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Clear vacuum bags are great for the freezer, but they are the wrong tool for a 25 lb sack of rice you want to keep for years. Light gets through them, and over time oxygen slips through the film too. Mylar bags fix both problems with a foil layer, which is why preppers, bulk buyers and freeze-dryer owners use them. The catch is that most Mylar is smooth, and a FoodSaver-style sealer cannot pull air out of a smooth bag.
So the first question is not which Mylar vacuum seal bags are best, but which sealer you own. External sealers need textured Mylar. Chamber sealers can vacuum any Mylar that fits the chamber. And plain heat-seal Mylar with oxygen absorbers needs no vacuum at all. Below are four bag picks and three sealer picks that cover each route, then a buying guide and the food safety rules that matter for long-term storage.
Quick picks
- Best for External Sealers: LEM Textured Mylar Vacuum Sealer Bags. Best for FoodSaver, Nesco and other suction-sealer owners.
- Best for Chamber Sealers: LEM MaxVac Pro Mylar Bags (7 mil). Best for chamber owners who want the thickest film.
- Best Mylar Kit with Absorbers: Wallaby 1-Gallon Bundle. Best for heat-sealing dry goods without a vacuum sealer.
- Best Bucket Liners: Wallaby 5-Gallon Mylar Zipper Bags. Best for lining food-grade buckets of rice, beans and wheat.
- Best Chamber Sealer for Mylar: LEM MaxVac Pro Chamber Vacuum Sealer. Best for a light, oil-free chamber machine.
- Best Deep Chamber for Mylar: VacMaster VP210. Best for tall bags of grain and a rated 7 mil Mylar seal.
- Best External Sealer for Textured Mylar: LEM MaxVac 500. Best for wide 11 x 13 in. bags and long sessions.
Mylar bag and sealer comparison
| Product | Type | Best for | Thickness or bar | Sizes or capacity | Key listed details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEM Textured Mylar | Bag | External sealers | 5.9 mil | 6 x 9, 8 x 12, 11 x 13 in.; 50-count | Textured sides; foil layer; heat safe to 176 °F |
| LEM MaxVac Pro Mylar | Bag | Chamber sealers | 7 mil | 8 x 10, 11 x 13 in.; 50-count | Vacuum in chamber; seal-only on external |
| Wallaby 1-Gallon Bundle | Bag kit | Heat-seal storage | 5 mil per side | 10 x 14 in.; 75 bags | 80 x 400 cc absorbers; labels |
| Wallaby 5-Gallon Zipper | Bag kit | Bucket liners | 5 mil per side | 20 x 30.5 in.; 15 bags | 20 x 2,500 cc absorbers; zipper plus heat-seal strip |
| LEM MaxVac Pro | Chamber sealer | Mylar plus liquids | 11.42 in. bar, dual 2.5 mm seals | Bags up to 11 in. wide | Oil-free pump; 22.5 lb; 2-year warranty |
| VacMaster VP210 | Chamber sealer | Tall bags | 10.25 in. double seal wire | Pouches to 10 x 13 in. | Rated for Mylar to 7 mil; 5 in. deep chamber |
| LEM MaxVac 500 | External sealer | Textured Mylar | 14 in. bar, 4.8 mm seal | Bags up to 14 in. wide | 500 consecutive seals; 2-year warranty |
Specs come from LEM's and Wallaby's product pages, VacMaster's listings and WebstaurantStore's spec table for the VP210.
The best Mylar bags, reviewed
1. LEM Textured Mylar Vacuum Sealer Bags: Best for External Sealers
Who it's for: anyone with a countertop suction sealer who wants light-blocking storage without buying a chamber machine.
This is the bag that solves the "my FoodSaver won't vacuum Mylar" problem. LEM gives one side a texture so the sealer has channels to pull air through, the same idea as an embossed freezer roll. The film is a polyethylene, aluminum and PET laminate, 5.9 mil thick, and the foil layer keeps light out. LEM sells three sizes (6 x 9, 8 x 12 and 11 x 13 in.) in 50-count boxes and says they are compatible with most external vacuum sealers.
LEM recommends adding a 300 to 500 cc oxygen absorber to each bag. That is good practice: a suction sealer never removes every last bit of air, and the absorber mops up what is left. The bags are heat safe only to 176 °F (80 °C) and are sold as disposable, so keep them for storage, not cooking.
Pros
- Works with external suction sealers
- Foil layer blocks light
- Three practical sizes, including 11 x 13 in.
Cons
- Not for cooking or sous vide
- Single-use
- 11 x 13 in. needs a sealer bar wider than 11 in.
LEM Textured Mylar Vacuum Sealer Bags
by LEM
2. LEM MaxVac Pro Mylar Bags: Best for Chamber Sealers
Who it's for: chamber sealer owners storing rice, beans, flour or freeze-dried meals for the long haul.
At 7 mil, these are the heaviest bags in this guide, and LEM says the thickness resists puncturing, which matters with pasta, dry beans and anything with sharp corners. The laminate is the same polyethylene, aluminum and PET build, and you get 8 x 10 or 11 x 13 in. bags in boxes of 50.
LEM is direct about the limits: in a chamber sealer they vacuum and seal normally, but on an external sealer you can only heat-seal them, with longer seal time or higher heat. Like the textured line, they are rated to 176 °F, are disposable, and LEM recommends a 300 to 500 cc absorber per bag. If you also own a chamber machine, see our chamber vacuum sealer bags guide for everyday clear pouches.
Pros
- Thickest film here at 7 mil
- Foil layer blocks light
- Vacuum-seals cleanly in a chamber machine
Cons
- Cannot be vacuumed on an external sealer
- Two sizes only
- Not for cooking
LEM MaxVac Pro Mylar Vacuum Sealer Bags
by LEM
3. Wallaby 1-Gallon Mylar Bag Bundle: Best Mylar Kit with Absorbers
Who it's for: people who want long-term dry storage and do not own a vacuum sealer, or want to keep the sealer for meat.
Wallaby sells Mylar the traditional way: bags plus matched oxygen absorbers, sealed with heat. The 75-bag bundle includes 10 x 14 in. gallon bags with 5 mil on each side and a three-layer build with an internal aluminum layer, 80 oxygen absorbers rated at 400 cc each (packed in sets of 10), and 80 labels. Wallaby says you can close the bags with a heat sealer, an impulse sealer or a clothes iron on medium. The bags are described as BPA-free and food grade.
Wallaby advertises up to 30 years of storage with the included absorbers. Treat that as a best case for the most stable foods, such as white rice and dry beans, kept cool and dark. The listing does not claim vacuum sealer compatibility, and the bags are smooth, so vacuum them only in a chamber machine.
Pros
- Absorbers and labels included
- Seals with an iron or impulse sealer
- Sets of 10 absorbers limit waste
Cons
- Smooth bags: not for external vacuum sealers
- Long shelf-life claims are the brand's
- Absorbers start working as soon as the pack is opened
Wallaby 1-Gallon Mylar Bag Bundle with Oxygen Absorbers
by Wallaby
4. Wallaby 5-Gallon Mylar Zipper Bags: Best Bucket Liners
Who it's for: anyone storing 25 to 50 lb sacks of grain or beans in food-grade buckets.
A vacuum sealer cannot handle a 5-gallon bag, and you do not need it to. These 20 x 30.5 in. bags line a standard bucket, and the bundle comes with 15 bags (5 mil on each side, foil-lined) and 20 oxygen absorbers rated at 2,500 cc each. A zipper lets you open and close the bag during use, and a separate heat-seal strip above it is for the long-term seal. Wallaby suggests a heat sealer, but also lists an impulse sealer, household iron or hair straightener, sealing above the zipper.
Wallaby's own guidance is useful: low-moisture staples like white rice, dry beans and pasta are the long-haul foods, while oilier grains such as brown rice and quinoa keep only 1 to 2 years. The page also says the bags are for dry goods only.
Pros
- Sized for 5-gallon buckets
- Zipper plus heat-seal strip
- Large 2,500 cc absorbers included
Cons
- No vacuum option at this size
- Bulky to seal evenly with an iron
- Brand's shelf-life figures vary on the page (25 to 30 years)
Wallaby 5-Gallon Mylar Zipper Bag Bundle
by Wallaby
The best vacuum sealers for Mylar bags
5. LEM MaxVac Pro Chamber Vacuum Sealer: Best Chamber Sealer for Mylar
Who it's for: home users who want to vacuum Mylar, seal soups and marinate, without an oil pump or a 70 lb machine.
The current MaxVac Pro (SKU 1745) uses what LEM calls a maintenance-free pump with no oil. LEM lists an 11.42 in. seal bar that makes dual 2.5 mm seals, adjustable vacuum time from 15 to 60 seconds and seal time from 3 to 9 seconds, and a marinate cycle that runs three times without sealing. A canister port inside the chamber, with hose included, handles jars and accessories. It weighs 22.5 lb and carries a 2-year warranty.
Mind the chamber size. LEM lists the interior at 11.24 x 11.81 x 3.93 in. and bags up to 11 in. wide, so 8 x 10 in. Mylar bags fit comfortably. Measure before you buy 11 x 13 in. bags. Thick 7 mil film may also need seal time near the top of the range. We cover the rest of the lineup in our LEM vacuum sealer review.
Pros
- Vacuums smooth Mylar
- No pump oil
- Adjustable vacuum and seal times
Cons
- Chamber is shallow for tall bags
- Bags limited to 11 in. wide
- Premium price tier
LEM MaxVac Pro Chamber Vacuum Sealer
by LEM
6. VacMaster VP210: Best Deep Chamber for Mylar
Who it's for: serious food storage households that want a deep chamber and a machine explicitly rated for thick Mylar.
The VP210 is the one sealer here whose maker states a Mylar rating: VacMaster says its double seal wire handles 3, 4 and 5 mil pouches and Mylar bags up to 7 mil. Its 11.25 x 15.25 x 5 in. stainless chamber is the deepest of the picks, so a bag of beans can stand partly upright, and the 10 x 13 in. maximum pouch takes LEM's 8 x 10 in. Mylar easily. The pump is dry and maintenance-free. WebstaurantStore lists a 25 to 60 second cycle.
It weighs 72 lb, and stock at major retailers has been inconsistent. If you want to compare it with VacMaster's oil-pump models, see our VacMaster chamber vacuum sealer guide.
Pros
- Rated for Mylar up to 7 mil
- Deep 5 in. chamber
- No oil to change
Cons
- 72 lb
- 10.25 in. bar rules out 11 in. wide bags
- Spotty availability
VacMaster VP210 Chamber Vacuum Sealer
by VacMaster
7. LEM MaxVac 500: Best External Sealer for Textured Mylar
Who it's for: people who want one external sealer for game, freezer rolls and textured Mylar.
If you go the textured-bag route, a wide bar helps. LEM lists the MaxVac 500 with a 14 in. bar and 4.8 mm seal, bags up to 14 in. wide, a 21 inHg pump, 462 W of power, a continuous-run fan and a rating of 500 consecutive seals (up to 5 hours). A removable roll holder and cutter come with an 8 in. x 25 ft starter roll, and the 2-year warranty is longer than most budget sealers'. At 17.22 lb, it is a permanent countertop machine.
The 14 in. bar takes LEM's 11 x 13 in. textured Mylar with room to spare. LEM does not list adjustable seal settings for this model, so if a seal on thick film looks cloudy or uneven, cut the bag and reseal slightly lower.
Pros
- Takes bags up to 14 in. wide
- Rated for 500 consecutive seals
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Seal settings not listed
- 17.22 lb and 18.55 in. long
- Cannot vacuum smooth Mylar
LEM MaxVac 500 Vacuum Sealer
by LEM
Buying guide: how to choose Mylar vacuum seal bags
Match the bag to your sealer
This is the decision that matters most:
- External (suction) sealer: buy textured Mylar. Smooth Mylar will heat-seal but stay full of air. Our chamber vs external vacuum sealer comparison explains why.
- Chamber sealer: any Mylar works if it fits the chamber and the open end is narrower than the seal bar.
- No vacuum sealer: smooth Mylar, oxygen absorbers and a heat source (impulse sealer, iron or hair straightener) do the job.
Thickness
Mylar thickness is usually quoted in mil, sometimes "per side". Here, the range is 5 mil per side (Wallaby) to 5.9 mil (LEM textured) and 7 mil (LEM Pro). Thicker film resists punctures from pasta and beans and blocks more oxygen, but it needs more heat to seal. If a seal peels apart or looks wrinkled, add seal time or reseal.
Size
Smaller bags mean less food is exposed each time you open one. Quart and gallon sizes suit a household; 5-gallon bags line buckets. A good rule is to bag what you would use in a few weeks to a couple of months once opened.
Vacuum, oxygen absorbers, or both?
A vacuum removes most of the air; an absorber removes the oxygen. Utah State University Extension explains that air is about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, so once the oxygen is absorbed, what remains is mostly nitrogen in a partial vacuum. That is why absorber-only bags do not shrink tight like a vacuum bag. For long-term dry storage, use both if you can: vacuum (or press out the air), drop in the absorber last, and seal fast. LEM recommends 300 to 500 cc per bag for its quart- to gallon-size Mylar.
Powders and fine foods
Flour, powdered milk and drink mixes can be pulled into an external sealer's vacuum channel. Leave extra headspace, fold a paper towel or coffee filter over the food, or skip the full vacuum and rely on the absorber. Chamber sealers avoid most of this because the air leaves the bag slowly and evenly.
Storage conditions
Mylar protects from light and oxygen, not from heat. Utah State University Extension, citing USDA, says every 10.8 °F rise in temperature halves the shelf life of stored food, and recommends a steady 40 to 60 °F. A basement shelf beats a hot garage.
Vacuum-sealed food storage chart
Vacuum sealing does not replace refrigeration. Keep sealed perishable food at 40 °F or below, or frozen at 0 °F. Home vacuum sealing does not extend the safe refrigerator window, and a sealed bag is not canned food.
23 foods
| Food | Refrigerator (40 °F) | Freezer (0 °F), quality | Pantry | Sealing tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steaks (beef, veal, lamb, pork)FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 5 days | 4 to 12 months | Never | Seals well; freeze flat |
| ChopsFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 5 days | 4 to 12 months | Never | Cushion bone ends |
| RoastsFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 5 days | 4 to 12 months | Never | Use a wide bag; double seal |
| Ground meat and ground poultryFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 1 to 2 days | 3 to 4 months | Never | Flatten to about 1 in. |
| Chicken or turkey, wholeFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 1 to 2 days | 1 year | Never | Cushion the leg and wing tips |
| Chicken or turkey, piecesFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 1 to 2 days | 9 months | Never | Pre-chill to protect the seal |
| Raw sausageFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 1 to 2 days | 1 to 2 months | Never | Partially freeze links first |
| Fully cooked sausageFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 1 week | 1 to 2 months | Never | |
| BaconFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 1 week | 1 month | Never | |
| Hot dogs, opened packageFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 1 week | 1 to 2 months | Never | |
| Luncheon meat, opened or deli slicedFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months | Never | Handheld valve bags work well |
| Fresh ham, uncured, uncookedFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 5 days | 6 months | Never | |
| Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel)FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 3 months | Never | Open the bag before thawing it in the fridge |
| Lean fish (cod, flounder, haddock)FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 1 to 3 days | 6 to 8 months | Never | Open the bag before thawing it in the fridge |
| ShrimpFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 5 days | 6 to 18 months | Never | |
| Cooked meat or poultry leftoversFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 6 months | Never | Cool fast before sealing |
| Soups and stews with vegetables or meatFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months | Never | Chamber sealer, or freeze first |
| Casseroles with eggsFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months | Never | |
| Chicken nuggets or pattiesFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 3 months | Never | |
| PizzaFoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months | Never | |
| Leftovers in generalUSDA FSIS | 3 to 4 days | 3 to 4 months | Never | Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking |
| Roasted whole coffee beansNational Coffee Association | 2 weeks | 3 to 4 months | 1 to 3 weeks | Portion by the week; thaw sealed before opening |
| Ground coffeeNational Coffee Association | Not listed | Not listed | 1 to 2 weeks | Grounds can be pulled into an external sealer |
Freezer times are for quality. Food kept constantly at 0 °F stays safe indefinitely (USDA FSIS); a tight vacuum seal usually holds quality toward the long end of each range. Coffee times are freshness guides for an airtight container.
Sources: FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart (meat, fish and cooked food); USDA FSIS (leftovers, freezer safety, thawing); National Coffee Association (coffee); Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC 3865 (vacuum packaging is not a substitute for refrigeration).
Food safety: what Mylar storage can and cannot do
Low oxygen is great for dry food and dangerous for moist food. Utah State University Extension warns that botulism poisoning may result if moist products are stored in packaging that reduces oxygen, and says foods stored airtight with oxygen absorbers must be dry, about 10% moisture or less. That rules out fresh produce, cooked rice or beans, meat, cheese, home-canned food and anything in oil or sauce.
- Good candidates: white rice, dry beans, wheat and other whole grains, rolled oats, pasta, dehydrated vegetables, freeze-dried meals, powdered milk.
- Short-term only: brown rice, nuts, whole wheat flour and other oily foods, which go rancid well before the bag fails.
- Do not store this way: jerky or dried fruit that is still soft or pliable, unless it is truly dried; anything moist; anything that needs refrigeration.
- Freeze-dried versus dehydrated: freeze-dried food is usually much drier than home-dehydrated food. If you are unsure about moisture, store it in the freezer instead.
Vacuum-sealed Mylar does not replace refrigeration for perishable food. Clemson Cooperative Extension states plainly that vacuum packaging does not allow you to store foods at room temperature. Mylar's job is dry goods. For coffee specifically, see vacuum sealing coffee beans.
How we chose
We did not test these products hands-on. We researched Mylar bags and sealers using manufacturer product pages (LEM, Wallaby), VacMaster's listings and foodservice retailer spec tables, and checked each product's stated compatibility with chamber and external sealers. Food safety guidance comes from Utah State University Extension and Clemson Cooperative Extension. We left out bags whose sealer compatibility we could only find in third-party copy, and we report shelf-life claims as the brand's, not ours.
FAQ
Can you vacuum seal Mylar bags with a FoodSaver?
Only textured (embossed) Mylar bags. Smooth Mylar has no air channels, so an external sealer can heat-seal it but cannot pull the air out. LEM says its smooth 7 mil Mylar bags can be sealed but not vacuum-sealed on external machines, while its textured Mylar bags work with most external sealers.
Do you need oxygen absorbers if you vacuum seal Mylar bags?
For long-term dry storage, yes. A home vacuum sealer leaves some air behind, and an absorber removes the remaining oxygen. LEM recommends 300 to 500 cc of absorber per bag for its Mylar bags. Add the absorber last and seal quickly.
What foods can you store in Mylar bags?
Dry, low-moisture foods: white rice, dry beans, pasta, wheat, oats, powdered milk, dehydrated or freeze-dried food. Utah State University Extension says foods stored with oxygen absorbers must be about 10% moisture or less, because moist foods in low-oxygen packaging can cause botulism.
How long does food last in Mylar bags?
It depends on the food, its moisture and the storage temperature. Bag makers advertise decades for white rice and dry beans with absorbers, but oily foods like brown rice and nuts go rancid much sooner. Utah State University Extension, citing USDA, notes that each 10.8 °F rise in storage temperature cuts shelf life roughly in half.
Can you put Mylar bags in a chamber vacuum sealer?
Yes. A chamber sealer evacuates the whole chamber, so smooth Mylar works. VacMaster rates the VP210 to seal Mylar up to 7 mil. Check that the bag fits the chamber and that the open end is no wider than the seal bar. Our best chamber vacuum sealers list gives each machine's limits.
Can you cook in Mylar vacuum bags?
No. LEM rates both its smooth and textured Mylar bags as heat safe only up to 176 °F (80 °C) and calls them disposable storage bags. Use bags rated for sous vide or boiling for cooking.
Verdict
If you own a countertop suction sealer, LEM's Textured Mylar bags are the Mylar vacuum seal bags to buy; chamber owners should go straight to the LEM MaxVac Pro 7 mil bags. No sealer? The Wallaby 1-Gallon bundle with its absorbers and an iron does the job, and the Wallaby 5-gallon bags handle bucket storage. Whatever the bag, store only truly dry food, keep it cool, and add an oxygen absorber.