In a world where dietary preferences are as diverse as the flavours of a fro-yo shop, the quest for the best yoghurt makers has become a delightful and essential journey. Not only is yoghurt delicious for breakfast, dessert or a snack it also has many health benefits. Yoghurt can be high in protein, calcium, vitamins and live culture, which helps promote good gut health. Most good quality yoghurts contain live bacteria or probiotics, which help bring good bacteria to your gut and help with your digestive health.
The best yoghurt makers at a glance:
• Best overall yoghurt maker: Lakeland Multi Yoghurt and Soft Cheese Maker - View now on Lakeland
• Best yoghurt maker for big batches: VonShef Yoghurt Maker Machine - View now on Amazon
• Best yoghurt maker for individual servings: VonShef Digital Yoghurt Maker with 7 Jars - View now on Amazon
However, there are some downsides too. Yoghurt can be expensive, especially non-dairy yoghurt, and it also comes in a lot of plastic packaging, which is bad for the environment. In addition, some yoghurts are packed full of sugar and additives, so they do not have that many health benefits. Also, if you buy in bulk or larger cartons, it can go off very quickly and be a waste.
If you are tired of spending a fortune on yoghurt, looking for a cheap dairy-free option, or looking for a healthier, cost-effective and sustainable alternative, then a yoghurt maker would be a great solution for you.
With homemade yoghurt, you will get a very fresh product, and you can get creative and make your own flavours. With yoghurt makers, you are in complete control of the ingredients, so you can eat the delicious treat to your heart's content.
Plus, the good news is that the best yoghurt makers are not always expensive and are easy to use. So even if you are on a restricted budget, a yoghurt maker will be an investment that will be paid off very quickly. A typical yoghurt maker costs between £20-65, with an average price of £25.
What to consider when buying a yoghurt maker?
Temperature settings:
If you are looking to make different yoghurt and cream cheese varieties, you will need a yoghurt maker with different temperature levels. For example, when making yoghurts with kefir, you will need a lower temperature. Therefore, it is best to avoid purchasing a yoghurt maker that only has limited temperature controls where you are limited to only a few pre-sets as an option. On the other hand, if you are looking to make straightforward, plain yoghurt, then perhaps a manual yoghurt maker would suit you best.
Capacity:
Before you purchase a yoghurt maker, there are a few factors you should take into consideration. One point is how much yoghurt you want to make. If you are only making it for yourself or two people, then a model with a smaller capacity should be sufficient, for example, six or seven tubs. However, if you are looking to make bulk batches and integrate them into cooking or baking, such as making naan bread, perhaps something larger would be best, such as a one container device or twelve jars. Yoghurt makers are made in two ways, one is a machine with smaller individual pots for smaller servings, and the other is a big pot to make a large quantity at a time.
Preparation times:
When making yoghurt at home, you will need to allow for, on average, 10 hours for the fermentation process to complete. Some recipes may take longer and others less time. It is best to consider machines with customizable timer settings that allow for at least 12-hour preparation times. Automatic pre-sets are also helpful, so lookout for a device that includes pre-sets that offer a range of preparation times. Additionally, a machine that has an automatic shutdown function will allow your yoghurt maker to do its work without you needing to be at home to switch it off when the process is complete.
Maintenance:
The best devices are the ones that require minimal maintenance and cleaning. To make sure your device lasts longer, clean the blade components thoroughly after every use. This will make sure your blades operate properly within the machine and reduce the chance of bacteria growth in the machine. It is best to hand wash the device and the components, but consider yoghurt makers with dishwasher-safe components and jars if you are looking for something more convenient.
Design:
It is important to consider how much space you have in your kitchen to store the yoghurt maker. If you haven't got a lot of space, it is best to choose more compact yoghurt makers that will take up less counter and cupboard space.
How to use a Yoghurt Maker
After you have purchased a yoghurt maker, you will need a few other essentials to get started. You will need to buy ingredients, such as starter yoghurt packets and fresh milk or non-dairy milk. You will also require a saucepan to boil the milk, a ladle, a mixing bowl and a thermometer.
With that in mind, here are our top picks of the best yoghurt makers on the market so you can make sustainable, cost-effective and healthy yoghurt to your heart's delight.
SHOP: The best yoghurt makers
Best overall yoghurt maker
www.lakeland.co.uk
This yoghurt maker is of excellent value as it can make soft cheese as well as yoghurt. We would highly recommend this product to those with a dairy intolerance or vegan diet as it can make yoghurt and soft cheese for a fraction of the supermarket price. The Lakeland yoghurt machine comes with a set of instructions for making your own soft cheese, as well as Greek yoghurt and a comprehensive manual so you can produce yoghurt at ease. The machine comes with different containers, so you can choose how much you want to make each time. It comes with a strainer, 1.8 and 1.6-litre containers and is compact and easy to clean.
One thing to note is that the temperature control can be temperamental, so you will need to monitor the machine in case it does not work properly.
Pros
- Compact design
- Can make soft cheese as well as yoghurt
- Comprehensive manual
Cons
- Temperature control doesn't always work
| Time taken to produce yoghurt | 8 Hours |
| Volume | 1.65 Litres |
| Dimensions | 15.5cm x 18cm x 24cm |
- Customer review: "I love my new yoghurt maker. I make a lot of yoghurts and have been using the Amazon Basics yoghurt maker, which is also very good, but I wanted something that allowed me to make a big batch which I could then strain to make Greek Yoghurt. This has everything you need. There are two containers for different quantities and a strainer which fits into the larger container."
Best yoghurt maker for big batches
This compact yoghurt maker has a large 1.8L container and unlike some other models on the market today, VonShef is compact and easy to store. Although it is a device that makes yoghurt in one container, it is very energy efficient can make up to 14,000ml of yoghurt in one go. Each batch takes around 10 hours to finish, and there is no automatic off switch, so you will need to monitor the device and control it yourself. It does not have an LCD display to the temperature either, so you will need to observe this also.
This product is recommended for those who have experience making yoghurt or using devices; however, the amount it produces makes it great value for those who frequently eat yoghurt or have a big household.
Pros
- Great for bulk making yoghurt
- Energy efficient
- Easy to use
Cons
- No automatic switch-off or timer
| Time taken to produce yoghurt | 10 Hours |
| Volume | 1.8 Litres |
| Dimensions | 17.9cm x 15.3cm x 23.1cm |
- Customer review: "I got this about a month ago—easy peasy to use. I have used UHT cows milk each time and then strained the yoghurt to make it thicker. The result is really rather good. The weakest link in the chain is probably the strainer. It is a bit of a pain to clean, so I have started using a small muslin cloth inside the strainer, which is easy to rinse out and leaves the strainer needing very little washing. I have used live yoghurt and used the sachets of bacteria as a starter with equal success. I have many gadgets which sit undisturbed in the cupboard, but I suspect that this is going to see regular active service."
Best for individual yoghurt servings
This useful device is perfect if you are looking to make yoghurts that are easy to store. The Digital yoghurt maker from VonShef is compact. Quick, convenient and easy to use. It comes with seven jars which provide you with one serving, ideal for grabbing and going in the morning before work or school.
This machine comes with an LED display and a timer so you can monitor the temperature of your yoghurt as it is being made. In addition, the PTC heating component makes this more energy-efficient than some other yoghurt makers. All the jars come with screw caps, so you can store them in the fridge easily.
Pros
- Individual seven screw-top jars
- Compact
- LED screen and timer included
Cons
- Slow compared to other models
- Instructions are not comprehensive
| Time taken to produce yoghurt | 8-14 Hours |
| Volume | 7 Glasses at 180ml |
| Dimensions | 25.5cm x 25.1cm x 12cm |
- Customer review: "Brilliant yoghurt maker. Not complicated to use, basically plug it in and set the timer, add the 7 filled pots and wait. I put 2 teaspoons of shop-bought plain unsweetened Greek yoghurt in each pot, top up with room temperature UHT milk, lids on and then in the maker for 10 hrs. The next batch is made with some yoghurt from the final pot. Perfect plain unsweetened yoghurt every time."
Best for portion sizing
Yoghurt can be used for more than eating as a snack or tasty treat. Many flatbreads and gluten-free recipes call for yoghurt, so what better than to make your yoghurt in bulk? This yoghurt maker from Klarstein Gaia comes with 12 separate jars at 210ml or a total volume of 2.5 litres. Also, this device is ideal for portioning as you can make six yoghurts just for breakfast or use all twelve for a big batch for your other kitchen endeavours. Despite the volume it can make, this yoghurt maker is actually a lot smaller than others on the market.
It is good to note that, according to reviewers, a batch can take around nine hours, and the lids of the jars don’t always close properly. Also, the Klarstein Gaia yoghurt maker comes with a licensed EU to UK converter plug so that you can use it in the UK with no problems.
Pros
- Bulk portions in individual pots
- 2 Glass jars included
- EU to UK plug included
Cons
- Bulky
- The lids on the jars don't always close
| Time taken to produce yoghurt | Unknown |
| Volume | 12 Glasses at 210ml |
| Dimensions | 24.8cm x 31cm x 12.5cm |
- Customer review: "So simple. I bought the Klarstein Gaia 12 Jar Yoghurt Maker Digital after watching a video on how to make vegan yoghurts on YouTube. The blogger was using one. It's very simple to use. From the first batch, my yoghurts were delicious and firm. I strongly recommend it."
Best frozen yoghurt machine
So this device isn't exactly for yoghurt making, but if you love ice cream and soft-serve and are looking for a healthier alternative, you can make frozen yoghurt easily and quickly at home. This machine can be used to prepare ice cream recipes, sorbet and frozen yoghurt in just 20 minutes.
The machine can hold 1.4L and has four components, so you can choose the quantities you want to make. The bowl itself will need to be frozen 12 hours before preparing any recipes, but provided this is done, perfecting frozen yoghurt will take no time at all.
Pros
- Best for yoghurt served chilled
- Can make sorbet, ice-cream and other frozen desserts
- 20-30 minutes for frozen desserts
Cons
- Reports of overheating if large amounts are being made
| Time taken to produce yoghurt | From 2 hours to 12 |
| Volume | 1.4 Litres |
| Dimensions | 14cm x 20cm |
- Customer review: "I was excited to try this ice cream maker, having ordered it to replace my old plastic one and I am not disappointed! The product is well made and was really simple to use when I made the starter recipe they included. The digital timer is a good feature and made it easy to keep an eye on the progress of the ice cream. I would definitely recommend it!"
Best budget yoghurt maker
The Duronic yogurt maker is a convenient and user-friendly appliance designed for those who want to enjoy homemade yogurt with ease. With its large 1.5 litre ceramic pot, you can create an entire batch of yoghurt that you can enjoy for several days afterwards. Although it's noted by reviewers that this yoghurt maker doesn't come with any instructions on how to make the yoghurt itself, the digital control panel should make it relatively simple to figure out timings.
With the Duronic yoghurt maker, you can enjoy fresh and healthy yoghurt tailored to your preferences without the hassle of constantly checking the temperature or stirring. Making it a popular choice among those seeking a convenient and reliable yoghurt-making appliance.
Pros
- Generous 1.5L ceramic pot so you can create a large batch of yoghurt
- Also has compatibility with small 125ml individual pots so you can make separate servings if needed
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Temperature can get too high to make specialised strains for L Bacillus
| Time taken to produce yoghurt | 8 Hours |
| Volume | 1.5 Litres |
| Dimensions | 26cm x 24cm x 17cm |
- Customer review: "I made my first ever home made yogurt with this and it’s really yummy. The unfortunate thing is that the instruction book tells you how to plug it in, but doesn’t tell you how to make yogurt. Thankfully other reviewers had shared their recipes. I used 1lt full fat whole milk from local dairy, 1/2 pot of Yeo valley natural yogurt. I set the timer for 13 hrs and the result was very nice thick and creamy yogurt. The ceramic pot is good- no plastic and it is easy to store in the fridge. I like this product and now I can make yogurt knowing that the only extras are the ones I add- no thickeners, sugars or flavourings."
Other yoghurt-making essentials to consider
Yoghurt starter cultures
This Yoghurt Starter Culture pack comes with 10 freeze-dried sachets.
Mason jars
This four-pack of 14 oz glass mason jars (1 pint) are perfect for preserving, canning or storing yoghurt. The airtight metal lid is lined with BPA-free for a tight seal that keeps a bulk batch of yoghurt fresh for longer.
FAQs:
A few tips for making homemade yoghurt
Sterilize your jars: You don’t want the yoghurt cultures competing with any bacteria in your pots and jars as you will not get the probiotic benefits.
Non-dairy starter: If you are vegan or have a dairy intolerance, you can use specialised non-dairy yoghurt starter powder.
No yoghurt culture starter?: In a pinch, you can actually use two tablespoons of store-bought unflavoured yoghurt as a yoghurt starter or a probiotic capsule that provides up to 30 billion CFU’s.
No metal spoons: Do not use any metal spoons to mix the milk or yoghurt starter, as it will deactivate the probiotics.
Is it worth making your own yoghurt?
If you regularly eat yoghurt, then making your own can be a worthwhile endeavour. Firstly, it allows you to have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring you use high-quality milk (or vegan alternatives) and can customise the flavour to your liking. Homemade yoghurt often has a fresher taste and a smoother texture. That's compared to short bought alternatives.
Additionally, making yoghurt at home is cost-effective in the long run. It reduces the need for single-use plastic contains and can cut down your grocery bill.
Lastly, homemade yoghurt can be a fun and satisfying DIY project that fosters a good old sense of self-sufficiency and a deeper connection with the food you put into your body. While making your own yoghurt may seem like a little bit of a hassle, the benefits can make it worthwhile. After all, it's a rewarding process for those who enjoy baking and the end product.
Ellen Kinsey is a Commercial Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, and also writes for Yours, Mother&Baby, Heat, Closer and Empire. She has a passion for cooking, media, and women’s health.
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