ConsFirst / Vacuum sealers / Compare
Avid Armor USV20 Chamber Vacuum Sealer vs Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer VS-12
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Avid Armor USV20 Chamber Vacuum Sealer ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on bag cost & waste, durability. Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer VS-12 wins on seal quality, suction.
The biggest complaint about the Avid Armor USV20 Chamber Vacuum Sealer is small chamber; for the Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer VS-12 it's cycle stops partway or vacuum quits. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Avid Armor USV20 Chamber Vacuum Sealer | Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer VS-12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in vacuum sealers | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Chamber sealer | External (edge) sealer |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 3% | 11% |
| Overall score | 4.1 | 4.0 |
| Seal quality | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Suction | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Bag cost & waste | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 4.0 | 3.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $80 · $$ $80–200 · $$$ over $200. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Avid Armor USV20 Chamber Vacuum Sealer
- Small chamber
Wirecutter says home chamber sealers it has encountered, including Avid Armor's, have small cavities that won't fit large cuts of meat or pint Mason jars. Avid Armor lists maximum pouch size as 11 x 10 inches.
Source: Wirecutter, Avid Armor official page - Short warranty for the price
Avid Armor lists a 1-year warranty on a machine with a $349 regular price.
Source: Avid Armor official page
Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer VS-12
- Cycle stops partway or vacuum quits
Amazon's review summary says multiple owners report the vacuum function stopping after a few months. Several 1-star Walmart reviews describe the countdown stopping at 6 or 7 seconds without finishing the seal. A long-term Wirecutter tester also gets an error message mid-cycle.
- Long rest between bags
Serious Eats and Food & Wine both flag the recommended 2-minute refractory period. If you skip it, seals can be compromised, which makes bulk sessions slow.
Source: Serious Eats, Food & Wine - Bulkier, with a hard-to-clean juice channel
Wirecutter says it is bulkier and a pound heavier than the Anova Pro. Its long-term testers say the juice canal is hard to clean, and Serious Eats notes the drip tray doesn't come out. In one Food & Wine test, marinade crept past both seals.
Who should pick which
Pick the Avid Armor USV20 Chamber Vacuum Sealer if
Sealing soups, sauces and marinades
Cheaper smooth chamber pouches
Frequent sealers who want a no-oil pump
Skip it if: You seal large roasts or game; You want to vacuum-seal jars inside the chamber; You want an expert-tested pick
Pick the Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer VS-12 if
Long-term freezer storage
Delicate foods (gentle mode and pulse)
Using any brand of bags
Skip it if: You seal dozens of bags in one session; You want the smallest footprint; You want a removable drip tray
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