The 5 Best Bread Machines

Bread: it has sadly gotten a bit of a bad reputation lately. With gluten-free being a bit of a full-fledge fad, homemade bread has taken a backseat to Keto-type diets that shun grains in general. While many breads on the market today are, in fact, chock full of truly unhealthy ingredients, bread doesn't need to be this way. At its core, it is full of very simple, wholesome ingredients. So if you've been missing bread lately (or just never stopped eating it), now's the time to embrace what your heart, and belly, desire. With a bread machine, you can create healthy, downright delicious loaves of bread sans gluten or any other unwanted ingredients. As a serious bonus, bread machines cut down on single-use plastics and other waste, making them an environmentally conscious choice as well. What's more, bread machines aren't just for bread; most bread machines also make a variety of other delectable baked goods such as pizza dough, cakes, croissants, jams, and flatbreads. So how do you know which option is best? We've narrowed down the choices for you. Below, the top 5 bread machines.

Oster Expressbake Bread Machine

Fresh Bread in Under an Hour

If you're looking for a straightforward bread machine that's easy-to-use and creates a superb loaf of bread, you can't go wrong with the Oster Expressbake.

Best Overall

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Consistently receiving rave reviews, the Oster Expressbake wins the award for Best Overall on this list for a few reasons. First, the consistency of this machine. With every single loaf, you’ll have the option of choosing your desired crust. Additionally, there are 12 bread settings that result in a delicious loaf of bread, every single time.

Now, for the stats on this bread machine. For starters, you can program a timer for fresh bread upon waking up (or, really, for whenever you’d like: it has a built-in 13 hour programmable timer), and with the nonstick aluminum pan on the inside, cleaning up is hassle-free. And if timing is a concern, don’t worry. As the name suggests, with the Expressbake cycle option, you’ll have a warm loaf of tasty homemade bread in under an hour.

Pros:

2 pound loaf capacity
Easy-to-read LCD screen for simple navigation of settings.
Comes with a measuring cup, a spoon, and a kneading paddle.

Cons:

Only comes in a white/ivory finish

Hamilton Beach HomeBaker Bread Machine

Hassle-free Bread Machine

A serious contender for first place, this Hamilton Beach model is another excellent choice if you're in the market for a quality bread machine.

Runner-Up

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If gluten free bread is important to you, then you’ll want to snag this bread machine. With 12 settings, including a Gluten Free cooking option, you’ll be able to bake the perfect loaf of bread for whatever your bread needs may be. Additionally, there are two options for size settings, meaning you can make a smaller, 1.5 pound loaf, or a 2 pound loaf if you have more mouths to feed…or just really love bread. There are also three different crust settings, allowing for light, medium, or even dark crust options.

The extras on this bread machine include handy little additions, such as nonslip feet, a non-stick pan, and a body that stays cool to the touch no matter the internal temperature. You’ll also have the convenience of a timer, two kneading paddles, a recipe booklet and baking tips included, as well.

Pros:

Nonstick bread machine pan is easy to clean up–just pop it in the dishwasher.
Extra kneading paddle.
Includes a recipe booklet with whole grain and gluten-free options, too.
Noticeably quiet machine while running.

Cons:

Kneading paddle consistently gets stuck in the dough.

Cuisinart Compact Bread Machine

A Compact Bread Machine that Delivers

If counterspace is a concern for you, this compact version of a bread machine by Cuisinart is a smart choice.

Best Compact

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This versatile little bread machine, although a bit more compact than others on the market, still comes with all the bells and whistles. You’ll find a delay-start timer (13 hours), delicious recipe booklet (including gluten-free), interior light and viewing window, and an easy-to-read LCD display screen (which includes countdown timer, current cycle, and other selected options). As is the case with most bread machines, the nonstick baking pan is easily removable and easy to clean. And although this is a compact machine, you can still bake a 2 pound loaf.

Pros:

Option for a refurbished, sleek stainless steel bread machine.
12 programmable menu options.
Compact design.

Cons:

You can’t use the timer delay on the dough cycle.

Sunbeam Bread Machine

User-friendly Bread Machine

Bread machines can make healthy eating much easier, and the Sunbeam is incredibly easy-to-use for a healthier lifestyle.

Most User-Friendly Design

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Like the previous bread machine models mentioned here, the Sunbeam bakes up to a 2 pound loaf of bread, has a 13 hour delay bake timer, and 12 baking functions. These features are fairly standard among bread machines, as you may have come to notice. The secret to the differences is what you find in the bread: consistently rich, delicious loaves of bread that are perfectly baked, every time. That’s what makes various bread machines rise above the rest.

So what sets the Sunbeam apart and lands it on this list? The customer reviews and overall satisfaction, for one. But the other consistently reviewed bonus? The kneading paddles don’t come off and get stuck in the bread. This might seem like a small issue, but if you’re making a lot of bread (and trust us, with a bread machine, you will), a wonky, loose kneading paddle is a pretty big deal.

Pros:

Large viewing window.
Completely removable, nonstick bread baking pan for easy cleaning.

Cons:

While other bread machine’s allow for dishwashing the baking pan, it is recommended to hand wash this one. It’s nonstick so it’s not a big deal, but it is an extra step if you bake a lot of bread.

Zojirushi Home Bakery Bread Machine

Big Pricetag, but Big Payoff

If professional-level homemade bread is on your agenda, you'll want to go with the Zojirushi bread machine.

Most Professional

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The hefty price tag of this Zojirushi bread machine makes it a bit of an investment, but if you’re someone who is committed to making homemade bread, it’s worth it. While most bread machines have just one heating system, the Zojirushi has two: one on the top, and one on the bottom. The result? Delightful, consistently baked bread with an even, golden brown crust with every single bake. There are also two built-in kneaders and a deep nonstick baking pan that allows for a pillowy, high-rise bread. Additionally, the Zojirushi model has a shaping option that is key for creating professional looking bread.

Pros:

Includes a liquid measuring cup, nesting measuring cups, as well as a measuring spoon.
Quiet machine during use.
Heavy and durable.

Cons:

The price tag is quite a bit higher than many on the market.
Longer baking time than most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you cook other items in a bread maker, other than bread?

Yes. One of the benefits to a bread machine, besides just having fresh baked bread which, in our opinion, is no small thing, is the fact that you can create a variety of other delicious homemade treats. Cake is a common bread machine item, as well as meatloaf, various sauces or jam, yogurt, and pizza dough, among many other options. If you were worried about taking up counter space with a bread machine, it’s multi-use function make it a seriously awesome addition to your cooking arsenal.