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Vacuum bags are great until you try to store berries, salad greens, soup or a piece of lasagna. Bags crush soft food and pull liquid toward the valve or seal. A rigid vacuum container fixes both problems, and you can reuse it again and again without throwing away a bag each time.
The catch is that containers are part of a system. The valve in the lid is built for a specific pump or accessory hose. So the first question is not "which container?" but "which pump do I have, or want?" After that, choose glass or plastic, the sizes you need, and whether you want to marinate in it.
Our top picks at a glance
Quick picks
- Best Overall: ZWILLING Fresh & Save Glass Containers. Best for leftovers and meal prep in glass that goes from fridge to table.
- Pump for ZWILLING Containers: ZWILLING Fresh & Save Pump and Bag Set. Best way to start the ZWILLING system.
- Best for Chef Preserve Owners: Chef Preserve Glass Containers, 3-pc. Best for liquids and delicate food with the Chef Preserve pump.
- Best for Marinating: FoodSaver Preserve & Marinate Containers. Best for FoodSaver owners who marinate often.
- Best Budget Kit: Nesco VS-09HHS2. Best for getting a handheld pump, canisters and bags in one box.
- Best for Coffee: Fellow Atmos. Best for whole beans you brew this week.
- Best for Mason Jars: Avid Armor Jar Attachment Hood. Best for turning mason jars into vacuum containers with your sealer's hose.
Vacuum sealer containers compared
| Product | Best for | Material | Works with | Dishwasher | Microwave | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZWILLING Fresh & Save Glass | Leftovers, meal prep | Borosilicate glass | ZWILLING pump | Yes | Without vacuum seal | Check price |
| Chef Preserve Glass, 3-pc | Liquids, delicate food | Borosilicate glass | Chef Preserve pump | Yes | Without lid | Check price |
| FoodSaver Preserve & Marinate | Marinating | Tritan plastic | FoodSaver handhelds and accessory ports | Yes | Bases, reheating only | Check price |
| Nesco VS-09HHS2 canisters | Budget starter | Plastic | Nesco handheld (included) | See manual | See manual | Check price |
| Fellow Atmos | Coffee beans | Glass (also steel) | Twist lid, no pump | See maker | No | See options |
| Avid Armor Jar Hood | Mason jars | BPA-free hood | Sealers with an accessory port | n/a | n/a | Check price |
Details come from ZWILLING's US store, Chef Preserve's and FoodSaver's Amazon listings, Nesco's product page, Fellow's product information and Avid Armor's listing.
The best vacuum sealer containers, reviewed
1. ZWILLING Fresh & Save Glass Containers: Best Overall
Who it's for: meal preppers and anyone who wants leftovers in glass that can also go to the table.
ZWILLING's Fresh & Save containers are made of borosilicate glass and are stackable. ZWILLING lists them as freezer safe, ovenproof without the lid, microwave safe without the vacuum seal, and dishwasher safe, and the lids use what it calls double sealing technology. You dock the Fresh & Save pump on the lid valve, press a button, and the pump stops automatically once it reaches enough vacuum. ZWILLING says all Fresh & Save pumps and lids are compatible with each other, so you can mix glass, plastic and bags in one system.
Glass is heavy and can break, and you need ZWILLING's pump. Sizes vary by set (ZWILLING sells small, medium and large), so check the listing for the exact mix.
Pros
- Borosilicate glass, ovenproof without the lid
- Freezer, microwave (without vacuum) and dishwasher safe
- One pump for containers and bags
- Stackable
Cons
- Heavier than plastic
- Requires the ZWILLING pump
ZWILLING Fresh & Save 3-pc Glass Vacuum Container Set
by ZWILLING
2. ZWILLING Fresh & Save Pump and Bag Set: Pump for ZWILLING Containers
Who it's for: anyone starting the ZWILLING system.
If you do not own a ZWILLING pump, buy it first. The starter set pairs the rechargeable, USB-charged pump with valve bags; the pump stops automatically when it reaches vacuum. The bags are BPA-free and rated for sous vide to 197.60 °F. Our reusable vacuum seal bags guide covers the bags in more detail.
Pros
- Works with every Fresh & Save lid and bag
- Automatic stop
- USB charging
Cons
- No published battery runtime
ZWILLING Fresh & Save Vacuum Sealer Pump and Bag Set
by ZWILLING
3. Chef Preserve Glass Containers, 3-pc: Best for Chef Preserve Owners
Who it's for: Chef Preserve owners who want to store soups, sauces, cut fruit, salad and pastries.
Chef Preserve's set includes one small, one medium and one large glass container made for its compact pump. Its listing describes the glass as borosilicate and safe for the microwave without the lid, the dishwasher, the refrigerator and the freezer. Chef Preserve says its containers are designed for a wider range of foods than its bags, including liquids like soups, stews and marinades and delicate items like bread, lettuce and pastries. Across its range, Chef Preserve lists containers from 16 to 88 fl oz.
Chef Preserve's pump is sold separately or in bundles with bags and containers. See how it stacks up in Chef Preserve vs FoodSaver.
Pros
- Glass, three sizes
- Designed for liquids and delicate food
- Pairs with a tiny, fast pump
Cons
- Needs the Chef Preserve pump
- Glass adds weight
Chef Preserve Glass Vacuum Seal Containers, 3-pc Set
by Chef Preserve
4. FoodSaver Preserve & Marinate Containers: Best for Marinating
Who it's for: FoodSaver owners who marinate meat and want sturdy, break-resistant containers.
This Amazon bundle pairs FoodSaver's 2116382 containers (one 3-cup and one 10-cup) with 18 quart vacuum zipper bags. The listing describes two modes: a vacuum mode that seals food when connected to a FoodSaver handheld (sold separately), and a marinate mode for quick marinating. FoodSaver lists compatibility with its 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; the bases are microwave safe for reheating only.
The 10-cup size holds a family pack of chicken in marinade. For tumblers and sealers with a marinate mode, see our best vacuum marinators. If you own a FoodSaver V4400, its built-in handheld connects directly.
Pros
- Marinate mode
- Shatter-resistant Tritan
- Large 10-cup size
- Zipper bags included in this bundle
Cons
- Needs a FoodSaver handheld or compatible machine
- Plastic, not glass
FoodSaver 2116382 Preserve & Marinate Containers (3-Cup and 10-Cup) with 18 Quart Zipper Bags
by FoodSaver
5. Nesco VS-09HHS2 Handheld Kit: Best Budget Kit
Who it's for: budget shoppers who want everything in one box.
Nesco's kit includes a cordless handheld pump with a charging base and wall adapter, two 600 ml and two 800 ml resealable canisters, and five reusable zip and seal bags. A removable outer suction base catches excess liquid. Nesco does not publish battery capacity, and the manual for its earlier handheld says the bags are not recommended for liquids, so use the canisters for anything wet. Our handheld vacuum sealer guide compares it with other pumps.
Pros
- Pump, canisters and bags included
- Budget price tier
Cons
- Smaller canisters
- No published battery runtime
6. Fellow Atmos: Best for Coffee
Who it's for: coffee drinkers who want this week's whole beans kept fresh without bags.
The Atmos needs no pump: you twist the lid (or press a button on the electric version) to pull air out, and an indicator shows when the vacuum is locked. Fellow sells it in 0.4, 0.7 and 1.2 L sizes in glass or stainless steel. Fellow says to store only whole beans, because ground coffee can clog the valve, and recommends twisting the lid every 4 to 5 days to keep the seal. For longer coffee storage, see vacuum sealing coffee beans.
Pros
- No pump or power needed
- Vacuum indicator
- Three sizes
Cons
- Whole beans only
- Needs a re-twist every few days
Fellow Atmos Vacuum Coffee Canister
by Fellow
Currently unavailable on Amazon
7. Avid Armor Jar Attachment Hood: Best for Mason Jars
Who it's for: anyone with a vacuum sealer that has an accessory port and a cupboard full of mason jars.
Mason jars make excellent vacuum containers for dry goods. Avid Armor's hood fits regular (2.75 in.) and wide-mouth (3.38 in.) Mason and Ball jars, using a silicone gasket that conforms to the jar, and comes with an accessory hose with a universal connector. Avid Armor says it works with most major-brand sealers that have a canister or accessory port. Compare other jar tools in our mason jar vacuum sealer guide.
Pros
- Turns jars you own into vacuum containers
- One hood for both jar sizes
- Universal hose connector
Cons
- Needs a sealer with an accessory port
- One jar at a time
Avid Armor Vacuum Sealer Jar Attachment Hood
by Avid Armor
Buying guide: how to choose vacuum sealer containers
Start with your pump
- ZWILLING pump: Fresh & Save containers and bags.
- Chef Preserve pump: Chef Preserve containers and bags.
- FoodSaver handheld, Handheld+ or V4400: FoodSaver Preserve & Marinate containers, plus FoodSaver jar sealers.
- Countertop sealer with an accessory port and hose (Nesco VS-12, Anova Pro, Avid Armor chambers): mason jars with a jar hood, plus canisters made for hose connection.
- No pump: twist-lid canisters like the Fellow Atmos.
Glass or plastic?
Glass resists stains and odors, looks good on the table and, in ZWILLING's case, is ovenproof without the lid. Plastic is lighter and harder to break; FoodSaver's Tritan is described as shatter-resistant. For freezer-to-microwave meal prep, glass is the easier choice; for marinating raw meat on a crowded fridge shelf, tough plastic is practical.
Sizes
Think in meals. A small container for herbs, cheese or berries, a medium for a lunch portion, and a large for family leftovers or a marinade. Rectangular containers stack better than round ones.
Marinating
The idea behind vacuum marinating is that removing air helps the marinade stay in close contact with the meat. FoodSaver has a dedicated marinate mode for its containers, and ZWILLING says you can marinate in 30 minutes in its bags and containers. Keep marinating meat in the refrigerator.
Care
Wash lids by hand if the maker says to, and keep the valve and gasket clean and dry. A crumb on the gasket is the most common reason a container will not hold vacuum. Release the vacuum before microwaving, and let frozen glass thaw in the fridge before heating it.
What to store in vacuum containers
| Food | Container or bag? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Berries, cut fruit | Container | Rigid walls stop crushing |
| Salad greens, herbs | Container | Fridge only |
| Soups, stews, sauces | Container | Leave headspace if freezing |
| Cooked leftovers | Container | Same 3 to 4 day fridge window as unsealed |
| Cheese, deli meat | Bag or container | Reseal after each use |
| Coffee beans | Canister | Whole beans only in Atmos |
| Rice, pasta, nuts | Mason jar or container | Dry goods only at room temperature |
| Bulk raw meat for months | Heat-sealed bag | Containers take more freezer space |
For a weekly routine built around containers and bags, see our meal prep vacuum sealing guide.
Food safety with vacuum containers
A vacuum lid does not make perishable food safe at room temperature or stretch the refrigerator window for leftovers. Clemson Cooperative Extension (HGIC 3865) says perishable vacuum-packaged foods must stay in the refrigerator between 34 and 40 °F or in the freezer at 0 °F or below, and USDA FSIS puts cooked leftovers at 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Only dry, shelf-stable foods belong in vacuum containers on the pantry shelf.
How we chose
We did not test these containers. We compared materials, care ratings, sizes and pump compatibility from ZWILLING's US store, Chef Preserve's and FoodSaver's Amazon listings, Nesco's product page, Fellow's product information and Avid Armor's listing, and we chose at least one option for each major pump system.
FAQ
Do vacuum sealer containers work with any vacuum sealer?
No. Each container's lid valve is designed for a specific pump or hose. ZWILLING says all Fresh & Save pumps and lids are compatible with each other, FoodSaver containers work with FoodSaver handhelds and machines with an accessory port, and Chef Preserve containers work with the Chef Preserve pump.
Are glass vacuum containers better than plastic?
Glass does not stain or hold odors, and ZWILLING's and Chef Preserve's borosilicate glass containers can go in the dishwasher and, without the lid, the microwave. Plastic is lighter and less likely to break. FoodSaver uses Tritan plastic, which it describes as shatter-resistant.
Can you put vacuum containers in the freezer?
Many are rated for it. ZWILLING lists its glass containers as freezer safe, and Chef Preserve lists its glass containers for the fridge and freezer. Leave headspace for liquids to expand, and let frozen glass thaw in the fridge before heating.
Can you microwave food in vacuum sealer containers?
Only without the vacuum. ZWILLING says its containers are microwave safe without the vacuum seal, Chef Preserve says its glass is microwave safe without the lid, and FoodSaver says its container bases are microwave safe for reheating only. Release the vacuum and remove or vent the lid first.
Do vacuum containers keep food fresh longer?
They slow oxidation and drying, which helps cheese, cut produce, salad greens, coffee and dry goods keep their quality. They do not extend the safe refrigerator time for leftovers or make perishable food safe at room temperature.
Verdict
ZWILLING's Fresh & Save glass containers are the best vacuum sealer containers for most kitchens, with one pump that also runs reusable bags. Chef Preserve owners should get Chef Preserve's glass set, FoodSaver owners who marinate should get the Preserve & Marinate containers, and anyone with a countertop sealer and a hose can turn mason jars into vacuum containers with Avid Armor's jar hood.