Manufacturers want you to think this is a debate about “freshness.” It isn’t.
This is a debate about Printer Ink.
Standard suction sealers (like FoodSaver or Nesco) are the “inkjet printers” of the kitchen. They are cheap to buy ($50–$100), but they force you to buy expensive, proprietary “textured” bags forever.
Chamber sealers (like Avid Armor) are the “laser printers.” They cost a fortune upfront ($300+), but they run on dirt-cheap, generic smooth plastic bags that cost pennies.
We analyzed threads from r/SousVide, r/Hunting, and r/Charcuterie to find the exact “Break-Even Point” where upgrading to a chamber sealer stops being a luxury and starts saving you money.
[Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
Avid Armor USV20
The Math Verdict: Bags cost $0.04. Buy this if you seal meat, game, or leftovers more than 3 times a week. It pays for itself in 18 months.
Check Price on Amazon →
Nesco VS-12
The Math Verdict: Bags cost $0.50. Buy this if you only seal occasionally. The machine is cheap, but you pay a “tax” on every single bag.
Check Price on Amazon →1. The “Razor Blade” Math: Suction vs. Chamber
Before we look at the machines, look at the plastic. This is where your money actually goes.
Suction Sealers (The “Taxed” Option): To suck air out of a bag, the bag needs “channels” or mesh inside so the air can flow. These are proprietary, patented, and expensive.
- Average Cost: $0.40 – $0.60 per bag.
- The Physics: The machine sucks air out of the bag. This creates a vacuum, but atmospheric pressure immediately crushes the bag against the food. This squashes bread, berries, and pulls liquid into the pump.
Chamber Sealers (The “Free” Option): These machines remove air from the entire box. Because the pressure is equalized, you can use cheap, smooth, commercial plastic pouches.
- Average Cost: $0.04 – $0.05 per bag.
- The Physics: The air leaves the chamber, the bag stays relaxed. Liquid doesn’t boil out (unless you want it to), and delicate foods don’t get crushed until the very split second the seal bar hits.
2. Why Chamber Wins: Avid Armor USV20
Avid Armor USV20
- Cheap Bags: Compatible with any generic smooth 3-mil pouch.
- Liquid Master: Seals soup, stew, and marinade with zero spill.
- Instant Pickling: Use the chamber pressure to force brine into veggies in 30 seconds.
The Avid Armor USV20 is the “prosumer” choice. It solves the biggest problem with industrial chamber sealers (which weigh 80 lbs) by using a dry piston pump. It’s lighter, smaller, and maintenance-free.
The Ugly Truth (The Upfront Pain): You are paying $300+ for a box. That hurts. Also, the chamber has a size limit. You cannot seal a whole brisket or a full rack of ribs in this machine unless you cut them in half. If you are a BBQ enthusiast who needs to seal giant cuts, you will still need a suction sealer on standby.
The Verdict: If you process deer, buy bulk meat at Costco, or meal prep soup, this machine is effectively free after 2 years because of the bag savings.
3. Why Suction Wins: Nesco VS-12
If you only vacuum seal leftovers once a week, buying a chamber sealer is financial suicide. You will never seal enough bags to recoup the $300 cost.
For the casual user, the Nesco VS-12 is the king of the “cheap” machines. Unlike FoodSaver (which tries to be smart and fails), the Nesco gives you manual control.
The Ugly Truth (The Bag Tax): Every time you press “Seal,” you are spending $0.50. If you screw up a seal (which happens often with wet food), you just threw $0.50 in the trash. The machine is cheap, but the “consumables” will bleed you dry if you aren’t paying attention. Also, do not trust the “Moist” setting. It’s a marketing lie.
The Verdict: Buy this if you are a “normal” home cook. Just accept that you are paying a convenience tax on the bags.
🍖 Deep Dive Guides
More guides to help you stop wasting food and money.
Best Sealer for Liquids
Most sealers fail at liquids. We tested the consensus to find the one cheap exception and the gasket issues.
Best Sealer for Wet Food
Stop sucking juice into the pump. We tested the Avid Armor Chamber vs. Nesco to see which one handles soup.
Best Humidifier for Plants
Preserving your harvest? Keep your live plants healthy too. We found the best humidifiers that don’t clog leaves.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
If you hate the idea of being “taxed” $0.50 every time you want to save a leftover pork chop, bite the bullet and buy the Avid Armor USV20. It hurts once, but then you are free from the tyranny of expensive proprietary bags.
If you just want a machine that works for the occasional sous vide steak and you don’t mind the bag cost, the Nesco VS-12 is the only suction sealer worth your time. Just don’t let it suck up the marinade.
