By Brittany Rowland

As we looked at a variety of breadmakers from different manufacturers, we had several important factors in mind:
1. Ease of cleaning, with nonstick parts and a removable lid being especially helpful
2. A variety of baking modes for breads, cakes, jams, baguettes, pasta and pizza doughs
3. Creates bread with good texture, flavor, crisp outsides and soft insides
4. Dual paddles for higher rises and more thorough kneading
5. Ease of programming, with clear buttons and a display
6. A comprehensive instruction and recipe book
7. Additional accessories like measuring cups and spoons
8. Different loaf size and crust shade selections
While your needs may vary based on your family size, experience level, and expectations from your breadmaker, this selection of the top 10 breadmakers offers a wide array of features.

Breadmaker Buying Guide

So you’ve decided you want to experience the joys of making homemade bread and smelling it bake in your kitchen—now you need to select a breadmaker. It’s nice to know that there is a wide selection of quality models ranging from only $50 up to $300 or more.

Functions and programs

Which breadmaker you choose depends on what you expect from the machine:

• Do you want the ability to experiment with various types of bread, such as whole wheat, multigrain, gluten-free, sweet, baguette, French, Italian, or banana bread?
• Are you interested in using a breadmaker to bake cakes or prepare dough for pizza and pasta?
• Would you like a machine that also makes non-bread items like meatloaf and jam?

Most breadmaker models today come pre-programmed with baking modes or settings that allow you to make a wide variety of breads. You just need to follow the recipe and instructions for mixing the flour, yeast, and other ingredients to get mouthwatering results.

Design and controls

Breadmakers don’t differ wildly in style, but you may find that you prefer one with a large viewing window and a bright LCD display that highlights your programming selections. Even if a breadmaker doesn’t possess a window, that shouldn’t disqualify it. Some people argue that a breadmaker offers more even heating and crispier crusts without one.

Size and shape

How large is the family you’re baking for? If you’re single or one of a couple, you can get by with a small model that makes a 1-pound loaf, which yields about 8 slices. For a larger family, you’ll probably want a model that makes loaves up to 1.5, 2, or 2.5 pounds. A 2.5-pound loaf provides roughly 20 slices—more than enough to satisfy a family for several days.

Whether a loaf comes out horizontal or vertical doesn’t affect the taste, but you may have a preference for one or the other. A tall slice from a vertical loaf may be more difficult to fit in the toaster.

You also need to think of size in terms of the machine’s footprint. If you’re going with a big breadmaker, will you be content to let it take up a lot of counter space, or will you okay with lugging it out of a pantry for each use? Smaller models make smaller loaves, but they’re also easily portable and don’t take up much more space than a toaster.

Noise

The kneading and baking a breadmaker performs is a very involved process, but you probably don’t want a machine that rattles and dances across the counter. Check up on reviews to get an idea of how much noise it makes.

Cleaning

As with any kitchen appliance, cleaning the breadmaker is the least fun part. However, if the machine is equipped with nonstick, removable parts, the task becomes much easier. Some models have a detachable lid that gives you better access to the inside cavity. Note which models have dishwasher-safe parts and which require hand-washing.

Instructions and recipes

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a breadmaker that doesn’t come with an instruction manual and recipes. If possible, browse through the manual before making a purchase to see how comprehensive the directions are. Do they walk you through each baking mode? Do they tell you how long each kneading cycle lasts? Do they offer clear recipes for a wide variety of breads, cakes, and jams?

If the manual leaves something to be desired, there are plenty of breadmaking books available that are all-encompassing. Beth Hensperger’s “The Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook” is a widely popular choice, featuring over 300 step-by-step recipes.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Related Articles

The Best Special Features in a Breadmaker

The more features a breadmaker has, the more the price goes up. Be sure to review all the features a model offers and decide which you consider necessities and which are fancy bells and whistles. Some features that we consider pretty convenient and worth….[more]

Maintenance Tips for Your Breadmaker

Cleaning and maintaining a breadmaker is a fairly simple task, but keeping up with it can guarantee years of top-notch performance from your appliance. Most people choose to clean the breadmaker right after making a loaf. The most basic safety tip to remember….[more]

Related Top 10 Lists

Best Bread Machine

A bread machine is a great addition to your arsenal of kitchen appliances. The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your very own home made loaves of bread. Different bread machines have their pros and cons…[more]

Best 2-Slice Toasters

A 2 slice toaster is perfect for a household that goes light on the toast. If one or two people are around every morning for breakfast, it is going to be just right. A toaster this size is also going to be great for making toasty sandwiches… [more]

Best Crock Pot

Comfort food is a necessity when the cold winter months hit. What kind of food is that exactly? We turn to stews, roasts, soups, and chili. Crock pots and slow cookers make preparing these types of dishes more than easy. All you’ve got to do is put the indredients… [more]

More Breadmakers

By Brittany Rowland

Lending an air of simplicity to the kitchen, the Breadman TR520 breadmaker is capable of creating a variety of delicious homemade bread. There are 8 different pre-programmed settings with 3 different crust shade options. The simple push button digital control panel is easy to navigate and program. The unit is equipped with a viewing window to monitor the progress of your fresh bread and has a 13-hour delay timer so your bread can be ready when you are. Cleaning up is a breeze, too, with the detachable lid and removable bread bin. Available for the excellent price of $60 to $80 online, this Breadman model is a surefire hit.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

Back to Top Breadmakers

The more features a breadmaker has, the more the price goes up. Be sure to review all the features a model offers and decide which you consider necessities and which are fancy bells and whistles. Some features that we consider pretty convenient and worth the extra cost:

A delay start timer: Say you want to have some fresh bread ready for when you wake up in the morning. Just set the timer up to 12 or 13 hours and the machine starts at the appropriate time.

Dual paddles: Many breadmakers get by with just one kneading paddle, but some come equipped with two, which generally mix the dough more thoroughly and create a higher rise.

Beep alerts for adding ingredients: If you’re making a fruit bread, it’s convenient to know when it’s the best time to add raisins, nuts, or other ingredients during the second kneading cycle. Some models let you open the lid to add these ingredients; others include an automatic dispenser that does the task for you.

Preheat cycle: A breadmaker with a preheat cycle gets all the ingredients to room temperature for you.

Dough cycle: Sometimes a recipe calls for taking out the dough after proofing and shaping it by hand. A dough cycle is useful when you’re making rolls, pizza dough, or other breads with special shapes.

Yeast dispenser: If you plan to delay the start time of your breadmaker, then a yeast dispenser is an important feature to have because it keeps the yeast fresh and dry and adds it at just the right time.

Cool down feature: If you can’t get the loaf out of the breadmaker right away, then the cool down period prevents the loaf from getting soggy by sucking out excess moisture in the machine.

Keep warm feature: Some breadmakers keep the loaf warm for 30 to 60 minutes after it’s finished baking.

Crust shade: Look for models that let you choose the crust shade: light, medium, or dark.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Breadmakers

While your needs may vary based on your family size, experience level, and expectations from your breadmaker, this selection of the top 10 breadmakers offers a wide array of features…. [more]

Cleaning and maintaining a breadmaker is a fairly simple task, but keeping up with it can guarantee years of top-notch performance from your appliance.

• Most people choose to clean the breadmaker right after making a loaf. The most basic safety tip to remember: Always unplug the machine before sticking your hand inside it to clean. Also, give the breadmaker some time to cool down, as the bread pan gets very hot during use.
• The bread pan is the part of the machine that gets the messiest because it’s where the dough is kneaded and baked. Pull the bread pan out by the handle and wash it thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Use soft rags or sponges rather than scouring pads and abrasive chemicals, which can damage the surface of the pan.
• Check the user’s manual to see if the other breadmaker parts, like the kneading paddles, are safe to go in the dishwasher. If not, let them soak for about a quarter hour before washing them by hand. Any baked-on food should come off easily after the soaking.
• Use a rag or sponge to clean out the inside of the breadmaker. Be careful washing around the heating element so as not to jar it loose.
• Let the interior of the breadmaker and all the parts dry completely before reassembling the machine.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Breadmakers

While your needs may vary based on your family size, experience level, and expectations from your breadmaker, this selection of the top 10 breadmakers offers a wide array of features…. [more]

By Brittany Rowland

An all-in-one breadmaker ideal for novice and experienced bread bakers alike, the Panasonic SD-RD250 makes horizontal loaves in medium and extra-large sizes. One nifty feature we appreciated was the nut and fruit dispenser, which adds the ingredients for you at the perfect time so they get mixed into the dough thoroughly. While this model doesn’t have very many preset baking modes, it nevertheless produces flavorful, textured bread with crispy crusts. Panasonic credits its lack of a viewing window for the more even heat distribution. Overall, for $154.99, this breadmaker is a more than satisfactory addition to the kitchen.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

If you’re just starting out with making homemade bread, then you’ll appreciate this automatic breadmaker from Black & Decker that does most of the hard work for you. The tools for the Black & Decker B6000C include a kneading paddle, a nonstick pan, and a measuring cup and spoon. We were happy to observe that the machine works quietly and produces big, fluffy horizontal loaves up to three pounds. We also noted that the machine produces soft, flavorful bread with a light crust and also has the capability to make thick breads if desired. The Black & Decker B6000C is available for $85.07.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

Large families who crave fresh homemade bread will enjoy this T-Fal Emerilware bread and baguette maker. Equipped with dual paddles for kneading dough for a variety of breads, cake, and jam, it also includes trays for baking 4 miniature baguettes. Loaves come out with nice texture and crunchy crusts. The LCD panel and touchpad controls make programming cycles fairly straightforward. Making baguettes requires the most hands-on work; the rest is mostly taken care of by the machine. While it’s a large model, we were impressed by how quietly it worked and by its reasonable $146.85 price.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

Lending an air of sophistication to the kitchen, this Breadman stainless steel breadmaker creates a variety of delicious homemade bread. Equipped with 16 pre-programmed settings, including whole wheat, super rapid, and gluten-free, its LCD control panel is easy to navigate and program. Sleek, sturdy, and quiet in operation, you can watch the bread baking process through the viewing window. Cleaning up is a breeze, too, with the detachable lid. Available for as low as $74.95, this Breadman model is a surefire hit.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A compact breadmaker ideal for small households, the Zojirushi BB-HAC10 sits unobtrusively on the counter or gets put away in the cabinet, its carrying handle making it easy to transport. The 1-pound loaves it makes come out great; you can watch the efficient little machine at work through the viewing window. With the included recipe book, you can also whip up cakes, cookie and pasta dough, and fruit jams. If you love smelling and tasting fresh homemade bread but can’t justify buying a large machine for a small family, then this Zojirushi mini breadmaker, at $178.94, is a wise choice.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

An efficient breadmaker that does most of the hard work for you, this Cuisinart model lets you choose from 3 loaf sizes and 3 crust shades. Its 12 pre-programmed settings are quite versatile; many people appreciate the option to bake gluten-free bread. Beeping during the second kneading cycle remind you to add any last-minute ingredients and give you the option to remove the paddles so the bread doesn’t have a hole in it. While the manual is not as comprehensive as it could be with baking times, the machine produces consistently good bread and costs just $89.99.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A breadmaker that makes the entire process easy for the user, the West Bend 41413 produces high rises and two sizes: one and a half or two pounds. The knead blades come with a tool for easy removal, and other accessories include a measuring cup and spoon. The included manual and recipe book comes in useful, and the machine itself works great, and for an amazingly low price of $95.75. Convenient features include a delay start of up to 13 hours and a power recovery feature that automatically restarts the machine. Easy to clean and sporting a large viewing window on top that lets you monitor the kneading process, this West Bend breadmaker is a solid purchase.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A versatile, top-quality appliance, this Zojirushi breadmaker makes not only 2-pound loaves of bread but also meatloaf, homemade jam, and chocolate cake. Its wide viewing window lets you watch the two kneading paddles do their work, producing high rises. We liked the keep warm feature, which gives you up to 30 minutes to remove the bread after it’s finished baking. The control panel is quite intuitive and user-friendly, and the LCD display helps you keep track of the baking process. For $225, this breadmaker offers consistently good results and a wide array of features.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A competent breadmaker for an amazingly low price of $70.79, the Hamilton Beach 29881 has user-friendly, easy-to-program controls that let you bake a wide variety of breads, including French, whole grain, gluten-free, and sweet, as well as dough and jam. Fairly quiet in operation, it includes a quick bake cycle that makes a loaf faster than the typical 3 hours. Cleaning up afterward is easy with the non-stick pan and hand-washable parts. A nice bonus is the included instruction and recipe book, which has useful instructions for gluten-free and whole grain breads.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A high quality, easy-to-use automatic breadmaker from Panasonic, this model comes with recipes for 40 types of bread, including white, wheat, multigrain, French, and fruit breads. Its special features make the process easier for you. For instance, a buzzer sounds when it’s time to add raisins and other fruits into the dough, and the machine automatically adds yeast from a special dispenser. While the breadmaker lacks a viewing window, it actually distributes heat more evenly for crunchy crusts and consistent color and consistency. At $141, its a valuable appliance to have in the kitchen.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices