There are few aromas we find as comforting as that of freshly-baked, homemade bread—and considering how much time we’re all spending at home right now (and how badly we’re in need of comfort these days), it makes sense that baking bread has become a trending hobby since COVID-19 hit. If you want to jump on the bread making bandwagon but aren’t sure where to start, consider scooping up a prized kitchen appliance (i.e., the very best bread maker) to give you a leg up.
The 10 Best Bread Makers
- Best Overall: KBS Pro Stainless Steel Programmable Bread Machine ($130)
- Best Compact: Cuisinart CBK-110 Compact Automatic Bread Maker ($110)
- Best for Speed: Oster Expressbake Bread Maker ($80)
- Most Affordable: Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker ($70)
- Most Splurge-worthy: Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker ($340)
- Best for Families: Breville The Custom Loaf Bread Maker ($300)
- Best Convection: Cuisinart CBK-200 Convection Bread Maker ($130)
- Best Programmable: Breadman Professional Bread Maker ($130)
- Best for Beginners: Secura Programmable Bread Maker Machine ($98)
- Runner-up, Best Compact: MOOSOO MB70 Bread Maker Machine ($99)
But First, What Does a Bread Maker Actually Do?
Before we start talking about the best bread makers that money can buy, you might be wondering why you would want one to begin with. Glad you asked: The number one reason to consider investing in a bread maker is convenience. These handy machines are designed to do the lion’s share of the work without compromising the quality of your homemade loaf. Bread makers are outfitted with a paddle that will knead the dough for you with the press of a button—a convenience that’s particularly appealing if baking a loaf of fresh bread isn’t just a one-off project for you. (Fact: Once you start making bread at home, it’s hard to go back to the store-bought stuff.) In other words, your hands will thank you for investing in this time-saving tool (and sparing them carpal tunnel syndrome).
Another neat thing about bread makers is that they take the mess out of baking bread: Just dump the ingredients into the machine and voila—the work is done, and your kitchen is so clean it’s like flour never even happened. Finally, many bread makers boast an automatic timer—a set-it-and-forget-it function that allows you to start your bread at bedtime and wake up to a beautiful, golden-brown loaf in the morning. The takeaway? You don’t absolutely knead one (sorry, we had to), but a bread maker will ensure your newfound hobby is hassle-free.
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Amazon
1. KBS Pro Stainless Steel Programmable Bread Machine
Loaf Size: 1, 1½ and 2 pounds
Settings: 17 automatic bread settings and 3 crust settings
Home bakers give glowing reviews to the KBS Pro—a sleek stainless steel number with a viewing window and all the bells and whistles. This machine boasts a super quiet AC motor and dual heating tubes for maximum efficiency, and fans say it does a bang up job of gently kneading dough for superior gluten formation and a consistently tasty finished product. This puppy also comes with a non-stick ceramic pan that ensures even baking and easy clean-up, while preventing chemicals from leaching into your bread. The KBS Pro can produce loaves up to 2 pounds but, thanks to its adjustable capacity, you can successfully whip up a smaller loaf as well. The 17 automatic settings can tackle any type of dough—including gluten-free and whole wheat recipes—and the fruit and nut dispenser makes it easy to create something fancy for a special occasion (or, you know, a Tuesday). Plus, the 15-hour timer means you don’t have to schedule your day around a loaf of bread.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Quiet
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- No alert to indicate when it’s time to remove the paddle
- Paddle can get stuck after baking unless oiled
Amazon
2. Cuisinart CBK-110 Compact Automatic Bread maker
Loaf Size: 1, 1 ½ and 2 pounds
Settings: 12 pre-programmed settings and 3 crust settings
If you’re looking for a bread maker that doesn’t take up too much real estate on your kitchen counter, the Cuisinart is an excellent option. Don’t be fooled by its compact size, though—this machine can do quite a lot. The Cuisinart compact bread maker has 12 menu options so you can make everything from artisan breads to the jams you’re going to spread on them. Best of all, users report that this machine is a breeze to clean thanks to the removable, non-stick kneading pan and paddle, and couldn’t be easier to operate. This one also boasts a viewing window, digital display, 13-hour delay-start timer, and audible alerts to indicate when it’s time to take out the paddle and, most importantly, when your beautiful loaf of bread is ready to slice and serve.
Pros:
- Space-saving, compact design
- Easy to operate and clean
Cons:
- Some users report better results with 1 and 1 ½ pound loaves
Amazon
3. Oster Expressbake Bread maker
Loaf Size: Up to 2 pounds
Settings: 12 bread settings and 3 crust settings
Sometimes you need a fresh-baked loaf of bread stat. Good news, friends: This Oster bread maker has got you covered. This compact machine boasts an “Expressbake” feature that promises a fully-baked loaf in less than an hour, but it performs well when you’re not in a hurry, too: A 13-hour delay-start time and a keep warm function promise fresh bread pretty much any time. This guy has 12 pre-programmed options, so it can produce all the standard bread maker menu options—pizza dough, jam and basic loaves to name a few—and a handy alert will let you know when it’s time to add any desired mix-ins. (Hello, olive bread.) That said, buyers should know that it doesn’t have a gluten-free setting—though users report the regular bread setting works just fine with gluten-free flour—and some say its small size works best for slightly smaller loaves, despite its 2 pound capacity. Bottom line: This isn’t the Mercedes Benz of bread makers, but the Oster is a budget-friendly option for getting the job done...and fast.
Pros:
- Cost-effective
- Quick baking time
- Compact, lightweight design
Cons:
- Less durable and louder than other more expensive options
- No gluten-free setting
Amazon
4. Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker
Loaf Size: 1 ½ and 2 pounds
Settings: 12 bread settings and 3 crust settings
If you’re in the market for a bread machine that won’t break the bank, the Hamilton Beach digital bread maker might be just the ticket. This model is particularly noteworthy because of its versatility: Use it to make French bread, whole grain or gluten-free loaves, pizza dough, marmalade and even cakes and quick breads. (While some users report that the machine struggles to properly mix certain doughs such as whole grain, bakers give the gluten-free setting rave reviews in particular.) As for additional features, this machine has an audible alert to let you know when to toss fruits and nuts into your dough, easy to clean parts (non-stick and dishwasher-safe), and a 13-hour delay-start timer for when you want to prep now and bake later. Best of all, the lightweight design boasts non-slip feet—you know, so the motor won’t make it bounce right off your kitchen counter. (Yep, that’s a thing.)
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Lightweight
- Gluten-free setting delivers the goods
Cons:
- Some recipes from the included book require tweaking
- Less thorough at kneading and mixing
Amazon
5. Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker
Loaf Size: 2 pounds
Settings: 15 pre-programmed settings and 3 crust settings
As the steep price tag suggests, this bread maker is one seriously high-end piece of equipment...but what gives the Zojirushi its edge over the competition? For starters, this bread machine has dual heating elements (top and bottom) to facilitate even baking and browning—and they’re powerful enough to produce a scrumptious full-size loaf in just under two-and-a-half hours when the rapid function has been selected—as well as dual kneading paddles that work the dough to perfection. This option also has an extra-large LCD display that’s exceedingly easy to use. (i.e., you don’t need to crack any complicated codes—or call customer service—just to figure out what all the buttons are for.) Overall, users report that this bread maker is quiet, easy-to-clean and incredibly consistent when it comes to churning out high-quality, nicely-shaped loaves of bread.
Pros:
- High performing dual heater and paddle technology
- Rapid function for quick baking
- Easy to operate and ultra quiet
Cons:
Bed Bath & Beyond
6. Breville The Custom Loaf Bread Maker
Loaf Size: 1, 1 ½, 2 and 2 ½ pounds
Settings: 13 automatic settings, 9 custom settings and 3 crust settings
This thoughtfully-designed bread maker features an automatic fruit and nut dispenser, an intuitive LCD interface with a progress indicator that computes baking time and temperature, a delay-start timer and a collapsible kneading paddle (so you don’t have to worry about a pesky hole in your loaf when the baking process is done). Plus, its extra-large capacity boasts the ability to bake four different loaf sizes, ranging from small to family-size, and users say this one won’t walk off your counter, either. (Phew!) Most importantly, though, the 13 pre-programmed settings produce excellent breads—fans say the crusty French bread loaf is to die for—as well as pastas and other yeast-free options. And happily, this one has healthy and diet-friendly options (gluten-free, whole wheat) and manual settings to boot.
Pros:
- Collapsible paddle
- User-friendly interface
- Large capacity
Cons:
- Large size takes up considerable counter space
- Collapsible paddle can be hard to clean
Walmart
7. Cuisinart CBK-200 Convection Bread maker
Loaf Size: 1, 1 ½, and 2 pounds
Settings: 16 pre-programmed settings and 3 crust settings
Think of this one as a beefed-up cousin to the Cuisinart CBK-110 (see above)—and with 16 different settings, it can do everything from low-carb loaves to decadent cakes. For bread lovers, though, the artisan bread option—a setting that puts your dough through several long, slow rises to achieve a scrumptious rustic crust and chewy interior—is where it’s at. But no matter which setting you choose, the finished product is sure to benefit from the unique convection feature, which circulates air and eliminates hot spots that result in uneven baking and browning. This machine also boasts a useful pause feature so you can make adjustments as needed during the mixing process and users say the unit is a cinch to clean. Bonus: The removable lid on this bad boy features a viewing window, so you can work up an appetite by watching the magic in real time. (But give the rapid cycle or “last minute loaf” settings a whirl if you’re short on time.)
Pros:
- Convection style heat for consistent baking
- Pause feature (in case you want to tweak your dough)
- Streamlined design is easy to use and easy on the eyes
Cons:
- Larger size means less counter space
- Some users complain about noisiness
Amazon
8. Breadman Professional Bread Maker
Loaf Size: 1, 1 ½, and 2 pounds
Settings: 14 bread settings and 3 crust settings
Flexibility is king with this 14-option bread maker, which allows users to adjust the settings to their liking while offering the opportunity to bake a whole host of things, including pizza dough, artisan bread, and gluten-free goods. Rapid bake options are among the numerous settings on offer and an automatic fruit and nut dispenser means you can walk away from your loaf knowing all the trimmings will be added at just the right time. Oh, and there’s also a collapsible paddle so your bread doesn’t suffer unnecessary puncture wounds. Bottom line: The combination of customizable settings and even-heating technology ensures a good outcome and, although this appliance takes up quite a bit of space, it’s nice enough looking that you won’t mind too much.
Pros:
- Bakes evenly
- Automatic fruit and nut dispenser
- Adjustable settings and loaf size
Cons:
- Bulky
- Digital display and viewing window are difficult to see due to height of the unit
Amazon
9. Secura Programmable Bread Maker Machine
Loaf Size: Up to 2.2 pounds
Settings: 19 pre-programmed settings and 3 crust settings
Users report that the Secura bread maker produces excellent results with bread, pasta dough and everything in between (which is a lot, given that it has a whopping 19 menu options). Fans of this appliance also say that it’s easy to clean (i.e., wipe it down and you’re done) and boasts a sturdy construction with straightforward controls. There’s no automatic fruit and nut dispenser on this one, but it will give you a loud beep when the time is right, and the 15-hour delay-start timer and 1-hour warm function provide plenty of flexibility. Folks also say the bread pan is a winner—producing evenly browned loaves that don’t stick to the bottom.
Pros:
- High-quality non-stick bread pan for even baking
- Versatile
- User-friendly settings
Cons:
- Users complain the recipe book leaves something to be desired and the ingredient measurements are hard to convert without a food scale
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January 16, 2021 at 07:00AM
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