Mason jars are a favorite tool of canning enthusiasts. These handy jars, made in a variety of sizes, are crafted in glass and topped with an airtight lid which makes them ideal for keeping jams, jellies, and pickled items preserved. Mason jars are in-demand also because of their versatility. These jars don’t only maintain foods, they’re popular with crafters because they are perfect for creating items like candles, light fixtures, and soap dispensers. To assist, we've put together a collection of the best mason jars for your kitchen, home, and gifting needs.
Our favorite is the Ball Regular Mouth 16oz – versatile, well made, and gorgeous. Find more of our top picks below.
Ball Regular Mouth 16oz, Set of 4
Our favorite jars for pickling
Perfect for any homemade preserve and looks great.
Pros:
- Lid & airtight band included
- Made in the US
- Nice engraving
- Seal strongly
- Measurements marked on sides
Cons:
- A bit small
When you think of mason jars, this brand and size are probably the first to come to mind -- and with good reason. They've been around for over 100 years, serving as the perfect container for everything from candles to herbs. These have everything you could possibly need: engraved measurements on the sides, airtight lids that are guaranteed not to leak, and a pretty design with engraving over the jar. They're not the largest, though, so bear that in mind.
Ball 4oz Quilted Crystal, Set of 6
These gorgeous jars will make a fine display
Perfect for jams and jellies, these jars are so beautiful you'll want them out in the kitchen.
Pros:
- Stunning design
- Good lids
- BPA free
Cons:
- Fragile
Store your spices, honey, or make small candles in these 4oz mini mason jars. They're also our top pick for jams and jellies – with their quilted design, they have a vintage look that will look stunning when displaying in your kitchen dresser or pantry. Just be careful not to smash these!
KAMOTA 16oz, Set of 12
Our multi-use favorite
Use these versatile jars for anything from baby food to home decor.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Strong
- BPA free
- Stain easily
Smooth glass sides mean that these 16oz jars are perfect for painting, or adding labels for names, ingredients, or gifts. The lids are of very good quality here, so you don't have to worry about leaks or odors. The insides of the lids do stain very easily, and it's difficult to get the stains off, but they're great otherwise.
KAMOTA 6oz, Set of 40
All the mason jars you'll ever need in a single set
These high-quality jars come as a pack of 40 – that's plenty for all your pickling and jamming activities.
Pros:
- Smooth glass
- Come in a large pack
Cons:
- Lids could be better
Unlike most jars that can hold 6oz, these feature smooth glass sides with no pattern, making it easy to apply paint, labels, and other decorations. We like that these come in such a huge pack – perfect if you like making a lot of homemade preserves, and if you break a couple, it won't be a huge deal. We wish the lids could be slightly higher quality – a few have warped after sterilizing.
Our verdict
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Mason jars are perfect for canners and crafters alike. Whether you use them to hold onto your favorite foods a little longer or for a homey decor accent, these glass containers are always a great choice. When most people think of mason jars, the Ball Regular Mouth 16oz is the first to come to mind, which is why it made the top of our list. The size is perfect for handling your pickling tasks, but also for storing sauces, honey, juice, or anything else you want to seal! Plus, you can use them for dry goods after you break their seal if you don't want to replace the lids.
Why trust us?
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