The art of preserving food by canning wasn’t common until John Landis Mason invented his jar that used a lid and band system. The mason jar revolutionized canning and made food preservation much safer. (BestReviews)

Mason jars aren’t just a staple for people who like to preserve their own food. These versatile, food-safe wonders are also great for storing anything from dry goods to spare buttons. Molded-glass mason jars last indefinitely with proper care and use, protecting and preserving whatever you put inside them.

Professional food preservationists and home canners agree: The best mason jar is the Ball Wide Mouth 10-Pack 16-ounce Mason Jars. Ball has long been trusted as the premium canning jar across the globe, and it's the best mason jar at any price point.

Canning jars are an important part of food storage for many families. It helps to understand your options to help you find the best mason jar for you.

Mason jars come in a variety of sizes that include half-pint, pint, quart and half-gallon. Generally, the larger sizes are good for storing dry goods or larger quantities of soups and sauces, while the smaller jars are best used for jams and jellies.

The mouth style of the jar refers to the opening. Mason jars are available in wide- or regular-mouth styles. A wide-mouth mason jar has an opening that is 3.38 inches. A regular mouth measures 2.75 inches.

Although a funnel is a great equalizer, allowing you to put most sizes of food into the jar, a wide-mouth mason jar is easier to get food out when you need it. Wide-mouth jars also accommodate larger spoons for serving.

How you plan to use your mason jars will influence which brand you buy. If you are planning on water bath or pressure canning, you’ll need the quality of a reputable brand. Planning on using your mason jars for dry storage only? You can opt for more economical mason jars that aren't limited to a specific company.

The trademark lid button is a key component of mason jars. This barely visible button is sucked down by vacuum when the lid is properly sealed — a clear indicator of a successfully canned batch of food. Smooth lids may become concave when sealed, but to be totally sure, the center button is best.

There is no need to mess with measuring cups when the measurements are clearly etched on the side of your mason jars. The best mason jars have measurements in cups, ounces and milliliters.

Not only do these markings measure what’s inside the jar, but it also enables you to use your mason jars as a measuring cup, too.

Real mason jars have a wider rim than their counterfeit counterparts. This means that the sealing surface is bigger, which results in an airtight seal more often.

The cost of mason jars can fluctuate dramatically depending on the supply and the time of year. When supply chains are disrupted during canning season, expect to spend between $20-$40 for a dozen or fewer pint-sized jars. All other times, the price for pint-sized mason jars hovers right around $20.

A. One of the most common uses for mason jars is water bath canning. The USDA offers a complete guide to water bath canning, but there are a few guidelines to remember.

A. Mason jars are rock stars when it comes to preserving food, but they have a ton of other uses, including:

And these are just the food-related uses. They are also great for storing small nuts and bolts, organizing tiny toys and holding precious collections (e.g., beach glass or seashells).

Ball Wide Mouth 10-Pack 16-ounce Mason Jars: available at Amazon

Our take: These are the highest-quality, most versatile mason jars you can buy.

What we like: The wide mouth makes filling these jars easy. Measurements in a variety of units are embossed on the outside of the jar. People who work in professional food preservation and home cooks alike rave about the consistent quality and versatility of these mason jars.

What we dislike: Some users report damage to the jars or packaging during shipment, but these mason jars have been made to the highest quality standards for over 100 years.

Paksh Regular-Mouth Glass Mason Jars: available at Amazon

Our take: A good budget alternative.

What we like: Freezer-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe jars. Each has measurement markers on the outside. They use the same band-and-lid setup as Ball jars. They also come in packs of four and 12.

What we dislike: This jar is actually smaller than it says — 16 ounces is the measurement to the very top of the jar. So it can only hold about 12 or 14 ounces of food safely if you are planning on freezing or canning.

Ball Regular Mouth 12-Pack 1-Pint Glass Canning Jars: available at Amazon 

Our take: For both food storage and many other uses around the house, these jars can't be beat.

What we like: A regular mouth mason jar is a canning classic. The pint size is perfect for a variety of uses, and the glass itself is highly durable and can last for years with proper care.

What we dislike: The quality is high, but some people just prefer a wide-mouth jar. Suzannah Kolbeck is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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