The FoodSaver bags are very heavy!
I'd say quite a bit heavier than a ziplock freezer bag...
I did try it once using a ziplock freezer bag for some sausage..... and it worked fine...

You can also get accessories... like wine bottle corks...
It has an external vacuum tube to suck all the air from the bottle...
They have all sorts of cannisters too, but I doubt we'd ever get any of those...
I did order the wine corks for Deb... ($12.99 for three)...

Most of the size on the model we got is due to the internal storage for bags and the rolls...
and we do have a spot on the counter for it, right next to Debs Kitchen-Aid mixer...