Have you noticed all the new brands of canning jars and lids available now? Are you confused about what brands to trust and where to buy them? Let’s unpack this situation so you can be confident in selecting the best products that meet your needs.

The Beginning

Canning jars are often broadly referred to as Mason jars, after the American tinsmith turned inventor, John Mason. Mason was the first to standardize the reusable jar and lid for food preservation. After his original patent expired in 1879, hundreds of others jumped into manufacturing these glass jars and often embossed them with “Mason’s Patent 1858” to show they were the same standard jars and lids that Mason made.

Side Note: Checkout this incredible eBook on John Mason: The Mason Jar: Preserving 160 Years of History

But once canned and frozen processed foods were readily available after WWII, home canning declined and so did the number of manufacturers. Eventually, this decline resulted in just two US manufacturers of home canning products, Newell Brands and Anchor Hocking.

Fast Forward to The Pandemic

During the pandemic, food prices skyrocketed, people were spending unprecedented amounts of time at home, and a general sense of impending doom seemed to hang in the air. Whether it was watching grocery store shelves go bare or the sheer number of days spent indoors, there was a huge resurgence in home gardening and canning.

Simultaneously, global supply chains were breaking down, and worker shortages permeated every industry. The US manufacturers simply couldn’t keep up with the extraordinary demand for canning supplies.

Ball lids and jars (Ball is made by Newell Brands, the country’s largest manufacturer of consumer canning jars and lids) were on back-order, but people could not wait. As inventory ran dry, dozens of newcomers entered the market.

New brands, many pretending to be Ball, were hitting the major marketplaces and several websites popped up that infringed on the BALL brand and led people to believe they were buying Ball products. And, as you might expect, these alternatives were not working out.

Here at MasonJars.com, we received hundreds of complaints from people who thought they bought their Mason jars and supplies from us. The two main complaints we heard were:

  1. The products didn’t arrive
  2. The products would rust, buckle, break, and generally not work.

*As a reminder, we don’t make or sell Mason jars. We provide content and resources to help you find and use Mason jars to live a sustainable lifestyle.

Many of these products were coming from China and were made of thinner glass, thinner metal lids, and less sealing compound. Overall, the poor quality resulted in wasted time, money, and ruined harvest.

We understand that there are still many counterfeit and poor-quality canning lids out there so be careful.

Here is an example of a site we got taken down because of stolen content:

Below, you will find information on the brands we know about, with detailed information and links to where to find them. In most cases, we link to the official brand sites or trusted marketplaces. Most marketplaces will provide returns and a feedback process for you to report unscrupulous sellers.

TIP: Check out our post, “Beware of Fake Ball® Mason Jars on Amazon!” I guarantee you will learn something new and be a better-informed consumer.

Timeless Functionality

Do all Mason jars have the same size opening? Are Mason jars universal?

Yes, the beauty of Mason jars is that they only have two standard-sized openings that apply to all volumes of jars. These two jar sizes are known as Regular Mouth and Wide Mouth.

Regular Mouth jars can hold volumes of 4 ounces up to 32 ounces.
Wide Mouth jars can hold volumes of 8 ounces up to 64 ounces.

Be Sure To Read: How Many Ounces Are in a Mason Jar?

Canning Jars Made in the USA

Back in the early 1800s, there were hundreds of USA manufacturers of Mason jars. Today, there are only two manufacturers remaining that make canning jars in the USA for home use (Newell Brands and Anchor Hocking). There are also other USA manufacturers making Mason jars for non-canning purposes. All other brands of Mason jars for home canning are made outside the US.

Are all glass jars safe for canning? Are all mason jars safe for canning?

No. Non-canning Mason jars look like canning jars but they are not tempered for high heat and are used for decorative purposes such as candles and drinkware. It is not safe to use anything but jars labeled as safe for canning.

Can I reuse my mayonnaise jar or spaghetti sauce jar for canning?

Some people do but it is not recommended. We have tried it and had mixed results.

You can expect to get more seal failures and jar breakage. These jars have a narrower sealing surface and are tempered less than Mason jars. They will be weakened by contact with metal utensils. Even small scratches in glass may cause cracking and breakage while processing jars in a canner. They will not hold up in a pressure canner.
Source: Clemson Cooperative Extension

TIP: Check out our post, Reusing Glass Jars & Canning Lids: Here’s What to Know.

Newell Brands

Photo Credit: ballmasonjars.com

BALL (est. 1884)

Bernardin (est. 1902)

Golden Harvest (est. 1975)

Kerr (est. 1903)

*Newell Brands, founded 1903, Ogdensburg, New York, purchased Ball in 2015 from Jarden.

Official brand site: www.ballmasonjars.com (previously freshpreserving.com)
Official Bernardin site: www.bernardin.ca

BALL is by far the leading name in canning jars still made in the USA. They also have the largest selection of Mason jars for canning as well as non-canning purposes.

All the canning jars and lids in the Newell Brand family of products have a reputation for good quality but they did revise their lid design in 2017. So, if you’ve been canning for years, it is a good idea to review the latest processing guidelines.

Although the Golden Harvest brand is considered a value product, the jars and lids are made in the USA and provide good, consistent results for successful preservation.

You May Also Be Interested In: History of Ball Mason Jars.

Reviews of Ball:

“I’ve been using Ball mason style jars for years. Other, cheaper brands break more easily. If you’re canning, your jars are an investment –they should last through multiple canning processes. You don’t want your jar to fail during the canning process. I use all sizes!” – Kimberly

“I’ve used this brand for all of my canning needs for many years. I remember seeing this brand in my grandmother’s kitchen when I was a child. Always best quality glass jars no breakage issues. I reuse jars over and over. Pretty jars sitting on my pantry shelves is rewarding. I recommend using this brand.” – A

“Always consistent quality with Ball jars.” – Joyce

“The jars are thinner than they used to be and the rubber on the lids is nothing like it used to be. Don’t be surprised if you have jars come unsealed down the road. I personally switched to golden harvest lids after all the issues with ball lids” – Torri71

“Great mason jars but be careful if ordering online” – Shirley

Below are the most common and sought after Ball® jar sizes:

Mouth Size / Volume Capacity

ANCHOR HOCKING

Photo Credit: ilovehomecanning.com

Est. 1905 Tecnocap purchased in 2022

Tecnocap Group founded in 1993, Italy

Official brand site: www.ilovehomecanning.com

Anchor Hocking jars, lids, and bands are made in the USA. They’re dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and good for both water bath and pressure canning. Anchor Hocking has a reputation for good quality. They have a long history, starting in 1905 in Lancaster, Ohio. Anchor Hocking is named after the Hocking River in Ohio.

Like the Ball brand, Anchor Hocking has undergone many changes over the years. This brand’s Mason jar products were sold and resold many times until finally being sold to Tecnocap. We think this is a really good fit since Tecnocap also makes the majority of the metal lids and caps for canning jars.

Reviews of Anchor Hocking:

“I bought these first because they are made in the U.S. and I’ve always had good luck with Anchor Hocking glass products. Glass products made in the U.S. seem stronger. Second, I bought them because they are the perfect size for gift jams.” – JB

“The jars are great. I like that they are smooth and that a label can be easily put on it.” – marylin

“Great jars at a great price. Good as higher priced jars” – lea1992

Anchor Hocking has 3 volumes of Regular-Mouth canning jars and 2 volumes of wide-mouth jars available. They are all smooth-sided for labeling and come with lids and rings or bulk without lids.

Mouth Size / Volume Capacity

Mason Jar Canning Lids

Here’s a basic overview of the two sizes and two different types of lids that are standard in the USA and Canada. Lids and bands can be purchased separately from the canning jars.

Do all Mason jars use the same lids? Are all jar lids the same size?

Yes, all Regular-Mouth lids are the same size, and all Wide-Mouth lids are the same size. But no, the Regular-Mouth and Wide-Mouth Lids cannot be swapped.

The thread size, known as “finish,” has a two-number identification system to differentiate the size of the thread. The first two-digit number refers to the width of the opening of the jar. The second three-digit number refers to the thread style and height.

The finish type is called “continuous thread” because its thread spirals up the side of the cap and jar, as opposed to lug caps, which have equally spaced threads that are not continuous.

Photos credit: www.paramountglobal.com

Two Sizes

Wide Mouth Canning Lids (3.38 inch or 86mm continuous thread)
These canning jar lids are designed to accommodate 86mm continuous thread jars. Due to their larger openings, wide mouth canning jars are easy to clean because some can fit their hand inside without hassle. They’re also great for storing larger items like pickles, whole fruits, and beets.

Regular Mouth Canning Lids (2.75 inch or 70mm continuous thread)
Regular mouth jars have a half-inch narrower opening than their wide mouth counterparts and need regular mouth canning lids. These jars are typically used for preserving sauces, jellies, jams, and other items you can easily pour or scoop out.

Two Types

Disposable/Single-Use
There are both one-piece and two-piece metal lids and they all are designed for single use.

The one-piece lids come in a variety of colors and can be customized with a range of coatings and lithographic options, embossing, and debossing. These are mostly available in regular mouth sizes. It is difficult to find one-piece lids in wide-mouth.

Photo Credit: tecnocapclosures.com

The two-piece set usually comes in two color options: gold or silver. It has a lid and ring, and only the ring is reusable. The two-piece lids can be used for water bath or pressure canning. The material is tin-plated steel with a plastisol liner. They will be freezer-safe and leak-proof when applied properly. When used for canning, DO NOT put them in the dishwasher. All the lids made in the USA are BPA-free. You can find the two-piece lids in regular mouth and wide mouth.

Photo Credit: tecnocapclosures.com

Reusable

This closure has three parts: the ring, lid, and seal. The lids are made from food-grade plastic and designed for indefinite use. You can reuse metal rings and rubber seals; however, they eventually need to be replaced after several uses, although they can last for years. The lids can be used for water bath or pressure canning.

Photo Credit: canninglids.com

Can you reuse Mason jar lids for canning?

No, you cannot reuse the disposable/single-use lids. An effective seal is essential to preventing food spoilage and contamination, so it is recommended that you don’t reuse the single-use canning lids. However, reusable lids and other components, such as the glass jar and the screw bands, can be reused as long as they are in good condition.

Why can’t you reuse canning lids?

The single-use canning lids have a plastisol lining that breaks down after use. So, after one use, the lid most likely does not have enough lining intact to be used again. This can cause the lid to not properly seal or to lose its seal while stored. Most people find canning to be labor-intensive and not worth risking a failure.

How many times can you reuse mason jar lids?

Only the reusable canning jar lids can be reused. According to Harvest Guard:
The lids will last a lifetime, assuming you don’t exceed the recommended temperatures in a pressure canner (240 degrees F).

BUT the reusable gaskets will need to be replaced. “Due to the varying conditions of use, we can say you should expect at least 6-8 uses per gasket before considering replacement of our reusable gaskets.”

Canning Lids Made in the USA

Newell Brands

BALL (est. 1884)

Bernardin (est. 1902)

Golden Harvest (est. 1975)

Kerr (est. 1903)

*Newell Brands, founded 1903, Ogdensburg, New York, purchased Ball in 2015 from Jarden.

BALL is the most sought after brand of canning lids.

All the canning lids in the Newell Brand family of products have a reputation for good quality and are made in the USA. The lids provide consistent results for successful preservation.

The lid designs do change over time, the last revision was in 2017, so please review the latest processing guidelines.

“It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when preparing jars, lids and bands for use as well as examine the canner to confirm it is in good working condition. Always use the most current and up-to-date home canning jars, lids, bands, processing methods and processing times from a safe and tested recipe to ensure there are no seal failures or that unsealing doesn’t occur.”
– ballmasonjars.com

Reviews of Newell Brands Lids:

“I’ve been using Ball lids for years and they never fail me. They always seal tight and I’ve never had a jar go bad.” – Martha S.

“I’ve used Kerr lids for years and they work just as well as Ball lids. I like that they offer both regular and wide mouth sizes.” – Susan B.

“I recently had some Kerr lids that didn’t seal properly and caused some of my jars to spoil. I’m not sure if it was a bad batch or what, but it was disappointing.” – Lisa M.

ANCHOR HOCKING

Est. 1905 Tecnocap purchased in 2022

Tecnocap Group founded in 1993, Italy

Official brand site: http://www.ilovehomecanning.com
Anchor Hocking lids and bands are made in the USA and have a reputation for good quality. They are owned by and manufactured by Tecnocap. Tecnocap makes most of the metal lids and caps for canning jars, even for Newell Brands.

The best places to buy Tecnocap Anchor Hocking canning lids are Ace Hardware and Walmart.

Reviews of Anchor Hocking Lids:

“Awesome quality and very affordable, I will be buying this brand every year to can my vegetables” – Abigail

“Jars were good lids buckled during processing but they sealed” – Borden

“None of the lids sealed. The lids were warped when they came out of the canner. Been canning for years and decided to try this brand of jars. I have never had problems with the Ball or Kerr products. Do not buy if you are pressure canning with them.” – Trissie

“I like these! I still think I prefer Ball or Kerr, but these are cheaper and they still work well.” – Michelle

Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids

Mountain View Designs, Inc.

Official brand site: https://canninglids.com/

The lids are REUSABLE, BPA-free, dishwasher safe, can be used for water bath or pressure canning and are made in the USA.

Available in both regular mouth and wide mouth sizes. Harvest Guard also has reusable gaskets as well as single-use gaskets.

The gaskets come with an instruction sheet that must be followed for good results. The process for canning with reusable lids is different from using single-use metal lids.

Superb Sealing

est. 2021, founded in 1986

Official brand site: superbsealing.com

These canning lids are manufactured in Sugarcreek, Ohio, a small town in the heart of Ohio’s largest Amish community. The lack of canning supplies during the pandemic led Superb to launch Mason jar products. “Other canning lids aren’t what they used to be. So we made one that seals better.”

BluSeal™ Integrity: A proprietary, food-safe material developed for a stronger seal.

PopLok™ Assurance: Clear confirmation of seal integrity through site, sound, and touch.

QuinTek™ Protection: Five layers of interior and exterior corrosion protection surrounding a steel core.

TATTLER

est. 1976, Tattler Reusable Canning Lids, LLC
Official brand site: www.reusablecanninglids.com

TATTLER Reusable Plastic Canning Lids are manufactured using a plastic compound that is safe for direct contact with food products. They utilize an FDA and USDA-approved, food-grade product known as Polyoxymethylene Copolymer (POM) or Acetal Copolymer.


Tattler now makes single-use lids as well. The disposable lids feature extra-thick metal for durability and a double BPA-free coating on the underside to deter corrosion. They must be used with Tattler’s existing rubber gasket ring. The lids are Made in the USA, BPA-free with FDA-approved materials, dishwasher safe, and can be used for Hot Water Baths, Pressure Canning, Steam Canning, and vacuum sealing.

Reviews of Tattler Lids:

“I love Tattler lids because I can reuse them over and over again. They do take a little bit of practice to get the hang of, but once you do, they work great.” – Michelle L.

“I’ve had some issues with Tattler lids not sealing properly, but their customer service is great and they were able to help me troubleshoot the problem.” – Greg W.

Canning Jars and Lids Made in EUROPE

Made in Italy

QUATTRO STAGIONI (est. 1976) | Bormioli Rocco founded 1825

Official brand site: bormiolirocco.com/

Made in France

Le Parfait (est. 1930) | Berlin Packaging purchased in 2022
Official brand site: www.leparfait.com | Berlin Packaging Founded in 1898, Chicago, Illinois.

Le Parfait is a French brand known for its iconic glass jars and lids manufactured by O-I France SAS at plants in Puy-Guillaume, France, and Sevilla, Spain. They make the screw type (both in continuous thread and lug) as well as the hinged lid “bail-type” jars.

Le Parfait’s “Familia Wiss” style jars are the closest to the American standard Mason jars using the familiar two-piece lid system. However, the SIZES ARE NOT COMPATIBLE.

These iconic Le Parfait glass jars have been made in France for nearly a century and are trusted worldwide by award-winning chefs and home cooks alike for durability and versatility. These glass preserving jars have an extra-wide mouth opening and straight sides that are lead-free, 100% recyclable, and food-safe for dishwasher and freezer. The two-piece metal lid system is BPA-free and USDA-recommended for canning but is NOT INTERCHANGEABLE with American Mason jars.

What’s Different About European Brands?

The jar mouth sizes are different; the American standard is 70mm (regular mouth) and 86mm (wide mouth), but the Le Parfait sizes are 82mm, 100mm, and 110mm. The 110mm is equivalent to our large pickle jars in the USA.

The screw bands are solid in the center instead of being open in the middle.

Photo shows Le Parfait’s “Familia Wiss” style jars

Made in Germany

Weck (est. 1900) | Rex brand in Austria
Official brand site: www.weckjars.com

Weck home canning jars are made in Germany and are well-known in Europe. These jars are popular for their elegant look and are commonly used for canning jams and jellies.

The Weck canning jar system is different from the standard USA system. WECK jars consist of a glass lid, glass jar, tabbed rubber ring, and two metal spring clamps. The clamps can be removed after water-bath processing.

The rubber ring is the only part of the jar that needs to be replaced with repeated use. They are certified for both water-bath canning and pressure canning. The jars come in many sizes but not the standard USA sizes using the English system of half-pints, pints, and quarts.

According to Marlene Geiger, at the Iowa State University Extension: “Canning information accompanying the jars has been found to lack modern, research-based procedures so should be discarded in the interest of food safety; tested recipes from reputable sources should be used. Weck jars and supplies are more costly and are irregular in size; it is not possible to fit the standard 7 (quart) jars in a canner.”

Reviews:

“I use Weck jars for my jams and jellies and love the way they look. The glass lids and rubber gaskets are really high quality.” – Emily P.

“I’ve had some issues with Weck lids rusting over time, but overall they work well and are a nice alternative to traditional metal lids.” – Rachel H.