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Best Yogurt Makers

Updated April 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
EuroCuisine YMX650 Automatic Digital Yogurt Maker Machine
EuroCuisine
YMX650 Automatic Digital Yogurt Maker Machine
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

An easy-to-use digital automatic yogurt maker that features a timing system for hassle-free yogurt in just hours.

Pros

Designed for countertop usage with electric power. Creates yogurt enriched with probiotics. Includes 7 dishwasher-safe jars with BPA-free rotary lids for date tracking. Features automatic shut-off after 15 hours, digital timer, and automative temperature control.

Cons

Lids don't close tightly enough on the jars. Some users agree you can make yogurt in a simpler way.

Best Bang for the Buck
Hatrigo 1-Gallon Greek Yogurt Maker
Hatrigo
1-Gallon Greek Yogurt Maker
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This basic yogurt-making choice is a simple straining system designed to sit in your fridge for homemade greek yogurt.

Pros

Straightforward, 1-gallon yogurt maker with an extra-fine mesh strainer. Stores easily in the fridge. Simple to use and clean. Made from BPA-free plastic. Can be used for nut milk making, cheese, or additional straining recipes. Also available in 0.5-gallon size.

Cons

Yogurt comes through the strainer along with the whey. Can be difficult to scrape yogurt from strainer.

EuroCuisine YM80
EuroCuisine
YM80
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

Designed for cooks of all experience levels, this entry-level yogurt maker provides the best economic deal.

Pros

Includes 7, 6 oz. individual portioning jars for making various flavors at a time. Up to 42 oz. of yogurt per batch. Flexible/adjustable fermentation periods. Steady heat. Simple operation with on/off switch and light indicator.

Cons

No automatic shut-off. "Passive" timer requires extra vigilance during fermentation.

Bear Greek Yogurt Maker Machine
Bear
Greek Yogurt Maker Machine
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Most Versatile
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A digital yogurt machine that also functions as a cheese and fruit wine maker.

Pros

A 304 stainless steel inner pot. Enriches yogurt with higher doses of probiotics with microcomputer temperatures. Timer can be set for customizable taste. Controls fermentation time for the creation of cheeses, kefir yogurt, greek yogurt, or fruit wine. Includes 2 storage containers and strainer.

Cons

You need to heat the milk before adding it to machine. Glass jars break easily and cannot be replaced.

Culture Cupboard Stainless Steel Yogurt Maker
Culture Cupboard
Stainless Steel Yogurt Maker
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Sleek & Easy
Bottom Line

This simple stainless steel yogurt-making jar is easy-to-use but might not be insulated enough for some users' needs.

Pros

Made from durable, double-walled stainless steel that is rust-resistant and easy to clean. Reusable design is eco-friendly, preventing the waste of single-use plastic from store-bought yogurt. Includes sizable yogurt-making book with detailed instructions and numerous recipes.

Cons

The double-wall insulation doesn't maintain temperatures as well as expected. Overpriced for what you get.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
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60
Consumers
Consulted
16
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best yogurt makers

If you're concerned about the ingredients that go into your food, the ability to make delicious meals and snacks in the convenience of your own home will undoubtedly appeal to you. A yogurt maker lets you prepare delicious, healthy yogurt for yourself and your family with very little effort.

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Yogurt can be part of a healthy diet. It has plenty of probiotics to promote a healthier gut. Making yogurt at home can ensure you don't get all the added sugar of store-bought options.

Is a yogurt maker right for you?

You may be wondering if a yogurt maker is worth the investment. The answer to that question depends on the consumer.

  • A yogurt maker is a good choice for people looking to live a healthier lifestyle. If you’ve been thinking about making more foods from scratch, a yogurt maker is a good place to start.

  • If you eat a lot of yogurt, a yogurt maker can help you save money on grocery bills … and help satisfy your cravings.

  • Cooks who are gadget lovers may appreciate having a yogurt maker in their arsenal of kitchen tools.

  • Parents who want to feed their children healthy snacks may find it fun to make yogurt together.
     

Yogurt is a healthy snack and dessert option. It’s also an important component in many great recipes and sauces. And for those who are environmentally conscientious, it reduces waste significantly since you’re not constantly buying and discarding plastic yogurt containers.

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EXPERT CONSULTANT
Samantha Attard, nutrition PhD, is a consultant, coach, yoga instructor, and founder of Happy Healthy Human. Through her business, Samantha provides personalized health solutions to individuals and groups of all sizes. She also has a line of health snacks that to help individuals all over the country eat with intention. Her research has been featured in the British Medical Journal, Diabetologia, and Journal of Hypertension, among others.
Samantha
Nutrition PhD and Consultant

What to consider before buying a yogurt maker

Before settling on a particular yogurt maker, think about the following to ensure you're picking the machine that's right for your needs.

Size

Size matters – especially if you're planning on feeding more than just yourself. Verify how many servings a particular yogurt maker can provide. Many yogurt makers come with small jars for easy portioning. The jars are great for packing in kids’ lunches or storing on-the-go breakfast.

"The best part of homemade yogurt is that you start with fresh milk and can add your own sweetener if desired, rather than having overly sugary store-bought varieties."
STAFF
BestReviews

Electric or non-electric

Check to see whether the yogurt maker you're considering requires a power source or not. Non-electric yogurt makers are less convenient than those that require power, as you must find an alternate heat source to warm the milk.

Display and additional features

While some yogurt makers are no-frills machines, others have displays that let you know how much time is left in the yogurt-making process. Auto-shutoff is a convenient feature, too; you don’t have to constantly monitor the time if your yogurt maker will turn off itself. And some yogurt makers feature a smart auto-cooling function for when the yogurt-making process has reached its end. The yogurt machine switches to cooling to ensure your yogurt stays fresh.

Although not a feature of the machine itself, some yogurt makers come packaged with individual glass jars that allow you to input the date the yogurt was made.

Easy clean-up

Is easy clean-up a priority for you? Some yogurt makers are dishwasher safe or, at the very least, they have parts that can be run through the dishwasher. Whatever yogurt maker you choose, it should be easy to clean. You don’t want to reuse a dirty yogurt maker, as it could lead to bacterial contamination and an unsafe food product.

Durability

The durability of your yogurt maker depends on the materials with which it's made. Plastic machines degrade quicker and may crack over time. Stainless steel machines offer a tougher construction and are highly resistant to wear and tear.

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Expert Tip
One of the primary benefits of yogurt is the presence of probiotics. These beneficial bacteria have been associated with better gut and brain health, as well as lower risk of obesity.
STAFF
BestReviews

A note about fermentation

A yogurt maker is not a kitchen appliance for an impatient cook. These machines work slowly to create their finished product. Yogurt is essentially milk that has been fermented with good bacteria.

The fermentation process required to make yogurt takes many hours, but without a yogurt machine to help, it would take even longer. Most yogurt makers require you to use a yogurt starter. The starter introduces the good bacteria that initiates the fermentation process.

Although the strong smell of fermented foods may put some people off, they are nutritional powerhouses. The process of fermentation is a convenient, natural way to preserve food. It also makes food easier to digest.

If you've ever seen a yogurt commercial, you know that healthy digestion is repeatedly mentioned as a benefit of eating yogurt. Fermented foods introduce good bacteria into the digestive system, which is excellent for overall gut health.

Yogurt snack ideas

There are plenty of ways to enjoy yogurt; it need never be boring. Here are a few ideas to put your yogurt maker to good use.

  • Frozen yogurt popsicles

  • Overnight oats made with yogurt

  • Yogurt with granola, coconut, or a variety of other mix-ins

  • Yogurt and fruit parfait

  • Yogurt smoothies

  • Yogurt as a base for healthy salad dressing

  • Yogurt as a base for a tangy marinade

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You can use any milk to make yogurt, so don't feel left out if you're lactose intolerant or vegan.

FAQ

Q. How do I make Greek yogurt?

A. Making Greek yogurt requires an additional tool: a strainer. Some yogurt makers come with a strainer to make Greek yogurt. If yours doesn’t, you can purchase one separately and strain the yogurt on your own. Straining the yogurt helps to make it thicker.

Q. Can I use a yogurt maker for other purposes?

A. Yes! Some people use their machines to make cheese. Yum! There are plenty of recipes online to help you make the most of your new yogurt maker.

Q. Is fermentation safe?

A. It's best to follow manufacturer's instructions to ensure you're producing a safe fermented product. If your machine stops working or shuts off mid-cycle, do not eat the yogurt. Also, make sure to clean your device after each use. Bacteria can fester in nooks and crannies and can contaminate your yogurt if you don't correctly disinfect your unit. Otherwise, it’s a very safe process that has been used throughout history to conserve foods.

Fermented foods have surged in popularity once again because of their unique taste profile and health benefits.

Q. I like variety. Can I make a lot of different types of yogurt at one time?

A. It depends on your yogurt maker. Some machines make yogurt in small individual batches so you can customize each pot to your liking. Others produce large quantities and require you to settle on one flavor choice.