Vacuum sealers are a popular kitchen appliance for extending the shelf life of foods by removing air from specially designed bags. Two of the most popular brands are Nesco and FoodSaver. But which one is better?
A Brief Comparison Table
Aspects | Nesco VS-12 | FoodSaver |
Sealing Mechanism | Suction | Heat Seal |
Bag Compatibility | Nesco & some FoodSaver bags | FoodSaver bags |
Seal Indicator Light | Yes | No |
Accessory Port | No | Yes |
Manual Seal Mode | Yes | No |
Bag Cutter | Yes | No |
Now let’s take a deeper look at each vacuum sealer.
Overview of the Nesco VS-12
The Nesco VS-12 is a mid-range suction vacuum sealer. Some key features and benefits include:
- Suction sealing mechanism – Uses suction to vacuum seal bags rather than heat sealing. This allows it to work with some generic and FoodSaver bags in addition to Nesco bags.
- Compact size – With dimensions of just 7.25 x 11.75 x 3 inches, it can fit easily on the counter or store away in a cupboard.
- Bag cutter – Built-in bag cutter for cleanly cutting bags to size before sealing.
- Manual seal mode – Ability to seal bags without vacuuming out the air first. Useful for delicate items.
- Seal indicator light – Light indicates when a good seal has been achieved.
- Accessories not included – Does not come with any accessories like canisters or jar sealer. These must be purchased separately.
- Affordable price – Retails for around $65 making it budget-friendly for most households.
Overview of the FoodSaver
The FoodSaver is a popular heat-seal vacuum sealer known for its strong seals. Some key features and benefits include:
- Heat seal mechanism – Uses heated strip to melt bags closed rather than suction. Creates very strong, air-tight seals.
- Open roll storage – Holds open bag roll for convenience.
- Accessory port – Allows use of canisters, jar sealers, bottle stoppers, etc.
- More bag options – Specifically designed for FoodSaver brand bags and rolls. Also works with generic heat seal bags.
- High price – Starts around $150, so more expensive than many competitors.
- Larger footprint – Countertop models take up more space than suction models.
- No bag cutter – Must cut bags manually before sealing.
Also Read: Comparison Between the FoodSaver 5800 and 5860
Key Differences Between the Nesco VS-12 and FoodSaver
Now let’s dive into a detailed, side-by-side comparison of some of the most important factors when choosing between the Nesco VS-12 and FoodSaver vacuum sealers.
Sealing Mechanism
The Nesco VS-12 uses a suction mechanism to vacuum seal bags. A pump removes air from the bag, and then the top and bottom seal together. This allows it to work with some generic heat seal bags in addition to Nesco’s own bags. It cannot achieve the very strong airtight seals that heat seal models like the FoodSaver can.
The FoodSaver uses a heat strip to melt the two sides of the bag together. This creates an extremely strong, airtight seal. However, it requires using special FoodSaver brand heat seal bags and rolls. Off-brand bags often don’t seal correctly with FoodSavers.
Verdict: For maximum flexibility with bags, the Nesco is better. For the strongest seals, the FoodSaver’s heat strip wins.
Bag Compatibility
The Nesco VS-12 is designed for Nesco’s own vacuum sealer bags, but it can also work with many generic bags and even some FoodSaver brand bags due to the suction-based sealing. This provides more flexibility.
The FoodSaver requires using FoodSaver’s specially designed heat-seal bags and rolls for proper sealing. Off-brand and generic bags often won’t work. This limits flexibility, but ensures good seals when using FoodSaver bags.
Verdict: The Nesco offers more flexibility for using different bags.
Size and Storage
The Nesco VS-12 has a very small, compact footprint of just 7.25 x 11.75 inches. It can sit nicely on the counter and fits easily in a cupboard for storage.
FoodSaver countertop models take up much more space. For example, the FoodSaver V3880 is 17.7 x 7.8 x 10.6 inches. FoodSavers are not as easy to store away and will eat up more counter space.
Verdict: The Nesco VS-12’s small size wins for kitchens with limited space.
Ease of Use
Both the Nesco and FoodSaver are relatively easy to use for basic vacuum sealing tasks. The Nesco does have a couple advantages though:
- The bag cutter makes prepping bags simpler.
- The manual seal mode provides flexibility for delicate items.
- The seal indicator light provides user feedback.
The FoodSaver requires manually cutting bags and provides no feedback on achieving a good seal.
Verdict: The Nesco has a slight edge for ease of use.
Price
The Nesco VS-12 has an MSRP around $65, though it can be found for $10-20 cheaper on sites like Amazon. This makes it one of the more budget-friendly mid-range vacuum sealers.
FoodSavers start around $150 for a basic countertop model and go up in price from there. Replacement bags and rolls are also more expensive than off-brands. This makes FoodSavers a pricier investment.
Verdict: The Nesco VS-12 is better for shoppers on a tight budget.
Reliability
FoodSavers are known for their durability and longevity when proper maintenance is performed. The heat strip and heating wire assembly are designed for years of reliable service.
The Nesco is not quite as proven for long term reliability. Some users report issues with declining performance after 1-2 years. Proper maintenance like cleaning debris from the pump can help improve lifespan.
Verdict: The FoodSaver gets the edge for proven long term durability.
Also Watch This Comparison Video:
Strength of Seal
Due to the powerful heat sealing mechanism, the FoodSaver can achieve a very strong, airtight seal when used properly with FoodSaver brand bags. This can lead to longer food preservation.
The suction-based sealing of the Nesco VS-12 cannot match the strength of a FoodSaver seal. Air leakage is more likely over time. So the Nesco may not preserve foods quite as long.
Verdict: The FoodSaver provides a much stronger vacuum seal.
Accessories
The FoodSaver comes with an accessory port that works with canisters, marinators, jar sealers, and other 1st party accessories. This allows you to vacuum seal more than just bags.
The Nesco VS-12 has no included accessories or accessory port. Any canisters or mason jar sealers must be purchased separately and don’t integrate with the vacuum sealer.
Verdict: The FoodSaver is better for accessory options right out of the box.
Also Read: Comparison Between FoodSaver 4840 and 5860
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some FoodSaver bags are compatible with Nesco vacuum sealers, but results can vary. Thinner FoodSaver bags have a better shot at working due to the suction sealing method. Thicker bags may not evacuate enough air.
The Nesco VS-12 provides a nice balance of features and affordability. For more heavy duty sealing, the higher end Nesco VS-02 and VS-09 are also great options.
For maximum flexibility with bags, the Nesco VS-12 is a great mid-range choice. For extra strong seals and built-in accessory port, the FoodSaver can’t be beat but costs more.
For serious cooks and meat hunters, the strength and reliability of FoodSavers make them worth the higher investment over the long run. More casual users may prefer a cheaper but capable model like the Nesco instead.
Final Thoughts
For most home cooks, the wallet-friendly Nesco VS-12 provides plenty of vacuum sealing power in a compact package. The flexibility to use cheaper generic bags gives it an economic edge over FoodSavers.
However, for hunters, serious cooks, or anyone wanting maximum food preservation, the FoodSaver remains the gold standard. Its unparalleled seal strength and integrated accessories justify the higher price tag for demanding users.
Ultimately, it depends on your budget and sealing needs. While pricier, FoodSavers like the V3880 offer better seals and accessories. For casual use on a budget, the Nesco VS-12 packs impressive performance in a small footprint. Either way, you really can’t go wrong with these top vacuum sealers.