Already picking up converts at Amazon.com.

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By Sam Ramsey "Sam" (Minneapolis, MN United States)

Former Reynolds Handi-Vac user here. I like the Handi-Vac, but the bags are no longer for sale at any stores around here. Saw the Ziploc Vacuum Pump at a local store for a few bucks and decided to give it a shot. This review will focus on comparing the two since they are a similar product.

Key points:

* Ziplock pump does not use batteries; it is a manual pump. Reynolds Handi-vac is a battery hog.
* Ziploc pump is extremely easy to use. Doesn't require you to find a "sweet spot" like the Reynolds one. Takes maybe 3-4 pumps to get all the air out of a bag. With the Reynolds pump you sometimes have to sit and fiddle with the position of the bag/pump to get it just right before it will start vacuuming the air out (all while wasting battery life). This is a non-issue with the Ziploc vacuum.
* The Ziploc bags are much higher quality than the Reynolds bags. They just seem thicker/more durable.
* Cost of replacement bags isn't bad. $2.75 for them on sale locally
* Ziploc vacuum can be disassembled to clean it in the event that you vacuum liquids into it.
* The Reynolds Handi-Vac works with the Ziploc vacuum bags (but not vice-versa), I don't know that you get a better seal with one pump or the other. This is worth mentioning in case any Handi-Vac users can't find replacement bags -- the Ziploc bags work fine with it.

I really have no complaints at all. It is smaller, easier to use, doesn't require batteries, and the bags are higher quality than the Reynolds bags. I'm of the belief that simple designs are far superior when they work. This thing is about as simple as it can get and works great. No need to spend $100 on a commercial food vacuum when this thing does the job and only costs a few dollars. Definitely a winner.