Ball Wide Mouth Quart Mason Jars vs Ball Regular Mouth 8 oz Mason Jars

Both are genuine Ball jars with two-piece lids and bands, and both hold up to water-bath canning. The real split is size and mouth width: the 32 oz wide mouth is the better jar for whole fruit, pickles, sauces and dry goods, while the 8 oz regular mouth suits jams, jellies, spices and small gifts. Owners of both report the same thing: the glass and seals last for years if you don't thermal-shock them, and the lids and bands are the parts that wear out first.

• Choose the 32 oz wide mouth if you can whole tomatoes, peaches, pickles or sauces, or want a jar wide enough to fill and clean by hand.
• Choose the 8 oz regular mouth if you make jams, jellies, salsas or spice blends, or want small jars for gifts and samples.