A bread machine turns “I should really try baking bread” into something that actually happens on a Tuesday.
Dump in the ingredients, pick a setting, and walk away for a few hours — no kneading, no proofing schedule to babysit. Here are five bread machines worth buying, from a trusted starter model to a large-family workhorse.
Bread Machines Worth Buying
Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 Lb
Zojirushi is the brand serious home bakers reach for, and the dual heating elements here produce a more evenly browned loaf than most single-element machines. Gluten-free and whole-wheat programs are both built in, not an afterthought.
Cuisinart Bread Maker Machine, 12 Programs
A reliable mid-range machine from a brand most kitchens already trust for other appliances. Twelve programs, three crust color settings, and a 13-hour delay timer mean the bread can be ready exactly when you wake up.
Amazon Basics Programmable Bread Maker, 2 Lb
The cheapest way to find out if you’ll actually use a bread machine before spending more. Fourteen settings cover basic bread, dough, and gluten-free options, with ExpressBake for when you didn’t plan far enough ahead.
Elite Gourmet Programmable Bread Maker, 2 Lb, 19 Presets
Nineteen presets including dedicated gluten-free and jam settings, which is unusual at this price point. A stainless steel body and three loaf sizes make it flexible enough for a household that bakes more than just sandwich bread.
Davivy Large Family Bread Maker, 3 Lb
A 3-pound capacity built for families who go through bread fast, with an automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser that drops mix-ins in at the right time instead of you having to babysit the cycle. The ceramic pan and dual heaters are a step up from the single-element motors on cheaper machines.
What to Look for in a Bread Machine
Loaf size is the first decision — most machines make 1 to 1.5-pound loaves, but a 2 to 3-pound machine is worth it for a family that goes through a full loaf every day or two. Buying too small just means running the machine twice as often.
A gluten-free setting is worth checking for even if you don’t need it now, since gluten-free doughs need a different mix cycle than wheat bread and a machine without that program simply won’t produce a good loaf from gluten-free flour blends.
Dual heating elements, found on higher-end machines, brown the top and sides of the loaf more evenly than the single bottom element in budget models. It’s the difference between a loaf that looks bakery-made and one that’s pale on top.
For technique tips and tested recipes once your machine arrives, King Arthur Baking has a dedicated bread machine guide that works with most brands. If baking isn’t the only thing on your counter, a good stand mixer covers everything a bread machine can’t.
FAQs
Is bread machine bread as good as bakery bread?
A good bread machine with a quality flour and recipe can produce a loaf close to artisan quality, though the shape is always a rectangular loaf pan shape rather than a free-form boule. Many people use the machine’s dough cycle to mix and proof, then shape and bake it in a regular oven for a more bakery-like crust.
How long does a loaf take in a bread machine?
A basic white bread cycle typically takes 3 to 4 hours start to finish, including mixing, rising, and baking. Whole wheat and gluten-free cycles usually run longer, often 4 to 5 hours, because those doughs need more time to rise properly.
Do I need bread machine-specific flour or yeast?
Regular bread flour and instant or “bread machine” yeast both work fine — the label mostly refers to yeast that doesn’t need proofing in water first. All-purpose flour can work in a pinch but produces a slightly denser loaf than bread flour’s higher protein content.
Final Thoughts
Start with the Amazon Basics or Cuisinart if you’re not sure how often you’ll actually use a bread machine, or go with the Zojirushi if you already know you’ll be baking weekly and want a machine built to last.
