Best Bread Machines

Full-featured breadmakers offer more control

At the upper end of the price range, you'll find bread machines that do more than bake loaves.

Although it costs more than others, experts say the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 (*Est. $240) sets the standard for bread machines. The BB-CEC20 is a replacement for the discontinued Zojirushi BBCC-X20 -- a model that aced reviews and got top user ratings. According to a spokesperson for the manufacturer, the two machines are identical except for an updated exterior that features a slightly sleeker design and a different color choice. The BBCC-X20 came in white plastic with dark accents while the BB-CEC20 is available in two colors: white with beige accents and black/brushed stainless steel. Because the cooking and baking features are the same, performance reviews of the Zojirushi BBCC-X20 are still applicable to the newer model.

Experts at BreadInfo.com praise the Zojirushi machine its array of options, including 10 cycle settings, three crust-color options and a 13-hour pre-programmable timer.  Robert Barnett of BreadMachineDigest.com bakes more than two dozen loaves in his BBCC-X20 (the older model), reporting that each turned out perfectly. In an updated review of the newer BB-CEC20 breadmaker, editors at BreadInfo.com compliment its stylish exterior redesign and solid construction. Reviewers at The Wall Street Journal praise its stylish appearance and quiet operation, although they do point out that mastering its dozens of features requires finesse. Mason Currey of Slate.com says it makes bread that could pass for store bought (he reviewed the older version).

The Zojirushi BB-CEC20 bread machine uses dual paddles to mix dough, and it bakes horizontally, so its 2-pound loaves resemble traditional sandwich bread. Editors at BreadInfo.com and Jessica Harlan, cooking equipment guide for About.com, say two-paddle bread machines like this one do a better job of kneading than single-paddle machines, noting that single-paddle machines can leave bits of flour and other ingredients unmixed in the corners of the bowl. Users posting to Amazon.com consistently note the efficiency of the dual paddles, and most are pleased with the Zojirushi models. One user sums it up by saying, "Quiet, easy to clean, durable, makes excellent bread." The Zojirushi BB-CEC20 has a sourdough-starter cycle and bake protection, which prevents the user from interrupting the baking cycle. You can make 2-pound loaves, as well as cake batter, jam and even meatloaf in this versatile machine. Unlike most other machines in its class, the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 allows you to enter your own baking times and cycles rather than being confined to preprogrammed settings.

While we found the best feedback overall for the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 bread machine, there is a small percentage of negative reviews. A few users complain about inconsistent baking, an unsatisfactory top crust, hard loaves, early breakdowns and loose-fitting paddles leaving metal shavings in the bread. The most common complaint centers around misshapen loaves, but the majority of owners report perfect loaves. The most obvious downside is the price tag; we found similarly excellent reviews for the Panasonic SD-YD250 (*Est. $150) , a breadmaker that costs less.

A newer model, the Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Virtuoso Breadmaker (*Est. $280) , costs about $40 more but boasts additional features. The Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Virtuoso Breadmaker is a newer product, and we didn't find any professional or consumer feedback for it. However, we talked with a Zojirushi representative for the scoop on its features. This new breadmaker is similar to the Zojirushi BB-CEC20, but it includes a heating element in the top lid, intended to produce a more even and darker crust. The baking pan also includes handles, making it easier to remove finished loaves. Finally, the Zojirushi BB-PAC20 offers an automatic gluten-free cycle, a feature not offered by many other bread machines.

Smaller families or singles might better appreciate the Zojirushi Mini BB-HAC10 (*Est. $180) , which makes 1-pound loaves instead of 2-pound. The Zojirushi Mini BB-HAC10 uses less counter space than the Zojirushi BB-CEC20, measuring 8 inches by 11 inches by 12 inches to its larger sibling's 10 inches by 17 inches by 13 inches. It also weighs less, 12 pounds versus 17 pounds. This smaller breadmaker receives near-perfect scores from about 300 owners posting reviews at Amazon.com. Owners say that the smaller loaves lead to less spoilage (without preservatives, homemade bread can spoil quickly if left on the counter), and several owners say the soft setting is ideal for making soft white bread. The Zojirushi Mini BB-HAC10 has regular and firm settings, in addition to pasta, pizza, jam and cake, as well as a quick-bake cycle and a 13-hour delay timer. This smaller bread machine produces a taller, more vertical loaf of bread. It also costs significantly more than other small bread machines -- the main reason we chose not to include it among our ConsumerSearch Best Reviewed bread machines.

The T-Fal Home Baguette Maker (*Est. $150) , sold in the U.S. as the T-Fal Emerilware Bread and Baguette Maker -- is one of three bread machines reviewed by Vicky Sanderson of the Toronto Star. Sanderson says she likes its large viewing window and the twin kneading paddles for thorough mixing (especially important when mixing sweet breads). But she notes that the real standout feature is the four removable nonstick pans for making baguettes. Editors of The Wall Street Journal recommend the Emerilware Bread and Baguette Maker, noting its ability to bake up to 3-pound loaves or 4 individual baguettes. On the downside, its white plastic construction isn't as attractive as some bread machines.

About 50 owners posting to Amazon.com contribute to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5. Owners say the Emerilware bread machine is quiet, and its crust settings are accurate, and a few say the larger capacity is ideal for making pizza dough. There are a few complaints about malfunctioning machines, centering on the machine's software or the gears that operate the paddles. About.com cooking equipment guide Jessica Harlan also reviews the T-Fal, praising its ease of use. She likes the option of making baguettes, but she says the instruction book is not very clear. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Budget breadmakers

We found the most enthusiastic reviews for the aforementioned Zojirushi breadmakers, but not all well-reviewed models cost so much.

The Wall Street Journal recommends the Sunbeam 5891 (*Est. $80) , calling it "a simple but versatile machine." However, Slate.com reviewer Currey places it last of the five machines he tested, saying it makes a dense, spongy loaf. The Sunbeam 5891 programmable breadmaker does receive good scores in owner reviews posted to Amazon.com and Cooking.com, earning average ratings between 4 and 4.4 stars out of 5 in about 745 and 115 reviews, respectively.  Owners say that it's a good bread machine for the price, and it delivers tasty bread as long as you avoid the recipes in the manual, which some say call for too much yeast. The Sunbeam 5891 offers a total of 12 bake settings and three crust settings, plus a 13-hour delay bake function. It's backed by a one-year limited warranty.

The Sunbeam 5891 bread machine has a few specialty features common to more expensive bread machines: dough-only, bake-only and jam settings, as well as a signal that lets you know when to add dried fruit or nuts. A few owners say their loaves turn out too dense, but others say it's the recipes in the manual that are faulty, not the machine. They suggest that users purchase a book with bread machine recipes or source recipes from the Internet. We read a few complaints about a hard-to-read display, but owners are generally pleased with this machine, which they say pays for itself quickly, is easy to clean and affordable. The Sunbeam bread machine makes a 1-, 1.5- or 2-pound vertical loaf.

Editors at BreadInfo.com say the Panasonic SD-YD250 (*Est. $150) is a great value and has the ability to make bread in three loaf sizes, from 1 pound up to 2.5 pounds. It also features settings for white, whole wheat, multigrain, French bread and quick breads/cakes. The 13-hour delay timer allows you to mix the dough in advance and program the machine to bake at a later time, so you wake up or come home to fresh bread. At Slate.com, Currey makes the Panasonic bread machine his top pick, noting that it reliably produced nice loaves with a good flavor. Editors of The Wall Street Journal say the Panasonic SD-YD250 is the only machine they tested that features a separate slot for yeast, which some owners say is the trickiest part of using a bread machine. The dispenser protects the yeast and adds it to the dough at the right time, a feature the Zojirushi bread machines lack. Editors do point out that the Panasonic SD-YD250 takes longer than others for the basic cycle, and it can creep across the counter because of vibrations during use.

Reviewers at Amazon.com say the Panasonic SD-YD250 breadmaker is a sturdy, flexible machine that makes flavorful loaves, and users praise its ease of use and cleanup, resulting in a high average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 in about 865 owner reviews. More than 70 reviewers at Epinions.com rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars for ease of use and durability, while 94 percent of the 30 owners posting to Viewpoints.com say they'd recommend it. Like the Zojirushi bread machines, there's an audible signal for adding nuts or fruit. Unlike the Zojirushi BB-CEC20, the Panasonic SD-YD250 lacks a viewing window, but most owners don't seem to care.

Compared to the Zojirushi BB-CEC20, the Panasonic bread machine, which also makes horizontal loaves, has one paddle instead of two. Experts at BreadInfo.com and About.com say that two paddles are supposed to do a better job of mixing and kneading large loaves. The downside is that you have two holes in the bottom of your loaf. Unlike the Zojirushi bread machine, the Panasonic can't accept customized cycles and times, so you're confined to presets. Those who don't plan on experimenting with custom cycles might not miss that feature. The Panasonic SD-YD250 has other extras, such as a power interruption recovery feature, which maintains the settings in the event of a power failure, and the ability to make variable loaf sizes from 1 pound to 2.5 pounds. It also has a 13-hour delay timer that allows you to mix ingredients in advance and cook them later. The Panasonic SD-YD250 doesn't have a jam cycle, nor can it make meatloaf. BreadInfo.com's editor gives this machine an A- rating, saying it's a "nice machine all around." Although this bread machine isn't quite as advanced as the Zojirushi breadmakers, reviewers say the Panasonic SD-YD250 is a nice basic, durable breadmaker, and an excellent value.

 We read mixed reviews of the Oster 5838 ExpressBake (*Est. $60) . Editors at BreadInfo.com give it a B- rating, saying it delivers a fine loaf in j58 minutes, but with only one paddle, it occasionally chokes on raisins and other heavy ingredients. Nearly 290 owners contribute to an  average score of 3.5 stars out of 5 at Amazon.com, where we read several accounts of brick-like and sunken loaves. Owners say you should be prepared to experiment with the amount of liquid and yeast to strike the perfect balance between soggy loaves and tough crusts. The Oster manual does note that bread baked on the ExpressBake setting is denser than breads baked on a normal cycle, which averages three hours or more.

The Oster 5838 ExpressBake features a 13-hour delay timer, three crust settings and eight settings for different types of breads (French, sweet, etc.) and even jam. It also has a 1-hour keep-warm cycle, which continues to keep the bread at a warmer temperature after baking. Detractors complain of fallen loaves, but other owners say this is usually due to inappropriate ratios of wet to dry ingredients. There are also a few isolated complaints of units malfunctioning after several months of use.

Oster also makes a 2-pound version, the Oster 2-Pound ExpressBake Breadmaker CKSTBRTW20 (*Est. $65) , It's one of the top-rated bread machines on WalMart.com, earning an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 in nearly 100 owner reviews. Like the Oster 5838 ExpressBake, it has a quick-bake setting for baking a loaf in less than one hour. A total of nine settings can customize preferences for different types of breads, dough and jams. Overall, 90 percent of Walmart.com reviewers say they'd recommend the Oster ExpressBake. Feedback at Viewpoints.com is also positive, with more than 25 owners contributing to an average rating of 4.31 stars out of 5. Owners say the Oster ExpressBake machines make delicious bread, are convenient to use; in fact, you simply add the ingredients and walk away from the machine while it bakes, according to owners. A few isolated complaints say it's hard to clean, and there are several owners who mention that precise ingredients are necessary to avoid fallen loaves, calling the Oster "a bit hard to master."

It costs a bit more, but the West Bend Hi-Rise Breadmaker (*Est. $100) gets more consistently good reviews. The West Bend Hi-Rise Breadmaker has dual blades and can make four different pound sizes: 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5. It has 11 pre-programmed settings, including basic, quick, French, sweet, dough-only and three levels of crust doneness. It also includes a delay start cycle and a "homemade" setting to set preferences for kneading, rising, baking and keeping warm.

Expert reviewers, including editors at BreadInfo.com, like its quiet operation, easy user interface, relatively light weight and the quality bread production. Overall, editors give the West Bend Hi-Rise Breadmaker an "A" rating, calling it "one of the best values we have run across." About  270 reviewers at Amazon.com give it 4 out of 5 stars, praising the quality of the bread it produces. Many users particularly like the shape of the bread, saying they prefer a horizontal loaf to a vertical one, because it more closely resembles a store-bought loaf. However, a significant number of users complain that the bread is difficult to remove from the pan, and the two paddles leave large holes in the bread. More than 220 owners at Walmart.com rate it slightly higher, at 4.5 stars out of 5. It seems particularly popular with those who use a breadmaker only to make dough and then bake it in the oven. Overall, most owners say the West Bend Hi-Rise Breadmaker offers a consistent rise, is attractive and produces light, fluffy and delicious bread. Like all bread machines, accurate measurement of ingredients is important to avoid fallen loaves.

Overall, if you want a simple, budget breadmaker, the Sunbeam 5891 looks like the best choice in its price range, with a good choice of settings for bakers at all levels of experience.