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Anova

Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro: the downsides first

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#4 of 8
$$External (edge) sealerScore 3.8/5
23%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)

The top pick at Wirecutter and Serious Eats for strong suction, a default double seal and no wait between bags. But nearly a quarter of its Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars, mostly from units that stopped sealing.

Top complaints

  • Units that stop working

    Amazon's review summary says reliability is mixed: some owners say it works great, while others say it stops working or breaks after about 30 uses. On Walmart, low-star owners say it stopped sealing after a month, or after moisture got onto the seal area.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say), Walmart reviews (lowest rated)
  • Crushes delicate foods; no gentle mode

    In Food & Wine's tests, it crushed cereal and smushed strawberries on its automatic mode. You need to use the pulse button carefully because there is no gentle setting.

    Source: Food & Wine
  • Drip channel isn't removable; cutter can jam; loud

    Wirecutter and Serious Eats both note that the drip tray isn't removable, so you have to clean spills out with a paper towel. Wirecutter measured 83 dBA, about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. America's Test Kitchen found the bag cutter flimsy and says it sometimes jammed.

    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats, America's Test Kitchen

What owners love

  • Strong suction and a double seal

    Wirecutter reports 25.1 inHg of suction, close to commercial machines (about 29 inHg). It double-seals every bag by default. In Serious Eats' tests, one seal leaked once, but the second seal held.

    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
  • No wait between bags

    Serious Eats says it needs no refractory period, and Anova claims it can do more than 100 seals back to back. That makes it good for bulk freezer sessions.

    Source: Serious Eats
  • Handles liquids well

    Food & Wine calls it one of the best machines it tested at sealing liquids. Serious Eats found it pulled no marinade out of the bag.

    Source: Food & Wine, Serious Eats
Good for
  • Sealing many bags back to back
  • Sous vide and marinated foods
  • Small counters (compact for its features)

Scores (tap for why)

  • Seal quality4.5
    Why 4.5?Bags held their seals for 6-9 months in Wirecutter's freezer tests, and the double seal caught a single leak in Serious Eats' tests. Amazon owners give mixed feedback on sealing performance.
    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Amazon.com product page
  • Suction4.5
    Why 4.5?25.1 inHg, the strongest Wirecutter tested among home external sealers; Amazon owners give mixed feedback on suction.
    Source: Wirecutter, Amazon.com product page
  • Ease of use4.0
    Why 4.0?The lid closes with little effort, the controls are simple and there's no wait between seals. It has no gentle mode or cancel button, and ATK found the cutter jams.
    Source: Wirecutter, Food & Wine, America's Test Kitchen
  • Bag cost & waste3.5
    Why 3.5?Built-in roll storage and a cutter let you make bags to size, and it works with widely sold FoodSaver bags. Anova says its own bags aren't recyclable.
    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
  • Durability2.5
    Why 2.5?It has a 2-year warranty, but reliability is the most-mentioned mixed aspect on Amazon (432 mentions), 23% of ratings are 1-2 stars, and Walmart owners report it stopping within a month.
    Source: Amazon.com product page, Walmart reviews (lowest rated), Serious Eats

What experts say

  • Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick (updated 2026-09-28) for powerful suction, useful controls and an easy lid in a compact body. Its flaws are a non-removable drip tray and loud operation.
  • Serious Eats: Best overall (2026-02-17). Reviewers struggled to find any major drawbacks; the drip tray isn't removable.
  • Food & Wine: Best for beginners and great with liquids, but it crushed delicate foods without a gentle mode.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

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Its catch: cycle stops partway or vacuum quits#3 in vacuum sealersFoodSaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer

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Its catch: large, heavy and awkwardly shaped

Head-to-head

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