The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer meets
the FoodSaver FM2000 Vacuum Sealing System
The sealer that wins the most rigorous lab tests, with the strongest pump in its class. We tested it head-to-head against the FoodSaver FM2000 Vacuum Sealing System across 6 key dimensions.
Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer
“The sealer that wins the most rigorous lab tests, with the strongest pump in its class”
FoodSaver FM2000 Vacuum Sealing System
“The household-name sealer that tests well and backs it with a five-year warranty”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer
- America's Test Kitchen named it Best Overall and The Barbecue Lab tied it for first across rigorous multi-week tests
- One of the strongest pumps in its class at 130 watts, with five modes covering dry, moist, and gentle foods
- A digital progress screen, built-in bag roll storage, and a cutter that testers operated with one finger
- At about $134 it costs more than most external sealers
- Shouldit found the manual mode works better than automatic for very juicy items
- The warranty runs only one year, shorter than FoodSaver's five
FoodSaver FM2000 Vacuum Sealing System
- America's Test Kitchen rated it Highly Recommended and The Kitchn listed it as Cook's Illustrated's runner-up
- Slim, compact body with an intuitive dial and a removable tray that wipes clean (America's Test Kitchen)
- Five-year warranty from the most recognized name in vacuum sealing
- Only two modes and no countdown screen, so it is best on dry and lightly moist foods
- The 120-watt pump trails the Nesco's stronger 130-watt motor
- No built-in bag roll storage or cutter
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe is the sealer that keeps winning the toughest tests. America's Test Kitchen ran 11 machines for nine weeks and named the Nesco Best Overall. Shouldit put 13 sealers through roughly 100 hours of suction, storage, and sous-vide trials and ranked the VS-12 first at 9.0. The Barbecue Lab tied it for first across four standardized seal and torture tests. Three rigorous, independent labs, one machine at or near the top of all of them.
Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer
The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe is the sealer that keeps winning the toughest tests. America's Test Kitchen ran 11 machines for nine weeks and named the Nesco Best Overall. Shouldit put 13 sealers through roughly 100 hours of suction, storage, and sous-vide trials and ranked the VS-12 first at 9.0. The Barbecue Lab tied it for first across four standardized seal and torture tests. Three rigorous, independent labs, one machine at or near the top of all of them.
- Anyone who freezes meat and bulk groceries every week
- Buyers who want the sealer that wins the most lab tests
- Cooks who value the strongest suction and onboard roll storage
- People who seal enough to want a digital screen and one-finger latch
FoodSaver FM2000 Vacuum Sealing System
The FoodSaver FM2000 is the safe, affordable sealer almost everyone can live with. America's Test Kitchen rated it Highly Recommended, and The Kitchn carried it as Cook's Illustrated's runner-up. It suctions air quickly through a 120-watt pump, and testers liked its slim body, intuitive dial, and removable tray that wipes clean.
- Home cooks sealing a few bags a week
- Anyone who wants a trusted brand with easy-to-find bags
- Shoppers who want the longest warranty for the lowest price
- First-time sealer buyers who want a simple, proven machine