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The Spruce Eats / Sharon Lehman
Yogurt is a popular snack for various reasons, but buying it at the store can get expensive. You can make this creamy snack from scratch in less than 12 hours and control the ingredients and flavors used. If you’re new to making yogurt at home, the process might seem intimidating, but it’s actually easy, especially when you have a dedicated yogurt maker.
After testing, the Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker was named our top pick because it's affordable, easy to use, and features individually portioned jars, so you can make seven different types of yogurts at once if you want. For a standout multifunction option, we recommend the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker.
We made things even easier for you by rounding up the best yogurt makers below.
Best Overall: Euro Cuisine YM80 Electric Yogurt Maker
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Individually portioned jars
Can make seven different types of yogurt at once
Glass jars are dishwasher safe
Affordable
No timer or automatic shut-off
Numbers on the base seem pointless
Saving money doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice performance and the Euro Cuisine YM80 Electric Yogurt Maker proves that. Like the more expensive Euro Cuisine model, this electric yogurt machine comes with seven 6-ounce glass containers that you can arrange in a 9.5 x 9.5 x 6-inch base to make 42 ounces of yogurt in one cycle.
On the front of the machine sits an on/off switch that controls an indicator light that lets you know when the yogurt maker is running. Even though there’s no digital display, the time markings on the side will show you where your yogurt is in the fermentation cycle, which typically takes six to 10 hours with this machine.
Our tester loved the simple design and how easy it was to make yogurt with this machine (she even said her yogurt tasted fresh and significantly better than store-bought varieties). She also really liked the individually portioned glass grab-and-go containers, which allow you to make up to seven different types of yogurts at once if that's something you want to do, though you don't need to use all seven every time you use the maker. You can use as many or little as you want, but if seven isn't enough, Euro Cuisine also sells additional glass jars and an expansion rack that doubles the capacity to 14 jars and 84 ounces of yogurt.
One downside to the YM80 is that there’s no auto shut-off feature, so you’ll have to make sure you’re nearby when your yogurt finishes to turn it off manually.
Capacity: 42 ounces | Timer: Manual | Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 6 inches | Warranty: 3 years | What’s Included: Yogurt maker with clear lid, (7) 6-ounce glass jars with plastic lids
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The Spruce Eats / Sharon Lehman
"Operation was as easy as placing the jars (without lids) in the base of the yogurt maker and flipping the power switch. There are no settings to worry about and not much else to do once you start the fermentation process." — Sharon Lehman, RDN, Product Tester
Best Multi-Function: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker 6 Quart
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Courtesy of Amazon
Has an automatic yogurt function
Multi-purpose kitchen appliance
Pricier than other options
Large countertop footprint
Takes extra time to come to pressure
If you’re not a fan of single-function machines, the Instant Pot Duo Multi-Use Pressure Cooker might be your appliance of choice. The price tag is a little higher than others on this list, but it combines seven different appliances—yogurt maker, pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, and warmer—in one.
If that seems intimidating, don’t worry. The IP-DUO60, as it’s called by loyal fans, makes things easy with a “yogurt” button that’s pre-programmed to make the perfect homemade yogurt. All you have to do is prepare your yogurt starter, add the starter and milk to your Instant Pot, and then choose the yogurt setting and let the pot do its work—a process that takes 8 to 12 hours, depending on how you like your yogurt.
Our tester really found the yogurt function to be really useful. Since the process for making it is always the same, the default times and temperatures don’t need to be changed—it’s truly a one-touch operation.Keep in mind that while you can successfully make yogurt with any Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, not all of them have the yogurt function. If that’s one of your main goals for this machine and you don’t want to have to figure it out yourself, make sure you’re getting the DUO60, which comes in 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart sizes.
Capacity: 6 quarts | Timer: Digital | Dimensions: 13.4 x 12.2 x 12.5 inches | Warranty: 1 year | What’s Included: Cooker, steaming rack
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The Spruce Eats / Danielle Centoni
"I tested the yogurt function on several occasions, and the pot always stopped its initial heating phase when the milk temperature reached exactly 180 degrees. I never had to click on the sauté button to get it to reach the optimal temperature." — Danielle Centoni, Product Tester
Best With Auto Shut-Off: Euro Cuisine YMX650 Automatic Digital Yogurt Maker
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Courtesy of Amazon
Utilizes individual glass jars
Can make different flavors at one time
Auto temperature control and shut-off
Timer
Machine can run hot
The Euro Cuisine YMX650 Digital Automatic Yogurt Maker offers an easy way to get variety in your homemade yogurt. Instead of utilizing one large container, the yogurt machine houses seven individual glass jars so that you can mix flavors in advance and easily store them in your refrigerator until you’re ready to eat them.
After you heat 42 ounces of milk, all you need to do is make your flavors, transfer equal amounts to each of the seven 6-ounce jars, and then turn it on and let it do its thing. The yogurt machine has an automatic 15-hour shut-off and auto temperature control, so there’s no need to monitor your yogurt as it cooks. Once the yogurt is ready, the blue LED digital timer will beep to let you know it’s time to transfer your yogurt to a cooler environment.
Capacity: 42 ounces | Timer: Digital | Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.75 inches | Warranty: 3 years | What’s Included: Yogurt maker with clear lid, (7) 6-ounce glass jars with date setting lids
Best Design: Hamilton Beach Proctor Silex 86300 Yogurt Machine
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Courtesy of Walmart
Fully automated
Container has a lid for easy storage
Sleek stainless steel design
Small container capacity
Only comes with one container
If you’re looking for a yogurt maker that does it all, your search ends with the Proctor Silex (86300). This machine features a LED display with a digital timer and push-button controls that you can use to turn the machine on or off and adjust the fermentation time for your homemade yogurt.
During the 8- to 12-hour cycle, the yogurt ferments in a 32-ounce BPA-free plastic insert that doubles as a storage container. When the yogurt completes fermentation, simply pop the container out of the machine, cover it with the included top with snap-down clips, and refrigerate until you’re ready to eat it.
Although it’s not the most compact yogurt machine on this list, at 7.48 x 7.56 x 9.13 inches, it’s still smaller than most and has a sleek black and stainless steel design that fits well into most kitchens. Even if you have limited counter or pantry space, you’ll likely be able to find somewhere to store it.
Capacity: 32 ounces | Timer: Digital | Dimensions: 7.48 x 7.56 x 9.13 inches | Warranty: 1 year limited | What’s Included: Yogurt maker, recipe book
Best Compact: Euro Cuisine 2-Quart Greek Yogurt Maker
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Courtesy of HSN
Can make up to 2 quarts at a time
Comes with thermometer, straining bag
Makes decent amount despite being compact
No automatic functions
Heating element is on bottom
The Euro Cuisine Greek Yogurt maker was designed with limited counter space in mind. At 7.5 x 7.5 x 10.5 inches and 4 pounds, this yogurt machine packs a lot of function into a small design. It features a timer that you can use to monitor your yogurt fermentation process and a glass jar that fits snugly inside the outer compartment. And even though the Euro Cuisine yogurt machine is compact, it can make up to 2 quarts, or 8 cups, of yogurt at a time—the same amount as other bulkier models on this list.
As a bonus, it comes with a stainless steel thermometer and a cotton bag that you can use to make Greek yogurt. It also comes in green, red, and white, so if you want to leave it on your counter, you can choose the option that best fits your kitchen aesthetic.
Capacity: 2 quarts | Timer: Manual | Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.5 x 10.5 inches | Warranty: 3 years | What’s Included: Yogurt maker with clear lid, 2-quart glass jar with lid, stainless steel thermometer, cotton straining bag for Greek yogurt
Best Non-Electric: Country Trading Co. Stainless Steel Yogurt Maker with 1-Quart Glass Jar
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Courtesy of Amazon
Easy to use
Compact design
Doesn’t need to be near an electrical outlet
Yogurt comes out a little too thin
Temperature can drop too quickly
On the other end of the spectrum sits the Culture Cupboard Stainless Steel Yogurt Maker, which combines function and simplicity in a low-tech—or really, no tech—design. This non-electric yogurt maker comes with a stainless steel flask and a one-quart glass jar with a lid. You make yogurt by heating your milk, mixing it with your starter, putting it in the glass jar, and then securing it in the stainless steel flask, which is designed to hold on to heat for the 8 to 12 hours it takes to make the yogurt.
There are no buttons, timers, or fancy features, but it gets the job done with minimal effort. It also comes with a 42-page yogurt recipe book that guides you through making all types of yogurt, from lactose-free to a 2 percent milk yogurt to non-dairy yogurt.
Capacity: 1 quart | Dimensions: 4.92 x 4.92 x 8.07 inches | What’s Included: Stainless steel yogurt maker, 1-quart glass jar with lid, recipe book
Best for Greek Yogurt: Euro Cuisine GY50 Greek Yogurt Maker
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euro cuisine
Easy to use
No electricity required
No temperature to worry about
Not dishwasher safe
Mesh filter is fragile
If you want to make the thickest Greek yogurt possible, a yogurt strainer is a necessity. The setup is simple: Yogurt is placed in a fine mesh strainer that fits into a bowl. The yogurt is placed in the refrigerator for several hours to drain. Gravity does all the work for you—the strainer will separate liquid whey from your yogurt.
You can use a strainer-style Greek yogurt maker to thicken store-bought or homemade yogurt, too. It's a great option if you don't like the idea of cooking your own yogurt or you come across a sale on regular yogurt and want to transform it into Greek yogurt to make breakfast parfaits or homemade homemade tzatziki.
Capacity: 2 quarts | Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 5.25 inches | What’s Included: Yogurt container with lid, fine mesh strainer
Our top recommendation is the Euro Cuisine YM80, which performed very well in our tests. It can make several different flavors at once and is budget-friendly, too. The Cuisinart Electronic Yogurt Maker is a high-tech alternative that also earned high marks.
What to Look for in a Yogurt Maker
Size
How much yogurt your family eats and how much counter space and storage space you have will help determine how big a yogurt maker you want. Also, some models make the yogurt in one large container, while others make it in individual containers, which may be more convenient depending on your preferences.
Features
Yogurt makers range from basic models to ones with all sorts of bells and whistles. Features like auto-shutoff and timers make the process easier, while adjustable temperature gauges allow you to get just the right consistency. Think about how hands-on you want to be to help determine which features may be most useful for you.
Versatility
Some yogurt makers do just that, while others can also make foods like soup and stew. Some instant pots can make yogurt too, so if you’re trying to minimize the number of kitchen appliances you buy, that may be an option to consider.
FAQs
How does a yogurt maker work?
Yogurt makers are really simple to use. All you have to do is mix milk (either dairy or non-dairy) and starter or cultures, which are the probiotics that make yogurt, together. Then you pour the mixture into the yogurt machine’s containers and insert them into the machine. The machine turns the mixture into yogurt by heating it at a low, consistent temperature between four and eight hours.
How do you clean a yogurt maker?
The proper cleaning technique for a yogurt maker depends on the machine. With electrical yogurt makers, you’ll remove the glass or plastic containers from the appliance, washing them separately. Some of them are dishwasher-safe, so read the manufacturer’s instructions. Then wipe down the inside and outside of the yogurt machine with a damp cloth or sponge. Make sure to unplug the yogurt maker and allow it to cool down before you wash it.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Lindsay Boyers is a certified holistic nutritionist with extensive nutrition knowledge and cooking experience. She’s developed over 1,000 original recipes and is constantly on a mission to find the best cooking gadgets at the best prices to help make life in the kitchen more streamlined and efficient.
This roundup was updated by Sharon Lehman, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist who happily makes space for any gadget that makes cooking faster and easier. She personally tested one yogurt maker on this roundup.