Up Your Baking Game With These Expert-Recommended Bread Makers

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Bread machines are like party tricks. The good ones don’t require a lot of effort on your part and are sure to please a crowd.

The comforting smell of freshly baked bread is only a few pushes of a button away with bread makers. Simply add the wet and dry ingredients to a pan inside the machine before selecting the type of bread and darkness of crust. The appliance then automates the kneading, resting, and baking steps.

Bread makers often come with recipe guides (if not, recipes designed for bread machines are easily found online). You’ll likely spend more time researching recipes than you will setting up your bread maker. And you don’t have to stop at bread; you can also use your bread machine to make pizza dough, jam, or even creamy tomato soup.

I examined reviews, used my own direct experience, and compared the functionality and price of bread makers to find options for different budgets and gluten-free households. Keep reading to find the bread makers that will transform your breakfast sandwich.

Best Bread Makers

• Best All-Around Bread Maker: Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuous Plus Breadmaker

• Most Compact Bread Maker: Cuisinart Compact Bread Maker

• Best Budget Bread Maker: Amazon Basics Non-Stick Bread Making Machine

• Most Portable Bread Maker: Zojirushi Maestro Breadmaker

• Smartest Bread Maker: Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker

How to Choose a Bread Maker

When buying a bread machine, one of the first factors to think about is size. Your storage and kitchen counter space should dictate the bread capacity and overall size of the appliance you choose. If you have a large kitchen with ample room, a larger bread maker will allow you to make bigger loaves. Look for a 2-pound or larger bread capacity.

On the other hand, you can find excellent compact bread makers for smaller kitchens. A compact machine like the Cuisinart model below measures just over 13 inches on its longest side and is more vertical than horizontal, so it has a smaller footprint on your counter.

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Next, consider features. Many of the bread makers I’ve recommended come with preprogrammed settings to bake specific kinds of bread and, in some cases, other foods, too. If you’re excited to recreate the crusty French bread you had on a trip to Paris, you may find that a machine with a “French” setting will get you a bit closer to the City of Love without leaving your kitchen. Or, if you want a bread machine that can do more than bread, look for one with functions like yogurt- and jam-making.

Another aspect to consider is crust color. Many bread makers let you choose from different shades of “doneness” on the crust. If you want more control over your bake, or simply like a variety of crustiness levels, a more feature-rich model will give you those options.

Finally, what is shape you prefer for your loaves? Most horizontal machines bake long loaves in the classic rectangular shape. However, some machines have a square or vertical bread pan, which produces taller loaves with a square bottom. If you’re not a fan of these slightly less elegant shapes, opt for a model with a rectangular pan.

How We Selected These Bread Makers

As the parent of a picky eater and a carb lover (not always the same kid), I’ve learned that fresh slices of white bread with fat pats of butter are one of the rare items everyone eats in my house. But since I work (often testing kitchen appliances) and make dinner, the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus (which can be programmed in advance) is a valued appliance.

In order to find other popular bread makers, I searched for dependable machines with clear strengths. I relied on my own experiences using bread makers and took into account the research and previous work on this article done by writer Elizabeth Briskin.

Additionally, I evaluated the picks on Good Housekeeping and other reputable sites and then cross-referenced well-reviewed models with Amazon ratings. I watched videos online of the bread makers being used to get a sense of their functionality. Finally, I took into account the size and price of each bread machine before recommending the eight models below.

Home Bakery Virtuous Plus Breadmaker

The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus produces loaves quickly (the rapid setting is under 2 hours and 30 minutes) and can be programmed up to 13 hours in advance to have a loaf of freshly baked bread on the dinner table.

With 15 settings—including three options for custom programs—this bread maker is worth its counter space in homes where there are different dietary or allergy-specific needs (there are vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and salt-free settings).

You’ll need two arms to lift this bread maker as it's definitely bigger than a bread box; but the consistent loaves and even browning (thanks to a heating element in the lid) are well worth the arm workout and elevated price tag.

Compact Bread Maker

If you’re short on counter space and want to maximize your bread-making abilities, this appliance is a small but mighty option. It includes 12 preprogrammed settings, including sweet bread, gluten-free, and French.

You can also use this machine to whip up a baked treat using a packaged mix. The sleek, stainless-steel design helps the bread maker fit effortlessly into any kitchen.

Non-Stick Bread Making Machine

This is a great first bread machine for the beginner home baker. It has a compact design that’s convenient for small spaces. And despite the reasonable price tag, this machine doesn’t skimp on features.

It has 14 built-in settings and can even bake a fresh loaf of bread in under 90 minutes using the ExpressBake setting (you’ll sacrifice some of the tangy sourdough flavor that comes from longer fermentation, but the loaf will be fluffy and light).

Maestro Breadmaker

If you need to travel with your bread maker, this compact machine is the best option. It has a comfortable carrying handle for easy transport and a vertical design that makes it easy to pack into a car, camper, or RV.

Choose from 15 built-in baking settings and a 13-hour delay timer—and even save your preferences using three memory slots.

Custom Loaf Bread Maker

Breville’s large-capacity bread maker is built to take the guesswork out of baking. It has smart-detection technology and a clear interface that understands what you want and delivers every time.

Included are gluten-free and quick-bread settings as well as three crust color options, and the Breville mixes dough for pizza, focaccia, and pasta. There's also an automatic dispenser that releases add-ins like fruits and nuts.

The stainless-steel exterior and nonstick bread pan also make cleanup easy.

ExpressBake Breadmaker

If you’re starting to tinker with bread, the Oster ExpressBake is a great way to learn what you like without a sizable investment. While it has a 2-pound capacity, you can start out baking one-pound loaves, which is convenient if you’re experimenting and unsure if your olive bread will turn out okay or not.

The Oster lets you pick between three crust settings and 14 programming options, including bread, cakes, and jam. The machine comes with a measuring cup, spoon, and kneading paddle.

Bread Maker

The stainless steel Frigidaire, a cheery red box (it adds a fun pop of color to your countertop), has a good-sized window and a dishwasher-safe bread pan. It keeps bread warm for 60 minutes; lets you pick between light, medium, and dark crust; and has a dedicated yogurt setting if you’re thinking about making your own breakfast parfaits.

Also, the Frigidaire has a few more features (15-hour timer, 15 programmable settings including an option for custom bread) than similarly priced models.

Compact Automatic Bread Maker

The Cuisinart Compact Automatic Bread Maker kicks out tall slices of French bread and thick slices of cinnamon raisin bread. With a built-in timer and 12 pre-programmed settings (including a cake and packaged mix setting), this sleek bread maker is your trusty sous chef ready to mix and knead challah or pizza dough.

The dedicated jam setting not only makes jelly, but can also turn chocolate into chocolate sauce or turn tomatoes and spices into a chunky tomato sauce.

Flour Power: Expert Jonathan Bender on Ingredients, Viewing Windows, and Cleaning Tips.

What types of flour can you use in a bread maker?

You can use many different types of flour in a bread machine. Most recipes call for bread flour, as the higher gluten content gives your loaf its chew and rise. A dessert bread like banana bread might call for all-purpose flour, while gluten-free breads may use a gluten-free flour blend.

Do I want a viewing window?

A window is a convenience giving you a quick glimpse at how your dough or loaf is progressing. However, you can make great bread without a window, too. During the kneading stage it’s okay to lift the lid and poke your dough to see if it’s too soft and sticky (add flour) or too stiff (add water).

How do you clean a bread machine?

Unplug it first. Take out the basket and paddles. Hand wash the parts with a soft sponge, warm water, and dish soap. After your bread machine has cooled slightly, wipe down the interior, exterior, and lid with a damp cloth.

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