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Bread Machines: Ratings of Sources
Total of 17 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. The Wall Street Journal
Feb. 5, 2011
Bread Makers
by Laura Moser
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEditors of The Wall Street Journal evaluate bread machines by testing the same recipes for white bread, wheat bread, pizza dough, French bread and sweet bread in each machine. Five models are selected as favorites, including the Emerilware Bread and Baguette Maker, Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme, Cuisinart Convection Bread Maker, Sunbeam Bread Maker and Panasonic Automatic Bread Maker. Reviews are balanced, listing both pros and cons, although models that didn't make the cut aren't listed.
2. Slate.com
Nov. 10, 2009
Loafing Around: The Search for the Best Automated Breadmaker
by Mason Currey
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis is the most recent and comparative breadmachine test we found. Mason Currey tries five machines over the course of six weeks, rating each machine for bread quality, taste, convenience, features and value. Currey says that none of them produced bread that could compete with the artisan loaves he buys from local bakeries, but they slightly outclass what you can get at the supermarket. The Panasonic SD-YD250 is best overall, winning by a hair over the more expensive but also good Zojirushi BBCC-X20, which has been discontinued.
3. BreadInfo.com
Not Dated
Bread Machine Reviews
by Editors of BreadInfo.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAt this bread-enthusiast site, editors offer reviews, recipes and tips on baking by hand or by machine. Editors rate eight bread machines, judging them on appearance, price, features, ease of use, results and customer service. It's clear that they test some of the machines, but not all of them. Their top pick is the Zojirushi BBCC-X20, which they note in a later review was replaced by the virtually identical BB-CEC20, and it earns their only A+ rating. They also recommend the West Bend Hi-Rise Breadmaker and the T-Fal Emerilware Bread and Baguette Maker.
4. Amazon.com
As of Dec. 2011
Bread Machines
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.com is the best destination for user reviews of breadmakers. The highest cumulative ratings go to the Zojirushi BB-CEC20 and the Zojirushi Mini BBHA-C10, both of which average near-perfect ratings in hundreds of reviews. The Panasonic SC-YD250 also maintains a high average score (4.5 stars in about 865 reviews). Lower scores go to the Breadman TR2500BC and the Cuisinart CBK-200 bread machines.
5. BreadMachineDigest.com
Not Dated
Bread Machine Reviews
by Robert Barnett
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentRobert Barnett of BreadMachineDigest.com reviews 14 bread machines, including the Zojirushi BBCC-X20, which has been replaced by the virtually identical BB-CEC20. He bakes more than two dozen loaves in each machine, offering a thorough evaluation and summary of features, bread quality and value. No formal ratings are offered, however, and reviews aren't dated. Several models have been discontinued.
6. Toronto Star
Aug. 16, 2008
Dough-it-Yourself with These Breadmakers
by Vicky Sanderson
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentVicky Sanderson tests three bread machines: the Cuisinart Convection, T-Fal Home Bread Baguette (sold in the U.S. as the Emerilware Bread and Baguette Maker) and Black & Decker's Breadman Ultimate. She doesn't rank or recommend models, though, and the reviews for all three machines are positive, focusing on features unique to each model. The Cuisinart is considered "the prettiest." The T-Fal Baguette boasts the largest viewing window and two kneading paddles for thorough mixing, as well as the ability to make four sandwich-size baguettes. The Breadman Ultimate includes a fruit and nut dispenser, a 24-hour delay timer and a rapid cycle.
7. Epinions.com
As of Dec. 2011
Bread Machines
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEpinions.com uses consumer votes to rate products, making it hard to determine who is voting and what criteria they're using. Still, the site makes it easy to see how many people have reviewed a given breadmaker, and reviews tend to be fairly detailed. The Zojirushi BBCC-X20, since replaced by the BB-CEC20 is a favorite among owners, as is the Panasonic SD-YD250.
8. Cooking.com
As of Dec. 2010
Bread Machines
by Contributors to Cooking.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCooking.com sells seven bread machines, all of which receive at least a few reviews. The Zojirushi BB-CEC20WB is the top-rated bread machine, with an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 in nearly 315 owner-written reviews. The Cuisinart CBK-200 breadmaker and Sunbeam Programmable Bread Maker also earn positive reviews from owners. The Cuisinart CBK-200 averages 4.3 stars, while the Sunbeam earns a 4.4-star average, based on more than 100 ratings each.
9. Viewpoints.com
As of Dec. 2011
Bread Machine Reviews
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentViewpoints.com makes it easy to see how many owners have rated the dozens of bread machines reviewed here. Some bread makers have a handful of reviews, while others have been reviewed dozens of times. Top-rated bread machines include the Oster Bread Machine Express Bake 5838, Sunbeam 5891 and Cuisinart CBK-200, each earning an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 or better in more than 65 reviews. Viewpoints.com also offers a useful ratings snapshot, with common pros and cons and a breakdown of ratings distributions. Zojirushi bread makers receive fewer reviews here than on Amazon.com.
10. Which? magazine
July 2008
Bread Makers
by Editors of Which? magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentU.K.-based Which? magazine thoroughly tests20 breadmakers, rating each for performance making white, wheat, rapid-cycle and nonbread items. They choose best buys and explain the reasoning behind their choices. However, none of the recommended bread machines is available in the U.S. The article contains useful information on what features to look for and how to choose a bread machine.
11. Choice magazine
June 2010
Breadmakers
by Editors of Choice magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis Australian-based consumer magazine tests 10 breadmakers, but only one model is available in the U.S. and it doesn't earn a recommendation. A Choice tester bakes a whole grain loaf in each bread machine using the manufacturer's instructions and recipes. Choice's bread expert then evaluates the finished loaves on crust color, shape, texture and grain distribution. Four of the 10 models are recommended.
12. Walmart.com
As of Dec. 2011
Bread Machines
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe Oster ExpressBake, Breadman Chrome Ultimate Breadmaker TR2500BC and West Bend Hi-Rise bread machines are favorites of owners. The write-ups can be detailed, but there are not as many here as there are on Amazon.com or Epinions.com. There is also a more limited selection of breadmakers in general.
13. TammysRecipes.com
Not Dated
Bread Machine Review: Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme
by "Tammy"
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis individual product review is written by a recipe blogger who tries the Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme after being unsatisfied with the performance of the Sunbeam bread maker she's owned for years. She makes a homemade whole wheat bread recipe in the Zojirushi and describes its performance and features in detail. The Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme is praised for its quiet operation, delay start setting and dual kneading paddles.
14. Chowhound.com
As of Dec. 2011
Bread Machines
by Contributors to Chowhound.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentChowhound.com is a discussion forum for foodies. This recent thread addresses an issue with Zojirushi bread machines, although most responses indicate that owners are pleased with their Zojirushi bread makers. One user recommends the Breadman TR2500BC Ultimate.
15. About.com
Not Dated
Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme Bread Machine
by Jessica Harlan
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCooking equipment guide Jessica Harlan finds minor faults with the Zojirushi BBCC-X20, now known as Zojirushi model BB-CEC20. She notes that most baking enthusiasts love the Zojirushi, which has multiple baking cycles and a preheat setting. She dislikes the beeping signal that indicates when to add nuts or fruit because it can't be turned off. Harlan also found that loaves may bake lopsided if you do not check the distribution of dough before the baking cycle begins. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
16. About.com
Not Dated
Panasonic Automatic Bread Maker
by Jessica Harlan
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentJessica Harlan, About.com's cooking equipment guide, likes the Panasonic breadmaker, but says those baking enthusiasts who like multiple custom settings will be disappointed. For the average user, she recommends the Panasonic as a basic machine that makes good bread. Harlan says the recipes and owner's manual included with the breadmaker are lacking, and she had to call customer service to determine which loaf size was appropriate for her recipe. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
17. About.com
Not Dated
Emerilware Bread and Baguette Maker by T-Fal
by Jessica Harlan
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCooking equipment guide Jessica Harlan reports that despite being leery of using a branded kitchen appliance that chef Emeril Lagasse barely uses, she was pleasantly surprised. Harlan says the T-Fal Emerilware Bread and Baguette Maker was easy to use and "makes bread with a nice crisp crust and well-developed flavor and texture." This double-paddle breadmaker has multiple settings and is the only breadmaker with an innovative baguette pan. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
     
 

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