I tested a $13 chip bag sealer to see how fresh it could keep my precious snacks


A bag of potato chips or old crackers is also good manure. Spending good money on food only to watch it wilt or become mushy is grim, and those delicate bags often don’t reseal as they should.

While there are sealed bags that accompany it Air removal devicesNothing compares to the efficiency and ease of a hand-held bag sealing machine. That is, if they work. These simple tools are designed to combine the open ends of plastic containers with rapid heat to extend the shelf life and overall quality of food.

I tested two of the top-rated models on Amazon to determine which one deserves a permanent place in my kitchen. Here’s how they stack up.

Devices

Side by side bag sealers

My little collection of bag sealing machines, ready for testing.

Joey Skladani/CNET

Upon opening each package, I was surprised to see that both models offer additional capabilities beyond sealing. Each uses USB-C for charging (with included cable).

BBDYOY Three-in-one mini bag sealer

$12.99 on Amazon

The bag seal and charger are on the table

This cheap bag sealer reached temperature almost instantly.

Joey Skladani/CNET

Special Features: Small size, bag cutter, magnet

Goodness:

  • Small size: This was preferable to the Aedicce, which seemed a bit bulky. They also take up less space in a drawer or shelf.
  • Sealing surface area: The chamber where the edge of the bag goes is deeper, making the device easier to use.
  • No preheating: Unlike the Aedicce model, the BBDYOY heats up almost instantly.
  • Cutter: It’s sharper than the Aedicce and opens bags easier.
  • Comes with two free gifts: The company has included two resealable backpack style bags, which are super great for kids’ school lunches.

The bad:

  • Instructions are not in English: While the illustrations were easy enough to decipher, the Mandarin characters can be a bit intimidating for anyone who considers themselves a technophobe.
  • Difficulty in closing bags lined with aluminum foil: I had trouble closing bags with foil-lined interiors.

He adds Four-in-one mini bag sealer

$15.99 on Amazon

Seal the bag on the table

The Aedicce took longer to heat up, but worked well once it did.

Joey Skladani/CNET

Special Features: Bag cutter, hanging hook/bottle opener, built-in light, magnet

Goodness

  • Multiple functions: In addition to sealing, this device holds, opens bottles and provides emergency light, giving customers more bang for their buck.
  • Stronger seal: Although it takes longer to heat up, I did notice that the seal was a little stronger than the BBDYOY.
  • Power indicator light: You’ll know when your battery power is running low, so you don’t run out in the middle of use.
  • High quality: It looks and feels more expensive than the BBDYOY model.

Bag sealer seal a plastic bag of granola

Both devices work well for sealing plastic bags.

Joey Skladani/CNET

The bad

  • It’s fairly expensive: At $16, this is definitely a much higher investment than a standard bag clip.
  • Difficulty in closing bags lined with aluminum foil: I had the same problem as BBDYOY and had trouble closing this type of bag.

A slightly open bag of chips photographed from above

Both devices had trouble creating a tight seal on foil bags with a layer of vaporized aluminum.

Joey Skladani/CNET

Final thoughts

Potato slice in front of the open bag

I will do my best to keep my chips and cookies fresh. Electric bag sealers are not expensive, but as I’ve found, they only work on certain types of packaging.

Pinback S./Getty Images

While both models work well with standard plastic fusing, they are not as successful at sealing the metal film commonly used in foil bags. My assumption is that this material is harder to melt and, ultimately, fuse together.

Although disappointing, it wouldn’t stop me from purchasing either product, as the plastic clips can only do so much to keep the bags closed and air-free. And it was said Vacuum sealer It will make any portable device pale in comparison and should be an option for bulky items or long-term freezer storage.

Both bag releasers I tested performed equally well, creating a tight clip on plastic bags but had difficulty sealing anything with a layer of vaporized aluminum. So, you can’t go wrong with either option. Splurge a little on the Aedicce if you want extra tools, but the BBDYOY works just as well and fits into smaller spaces when not in use.



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