Sunbeam Programmable Bread Maker 5891

Bottom line

If you are on a tight budget, or if this is your first bread maker and you don't want to invest too much, this model is the best choice. You can't beat the price, and reviewers say it offers a lot for the money, including 12 bread functions, three bread sizes and three crust preferences. There's also a consensus that this model is reasonably durable and lasts a long time. On the downside, some owners find the machine flimsy or overly bulky on the countertop; a few also find the unit noisy. The biggest problem, however, seems to be the less-than-helpful instruction manual complete with faulty recipes. Nevertheless, for a low-priced option, this model provides much satisfaction.

Breaking it down

Performance

Delivers consistently good results over the long term. Although the low price tag might lead you to expect otherwise, the Sunbeam 5891 earns high performance marks from reviewers. Many users posting to Cooking.com and Viewpoints.com say the model consistently makes great bread, with one Cooking.com user calling it "delicious." Another reviewer at the site had the model shipped to her daughter serving in Iraq, so she and her fellow soldiers could get a taste of home.

Some users, however, report performance problems such as tasteless or dry bread. After testing multiple bread machines, editors at The Wall Street Journal note that sometimes this model's loaves have "sunken middles." Nevertheless, many reviewers say the problem is not so much the machine as the recipes included in the instruction manual, and some advise it's best to use different recipes for better results. Still, some reviewers complain that the crust selector could work better, noting that crusts tend to come out dark even when the light setting is selected.

Ease of use

A basic, intuitive machine. Most reviewers say the Sunbeam 5891 is easy to use and easy to clean, and many users report that the LED display is easy to read. One user posting to Cooking.com, however, finds that the kneading blade is weak, so extra water must be added to make the dough soft enough to knead. This user also complains that there is no "off" switch -- the unit is "on" whenever plugged in -- and the pan is not dishwasher-safe. None of these complaints are echoed elsewhere. The only other operational complaint we discovered is from The Wall Street Journal editors who find that the pan sometimes jams inside the machine.

Appearance

Bulky and not particularly attractive. If you're wondering what the trade-off is for an affordable bread machine, one answer seems to be aesthetics. Many reviewers consider the Sunbeam 5891 big and bulky, calling it a countertop space hog. Futhermore, we found no reviewers making the case that this model is a well-designed appliance.

Noise

Noisier than others. Shelling out an additional $80 or so will get you a machine that's closer to silent – but if you're going to take advantage of the Sunbeam 5891's low price, be warned that a number of reviewers  find this model noisy. Some users report that the machine jerks or vibrates on the counter when in use. Others complain of grinding noises, which one user says is due to an overly dry doughball, and suggests adding water to help. Nevertheless, the blogger "Mama Chef," writing on the website BreadMachineReview.com, maintains that the 5891 is "relatively quiet."