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The best yogurt maker 2026 has to offer is the Euro Cuisine YM80. Its seven individual 6-ounce glass jars let you flavor each serving differently, the 42-ounce total capacity suits families, and the simple on/off operation with a timer-marked lid holds the steady 110°F-ish warmth that cultures need. Homemade yogurt at a fraction of store prices — thick, fresh and free of additives — with almost no effort.
A yogurt maker is beautifully simple technology: it holds milk-plus-culture at a stable incubation temperature (roughly 105–115°F) for 6–12 hours while beneficial bacteria do the work. The result tastes better than most store brands, costs a fraction per serving, and lets you control sweetness, thickness and ingredients completely. But jar configuration, temperature control and Greek-yogurt capability differ between models. We researched seven leading yogurt makers and explain how to choose below.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
| Model | Capacity | Standout Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro Cuisine YM80 | 42 oz (7 x 6 oz jars) | Individual glass jars | Best overall |
| Euro Cuisine YM100 | 42 oz (7 x 6 oz jars) | Adjustable temp + timer | Precision control |
| Dash Greek Yogurt Maker | 32 oz | Straining for Greek style | Greek yogurt fans |
| Cuisinart CYM-100 | 50 oz | Automatic cooling | Premium pick |
| Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 | 128 oz (8 qt) | Yogurt + pressure cooking | Multi-use |
| Mueller Austria Yogurt Maker | 48 oz (8 x 6 oz jars) | 8 jars, low price | Budget pick |
| Yogourmet Multi | 64 oz (2 qt) | Large batch, thermometer | Big batches |
The 7 Best Yogurt Makers of 2026
1. Euro Cuisine YM80 — Best Overall
The Euro Cuisine YM80 is the classic yogurt maker for good reason: seven reusable 6-ounce glass jars with airtight lids let every family member have their own flavor, the 42-ounce total capacity covers a week’s worth of breakfasts, and operation could not be simpler — fill jars, set them in the base, switch on, mark the timer dial.
The steady, even heating produces consistently thick, creamy yogurt batch after batch, and the glass jars go from maker to fridge to table with no plastic touching your food. Cleanup is trivial — jars and lids are dishwasher-safe. At its modest price, the YM80 pays for itself within weeks compared with buying premium yogurt. The only real limitation is the lack of adjustable temperature, which matters only for advanced fermenters.
- Capacity: 42 ounces (seven 6-oz glass jars)
- Operation: On/off with timer-marking dial
- Jars: Reusable glass with airtight lids, dishwasher-safe
- Time: Typically 6–10 hours incubation
Pros:
- Individual jars for custom flavors
- Glass jars — no plastic contact
- Dead-simple operation
- Pays for itself quickly
Cons:
- No adjustable temperature
- No auto shut-off (uses timer dial)
Euro Cuisine YM80 Yogurt Maker with 7 Glass Jars
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2. Euro Cuisine YM100 Automatic — Best Temperature Control
The YM100 takes the YM80’s winning formula and adds what fermenting enthusiasts want: adjustable temperature control and a digital timer with automatic shut-off. Different cultures thrive at slightly different temperatures, and the ability to dial in 105–115°F precisely (plus make variations like kefir-style ferments) gives you real control over texture and tang.
You still get seven 6-ounce glass jars and 42 ounces of capacity, but the digital timer means no more remembering to switch off — the maker stops itself. For beginners the YM80 is plenty; for anyone who wants to experiment with cultures, incubation times and yogurt styles, the YM100’s adjustability is worth the step up.
- Capacity: 42 ounces (seven 6-oz glass jars)
- Controls: Adjustable temperature + digital timer
- Auto function: Automatic shut-off
- Versatility: Yogurt, kefir-style ferments
Pros:
- Precise temperature control
- Auto shut-off digital timer
- Same great jar system as YM80
Cons:
- Costs more than the YM80
- Slight learning curve on settings
Euro Cuisine YM100 Automatic Yogurt Maker
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3. Dash Greek Yogurt Maker — Best for Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is just regular yogurt with the whey strained out — and the Dash Greek Yogurt Maker is built around that step. Its 32-ounce container incubates the batch, then the included straining system separates whey to produce thick, protein-rich Greek-style yogurt with minimal fuss.
The compact machine is simple to operate, the container is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, and the resulting yogurt rivals premium store brands at a fraction of the cost. If thick, strained yogurt is your daily staple, a purpose-built straining system beats rigging cheesecloth over a bowl every time.
- Capacity: 32 ounces
- Specialty: Built-in straining for Greek-style thickness
- Container: BPA-free, dishwasher-safe
- Operation: Simple one-touch style
Pros:
- Purpose-built for thick Greek yogurt
- No cheesecloth rigging needed
- Compact and easy to clean
Cons:
- Single large batch — no individual jars
- Smaller capacity than jar systems
Dash Greek Yogurt Maker Machine
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4. Cuisinart CYM-100 — Best Premium Pick
The Cuisinart CYM-100 is the luxury yogurt maker, and its killer feature is automatic cooling: when fermentation ends, the machine switches to cooling mode and holds the yogurt at food-safe temperature for up to 12 hours. Start a batch before work without worrying about it sitting warm all afternoon — a genuine lifestyle upgrade.
The 50-ounce stainless container suits families, the digital controls offer precise time settings, and the stainless housing looks premium. It costs several times the basic models, but the cooling function solves the number-one scheduling headache of yogurt making.
- Capacity: 50 ounces (stainless container)
- Specialty: Automatic cooling after fermentation
- Controls: Digital with precise timing
- Build: Stainless steel housing
Pros:
- Auto-cooling eliminates scheduling stress
- Large 50-oz capacity
- Premium build and looks
Cons:
- Significantly more expensive
- Single container, no portion jars
Cuisinart CYM-100 Electronic Yogurt Maker with Cooling
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5. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 — Best Multi-Use Alternative
Already own an Instant Pot? You may already own a yogurt maker. The Duo’s yogurt function holds precise incubation temperatures for large batches — up to a gallon in the 8-quart model — and the “boil” step for scalding milk is built in. For Instant Pot owners, the marginal cost of homemade yogurt is zero.
As a dedicated yogurt experience it is less refined — one big batch, no portion jars, and the pot is tied up for 8+ hours — but the capacity is unmatched and the results are excellent. If you are buying an Instant Pot anyway, the yogurt function alone justifies choosing the Duo over simpler pressure cookers. (We cover dedicated pressure cookers in our electric pressure cooker guide.)
- Capacity: Up to 1 gallon (8-qt model)
- Function: Yogurt preset with boil step
- Bonus: Full pressure cooker + 6 other functions
- Batch style: Single large batch
Pros:
- Zero extra cost for Instant Pot owners
- Huge batch capacity
- Seven appliances in one
Cons:
- Ties up the cooker for 8+ hours
- No portion jars or auto-cooling
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
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6. Mueller Austria Yogurt Maker — Best Budget Pick
The Mueller Austria yogurt maker delivers the core experience — steady incubation, portion jars, simple operation — at the lowest price here. Eight 6-ounce jars (48 ounces total) actually beat the Euro Cuisine on jar count, and the compact base stores easily.
Temperature control is fixed rather than adjustable, and the plastic-heavy build will not win design awards, but the yogurt it produces is just as good — incubation physics do not care about branding. For budget buyers and yogurt-making skeptics, it is the lowest-risk entry point.
- Capacity: 48 ounces (eight 6-oz jars)
- Operation: Simple on/off
- Jars: Reusable with lids, dishwasher-safe
- Design: Compact base
Pros:
- Lowest price in this roundup
- Eight jars — most portions here
- Simple and compact
Cons:
- Fixed temperature, no timer
- Basic plastic construction
Mueller Austria Yogurt Maker with 8 Jars
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7. Yogourmet Multi — Best for Big Batches
The Yogourmet Multi takes a different approach: a 2-quart (64-ounce) inner container — the largest batch here short of the Instant Pot — with an included thermometer for monitoring the crucial milk-heating step. It is aimed at serious yogurt households that go through quarts per week.
The electric base maintains steady incubation temperature, the large container suits family-scale production, and Yogourmet’s long history in cultures means the system is well thought out (their starter cultures are excellent). It is bulkier than jar systems and offers no portioning, but for volume yogurt makers, capacity is king.
- Capacity: 64 ounces (2 quarts)
- Container: Large inner container with lid
- Extras: Thermometer included
- Design: Electric base with steady heating
Pros:
- Large 2-quart batch capacity
- Included thermometer aids perfect results
- Well-designed by culture specialists
Cons:
- Bulky for small kitchens
- No individual portion jars
Yogourmet Multi Electric Yogurt Maker 2-Quart
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How to Choose the Best Yogurt Maker
Jar System vs. Single Container
Individual jars (Euro Cuisine, Mueller) let you flavor each serving differently and grab-and-go straight from the fridge — ideal for families with varied tastes. Single containers (Dash, Cuisinart, Yogourmet) suit uniform batches and are simpler to fill and clean. Households that eat yogurt the same way daily do fine with a container; varied households should choose jars.
Temperature Control: Fixed vs. Adjustable
Fixed-temperature makers (around 110°F) produce excellent standard yogurt with zero decisions — perfect for beginners. Adjustable models (YM100) let you fine-tune for different cultures: some heirloom strains prefer 105°F, others 115°F, and kefir-style ferments need room temperature. Buyers who will experiment should pay for adjustability; everyone else will never touch the dial.
Greek Yogurt: Straining Matters
Any yogurt maker can produce the base for Greek yogurt — thickness comes from straining whey afterward through cheesecloth or a strainer. Purpose-built systems (Dash) integrate this step cleanly. If Greek is your goal, either buy a straining model or budget a few dollars for a yogurt strainer; the maker itself is only half the equation.
Timing Features and Food Safety
Yogurt incubates 6–12 hours, which rarely aligns with your schedule. Auto shut-off timers (YM100) stop heating on time; automatic cooling (Cuisinart CYM-100) goes further, refrigerating the batch until you are home. Without these, you are tied to the clock — fine for weekend batches, annoying for workdays. Do not leave finished yogurt at incubation temperature for hours past done.
Capacity Planning
A daily yogurt eater goes through roughly a quart per week. The 42–48 ounce jar systems cover one to two daily eaters; 50–64 ounce containers suit families. Remember incubation ties up the machine for most of a day, so oversized capacity you fill twice weekly beats a small maker running constantly.
How We Selected These Models
We researched instead of inventing test results. We compared specifications (capacity, jar configuration, temperature control, timing features), studied verified owner reviews for consistency of results and reliability patterns, and matched models to real households — families, Greek-yogurt devotees, precision fermenters, budget buyers. Rankings weigh result consistency, ease of use, useful features and value. Confirm current specs before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is homemade yogurt actually cheaper than store-bought?
Dramatically. A half-gallon of milk plus a spoonful of starter makes about 2 quarts of yogurt for the price of the milk — typically $2–4 versus $5–8+ for equivalent premium store yogurt. A basic yogurt maker pays for itself within a month or two of regular use, and you control ingredients completely.
Q: What starter should I use?
Two tablespoons of plain store yogurt with live active cultures works perfectly as a starter — save some from each batch to inoculate the next (viable for 5–7 generations). Dedicated freeze-dried starters (Yogourmet, Cultures for Health) offer specific strains like Bulgarian or Greek-style with more predictable results. Keep starters fresh; weak cultures make thin yogurt.
Q: Why is my homemade yogurt runny?
The usual culprits: incubation temperature too low or too high (aim 105–115°F), weak or old starter culture, incubation time too short (try 8–10 hours), or ultra-pasteurized milk, which sets less firmly. Fix one variable at a time. Adding a few tablespoons of dry milk powder to the milk before heating also boosts thickness reliably.
Q: How do I make Greek yogurt at home?
Make regular yogurt first, then strain it: line a colander with cheesecloth or a coffee filter, set over a bowl, refrigerate 2–4 hours until it reaches your desired thickness. Longer straining means thicker yogurt and more whey removed. Purpose-built makers like the Dash integrate straining, but the cheesecloth method works with any yogurt.
Q: How long does homemade yogurt last?
About 1–2 weeks refrigerated in airtight containers — the live cultures keep working slowly, so it gradually gets tangier. Always refrigerate promptly after incubation (within 2 hours). Discard if you see pink or orange discoloration, off smells beyond normal tang, or mold. When in doubt, throw it out.
Q: Can I make dairy-free yogurt in a yogurt maker?
Yes, with the right approach. Coconut cream, soy milk and cashew milk culture well; almond milk is trickier due to low protein. Use a dairy-free starter culture (dairy starters can work but results vary), and expect thinner results — a teaspoon of agar or tapioca starch per quart helps set plant milks. Incubation times are similar to dairy.
The Bottom Line
The Euro Cuisine YM80 is the best yogurt maker of 2026 for most buyers — simple, affordable and endlessly repeatable with its seven glass jars. Precision fermenters should step up to the YM100, Greek devotees to the Dash, and busy professionals to the Cuisinart CYM-100 with its auto-cooling. Whichever you choose, you are weeks away from better, cheaper yogurt than the store sells.
