Best Bread Maker
By Annabelle Evans
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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Fresh homemade bread is a comforting treat, and bread makers make it easy to enjoy without the hassle. These handy appliances mix, knead, and bake bread with minimal effort, filling your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked loaves. Bread makers vary in size and features—some can handle different bread types, while others offer settings for jam or pizza dough. When choosing one, consider the loaf size you prefer and how frequently you’ll use it. Key features to look for include loaf capacity, programmable settings, and easy cleanup with non-stick pans and removable parts. After testing ten popular models, we found the best bread makers for bakers of all skill levels.
Amazon Basics Bread Maker
We think this affordable bread maker is a solid choice for beginners looking to make fresh bread at home without breaking the bank.
We think this affordable bread maker is a solid choice for beginners looking to make fresh bread at home without breaking the bank.
We’ve been testing this Amazon Basics bread maker for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed by its performance for the price. The machine is straightforward to use, with a clear LCD display and intuitive buttons. We found it easy to add ingredients and select from the 14 preset programs.
One feature we really like is the ExpressBake setting. It churned out a warm loaf in just 90 minutes when we were in a rush. The bread came out with a nice crust, though we noticed it wasn’t quite as tall as loaves from some other machines we’ve tried.
The non-stick pan worked well in our tests, releasing bread easily. We did wish it was a bit deeper to allow for larger loaves. While baking, the machine was louder than some others we’ve used, but not enough to be a deal-breaker. For the price, we think this bread maker offers good value for those new to bread making or anyone on a budget.
Cuisinart Compact Bread Maker
We think this Cuisinart bread maker is a great choice for most people looking to bake fresh bread at home with minimal effort.
We think this Cuisinart bread maker is a great choice for most people looking to bake fresh bread at home with minimal effort.
We’ve been testing this Cuisinart bread maker for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with how simple it is to use. The control panel is straightforward, with buttons for selecting the loaf size, crust color, and bread type. We like that it has 12 pre-programmed settings for different kinds of bread and doughs.
The compact design is a big plus. It doesn’t take up too much counter space, which is great for smaller kitchens. We found the viewing window and interior light helpful for checking on the bread’s progress without opening the lid.
We’ve made several types of bread so far. The basic white and whole wheat loaves turned out well, with a nice crust and even texture. The gluten-free setting worked okay, but the results weren’t as good as with regular flour. We had less success with the included recipes, so we’d suggest finding trusted bread machine recipes online instead.
The vertical loaf shape is a bit unusual, but it’s not a deal-breaker. The bread still tastes great, even if the slices are taller than they are wide. One small annoyance is that the kneading paddle sometimes gets stuck in the bottom of the loaf, but this is common with many bread machines.
Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus
We think the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus is a top-notch bread maker that’s worth the investment for serious home bakers.
We think the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus is a top-notch bread maker that’s worth the investment for serious home bakers.
We’ve tested many bread makers, and the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus stands out. It churns out tasty 2-pound loaves with ease. The dual kneading blades mix dough really well, resulting in bread with great texture.
This machine has tons of options. We love the multigrain, whole wheat, and gluten-free settings. There’s even a vegan mode. The rapid bake feature is handy when we’re in a hurry – it makes a loaf in about 2.5 hours.
The Virtuoso Plus isn’t cheap, but we think it’s worth it for bread fans. It’s built to last and makes consistently good bread. There’s a bit of a learning curve at first. But once we got the hang of it, we were making bakery-quality loaves at home. The delay timer is great for waking up to fresh bread.
KBS Pro Bread Maker
We think this KBS bread machine is a solid choice for home bakers who want versatility and convenience.
We think this KBS bread machine is a solid choice for home bakers who want versatility and convenience.
We’ve been using this KBS bread maker for a while now, and it’s become a staple in our kitchen. The 17 program options let us make everything from basic white bread to whole wheat and even jams. We love how it handles different recipes with ease.
The automatic fruit and nut dispenser is a game-changer. We don’t have to hover around the machine to add ingredients at the right time. It’s great for making specialty breads without the fuss.
One thing to note is the size. It’s pretty big, so make sure you have enough counter space. We found it takes some trial and error to get the settings just right, but once we did, the results were tasty. The ceramic pan is nice for even baking, but be gentle with it to avoid chips.
Elite Gourmet Bread Maker
We recommend this versatile bread maker for its impressive features and ease of use at an affordable price point.
We recommend this versatile bread maker for its impressive features and ease of use at an affordable price point.
The Elite Gourmet bread maker has quickly become our go-to for fresh, homemade bread. We love how simple it is to use – just add ingredients, choose a setting, and press start. The 19 preset functions cover everything from basic white to gluten-free and even pizza dough.
We found the 3 loaf size options really handy. The 1-pound setting is perfect for small households, while the 2-pound loaf is great for larger families or when we have guests. The 15-hour delay timer is a game-changer. We can set it up before bed and wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread.
One thing to note: the kneading paddle sometimes gets stuck in the bread. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it can be a bit tricky to remove. The machine does take up some counter space, so keep that in mind if you have a small kitchen. There’s a bit of a learning curve to get the perfect loaf, but once you get the hang of it, the results are amazing. We think it’s a great choice for anyone looking to try their hand at homemade bread.
KBS 17-in-1 Bread Maker
We think this versatile bread maker is a great choice for home bakers who want fresh bread with minimal effort.
We think this versatile bread maker is a great choice for home bakers who want fresh bread with minimal effort.
We tested the KBS 17-in-1 Bread Maker and were impressed by its range of features. The 17 preset programs let us make everything from basic white bread to gluten-free loaves and even yogurt. We liked how the dual heaters baked bread evenly, with a nice crust all around.
The large touch panel made it easy to choose settings. We found the delay timer handy – we could set it up at night and wake up to fresh bread. The fruit and nut dispenser worked well, adding ingredients at the right time without us having to open the lid.
While the bread maker is big, its stainless steel design looked nice on our counter. We had to play around with recipes at first, but once we got the hang of it, we made tasty loaves. The machine was a bit loud during kneading, but that’s normal for bread makers. Clean-up was simple thanks to the non-stick pan. For its price, we think this KBS model offers good value for bread lovers.
KitchenArm Smart Bread Maker
We think this versatile bread maker is a great choice for both beginners and experienced bakers looking to make fresh bread at home.
We think this versatile bread maker is a great choice for both beginners and experienced bakers looking to make fresh bread at home.
We’ve been testing the KitchenArm Smart Bread Maker for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its range of features. The 29 preset programs cover everything from basic white bread to gluten-free and even yogurt. We found the interface simple to use, even for first-time bread makers.
One feature we really like is the ability to save your settings. After you’ve nailed a recipe, you can simply add ingredients and press start for consistent results every time. The machine also handles add-ins like nuts or fruit well, with a handy alarm to remind you when to toss them in.
The customizable cycle programming is a nice touch for more adventurous bakers. We experimented with tweaking rise and bake times to get our sourdough just right. While it took some trial and error, the results were worth it. The non-stick pan made cleanup a breeze, and we appreciated the clear viewing window to check on our bread’s progress.
Neretva 20-in-1 Bread Maker
We think this versatile bread maker is a solid choice for most home bakers looking for fresh, homemade bread without the fuss.
We think this versatile bread maker is a solid choice for most home bakers looking for fresh, homemade bread without the fuss.
We tried out the Neretva bread maker and found it to be a user-friendly option for making fresh bread at home. Its compact size fits nicely on most countertops, and the 2-pound capacity is enough to feed a family of 5-6 people.
The 20 preset programs give you lots of options. We made a tasty whole wheat loaf and even tried our hand at jam. The nonstick ceramic pan made cleanup a breeze – no stuck-on bits to scrape off.
One thing to note: the machine can be noisy while kneading. We also noticed the instructions were a bit confusing at times. It took some trial and error to get the hang of it. But once we did, we got tasty results most of the time.
KBS 2LB Stainless Steel Bread Maker
We think this bread maker is a great choice for home bakers who want versatility and ease of use.
We think this bread maker is a great choice for home bakers who want versatility and ease of use.
When we tried the KBS bread maker, we were impressed by its many features. The 19 menu options let us make everything from basic white bread to gluten-free loaves and even yogurt. We liked that we could choose from three loaf sizes and crust colors.
The non-stick ceramic pan was a standout feature. Our bread came out easily and cleanup was a breeze. The pan’s five-layer design seemed to help with even baking and browning. We also found the 15-hour delay timer very handy. We could set it up before bed and wake up to fresh bread in the morning.
While using this machine, we noticed it was pretty quiet. The see-through window let us check on our bread without opening the lid. We thought the digital controls were easy to use, but new bakers might need some time to get used to all the options. The bread we made turned out tasty and had a nice texture. If you bake bread often and want lots of options, this KBS model could be a good fit for your kitchen.
Zojirushi Supreme Breadmaker
We think this versatile breadmaker is a top choice for most home bakers due to its consistent results and user-friendly features.
We think this versatile breadmaker is a top choice for most home bakers due to its consistent results and user-friendly features.
When we tried the Zojirushi Supreme Breadmaker, we were impressed by how easy it was to use. The LCD panel is clear and simple to navigate. We liked that we could adjust the crust shade to get our bread just right.
This machine isn’t just for bread. We made cake, jam, and even meatloaf with great results. The non-stick coating made cleanup a breeze – our loaves slid right out.
One feature we really enjoyed was the delay timer. We set it up before bed and woke up to fresh bread. The quick bake setting came in handy when we needed bread in a hurry. While it’s a bit bulky, we think the Zojirushi’s quality and versatility make it worth the counter space for bread lovers.
Buying Guide
When shopping for a bread maker, we recommend considering a few key factors:
Loaf Size
Look for machines that offer multiple loaf size options. This lets you bake just the right amount for your household.
Crust Settings
We suggest choosing a model with light, medium, and dark crust settings. This allows you to customize the crunchiness to your liking.
Programmable Options
More programs mean more versatility. We like bread makers with settings for different types of bread, as well as options for jam and dough.
Delay Timer
A delay timer lets you add ingredients and set the machine to start later. We find this feature handy for waking up to fresh bread.
Viewing Window
A clear window on top makes it easy to check on your bread’s progress without opening the lid.
Kneading Paddles
Look for removable paddles to minimize the hole left in the bottom of the loaf. Some machines come with extra paddles, which we appreciate.
Noise Level
We recommend reading reviews to gauge how quiet a machine is during operation. This is especially important if you plan to use the delay timer for overnight baking.
Warranty
A good warranty can provide peace of mind. We suggest looking for at least a one-year warranty on your bread maker.
By keeping these features in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to choose a bread maker that fits your needs and preferences.