The Best Bread Machine 2024

Bread machine are a convenient kitchen tool, although some models tout features for making preserves or kneading pasta dough, their primary function remains singular: to yield freshly baked loaves in mere hours with minimal manual effort. For numerous household chefs, the allure lies in the simplicity of adding ingredients, initiating the process, and retrieving a newly baked loaf without the need for manual kneading or oven operation.

To ascertain which bread apparatus aligned with our criteria for superior loaves, we evaluated twenty of the most sought-after models to determine their user-friendliness, ease of maintenance, and, most importantly, their ability to produce delectable bread.

Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker

This apparatus excelled in its amalgamation, kneading, expansion, and fermentation processes, yielding soft, fluffy white loaves and robust rye varieties. We admired how its dual paddles and rectangular pan design yielded effortlessly sliceable loaves that were not overly tall, fostering a slightly more aerated texture.

Key Specs

• Weight: 20 pounds
• Materials: Plastic, stainless steel 
• Dimensions: 18 x 101/2 x 127/8 inches
• Capacity: 2-pound loaf
• Settings: 10 bread, 3 crust, dough, sourdough starter, cake, jam, homemade
• Number of kneading paddles: 2
• Bread pan shape: Rectangular
• Care instructions: Hand wash bread pan with warm water and soap; to clean interior, unplug, then wipe down inside and outside with damp cloth before drying thoroughly

Cuisinart CBK-110 Compact Automatic Bread Maker

Despite its smaller dimensions, this Cuisinart model still managed to yield two-pound loaves that were thoroughly mixed and impeccably proofed. Its integrated resting intervals during kneading permitted optimal hydration of the dough, contributing to robust gluten formation and lofty loaves.

Key Specs

• Weight: 12 pounds
• Materials: Stainless steel 
• Dimensions: 10.2  x 13.25 x 11.25 inches
• Capacity: 2-pound loaf
• Settings: 7 bread, 3 crust, dough, jam, packaged mix, cake, bake-only
• Number of kneading paddles: 1 
• Bread pan shape: Square
• Care instructions: Hand wash bread pan with warm water and soap; to clean interior, unplug, then wipe down inside and outside with damp cloth before drying thoroughly

Zojirushi BB-HAC10 Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker

The Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini conserves countertop and cabinet space without compromising bread quality. Even in its diminutive stature, it offers an array of settings for diverse bread styles, such as Quick Baking and French Bread, rendering it both convenient and adaptable.

Key Specs

• Weight: 12 pounds
• Materials: Plastic body
• Dimensions: 8.5 x 11.25 x 12.25 inches
• Capacity: 1-pound loaf
• Settings: 5 bread, 2 crust, cookie/pasta dough, jam setting, cake setting
• Number of kneading paddles: 1
• Bread pan shape: Square
• Care instructions: Hand-wash bread pan with warm, soapy water; to clean interior, unplug, then wipe down inside and outside with damp cloth before drying thoroughly

FAQs

Is it more economical to purchase bread or to craft it using a bread machine?

Although acquiring a bread machine necessitates an initial investment that may initially seem daunting compared to buying pre-made loaves, producing homemade bread can eventually translate into cost savings. The primary advantage of owning a bread machine lies in the convenience of enjoying freshly baked bread at home with minimal exertion.

Is specialized flour required for a bread machine?

While many bread machines utilize standard, all-purpose flour in their recipes, certain models offer prepackaged mixes containing all necessary dry ingredients. It is advisable to adhere to the default recipes provided with your bread machine to familiarize yourself with its operation, with most recipes typically calling for standard all-purpose or bread flour.

Is specialized yeast necessary for a bread machine?

Some manufacturers recommend utilizing bread machine yeast, a variant of instant yeast specifically formulated for bread machines. However, in our testing, every model we assessed specified either instant yeast or active dry yeast. Although any of these yeast types are suitable for use in a bread machine, it is essential to carefully review your recipe instructions to ascertain the appropriate yeast type, as they entail differing rise durations.

What causes bread machine bread to be dense?

Bread produced in a bread machine undergoes mixing, kneading, proofing, and baking within the same vessel, presenting several potential reasons for denseness. Adjusting the water quantity can facilitate greater yeast fermentation, resulting in a more porous crumb, while modifying the machine’s programming to reduce kneading duration can prevent excessive gluten development. Unfortunately, there is no singular explanation for dense bread from a bread machine, although many models feature troubleshooting resources to aid in recipe adjustments.

Can sourdough bread be prepared using a bread machine?

Indeed, sourdough bread can be crafted in a bread machine by incorporating a starter. Although the final product may lack the crustiness characteristic of loaves baked in a Dutch oven or traditional bread pan, it will retain the distinctive tang associated with sourdough.