10 Best Bread Machines Reviews and Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Why You Need a Good Bread Machine?
Making bread with a Bread machine is easy and cost-effective. You have the option to mix all the ingredients to your taste to achieve that unique flavor you wish for. Depending on where you make your purchase, Bread machines can cost as high as $500, but the most important thing is to ensure your choice aligns with your needs.
While there are a variety of brands to choose from, this isn’t entirely necessary when it comes to selecting a Bread machine. You surely have to analyze every feature they come with before concluding.
Quick Summary
- Best Selling Bread Machine – Hamilton Beach 29882 HomeBaker Bread Maker
- Best Value for Money – Oster CKSTBRTW20 Expressbake Bread Maker
- Best Programmable Breadmaker – Sunbeam Breadmaker
- Best Easy to Use Bread Maker – Hamilton Beach 29885 Bread Maker Machine
- Best Home Bakery Machine – Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker
- Best for Beginners – Cuisinart CBK-200 Convection Bread Maker
- Most Easy to Clean – Zojirushi BB-CEC20BA Home Bakery
- Best Mini Bread Machine – ZOJIRUSHI BB-HAC10 1 Pound Programmable Breadmaker
- Best Extra Large Breadmaker – Breville BBM800 XL Bread Maker
- Best Multifunctional Bread Baker – Pohl Schmitt 17-in-1 Bread Maker
Top Rated Bread Machines Reviews
1. Best Selling Bread Machine – Hamilton Beach 29882 HomeBaker Bread Maker
The Hamilton Beach Bread Maker is a good bread machine for those who want high quality in what they have at the table, without having to complicate things.
With 12 settings, this machine can cook anything an oven can do in terms of dough, whether it’s French bread, gluten-free bread, or even cake. Very easy to use, you just have to prepare and add the ingredients, select the cycle and then just press the timer.
Space-saving, this machine features measures only 26.5 x 35.9 x 31 cm. It is also safe to use because the feet are non-slip types. With the recipe provided without gluten, baking your bread becomes child’s play.
2. Best Value for Money – Oster CKSTBRTW20 Expressbake Bread Maker
Eating gluten-free or fat-free products is possible with the Oster CKSTBRTW20 Expressbake Bread Maker. This machine has a large capacity of 2 pounds, suitable for a family made up of several people. Its Expressback feature allows bread to be cooked in less than an hour.
In addition, its adjustable timer of up to 13 hours, allows you to program the cooking at the time you want. In addition, its large LCD screen provides visibility and control of each stage of cooking.
Finally, this device is a very quiet, easy to use, and easy-to-maintain machine.
3. Best Programmable Breadmaker – Sunbeam Breadmaker
Enjoying the good smell of fresh bread in your house without having to go to the baker is now within your reach. Thanks to the Sunbeam Breadmaker, you can make your bread yourself.
Very practical, it has the programming of up to 13 hours, allowing to prepare the ingredients before sleeping, for example. And the machine starts automatically in the morning. Its easy-to-read digital display dial gives you all the cooking indicators you need.
With a baking capacity of up to 2 pounds, you can have the texture and amount of bread you want. In addition, with 12 cooking functions, and 3 crust selections, this bread maker will make the bread of your choice in less than an hour.
4. Best Easy to Use Bread Maker – Hamilton Beach 29885 Bread Maker Machine
You can bake your own bread or with your family with this Hamilton Beach 29885 Bread Maker with brushed stainless steel. Like a real artisan dough and bread machine, this device will make everything your taste buds want: bread, pizza, or even cake, with its 14 programming cycles.
Weighing 4.54 kg, it is compact and light. Moreover, made of stainless steel demonstrating its endurance, this device has a 5-year warranty. On the other hand, its programmable LCD with timer gives you the cooking indicators you need as well as the possibility of delaying cooking.
The highlights of this machine are the 5-year warranty, the compact, light, and easy-to-handle dimension, and its stainless steel construction.
5. Best Home Bakery Machine – Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker
Baking bread at home is pretty straightforward, but it can take time and can be quite tiring. But rest assured, you no longer need to be an expert in baking to make bread these days. With this Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus bread maker, everything will be easy.
Two heating elements have been integrated with the base and on the lid for even cooking of the dough and to have the types of crust you want. You just need to incorporate the ingredients into the machine and program the timer for up to 13 hours.
In addition, the manufacturer thought of putting two powerful blades for better kneading of the dough. Its user-friendly LCD with easy reading gives better control and further demonstrates its ease of use.
6. Best for Beginners – Cuisinart CBK-200 Convection Bread Maker
As an amateur baker, you prefer to bake your bread at home, just to have the pleasure of smelling the good smell of fresh bread while baking. That freshness isn’t easy to get, but with this Cuisinart Bread Maker 2 Pound Bread Maker, you’ll finally get there.
This machine has the particularity of having an internal fan that allows the hot air to circulate, thus promoting the uniformity of the dough. One of its peculiarities is the fact that it remains on for 15 minutes during a power failure, which means that cooking continues even if the appliance is no longer powered.
In addition, the 16 incorporated options allow you to have multiple choices, whether for making bread, pizza, or other.
7. Most Easy to Clean – Zojirushi BB-CEC20BA Home Bakery
Impressing family friends or children by baking your bread in the art and manner of an artisan baker is not for everyone, except for those who have a home bakery machine such as this Zojirushi BB-CEC20BA Bakery Supreme Bread Maker.
Its versatility allows you to experiment with all the recipes and flavors you want by referring to the 2 simplified cookbooks that are attached. At the end of baking, the bread is visually very pleasant with a rectangular and smooth shape.
The machine is easy to use because it has a timer that is adjustable for up to 13 hours, which will make baking easier. Aside from its black/stainless steel design and viewing cover, the removable non-stick skillet is super easy to clean.
8. Best Mini Bread Machine – ZOJIRUSHI BB-HAC10 1 Pound Programmable Breadmaker
Fresh bread for the family? Yes! But it doesn’t always have to be from the local baker when you have the small ZOJIRUSHI BB-HAC10 Mini bread maker. This machine is ideal for small families.
Whether it’s French bread or cakes, you can bake a small amount, up to 1 pound without wasting time, in less than 2 hours. The kneading blade is non-stick and allows you to have a very uniform and light dough.
Having the dimensions of 11 ” W x 8 ” W x 12 ” H and a capacity of 450g, it takes up little space and is very easy to use. It also has a handle so you can carry it anywhere. In addition, the essentials are at the level of the timer and the dial.
9. Best Extra Large Breadmaker – Breville BBM800 XL Bread Maker
Eating healthy and with the right flavor and nutritional needs for everyone is what most people who want to stay healthy are looking for. However, with most machines, you only get a small-sized bread after laboring for at least 2 hours.
However, with the Breville BBM 800 XL bread machine, you can customize your bread to be in the right size depending on your needs. The bread maker allows you to make between 1 pound to 2.5 pounds of bread at a go.
The machine has an adjustable cooking time that allows you to activate the cooking at the time you want to have a piece of fresh bread. This option also allows you to add ingredients even during full cooking. In addition, the kneading paddles retract when the dough is ready for baking to allow it to swell well. The easy-to-read dial lets you see in detail the progress of your bread baking.
10. Best Multifunctional Bread Baker – Pohl Schmitt 17-in-1 Bread Maker
The best thing about the Pohl Schmitt is the functions offered. Whether you want basic bread, sweet bread, whole wheat bread, French bread, gluten-free bread, cake, dough, kneading, or even baking, the Pohl Schmitt 17 in one also offers a quite original rice bread function.
There is even a “DIY” function, acclaimed by many users, which allows you great freedom! On the other hand, for this last function, you cannot save your favorite setting, which is a shame. To further customize your recipes, a fruit and nut dispenser is included, which will add them to the recipe at the right time.
Finally, in addition to the bread programs, two other functions are noteworthy: you can use this machine to make yogurt, and also jam.
10 Essential Factors to Consider Before Buying a Bread Machine
Does your Bread machine come with programmable options? A paddle or even a timer that tells you when your bread is ready? In this guide, we explore 10 essential factors to consider before purchasing a bread machine.
1. Types and Sizes
There are limitations in the shape bread machines come on. Presently, you will only find two types of bread machines on the market. This includes the horizontal and vertical maker.
Vertical makers are designed for baking loaves of bread that are tall. They usually occupy little space thanks to their compact design and also produce bread with a fluffy top. When using this type of machine, it’s important to outline every detail of your bread, so you don’t end up with an all-purpose bread.
Horizontal bread machines produce bread shaped like the ones found in conventional stores. If you’re someone who likes to pay attention to the appearance of your bread, the horizontal maker would be the right option for you.
The benefits of using horizontal makers are that they come with multiple mixers and allow you to bake all kinds of bread.
Coming to size, Bread machines come in different sizes, and this greatly influences their capacity. Their size ranges from 1 to 3 lbs. usually, a maker of 1 lb can give you 8 slices, 1.5 lbs gives 12 slices, and 2 lbs give you 16 slices.
Your needs will greatly influence the type and size of the maker you go for. If you stay alone, you will want to go for the smallest maker, but if you have a family, I highly recommend you consider anything higher than 1 lb.
2. Programmable Options
It’s easier to make things when you have everything automated. Not only do we find Bread machines with programmable options to be easier to deal with, but the quality of bread made with it also differs.
Programmable options come in handy if you want total control. For instance, if you want your crust to be dark or light, or if you want it to rise or not. There are makers with programmable options that allow you to make the dough without kneading it. This way, the programmable options will enable you to bake according to the nature of the dough.
If you’re lucky enough, you will also find some Bread machines that come with additional options that allow you to bake in different styles. This includes gluten-free, French, or sweet. So with this feature, all you have to do is type the features of the bread you want, and your maker will set out to make you just that. The higher the model you go for, the more options you will get, but you will have to spend more should that be the case.
3. Paddles for Mixing
Most machines come with different types of paddles. There are makers with just a single paddle for kneading dough while others might come with an additional option for small chops. Ideally, bread machines should come with a single paddle. However, to get one that aligns with your needs, having multiple paddles is always better.
Dual paddling does a better job of kneading the dough, allowing you to get the same result as when you do so with your hands. This way, you will be able to get rid of lumps and arrive at the desired texture.
In addition to the number of paddles available, you might want to take a look at whether it’s removable or not. This is because leaving the paddles around when you bake might create a hole in the bread. Some models will tell you to remove the paddles before the baking process commences. However, those that are removable are easier to clean.
4. Delayed Timer
Having this feature saves you the stress of coming back to check whether the bread is ready or not. As much as possible, try to go for Bread machines with a timer. This option allows you to set when your bread begins baking as well as when the cycle will end.
For instance, with a delay timer, you can assemble all your ingredients in your machine before going to bed and set when the timer starts baking. You can also tell the timer the number of loaves to make as well as the style you want using the programmable options. This way, you can wake up to freshly baked bread.
5. Noise Factor
Most electronic devices produce noise when in operation. As much as possible, you will want to steer clear of machines whose sound can be heard from distances.
Since Bread machines knead and bake, it’s realistic to assume that they will be very noisy, but you should be hell-bent on getting one that makes little noise if possible.
Besides, they will potentially be in operation in the middle of the night, and the vibration produced during the baking process might cause it to fall on the ground if not properly installed.
While there are no noise cancelation features on these machines, we’ve found bread machines with high-quality build material to be less noisy. They should also be sturdy to restrict movement, which automatically reduces noise.
6. Alarm Feature
If you like to bake with fruits and nuts bread, ensure you go for makers with sound as this will guide you on the number of ingredients to add.
Adding nuts at the beginning of the baking cycle will likely get them crushed, which is why it’s important to add them at the end.
Machines with alarms usually beep to signify that its time to add your fruits and do the same when the bread is ready.
7. Specialty Items
While most people prefer to go for an all-purpose bread, especially when life gets busy, there are situations you will want more than just basic bread, for instance, if you have guests coming over.
A machine with specialty items allows you to make things like pizza, cake, noodles, jam or wheat. A machine with special features will tell you when to add the ingredients and also bake to your taste.
It’s possible to control the ingredient of your bread, so you don’t end up with an all-purpose bread.
8. Baking Time
One of the features you will like to take a look at is the speed of the machine. The main concern of the user should be how much time it will take to bake a loaf of bread.
Nobody likes to wait for long, especially when you have your entire family sitting at the dining table.
Basic bread with flour and butter has to go through the cycle of kneading, mixing, rising, punching down and baking for approximately 4 hours while machines with express cycles will get the job done in an hour.
However, the cooking time depends on the type of bread you want to bake. Generally, white bread is the fastest to prepare. Having knowledge of the cooking time helps your cooking preparation.
9. Maintenance
No one wants to have a big mess lying around. So, it is important you go for a Bread machine with a non-stick pan. This ensures your bread slides out clean rather than sticking to the bottom of the pan, which will no doubt alter its shape.
To reduce the probability of it sticking, go for makers that come with wire handles. This way, you will be able to remove the bread with minimal damage.
If you want more control when cleaning, go for machines whose kneading paddle and pan are removable.
10. Durability
Before buying any machine, you hope that it will last for a lifetime even though such expectations aren’t realistic.
When it comes to bread machines, you will want to spend your money on one made with long-lasting material. It comes with the added advantage of producing less noise.
Also, check for the pan to ensure the surface coating won’t rub off on your bread, and neither will frequent usage post any health concern.
To be on the safer side, ensure all your purchases come with a money-back warranty.
Wrapping It Up
Nowadays, you don’t have to go to the baker to get your bread anymore. Indeed, from now on, making your bread is within the reach of everyone with a compact bread-making machine.
In the past, it was the large bread ovens that were trending. However, they have now given way to bread machines. Not as big as their precursors but more modern, bread machines are now very popular for making delicious cakes and crunchy pieces of bread.
Our top model is the Hamilton Beach 29882 HomeBaker Bread Maker, which is the best-selling on the market. This can produce up to 2 pounds of bread at a go. Meanwhile, if you want something that delivers more, maybe for the entire family, the Breville BBM800 XL Bread Maker is the go-to option as it can make pieces of bread of up to 2 pounds of weight.
With so many products from different brands out there, choosing a maker without considering all the factors outlined here will be a mistake. Choosing the best maker doesn’t happen by coincidence; there is a lot of planning involved.
Sometimes, there would be models from different brands that align with your needs. If you find yourself in such a situation, the deciding factor should be the price, reviews, warranty, and brand.
Certainly, two brands can’t have the same quality and production policy. Choose from a trusted brand and bake good!
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