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Bread machines remain popular despite the fact that people can readily buy bread or baked goodies on almost every corner of the street. I guess one of the reasons why people still prefer to make their own bread is because it is cheaper yet healthier.

While some might think that making their own bread is too much of a tedious work for them as this would entail kneading the dough (you can actually use a handy mixer for this), letting it rise, and then putting it in the oven to bake, bread machines or bread makers are now available which make the whole process simpler and easier.

The Top Bread Machines

Since we know it can be utterly confusing to determine which ones to consider in a shelf full of different types and brands of bread machines, we have put together a list to help you narrow down your choices.

  1. Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Supreme 2-Pound Loaf Breadmaker

This is actually an Amazon bestseller with an outstanding rating of 4.5 stars by almost 1000 customers who have bought and used it already. It is much loved because it is easy to use and clean and works quietly. You would not even know it is on its way to bringing you home-baked goodness without the normal hassles of bread making.

Check out some of its distinct features:

  • Dual-blade bread machine
  • Makes rectangular-shaped 2-pound bread loaves
  • LCD control panel
  • 13-hour delay timer
  • 10 pre-programmed settings
  • 3 crust shades
  • Large viewing window
  • Removable nonstick bread pan for easy cleaning
  • Includes measuring cup and spoon
  • Comes with a user manual with recipes
  • Measures approximately 9-5/8 x 17 x 12-1/5 inches
  • Weighs approximately 20 pounds

What customers who bought this loved best is how the bread loaves always come out looking like it was really oven cooked.

  1. Panasonic SD YD250 Automatic Bread Maker with Yeast Dispenser

This is another bestselling bread machine with over 2,000 satisfied customer reviews on Amazon alone. Customers who bought this say that this bread maker makes delicious oven-like bread each and every time yet very easy to clean. We love this for its modern electronic convenience.

Check out the details as per the manufacturer:

  • 3 loaf sizes with a maximum capacity of 2-1/5 pounds
  • Various settings for white, whole wheat, multigrain, French, and quick breads
  • 13-hours delay start timer
  • Programmable menu options
  • Automatic yeast addition
  • Comes with nonstick inner bake pan and built-in handle
  • Measures 14 x 13.5 x 9 inches
  • Weighs approximately 15 pounds

The most favorite feature of customers here is the YeastPro automatic yeast dispenser that adds the yeast at the right time to achieve optimal results.

  1. Cuisinart CBK-100 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker

This one got our attention for being regarded as the best bread machine for those who want to make gluten-free bread. To provide you with a bit of background as to why we think this is important, gluten is actually a protein that is needed to make the dough.

However, gluten should be avoided by those who have celiac disease or even those who have sensitive stomachs. And it is a fact that gluten-free products are more expensive so baking your very own bread seems to be the most practical and healthiest solution.

Check out its details:

  • Programmable bread machine
  • Capacity to make 1, 1.5, and 2-pound loaves of bread
  • 12 preprogrammed menu options
  • 3 crust settings
  • 13-hour delay start timer
  • Viewing window
  • Removable lid, pan, and paddle
  • Quick cleanup
  • Stay-cool handles
  • Includes measuring cup, spoon, and recipes
  • Measures 18 x 12.2 x 15 inches
  • Weighs approximately 18 pounds

Best thing about this bread machine is that it works excellent for gluten-free recipes but still delivers delightful and tasty ordinary bread.

  1. Sunbeam 5891 2-Pound Programmable Bread Machine

If you have always wanted a bread machine but does not really want to spend too much on one, here is a great choice for you – the Sunbeam 5891 which is a 2-pound programmable bread machine that just costs a little over $70. It has got an amazing 4-star rating at Amazon and has been reviewed by almost 1,500 customers.

Here are more of its details:

  • Capacity to make 1.5 or 2-pound loaves of bread
  • 12 cooking functions
  • 3 shade selections
  • 13-hour delay bake
  • LED display
  • Touch control panel
  • Instructions with recipes included
  • Measures 14 x 19 x 3.5 inches
  • Weighs approximately 18 pounds
  • Comes with 1-year limited warranty
  • 600-watt motor

This is perfect for beginners who first want to explore their capabilities at bread making. It is inexpensive, durable, and efficient. 

  1. Oster 5838 58-Minute ExpressBake Breadmaker

This one is priced surprisingly low yet perfect for those who are always in a hurry. As the name implies, this bread machine can produce a tasty load of bread in as short as 58 minutes. Also with a 4-star rating at Amazon, this will make sure you have freshly baked bread every morning.

Check out more details below:

  • Capacity up to a 2-pound horizontal loaf of bread
  • User-friendly control panel
  • 13-hour delay bake
  • 1-hour keep warm
  • 8 settings for bread, dough, and even jam
  • Nonstick aluminum bread pan
  • Kneading paddle
  • Measures 11-1/2 x 14-3/4 x 11 inches
  • Weighs approximately 12 pounds
  • 1-year limited warranty

Imagine having delicious tasting bread in just 58 minutes, now that will save you power and time on top of everything else. You can totally forget about buying baked goods with this express bread machine.

How a Bread Machine Works

Think of a bread machine like a robot. This kitchen appliance is going to do what humans program it to do and for that, it could very well be one’s best baking partner. Some bread machines do everything starting from mixing the ingredients, kneading the dough, letting it rise, and then finally baking it into splendid goodness but there still are those bread machines that do not mix or knead and just bakes. For such types, one still needs a mixer (one that probably kneads as well) and simply put the mixture or dough inside the bread machine for rising and baking.

What must be understood here is that different types of bread machines are carefully but intelligently programmed differently. Hence, you cannot really compare two bread machines unless they have absolutely the same baking mechanics.

Quick Pointers on Bread Machines

Basically, bread machines come in a variety of sizes starting from 1 pound up to as much as 2.5 pounds. However, there are those that are flexible or the ones that can accommodate various bread sizes and they are often the most preferred because of their versatility.

Bread machines can also be vertical or horizontal. Choosing which one to get would depend on your preference and the current available space you have in your kitchen countertop.

As for features, most bread machines today come with customizable and preprogrammed settings. Other must-have features would be delay timer, quick bake option, and dough setting. If at all possible, also choose a bread machine that has a window so you can see what is happening with the bread you are baking.

If you love your bread and butter or toast and jam in the morning, it would be a wonderful to learn how to make your own! And sure you can have freshly baked bread every morning with some help from a bread machine and hopefully, we have helped you come up with a decision on how to choose the best one in the market.