Best Overall Bread Maker

Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker

If you like to churn out loaf after loaf like you’re running your own bakery, invest in the Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker. This countertop appliance can do it all when it comes to bread—and then some!

The Breville bread machine has all the bells and whistles you could want, including the ability to make four different-sized loaves, plenty of presets (these include white bread, sweet bread, crusty loaves and pasta), plus the ability to manually program the machine to your exact specifications—perfect for bread perfectionists. You can also pause the cycle shape or glaze the dough inside.

Despite all these luxury functions for artisan breads and precisely baked loaves, this bread machine also makes great basic white bread. “This one made the loaf we preferred over all others,” says Alicia. “And the wheat loaf was also one of the best loaves of the test with even browning, tender crumb and rounded top.”

And if you ever find yourself at a loss when using this machine, Alicia says you needn’t look further than the booklet included in the box: “It’s well written and gives lots of hints, tips and recipes to make the most of this bread maker.”

“If you’re looking for a gift for an avid bread baker, this would be it,” says Alicia.

Features

• Makes 1-, 1.5, 2- and 2.5-pound loaves
• Manual setting plus 13 preset functions
• Customize the crust: light, medium or dark
• 13-hour delay function
• Fruit and nut dispenser
• Includes fixed and collapsible paddles

Pros 

• Top-of-the-line machine with bonus features
• Our breads resulted in even browning, tender crumb and rounded top
• Disperses mix-ins evenly
• Versatile pause function allows for hand-shaping crusts and adding glazes
• Includes pizza and pasta dough settings, which are great extras for passionate home cooks
• Stores customized settings for personal recipes
• Collapsible paddle makes for a more seamless loaf

Cons

• Higher price tag

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Best Bread Maker for Beginners

Cuisinart Bread Maker

If you love the idea of baking your own bread but aren’t quite sure where to start, our Test Kitchen recommends the Cuisinart Bread Maker.

This affordable machine does everything that most bakers need—especially bakers who are just starting out. Just measure the ingredients, make your bread selection (choose from 12 options including white, artisan, packaged mix and even cake) and press start. This Cuisinart bread machine takes care of all the rest including proofing and kneading.

“We were all very happy with the results of white and wheat breads,” says Alicia. “The texture is nice and airy which is a nice contrast to the crunchy crust.”

Unlike other models, this Cuisinart bread maker doesn’t have a special chute for extra mix-ins, like the nuts and fruit needed for this panettone, but our team didn’t have any issues. “The mix-ins were surprisingly well dispersed,” explains Alicia.

She sums up this bread maker: “Overall, this is a good bread maker. The team liked the compact, stainless steel design, and the display was very easy to understand and use.”

Features

• 12 pre-programmed options
• 3 crust settings: light, medium or dark
• Customizable loaf size: 1-, 1.5- or 2-pound loaves
• 13-hour delay start
• Includes kneading paddle and hook to easily remove the insert

Pros 

• Includes a packaged mix setting—ideal for newer bread bakers
• Intuitive controls
• Easy-to-read display
• Compact, stainless steel design

Cons

• Does not include a chute for adding fruit and nuts

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Best Easy-to-Clean Bread Maker

Hamilton Beach Premium Dough Bread Maker

There’s no doubt that bread machines make mixing, kneading, proofing and baking bread simple. The Hamilton Beach Premium Dough Bread Maker goes one step further by making clean-up just as easy.

This top-notch bread machine has a dishwasher-safe paddle and pan—a unique feature among the bread machines our Test Kitchen tried. Our team liked this because once the bread is done and a slice (or two) is sampled, all that’s left is to load the dishwasher—no scrubbing up in the sink.

As for the bread this machine makes, our Test Kitchen team gave it two thumbs up. “All our tests produced even browning, tender crumb and rounded tops—all that you would want in a loaf of bread,” explains Alicia.

When you’d like to expand beyond basic sandwich loaves, you can do that with the push of a button. Add your ingredients and choose from 14 different programs, including one just for banana bread. Who doesn’t love the idea of banana bread on demand?

“If you want bells and whistles but not a crazy expensive price,” says Alicia, “this is the model for you.”

Features

• Makes 1-, 1.5- or 2-pound loaves
• Includes a measuring cup, measuring spoon, paddle and paddle-removing tool
• Choose from 14 preset programs
• Delay timer
• Automatic keep-warm function

Pros 

• Dishwasher-safe parts
• Creates exceptionally tender bread
• Features settings for popular bakes including sourdough, gluten-free bread and pizza dough

Cons

• The mix-ins are not evenly distributed throughout the loaf
• Takes up a good amount of space

129.9923% OFF$99.99 at Amazon

Best Compact Bread Maker

Dash Everyday Bread Maker

While our Test Kitchen has ample room for all kinds of wonderful gadgets—from electric griddles to ice cream makers—our pros know that not every kitchen is as roomy. If you love the idea of having a great bread machine on hand but don’t want to sacrifice too much precious kitchen space, go for the Dash Everyday Bread Maker.

“This is such a cute little machine,” says Alicia. And it creates cute little loaves to match. The small loaves that this machine makes are perfect for small households (think three or fewer people).

When you’re craving a loaf of fresh bread, Alicia explains that using the Dash bread machine is super simple. The touch-activated display lights up when you’re making your selections. Choose from 12 different presets including white bread, French bread and gluten-free bread. Just add your ingredients, select the program and let the machine do all the work. If you desire, you can even set up this appliance to delay its start by up to 13 hours—perfect for when you want to have fresh bread ready right before dinner starts.

Our team was impressed by the resulting white and whole wheat loaves this Dash bread maker produced. According to Alicia, these loaves had a “tender, airy crumb with a good crust.”

The only recipe this gadget stumbled upon was with a fruit-laden bread. These mix-ins were not evenly distributed throughout.

Features

• 3 crust settings: light, medium or dark
• 1- and 1.5-pound loaf settings
• 13-hour delay timer
• 12 pre-programmed settings, including options for jam, boxed mixes and gluten-free bread
• Includes a kneading blade, pan removal hook and recipe guide

Pros 

• Compact size doesn’t take up much counter space and is easy to store
• Easy to operate and clean
• Creates a delicious crust on white and wheat loaves
• Available in three colors, including a vibrant teal

Cons

• Doesn’t evenly distribute mix-ins like dried fruits and nuts
• Cannot make large loaves

$119.99 at Amazon

What to Look for When Buying a Bread Machine 

In addition to the testing criteria we used to discover the best bread makers, there are a few unique considerations to consider when shopping for the best bread maker to suit your individual baking needs and preferences. After you get your hands on the best bread maker for your kitchen, check out these bread-baking essentials.

Capacity and Size 

• Loaf Size: Breadmakers come in various capacities, typically ranging from one pound to as much as three pounds. Some let you choose between loaf sizes (a button on the display lets you switch between available loaf sizes).

• Physical Size: A bread machine has to be larger than its capacity, with some taking up as much space as a toaster oven and others much larger. Make sure you have space on your counter for one, as it will have to stay there during the operation, but you can always stash it away in a closet or cabinet between uses.

Kneading Paddles 

• Paddle Design: Typically, breadmakers offer either a single or a double kneading paddle, with benefits and drawbacks to both. Single paddles may take longer to mix your dough, but double paddles can make the dough more lopsided or create larger holes in the bottom of the loaf.

• Collapsible/Removable Paddles: Most bread machines feature fixed paddles that remain in the dough while baking, resulting in a hole in the center of the loaf. While this isn’t an issue for some, it might be for others. If you fall into the latter category, look for a bread machine with a collapsible or removable paddle to achieve a more seamless loaf.

Settings and Programs 

• Bread Types: Many breadmakers offer different settings for different types of bread, which can be selected on the display or via push buttons. Each setting best serves a specific dough recipe, which will be outlined in the user manual. Pay attention to these, as they significantly impact the success of your breadmaking.

• Crust Control: Some breadmakers feature buttons that allow you to pick the level of crust—like light or dark/thick. These are handy if you have preferences for the kind of crust you want on your bread.

• Additional Functions: Some breadmakers offer customizable loaf sizes and crust settings to meet your needs and preferences. So, whether you’re baking bread for just yourself or your family, you can adjust to accommodate your needs and prevent waste. With adjustable crust settings, you can choose whether your baked loaf has a light or extra-brown crust. Furthermore, if you plan to add nuts, fruit or other ingredients to your bread, look for a bread maker with an automatic dispenser to add your desired toppings during baking.

Delayed Start and Keep Warm Functions 

• Delayed Start Timer: If you prefer to schedule a specific time for your dough to rise, look for a bread maker with a timer or delay start feature so you can come home or wake up to freshly baked bread.

• Keep Warm: This convenient feature helps retain the heat and taste of your baked loaf until you’re ready to serve it to guests.

Ease of Use 

• Control Panel and Display: Most breadmakers have a simple array of buttons and a digital timer display that lets you control your bakes and see the remaining time. If there are any icons you have questions about, you can always check the user manual.

• Viewing Window: Some breadmakers have a viewing window that allows you to check on the status of your loaves without opening the machine. This is handy if you know what your bread should look like and will enable you to ascertain better if your loaf is prematurely finished.

Ease of Cleaning 

• Non-stick Pan and Paddles: Pans and paddles with a nonstick coating may be easier to clean between loaves, but you should be careful how you clean them, as certain things (like abrasive scrubbers) might strip the nonstick coating off.

• Dishwasher-Safe Parts: Check the user manual to determine if any parts of your breadmaker are dishwasher-safe. If they are, tossing them in with the rest of your dishes can be much more convenient. If they are not, you should hand-clean them only.

Durability and Build Quality 

• Construction Materials: Like most kitchen appliances, bread machines are usually made from a combination of metals and plastics (or other composites). Higher-end machines tend to have more metal parts (and, therefore, are more durable and long-lasting overall), while budget-friendly ones are often made with plastic (and may not last as long).

• Warranty: Typically, bread machines come with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. However, you should always check with the manufacturer beforehand to understand the scope of these warranties and whether you have to register your appliance to access them.

Noise Level 

Bread machines make noise—there’s no escaping it. More budget-friendly options might sound louder, whereas higher-end bread machines may be better insulated.

Additional Features 

• Artisan Dough Settings: Some higher-end breadmakers have an artisan dough setting, which involves a number of long, slow, cool rises intended to enhance the development of texture, taste and crust. These settings are usually for doughs only, and baking is secondary.

• Automatic Ingredient Dispenser: If you want to add nuts and fruit to your loaves of bread, some bread machines have an additional dispenser that will automatically add them to your loaf strategically during their operation. This is a fairly unusual addition and is typically found in higher-end machines.

Price Point vs. Frequency of Use

A bread maker with added features and a higher price point might be well worth the investment if you frequently bake bread. However, several other lower-priced models fit the bill if you only plan to bake loaves occasionally during the holidays.

Why You Should Trust Us

Alicia Rooker, Registered dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration, has 13 years of professional experience in food and recipe development, including a decade at Taste Recipes. She is also a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and has degrees in dietetics from the University of Wisconsin and culinary arts from Milwaukee Area Technical College. She is exceptionally qualified to speak on kitchen appliances, like breadmakers.

Lisa Kaminski, who has six years of professional food writing experience with Taste Recipes—including helming the brand’s Bakeable program (a guide-to-baking hub and social community of 20,000 home bakers)—also contributed research and content to this article.

Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Taste Recipes, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.

How We Tested Bread Makers

For this test, our team tried ten different bread machine models. Our pros sourced bread makers that ranged anywhere from $80 to $300 because we’ve learned with other product tests that you can find great gear at any price point.

With these ten models on hand, our Test Kitchen put each through its paces. Test Kitchen’s Alicia Rooker had the team bake white, wheat and pumpkin loaves in each machine. Each bread maker was judged in these categories:

• Quality of bread: Our team tried all sorts of bread machine recipes to gauge each machine’s success. The best breadmakers should create evenly-baked loaves with a tender texture and nice crust.
• Ease of use: A good bread machine should be simple and convenient to use—plain and simple. We take into account user-friendly dials and easy-to-follow manuals.
• Features: Today’s bread machines do so much! Our team took diligent notes on all the features these gadgets offered, from pre-programmed breading settings (including whole wheat and gluten-free recipes) to timers, variable loaf sizes and fruit and nut dispensers. Some machines even come with options to make pasta and pizza dough!
• Price: Every countertop appliance—including the best bread maker—should be worth the money spent on it. Our team makes sure all their picks provide value for the money.

Find out which brands make the best bread makers, the ones we call Test Kitchen-Preferred.

FAQ

What is the best brand of bread maker to buy?

Our thorough testing of 10 reputable brands found the Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker to be our top pick for the best bread machine. Not only did we prefer this particular model’s baked loaves to all other machines tested, but the Breville contains numerous add-on features to provide endless possibilities to any bread-making connoisseur. But for bread makers that don’t need all the extra bells and whistles but still want to make great loaves of bread, we chose three other strong contenders at a lower price point.

Is it worth getting a bread maker?

If you bake bread often, a bread machine saves you the time and effort that you would manually put into kneading the dough. However, even if you don’t bake bread often, a bread machine with convenient features—such as a “keep warm” feature or automatic nut and fruit chute—can aid in preparing and serving that perfectly warm loaf every time.

What is one drawback of using a bread machine?

A disadvantage of using a bread maker is that the machine typically has fixed paddles that remain in the dough while baking. This results in a hole in the finished product, which we witnessed during our testing. The Breville bread machine we tested features a collapsible paddle, resulting in a more seamless loaf.

Depending on your family size or the party you’re hosting, you may need to prepare multiple loaves simultaneously. This is where a bread machine has its limitations. Unlike an oven, which allows you to bake multiple loaves side by side, a bread machine restricts you to preparing just one loaf at a time.

Is it cheaper to buy bread or make it in a bread machine? 

With standard white bread, it is around a dollar cheaper to make a loaf at home, which isn’t much (and convenience might win out in that case). However, more artisanal breads could save you as much as five dollars per loaf or more, making it well worth it in the long run (especially if you eat these kinds of breads often).

The post The Best Bread Machines for All Types of Bakers appeared first on Taste Recipes.