Mueller Vacuum Sealer MV-1100 vs CALOTO Vacuum Sealer AP-12X

Overall Verdict

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The Mueller MV-1100 is well-liked by consumers for its affordability, positioning itself as a strong contender in the budget-friendly segment of food vacuum sealers. In contrast, the CALOTO AP-12X stands out for its compactness. Yet, in the performance test, the CALOTO surprised us for its ability to match the MV-1100's suction performance despite being significantly smaller, with suction power between 30 to approaching 50 kPA in our double tests.

Pros & Cons

Passable vacuum-packing performance for the money
Decent build quality
Good safety features
Bright indicator lights
Comes with a progress bar for easy tracking

Relatively affordable
Quiet operation (76.1 dBA)
Very compact form factor (3.2 inches in width)
Excellent safety features

The lid hinges creak when the lid is lifted or lowered
Uneven lid locks
Buttons on the control panel are unreliable

Very mediocre performance
Dim and hard-to-view indicator lights
The lid is stiff and difficult to lock with one hand
Warranty details are very vague

Where to Buy

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring

6.0

4.7

Dry Food Test

5.8

4.9

The Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer demonstrating peak suction of 46 kPA in an 18-second dry food test.

The Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer during the second dry food test. It achieved a peak suction power of 47 kPA over a 22-second working cycle.

The CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer during its first dry food test session where we used it to vacuum-pack dry rice grains. It achieved a peak suction of 40 kPA during a 23-second working cycle.

The CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer reached a higher peak suction in the second test, with our vacuum gauge recording a 43 kPA peak during a 21-second working cycle.

Suction Mode

Airtight

N/A

Food Mode

Dry

Dry - 1

Suction Strength

46 kPA (1) - 47 kPA (2)

40 kPA (1) - 43 kPA (2)

Cycle Time

18s (1) - 22s (2)

23s (1) - 31s (2)

Moist Food Test

6.5

4.5

The Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer during a moist food test achieves a peak suction of 29 kPA in a 22-second working cycle.

The Mueller vacuum sealer during the second moist food test. It achieved a suction peak of 30 kPA over a 25-second working cycle.

The CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer during the first moist food test session where we used it to vacuum-pack fresh mango slices. It hit a peak suction of 18 kPA during a 33-second working cycle.

The CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer is seen here vacuum-packing fresh mango slices for the second moist food test. It hit a peak suction of 20 kPA during a 33-second working cycle.

Suction Mode

Gentle

N/A

Food Mode

Moist

Moist - 4

Suction Strength

29 kPA (1) - 30 kPA (2)

18 kPA (1) - 20 kPA (2)

Cycle Time

22s (1) - 25s (2)

33s(1) - 33s (2)

Design

Overall Design Scoring

5.5

6.1

In the Box

The content of the Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer’s shipping box. There’s the sealer itself, sheets and rolls of plastic, air hose and adapter, along with the documentation for the sealer.

The content of the CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer’s shipping box. It includes a detachable power cord, air hose and adapter, sheets of pre-cut plastic bags, and an instruction manual.

Dimensions

Weight

2.2 lbs (1.0 kg)

Length

14.1" (35.8 cm)

14.9" (37.8 cm)

Width

6.0" (15.2 cm)

3.2" (8.1 cm)

Height

3.1" (7.9 cm)

2.1" (5.3 cm)

Build Quality

6.0

7.0

The Mueller MV-1100 comes with a glossy, metallic top lid, which made it look slightly more premium.

The interior of the Mueller MV-1100 is textured.

The build quality of the CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer is fairly decent, though its lightness and full-plastic detailing can make it seem slightly cheap.

The CALOTO AP-12X sealer comes with a removable power cord for easier storage.

Anti-slip feet at the bottom of the CALOTO AP-12X vacuum sealer.

In the back, you’ll find the port for the modular power cord.

Control Panel

8.5

5.0

The rows of function buttons on the control panel of the Mueller MV-1100 vacuum sealer.

The control panel has four buttons with embossed labels. They’re somewhat hard to read because the embossings blend quite well into the black rubber buttons.

Button Type

Touch-sensitive

Physical

Number of Buttons

Number of Modes

Lid

4.0

8.0

The hinges do a great job at keeping the Mueller MV-1100’s lid aloft, but the locking mechanism is problematic.

The hinges on the Mueller are solid, keeping the lid from shifting even when we push it from side to side.

The hinges of the CALOTO AP-12X are quite sturdy and don’t creak when we lift or lower the lid.

To unlock the lid after it's locked, simply press the buttons on both sides of the sealer, and this will release the latches.

Lid Lock

Latch lock

Extra Features

0.0

Bag Cutter

Bag Holder

Bag Hooks

Removable Drip Tray

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring

6.0

7.5

Ease of Use

5.0

8.0

The lid requires a lot of downward force to click close, so you almost always have to use both hands to shut the lid.

The Mueller’s ease of use could use a lot of improvements, starting with its unreliable lid locks and the overtly-sensitive control panel.

You need to press down on the lid with two hands for the lid to click close properly. One-handed operation is very difficult.

Safety & Noise

8.0

The various safety and instruction stickers that Mueller has included on the inside of the Mueller MV-1100 sealer.

The “Caution: Hot Surface” warning sticker located near the heat bar within the interior of the Mueller MV-1100 sealer.

The sealer can get as loud as 81.2 dBA, like during this dry food test.

During a dry food test session, our noise level meter recorded the peak loudness of the motor to be around 74.8 dBA.

Maximum Noise Level

81.2 dBA

74.8 dBA

Indicator Lights and Chime

9.0

3.0

Besides the four indicator lights that display vacuuming and food modes, there are also two lights beneath the two function buttons (“Seal” and “Vac Seal”) and the progress bar.

The indicator lights for the CALOTO AP-12X are small and aren’t bright. It’s very hard to monitor the sealer’s progress, especially under harsh lighting conditions.

Number of Indicators

Progress Bar

Yes

Chime

Behind the Comparison

Matthew LeeReviewer

Matthew Lee is a writer and editor for HealthyKitchen101. With over 8 years working for various outlets and agencies, specializing in tech review and other subjects of note, such as current affairs.

Lap VoTest Lead

Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.

Nguyen NtkVisual Specialist

Nguyen Ntk is a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer whose philosophy centers around respecting and celebrating the beauty of reality. Through his lenses, Nguyen strives to capture the true essence of objects and events, showcasing and highlighting authentic features without distortion or exaggeration.