Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands vs Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit
Buy the Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars if you need jars to can or store food in. Buy the Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit if you already have jars and need the six tools. The jars are the better value: a 12-jar set has sold between $17.28 and $22.99 in early November 2026, while the kit is a 6-piece tool set with no jars in the box.
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Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands
4.6Choose the Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars if you need actual jars for canning, pickling, freezing or storage, since the set gives you 12 wide-mouth 32 oz jars with lids and bands.
Pros
- 12 jars per set, so one purchase covers a full canning batch
- Wide mouth is easier to fill and clean than regular mouth
- Freezer safe, microwave safe and dishwasher safe
- Airtight SureTight lids work for canning and dry storage
- BPA-free glass that does not hold odors or stains
Cons
- Spec sheet lists both 16 oz and 32 oz, so confirm size before buying
What separates them
| Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands | Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| What is in the box | 12 wide-mouth glass jars with lids and bands | 6 Norpro canning tools, no jars |
| Main job | Holding and preserving food | Handling hot jars and lids during canning |
| Capacity | 32 oz per jar, 16 oz listed in the specs | Not applicable, tools only |
| Freezer and microwave use | Freezer safe and microwave safe | Not applicable, tools only |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes | Not stated |
| Airtight seal | SureTight lids and bands | Not applicable |
| Reusability | Jars and bands reusable; lids are one-use for canning seals | Tools reusable indefinitely |
Price history
$22.99$17.28
- Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands: lowest $17.28 on Nov 2 at Amazon.
- Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit: lowest $18.98 on Nov 2 at RASA Garden Supply Company.
Prices at every store
Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- FastRackCheck price at FastRack
Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit
- RASA Garden Supply CompanyCheck price at RASA Garden Supply Company
Specs compared
| Spec | Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands | Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Glass | Glass |
| Set | Yes | Yes |
| Leak Resistance | Yes | — |
| BPA Free | Yes | — |
| Type | Jars | — |
| Freezer Safe | Yes | — |
| Microwave Safe | Yes | — |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes | — |
| Airtight | Yes | — |
| Closure Type | Lids and bands | — |
| Closure Mechanism |
What reviewers say
Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands
With 4.6 out of 5 from over 12,000 ratings, owners largely trust Ball jars for sealing and durability. Complaints tend to be about shipping breakage and the occasional lid that does not seal.
Pros
- Reliable airtight seal for canning
- Sturdy glass that holds up to repeated use
- Wide mouth is easy to fill and wash
- Lids and bands fit well and last
Cons
- Jars sometimes arrive chipped or cracked
- Occasional lid that fails to seal
- Heavy when full
- Bands can rust if left wet
Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit
Owners of similar Norpro canning tool sets generally find them adequate for starting out, with the jar lifter and magnetic lid lifter getting the most use. Complaints tend to focus on thin metal and coating wear after a few seasons.
Questions and answers
- Do I need both the jars and the starter kit?
- If you are canning for the first time, yes. The jars hold the food and the kit gives you the lifter, funnel, tongs and lid lifter you need to work safely with hot jars.
- Which is better for a beginner?
- The jars matter more, since you cannot can without them. Add the kit if you have no jar lifter or funnel, because bare hands and boiling water do not mix.
- Are the jars really 32 oz or 16 oz?
- The listing is inconsistent: the specs say 16 oz, the size field says 32 oz, and the description calls it a set of 12. Check the jar size on the store page before ordering.
- Can I freeze food in these jars?
- Yes, they are listed as freezer safe. Leave headspace, because food expands as it freezes and can crack glass filled to the brim.
- Do the jars come with lids I can reuse for canning?
- They come with lids and bands. Bands are reusable, but flat lids are meant for one sealing use in water bath canning.
- Is the starter kit worth it if I already have jars?
- Only if you lack the tools. A jar lifter and wide-mouth funnel are the two you will use most; the rest are conveniences.
More comparisons
- Ball Regular Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands vs Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands
- Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands vs Granite Ware Water Bath Canner with rack
- Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands vs Mainstays 8 oz Regular Mouth Half Pint Mason Canning Jars with Lids and Bands, 12 Pack
- Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit vs Granite Ware Water Bath Canner with rack