The fastest places to buy vacuum seal bags
You can buy vacuum seal bags at big-box retailers like Walmart and Target, online at Amazon, or directly from appliance manufacturers. The choice depends on whether you need them today, want the lowest price, or prefer a specific brand that matches your sealer. Most people find what they need within a few clicks or a short drive.
Brick-and-mortar stores stock bags in their kitchen or storage sections, usually near food storage containers. Online retailers offer wider selection and often lower per-bag costs when you buy in bulk. Specialty kitchen stores and restaurant supply shops carry commercial-grade bags if you seal frequently or need larger sizes.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart, Target, and grocery stores carry vacuum bags in their kitchen sections, with prices typically between $0.10 and $0.25 per bag depending on size and quantity.
- Amazon and other online retailers often have lower per-bag costs when you buy boxes of 50 or 100, plus they deliver to your door.
- Manufacturer websites like Foodsaver sell bags designed specifically for their sealer models, ensuring compatibility without guessing.
- Restaurant supply stores and Costco offer bulk options at the lowest per-unit cost if you seal food regularly.
- Generic bags work with most sealers, but checking your machine's manual confirms which sizes and types your model accepts.
National retailers that stock vacuum bags in-store
Walmart carries vacuum seal bags in multiple sizes and quantities, usually in the food storage or kitchen organization aisle. Prices range from around $5 for a small box of 20 bags to $15 for larger multipacks. Target stocks similar options, often with their Good & Gather brand alongside name brands like Foodsaver.
Most grocery store chains — including Kroger, Safeway, and Publix — keep vacuum bags near plastic wraps and food storage containers. Availability varies by location, and specialty grocery stores may stock only premium or organic-certified bags. If you need bags today and do not want to order online, these are your fastest options, though per-bag cost is usually higher than buying in bulk.
Amazon and online retailers
Amazon carries dozens of vacuum bag brands and sizes, with prices often lower than retail stores when you buy in bulk. A box of 100 quart-sized bags typically costs $12 to $18, which works out to roughly $0.12 to $0.18 per bag. Shipping is often free with Prime membership, and you can reorder the same product with one click once you know what works with your sealer.
Other online options include eBay, Walmart.com, and Target.com, which sometimes offer lower prices than their physical stores. Specialty kitchen retailers like Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table stock premium bags if you prefer thicker material or specific brands. Read the product description carefully to confirm the bag size matches your sealer — quart, gallon, and extra-large are not interchangeable.
Buying directly from sealer manufacturers
Foodsaver, the largest vacuum sealer brand, sells bags on its official website and through authorized retailers. Buying from the manufacturer guarantees the bags are designed for your specific sealer model, which eliminates compatibility questions. Foodsaver bags tend to cost more per unit than generic alternatives — roughly $0.20 to $0.30 per bag — but they are engineered to work with Foodsaver machines.
Other sealer brands like Nesco, Weston, and Hamilton Beach sell bags through their own websites and Amazon. If your sealer came with a model number, searching that number plus "vacuum bags" on the manufacturer's site will show you the exact product they recommend. Some manufacturers offer subscription services where bags are shipped automatically every few months, which can be convenient if you seal food regularly.
Bulk and warehouse options
Costco sells vacuum seal bags in bulk at the lowest per-unit cost, typically $0.08 to $0.12 per bag when you buy a box of 100 or more. You need a Costco membership to shop in-store, but Costco.com allows non-members to order online with a small markup. Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club offer similar bulk pricing on their own brands and name brands.
Restaurant supply stores like Restaurant Depot and WebstaurantStore sell commercial-grade vacuum bags in large quantities, often at prices lower than warehouse clubs. These bags are thicker and designed for heavy use, which makes them worth the cost if you seal food multiple times a week. Minimum orders may explore, and you may need a business license or membership to shop in person, though online ordering is usually open to anyone.
Generic bags versus brand-name bags
Generic vacuum bags work with most sealers and cost 30 to 50 percent less than brand-name bags. They are made from the same plastic material and have the same seal strip, so performance is nearly identical for home use. The main difference is thickness — generic bags are often slightly thinner, which can matter if you are storing food for months or freezing items with sharp edges.
Brand-name bags like Foodsaver are thicker and designed to prevent freezer burn over longer storage periods. If you seal food occasionally or for short-term storage, generic bags are a sensible choice. If you seal frequently or store food for six months or longer, the extra cost of thicker bags may prevent waste. Check your sealer's manual to see which bag types it accepts — some older models work only with specific brands.
What to check before you buy
The most important detail is bag size: quart-sized bags are roughly 7 by 8 inches, gallon-sized bags are roughly 10 by 12 inches, and extra-large bags are 11 by 16 inches or larger. Your sealer's width determines which sizes it can seal — if your machine is 12 inches wide, it can seal gallon and extra-large bags but not quart bags. The product listing should state the bag dimensions; if it does not, check the manufacturer's website or call customer service before ordering.
Look for bags with a textured or embossed seal strip, which creates a stronger seal than smooth plastic. Bags labeled "freezer bags" or "food storage bags" are designed to prevent freezer burn and are worth the small extra cost if you freeze items. Some bags come with a zipper in addition to the seal strip, which lets you open and reseal the bag without a sealer — useful if you want to check contents without breaking the seal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any brand of vacuum bag with my sealer?
Most vacuum sealers work with any brand of bag as long as the size matches your machine's width. Check your sealer's manual to confirm the compatible bag sizes. Some older or specialty sealers may require specific brands, so if you are unsure, contact the manufacturer before buying generic bags.
Are vacuum bags recyclable?
Most vacuum bags are made from polyethylene plastic and can be recycled through curbside programs or drop-off centers, though many programs prefer you rinse them first. Check your local recycling guidelines, as some programs do not accept thin plastic films. Reusing bags is not recommended because the seal strip loses effectiveness after one use.
What is the difference between quart and gallon bags?
Quart bags are smaller (roughly 7 by 8 inches) and hold about one to two cups of food, while gallon bags are larger (roughly 10 by 12 inches) and hold three to four cups. Your sealer's width determines which you can use — measure your machine's sealing strip to see if it is wide enough for gallon bags. For most home sealers, gallon bags are the standard choice.
Do I need to buy bags from the same brand as my sealer?
No. Generic bags work with most sealers and cost less. Brand-name bags are thicker and may prevent freezer burn better over long storage, but for occasional use, generic bags perform just as well. Always check that the bag size matches your sealer's width before ordering.
Where is the cheapest place to buy vacuum bags?
Costco and Sam's Club offer the lowest per-bag cost when you buy in bulk, typically $0.08 to $0.12 per bag. Restaurant supply stores are even cheaper for very large orders. Online retailers like Amazon are cheaper than grocery stores but more expensive than warehouse clubs unless you buy in large quantities.