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Pre-cut bags are convenient until you try to seal a rack of ribs in a quart bag or waste half a gallon bag on two chicken thighs. Vacuum sealer rolls let you cut each bag to the length of the food, which saves plastic and money, and it is the only way to seal a whole brisket or salmon side. Most countertop sealers have a roll holder and cutter built in for exactly this reason.
Three specs decide whether a roll is right: width (it must be no wider than your seal bar), thickness (thicker for bones and long freezer stays), and cooking rating (if it goes in a sous vide bath). Below are seven real rolls, from 8 in. FoodSaver rolls to a 15 in. Weston roll, and a buying guide that explains each choice.
Quick picks
- Best Overall: FoodSaver 8" & 11" Rolls Multi-Pack. Best for FoodSaver owners who want both common widths in one box.
- Best Value Long Rolls: Avid Armor 11" x 50' (2 pack). Best for frequent sealing with fewer roll changes.
- Best for Bones: FoodSaver Heavy Duty 8" x 20' (6 pack). Best for T-bones, ribs and crab legs.
- Best Heat Rating: Bonsenkitchen 11 in x 50 ft rolls. Best for sous vide cooks who want a 4 mil roll rated to 230 °F.
- Best for 14-Inch Sealers: LEM MaxVac 14" x 20' rolls. Best for owners of LEM's wide-bar sealers.
- Best Extra-Wide: Weston 15" x 50' roll. Best for whole fish, briskets and 15 in. sealers.
- Best for Single Portions: LEM MaxVac Portion Rolls. Best for snacks, single steaks and sous vide portions.
Vacuum sealer roll comparison
| Roll | Best for | Width x length | Rolls per pack | Thickness | Listed cooking use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FoodSaver Multi-Pack | Everyday FoodSaver use | 3 x 11 in. x 16 ft, 2 x 8 in. x 20 ft | 5 | Not listed | Simmer, microwave; sous vide to 195 °F |
| Avid Armor 11" x 50' | Bulk sealing | 11 in. x 50 ft | 2 | Not listed on 2-pack page | Boiling, sous vide |
| FoodSaver Heavy Duty | Bones | 8 in. x 20 ft | 6 | 30% thicker than FoodSaver standard | Sous vide |
| Bonsenkitchen 11 x 50 | Sous vide, thick film | 11 in. x 50 ft (also 8 in.) | 2 | 4 mil | Sous vide to 230 °F, boil, microwave |
| LEM MaxVac Rolls | 14 in. sealers | 8 x 20, 11 x 16, 14 x 20 ft | 2 | 3.14 mil | Sous vide |
| Weston 30-0015-W | 15 in. sealers | 15 in. x 50 ft | 1 | 3 mil, 2-ply | Puncture before heating |
| LEM Portion Rolls | Single servings | 11 in. x 16 ft, two 4¾ in. lanes | 2 | 3.14 mil | Sous vide |
Specs come from the FoodSaver, Avid Armor, Bonsenkitchen and LEM product pages, and from retailer listings for the Weston roll.
The best vacuum sealer rolls, reviewed
1. FoodSaver 8" & 11" Rolls Multi-Pack: Best Overall
Who it's for: FoodSaver owners, and anyone whose sealer takes 11 in. rolls, who seal a mix of small portions and family packs.
This pack (FoodSaver item FSFSBF0746) gives you three 11 in. x 16 ft rolls and two 8 in. x 20 ft rolls. Two widths matter more than they sound: an 8 in. bag for two burgers wastes far less film than an 11 in. bag. FoodSaver describes the material as BPA-free and multi-ply, designed to block moisture and oxygen, with channels for air removal, and it rates its standard rolls for use in water up to 195 °F (90 °C) as well as simmering and microwave reheating.
The rolls are short compared with 50 ft bulk rolls, so you will change them more often. FoodSaver's freshness claims (such as food staying fresh several times longer) come from the brand's own testing. The material and fit, though, are the benchmark every compatible roll is measured against.
Pros
- Two widths in one pack
- Rated for sous vide to 195 °F
- Fits FoodSaver roll storage
Cons
- Short 16 to 20 ft rolls
- Thickness not published
- Higher price per foot than bulk rolls
FoodSaver 8″ & 11″ Vacuum Seal Rolls Multi-Pack
by FoodSaver
2. Avid Armor 11" x 50' Vacuum Sealer Rolls: Best Value Long Rolls
Who it's for: people who seal every week and are tired of reloading 16 ft rolls.
Two 50 ft rolls give you 100 ft of 11 in. film per box. Avid Armor describes the inside surface as textured with fine channels for suction sealers, lists the material as BPA-free, food-contact safe and compliant with FDA requirements, and rates the rolls for freezer storage, boiling and sous vide. It says they work with Avid Armor, FoodSaver, Seal-a-Meal and other external sealers.
The 2-pack page does not list a thickness. Avid Armor's bulk case listing describes a 3 mil smooth front panel and a 4 mil embossed back panel, which is a sensible build for everyday freezer use. A 50 ft roll may be too large for some built-in roll compartments, so check your machine before you buy.
Pros
- 100 ft per pack
- Rated for boiling and sous vide
- Works with major external sealers
Cons
- Thickness not stated on the 2-pack page
- May not fit small roll compartments
- Avid Armor says to use smooth pouches in chamber machines
Avid Armor 11″ x 50' Vacuum Sealer Rolls, 2 Pack
by Avid Armor
3. FoodSaver Heavy Duty 8" x 20' Rolls: Best for Bones
Who it's for: anyone who freezes bone-in chops, ribs, crab legs or frozen fish blocks with sharp corners.
FoodSaver says its Heavy Duty rolls are 30% thicker than its standard pre-cut bags and rolls, and markets them under its "Triple Threat Protection" label. The six-pack of 8 in. x 20 ft rolls suits steak- and chop-sized portions, and FoodSaver calls them safe for sous vide cooking.
The limitation is width. At 8 in., they are for portions, not roasts. If you want heavy film for big cuts, look at a 4 mil 11 in. roll such as Bonsenkitchen's below, or chamber pouches if you own a chamber machine.
Pros
- 30% thicker than FoodSaver's standard film
- Six rolls per pack
- Sous vide safe per FoodSaver
Cons
- 8 in. width only in this pack
- Exact mil thickness not published
- Thicker film needs a clean, full-heat seal
FoodSaver Heavy Duty 8″ x 20' Vacuum Seal Rolls, 6 Pack
by FoodSaver
4. Bonsenkitchen 11 in x 50 ft Rolls: Best Heat Rating
Who it's for: sous vide cooks and anyone who wants a thick 11 in. roll without paying for a name brand.
Bonsenkitchen lists these rolls at 4 mil with embossed air-removal channels on one side and a clear, glossy face on the other. The rated temperature is the highest in this guide: Bonsenkitchen says they can be used in water up to 230 °F (110 °C) and are boil-safe, microwave-safe and freezer-safe. The 11 in. x 50 ft two-pack is item VB3210, and 8 in. and 20 ft versions are also sold. Bonsenkitchen says they are compatible with all major brand vacuum sealers and lists a 12-month warranty.
The brand also calls the bags reusable and dishwasher-safe. That is fine for bags that held bread or vegetables, but we would not reuse one that held raw meat. Bonsenkitchen does not name the film materials on its page.
Pros
- 4 mil film
- Rated to 230 °F, boiling and microwave
- 50 ft rolls
Cons
- Film materials not listed
- Reuse claims need common sense
- Less widely stocked than FoodSaver
Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Rolls, 11 in x 50 ft (2 Pack)
by Bonsenkitchen
5. LEM MaxVac 14" x 20' Rolls: Best for 14-Inch Sealers
Who it's for: owners of LEM's MaxVac 500 and 1000, or any sealer with a bar of 14 in. or more.
Most rolls stop at 11 in., which wastes the extra bar width of a heavy-duty sealer. LEM's MaxVac rolls come in 8 x 20, 11 x 16 and 14 x 20 ft sizes, two rolls per pack. LEM lists a 3.14 mil plastic and nylon film with a parallel channel design that prevents hidden air pockets, BPA-free material that meets FDA food-grade standards, sous vide use, and a 1-year warranty. LEM says the rolls work with most vacuum sealers and chamber sealers.
The 14 in. width is the reason to buy them: pork shoulders, whole backstraps and turkey breasts fit without folding. Our LEM vacuum sealer review covers the machines they are made for.
Pros
- 14 in. width for big cuts
- Also sold in 8 and 11 in.
- BPA-free; sous vide use listed
Cons
- Only 20 ft per roll
- 3.14 mil is standard, not heavy-duty
- Too wide for most home sealers
LEM MaxVac Vacuum Bag Rolls, 14″ x 20'
by LEM
6. Weston 15" x 50' Roll: Best Extra-Wide
Who it's for: owners of Weston's Pro-2300 and other 15 in. sealers who bag whole fish, briskets and big roasts.
Weston's 30-0015-W is a single 15 in. x 50 ft roll, and retailer listings describe it as 2-ply, 3 mil and BPA-free, usable in most leading-brand vacuum sealers. That width is rare and matches the widest home external sealers. A 50 ft roll also lasts a full processing weekend for most families.
Weston's retail copy says to make a small puncture in the bag before heating food in it, so treat this as a storage and freezer roll rather than a sous vide bag. We could not reach Weston's own product page for this item, so the specs here come from retailers that list it.
Pros
- Rare 15 in. width
- 50 ft per roll
- Fits Weston's heavy-duty sealers
Cons
- Not rated for cooking in the bag
- Standard 3 mil film
- Too wide for most sealers
Weston Vacuum Sealer Bag Roll, 15″ x 50' (30-0015-W)
by Weston
7. LEM MaxVac Portion Rolls: Best for Single Portions
Who it's for: meal preppers, sous vide cooks and anyone who seals one burger, one fillet or one serving at a time.
This is a clever twist on a normal roll. Each 11 in. x 16 ft roll is divided into two 4¾ in. lanes, so you can fill two narrow bags at once, seal both with one pass, and cut each to length. LEM lists the same 3.14 mil plastic and nylon film as its standard rolls, BPA-free material, a label space for dates, and sous vide use. Two rolls come per pack.
FoodSaver sells a similar 11 in. x 16 ft Portion Pouch roll if you want to stay in that brand. Either way, single portions thaw faster and cook more evenly than one big block.
Pros
- Two portion bags per seal
- Less wasted film on small items
- Sous vide use listed
Cons
- Narrow lanes do not suit large cuts
- 16 ft rolls
- Needs an 11 in. or wider sealer
LEM MaxVac Portion Vacuum Bag Rolls
by LEM
Buying guide: how to choose vacuum sealer rolls
Width: match the seal bar
Measure your seal bar or check the manual for the maximum bag width. Use a roll at least an inch narrower than the bar so the whole mouth sits on the heating strip. Typical sizes:
| Sealer type | Common maximum bag width | Roll widths that fit |
|---|---|---|
| Compact and budget sealers | About 11 to 12 in. | 8 and 11 in. |
| Mid-size and LEM MaxVac 300 | 12 in. | 8 and 11 in. |
| LEM MaxVac 500 and 1000 | 14 in. | 8, 11 and 14 in. |
| Weston Pro-2300 | 15 in. | Up to 15 in. |
Keep two widths on hand. Most households use 8 in. for portions and 11 in. for everything else.
Embossed channels are required for external sealers
Suction sealers pull air from the bag's open end, so one face of the roll must have channels or texture. Every roll in this guide has them, and any sealer in our best vacuum sealers roundup that takes rolls will accept them up to its bar width. Smooth chamber pouches will not work in an external sealer, as we explain in our chamber vacuum sealer bags guide.
Thickness
About 3 mil (Weston) to 3.14 mil (LEM) is standard and fine for boneless meat, vegetables and leftovers. Step up to a heavy-duty roll or 4 mil (Bonsenkitchen) for bones, shellfish and food you plan to keep for many months. Thicker film takes a little more heat; if your sealer has a double-seal option, use it.
Cooking rating
If the bag will go in a water bath, buy a roll rated for it. FoodSaver rates its standard rolls to 195 °F (90 °C) and Bonsenkitchen to 230 °F (110 °C); Avid Armor and LEM list sous vide use. Weston's roll copy asks you to puncture the bag before heating, so keep it for storage. For machine picks, see our best vacuum sealers for sous vide.
Roll length and storage
Long 50 ft rolls cut the price per foot but may not fit inside a sealer's roll compartment. If yours has a built-in cutter, check the maximum roll diameter in the manual, or keep the long roll on a counter dispenser and cut bags with scissors.
Cutting rolls without waste
- Measure the food and add about 3 in. of headspace plus room for the seal.
- Seal one end first to make a bag; use a double seal if you have one.
- Fill, wipe the open end, and vacuum seal.
- Save the trimmed bag when you open it: a bag sealed with extra headspace can be resealed once for dry foods.
Our how to use a vacuum sealer guide walks through each step.
Bags do not change food-safety rules
A thicker roll slows freezer burn, but it does not make perishable food shelf-stable. Clemson Cooperative Extension says vacuum packaging does not allow you to store foods at room temperature. Keep sealed perishables at 40 °F or below, per USDA FSIS, or freeze them at 0 °F, where FSIS says food stays safe indefinitely and storage times affect quality only.
How we chose
We did not test these rolls hands-on. We compared manufacturer pages from FoodSaver, Avid Armor, Bonsenkitchen and LEM, plus retailer listings for Weston's roll (Weston's own page was not reachable), on width, length, thickness, materials and cooking ratings. We favored brands that publish their materials and temperature ratings, and we left out bulk rolls whose thickness and safety claims appeared only in third-party listings.
FAQ
Are vacuum sealer rolls universal?
Most embossed rolls work in most external (suction) sealers as long as the roll is no wider than the seal bar. FoodSaver, Avid Armor and Bonsenkitchen all say their rolls work with other major brands. Check your sealer's maximum bag width first.
Can I use vacuum sealer rolls in a chamber vacuum sealer?
Embossed rolls will seal in a chamber machine if the cut bag fits the chamber, but you pay for texture you do not need. LEM lists its rolls as compatible with chamber sealers, while Avid Armor recommends smooth chamber pouches for chamber machines. Smooth pouches are cheaper per bag.
What thickness of vacuum sealer roll is best?
About 3 mil suits most food. Go thicker, around 4 mil or a heavy-duty roll, for bone-in meat, crab legs and long freezer storage. Weston lists its rolls at 3 mil, LEM at 3.14 mil and Bonsenkitchen at 4 mil.
Are rolls cheaper than pre-cut vacuum sealer bags?
Usually, per square inch, and they waste less because you cut each bag to fit the food. Long 50 ft rolls from Avid Armor, Bonsenkitchen and Weston bring the cost down further than 16 to 20 ft retail rolls.
Can you sous vide in vacuum sealer rolls?
Many rolls are rated for it, but check the label. FoodSaver rates its standard rolls for water up to 195 °F (90 °C), Bonsenkitchen lists 230 °F (110 °C), and Avid Armor and LEM list sous vide use.
Can vacuum sealer rolls be reused?
Some brands, including Bonsenkitchen and LEM, call their bags reusable. Each reuse makes the bag shorter, and we would not reuse a bag that held raw meat, fish or eggs. Bags that held dry goods or produce are better candidates for reuse.
Verdict
For most people, the FoodSaver 8" & 11" Multi-Pack is the easiest set of vacuum sealer rolls to live with, and Avid Armor's 50 ft rolls are the better value once you seal every week. Pick Bonsenkitchen's 4 mil rolls for sous vide, FoodSaver Heavy Duty for bones, and the LEM 14 in. or Weston 15 in. rolls if your sealer has a wide bar. Hunters stocking up for a season should also read our vacuum sealers for hunters guide.