Making bread from scratch can seem intimidating to those who don’t bake often, but there is something so rewarding about making your own bread, whether it’s a classic French bread or something more adventurous like pumpkin bread.
That’s where using a bread machine comes in handy. A bread making machine can cut the baking process time in half and takes a lot of stress off your plate, allowing you to have fresh, homemade bread at the touch of a button.
We tested several bread machines in our lab, and after coming up with our list of the top models, we talked with Ryan Arai, group manager of kitchen appliances at Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, to learn more about what to look for when choosing a bread machine.
“A good bread machine, like Panasonic, will automatically mix your ingredients, rest your dough, knead your dough, add additional ingredients like nuts or fruits at the optimal time, and bake your bread,” Arai says. “The only thing that one would miss with a bread machine is a unique bread shape or design since bread machines are limited to baking in loaf form.”
What We Tested
We put several bread machines to work in our lab, evaluating each model’s versatility, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, and total value.
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Zojirushi has made a name for itself providing top quality cooking machines such as rice cookers and bread makers. This particular bread making machine impressed us with its consistency and versatility. It creates 2-pound loaves that are consistent in flavor, appearance, and texture, and we also loved its little baking window that lets you watch your bread while it bakes.
First, we loved how clear the instructions were in regards to each of the 15 different settings. The settings include the type of bread being made as well as any bread specifics such as gluten free, sugar free, or vegan. You can even use this machine to make a sourdough starter or delicious jam. It comes with all the necessary measuring utensils, including liquid and dry ingredient measuring cups.
Bake time averaged around 3.5 hours, creating a light brown loaf of bread with a fluffy yet chewy and flavorful inside. The dual paddles made mixing the dough incredibly quick and easy, and the pan made a decent-size loaf that would last for a good week.
Removing the bread pan from the machine was very easy, and after letting it cool, it slid out effortlessly from the pan. We did note that the loaf came out a bit lopsided, but overall it was a beautiful loaf of bread with an even, toasted top.
The bread machine only makes one size of bread, but with its versatile settings and overall ease of use, this is a fantastic bread maker for those who bake bread on a regular basis and are willing to invest in a high-quality bread maker.
Product Details: Capacity: 2-pound loaf| Pan Shape: Rectangle | Number of Paddles: Dual paddle | Settings: 15 | Care: Handwash only
Key Terms to Know
- Paddles: Paddles are the attachments to the bread machine that knead the dough.
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When we were looking at candidates for the Best Beginners category, we wanted to find a machine that was mainly easy to use and yielded quality results. The Amazon Basics Bread Maker has a simple, to-the-point design that allows you to make quality bread with very little work.
It has 14 settings that include basic/regular bread, French, whole wheat, “quick”, sweet, and gluten free. There’s also a “homemade” option, which is the manual setting for making regular bread. The machine also comes with its own measuring tools, though we felt those could be improved upon as they did not have handles and the measurement lines were a little hard to read.
The machine yielded an average of 1.5- to 2-pound loaves of bread, with their overall texture and shape being similar to your typical loaf of homemade bread. The outside was light tan and crunchy. The inside was maybe a little more dense than typical store-bought white bread (think more like French bread).
One of the main things we loved about this machine was it provides such a diverse array of bread-making options and the machine itself is under $90, which is a steal in the world of bread machines. We did wish it had an internal light so we could check on the bread while it baked. It’s very easy to clean as well, which is always a plus.
Overall, this is a very comparable bread maker to more notable name-brand machines for a great price point, and it’s perfect for someone who is a beginner at baking.
Product Details: Capacity: 2-pound loaf | Pan Shape: Square | Number of Paddles: One | Settings: 14 | Care: Handwash only
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Nobody wants to deal with an overly large and bulky bread maker. It can take up too much space on the counter and end up being a nuisance. The Cuisinart Bread Maker Machine stood out to us because of its convenient and compact size. Though it may be smaller than the average machine (standing at a little over 13 inches tall), it still delivers a delicious loaf of bread.
At just $100, this machine has 12 settings for either a 1-, 1.5-, or 2-pound loaf of bread. It even gives you the choice of crust options (light, medium, dark). Settings include your basics like white bread, French, and whole wheat, but it also has gluten-free, jam, and “packaged mix” settings. The machine comes with a convenient cookbook that guides you through using the machine and also includes 46 recipes.
One of the things we noticed is that this machine’s instructions were much more prescriptive than other machines we tested. You can’t just pour in all the ingredients at once but rather have to add them in a specific order to ensure the proper quality.
The bread quality really impressed us during testing. It tasted close to professionally baked bread with a firmer crust and an airy yet sweet inside. The bread had a great color all around and enough moisture that it had a bit of chewiness to it. The loaf came out clean during cleanup, aside from a little bit of dough left on the base of the paddle.
This is a great breadmaker for smaller to medium households that appreciate a quality bread maker in a smaller size.
Product Details: Capacity: 2-pound loaf | Pan Shape: Square | Number of Paddles: One | Settings: 12 | Care: Handwash only
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The Panasonic Bread Machine was definitely a standout in our testing process and came in at a close second contender for the Best Overall category. This is a great machine for someone who wants a lot of versatility in their bread options.
The Panasonic has 20 pre-set features broken into subcategories, including bread (basic, basic rapid, basic raisin, French, brioche, sourdough), gluten-free (bread, cake, pizza, pasta), dough (basic, basic raisin, pizza, sourdough starter), sweet (cake, bake only, jam), and manual (cake kneading, bread kneading, rise).
The machine comes with both a quick-start guide that has 16 recipes inside as well as a full guide that has 40 recipes, including brioche bread as well as more artisanal options like sundried tomato and parmesan bread. The machine also allows you to choose the size of your bread, an option not a lot of machines have. You can choose between medium, large, and extra large, and you also have the option to choose the color of your crust (light, medium, or dark).
This machine really blew us away with how easy it is to use, even with its variety of settings. The instructions were very clear and concise, and there were even corresponding pictures so we could see exactly what we were supposed to be doing.
We were thrilled with the results once the bread was done baking. The bread was dense with a softer, fluffier center, and the bottom was firm and crumbly. The top layer had a golden crust and came out clean except for a little residual dough left on the paddle. The bread machine’s interior is nonstick, so cleanup was easy. The exterior of the machine just needs a wipedown with a damp cloth.
The only things about the machine we didn’t like were we wished there was a viewing window so you could see the bread’s progress, and this machine took the longest to bake bread out of all our tested models (roughly four hours). At $300, this machine is definitely an investment, but it is worth every penny for someone who bakes on a regular basis.
Product Details: Capacity: 2-pound loaf | Pan Shape: Rectangle | Number of Paddles: One | Settings: 20 | Care: Handwash only
The Bottom Line
We named the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker as our Best Overall for a number of reasons. Of the bread makers we tested, this one consistently delivered a high-quality loaf of bread every time. It was easy to use, and the 15 different settings did exactly what they were supposed to. This is an excellent bread maker for a professional or an at-home baker.
A close second was the Panasonic Bread Machine. It has a variety of bread and dough settings, and we think it would be a great bread maker for someone who enjoys versatility with their bread baking.
Our Testing Process
To find the best bread machines on the market, we put eight models to the test in our testing lab, evaluating each machine based on versatility, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, and total value.
For consistency, each machine was tested following the individual machine’s manufacturer instructions for making basic white bread. While the bread was baking we took note of how evenly the bread baked, whether the machine gave us the option to watch the bread bake, and also whether there were any technical aspects people should keep in mind about the baking process.
Looking at the finished product, we paid close attention to texture, aesthetic, and taste and then made note of anything we felt could have been improved. We also evaluated the number of settings on the machine, such as bread sizes and crust options, and noted its ease of use. We then cleaned the machine and considered its overall value.
Following the lab test, we brought the bread machines home and are continuing to test them. We’ll update this article with additional findings.
Better Homes & Gardens
What to Know About Bread Machines
Capacity
The size and capacity of the best bread machine for you depends on your individual baking needs. Most machines yield a loaf of bread ranging from 1 to 2.5 pounds, but some machines allow you the option to choose a specific size. The Cuisinart Bread Maker, for example, gives you the option of 1-, 1.5-, or 2-pound loaves at the touch of a button.
Different models of machines can yield different sizes, but keep in mind that machines that make larger loaves will likely also be larger in size. Make sure you consider your kitchen’s storage space when choosing a machine.
Pan Shape
Many bread machines vary in their pan size and shape, though the most common is a classic rectangle loaf. Some machines have a vertical pan instead of a horizontal pan, but all this does is create a longer and wider loaf of bread.
Better Homes & Gardens
Settings
“The most difficult thing in making bread is controlling the temperature for both the product and the room temperature,” Arai said. “So, one should look for a product with sensors that can detect both. With sensor detection, you can ensure stable fermentation throughout the year. Additionally, sensors will automatically adjust fermentation and resting time based on the detected temperature of the breadmaker and the surrounding environment.”
Care
Bread machines are generally not dishwasher safe, but cleanup is fairly easy. Most machines require a simple wipe down with a clean cloth.
Other Bread Machines We Tested
Elite Gourmet Programmable Bread Maker
This machine is another great option that we tested. It has 19 pre-programmed settings to choose from, including regular white sandwich bread as well as more specialty breads and things like yogurt and jam. The final results were a small, boxlike loaf that tasted amazing.The whole baking process was approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes, and the bread had the desired crunch on the outside and soft chewiness on the inside. The machine was cute and compact and a great value at $75. It’s not ideal for a large family, but it’s a great compact machine that would fit a smaller household or somebody who prefers to bake smaller loaves of bread.
Zojirushi Home Bakery Programmable Mini Breadmaker
This machine was another close contender for the Best Small category. It’s small and compact, making it ideal for smaller households. Plus, it’s easy to store and clean. It has nice handles on the side for easy maneuvering and even comes with a measuring cup and a double-ended spoon for measuring tablespoons and teaspoons. This machine made a great loaf of bread with a golden crust and airy center. It’s compact, versatile, and easy to use, but we felt it wasn’t worth the $254 price point.
West Bend Hi-Rise Programmable Bread Maker Machine
Of the machines we tested, the West Bend had the lowest number of settings at 11, but that didn’t necessarily mean it worked poorly. The machine was very easy to use with clear and concise instructions and delivered a delicious loaf of bread. Also unlike our other machines, this particular model offered the largest of the bread loaf options, with sizes ranging from 2 to 3 pounds. There are no specialty options like yogurt or jam, but there are several bread options available, including white bread, French bread, and whole wheat bread. While the bread was great in flavor, it wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing as the loaves other machines made. Our loaf was a little lopsided. At $87, though, this is a great option for those who want a classic bread maker without too many bells and whistles.
Better Homes & Gardens
Your Questions, Answered
Is it cheaper to buy bread or make it in a bread machine?
“This is dependent on what kind of bread one would purchase or bake, but the cost may be roughly around the same amount, if not less expensive, for homemade bread,” Arai says. “However, there isn’t a price you can put on waking up to the smell of freshly baked bread in the morning. Also, the customization of flavors and ingredients would generally not be available in store-bought breads.”
Why types of bread can you make in a bread machine?
Arai said due to the advanced technology available with bread machine programming, the possibilities are endless to the types of bread people can make.
“The Panasonic Bread Maker has 20 different settings, including gluten-free, so it’s packed with all the programs for the basics you need and recipes you want to try, from whole wheat and sourdough to brioche and even cakes.”
Who We Are
Michelle Love is a writer for Better Homes & Gardens who covers shopping content. Michelle enjoys writing about a variety of different topics including cooking, baking, interior design, and gardening. For this article Michelle spoke with Ryan Arai, group manager of kitchen appliances, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
