The 5 Best Electric Yogurt Makers of 2026
Store-bought yogurt is mostly milk, marketing, and a best-before date you probably do not trust. A good yogurt maker holds milk at a steady temperature for hours and turns a cheap gallon into creamy, tangy yogurt you actually control, from the starter culture to the sweetness. This guide walks through the Best Overall, the Best for Greek Yogurt built for strained yogurt, the Best Budget that costs less than a week of store-bought tubs, the Best Classic Starter Set starter set with individual glass jars, and the Best for Large Families model for high-volume households. The Ultimate Probiotic Yogurt Maker rose to the top because precise temperature control is the one thing that separates reliably thick yogurt from soupy disappointment. Read on for the full breakdown.
| Product | Capacity | Ease Of Use | Temperature Control | Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Best Classic Starter SetEuro Cuisine YM80 | 7.0 | 9.5 | 7.0 | 8.5 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best BudgetCompact 1-Quart Greek Yogurt Maker | 7.0 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 9.5 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best for Greek YogurtBear Yogurt Maker with Greek Strainer | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 7.5 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best for Large FamiliesUltimate Probiotic Yogurt Maker XL 12-Jar | 10.0 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 7.5 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best OverallUltimate Probiotic Yogurt Maker TruTemp | 8.5 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 8.0 | See PriceAmazon |
Euro Cuisine YM80
Best for
This is for the person who wants yogurt in the fridge with zero fuss: flip a switch, wait, refrigerate. The seven individual glass jars are perfect for portioning different flavors or sweeteners, and reviewers love grabbing one for work. If you would regret buying a gadget with menus and timers you will never touch, this is your pick over the digital models.
Why we love it
The Euro Cuisine YM80 has been the default starter yogurt maker for years, and 5,651 reviews at 4.4 stars show why. There is exactly one button, and the clear on/off switch means you cannot mess up the settings. The seven 6oz glass jars with lids double as storage, so there is no decanting step like the bulk-container Ultimate requires. Each jar holds about 170ml, giving you a full week of single servings in one run. The trade-off is real: you get one fixed temperature and no timer, so specialty cultures that need low-and-slow ferments are out of reach. For classic plain yogurt though, owners report it runs at a steady 110 to 114F and produces reliably thick results.
Pros
- Seven 6oz glass jars with lids included
- Simple on/off switch, zero learning curve
- 4.4 stars across 5,651 reviews
- Works with dairy and vegan milks
Cons
- No adjustable temperature, it runs one fixed heat
- No timer, you track the 8 to 10 hours yourself
- Smaller total capacity than bulk-container models
Verdict
Yes if you want the simplest possible path to homemade yogurt and love single-serve jars. If you need temperature control for specialty probiotic strains, step up to the Best Overall instead.
Compact 1-Quart Greek Yogurt Maker
Best for
This is the toe-in-the-water pick. At under twenty dollars it costs less than a week of premium store-bought yogurt, so there is almost no risk in trying the hobby. The 1-quart stainless steel container suits a single person or couple. You would regret it only if you quickly become a daily yogurt eater, in which case the XL model or a jar set would serve you better.
Why we love it
For the price of two fancy yogurt tubs you get a real fermenter with 3D constant temperature control and a stainless steel container, which is genuinely impressive at this price. It produces 25 to 30 fluid ounces per batch, enough for a small household's week. Compared with the Ultimate, you give up adjustable temperature, a timer, and any meaningful warranty, and the 4.0-star average across 782 reviews trails the top picks. But the core job, holding milk at a steady temperature for 12 hours, it does. Reviewers consistently report thick, mild yogurt, and the compact footprint fits anywhere.
Pros
- Under 20 dollars, cheapest main pick
- 3D constant temperature control system
- Stainless steel inner container
- Makes 25 to 30 fl oz per batch
Cons
- Generic brand with less support than established names
- 4.0-star average is the lowest of the main picks
- Transparent lid feels less sturdy than glass or steel
Verdict
Yes if you are yogurt-curious and want the cheapest credible way in. If you already know you will make yogurt weekly, the Euro Cuisine jars or the Ultimate control are worth the upgrade.
Bear Yogurt Maker with Greek Strainer
Best for
Greek yogurt lovers who are tired of paying premium prices for the strained stuff. The included 100-mesh strainer is the differentiator: most makers would have you rigging cheesecloth over a colander, while the Bear ships the proper tool. If you would regret buying a maker and then discovering Greek yogurt needs extra gear, this removes that surprise. The multifunction programs for cheese and fruit wine are a bonus for the experimentally inclined.
Why we love it
This is the pick Redditors in yogurt-making communities keep coming back to, and one owner in our research summed it up: the stainless steel inner pot heats evenly and the digital controls make thick, consistent yogurt batch after batch. The 304 stainless steel inner pot is a meaningful step up in food-contact material from the plastic tubs on cheaper units. The smart microcomputer timer automates temperature for each function, and the 100-mesh strainer drains whey to proper Greek thickness. At 69.95 it costs more than the budget pick and the straining step adds hands-on time, but 2,232 reviews at 4.2 stars confirm it delivers the thick result Greek fans want.
Pros
- 100-mesh Greek yogurt strainer included
- 304 stainless steel inner pot
- Smart microcomputer timer control
- Also makes cheese and fruit wine
Cons
- Manual straining step adds time versus true set-and-forget
- Priciest of the mid-range picks at 69.95
- Strainer and jars add pieces to wash
Verdict
Yes if thick, strained Greek yogurt is the whole point of buying a maker. If you mostly eat regular yogurt, save money with the Euro Cuisine or go precise with the Best Overall.
Ultimate Probiotic Yogurt Maker XL 12-Jar
Best for
Families and meal preppers who treat yogurt as a staple, not a snack. Twelve 6oz jars means everyone gets their own portioned servings for the week from a single overnight run. If you would regret making two batches a week in a smaller maker, or decanting one big tub into containers every time, this ends that chore. It is the same proven platform as the Best Overall with half again the capacity.
Why we love it
This is the Ultimate scaled up for volume: same adjustable TruTemp temperature control and run-time settings, same unlimited lifetime warranty, but with twelve individual 6oz glass jars instead of two quart containers. That is 50 percent more capacity per batch, and the portioned jars are genuinely practical for families. It holds the same 4.5-star average as its smaller sibling across 1,759 reviews. The 89.95 price is the steepest here, and the unit takes real counter space, but if you are currently buying a dozen tubs a week, this is the maker that replaces the store run.
Pros
- Twelve individual 6oz glass jars per batch
- Adjustable temperature and run time
- 50 percent more capacity than the standard
- Unlimited lifetime warranty
Cons
- 89.95 is the highest price in the guide
- Large footprint for a single-purpose appliance
- Overkill if you eat less than a quart a week
Verdict
Yes if your household goes through yogurt fast and you want a week's worth in one run. Smaller households should save money with the standard Ultimate or the Euro Cuisine jar set.
Ultimate Probiotic Yogurt Maker TruTemp
Best for
The everyday yogurt maker who wants it to work the same way every time. If you culture specialty probiotic strains like L. reuteri that need low temperatures and long ferments, the adjustable TruTemp control is the only thing in this price range that handles them. You would regret the budget pick here if precise control matters to you, and you would regret the XL model only if you do not need its extra jars.
Why we love it
Temperature control is the whole game in yogurt making, and the TruTemp system is the best implementation anywhere near this price. It holds your chosen temperature for up to 48 hours, which covers everything from a standard 8-hour batch to the long, low-temperature ferments that delicate probiotic cultures need. The two 1-quart glass containers with BPA-free lids make 2 quarts per batch, double what most jar-style makers produce. Owners are emphatic: one reviewer who had tried a thermos, an oven, and an Instant Pot says nothing compares. With 5,309 reviews at 4.5 stars it has triple the review volume of the next most-reviewed pick, and the unlimited lifetime warranty is unmatched in this guide.
Pros
- Adjustable TruTemp temperature and time control
- Holds temp for up to 48-hour ferments
- Two 1-quart glass containers with BPA-free lids
- Unlimited lifetime warranty
Cons
- 59.97 costs triple the budget pick
- Two quart containers mean decanting for single servings
- Larger than the compact jar-style makers
Verdict
Yes for most buyers. This is the one to get unless your budget is tight (see the Best Budget) or you specifically want strained Greek yogurt with the kit included (see the Bear).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is making yogurt at home actually cheaper than buying it?
For a quart a week, yes. A gallon of milk costs roughly what two large tubs of decent yogurt cost, and one maker pays for itself within a month or two of regular use. The savings grow if you were buying the fancy probiotic or Greek brands.
What ingredients do I need to make yogurt?
You need milk and a starter, which can be a few spoonfuls of plain yogurt with live cultures or a freeze-dried starter packet. UHT milk works without pre-heating. Heat the milk to about 180F and cool to 110F first if you want the thickest result, though many people skip that and still get good yogurt.
How long does a batch take to ferment?
Eight to twelve hours is typical. The two Ultimate models and the Bear let you set the time on a digital timer, so you can start a batch after dinner and have it ready in the morning. Longer ferments get tangier; shorter ones stay milder.
Why did my homemade yogurt come out runny?
Sometimes, usually for one of three reasons: the temperature swung too much, the starter was old or weak, or the ferment was too short. A maker with real temperature control fixes the first cause, which is the most common. Ultra-pasteurized milk can also be finicky compared with regular pasteurized milk.
Honorable Mentions
Party Dessert Electric Greek Yogurt Maker
Two generous 2-liter buckets plus an integrated strainer make this the biggest batch per dollar here. Only 73 reviews so far, so it stays an honorable mention until more owners weigh in.
See PriceAmazonStainless Steel Non-Electric Yogurt Maker
No plug, no programming: an insulated stainless steel design that holds heat on its own, with a 42-page recipe book. A smart pick if you want yogurt without another countertop appliance.
See PriceAmazonHofenta 1.7-Quart Yogurt Maker
A stainless steel bowl plus nine glass jars and a digital timer at a mid-range price. A strong family option with only 41 reviews keeping it out of the main picks.
See PriceAmazon
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