What bags should I use, and are they interchangeable between brands?

Most external sealers accept any textured/embossed vacuum bag, and reviewers commonly mix and match cheaper third-party bags with FoodSaver, Potane, and Nesco machines. Chamber sealers use smooth, flat bags that are dramatically cheaper per unit — often cited as 3–4 cents each in user reports — which is part of the long-term value case for chamber models.