Few kitchen items pull as many jobs as a good mason jar. The same thick glass jar can preserve summer tomatoes, hold dry goods, portion overnight oats, ferment a batch of pickles, or serve as a rustic drinking glass, all for a couple of dollars. The best mason jars come from trusted brands with thick, durable glass, a wide or regular mouth to suit the task, and lids that interchange across brands. Below are six of the best mason jars for 2026, from canning workhorses to the do-everything jars I keep reaching for.
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Quick verdict: For most people, a set of wide-mouth Ball or Kerr jars covers nearly everything, since they are the industry standard, thick-glassed, and USDA-approved for canning, with lids that fit both brands. Choose wide mouth for easy filling, cleaning, and drinking, and regular mouth for pouring jams and sipping. For fermentation, a bail-clamp jar like Bormioli Rocco is worth adding.
How We Picked These Mason Jars
We prioritized thick, durable tempered glass, a reliable two-piece lid seal for canning, and a mouth size suited to the intended use, plus overall value. Ball and Kerr set the standard here, and because both are made by the same parent company, their lids and bands interchange, which simplifies buying.1 Testing from TechGearLab, which ranked canning jars on form and seal, informed our shortlist.2
1. Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars, Best Overall
Ball wide-mouth jars are the all-purpose standard, with thick glass, a USDA-approved two-piece lid for safe canning, and a wide opening that makes filling, scooping, and cleaning easy. They handle everything from water-bath and pressure canning to dry storage, meal prep, and drinking, which is why they are the default in so many kitchens.
Why It Stands Out
Trusted reliability and versatility are the draw, with a trusted seal, durable glass, and lids that also fit Kerr and other standard jars. The wide mouth suits whole fruits and easy cleaning. For most people, it is the best starting point.
Worth Knowing
Glass can crack from thermal shock, so avoid sudden temperature swings, and jars sometimes arrive damaged when shipped in thin packaging. Store dry goods in matching jars using our pantry storage containers guide.
2. The Mason Jars I Use, What I Use
The mason jars I use have quietly become some of the most versatile things in my kitchen. They are thick, durable glass, and I reach for them for all sorts of things: storing powders like energy drink mix to scoop into water, keeping dry goods and odds and ends, and honestly sometimes just as a cup. One jar does a dozen jobs.
Why It Works for Me
What I like most is how sturdy they are. The thick glass feels solid and has held up to daily use without chipping or cracking. The wide, simple opening makes them easy to fill, scoop from, and clean, and the fact that a single jar works for storage one minute and drinking the next is exactly the kind of do-everything tool I want. I use mine constantly.
Worth Knowing
Because mine are unbranded here, the button points to durable mason jars in common sizes so you can find a comparable versatile set. If you want jars that pull double duty like mine, look for thick glass and a wide mouth, then add a drinking or storage lid for whatever job you have in mind. Keep powders and dry goods tidy with our pantry organization guide.
3. Kerr Wide Mouth Quart Jars, Best Value for Canning
Kerr wide-mouth quart jars are a classic canning staple at a hard-to-beat price, with square sides that pack snugly into a canner and onto a shelf. They come from a well-respected brand, carry volume markings for easy filling, and share the same universal wide-mouth lids as other standard jars.
Why It Stands Out
Affordable, high-functioning canning capacity is the appeal, with a shape that maximizes canner and pantry space. The wide mouth suits larger preserves. For anyone canning in volume on a budget, it is the value pick.
Worth Knowing
Quart jars are large, so they suit batch canning and bulk storage more than single servings. Always use fresh lids for a reliable seal. Preserve dry staples too with our flour storage guide.
4. Ball Regular Mouth Pint Jars, Best for Drinking and Pouring
Ball regular-mouth pint jars have the iconic mason-jar silhouette and a narrower opening that pours and sips cleanly, making them the pick for drinks and pourable foods. At around a pint, they are a charming, rustic drinking glass for iced coffee, smoothies, or water, and they excel at jams, jellies, and salsas.
Why It Stands Out
Clean pouring and comfortable sipping are the draw, with the classic shape that fits standard regular-mouth drinking and pouring lids. The smaller headspace suits jams. For drinking and pourable foods, it stands out.
Worth Knowing
Regular-mouth jars are a little harder to fill and clean than wide-mouth ones, and their lids will not fit wide-mouth jars. Add a straw lid for on-the-go use. See dedicated glassware in our drinking glasses guide.
5. Bormioli Rocco Fido Jars, Best for Fermentation
The Bormioli Rocco Fido jars swap the two-piece lid for a hinged bail-clamp closure with a rubber gasket, which makes them a favorite for fermentation. The clamp lets you “burp” the jar by loosening it slightly to release gas during active fermenting, while still sealing airtight for storage.
Why It Stands Out
A burp-friendly airtight seal is the differentiator, ideal for ferments like sauerkraut, pickles, or kombucha starters, plus attractive dry storage. The Italian glass is high quality. For fermenting, it is the top choice.
Worth Knowing
The bail-clamp design is not meant for traditional water-bath or pressure canning, so use standard Ball or Kerr jars for that. The gaskets wear over time and are replaceable. Prep ferments with tools from our mixing bowl sets guide.
6. SEWANTA Wide Mouth Jars, Best for Meal Prep
The SEWANTA wide-mouth set is aimed at everyday meal prep and storage, with thick, durable glass, handy measurement markings, and microwave-safe jars for reheating. The wide opening makes them perfect for layered salads, overnight oats, and portioned leftovers you can grab and go.
Why It Stands Out
Meal-prep practicality is the appeal, with sturdy glass, volume markings, and microwave-safe convenience that not all jars offer. The wide mouth eats and cleans easily. For daily meal prep, it is a strong choice.
Worth Knowing
As with any mason jar, the lids may not form a canning-grade vacuum, so stick to Ball or Kerr for true canning. Inspect for shipping cracks before first use. Store finished meals alongside our food storage containers guide.
Mason Jars at a Glance
Prices shift with sales and seller, so treat cost as a rough tier and confirm current pricing before buying.
| Jar | Mouth | Best use | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball Wide Mouth | Wide | All-purpose, canning | Industry standard |
| My jars (brand-free) | Wide | Storage, powders, drinking | Thick, versatile |
| Kerr Wide Mouth Quart | Wide | Batch canning | Best value |
| Ball Regular Mouth Pint | Regular | Drinking, pouring | Iconic shape |
| Bormioli Rocco Fido | Wide | Fermentation | Bail-clamp lid |
| SEWANTA Wide Mouth | Wide | Meal prep | Microwave-safe |
How to Choose Mason Jars
Pick Wide or Regular Mouth
Mouth size shapes how you use a jar. Wide-mouth jars, with roughly a three-inch opening, are easier to fill, scoop from, and clean, and they suit whole foods, meal prep, and drinking. Regular-mouth jars, near two and three-quarter inches, pour and sip more cleanly and suit jams and beverages. Many people keep both, since lids are not interchangeable between the two mouth sizes.
Match the Size to the Job
Mason jars run from tiny 4-ounce jars to 64-ounce half-gallons. Half-pint and pint jars suit jams, single servings, drinks, and crafts, quart jars handle batch canning and bulk storage, and half-gallon jars are for cold brew, ferments, and large dry goods. Buying one or two versatile sizes, like pint and quart, covers most needs without cluttering your cabinets.
Stick With Trusted Brands for Canning
If you plan to can, use jars explicitly rated for it, which in practice means Ball or Kerr with their two-piece lids, since these are USDA-approved and reliably seal. Cheap, thin-glass jars can fail to seal or even crack under heat and pressure. For storage, meal prep, or drinking, off-brand jars are fine, but canning is where brand quality matters most for safety.
Consider Glass Thickness and Lids
Thicker glass resists chipping and breakage, which matters if you handle jars daily or transport them. Also think about lids: two-piece metal lids are for canning, while plastic storage lids, drinking-and-straw lids, and pouring lids extend a jar’s uses. Because standard jars share lid sizes, one set of accessory lids can serve your whole jar collection.
Which Mason Jar Fits You
| If this is you | Ball Wide | Kerr Quart | Ball Regular Pint | Bormioli Fido |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Want one do-it-all jar | Best fit | Workable | Workable | Workable |
| Canning in volume | Workable | Best fit | Workable | Skip |
| Mostly drinking and pouring | Workable | Skip | Best fit | Skip |
| Fermenting | Workable | Skip | Skip | Best fit |
What Can You Use Mason Jars For?
Their versatility is the whole appeal. Beyond canning and preserving, mason jars shine at dry storage for grains, beans, and powders, meal prep like overnight oats and layered salads, and drinking with a straw lid. They handle fermentation, cold brew, and infusions, work as craft and décor vessels for candles or gifts, and even corral non-food odds and ends in a workshop. Add a few accessory lids, and a single set of jars quietly replaces a drawer full of single-use containers. It is exactly this do-everything quality that keeps mason jars in kitchens more than a century after they were invented.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mason Jars
Are Ball and Kerr mason jars the same?
Essentially yes. Ball and Kerr are made by the same parent company, so their glass quality is comparable and, importantly, their lids and bands are fully interchangeable. Kerr jars tend to be slightly taller with a smoother surface, and Ball jars a bit more textured, but functionally they perform the same. Either is a safe, reliable choice for canning and storage.
Can you drink out of mason jars?
Absolutely, and many people do. A pint jar makes a sturdy, rustic drinking glass for water, iced coffee, or smoothies, and adding a drinking-and-straw lid turns one into a spill-resistant tumbler. Wide-mouth jars are comfortable to drink from and easy to clean. Their double duty as both storage and drinkware is a big part of why mason jars are so popular.
What is the difference between wide mouth and regular mouth?
It is the size of the opening. Wide-mouth jars have about a three-inch opening that is easier to fill, scoop from, clean, and drink out of, suiting whole foods and meal prep. Regular-mouth jars have a narrower opening near two and three-quarter inches that pours and sips cleanly, suiting jams and beverages. Lids are not interchangeable between the two, so match accessories to your mouth size.
Are mason jars good for storage?
Yes, they are excellent for storage. The thick glass does not stain or hold odors, the clear body lets you see contents at a glance, and an airtight storage lid keeps dry goods and powders fresh. They stack reasonably and look tidy on a shelf. For powders, grains, and pantry staples, mason jars are a durable, attractive storage solution.
Can you freeze food in mason jars?
You can, with care. Use only straight-sided jars without shoulders, leave at least an inch of headspace for expansion, cool contents fully before freezing, and never put hot jars into the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator to avoid thermal shock. Shouldered or narrow-mouth jars are more likely to crack when frozen, so straight-sided wide-mouth jars are safest.
What size mason jar is most versatile?
The 16-ounce pint is arguably the most versatile, striking a balance that works for canning salsas, overnight oats and salads in a jar, drinking, and storage, and it comes in both mouth styles. The 32-ounce quart is the next most useful for larger storage and batch canning. Starting with pint and quart jars covers the widest range of everyday tasks.
Do mason jar lids fit all jars?
Standard lids fit all standard jars of the same mouth size, so any regular-mouth lid fits any regular-mouth jar across brands like Ball, Kerr, and Golden Harvest, and likewise for wide mouth. The two mouth sizes are not interchangeable with each other. A few specialty jars, like bail-clamp or European brands, use their own lids, so check before mixing.
Recommended Reading
Round out your kitchen storage with our guides to pantry storage containers, food storage containers, and vacuum sealers. For drinkware, see our drinking glasses, insulated tumblers, and drink pitchers guides, and measure your ingredients with our measuring cups and spoons guide.
Sources
- Ball Mason Jars (Newell Brands), canning and storage jar guidance. https://www.ballmasonjars.com/products/jars/
- TechGearLab, “The Best Canning Jars, Ranked.” https://www.techgearlab.com/topics/kitchen/best-canning-jars
