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Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer vs FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160 Side-by-Side Comparison

The Nesco VS-12, with its superior build quality, suction, and a wide range of extra features, is a compelling choice for those who need the best. In contrast, the FoodSaver VS-0160, slightly less capable and feature-rich, will be a good choice if you’re looking to save.

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Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160

Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer vs FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer VS-0160

Overall Verdict

Ranking by
OverallScore Performance50% Design20% Usability30% ScoreOverall 50%Performance 20%Design 30%Usability Nesco VS-12 Deluxe...FoodSaver Vacuum Se...9.18.59.99.68.38.18.88.2
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Both the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe and FoodSaver VS-0160 are popular vacuum sealers with different strengths.aaa

The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe is great for sealing both dry and moist foods, featuring a user-friendly control panel with an LED screen, a bag roll compartment, and a cutter. However, it's larger, heavier, noisier, and comes with a higher price tag. It offers strong suction power and a two-year warranty.

On the other hand, the FoodSaver VS-0160 is budget-friendly and quieter. It's smaller, lighter, and more compact but has slightly lower suction power and a shorter one-year warranty. It lacks some extra features. In summary, the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe excels in sealing, while the FoodSaver VS-0160 is a compact and budget-friendly choice, depending on your needs and budget.

Pros & Cons

  • Strong performance in both dry and moist food tests
  • Well-built design
  • Intuitive control panel with an LCD screen for progress tracking
  • Comes with a bag roll compartment and bag cutter
  • Affordable for what it can do
  • Excellent vacuum sealing performance
  • Beautifully designed and well-built
  • The lid actuates smoothly and has a storage lock
  • Relatively quiet
  • Doesn’t come with a chime
  • Safety could be improved with stickers that warn new users about the heat bar.
  • No extra feature.

Key Specs

Suction strength
78-80 kPA (Dry) / 52-70 kPA (Moist)
62-63 kPA (Dry) /45-58 kPA (Moist)
Working time
27-29s (Dry)/36-38s (Moist)
11s (Dry)/33-39s (Moist)
Dimensions
L 15.8 x W 7.8 x H 4.3 inches
L 15.7 x W 6.1 x H 2.7 inches
Weight
6.0 lbs (2.7 kg)
5.8 pounds
Warranty
2 years
1-year

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$116.98
$86.53

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
8.5
8.1

Dry Food Test

8.8
8.3
The Nesco VS-12 in the first dry test session, achieving a suction power of 78 kPA according to our vacuum gauge in a work cycle lasting 29 seconds.
The Nesco VS-12 in the first dry test session, achieving a suction power of 78 kPA according to our vacuum gauge in a work cycle lasting 29 seconds.
The Nesco VS-12 in the first dry test session, achieving a suction power of 78 kPA according to our vacuum gauge in a work cycle lasting 29 seconds.
The Nesco VS-12 in the second dry food test. We recorded a peak suction of 80 kPA in 27 seconds.
FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer hooked to a bag of black rice. A vacuum gauge to the right measures 62 kPA and a timer marks 11 seconds.
First dry food vacuum seal test of the FoodSaver VS-0160. The vacuum gauge reads 62 kPA. Timer marks 11 seconds.
FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer hooked to a bag of black rice. A vacuum gauge to the right measures 62 kPA and a timer marks 11 seconds.
FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer hooked to a bag of black rice. A vacuum gauge to the right measures 63 kPA and a timer marks 11 seconds.
Suction Mode
Normal
N/A
Food Mode
Dry
Dry
Suction Strength
78 kPA (1) - 80 kPA (2)
62 kPA (1) - 63 kPA (2)
Cycle Time
29s (1) - 27s (2)
11s (1) - 11s (2)

Moist Food Test

8.0
7.9
The Nesco VS-12 during the first moist food test, achieving a peak suction power of 52 kPA according to our vacuum gauge in a work cycle of 38 seconds.
The Nesco VS-12 during the first moist food test, achieving a peak suction power of 52 kPA according to our vacuum gauge in a work cycle of 38 seconds.
The Nesco VS-12 during the first moist food test, achieving a peak suction power of 52 kPA according to our vacuum gauge in a work cycle of 38 seconds.
The Nesco VS-12 during a moist food test packaging fresh mango slices. The peak suction strength recorded was 70 kPA in 36 seconds.
The FoodSaver VS-0160 during the moist food test. It achieved a peak suction of 45 kPA within a 39-second working cycle. The motor was quite noisy at 81.6 dBA.
The FoodSaver VS-0160 during the moist food test. It achieved a peak suction of 45 kPA within a 39-second working cycle. The motor was quite noisy at 81.6 dBA.
The FoodSaver VS-0160 during the moist food test. It achieved a peak suction of 45 kPA within a 39-second working cycle. The motor was quite noisy at 81.6 dBA.
The FoodSaver VS-0160 during the second moist food test. Its suction is lower than the first test at 58 kPA within a 33-second working cycle. Motor noise is also less loud at 80.1 dBA.
Suction Mode
Gentle
N/A
Food Mode
Moist
Moist
Suction Strength
52 kPA (1) - 70 kPA (2)
45 kPA (1) - 58 kPA (2)
Cycle Time
38s (1) - 36s (2)
39s (1) - 33s (2)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.9
8.8

In the Box

Besides the Nesco VS-12 itself, the shipping box also comes with rolls of plastic bags, instruction manual and warranty card.
The content of the FoodSaver VS-0160 shipping box, consisting of the vacuum sealer, three rolls of food bags, and manual.
The content of the FoodSaver VS-0160’s shipping box.

Dimensions

The dimensions of the Nesco VS-12 sealer. Its length is 15.8 inches, width is 7.8 inches, and the height is 4.3 inches.
The dimensions of the FoodSaver VS-0160 is about average compared to other sealers we’ve tested. It has a length of 15.7 inches, width of 6.1 inches, and a height of 2.7 inches.
Weight
6.0 lbs (2.7 kg)
5.8 lbs (2.6 kg)
Length
15.8" (40.1 cm)
15.7" (39.9 cm)
Width
7.8" (19.8 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
Height
4.3" (10.9 cm)
2.7" (6.9 cm)

Build Quality

10
9.5
The housing of the Nesco VS-12 is on full display. Note the parts that are plated in metal to protect the sealer from damage.
The housing of the Nesco VS-12 is on full display. Note the parts that are plated in metal to protect the sealer from damage.
Inside the Nesco VS-12. You can see the vacuum channel and the vacuum bag roll holder. Towards the front is the heating bar with a high-vis orange strip.
An interior shot of the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer. A green protective bar covers the vacuum channel.
The interior of the FoodSaver VS-0160
An interior shot of the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer. A green protective bar covers the vacuum channel.
A close-up shot of the non-slip feet on the underside of the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer.
The black heat bar and foam seal installed on the underside of the top lid of the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer.

Control Panel

10
10
The control panel at the top of the Nesco VS-12
The control panel at the top of the Nesco VS-12
Compared to single sealing, which is suitable for dry food, double sealing gives the bag a stronger seam to prevent leakage.
A close-up shot of the buttons and the indicator lights on the FoodSaver VS-0160
Button Type
Physical
Physical
Number of Buttons
6
3
Number of Modes
5
2

Lid

10
10
The lid of the Nesco VS-12 can be locked and unlocked by working the handle at the top.
The interior of the FoodSaver VS-0160 with the green protective plastic bar removed from the vacuum channel.
The interior of the FoodSaver VS-0160 with the green protective plastic bar removed from the vacuum channel.
The slider to the side of the FoodSaver VS-0160 that you can use to engage the storage locks.
The locking mechanism built into the lid of the FoodSaver VS-0160. Shown here is also the storage slider.
Lid Lock
Handle lock
Latch lock

Extra Features

9.0
1.0
The Nesco VS-12 comes with a roomy compartment inside where you can store a single roll of plastic bag. A flip-down cutter is built-in for you to cut out the correct bag length.
The Nesco VS-12 comes with a roomy compartment inside where you can store a single roll of plastic bag. A flip-down cutter is built-in for you to cut out the correct bag length.
The vacuum channel's two bag hooks simplify the process of correctly aligning the plastic bag's lip, making it easier for you to use.
The Foodsaver VS-0160 doesn’t come with any additional extra feature other than a removable drip tray, which will help you safely vacuum-pack moist food better.
The Foodsaver VS-0160 doesn’t come with any additional extra feature other than a removable drip tray, which will help you safely vacuum-pack moist food better.
Bag Cutter
Yes
No
Bag Holder
Yes
No
Bag Hooks
Yes
No
Removable Drip Tray
No
Yes

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.6
8.2

Ease of Use

9.5
8.5
The grommet at the back of the Nesco VS-12 allows you to wrap and manage the power cord better when you have to store the sealer.
The lid of the FoodSaver VS-0160 doesn’t require a lot of force to click close.
The lid of the FoodSaver VS-0160 doesn’t require a lot of force to click close.
The lid of the FoodSaver VS-0160 doesn’t require a lot of force to click close.
Despite not having bag hooks, feeding a new plastic bag into the FoodSaver VS-0160 and aligning it with the vacuum channel is quite easy.

Safety & Noise

10
8.0
The Nesco VS-12 is on the louder side. According to our noise level meter, the suction motor could get as loud as 83.4 dBA, like during this dry food test.
The Nesco VS-12 is on the louder side. According to our noise level meter, the suction motor could get as loud as 83.4 dBA, like during this dry food test.
During a dry food test, we measured a peak loudness of 77.9 dBA for the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer.
During a dry food test, we measured a peak loudness of 77.9 dBA for the FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer.
Maximum Noise Level
83.4 dBA
77.9 dBA

Indicator Lights and Chime

9.5
7.0
The small LED screen that indicates the sealer’s progress on the control panel.
The FoodSaver VS-0160 vacuum sealer’s control panel with the indicator lights lit up. The light will pulse depending on what phase of the working cycle it’s performing at the moment.
Number of Indicators
9
2
Progress Bar
Yes
No
Chime
No
No

Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Matthew Lee
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.

Headshot of Lap Vo
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.

Headshot of Nguyen Ntk
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.

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