The Most Common Places to Buy Vacuum Seal Bags
Vacuum seal bags are sold at most grocery stores, big-box retailers, and online marketplaces. The easiest route depends on whether you need them today or can wait for delivery, and whether you want to compare brands before buying.
Grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods stock vacuum bags in the food storage aisle, usually near plastic wrap and freezer bags. Quantities are typically small — 20 to 50 bags per box — and prices run higher per bag than bulk options. Target and Walmart carry them in both the kitchen section and online. Amazon and other online retailers offer larger quantities at lower per-bag cost, but you pay for shipping unless you have a membership.
Specialty kitchen stores and restaurant supply shops sell commercial-grade bags in bulk. These are thicker and more durable than grocery-store versions, which matters if you vacuum-seal frequently or store food for months. Restaurant supply stores like WebstaurantStore and Sam's Club require membership or business registration, but prices per bag drop significantly at volume.
Key Takeaways
- Grocery stores and Walmart have vacuum bags in stock today, but in smaller quantities and at higher per-bag prices than online bulk options.
- Amazon, Costco, and Sam's Club sell larger boxes at lower cost per bag, but require membership or shipping time.
- Bag thickness matters: thinner bags work for short-term freezing, while thicker commercial-grade bags last longer and resist punctures.
- Specialty kitchen retailers and restaurant supply sites offer the widest range of sizes and seal types, from small quart bags to large gallon and custom sizes.
Grocery Stores and General Retailers
If you need bags within the hour, your local grocery store is the fastest option. Most supermarkets stock FoodSaver brand and store-brand vacuum bags in the food storage or freezer section. Expect to pay $4 to $8 per box of 20 to 50 bags, which works out to roughly 10 to 40 cents per bag.
Walmart and Target carry the same brands online and in-store. Walmart's Great Value brand bags are cheaper than name brands but thinner, so they work for shorter storage periods. Target stocks FoodSaver and Glad brands. Both retailers offer in-store pickup if you order online, which saves shipping time.
The downside is limited selection. Most grocery stores carry only gallon and quart sizes, and usually just one or two brands. If you want pint-sized bags, roll bags, or specialty types like marinating bags, you will need to order online.
Warehouse Clubs and Bulk Retailers
Costco and Sam's Club sell vacuum bags in bulk boxes of 100 to 200 bags at the lowest per-bag price. A box of 100 gallon-size bags costs roughly $15 to $20 at Costco, or about 15 to 20 cents per bag — half the grocery-store price. Both clubs require membership, but the savings add up if you vacuum-seal regularly.
Costco stocks FoodSaver brand bags year-round. Sam's Club carries both FoodSaver and Great Value. Warehouse clubs also carry commercial-grade bags that are thicker than grocery-store versions, which means they resist punctures better and keep food fresh longer.
The trade-off is that you must buy in bulk and have storage space. If you use bags infrequently, a smaller grocery-store box may be more practical.
Online Retailers and Specialty Stores
Amazon sells vacuum bags from dozens of brands in quantities from 50 to 500 bags per box. Prices range from 5 cents to 20 cents per bag depending on brand, thickness, and quantity. Prime members get free two-day shipping, which makes Amazon competitive with warehouse clubs even without membership.
Specialty kitchen retailers like Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table stock premium vacuum bags and offer detailed product descriptions. These bags are often thicker and more durable than grocery-store versions, but cost more per bag. WebstaurantStore and other restaurant supply sites sell commercial-grade bags in bulk and offer custom sizes like 6-inch by 9-inch or 8-inch by 12-inch, which grocery stores do not carry.
Online shopping lets you compare brands, read reviews, and order exactly the size and quantity you need. The downside is shipping time — most orders take three to seven business days — and you cannot inspect the bags before buying.
Bag Types and What to Look For
Vacuum bags come in three main types: gallon-size (roughly 10 inches by 12 inches), quart-size (roughly 8 inches by 8 inches), and pint-size (roughly 6 inches by 6 inches). Gallon bags hold large cuts of meat or multiple portions. Quart bags work for individual meals or smaller items. Pint bags are best for herbs, spices, or small snacks.
Thickness matters more than brand. Bags labeled 3 mil (3 thousandths of an inch) are standard grocery-store thickness and work for freezing food for two to three months. Bags labeled 5 mil or thicker are commercial-grade and resist punctures better, making them worth the extra cost if you store food longer or handle it roughly.
Some bags have a textured seal strip that grips better than smooth plastic, which reduces seal failures. Roll bags — long sheets you cut to size — cost less per bag but require a vacuum sealer with a bag-roll attachment. Pre-cut bags are more convenient but more expensive.
Comparing Price Per Bag Across Retailers
| Retailer | Typical Box Size | Typical Price | Cost Per Bag | When to Buy Here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery store | 20–50 bags | $4–$8 | $0.10–$0.40 | You need bags today |
| Walmart / Target | 30–50 bags | $5–$9 | $0.10–$0.30 | You want in-store pickup |
| Costco | 100–200 bags | $15–$25 | $0.08–$0.15 | You have a membership and use bags regularly |
| Sam's Club | 100–200 bags | $15–$25 | $0.08–$0.15 | You have a membership and want bulk pricing |
| Amazon | 50–500 bags | $8–$50 | $0.05–$0.20 | You have Prime and want selection or bulk |
| Restaurant supply | 100–1000 bags | $20–$100 | $0.05–$0.15 | You want commercial-grade or custom sizes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular freezer bags instead of vacuum seal bags?
Regular freezer bags work for short-term storage but do not seal as tightly as vacuum bags. They allow air and moisture to enter over time, which causes freezer burn and shortens shelf life to two to three months. Vacuum bags remove air before sealing, which keeps food fresh for six months to a year.
Are store-brand vacuum bags as good as FoodSaver brand?
Store brands work fine for occasional use, but are usually thinner and more prone to seal failures. FoodSaver and commercial-grade bags have thicker plastic and textured seal strips that grip better. If you vacuum-seal frequently or store food for months, the extra cost of a thicker bag pays off in fewer failures.
Do I need special bags for my vacuum sealer?
Most vacuum sealers work with any brand of pre-cut bags, as long as the bags are designed for vacuum sealing. Roll bags require a sealer with a bag-roll slot. Check your sealer's manual to confirm which types it accepts. Bags designed for other purposes — like storage bags or freezer bags — will not seal properly.
What is the difference between gallon and quart bags?
Gallon bags are roughly 10 inches by 12 inches and hold large items like whole chicken breasts or multiple meal portions. Quart bags are roughly 8 inches by 8 inches and work for single meals or smaller cuts. Pint bags are 6 inches by 6 inches and suit herbs, spices, or snacks. Choose based on what you plan to store.
Where can I find specialty sizes like 6-by-9-inch bags?
Specialty sizes are sold by restaurant supply retailers like WebstaurantStore, Amazon, and some specialty kitchen stores. Grocery stores and warehouse clubs stock only standard gallon and quart sizes. If you need a specific size, order online — most retailers offer custom dimensions.