively automatic mode, the device ensures speed and precision. An intuitive screen also allows you to manage the machine's functions thanks to various control buttons. Typically, this machine will allow you to seal or vacuum seal before automatically sealing. As a bonus, you have a weight of only 1.3 kg, convenient to move it easily. It comes with 10 professional bags that can also be used for vacuum cooking.

Bonsenkitchen VS3900 2
8/10

Best value for money

Bonsenkitchen VS3900

The best entry-level vacuum packing machine

If you are looking for something simple, small and that can seal your bags well without breaking the bank, the Bonsenkitchen VS3900 is an excellent choice. In addition, this vacuum sealer has a built-in cutter, allowing you to cut the bag to the size you want.

31,99 £ on Amazon

The Bonsenkitchen VS3900 fits perfectly in most kitchens. It has a white top with a black base, and all the buttons along the top are very clearly marked. The machine sits low to the ground and has the kitchen footprint similar to an egg carton. Weighing in at just over 5 pounds, storing it in your cabinets until you need it is as easy as pulling out a bag of sugar.

We love that the Bonsenkitchen VS3900 has a built-in cutter so you can cut the bag as large as you want to fit the food you plan to pack. Place the food bag in the clip and press lightly. Good to know, users can only select 2 options: dry food or wet food. Users also have the option to select a slightly softer mode that does not remove all the air. The latter will be perfect for foods such as chips or cookies.

Caso VacuChef 40 1417 3
9/10

Best premium value for money

Caso VacuChef 40 1417

The best high-end vacuum packing machine

The Caso VacuChef vacuum sealer is ideal if you are looking for a professional quality model with a lot of features. Thanks to its compact chamber vacuum system, it can keep food cold and marinate it.

273 £ on Amazon

The Caso VacuChef 40 1417 is distinguished by the power of its professional vacuum pump, which reaches 70 L/min. This makes it possible to have almost 100% empty containers. This vacuum packing machine also keeps food fresh and marinated. This is possible thanks to the integrated clamping holder and the bag liner, up to a width of 25 cm.

The Caso VacuChef 40 1417 also has many features. It can both vacuum and seal and can be adjusted according to the food to be stored (hard, soft, dry or wet). You can also manually seal the bags. In addition, the marinade can be done automatically in the bag. This machine can also vacuum vacuum containers. As for the design, the machine displays the progress of the vacuuming. Finally, the touch control panel makes it easy to adjust the machine.

Geryon E2900-MS 4
7/10

Best alternative

Geryon E2900-MS

The best alternative

The Geryon E2900-MS is for those who want to buy smart. Vacuum performance is a must with this compact sealer. This inexpensive model offers the benefits of a vacuum sealer without breaking the bank.

41,59 £ on Amazon

The Geryon E2900-MS is a practical and powerful vacuum sealer. This model is quite easy to use and has a high suction power. Unlike most of the large and bulky vacuum sealers for commercial use, this one is compact and very suitable for home use. While this model can't compete with the best commercial vacuum sealers, it can do very well for occasional use.

On the other hand, the Geryon E2900-MS remains one of the least expensive vacuum sealers on the market, which is why it is very popular with consumers. In use, the touch screen buttons will make your life easier. Indeed, they offer ease of use and navigation. You won't have to check or read the entire manual to understand how the sealer works.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best vacuum machine

Any specific needs?

The best vacuum packing machine

The best entry-level vacuum packing machine

The best high-end vacuum packing machine

The best alternative

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best vacuum machines

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE ALTERNATIVE
Caso VC 10 5
9/10
Bonsenkitchen VS3900 6
8/10
Caso VacuChef 40 1417 7
9/10
Geryon E2900-MS 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Caso VC 10
Bonsenkitchen VS3900
Caso VacuChef 40 1417
Geryon E2900-MS
This vacuum packaging machine has the essential features to seal and preserve your food longer and safer. Fast and accurate, it was originally designed for professionals.
If you are looking for something simple, small and that can seal your bags well without breaking the bank, the Bonsenkitchen VS3900 is an excellent choice. In addition, this vacuum sealer has a built-in cutter, allowing you to cut the bag to the size you want.
The Caso VacuChef vacuum sealer is ideal if you are looking for a professional quality model with a lot of features. Thanks to its compact chamber vacuum system, it can keep food cold and marinate it.
The Geryon E2900-MS is for those who want to buy smart. Vacuum performance is a must with this compact sealer. This inexpensive model offers the benefits of a vacuum sealer without breaking the bank.
Power
110 W
120 W
280 W
110 W
Dimensions (L x W x H)
15.5 x 36 x 9 cm
(L x W x H) 38.8 x 14.5 x 7.7 cm
35.5 x 32 x 175 cm
43.4 x 20.2 x 10 cm
Weight
1.3 kg
1.65 kg
8.4 kg
1.2 kg
Input voltage
230 V
220 V
220 V
220 V
Modes
Sealing only, vacuuming + sealing
Dry and wet mode, jar vacuuming
Full modes (hard, soft, dry and wet)
Dry or wet

Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - vacuum machine

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How to choose your vacuum machine

#1 - Power and depression

These two criteria are decisive for the shelf life of the food. The power and vacuum indicate the suction force, i.e. the flow rate of the air pump

. Be careful that the vacuum, expressed in bars, is not too high, i.e. close to 1 bar, at the risk of crushing soft food. Also make sure that the machine you are interested in sucks in air and seals the packaging bag in one operation.

#2 - Versatility and welding options

Good to

know, some vacuum packers have tremendous difficulty vacuum packing food boxes. Avoid them if possible and opt for a machine that is suitable for vacuum bags and boxes. Also, ask about sealing options: single seal, instant seal, double seal, automatic bag detection, unannounced shutdown of operations... all options are good to go.

#3 - Supported bag or roll size

Most of the time, food vacuum sealers come with 28 cm wide bags and rolls. However, practice shows that in 80% of the cases, a 20 cm bag or roll is sufficient

. The larger the bags and rolls you buy, the more money the brands make. Never exceed 28 cm, otherwise the vacuum packing will not be done properly. And professionals will likely be interested in a machine that offers a sustained rate of packaging.

#4 - Dimensions and weight

The

size of the machine and its weight also matter. If possible, buy a vacuum packer that is lightweight and not too large

for easy, mobile use. Also consider the aesthetics of the machine and the colors of your kitchen before you buy. It is up to you to make the right choice. And that is so that the design of the appliance blends with your interior decor.

#5 - Vacuum packing accessories and options

Aside from the vacuum bags and the 3m long rolls, make sure the vacuum hose is integrated and not independent. Make sure the cutting blade is also integrated. Also, find out what types of food the machine can vacuum: dry, wet, soft, powdered... Finally, check if the packaged products can go in the freezer or microwave.

Manual controls

The vacuum packer with manual controls allows you to decide exactly when to stop the air suction and when to start sealing. This makes it easier to preserve delicate, moist or bulky food.

How to use a vacuum packing machine?


A very easy to use device, the vacuum packing machine allows you to preserve your food quickly and hygienically, without compromising the quality of the product. Its operating principle is very simple. Once your food is put in the preservation bag and then in the machine, the latter will completely extract the air with an internal vacuum cleaner.

First, you need to make sure that the size of the vacuum bag roll is suitable for the products you want to preserve so that you don't waste the bags and most importantly save money. You also need to make sure that the place where the sealing of the device will occur is clean to succeed. To do this, it is advisable to hem the bag across its entire width. This will also prevent the vacuum pack from being waterproof. So make sure the sealing surface is flat and free of dirt.

For more efficiency, before you start using your vacuum sealer, you should make sure that the temperature of the food is as low as possible. Indeed, the food should not give off steam as this could spoil your products despite the fact that they are vacuum packed. It is also recommended to pre-freeze liquids before sealing.

After each sealing of the bag, you must wait a few seconds before handling so that the seal does not come off. Maintenance of the vacuum machine is also very important. After using your machine, you must clean it with clear water and a sponge. You should remove all dirt from the sealing bar and the stainless steel seals. Finally, please place your machine in a dry place.

The different types of vacuum machines

On the market, there are 2 types of food vacuum packing machines: the vacuum packing machine with external suction and the vacuum packing machine with bell.

Vacuum machine with external suction

This type of machine packs food in a plastic film in a hermetic way. This process with evacuation of the air contained in the bag makes it possible to preserve food up to 5 times longer

than normal. In addition, the food retains its nutritional value throughout the shelf life.

The outdoor vacuum sealer is easy to use. It only takes one operation of the vacuum sealer to empty the air and seal the bag. The majority of food vacuum machines for domestic use are external vacuum devices. They often do not allow for the vacuum packaging of liquid products, such as soups and sauces.

Advantages :

  • Simplicity
  • Empty the air and seal the bag in one operation
  • Affordable price and wide variety of devices

Disadvantages:

  • Cannot vacuum seal liquid foods in bags
  • The use of a vacuum box will be necessary in this case
  • Lack of reliability of some machines

Who is it for?

The external vacuum machine is intended for home use. It can only process small quantities and does not support mass production. In addition, this type of machine only accepts embossed vacuum bags.

Vacuum chamber machine

This

type of machine is capable of vacuum packaging all types of solid or liquid foods

. This is done in view of their preservation but also for cooking under vacuum, a very fashionable culinary technique. The machine has a faster packaging speed and can work with all types of smooth bags, more economical than embossed bags.

Beware, because the vacuum chamber machine is bulky and usually costs more than 1,000 euros. Intended for professional use, it is equipped with more powerful motors and can ensure large productions or mass packaging.

Advantages:

  • Can vacuum pack both solid and liquid foods
  • High packaging speed
  • Can ensure large productions or mass packaging

Disadvantages :

  • Heavy and cumbersome
  • Not really adapted to home useCosts
    more than 1 000 euros

Who is it for?

If you are a restaurant owner or have a business that requires large volumes of food to be packed,

you will need special padded bags with channels to help draw air out of the bag

.

Never use smooth bags intended for vacuum bell sealers with this type of machine, otherwise the air cannot be sucked out.

vacuum productions, the vacuum bell machine will make you happy. Of course, it has a high price. But it accepts all types of smooth bags, which are less expensive than embossed bags. The vacuum bags

Vacuum machine with external suction or vacuum machine with bell?

Vacuum machine with external suction

This type of vacuum machine consists of a cover, a sealing bar and a sealing system. To operate it, it is sufficient to place an embossed vacuum bag in the sealing bar and then close its cover. It automatically sucks in air, which blocks the chemical reactions triggered by oxygen that cause food to spoil. It also prevents the accumulation of bacteria.

The use of a vacuum packing machine with external suction extends the shelf life of food. However, this requires the use of special bags. In addition, not all types of bags are reusable. It cannot vacuum seal foods that contain liquid, because it does not have the same performance as a vacuum bell machine.

Vacuum chamber machine

The vacuum chamber machine is an excellent choice when you need to vacuum seal a lot of food. It is compatible with all types of vacuum bags, jars, glasses. It offers much more performance and versatility than an external vacuum machine. It is also convenient for packing liquid-rich foods.

The problem with using a vacuum chamber machine is that it may be too powerful for some products. The food may not be able to withstand it. In addition, this device can change the temperature of your food before it is vacuum packed and this can change its taste. In addition, its weight is a bit bulky.

Verdict

The chamber vacuum machine is preferred because it can completely seal all types of bags and requires little manual work. However, a vacuum machine with external suction is ideal for domestic and occasional use. It is up to you to decide according to your means and needs.

Why buy a good vacuum sealer

To preserve your food longer

If there are several days between shopping and eating the food you buy, this is not a problem with the vacuum packing machine. The bacteria responsible for the destruction of food will be eliminated and the taste will be preserved. Whether your food is cooked or raw, you will always be assured of eating healthy food. No more mold and food destroying microbes!

To avoid waste

in the UK, 10 million tonsof food are thrown away every year. Financially, this represents 16 billion euros! The most economical will appreciate the possibilities offered by the vacuum packing machine. It reduces food waste thanks to its ability to seal different types of food. If you have leftovers from lunch, don't throw them away. You can wrap them up to eat later.

It's an adjustable device

Depending on the food you want to save the freshness and taste of, the vacuum sealer is fully adjustable. The speed of air suction, as well as the sealing of the bag are adjustable. This, according to the volume of the food to be preserved. In addition, an indicator light indicates the operation. And you can choose the action to be performed by the device via the control panel.

It's convenient

If you have to go away for a few days, you don't have to worry about the quality of the food when you come back. Thanks to the intelligent functions of the vacuum sealer, the time of perishing of the food will be postponed. After several uses, the equipment may get dirty. In this case, simply clean it with a cloth. Besides, it is easy to maintain as it does not retain dirt.

Do you really need it?

Investing in a vacuum packing machine is not always a good idea. If you don't buy in bulk, only vacuum pack very rarely, and your refrigerator is very small, it may not pay for itself.

The best brands of vacuum machines

In our opinion, the best brands of vacuum machines in 2022 are :

Abox
Bonsenkitchen
Caso
Klarstein
Tefal

ABOX was founded in 2015 by a group of accomplished engineers and designers who firmly believed that high quality, well-designed technology products and services should be available to the world. ABOX technology products offer you convenience and comfort.

Bonsen Electronics Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers of office equipment. Based in Georgia, the company has developed the Bonsenkitchen brand and expanded its product line. It has created Bonsenkitchen appliances aimed at bringing healthier living to every family. In the last two years, a successful series of vacuum sealer, toaster, air oven, pasta machine, powder mixer, etc. have been created each with its respective qualities.

CASO Design is a small brand of electrical kitchen products designed in Germany. Their style exemplifies timeless design and attention to detail. The innovative products are created from the user's perspective and combined with German engineering. The brand is very reliable.

Klarstein is a German appliance brand founded in 2008. It always tries to offer innovative and modern products. This is the case for its vacuum packing machines, in particular the FoodLocker Slim. The latter is so compact that it lives up to its name. Klarstein also manufactures refrigerators, washing machines, fans, air conditioners, barbecues and much more.

Tefal is one of the 10 favourite brands in the UK. Specialized in small household appliances and kitchen products, it belongs to the SEB group. The latter is no more and no less than the world leader in small household appliances! Tefal's reputation is based on the quality of its products. It manufactures frying pans, saucepans, cooking appliances and vacuum machines. If you are one of the brands we recommend, you can mention your presence in this ranking as long as you link to this page. If you are not in this ranking and you think you should have been, you can send us a test product that we will evaluate objectively.

What is the price for a vacuum machine

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
40 £ to 70 £
Mid-range
70 £ to 100 £
High-end
more than 100 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Learn how to pre-freeze.

What happens when you put fresh berries in a freezer bag and suck out the air? You get crushed fruit. Spread and pre-freeze fragile foods on cookie sheets before using your vacuum sealer.

Always label packages.

Always

write

the name of the food and the date it was frozen on the bag. A permanent marker is recommended, but you can also use a regular pen.

Do not overfill the bag.

You

must leave at least 10 cm in order to seal your bag properly.

Use good bags.

There

is a reason you need to buy special bags for your vacuum sealer. These bags are designed specifically for your vacuum sealer.

Avoid crumpled bags.

Avoid

crumpled bags. This can compromise the closure of the bag.

FAQ

Which vacuum packing machine to choose?

For most people, the FoodSaver FFS005X-01 is the best vacuum sealer. You can also choose the Tefal Vacupack Classic VT254070, the FoodSaver V3840-I or the FoodSaver FFS016X-01.

What are the criteria for choosing a vacuum machine?

Before you buy, find out the power, vacuum and airflow of the unit you are interested in. Then, consider the packaging versatility and sealing options (single, double, automatic detection...). Don't neglect the size of the compatible bags and rolls or the simplicity of the machine. Finally, choose a machine that comes with useful accessories such as the roll, bags, or even food boxes.

What foods are vacuum packed?

You can put solid or liquid food, cooked or raw food... in short, a little of everything. These include ready meals, preserved foods, cooked vegetables, liquid foods frozen in cubes, red meat, white meat, smoked fish, terrine, foie gras, various ingredients, powdered foods, cereals and many others. In fact, the possibilities of vacuum packing depend mainly on the machine you buy.

How long can vacuum-packed food be kept?

If you store vacuum-packed foods in the freezer, the average shelf life is between 2 and 6 months. Smoked foods, candied foods and terrines have the longest shelf life. Next come red meat, white meat, cooked fish, cooked vegetables, courgettes, tomatoes, beetroot, beans and onions. Finally, other cooked dishes such as chicken, rabbit, couscous or sauerkraut are the ones that last the least.

For refrigerated storage, the average shelf life is quite short. Candied and smoked foods last 30 days. Next come terrines and foie gras, which can last 25 days. For the rest, the average shelf life is between 8 and 12 days. Tomatoes, zucchini and other raw foods have the shortest shelf life.

What are the types of vacuum packing machines?

There are 2 types of food vacuum packaging machines: vacuum packaging machines with external suction and vacuum packaging machines with bell. The former are intended for home use and only accept embossed bags, while the latter are suitable for smooth bags and are mainly intended for professionals.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Caso VC 10 9
Caso VC 10
Bonsenkitchen VS3900 10
Bonsenkitchen VS3900
Caso VacuChef 40 1417 11
Caso VacuChef 40 1417
Geryon E2900-MS 12
Geryon E2900-MS

Lecteurs

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