(checked 2026-10-10)
A slim, drawer-sized budget pick that Wirecutter and Serious Eats like for occasional dry-food sealing. It has about half the suction of the Pro, only a single seal, and testers found it weak with wet foods.
Top complaints
- Weak with wet foods
America's Test Kitchen says it had less strength than the top models and didn't fare well with wet foods, with some leakage. It has a single seal, and Wirecutter says it is weaker than the Pro's double seal.
Source: America's Test Kitchen, Wirecutter - Seal button and reliability
Amazon's summary says some owners report the seal button not working consistently, and that some units completely stop working. A Wirecutter staffer says that after long sessions, 'seal only' sometimes needs a few forceful pushes.
- Hard to close, no cutter or bag storage
Wirecutter says it takes more pressure to close than its other picks. It has no bag cutter, roll storage or accessory port, so you cut rolls with scissors.
Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
What owners love
- Tiny and light
At 2.3 lb and about 15 x 5 x 3 inches, it fits in a drawer. Wirecutter says its testers reach for small models most often.
Source: Serious Eats, Wirecutter - Long-lasting dry seals
Wirecutter's sealed beef stayed intact for more than two years, with virtually no freezer burn, and its long-term unit is still working since 2019.
Source: Wirecutter - Pulse button, fast and quiet
Wirecutter says it is unusual at this price to have a pulse button, it was among the quietest it tested, and it sealed in about 21 seconds.
Source: Wirecutter
- You seal wet or marinated foods often
- You want a built-in bag cutter and roll storage
- You have weak hands (the lid takes force to close)
- Occasional sealing
- Tiny kitchens (fits in a drawer)
- Sous vide hobbyists on a budget
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Budget pick for small spaces and occasional use. It has 14.77 inHg of suction (vs. 25.1 for the picks above it) and takes more force to close.
- Serious Eats: Best affordable, compact sealer; it skips the extras but handled every test.
- America's Test Kitchen: Recommended with reservations: compact and good with dry goods, but weaker and leaky with wet foods.