The short answer
This is one of the simpler comparisons in the category, because the two machines are nearly the same. Same yogurt, same temperature, same glass jars — the YMX650 just adds a timer.
| YMX650 | YM80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-shutoff timer | Yes | No (manual) |
| LED display | Yes | No |
| Jars | 7 | 8 |
| Yogurt quality | Identical | Identical |
| Price | ~$20 more | Cheaper |
The one difference: the auto-shutoff timer
Everything comes down to this. The YMX650 runs a timed fermentation cycle and turns itself off automatically — start it before bed, and it’s done and safe by morning. The YM80 has no timer: it runs until you unplug it, so you set your own alarm and stop it yourself.
That’s the whole decision. The yogurt is the same because the heating element and fermentation temperature are the same. Owners who have used both confirm there’s no difference in the result — only in whether the machine manages the timing for you.
When the cheaper YM80 is the smarter buy
The YM80 saves about $20 and includes an eighth jar. The only cost is that you have to remember to unplug it. Set a phone alarm for your fermentation time (usually 8–10 hours), stop the machine when it goes off, and you get identical yogurt for less. The failure mode is forgetting: leave it running many extra hours and the yogurt over-ferments into something overly tangy and grainy. If you cook in a way where that reminder is realistic, the YM80 is the value pick.
When the YMX650 is worth the extra $20
If there’s any real chance you’ll forget to unplug it — or you simply want the machine off your mind overnight — the YMX650’s auto-shutoff is worth the small premium. For most people who make yogurt as a regular habit and value not thinking about it, the hands-off operation is the sensible default, which is why the YMX650 is the more commonly recommended of the two.
Euro Cuisine YMX650 Automatic Yogurt Maker
The set-and-forget Euro Cuisine. A built-in timer and auto-shutoff run the fermentation cycle and turn the machine off on their own, so you can start it overnight and forget it. Identical yogurt to the YM80 — you're paying about $20 for the convenience of not managing the timing yourself.
What buyers praise
- Auto-shutoff timer — genuinely hands-off, no risk of over-fermenting
- LED display
- Seven glass jars, multiple flavors per batch
- Same yogurt quality as the YM80
What buyers flag
- About $20 more than the YM80
- One fewer jar than the YM80
- Preset temperature (like the YM80) — not for 24-hour SCD fermentation
Euro Cuisine YM80 Automatic Yogurt Maker
The cheaper Euro Cuisine, and the value pick for anyone comfortable managing fermentation time themselves. Same yogurt, same temperature, eight glass jars — but no timer, so you set your own alarm and unplug it. The right buy if reliably stopping it is realistic for you and you'd rather keep the $20.
What buyers praise
- Cheaper — about $20 less than the YMX650
- Eight glass jars — one more than the YMX650
- Identical yogurt quality and fermentation temperature
- Simple, fewer electronic parts to fail
What buyers flag
- No timer or auto-shutoff — you must time it and unplug it yourself
- Over-ferments if you forget (overly tangy, grainy result)
- No display; preset temperature (not for 24-hour SCD fermentation)
Who should buy which
Buy the YMX650 if: you want set-and-forget operation and peace of mind overnight, and $20 for the auto-shutoff is worth it. See the full Euro Cuisine review.
Buy the YM80 if: you’re comfortable setting your own timer and unplugging the machine, want the extra jar, and would rather save the money. See the best budget yogurt maker guide.
Need 24-hour SCD, plant-based, or large Greek batches? Neither Euro Cuisine is built for that — see Euro Cuisine vs Luvele Pure.