Jar Lifter and Magnetic Wand

There are other handy canning tools to have but the Canning Jar lifter, Magnetic Wand, and Canning Funnel are the three essentials I'd recommend having on hand.

My recommended essentials.

Jar Lifter one of the essential canning tools when you are home canning
Magnetic lid lifter - you could probably live without it... but for the price it is a handy little tool to have around.
Canning Funnel - an essential tool to have as well.

The jar lifter is a tool that grasps your hot jars to safely take them out of a hot canner after processing.

The rubber coating on the jar end of the tool keeps it firmly and securely wrapped around the neck of your jar while you move it to a cooling area.

A magnetic lid lifter (I call it a magnetic wand) is a plastic stick with a magnet at one end. Use it to lift your canning lids from the hot water they should be in as you place your canning jar lids before processing.

I did not have a magnetic lid lifter for many years. I made due with tongs. The tongs worked ok. But the magnetic wand is so inexpensive and so handy. I'd suggest picking one up.