GoKawiilIf you're anything like me, a trip to the grocery store is a joy ride for the taste buds. As soon as I get home, I tear into my finds and determine what will take priority when the urge to snack or nosh strikes.
The result, unfortunately, is a sea of open bags that quickly lose their crunch and freshness. Chips and pretzels, for example, become stale, while bagged produce begins to wilt and brown.
While there are vacuum-sealed bags and accompanying air-removal devices, nothing compares to the efficiency and ease of a handheld sealer. These simple gadgets are designed to fuse the open ends of plastic containers using quick heat to prolong food's shelf life and general tastiness.
My small cohort of bag sealers, ready for testing. Joey Skladany/CNET
I tested two of the highest-rated models on Amazon to determine which deserves a permanent place in my kitchen. Here's how they stacked up.
The devices
Upon opening each package, I was surprised to see that both models offer additional capabilities beyond sealing. Each uses USB-C for charging (with a cable included).
BBDYOY three-in-one mini bag sealer
$12.99 on Amazon
This cheaper bag sealer came to temperature almost immediately. Joey Skladany/CNET
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