The Best Bread Makers

Hamilton Beach Bread Machine

Easy as one, two, three

This bread machine makes for simple prep, convenient cleanup, and some seriously delicious bread.

Best Overall

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With this Hamilton Beach bread maker, the entire baking process is really as simple as adding all your ingredients, selecting your cycle, and hitting the “Start” button. You can choose from two loaf sizes and 12 different cycles, including gluten-free, whole grain, and express. The large digital display is easy to read, and we like the delay timer, which allows you to add your ingredients but wait to start the baking process. The bread pan is nonstick and dishwasher-safe, and the included recipe book is a great resource. This is an excellent choice for those wondering if they should invest in a bread maker, and we think that once you get the hang of it, you’ll be churning out loaf after loaf.

Pros:

• Great for preparing all kinds of dough that you can finish off in the oven, like pizza and dinner rolls
• Not too loud

Cons:

• Some say the suction cups at the bottom aren’t the strongest, so make sure you place this bread maker in a secure spot

KBS Bread Machine

A world of possibilities

This bread machine comes with seventeen settings and is wonderful for experimenting with different bread recipes.

Most Versatile

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If variety is your jam, then KBS’s bread maker is ideal for you. It has 17 settings, three different crust options, and three loaf size options, too. One of our favorite features is the fruit and nut dispenser that drops your mix-ins into your dough at just the right time. Not only that, it’s made of stainless steel, with a tempered glass cover, and looks incredibly sleek and minimalist. The digital touch panel is intuitive and allows you to set a delay timer, keep bread warm, and even compensate for a temporary loss of power. It’s quiet too, which is what you’d expect from such a modern machine.

Pros:

• Large viewing window so you can track your bread’s progress
• Nonstick ceramic bread pan is easy to clean

Cons:

• While the handle is sleek and adds a nice touch, some might prefer something that stores more easily

Pohl-Schmitt Bread Machine

Break bread, not the bank account

You get variety and value with this bread machine, which has lots of settings and turns out quality loaves at an accessible price.

Best On A Budget

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Bread machines range in terms of price, but Pohl-Schmitt’s is an excellent way to get great settings without a hefty price tag. It has a simple, pleasing design, including a viewing window and nut compartment to drop in your mix-ins. The panel and buttons are easy to navigate, so you can quickly select your crust color and loaf size, each of which has three options. It has 14 settings, a nonstick pan, a kneading paddle, and a recipe book too. We’re fans of the curved shape and stainless steel design, which would match almost any kitchen interior.

Pros:

• A great mid-sized machine that’s convenient to store
• Has lots of “bonuses” (such as a nut box and larger viewing window) at a great value

Cons:

• Interior of machine is a little harder to reach and clean

Cuisinart Convection Bread Machine

The upper crust

This ultra-sleek bread machine uses convection heating for beautifully golden results.

Best Convection Machine

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Part of the reason this option from Cuisinart stands out to us is that it uses convection heating for a consistent bake on your entire loaf of bread. Rather than relying on a single heating element, convection ovens use a fan to blow hot air over whatever you’re baking, resulting in a reliably uniform result. This stainless steel machine is sleek and certainly looks professional, from the vents on the side to the minimal design. We love the handles, which make transporting this large machine easy, and the raised feet, which are sturdy and well-made. It comes with 16 preset options that cover everything from pizza dough to cakes.

Pros:

• Lid is removable for more convenient cleaning
• Can schedule a loaf up to 12 hours in advance

Cons:

• Hefty and not convenient when it comes to storage

Zojirushi Mini Bread Machine

Small but mighty

Don't underestimate this conveniently sized bread maker that performs consistently and looks great on the counter.

Best Compact

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This bread machine is minimalism at its finest. It has a clean, compact design, and its control panel is simple without looking too basic. Despite its smaller size, this is still a powerful machine. It has a 13-hour delay timer and has settings for cookie and pasta dough and jam, too. The viewing window is still generous and allows for a good peek at what’s baking inside. In addition to a nonstick bread pan and kneading blade, this machine also comes with a recipe book. This machine is fantastic for those who are tight on space — or just prefer cute little loaves of bread.

Pros:

• It’s the details that make this an outstanding machine, including a handle for easy transport and convenient cord storage in the rear
• The 1-lb loaf size makes for an adorable gift if you want to share some of your homemade loaves

Cons:

• Not ideal for bulk baking

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does homemade bread keep for?

It will typically last 2 – 4 days at room temperature. If that seems like a short amount of time, keep in mind homemade bread is free of any additives or preservatives that extend its shelf life like the ones found in store-bought loaves.

Any tips for using the bread maker?

We recommend baking bread in bulk and freezing them. You can store homemade loaves in the freezer for up to three months. Once your loaves are completely cool, wrap them tightly (without squishing) in plastic wrap and then put them in an airtight freezer bag. You’ll also notice that most bread machines come with a jam setting, and taking advantage of it is as easy as adding mashed fruit, sugar, lemon juice, and pectin to your machine. We’re always fans of getting the most of your kitchen appliances, and this is an additional function that’s great to use, especially since you create specific types of jam to go with your homemade bread.