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The Best Mason Jars to Keep Your Kitchen Organized
Written By Review Team at the Kitchen Institute
Have you heard about mason jars as a storage option? Ideal for storing foods and drinks, when you use a mason jar to properly hold your perishable items, you’ll benefit from a reliable and affordable container. Free of toxins, mason jars can hold just about anything. But with so many mason jar brands on the market, it can be hard to know which one offers the most value. That’s why we compiled this list of the best mason jars out there, starting with our top choice, the VERONES 8-Ounce Mason Jars.
Detailing the Best Mason Jars of 2025
VERONES Mason Jars
Best Overall
This VERONES set includes 15 glass mason jars with silver lids, designed to provide you with convenient and easy-to-use storage. The screw-on silver lids are corrosion resistant, guaranteeing a longer product lifespan. You can feel comfortable storing your child’s snack in this jar as they are completely food safe.
When the jar is closed with a lid, it gives an airtight seal which is safe for storing or canning any food. This jar is made with a durable glass that is safe for storing in the freezer or refrigerator. These clear mason jars are perfect for making kefir, wine, pickled sauerkraut, or kombucha. These mason jars get the top spot on our list because they are long-lasting, food-safe and affordable.
Ball Mason Jars
Best Wide-Mouth Mason Jars
These Ball, American-made mason jars are manufactured using high-quality, BPA-free material. They have a wide mouth opening for easy food storage. The jar’s surface is smooth, and it does not have any crevices for food to hide after being washed. It cleans out easily and does not accumulate dirt, germs, or grease on the surface. Wide mouth jars are best to store soups or perishable food items that require being stored for longer periods. You can conveniently make pickles and enjoy them as you please when you have these wide mouth mason jars.
Paksh Novelty Mason Jars
Best Airtight Seal
The Paksh Novelty self-sealing jars are best for canning your tomatoes, pickles, sauces, beans, pumpkins, salmon, or any organic vegetable you choose. There is a plastisol lining in the metal lid to lock in freshness and ensure liquids do not leak out during handling. It also provides protection against dust particles and rust. Food that is canned at home is a healthier option than one purchased from the market, as it’s free of any unnecessary additives. These mason jars are made from high-quality, lead-free glass. It has a smooth glass surface and it’s clear as crystal.
KAMOTA Mason Jars
Best Mini Mason Jars
KAMOTA’s adorable mason jars are a great choice for storing jams and baby food or to use as wedding favors or small gifts. The 8 oz size features a wide mouth and is suitable for storing anything from craft supplies to cooking spices. Made of high-quality glass and topped with silver metal screw-on lids, these jars are in it for the long haul.
With a simple yet elegant design, these jars can be used for storing and canning food items for many various occasions and purposes. For example, these jars can be used for craft projects and as cute home decor. Mason jars can be painted or decorated with paint and ribbon, used as a plant pot, as a unique gift container, and any other creative notions you can dream up.
Sungwoo Mason Jars
Best Straw-Lid Option
The Sungwoo mason jar set includes 6 jars with two types of detachable lids. One lid has a straw opening and can be used for drinking your favorite iced coffee or a delicious cocktail. Whereas the other lid is a self-sealing screw-on top used for canning or storing food. The two types of lids make these mason jars a great choice for multi-purpose use.
These products are classic and lovely in design, making them the perfect choice for drinking glasses for dinner parties. In addition, this 16-ounce jar gives you the option of checking the capacity level clearly through the high-quality glass.
Mason Jars: What To Look for When Shopping
From bacteria in the air to humidity, a lot can go wrong when canning and storing foods. These exposures can set the stage for fungus to build on the food, change the shape of a plastic container, and even promote the growth of bacteria. Mason jars have been around for hundreds of years to protect food from such conditions. Because they are made of glass that is free of toxins commonly found in plastic storage containers, they’re the best option for canning and food storage. Not only are they a healthier alternative to plastic, but they also keep the freshness intact without compromising the flavor of your food. So, what should you look for when shopping for mason jars? Let’s take a look!
What Makes a Great Mason Jar?
To understand the purpose of various features of a mason jar, first, we need to understand the canning process. Canning is storing cooked food for a long period while keeping the freshness and taste alive. First, freshly cooked food such as jams, jellies, fruits, vegetables, and pickles are put into a jar, then the lid is closed, and it is stored at a hot temperature.
This high temperature expands the air and increases pressure in the jar, which in turn lets out most of the air through the lid. Then it is stored at a cold temperature, which contracts the air and seals the jar lid, making a vacuum inside the jar. This vacuum protects the food from weather conditions over long periods. Below, you’ll find the properties at the center of all the well-trusted mason jars we analyzed.
1. A glass jar
The jar should always be made of glass because of its countless benefits. You can re-use it after a thorough cleaning. It is chemically inactive, contains no contaminants, comes in all shapes and sizes with the same strength, and is aesthetically appealing. The transparency makes the overall experience very natural. Glass also keeps water fresh, which is a major component of every food item.
2. Aluminum lid with flat seal tops and sealing foam
The three parts of the lid work together to provide a tight seal that lasts over a year. The flat part of the lid is removable and should be replaced when you refill the jar with fresh food. You can re-use the screw top repeatedly if it stays in good shape.
3. An appropriate size and convenient design
Mason jars should be able to meet your storage needs. That mainly depends on the intended use of the jar. A wide mouth, cylinder shape, and a plain or minimally textured surface with labeling space cut out are must-haves.
Mason Jar Size And Types
The size determines the use of the jar, which in turn marks its type. The nomenclature (the system of naming) of mason jars is also a combination of size and the most common food items stored.
Gallon jars
Gallon jars are made for storage and pickling. As the name indicates, it has a capacity of around 4 liters for safekeeping delicacies in large quantities for a long time. They are perfect for jams, jellies, pickling, and all sorts of bulk canning. They are never used for drinking shakes or smoothies because they are too large to carry.
Pint jars
Regular pint jars are used for drinks and have a mouth opening of a little over 2 inches. It is most suitable for shakes, smoothies, and other beverages because the lids have a hole on the top, making it convenient to put a straw. As the name suggests, it can contain one-eighth of a gallon.
Jelly jars
The distinctive feature of jelly jars is that boiling them directly in the pot is safe. Jellies are made in a pot with jelly jars placed inside, so resistance to high temperatures is necessary. Other uses include decorative projects, jam storing, casual drinks, and party favors.
Mason Jars Buying Tips
A jar can have a long life, but the lid is regularly replaced once the jar is open. During COVID-19, people spent more time with their families, and canning increased significantly due to lids being unavailable in the market. Therefore, make sure to stock up on the lids reasonably to meet your immediate needs. Make sure to leave half an inch of space just below the lid.
This space is occupied by the food when it expands during the freezing process. Even the freezer-safe jars can crack, or the lid may come off if this space is not left empty. Mason jars with shouldered sides are the most appropriate type for shelf storage, whereas jars with tapered sides are most suitable for cold storage.
A wide range of decorative mason jars are also available for plants and home decor projects. These kinds of jars can feature a crystal clear body, a textured surface, and an innovative shape. Plus, these containers also help the plant to get enough soil and grow its roots comfortably.
People Also Asked
How do I find a quality wide-mouthed mason jar?
Any jar with a mouth opening of 3 inches or more can be categorized as a wide-mouthed mason jar. American-made mason jars have the highest quality and are widely available. It also depends on your recipe since shelf storage requires shoulder sides, and cold storage requires tapered sides.
What type of mason jar is suitable for bulk storage?
A gallon jar, which can store up to one gallon of liquid food, is the most commonly used jar for bulk storage. This mason jar is perfect for pickling and canning. Again, you need to refer to your recipe first to identify features other than the size required.
What kind of mason jars come with lids?
Ever since sealing with paraffin wax was declared unsafe by a national authority, almost all modern mason jars come with a lid. Unfortunately, the quality of the lid is questionable in many cases because some manufacturers still make them with disposable materials. A good lid is made up of two parts with a sealing foam. The first part of the lid is the screw top that is reusable and does not lose its shape. The second part, the flat seal top that fits inside the screw top, must be replaced every single time that a long-stored food can is opened.
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