FoodSaver VS0160 PowerVac Compact Vacuum Sealer Review: The $70 Machine That Gets the Job Done
The FoodSaver VS0160 is a compact, vertically-storing external vacuum sealer aimed at home cooks who want to cut down on freezer burn, meal-prep proteins in bulk, or prep food for sous vide. With 15,797 Amazon reviews and a 4.4-star average, it's one of the most-purchased vacuum sealers in its price class — and for the majority of everyday tasks, it earns those ratings, with a few practical limits you should understand before buying.
Product Overview
The VS0160 is FoodSaver's compact external vacuum sealer, designed to stand upright so it can live on a crowded counter or tuck into a cabinet without hogging horizontal space. It's significantly smaller and lighter than older horizontal FoodSaver machines, and the redesigned profile is one of its most-praised features.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 17.91" × 5.59" × 10.24" |
| Weight | 2.04 kg (approx. 4.5 lbs) |
| Max suction | 62–64 kPa |
| Sealing cycle | ~11 seconds |
| Noise level | ~78 dBA |
| Settings | Dry, Moist |
| Storage design | Vertical with storage lock |
| Included in box | 11" × 8' roll, 3 quart bags, 2 gallon bags |
| Accessory port | Yes — compatible with FoodSaver handheld sealer (sold separately) |
| Color | White |
The machine has two sealing modes. Dry handles typical meats, cheese, grains, and produce. Moist adds an extended vacuum cycle for wetter foods — fresh fish, marinated proteins, or cut fruit — where moisture near the seal could otherwise compromise the closure. A storage-lock slider keeps the lid closed when the machine is stored vertically. There's also a removable drip tray that catches moisture runoff during moist-mode sealing.
The VS0160 is compatible with the entire FoodSaver accessory line: pre-cut bags, rolls, containers, and zipper bags. The FoodSaver handheld sealer — which connects to the accessory port and lets you vacuum-seal fridge containers, jars, and zipper bags — is not included and sold separately.
Performance & Real-World Use
The core function — drawing and holding a tight vacuum seal — is executed reliably. Independent expert testing by Shouldit.com gave the VS0160 an 8.4/10 overall score, with an 8.0 performance rating across dry and moist food tests. In a sous vide beef test specifically, it earned a perfect 10/10: the seal held through an extended water bath session with no water intrusion.
The 11-second cycle is fast enough for batch work. Load the bag into the sealing channel, close the lid, press one button. The control layout is intuitive and manageable with one hand. No menus, no modes to navigate beyond the Dry/Moist toggle.
Where the VS0160 struggles is with crunchy or fragile foods. Expert testing measured a 40% breakage rate on delicate items — the 62–64 kPa vacuum is aggressive enough to crush crackers, chips, or brittle snacks before the seal completes. FoodSaver recommends pre-freezing fragile foods first, which helps but adds a step to the workflow.
Noise is real. At roughly 78 dBA during the sealing cycle, the machine is louder than its compact size implies — comparable to a running blender at arm's length. It won't rattle windows, but it's noticeable in a quiet kitchen.
The functional gap most users eventually run into: there is no built-in bag cutter. When using roll material (which you'll use constantly), you cut each bag to length with scissors before sealing. Competing external vacuum sealers at similar price points include an integrated cutter; its absence on the VS0160 is a genuine day-to-day inconvenience that compounds over time.
- Compact vertical footprint — stands upright and takes up far less counter space than prior-generation FoodSaver designs
- Strong, consistent suction — 62–64 kPa vacuum holds reliably through freezer storage and sous vide water baths
- Fast 11-second cycle — practical for end-of-grocery-run batch sealing or meal prep sessions
- Dry and Moist settings — the Moist mode handles fresh fish and marinated proteins better than single-mode machines
- 35% less bag waste than previous FoodSaver models — the bag channel design is more efficient
- Vertical storage lock — lid stays closed in transit or cabinet storage; prevents accidental openings
- Compatible with the full FoodSaver ecosystem — bags, rolls, containers, zipper bags, and handheld accessories
- No built-in bag cutter — requires scissors for every custom bag; a meaningful omission at $70
- Loud during operation (~78 dBA) — more disruptive than comparable compact sealers
- No audible signal when the cycle finishes — you have to watch the machine to know it's done
- Fragile and crunchy foods will get crushed — 40% breakage rate in testing; pre-freezing helps but adds friction
- Proprietary bags required — FoodSaver bags and rolls work out to moderate ongoing cost; generic bags vary in performance and seal reliability
- Not designed for high-liquid items — soups, stocks, and very wet foods require pre-freezing or a chamber vacuum sealer instead
- Modest starter kit — five bags is enough to evaluate the machine, not enough for sustained use
- Handheld sealer sold separately — the accessory port listed as a feature requires an additional purchase to use
The FoodSaver VS0160 does the job it's sold to do — reliably sealing dry foods, proteins, and meal-prep portions for freezer storage and sous vide — and its 15,797 reviews at 4.4 stars reflects broad, sustained real-world satisfaction. The missing bag cutter is a frustrating omission for a $70 machine, and the noise level is worth knowing upfront. Neither of those is a reason to walk away if freezing and sous vide prep are your primary goals. It's a competent, compact workhorse that earns its place in the drawer.
