Mason jars are thick-walled glass containers with threaded metal lids, originally designed for home canning and food preservation. They’ve become one of the most versatile household items you can own. People use them for pickling vegetables, keeping dry goods fresh, making overnight oats, serving drinks at parties, and building everything from candle holders to soap dispensers. Finding the right option depends on what you plan to do with it, and prices vary depending on capacity, mouth style, and where you shop. Here is a practical breakdown of what to look for, what to skip, and where to buy mason jars both locally and online.
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What Are Mason Jars and Who Actually Uses Them
A mason jar is a molded glass container with a two-piece metal lid system (a flat disc and a threaded band) that creates a hermetic seal when heated during the canning process. John Landis Mason patented the design in 1858, and the basic concept has barely changed since. Home canners rely on them for preserving fruit, jam, sauce, and pickled vegetables. The thick tempered glass withstands boiling water bath processing and pressure canning without cracking.
Beyond canning, these containers serve as pantry organizers for flour, sugar, spices, and dry goods bought in bulk. Crafters turn them into centerpieces, vases, candle holders, and wedding favors. Meal prep enthusiasts fill them with layered salads, overnight oats, and chia pudding. If you preserve food, make things by hand, or just want durable glassware that stacks well on shelves, they belong in your kitchen.
What to Look For: 6 Features That Matter When Buying Mason Jars
The right mason jar depends on what you plan to put inside it. Not every option is interchangeable, and picking the wrong capacity or mouth style wastes money. Here is what to check before you buy.
Mouth style: wide mouth vs. regular mouth. Wide mouth openings measure 3.38 inches, making them easier to fill and scoop from. They work best for pickles, fruit preserves, and anything you eat directly from the container. Regular mouth openings measure 2.75 inches and pour more neatly, suiting sauces and jams. Lids and bands are not interchangeable between the two styles.
Capacity options. Common versions include 8 oz (half-pint), 16 oz (pint), 32 oz (quart), and 64 oz (half-gallon). The 16 oz works well for jam and gifts. Quart handles most vegetable canning and food storage needs. The 64 oz option suits dry goods and cold brew coffee.
Glass thickness and durability. Ball, the most recognized brand in canning, uses soda-lime glass rated for thermal shock during water bath processing. Cheaper decorative alternatives from craft stores often lack this heat tolerance. If you plan to can or freeze food, stick with products explicitly labeled for canning.
Lid type and seal quality. Standard two-piece lids (flat disc plus band) create an airtight seal after heat processing. The flat disc is single-use for canning but reusable for dry goods. Screw-on one-piece tops and leak-proof plastic covers are sold separately for drinking or transport. Weck, a European alternative, uses glass lids with rubber gaskets instead of metal.
Dishwasher safety. Most glass mason jars are dishwasher safe on the top rack. Metal caps and bands should be hand-washed to prevent rust. Decorative options with paint or embossed coatings may not hold up.
Wholesale vs. individual pricing. A single pint at a grocery store might cost $1.50 to $2.00. A 12-pack from Ball typically runs $10 to $15. Wholesale suppliers like Fillmore Container offer cases of 12 to 72 at lower per-unit prices, which makes sense if you can food in volume.
3 Buying Mistakes to Avoid With Mason Jars
The most common mistake people make is grabbing whatever looks right on the shelf without checking specifications. That leads to cracked glass, failed seals, and wasted food.
Using decorative containers for canning. Craft-store glassware often looks the part but lacks the thermal tolerance needed for boiling water bath or pressure canning. If the label does not say “canning safe,” do not process food in it. The glass can crack under temperature changes, and the lid may not create a proper vacuum seal.
Mixing mouth styles. Wide mouth and regular mouth lids are not interchangeable. If you already own caps and bands from previous seasons, measure before buying new ones. Mixing types means the seal will fail, and your preserved food will spoil.
Ignoring headspace requirements. Filling to the brim before processing causes lid failure and broken seals. Each canning recipe specifies headspace (the gap between food and lid), usually 1/4 inch for jam and 1/2 inch for fruits and pickles. Quart containers give more room for error, which is worth considering if you are new to preserving.
Where to Buy Mason Jars In Store: Best Brick-and-Mortar Options
Physical stores let you inspect glass quality, check for chips, and avoid shipping costs on heavy items. Here are the best places to find them locally.
Walmart
Walmart stocks Ball and Kerr products year-round in the kitchen organization aisle. Selection expands during canning season (July through September). Both wide mouth and regular mouth are almost always available, and prices are consistently among the lowest. Browse the selection on Walmart’s site to check local availability before driving over.
Target
Target carries them in the kitchen section and seasonally in home decor. They stock Ball products plus decorative options with colored glass and quilted patterns, including store-exclusive styles useful for wedding favors. Check current stock on Target’s website to confirm what your local store has.
Publix
Publix is a strong option in the Southeast United States. They stock Ball canning products near the baking aisle. Selection is smaller than Walmart or Target, but Publix runs periodic sales and BOGO deals on canning supplies during peak preserving season. Search on the Publix site for current pricing. Call ahead if you need larger capacities, since smaller locations carry limited inventory.
Hardware and Farm Supply Stores
Ace Hardware, Tractor Supply, and True Value often stock canning supplies, especially in rural areas where food preservation is common. Ace carries Ball products and replacement lids. Tractor Supply tends to have better bulk options. Inventory varies by location, so call before making the trip.
Where to Buy Mason Jars Online: 6 Retailers Worth Checking
Online shopping gives you access to specialty capacities, volume pricing, and brands that local stores rarely carry. Here are the best online sources.
Amazon
Amazon stocks the widest variety from Ball, Kerr, and dozens of smaller brands, plus accessory kits with airtight lids, labels, and pour spouts. Prime members get free two-day shipping. Prices fluctuate, so check the per-unit cost before assuming a multi-pack is a deal. Shop on Amazon for the full range.
Fillmore Container
Fillmore Container, a wholesale supplier based in Pennsylvania, specializes in glass containers and canning supplies. They sell in cases of 12 to 72 at per-unit prices well below retail, plus uncommon capacities and replacement metal lids. If you can food in volume or make candles, browse Fillmore’s catalog for wholesale pricing.
MasonJars.com
MasonJars.com focuses exclusively on canning products, lids, and accessories, with buying guides and craft ideas alongside their listings. Visit MasonJars.com for their current inventory.
Ball (Official Site)
Ball sells directly through ballmasonjars.com, including seasonal releases and bundle kits with lids and canning tools. Prices run slightly higher than Amazon or Walmart, but you get the complete catalog and manufacturer support.
eBay
eBay is the best source for vintage and collectible mason jars. Blue Ball versions from the early 1900s, amber glass Atlas models, and other antique styles show up regularly. You can also find new lots at competitive prices. Search eBay if you want something with character or need a discontinued type.
Etsy
Etsy is where to look for custom and decorated options: painted designs, engraved pieces, pre-assembled wedding favor kits, and converted soap dispensers. Browse the Etsy marketplace if you need something personalized rather than functional.
Top Picks: Best Mason Jars for Canning and Everyday Use
These picks cover the most common use cases. Each one is widely available and well reviewed by canners, meal preppers, and craft enthusiasts.
Best overall: Ball Wide Mouth Quart (32 oz, 12-pack). The standard choice for canning and food storage. Thick glass, reliable seal, fits all wide mouth accessories. Around $12 to $16 for a 12-pack. Check price on Amazon
Best for jam and small batches: Ball Regular Mouth 16 oz (12-pack). The go-to for fruit preserves, jelly, and gift portions. Pours cleanly and seals tightly. About $10 to $14 per dozen. Check price on Amazon
Best budget: Anchor Hocking 16 oz (12-pack). A solid alternative to Ball at a lower price point. Made in the USA. Glass is marginally thinner but still rated for canning. Around $8 to $12. Check price on Amazon
Best for meal prep: Ball Wide Mouth 16 oz. The wide opening makes layering ingredients and eating directly from it easy. Leak-proof plastic lids (sold separately) turn these into portable lunch containers. Around $10 to $14 per 12-pack. Check price on Amazon
Best for cold brew and dry goods: Ball Wide Mouth Half Gallon (64 oz). Big enough for fermenting projects and cold brew coffee. The wide mouth fits a hand for easy cleaning. Around $10 to $13 each. Check price on Amazon
Mason Jar FAQ: Common Questions Answered
What is the difference between mason jars and Ball jars?
Ball is a brand name, not a separate product category. Ball produces mason jars through Newell Brands (formerly Jarden Corporation). The term “mason jar” describes any glass container with a threaded screw-top lid designed for canning. Ball dominates the U.S. market, so people use the names interchangeably. Kerr is another common brand that makes the same style.
Can you freeze food in mason jars?
Yes, but follow two rules. First, use wide mouth versions because straight sides release frozen contents more easily than tapered designs. Second, leave at least one inch of headspace because liquids expand when frozen. Skip this step and the glass will crack. Ball makes products specifically marked “freezer safe” on the box.
Are mason jars microwave safe?
Standard glass models can handle microwave heating in short intervals (30 to 60 seconds) with the metal lid removed. They are not tempered for rapid temperature swings, so going from freezer to microwave directly risks cracking. Heat contents gradually and never put a metal lid or band in the microwave.
How long do canning lids last before they need replacing?
Flat sealing discs are one-time use for canning. The compound on the underside deforms during heat processing to create a vacuum seal, and it will not work reliably a second time. Bands (the threaded rings) can be reused as long as they are not rusted or bent. For dry goods, both pieces last indefinitely.
What capacities do mason jars come in?
Standard options are 4 oz (quarter pint), 8 oz (half pint), 16 oz (pint), 32 oz (quart), 64 oz (half gallon), and 128 oz (gallon). The most popular for canning are the 16 oz and 32 oz versions. For meal prep and drinking, 16 oz wide mouth models are the most practical. Specialty options like the 6 oz jelly container exist for specific preserving needs.
Reviewed by the wheretobuyguides.com editorial team. Last updated: April 2026.
Start by deciding what you will use your mason jars for, since that determines the capacity and mouth style you need. Check Walmart or Target first for everyday canning options at the lowest prices. For volume orders or specialty capacities, go directly to Fillmore Container or Amazon. If you are looking for other kitchen and household products, browse our guides on honey baked ham, beeswax, and apple cider vinegar for more buying tips.