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A vacuum sealer does more than seal bags, but only if you add the right parts. The accessory port on most mid-range machines is the gateway: plug in a hose and the same pump vacuums mason jars, marinating canisters and storage containers. A few other add-ons, such as long rolls and a bag holder, make everyday sealing faster and less messy.
The catch is compatibility. FoodSaver accessories are built around FoodSaver hoses and handhelds, other brands use their own fittings, and some sealers have no port at all. Below we cover the vacuum sealer accessories worth buying, what each one fits, and which ones to skip.
Our top picks at a glance
Avid Armor Vacuum Sealer Jar Attachment HoodCheck priceBest for FoodSaver Owners
FoodSaver Regular and Wide-Mouth Jar Sealer Kit with Accessory HoseCheck priceBest Marinating Containers
FoodSaver 2116382 Preserve & Marinate Containers (3-Cup and 10-Cup) with 18 Quart Zipper BagsCheck priceQuick picks
- Best Universal Jar Attachment: Avid Armor Jar Attachment Hood. Best for owners of any sealer with an accessory port.
- Best for FoodSaver Owners: FoodSaver Jar Sealer Kit. Best for regular and wide-mouth jars on a FoodSaver.
- Best Cordless Jar Sealer: Nesco VS-MJ-2N1. Best when your sealer has no port.
- Best Marinating Containers: FoodSaver Preserve & Marinate. Best for FoodSaver handheld users who marinate often.
- Best Budget Canister: FoodSaver Quick Marinator. Best for one simple marinating canister.
- Best Glass Containers: ZWILLING Fresh & Save. Best for leftovers in glass with a cordless pump.
- Best Spare Rolls: Avid Armor 11 in. x 50 ft, 2 Pack. Best for weekly sealers.
- Best Bag Holder: Jokari Hands-Free Baggy Rack. Best for filling bags with ground meat or soup.
Comparison table
| Accessory | What it does | Works with | Needs accessory port? | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avid Armor Jar Attachment Hood | Vacuums regular and wide-mouth jars | Most major-brand sealers with a canister or accessory port (per Avid Armor) | Yes | Check price |
| FoodSaver Jar Sealer Kit | Vacuums jars; separate regular and wide-mouth sealers | FoodSaver sealers with a port or handheld | Yes (or FoodSaver handheld) | Check price |
| Nesco VS-MJ-2N1 | Cordless electric jar sealer | Regular and wide-mouth mason jars | No | See options |
| FoodSaver Preserve & Marinate Containers | Storage and quick marinating | FoodSaver handhelds and listed FoodSaver series | FoodSaver handheld or adapter | Check price |
| FoodSaver Quick Marinator | 2.1 L marinating canister | FoodSaver vacuum sealing systems | Yes | See options |
| ZWILLING Fresh & Save Glass Set | Vacuum glass storage | ZWILLING Fresh & Save pump | No (uses ZWILLING pump) | Check price |
| Avid Armor 11 in. x 50 ft Rolls | Custom-length embossed bags | Avid Armor, FoodSaver, Seal-a-Meal and other external sealers | No | Check price |
| Jokari Hands-Free Baggy Rack | Holds bags open while filling | Most bag sizes | No | Check price |
Compatibility comes from each maker's product page or official listing. Always check your sealer's manual before buying an accessory from another brand.
The best vacuum sealer accessories, reviewed
1. Avid Armor Jar Attachment Hood: Best Universal Jar Attachment
Who it's for: owners of Nesco, Anova, Avid Armor and other sealers with a canister or accessory port.
Jar sealing is the most useful thing an accessory port does, and this hood is the most flexible way to do it. Avid Armor lists a fit for both regular (2.75 in.) and wide-mouth (3.38 in.) Mason and Ball jars, thanks to a built-in silicone gasket that conforms to the jar. It ships with an accessory hose with a universal connector, and Avid Armor says it works with most major-brand vacuum sealers that have a canister or accessory port. The material is BPA-free and stain-resistant.
You seal one jar at a time, and you need a machine with a port.
Pros
- One hood for both jar sizes
- Universal hose connector
- BPA-free
Cons
- One jar at a time
- Needs an accessory port
Avid Armor Vacuum Sealer Jar Attachment Hood
by Avid Armor
2. FoodSaver Regular and Wide-Mouth Jar Sealer Kit: Best for FoodSaver Owners
Who it's for: anyone with a FoodSaver that has an accessory port or handheld.
The kit pairs a regular-mouth jar sealer and a wide-mouth jar sealer with an accessory hose. Each sealer fits only its own jar size: put a flat lid on the jar, press the jar sealer over the top, connect the hose and run the accessory or canister cycle. It is the cheapest way to add jar storage to a FoodSaver you already own.
Pros
- Designed for FoodSaver hoses and handhelds
- Both jar sizes included
Cons
- Two separate pieces to store
- Fit on other brands varies
FoodSaver Regular and Wide-Mouth Jar Sealer Kit with Accessory Hose
by FoodSaver
3. Nesco VS-MJ-2N1 Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer: Best Cordless Jar Sealer
Who it's for: people whose sealer has no port, or who want jar sealing without hauling out the countertop machine.
Nesco describes the VS-MJ-2N1 as portable, cordless and rechargeable, with one-button operation, automatic power-off and an LED display that shows battery level and seal time. It works with both regular and wide-mouth mason jars and comes with five lids of each size, a jar opener and a charging cable. Our best mason jar vacuum sealers guide compares it with the attachments above.
Pros
- No countertop sealer needed
- Both jar sizes
- Lids included
Cons
- Jars only
- Another battery to keep charged
Nesco VS-MJ-2N1 Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer
by Nesco
Currently unavailable on Amazon
4. FoodSaver Preserve & Marinate Containers: Best Marinating Containers
Who it's for: FoodSaver handheld users who marinate meat and store leftovers.
This Amazon bundle pairs FoodSaver's 2116382 containers (3-cup and 10-cup) with 18 quart vacuum zipper bags. The listing describes a vacuum mode for storage and a marinate mode for quick marinating, with compatibility listed for FoodSaver's 4400 and 4840 series machines, the FreshSaver handheld, the handheld sealer attachment and the zipper bag adapter. The containers are Tritan plastic, described as crack-, shatter-, stain- and odor-resistant and dishwasher safe.
They need a FoodSaver handheld or adapter, which is sold separately. See our vacuum sealer containers guide for glass and other options.
Pros
- Storage and marinate modes
- Shatter-resistant Tritan
- Zipper bags included
Cons
- FoodSaver handheld or adapter required
FoodSaver 2116382 Preserve & Marinate Containers (3-Cup and 10-Cup) with 18 Quart Zipper Bags
by FoodSaver
5. FoodSaver Quick Marinator: Best Budget Canister
Who it's for: anyone with a FoodSaver accessory hose who wants one simple marinating canister.
FoodSaver's listing describes the Quick Marinator as a 2.1 L canister that vacuum marinates meat, vegetables and more in minutes and doubles as storage. Put in the food and marinade, close the lid, vacuum it with the hose, and let it sit. It is the least expensive way to try vacuum marinating. Our vacuum marinator guide compares it with tumblers and containers.
Pros
- Simple and inexpensive
- Doubles as a storage canister
Cons
- One size
- Designed for FoodSaver hoses
FoodSaver Quick Marinator
by FoodSaver
Currently unavailable on Amazon
6. ZWILLING Fresh & Save 3-pc Glass Set: Best Glass Containers
Who it's for: meal preppers who want leftovers in glass and a separate cordless system.
ZWILLING's Fresh & Save containers are borosilicate glass and stackable. ZWILLING lists them as freezer safe, ovenproof without the lid, microwave safe without the vacuum seal and dishwasher safe. They use ZWILLING's rechargeable Fresh & Save pump rather than your countertop sealer, and ZWILLING says all Fresh & Save pumps and lids are compatible with each other. If you do not own the pump, budget for it.
Pros
- Borosilicate glass
- Oven, microwave and dishwasher friendly (lid off for oven)
- Stackable
Cons
- Needs the ZWILLING pump
- Not compatible with countertop sealer hoses
ZWILLING Fresh & Save 3-pc Glass Vacuum Container Set
by ZWILLING
7. Avid Armor 11 in. x 50 ft Rolls: Best Spare Rolls
Who it's for: people who seal every week and are tired of reloading short rolls.
Two 50 ft rolls give you 100 ft of 11 in. embossed film. Avid Armor lists the material as BPA-free and food-contact safe, rates it for freezer storage, boiling and sous vide, and says the rolls work with Avid Armor, FoodSaver, Seal-a-Meal and other external sealers. A 50 ft roll may not fit inside some built-in roll compartments, so check your machine first. Our best vacuum sealer rolls guide covers other widths.
Pros
- 100 ft per pack
- Rated for boiling and sous vide
Cons
- May not fit built-in roll storage
- External sealers only
Avid Armor 11″ x 50' Vacuum Sealer Rolls, 2 Pack
by Avid Armor
8. Jokari Hands-Free Baggy Rack: Best Bag Holder
Who it's for: anyone who fills bags with ground meat, chili or soup and wants both hands free.
A bag holder is the cheapest accessory that makes the biggest difference to seal quality. Jokari's Baggy Rack has adjustable arms that clip a bag open while you fill it, a non-slip base, and folds flat for storage. Holding the bag upright and open keeps food off the inside of the mouth, which is the area that has to stay clean for a good seal. It is designed for food storage bags rather than vacuum bags specifically, so fold a wide cuff over the arms to keep the clips away from the seal area.
Pros
- Keeps the seal area clean
- Folds flat
- Works with most bag sizes
Cons
- Not made specifically for vacuum bags
Buying guide: choosing vacuum sealer accessories
Check for an accessory port first
Most accessories depend on a hose. Look on your sealer for a small port, usually on the lid or side, and check the manual for an "accessory" or "canister" mode. FoodSaver models with a built-in handheld (such as the V4400) use the handheld instead of a hose. If you have neither, choose standalone tools like a cordless jar sealer or the ZWILLING system.
Match the brand, or buy universal
FoodSaver jar sealers, canisters and containers are designed for FoodSaver hoses and handhelds. Other brands' ports may not fit them snugly. If your machine is a Nesco, Anova or Avid Armor, a universal hose like the one on Avid Armor's jar hood is the safer option.
Accessories for chamber sealers
Chamber sealers need different supplies: smooth chamber pouches (not embossed bags), filler plates to raise thin items toward the bar, a spare lid gasket, and on oil-pump models, vacuum pump oil. Many chamber sealers also have an accessory port for jar hoods. See our chamber vacuum sealer bags guide.
Maintenance parts
On external sealers, the foam gaskets around the vacuum channel and the tape over the heat strip wear out first. A flattened or cracked gasket is the most common reason a sealer stops pulling a full vacuum. Before buying anything else, check that your maker sells replacement gaskets and seal-bar tape by model number. Our vacuum sealer troubleshooting guide shows how to tell when they need replacing.
Bone protection
Bones, fins and frozen edges puncture thin bags. Thicker rolls or 4 mil chamber pouches help, and so does padding sharp points with a folded paper towel, as Nesco's care guide suggests. Purpose-made bone guard sheets exist too, but a paper towel does the same job for most home cooks.
Accessories to skip
Bags that claim to fit "all sealers" without naming a channel or texture, and hoses with no stated connector type, are where most compatibility problems start. Buy from the maker of your sealer or from a brand that lists compatible models.
How we chose
We did not test these accessories. We started from the accessory types owners use most (jar sealing, marinating, container storage, rolls and bag filling), then compared maker product pages and official listings for compatibility, materials and what is included. We favored accessories from established brands that state which sealers they fit, and we note where compatibility is limited.
FAQ
What accessories do I need for a vacuum sealer?
Most people only need two: a supply of rolls or bags that fit their machine, and a jar attachment if they want to vacuum mason jars. After that, add what matches your cooking: a marinating canister or containers for leftovers, and a bag holder if you fill a lot of bags with ground meat or liquids.
What is a vacuum sealer accessory port?
A small fitting on the sealer where you plug in a hose. The pump then pulls air through the hose instead of through a bag, so you can vacuum jar sealers, canisters, marinators and some wine stoppers. Machines like the Nesco VS-12, Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro, FoodSaver FM2100 and Avid Armor's chamber sealers have one.
Do FoodSaver accessories work with other vacuum sealers?
Sometimes. FoodSaver jar sealers and canisters are designed for FoodSaver hoses and handhelds, and the fit on other brands' ports varies. If you own another brand, a universal option such as the Avid Armor Jar Attachment Hood, which comes with a hose that Avid Armor says fits most major-brand sealers with an accessory port, is the safer bet.
Can you use a vacuum sealer without an accessory port for jars?
Not directly. Without a port or handheld, you need a standalone tool such as the Nesco VS-MJ-2N1, a cordless electric jar sealer that sits on the lid and works with regular and wide-mouth mason jars.
What spare parts should I keep for a vacuum sealer?
Gaskets and seal-bar tape wear first on most sealers, so check whether your maker sells replacements by model number. Chamber sealer owners should also keep a spare lid gasket and, on oil-pump models, a bottle of vacuum pump oil.
Verdict
Start with the accessory that unlocks the most: a jar attachment, either the universal Avid Armor Jar Attachment Hood or the FoodSaver Jar Sealer Kit for FoodSaver owners. Add the FoodSaver Quick Marinator or Preserve & Marinate containers if you marinate often, long Avid Armor rolls if you seal weekly, and a Jokari Baggy Rack to keep every seal clean.