Panasonic SD-YD250

According to reviews, the Panasonic SD-YD250 is the best mid-range bread machine, sitting right in between the fancy Zojirushi BBCC-X20 (*Est. $200) and the very basic Sunbeam 5891 (*Est. $55). Reviewers say it's a sturdy, flexible bread machine that is easy to use and quiet. The Panasonic bread machine makes horizontal loaves, which many owners prefer to the vertical bread produced by some other models. Although the Panasonic does not offer customized cycles like the Zojirushi bread machine, many owners don't miss this feature. Oddly, this breadmaker lacks a viewing window, a feature that's pretty much standard. The durability of the Panasonic breadmaker is indicated by owners who write that they have used their machines for years, as well as by the relatively few complaints of breakage.

More than 500 owner reviewers have rated the Panasonic SD-YD250 breadmaker at Amazon.com and more than 60 have posted at Epinions.com, providing a valuable gauge of overall user satisfaction. At enthusiast website BreadInfo.com, the editors offer a one-page review of the Panasonic bread machine, where they discuss its features and reputation but don't say how (or even if) they have tested it. For that reason, we weigh the large number of user reviews more heavily than this single professional review.