ConsFirst / Vacuum sealers / Compare
Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer VS-12 vs Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we report. Learn more
The short answer
Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer VS-12 ranks higher (#2 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on bag cost & waste, durability.
The biggest complaint about the Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer VS-12 is cycle stops partway or vacuum quits; for the Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro it's units that stop working. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer VS-12 | Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in vacuum sealers | #2 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Type | External (edge) sealer | External (edge) sealer |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 11% | 23% |
| Overall score | 4.0 | 3.8 |
| Seal quality | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Suction | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Bag cost & waste | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Durability | 3.0 | 2.5 |
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
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.
Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro
- 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.
- 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.
Who should pick which
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
Pick the Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro if
Sealing many bags back to back
Sous vide and marinated foods
Small counters (compact for its features)
Skip it if: You want a gentle mode for chips and berries; Reliability matters more than features; Noise bothers you
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.