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Bread Machines: Ratings of Sources
Total of 14 Sources

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

1. BreadMachineDigest.com
Not Dated
Bread Machine Reviews
by Robert Barnett
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Robert Barnett of BreadMachineDigest.com reviews 13 bread machines, including the Zojirushi BBCC-X20 and Breadman TR4000. He bakes more than two dozen loaves in each machine and rates each model on bread… quality, features and value. The Zojirushi BBCC-X20 receives an excellent rating, as does the discontinued Breadman Ultimate TR-2200C. The most recently reviewed bread machine, the Cuisinart CBK-200, receives an average rating, while the TR4000 earns a poor score. No new reviews have been added for over a year, however.

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2. Toronto Star
Aug. 2008
Dough-it-Yourself with These Breadmakers
by Vicky Sanderson
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Vicky 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 mostly 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-sized baguettes. The Breadman Ultimate includes a fruit and nut dispenser, a 24-hour delay timer and a rapid cycle.

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3. Amazon.com
As of Sept. 2009
Bread Machines
by Contributors to Amazon.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Most bread machines spend several years on the market, giving them time to accumulate dozens of owner-written ratings. Top-rated breadmakers at Amazon.com include the Breadman TR875, Panasonic SD-YD250 and… Zojirushi Mini BBHA-C10, all of which average four stars out of five in more than 50 reviews each. The Zojirushi BB-HAC10 does even better, earning perfect scores from dozens of users. The West Bend 41200 gets excellent ratings but has only a handful of reviews. The Oster ExpressBake gets decidedly mixed reviews, as do the Breadman TR2500BC and the Cuisinart CBK-200 bread machines.

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4. Epinions.com
As of Sept. 2009
Bread Machines
by Contributors to Epinions.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Epinions.com uses consumer-voting systems 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 is a favorite among Epinions.com reviewers, as is the Panasonic SD-YD250.
5. BreadInfo.com
Not Dated
Bread Machine Reviews
by Editors of BreadInfo.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

At this bread-enthusiast site, editors offer reviews, recipes and tips on baking by hand or by machine. Editors rate six bread machines, but they don't explain their methodology. They deem the discontinued… Breadman Ultimate TR2200C a "good buy" and the Zojirushi BBCC-X20 a "bargain." They also recommend the discontinued West Bend Just for Dinner 41077 for small families. While they provide a comparison chart of features, individual bread machine ratings are overwhelmingly positive, and there are no reviews of new-to-market models.

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6. Cooking.com
As of Sept. 2009
Bread Machines
by Contributors to Cooking.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Cooking.com sells six bread machines, all of which receive at least a few reviews. Owners award the Zojirushi BBCC-X20 4.6 stars (out of a possible five) in almost 290 ratings. The Cuisinart breadmaker also gets better reviews here than at Amazon.com. There are good reviews here for the budget Sunbeam Nonstick Breadmaker with Express Bake, a model we did not see reviewed extensively elsewhere.
7. Which? magazine
July 2008
Bread Makers
by Editors of Which? magazine
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

U.K.-based Which? magazine thoroughly tests breadmakers, rating each for performance making white, wheat, rapid-cycle and non-bread items. They choose best buys and explain the reasoning behind their… choices. However, this magazine is based in the U.K. and none of the recommended bread machines are available in the U.S. The article contains useful information on what features to look for and how to choose a bread machine.

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8. Choice magazine
July 2007
Test: Breadmakers
by Editors of Choice magazine
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This Australian-based consumer magazine tests eight breadmakers, but only one model is available in the U.S. (and even that breadmaker has now been discontinued here). Choice testers bake raisin and white loaves, rating each bread machine on its performance and ease of use.
9. ConsumerGuide.com
As of Sept. 2009
Bread Makers
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment It's unclear whether editors at ConsumerGuide.com tested the bread machines they describe. They rate the machines on their features, not the quality of the bread. The Sunbeam 5891, Cuisinart CBK-200 and Breadman Ultimate Plus TR2500BC are named best buys, but we're not sure why.
10. Target.com
As of Sept. 2009
Bread Machines
by Contributors to Target.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme is a favorite of Target.com reviewers. The write-ups here tend to be brief, and Target doesn't offer as many reviews as Amazon.com or Epinions.com.
11. Walmart.com
As of Sept. 2009
Bread Machines
by Contributors to Walmart.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The Panasonic SD-YD250, Sunbeam 5891, and West Bend Hi-Rise breadmakers are favorites of Walmart.com customers. The write-ups here can be detailed, but there are not as many as Amazon.com or Epinions.com.
12. About.com
Not Dated
Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme Bread Machine
by Jessica Harlan
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Harlan finds minor faults with the Zojirushi BBCC-X20. She notes that most baking enthusiasts love the Zojirushi, which has multiple baking cycles and a preheat setting. She dislikes the beeping signal 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.)

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13. About.com
Not Dated
Panasonic Automatic Bread Maker
by Jessica Harlan
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Harlan likes the Panasonic breadmaker, but says those baking enthusiasts who like multiple custom settings will be disappointed. The Panasonic is a good basic machine that makes good bread. Harlan does say… the recipes and owners manual 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.)

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14. About.com
Not Dated
Emerilware Bread and Baguette Maker by T-Fal
by Jessica Harlan
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Cooking equipment guide Jessica Harlan reports that despite being leery of using a kitchen appliance branded Emeril Lagasse that the chef rarely uses, she was pleasantly surprised. Harlan says the… 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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