LEM MaxVac Pro review: the compact 1745 chamber sealer, and when the Pro+ 1380 is worth it

By the OpticVerdict Editorial Team.
Research-based review · Updated 2026-10-08

How we reviewed it: a research-based review built from LEM's own sources, all read on 8 October 2026: the MaxVac Pro (1745) and MaxVac Pro+ (1380) product pages, LEM's Chamber Sealer Workshop FAQ, the 1380 use and maintenance manual (March 2024) and the 1745 use and maintenance manual. We add the OpticsPlanet listing, which sells both models, and its one customer review. We cite no independent test of either machine, and no award. We have not used these sealers ourselves; the score is our editorial opinion. See how we evaluate.

Two LEM sealers on one listing

OpticsPlanet sells both machines on one listing called "MaxVac Pro Chamber Vacuum Sealer", as two rows: MPN 1745 and MPN 1380. LEM itself names them differently. The 1745 is the "MaxVac Pro Chamber Vacuum Sealer"; the 1380 is the "MaxVac Pro+ Chamber Vacuum Sealer", although the video titles on LEM's own 1380 page still call it the MaxVac Pro. When you read a forum thread or a review that says "MaxVac Pro", check which of the two it means: they are very different machines.

One more trap. The spec block on the OpticsPlanet listing is not tied to either model: it gives a weight of 22.5 lb (LEM's figure for the 1745), a height of 17.92 in (LEM's figure for the 1380) and a power of 0.75 HP, which we did not find on either LEM product page or in either LEM manual. Every specification on this page is LEM's, from the product page or manual of the model it sits under.

MaxVac Pro (1745): the compact one

LEM marks the 1745 as a new arrival on its site. Per LEM's product page it has a stainless steel housing with a glass lid, measures 13.9 x 14.29 x 8.58 in and weighs 22.5 lb. The chamber is 11.24 x 11.81 in and 3.93 in deep, and the 11.42-inch seal bar makes dual 2.5 mm seals. LEM's page says it takes bags up to 11 in wide; the manual says up to 11.42 in. Vacuum time adjusts from 15 to 60 seconds and seal time from 3 to 9 seconds, and a digital light bar shows the vacuum progress. LEM gives 320 W overall, a 180 W pump, ETL approval and a 4 ft cord.

• No oil. LEM lists a "Maintenance-free pump - no oil needed".
• Marinate. Per LEM's page the Marinate function runs 3 times consecutively without sealing; the manual gives the default as 3 cycles of 60 seconds of vacuum and a 10-second rest.
• Canister port. A port inside the chamber, with the vacuum hose included, for canisters and LEM's Canning Jar Sealer; the manual says canisters, the jar sealer kit and jars are sold separately.
• External sealing. For food too large for the chamber (the manual names whole fish and loins of meat), you can seal a bag outside the machine across the seal bar, but the manual says this works only with bags that have a textured interior surface.
• Jars. LEM's product page says the chamber takes canning jars (quart, pint or jelly) laying down; the manual describes sealing a pint or jelly jar on its side.
• Bags. The manual lists chamber sealer bags, textured vacuum sealer bags and Mylar bags between 3 and 7 mil, and says not to use household bags.

For vacuum, LEM's product page lists "180W motor pulls (-0.95) bar". We print LEM's wording and do not convert it to other units.

OpticsPlanet row MPN 1745: around $550.

MaxVac Pro+ (1380): the oil-pump one

The 1380 is a different class of machine. Per LEM's product page: stainless steel housing with a clear Lucite lid on a hinged, lid-locking mechanism, 14.44 x 19.18 x 17.92 in, 88 lb, a heavy-duty 1/4 HP oil pump, 560 W and a 6 ft cord. The chamber is 13.25 x 16 in and 3.25 in deep, the seal bar is 10.25 in with 3 mm and 1 mm seals, and it takes bags up to 10 in wide (the manual: up to 13 x 10 in). LEM gives the vacuum as "29.5 Hg pump", maximum vacuum time as 99 seconds and maximum seal time as 3.5 seconds.

• Presets. Three editable preset buttons for Meat/Fish, Liquid and Dry food. The manual's defaults are 38, 48 and 37 seconds of vacuum, each with a 1.8-second seal. LEM's page adds digital control of vacuum pressure, seal time and sealing temperature, and a stop button.
• Oil to look after. Oil goes in before first use, and the manual asks you to check the level before each use and keep it between half and three quarters full, warning that too much or too little can damage the motor. The machine comes with two 125 ml bottles of oil, per the manual.
• The lid lifts itself. The manual says the lid lifts automatically when the cycle is complete, so keep the area around it clear.
• Overload reset. The manual describes a circuit breaker that trips if the pump overloads, with a reset button.
• No marinate button, no seal-only mode. LEM's page says the 1380 is "ideal for marinating", but its control panel has no dedicated marinate button, and LEM's FAQ says it has no seal-only function: to seal roll material narrower than 10 in, you edit a preset down to 10 seconds of vacuum. LEM documents external sealing and the canister hose only for the 1745.
• Lid switch. LEM's FAQ explains how to adjust the lid microswitch bracket if the 1380 does not start when the lid is closed.

OpticsPlanet row MPN 1380, listed by OpticsPlanet as "Clear Lid, Stainless Base": around $1,100, about twice the 1745 on our two cards. We have no photo we can show to be the 1380, so this card has none.

30 seals or hundreds: the difference that decides it

LEM's Chamber Sealer Workshop FAQ answers the question most buyers should ask first, how long you can run the sealer without a break:

“The 1745 MaxVac Pro should be rested after 30 continuous seals. The oil pump based 1380 MaxVac Pro+ can handle hundreds of seals.”

LEM Products, Chamber Sealer Workshop FAQ

The 1745 manual adds: "We recommend waiting for 40 seconds between sealing cycles." The same FAQ answer, in a sentence that names neither model, advises waiting 30 seconds between seal cycles so the heating elements cool and do not over-seal or burn through bags. Neither is a hard lockout in LEM's wording; they are LEM's recommendations. If your sessions run to a few dozen bags, the 1745 fits LEM's limit. If you process whole animals in one sitting, LEM's own numbers point to the 1380.

"Commercial-grade" or domestic use?

LEM's two kinds of documents do not say the same thing here. The 1380 product page calls it "commercial-grade". Both the 1380 and the 1745 manuals say: "Indoor use only. Domestic use only." and that improper use voids the warranty. We go by the manuals: treat both as home machines, and do not buy the 1380 for a shop or a restaurant on the strength of the product page.

Altitude and power

Both manuals say the machines work best at elevations at or under 1600 ft, and that at higher elevations you may notice a weaker vacuum. The 1745 manual suggests increasing vacuum time to compensate. Both manuals call for a dedicated 110/120V AC supply, so both plug into a standard US outlet; the 1380 manual's rating label reads 110V 60Hz, and LEM's page lists the 1380 as CE certified. The 1380 is heavy: its manual asks for a level, sturdy, stable surface that can support its weight.

Sealing liquids

Sealing soups and stews is the main reason to buy a chamber sealer, and LEM's FAQ gives the method: chill the liquid in the fridge first so it does not boil at room temperature under vacuum, and wipe any moisture off the top of the bag so the seal bar closes it completely. The manuals ask for 2-3 inches of head space, and the 1380 manual says to keep bags with liquids below the height of the seal bar.

What owners report: one review

The OpticsPlanet listing has one review, five stars, from a Verified Owner from TX, written in February 2025. It is a review of the listing, and it does not name the model, so we do not assign it to the 1745 or the 1380. The reviewer writes: "This thing is a beast." They report vacuum sealing around 50 lb of summer sausage without stopping to let the machine cool down, and add: "My favorite part is the ability to vacuum seal liquids like soups."

One review, over a year old and for an unnamed model, is not a pattern. The weight of this page is LEM's specifications and LEM's own rules, not owner sentiment. We could not use customer ratings from LEM's site: none were visible on either product page when we read them.

Warranty: mail the card

LEM's product pages give the 1745 a 2-year warranty and the 1380 a 5-year warranty, each with lifetime customer support. Both manuals add conditions:

• The warranty card must be filled out and returned with a copy of the receipt. If you do not return it, the warranty is limited to 90 days with proof of purchase.
• The warranty covers the original purchaser only.
• For the 1745, the manual calls the Teflon tape, heat seal bar and silicone gasket consumable parts, not covered by the warranty. A spare heat seal bar and chamber gasket come in the box, and LEM sells replacement gaskets.

Trade-offs, plainly

• 1745: LEM says rest it after 30 continuous seals, and recommends 40 seconds between cycles.
• 1380: 88 lb and 17.92 in tall, with oil to fill and check before each use.
• Both: "Domestic use only" in the manuals, despite "commercial-grade" on the 1380 page.
• Both: 90-day warranty unless the card goes back with the receipt.
• Both: weaker vacuum above 1600 ft, per LEM.
• One OpticsPlanet review for the whole listing, model not named.

Key specifications: 1745 vs 1380

Specifications are LEM's, from each model's product page and manual, labelled where LEM's documents differ. The OpticsPlanet spec block mixes the two models and is not used. No editorial award is claimed.

Should you buy it?

• Buy the MaxVac Pro (1745) if you seal home batches of meat, fish and soups, want a 22.5 lb machine with no oil to manage, and like the Marinate function and external sealing for long cuts.
• Buy the MaxVac Pro+ (1380) if you seal far more than 30 bags in a session, have bench space for an 88 lb machine and do not mind checking oil; LEM backs it for 5 years.
• Skip both if you need a sealer for commercial use, since both manuals limit use to domestic.

What else to consider:

• The bigger LEM: our MaxVac Pro+ 1380 section covers the oil-pump model LEM rates for hundreds of seals.
• Getting the meat home: our Mystery Ranch Metcalf review covers a framed pack built for multi-day hunts and for carrying meat out.
• Where the hunt is based: our White Duck Regatta Bell Tent review covers a canvas bell tent for camp.

FAQ