By Glenda Taylor | Updated Mar 1, 2022 5:09 PM

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Whether you’re looking to compress pillows or you’re packing for a vacation, vacuum storage bags can help save space in your closet or bag. Whether storing food in your freezer or pantry or compressing hanging clothes, storage space is at a premium, so it makes good sense to conserve as much room as possible.

The best vacuum storage bag should be strong, have leak-resistant seals, and be of adequate size for the things you want to store. Check out this guide for some of the best storage bags available and some tips on how to use them.

Vacuum storage bags work in two different ways. One type requires a sealing machine to remove excess air and permanently heat-seal the bag shut. The other type necessitates drawing air from the bag via a hand pump or vacuum nozzle before the user manually seals the bag. The best method to use depends on the items you’re storing.

You may be able to extend the shelf life (or freezer life) of perishable foods by about three to five times if you store them in a vacuum-sealed bag. Vacuum sealed pantry items such as dry rice, beans, or other grains will deter critters such as moths and weevils. Storing food is trickier than storing garments and linens, however, as it’s essential to get as much air as possible out of the bag to keep food from spoiling.

A machine that sucks the air out of the bag and then heat-seals the opening is a great way to preserve food products for storage. These machines work with individual plastic bags or rolls of plastic that can be cut to the desired length for the amount of food being stored. Just place the food into the bag and then insert the open end into the sealing machine. The machine draws all the air out and then seals the opening so no air can get back in.

Clothing, quilts, and blankets can be flattened to a fraction of their size in quality vacuum bags that feature heavy-duty, ziplock openings. Simply fill the bag, zip it shut, and attach a vacuum hose nozzle or hand pump to a round port on the bag’s side. Draw out all the air, and when the contents are compressed, quickly seal the port with its included tab or screw top.

Now that you know about the types of space-saver bags available, you may need some advice on what they can do, store, and how big they are. Before ordering storage bags, consider the following:

Vacuum storage bags are great for compressing soft items, but they can also be used to store hard things, such as kids’ toys or other items with many small pieces. They are also handy to store and protect flat items such as laptops or books for waterproof and dustproof safekeeping during a move.

Certain items should not be stored in vacuum space-saver bags, especially for an extended period, because the compression may affect their ability to decompress. Natural fibers, such as wool or the down filling found in coats and comforters, might not regain their original shape after prolonged storage in vacuum bags.

Vacuum storing for a couple of weeks during a move should be fine, but you may not want to store wool or down-filled items for longer periods (several months) in vacuum bags. Also avoid vacuum storing leather items, which could become permanently creased or wrinkled if pressure sealed. Store your leather and suede items in a traditional garment bag.

The following sizes are standard in vacuum space-saver bags, and you can purchase the bags in sets of just one size or sets of various sizes. Depending on the manufacturer, sizes may vary slightly.

Food storage vacuum bags that come with a ribbed or textured surface are typically only compatible with a specific sealing machine brand and may not work in different machines. Generic storage bags may also fit only specific machines, so make sure the bags you’re buying will work in your sealing machine.

To qualify as a Top Pick, a vacuum storage bag should be strong and durable, able to hold a seal without leaking, and easy to use. The following products are meant for various purposes, but each one can make good use of available storage space or keep foods usable longer.

If your goal is to flatten garments and other fabric or textile items for storage while keeping the air out the whole time, check out this set of eight BoxLegend Premium Vacuum Storage Bags. The set includes two bags in each of four sizes: small (24 inches by 16 inches), medium (28 inches by 20 inches), large (32 inches by 24 inches), and jumbo (40 inches by 28 inches).

When ready to store, simply place items in the bag, smoothing them out as flat as possible, and then close the zipper and remove air from the bag using a household vacuum fitted to a special hose adapter (included). Once the air leaves the bag, closing the valve cover creates a tight seal; the triple-turbo valve does a solid job of keeping air from reentering the bag.

A set of GONGSHI Vacuum Storage Bags includes 12 durable bags, as well as a hand vacuum pump, at an attractive price point. The set contains three bags in four sizes: small (24 inches by 16 inches), medium (28 inches by 20 inches), large (32 inches by 24 inches), and jumbo (40 inches by 30 inches), providing plenty of storage for clothing and bedding.

Place items in the bag and smooth them out evenly before sealing the bag with the zipper slider, then use the hand pump to draw as much air out as possible. Attach the seal cover and the triple-seal valve will keep air from reentering the bag.

It’s disappointing to pull leftovers out of the freezer only to find them no longer fit to eat. VacYaYa Quart Vacuum Freezer Storage Bags could put an end to such food waste. Freezing meat, vegetables, and casseroles requires food-grade plastic bags that won’t degrade at frigid temperatures. Plus, food sealed in airtight bags develops frost less easily while stored in the freezer.

This set of 200 VacYaYa BPA-free bags comes in quart size, but you can get gallon and pint sizes as well. Using VacYaYa vacuum bags requires a standard food sealer, such as FoodSaver or NutriChef (sold separately). Place food in the bag, and then insert the open end into the machine, which sucks out the air and then heat-seals the bag so no air can reenter.

Heavy flannel sheets, poly-filled comforters, and snuggly bedspreads can take up a lot of room in the linen closet when not in use. Spacesaver Premium Vacuum Bags can help reduce the bulk of heavy bedding and keep it in top shape until it’s time to use it once again.

Spacesaver offers a six-pack of jumbo bags, each is approximately 40 inches by 28 inches in size which should fit one large comforter. After items go into the bag, use the included hand pump or an attached nozzle from a standard vacuum cleaner to remove excess air before closing it for an airtight seal.

Protect clothes such as dress coats or a wedding gown while still on their hangers, while freeing up closet space, with the SunHorde Hanging Vacuum Storage Bags. Special garments are best stored hanging, and these bags will reduce the amount of room they take up while protecting them from moth or other insect damage.

You’ll put each clean, dry item on a hanger before slipping into a 51.1-inch by 27.6-inch SunHorde bag and attaching the hanging loop provided at the top. Then use the nozzle of a standard vacuum cleaner hose to remove excess air before locking the seal to prevent air from reentering. Two or three clothing items often fit into a single bag, depending on size.

Buying food in bulk saves money, but oversized boxes tend to take up space on pantry shelves. With Wevac Vacuum Sealer storage bags, you can divide dry good staples (like rice, beans, pasta, and even sugar and flour) into smaller portions, seal to preserve them, and then recycle those bulky boxes. BPA-free Wevac bags come in a continuous, 50-foot-long roll and a choice of 8-inch or 11-inch widths.

They work with existing suction vacuum sealers such as Mueller or Nesco. Simply cut the desired bag size from the roll and heat-seal one end with the machine, and then fill with food and insert the open end to suction and seal, according to the machine’s instructions. Plus, each bag has patented suction channels to protect your food from freezer burn.

Those with a lot of large blankets, pillows, and mattress pads may appreciate SUOCO’s set of Jumbo Vacuum Storage Bags, which measure a mighty 30 inches by 40 inches. While many storage bag sets come in a variety of sizes, storing many large items may require more than a few jumbo bags; this set includes eight.

For best results, fill the bags and then smooth the items before closing the no-leak zipper and using a standard vacuum cleaner’s nozzle to suction out the air. Triple-seal valves prevent air from reentering to keep your bulky items thin and flat.

If you prefer to travel with a favorite pillow or blanket but find it a challenge to fit these items in your suitcase, AirBaker Vacuum Storage Bags may be the solution. Available in jumbo (39.3 inches by 31.5 inches), large (31.5 inches by 23.6 inches), and small (27.5 inches by 19.5 inches) sizes, these bags free up lots of luggage space—and if you’re the type of traveler who shops a lot while away, the bags can come in handy to flatten purchases for the return trip.

Of course, AirBakers can be used in a closet or storage bin as well. Smoothed-out items go into an AirBaker bag before closing the airtight zipper and then using the included hand pump to remove excess air.

With so many vacuum seal bags on the market, it can be hard to know which one will solve your storage problems. One of the best options overall is the BoxLegend pack which comes with 8 bags total in sizes small, medium, large, and jumbo bags as well as a hose adapter. Alternatively, for a budget-friendly option, the GONGSHI pack comes with 12 bags of small, medium, large, and jumbo sizes for those that need ample storage in large or small spaces.

We researched the most sought-after vacuum storage bags in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by their size, quantity included, compatible materials and intended use, and other special features included by select brands.

While searching for the best vacuum seal bags, it became apparent that manual seal options were the most popular for their ease of use and airtight seal when storing clothing, bedding, hanging clothing, and other linens. Though not as popular, the bags that require sealing machines are also viable options for food storage. For added convenience, each of the above picks includes multiple bags, with some even incorporating varying sizes.

To ensure our list included the best, versatile picks, some manual seal storage bags also include hand pumps and vacuum attachments to make the sealing process easier, while the other bags on this list may require a separately-sold sealing machine. No matter the type, some of these vacuum seal bags include triple-seal valves and built-in zippers to maintain a tight seal.

If you’d like more information before buying and using vacuuming storage bags, consider the answers to the following questions.

Many communities do not permit plastic storage bags to be put in curbside recycling bins. Still, you may be able to take them to a local grocery or hardware store that collects plastic of this type for recycling. Bags should be clean and dry before placing them in a collection bin.

For food safety purposes, you cannot reuse food storage bags. You can, however, reuse bags for storing clothing and blankets.

When correctly sealed, both vacuum food storage and vacuum non-food storage bags are airtight and waterproof.

The seal will last as long as the plastic material is in good shape, which can be a year or longer. However, if the bag is exposed to bright sunlight, it may degrade more quickly, causing the seal to fail.

Do not store leather, wool, and feather-filled items in vacuum bags. The intense compression may give them permanent wrinkles, or they may be unable to fluff back up.

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