The 10 Best Spice Jars
Special Honors
Williams Sonoma White Marble Stacking A handsome option that's made to last, the Williams Sonoma White Marble Stacking will add a touch of elegance to your counter or dinner table. They're simple to use thanks to a lift-off lid, and are crafted by hand from natural marble, so you can expect each to have a unique appearance due to the slight color and pattern variations common to this material. williams-sonoma.com
Monterey Bay Spice Company Amber Bottles Light-sensitive herbs, spices, and supplements should store well in these Monterey Bay Spice Company Amber Bottles, which are tinted to keep light away from the contents. There are four handy sizes to select from, each with a simple screw-on lid and wide mouth that make them a cinch to use. herbco.com
Smart Home Gifts Test Tube Rack The Smart Home Gifts Test Tube Rack would make a fun gift for the cook in your life who also happens to work in the sciences, or who just enjoys playing a mad scientist in the kitchen. The tubes sit in a handmade wood rack in your choice of red cedar or pine, and they have cork stoppers to keep air out. etsy.com
Editor's Notes
December 08, 2020:
Although we still like many of our picks, including the popular SimpleHouseware Square and the Gneiss Spice Hexagon, we've added a couple of new options on the strength of their superior aesthetics and usability. These include the Kamenstein Silver Cap, a solid, reliable choice, and the Ball Mini, which are adorably small versions of regular Ball jars. You can use the latter for custom spice blends or craft projects, but due to their lids, don't expect to use them for canning.
And speaking of canning, we kept the large Nakpunar Hexagon, which are great if you keep a lot of each spice on hand, perhaps by buying in bulk. We are skeptical, however, of the manufacturer's claim that these are just as appropriate for canning as for holding spices, largely because of reports of failure when used in this fashion. Because canning that is done improperly can be dangerous, it's perhaps best to stick to tried-and-true canning jars and leave these to herbs and spices.
The AllSpice Wooden remains on the list, as well, although it's worth noting that unlike some spice racks, it is not easy to hang. It's heavy, for one thing, and for another, it doesn't have any holes or brackets, so you'd have to add your own. In fact, the company recommends that you employ a professional handyman if you are going to hang it, for safety's sake.
Finally, we kept the Libbey Vibe after some consideration. Their shape means that they don't store as compactly as many, yet they don't hold a huge amount. But it's hard to deny that they're quite elegant, so if you value aesthetics over usability, you might find them to be just right.
March 15, 2019:
For many, a set of spice jars is an expression of personal style, not only a utilitarian object, so we looked for those that would tick both of these boxes. Although the Kamenstein Bamboo Inspirations did meet these criteria, there were issues with availability so we had to remove it. We also removed the Bekith Magnetic, due to problems with the lids, which didn't stay on well. Instead, we added the Janolia Stainless Steel, which shut more firmly and offer highly useful shaker slots. Additionally, we selected the Gneiss Spice Hexagon, a popular offering from a popular spice rack and jar manufacturer. Its honeycomb shape is visually appealing, but be aware that you have to move the jars on the edges out of the way to get to those in the middle. And for those who do not want glass, for whatever reason, we chose the Salusware Plastic. You can't be overly rough with the lids, but overall, they're relatively durable, as well as light and a breeze to store.