FoodSaver 2115762 Compact Vacuum Sealer Machine Review

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FoodSaver PowerVac Compact Vacuum Sealer: A Small But Mighty Kitchen Ally

I've always been skeptical about kitchen gadgets that promise to revolutionize food storage. Most end up collecting dust in my cabinet after a few uses. But after watching my grocery bill climb higher every month, I decided to give the FoodSaver VS0160 PowerVac Compact Vacuum Sealer a try. Perhaps I was too quick to judge these devices in the past, because after several weeks of testing, this little machine has earned a permanent spot on my countertop.

The promise of extending food freshness up to five times longer seemed like marketing hyperbole, but I've been pleasantly surprised by how well this compact sealer performs. It's changed how I shop, cook, and store food - and I think it might do the same for you.

Sleek Space-Saver

The first thing that struck me about this FoodSaver model is its vertical design. Unlike bulkier vacuum sealers that hog counter space, this one stands upright, making it perfect for smaller kitchens like mine. The black and silver aesthetic is modern without being flashy, blending nicely with other appliances. There's something satisfying about its compact footprint - it's about the size of a small coffee maker, which means I can actually leave it out rather than stuffing it in a cabinet where I'd probably forget about it.

The controls are intuitively positioned on top, making it easy to operate with one hand. The build quality feels solid enough, though I wouldn't call it premium. It's mostly plastic, but that keeps it lightweight and easy to move around when needed.

Sale

FoodSaver Compact Vacuum Sealer Machine with Airtight Bags and Roll - Ideal for Sous Vide and Airtight Food Storage, White

Extended Freshness: Keeps food fresh in the freezer up to 5x longer
Space Efficient: Stores vertical to save valuable countertop space
Reduced Bag Waste: Seals with 35% less bag waste compared to previous models
Customized Settings: Unique Dry and Moist settings for different food types, ensuring an airtight seal
Multi-functional: Connects to a FoodSaver Hand Held Sealer (sold separately) to sous vide or preserve fridge and pantry food

Powerful, Simple Performance

Using the PowerVac is refreshingly straightforward. I was sealing bags within minutes of unboxing, no manual-reading required (though I did skim it later, just to be safe). The one-touch operation means you place your bag in the vacuum channel, close the lid, and the machine does the rest. The vacuum strength surprised me - it sucks out air quickly and creates a tight seal that hasn't failed me yet.

I've tested it with everything from fresh berries to marinated steaks. The berries that would normally get mushy within days stayed firm for over a week. And meal prepping has become much more practical - I sealed several portions of salmon with different marinades, and each one tasted freshly seasoned when I defrosted and cooked them over the course of two weeks.

The vacuum indicator lights are helpful, showing the progress as it removes air. I've noticed it sometimes takes a second attempt with very moist foods, but that seems standard for vacuum sealers in this price range. The drip tray has caught any overflow from juicier foods, and it pops out easily for cleaning - a thoughtful design feature I appreciate.

The Technical Breakdown

Specification	Detail
Dimensions	6.5 x 10.6 x 5.7 inches
Weight	Approximately 4 pounds
Power	120V
Warranty	1-year limited
Included Accessories	1 Quart bag, 1 Gallon bag, 11"x10' roll of vacuum seal material
Compatible With	All FoodSaver bags, rolls, and accessories

The Good and The Not-So-Good

Pros:

Space-saving vertical design
One-handed, intuitive operation
Surprisingly powerful vacuum for its size
Removable, dishwasher-safe drip tray
Progress indicator lights
Relatively quiet operation
Good value for the price point

Cons:

Sometimes needs multiple attempts with very moist foods
No built-in bag cutter (unlike some larger models)
Limited bag storage compared to wider models
Starter kit is minimal - you'll need to buy more bags soon
Slightly slower than premium models for bulk sealing jobs

What Real Users Are Saying

After digging through dozens of customer reviews, I found my experience aligns with the general consensus. The FoodSaver PowerVac maintains a solid 4.3-star rating, with most users praising its compact size and effectiveness.

One reviewer noted: "Perfect size for my small apartment kitchen. I was worried it wouldn't be powerful enough but it works great on everything I've tried. My produce is lasting twice as long."

Another customer pointed out: "It's not as fast as the larger models but gets the job done. The vertical design is what sold me - finally a vacuum sealer that doesn't take up half my counter."

The critical reviews mostly mention issues with sealing very wet items or wanting more included accessories. This matches my experience - you'll want to be careful with liquid-heavy foods, and you'll definitely need to buy more bags soon.

Who Should Buy This?

For beginners: This is an excellent entry-level vacuum sealer. The straightforward operation and compact size make it perfect if you're just starting to explore food preservation. The reasonable price point means you're not overcommitting to a new kitchen habit.

For intermediate users: If you regularly meal prep or buy in bulk, but have limited space, this hits the sweet spot between functionality and size. You might occasionally wish for faster sealing or a bag cutter, but for most tasks, it's more than adequate.

For advanced users: If you're vacuum sealing large quantities frequently (like after hunting trips or massive Costco hauls), you might find this model slightly limiting. The professional chefs or serious bulk preppers among us might want to look at larger, more feature-rich models. That said, this makes an excellent secondary sealer or travel option even for power users.

If you're considering this vacuum sealer, these popular alternatives might also catch your interest:

SaleBestseller No. 1

Vacuum Sealer Machine for Food Preservation, 6-in-1 Food Sealer for Freshness Storage, 75kpa Compact Vacuum Sealing Machine with External Sliding Blade, Digital Countdown Timer Black

$39.99

SaleBestseller No. 2

[Updated 2025] Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Machine + 40 Vacuum Bags, Fast-Compact/Multi-Functional Food Vacuum Sealer with External Vacuum System, Silver

$32.98

SaleBestseller No. 3

95kpa Vacuum Sealer Machine, Commercial Full Automatic Food Sealer, Food Vacuum Sealing Machine with Cutter, 10 Pre-cut Bags & Bag Rolls and Accessory Hose, Fully Starter Kits, Black

$79.99

Stop Wasting Food - Get Yours Today!

After several weeks with the FoodSaver PowerVac Compact, I'm genuinely impressed by how much food (and money) I've saved. Its compact design and effective performance make it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to extend food freshness without sacrificing precious counter space.