Best Airlock Systems for Fermentation in 2026
Last updated April 7, 2026
An airlock does one job: it lets the CO2 your ferment produces escape without allowing oxygen to enter. That creates the anaerobic environment lacto-fermentation requires. Without one, you're either opening and burping your jar daily or risking pressure buildup with a sealed lid. Airlocks are cheap, simple, and make the whole process more hands-off. Here's what you need to know before buying.
Masontops Complete Mason Jar Fermentation Kit
Our Top Picks
1. Masontops Complete Mason Jar Fermentation Kit
What we like
- Everything you need in one box — 4 wide-mouth lids with built-in airlocks
- Designed specifically for wide-mouth mason jars — no fitting required
- Comes with a tamper and recipe booklet for beginners
- Food-grade silicone construction — durable and easy to clean
- One-way valve design means no water to fill or monitor
Watch out for
- One-way valve doesn't let you visually monitor fermentation activity
- More expensive per lid than DIY airlock + bung setups
Our verdict: The Masontops kit is the easiest starting point for mason jar fermentation. Screw the lid onto a wide-mouth jar and you're done — no water to fill, no bung fitting, no parts to lose. The included tamper and recipe booklet make it genuinely beginner-friendly. If you want to see bubbles and monitor activity, go for a 3-piece airlock setup instead.
2. Home Brew Ohio 3-Piece Airlocks (10-Pack)
What we like
- Extremely cheap — under $1 per airlock at 10-pack pricing
- Standard sizing fits universal bungs and most fermentation lid kits
- 3-piece design disassembles fully for easy cleaning
- Visually satisfying — watch CO2 bubble through the water
- Great for scaling up or replacing lost/damaged airlocks
Watch out for
- Requires a compatible lid or bung — not a standalone mason jar solution
- Water can evaporate from the airlock during long ferments — check occasionally
Our verdict: If you already have fermentation lids with airlock holes, or if you're drilling your own, these 3-piece airlocks are the economical choice. At less than $1 each in a 10-pack, you can outfit multiple jars without spending much. The 3-piece design is also the easiest to clean of any airlock style.
3. Pickle Pipe Wide-Mouth Fermentation Lids (4-Pack)
What we like
- No water required — one-way silicone valve releases CO2 automatically
- Fits standard wide-mouth mason jars — screw on and done
- Extremely low-profile — fits in the fridge without tipping
- Nothing to fill, spill, or knock over
- Easy to clean — single silicone piece with no moving parts
Watch out for
- No visual feedback — you can't see or hear fermentation activity
- More expensive per lid than water-based airlock setups
- Silicone valves wear out over time
Our verdict: Pickle Pipes are the simplest fermentation lid available: screw on the lid, forget about it. The waterless silicone valve is elegantly low-maintenance and the flat profile makes stacking in the fridge easy. The tradeoff is no visual feedback — you won't see bubbles, so you're relying on smell and taste to gauge your ferment rather than observing activity.
4. FermentEm Wide-Mouth Airlock Lid Kit (4-Pack)
What we like
- Food-grade BPA-free plastic construction
- Fits wide-mouth mason jars directly
- Mini airlock with water chamber gives visual confirmation of activity
- Budget-friendly compared to premium silicone options
- Easy to fill and clean
Watch out for
- Plastic lid less durable than silicone alternatives
- Water-based airlock can evaporate during extended ferments
Our verdict: FermentEm lids hit a nice middle ground: you get the visual activity feedback of a water-based airlock with the convenience of a pre-fitted mason jar lid. At $20 for 4 lids, they're cheaper than the Masontops kit and Pickle Pipes while offering a good experience. Solid choice if you want to see bubbles without paying premium prices.
3-Piece vs. S-Curve: Which Airlock Should You Use?
3-piece airlocks
The most common type. A cylindrical body fills with water; a floating cap sits on top and lets CO2 bubble through. Easy to fill, easy to clean (they disassemble into three parts), and visually satisfying — you can watch the bubbles and gauge fermentation activity. The standard choice for vegetable ferments and homebrewing.
S-curve (S-type) airlocks
An S-shaped tube fills with water and works on the same principle. Slightly more compact than 3-piece airlocks; some fermenters prefer them because the s-curve design is harder to accidentally knock open. Harder to clean thoroughly than 3-piece airlocks. A matter of preference — either type works well.
Universal bungs vs. jar-specific lids
A bung is a rubber stopper with a hole drilled through the center for the airlock. Bungs are sized for carboys and fermentation crocks — not directly compatible with mason jars unless you modify a lid. For mason jar fermentation, you want dedicated fermentation lid kits designed specifically for wide-mouth or regular-mouth jars.
Complete lid kits vs. standalone airlocks
Standalone airlocks are cheap (often under $1 each) but require a compatible lid or bung to mount them. Complete fermentation lid kits come with the lid and airlock as a unit, ready to screw onto your mason jar. Kits cost more per lid but are simpler — no fitting required. If you're just starting out, a kit is more convenient. If you're scaling up, buying airlocks in bulk is more economical.
Frequently Asked Questions
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