Skip Chobani. These 2 Brands Sell Consumer Reports' Highest-Rated Vanilla Yogurts

Yogurt is the definition of a low-effort meal, but choosing which brand to buy takes more effort, considering the plethora of options when it comes to yogurt types, ingredients, and flavors. If you're looking for a plain yogurt, Consumer Reports recommends one from Dannon. But if you prefer vanilla, CR recommends Icelandic Provisions and Siggi's.

Both brands make skyr, a high-protein class of yogurt that is an Icelandic culinary staple. Although comparable, skyr and Greek yogurt are not the same. They use different cultures (the good-for-you bacteria), and skyr is more intensely strained, resulting in it being somewhat milder (lacking Greek yogurt's heavy tang) and thicker. While often marketed as yogurt, skyr can also be called cheese due to how it's made.

Icelandic Provisions makes its 1.5% milk fat traditional vanilla skyr with low-fat milk, vanilla extract, natural flavors, and vanilla bean seeds, and it packs 15 grams of protein per 5.3-ounce cup. CR described the skyr as "Tangy with slight sweetness, big dairy and real vanilla flavor" and praised its creaminess. Siggi's whole milk Icelandic vanilla skyr, on the other hand, is made with whole milk, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean specks. It packs 12 grams of protein per 4.4-ounce cup. CR described it as "Rich with [a] sour cream impression and real vanilla flavor. Less sweet than most."

While Consumer Reports scored the two yogurts the same, and they're both vanilla-flavored skyr, they do differ. Spoon University reports that Icelandic Provisions vanilla skyr has a more prominent vanilla bean flavor, whereas Siggi's is much more of a plain vanilla. Texture-wise, Icelandic Provisions is thick, but Siggi's is a bit thicker.

The differences lead to strong preferences for one yogurt or the other. A fan of Icelandic Provisions posted on Reddit that "the 'extra creamy vanilla bean' is incredible. Can't ever go back to any other yogurt." Another Reddit user agreed, calling the vanilla bean a favorite, while they found Siggi's "rather stiff," and recommended topping the yogurt with walnuts, raisins, and fresh berries. One person on Reddit wrote, "I tried both Siggi's and [Icelandic Provisions] skyr and Siggi's was awful." That said, Siggi's has its fans too. "Siggi's is so good! ... I have one most days," posted a Reddit user, who added that they also like Icelandic Provisions, but it tends to have more calories.

Whether you already love skyr, or just want to try it, these vanilla yogurts may be the best place to start, at least according to CR. Then there's a whole world of skyr to explore, from different brands to specialty flavors, like peach and cloudberry or cold brew coffee, to oat-milk options for those who are dairy-averse.