Last updated on May 9th, 2022
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The tantalising aroma and taste of homemade bread can be yours anytime you want with your own bread maker in your kitchen. Today’s bread makers have programmes for a wide variety of loaves of bread as well as other baked goods, plus compotes and jams to go with all that deliciousness.
I review the best bread makers out there, detailing their pros and cons in addition to their individual features and then make my recommendations.
My Buyer’s Guide discusses the different features and options you find in the best models to help you make your selection.
Best Pick
Best Pick – Has Everything
Best 5 Bread Makers Reviews
1. Panasonic SD-B2510 Automatic Breadmaker
Best Pick
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
This Panasonic SD-B2510 Automatic Breadmaker is a new version of the original design. This time around, the unit has a smaller footprint and a lid that fits flush with the rest of the body, making it shorter in height. This is a sleek white machine of minimalist design that fits into any kitchen décor.
A unique point of the SD-B2510 is that it has two temperature sensors – one internally for the bread maker and one for the environment in the room. The bread machine adjusts the timing for the ideal dough resting according to these temperatures – the cooler the outside temperature, the longer the dough proofs for. This lets you achieve the best bread regardless of the climate or the weather.
People who don’t eat gluten will be thrilled with the four gluten-free programmes – for bread, cake, pizza and pasta doughs. You may never have to buy gluten-free products again. The rest of the 21 automatic programs include settings for speciality bread, such as sweet bread and a full cake programme that mixes the dough from scratch rather than just baking pre-mixed. And, if you prefer to use bread mixes instead of baking from scratch, there is a special programme for that too, as well as ones for compote and jam.
There is the usual choice of three crust shades and three loaf sizes. You can also wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread by using the timer that has a delay of up to 13 hours.
An expanded model with an automatic nut dispenser and manual settings is also available.
Pros
- Minimalist design in white with controls on the right-hand side of the top.
- Lid fits flush with the top of the unit to take up less space.
- 21 automatic programmes include some for bread, gluten-free dough, dough and sweet dough.
- Dedicated programme for using bread mixes included.
- Full cake programmes (not just bake).
- Rapid bake program for basic bread included.
- Programmes also for compote and jam.
- Choice of three loaf sizes and light, medium or dark crust.
- Set timer up to 13 hours ahead.
- Display indicates the part of the baking process the unit is currently in.
- Gluten-free programmes allow for a wide range of GF flours.
- Sensors keep track of both the internal temperature of the unit and the surrounding room temperature.
Cons
- No sourdough option.
- Instructions/recipe book not very useful.
- No viewing window to peek in at the bread.
- Screen difficult to read.
- No nut dispenser.
Our recommendation
The Panasonic SD-B2510 Automatic Breadmaker has a wide variety of automatic programmes (21 in all) for all levels of bread lovers. Those who just want a quick load of bread can use one program whilst those who bake gluten-free have a choice of four. Bread experts can choose from a variety of different breads as well as make their own jams and compotes as a side dish. The 13-hour delay timer lets you have the hot, fresh bread ready, exactly when you want to eat it.
The Panasonic SD-B2510 Automatic Breadmaker is our Best Pick from the bread makers we have included in this review.
Read next: Best stand mixers and why you need one
2. EONBON 17-in-1 Bread Maker
Best Pick – Has Everything
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
Although the EONBON 17-in-1 Bread Maker doesn’t have as many programmes as our Best Pick, it does have more options and functions. And that includes the all-important (but rarely found) automatic fruit and nut dispenser. While you can buy flours that already have seeds and nuts in them, maybe you want to have chocolate chips in your sweet bread or perhaps olives and chorizo pieces in your savoury loaves of bread. You can have this bread maker add these automatically with this dispenser.
The EONBON 17-in-1 Bread Maker certainly looks the part, with a sleek black minimalist exterior broken only by a stainless steel bar handle. The viewing window is in the lid and the touch controls and display screen are off to the right-hand side of the top. The menu list of programmes is neatly written on the lid also.
This model of bread maker has 17 programmes with a wide selection of basic and speciality breads, including soft bread, whole wheat, French and gluten-free. The unusual programmes that create excitement are sourdough (hardly ever found), sugar-free and milky bread. There is a Bake Only function, as well as one to make yoghurt. The most interesting one is the final programme labelled Ferment. Sauerkraut anyone? All the options you choose are displayed around all four sides of the small LCD screen.
As with the Russell Hobbs 23620 model reviewed below, this EONBON model has a Power-off memory in case the power goes out. But this one lasts for 15 minutes, giving you more than enough time to get to the fuse box. There is also a Keep Warm function for one hour in case you are delayed getting to your newly baked bread. The timer has a 15-hour delay, longer than the 13-hour delay on those of the other models we look at.
Another thing to note is that the baking pan is ceramic with five layers of coating to make it non-stick. However, some online reviewers report a design flaw that makes it difficult to use the handle to remove the pan if your bread really puffs up.
Pros
- Sleek black bread maker with an anti-heat stainless steel bar handle.
- Choice of 17 programmes, including sourdough.
- Three loaf sizes – 500g, 750g, and 1kg – and three crust shades.
- Fruit and nut dispenser releases its contents automatically at the right time.
- Control panel and display screen on the top of the unit.
- Touch buttons to choose options with information displayed on the screen.
- Viewing window is in the lid.
- Ceramic pan is non-stick with five layers of coating.
- Delay timer can be set for up to 15 hours.
- Power interruption memory is for 15 minutes.
- Keep warm function for one hour after baking is complete.
- Heating is 360° around the dough using dual heaters.
- Comes with oven mitt, measuring cup and spoon, stirring rod and 300 recipes.
Cons
- Pan handle in way of removing bread from unit.
- Controls are sensitive.
Our recommendation
The EONBON 17-in-1 Bread Maker is our choice for Best Pick – Has Everything model. Its 17 programmes include a wide range of speciality breads, including sourdough and gluten-free. You can make jam and even yoghurt in this unit, and there is an automatic nut dispenser for all the mix-ins you want to include in your baking. Add in the Keep Warm function and the Power-off 15 minute memory and you have a bread maker that goes way above and beyond the usual features and functions.
Read next: Best table top dishwashers, no water connection needed
3. Morphy Richards 48281 Fastbake Breadmaker
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The Morphy Richards 48281 Fastbake Breadmaker is more of a basic bread maker than our Best Pick. However, it has 12 pre-set programmes that cover a variety of basic and speciality loaves of bread. Its selling point is that there are two fastbake settings, letting you quickly bake both sizes of the loaves it produces – 750g and 1kg.
The control panel and the push buttons are on the front of the machine as is the display screen. Everything is clearly labelled and easy to use. You have a choice of three crust colours – light, medium and dark – and two loaf sizes. Though we aren’t sure about the number of sizes as even the manufacturer’s website presents conflicting information between two and three sizes.
Those who like to watch their bread developing and baking are happy with the large viewing window in the lid. However, several online reviewers state that the paddle often becomes buried in the bread so you have to remove it at the end of baking and are left with a hole in the centre of the loaf. This seems to be a common problem with many breadmakers, though.
There is a timer delay function of up to 13 hours so you can plan ahead for having fresh bread for a meal, even for breakfast. Note that there is no nut dispenser in this model so you have to add any mix-ins manually at the right time. There is also no dedicated gluten-free programme, although the recipe book (included) does include some entries for bread without wheat flour.
This model is white with a black part for the control panel. There is a similar model – Morphy Richards 48280 Fastbake Breadmaker – that is white with a silver control panel if that better suits your décor.
Pros
- White model with black control panel and display screen on the front.
- Controls are clearly labelled push buttons.
- Bakes 2 sizes of loaves and has three crust settings.
- 12 programmes include sweet bread, cakes, dough and jam.
- Two Fastbake programmes for a quick, basic, whole loaf.
- Handles gluten-free flours and has recipes for these breads.
- Timer can delay baking for up to 13 hours.
- Large viewing window on the top of the lid.
Cons
- No nut dispenser.
- No dedicated gluten-free programmes.
- No sourdough programme.
- Paddle becomes buried in the bread.
Our recommendation
The Morphy Richards 48281 Fastbake Breadmaker produces basic bread and a small selection of speciality loaves of bread. The large viewing window lets you keep an eye on how your bread is coming along and the delay timer is great for planning fresh bread for breakfast. Although there is no gluten-free programme, the manufacturer states that this model handles gluten-free flours and has included some recipes for this in the instruction book.
The Morphy Richards 48281 Fastbake Breadmaker is for you if you like to stick to a fairly small range of breads and work to get them perfect.
Read next: Best microwaves that bake, roast and grill
4. Moulinex Bread Maker with Programmes
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The Moulinex Bread Maker with Programmes adds contemporary style to any kitchen with its black unit with red trim. The control panel and display screen don’t look out of place on the top of the machine where they’re easily accessed. All the menu choices are clearly written there so removes the need to search around for the instruction book whenever you want to make bread.
And you have the choice of 17 programmes for your culinary delights. The most unusual ones include a program for rye bread, two for rapid-baked loaves of bread, three programmes for gluten-free baking (savoury bread, sweet bread and cakes) and the ability to cook porridge, cereals and jams. If your carb needs are wide-ranging, this is a great model for you.
There is the usual choice of light, medium and dark crusts that come with three bread sizes – 500g, 750g and 1kg. The 13-hour delay on the timer lets you plan in advance when to have your bread ready.
Pros
- Smart-looking black bread maker with red trim.
- Comes with recipe book, measuring cup and spoon.
- Control panel and display is on the top of the unit.
- 17 programmes including three for gluten-free baking, two for rapid breads and individual ones for porridge, cereals and jam.
- Has a rye bread programme.
- Three sizes of loaves to choose from – 1lb, 1.5lbs and 2lbs – and three colours of crust.
- All features and options accessed through a menu push button.
- Has a 13-hour delay on the timer.
Cons
- No sourdough programme.
- Some older (2020) reports state that the unit came with a two-prong European plug.
Our recommendation
The Moulinex Bread Maker with Programmes is for you if you like a wide range of baked items, including non-standard ones such as cooked cereals. The gluten-free programmes are for loaves of bread and cake. There are also individual options for pizza dough (leavened with yeast) and pasta dough (no yeast). While there isn’t a variety of speciality breads as found in other bread makers, this model does offer rye bread as a programme in its own right.
Need a new knife set? – Check out my review of the best kitchen knife sets here
5. Russell Hobbs 23620 Compact Fast Breadmaker
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The Russell Hobbs 23620 Compact Fast Breadmaker is a small size bread maker with a black body and silver trim. Its compact size doesn’t stop this model from putting out a selection of breads and baked goods to rival its competitors though. The viewing pane in the lid lets you see how things are coming along.
This compact model offers the usual three sizes of loaves (500g; 750g; and 1kg) and three crust shades. You access all the 12 programmes from the control panel at the front of the unit using touch buttons. Your choices are explained there as well. The programmes include two sizes of fast bake bread, gluten-free bread, dough and jam. If you like a wide variety of breads, you need to use the catch-all speciality programme.
One feature that is not often found is the Power Cut-off Memory. Usually, if a bread maker loses power, the programming is lost and the program starts all over again when power resumes. With this handy feature, the unit remembers the program for seven minutes and, if power is restored in that time, it starts up again from where it left off.
Another uncommon feature is that this Russell Hobbs breadmaker keeps your bread warm for a full hour after baking finishes. So, even if you program the process (using the 13-hour delay timer) to finish at your getting-up time in the morning, you can have a lay-in, knowing that your bread will still be warm when you eventually make it down to breakfast.
Pros
- Black-with-silver-trim bread maker with a large viewing window in the lid.
- Control panel is on the front top of the unit with touch buttons and an LCD display screen.
- Programmes (12) include fast bake for basic bread (2 sizes), gluten free bread, cake and jam.
- Timer has a 13-hour delay for starting the process.
- Three loaf sizes – 500g, 750g and 1kg – and three crust options.
- Power cut-off memory lasts seven minutes.
- One-hour Keep Warm function at the end of the baking time.
- Comes with recipe book.
Cons
- No Bake Only function.
- Paddle becomes buried in the loaf.
- Timer only available for some programmes.
- No nut dispenser.
Our recommendation
While the Russell Hobbs 23620 Compact Fast Breadmaker doesn’t offer as many bread choices as its competitors, it does have the Power-off memory and Keep Warm functions they do not. If your choice of bread types is fairly basic (but you still want cake and jam) this is a good compact model to consider.
Buyer’s Guide for Bread Makers
The Best Bread Makers have a selection of features and options that allow you to make a variety of bread and other baked goods. Some of these are common in most models (choice of crust shades, for instance), but others are quite rare (e.g. a sourdough programme). This Buyer’s Guide identifies what to expect from a basic breadmaker and then identifies the extra features and functions you may want to look for.
Comes as standard
Choice of loaf sizes
Usually two or three choices of 500g, 750g and 1kg sizes.
Choice of crust shades
From light, medium and dark.
Bread making programmes (more programmes, more breads)
These automatically support the choice of bread and the available functions (see below). The bread-making steps are often displayed on the display screen and consist of kneading, resting, rising and baking times.
Control panel and display screen
Either touch or push the buttons to select the programme and options you want; information is displayed (to various degrees) on the LCD panel.
Viewing window
Many, but not all, bread makers have a transparent window in the lid so you can keep an eye on how your bread is doing.
Recipe book
From a typed sheet of recipes to a full colour book (printed or online), manufacturers provide recipes that are created to work with their particular bread maker. But don’t feel limited by these – there are plenty of generic bread maker recipe books out there for you to browse through.
Choice of baked goods
Breads
Breadmakers vary in how many and which loaves of bread and other baked goods types they offer. The models in our review, between them, give you some of the following options. Check that the models you’re interested in have programmes for your favourite breads or a manual function so you can programme the unit yourself.
- Basic white – often available under the Fast Bake function
- Basic raisin
- French
- Brioche
- Wholemeal / whole wheat
- Quick
- Sweet
- Soft
- Sourdough – it’s rare to find this as an automatic programme; only one model in our review has this
- Sugar-free
- Sandwich
- Multi-grain
- Milky loaf
- Rye
- Bread mix
- Gluten-free – usually just one programme for gluten-free bread; but this is starting to become a standard option
- Bread
- Cake
- Pizza
- Pasta
Other (baked) goods:
- Dough – machine stops when the dough is made and doesn’t bake it
- Cake
- Leavened
- Pizza
- Cake
- Jam and compote
- Yoghurt
- Porridge
- Cereals
Other functions
You may find one or more of these functions on a bread maker. Decide which are important for you and add them to your must-have list.
Fast Bake
Usually cooks a basic white loaf in one hour or slightly less.
Bake Only
For pre-made dough.
Extra Bake
If your bread needs more baking time, use this feature.
Nut and Fruit Dispenser
Automatically releases dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, cured meat pieces, olives, seeds and other mix-ins into the dough at the appropriate time, after the mixing stage.
Manual
Lets you control some parts of the process.
Delay Timer
Doesn’t start the process for the specified number of hours (generally up to 13 or 15 hours).
Keep Warm feature
Keeps the bread warm for up to one hour after baking finishes.
Power-out Memory
After a power outage, it remembers the baking programme for a set time (five to fifteen minutes) and restarts from where it left off.
Final conclusion
One of the most comforting smells is that of bread baking. With a breadmaker in your kitchen, you can have this aroma in your home whenever you want, even waking up to it. And that’s not to mention the delicious taste of homemade bread and the excitement of experimenting with flavours and add-ins to your basic recipe. The bread makers in our Best Bread Maker review all provide different varieties of tasty bread. Select one that’s already programmed for your favourite bread and it’s really simple from then on. And if you are gluten-free, don’t worry; many of the models here have at least one gluten-free bread programme.
Our Best Pick is the Panasonic SD-B2510 Automatic Breadmaker. With 21 programmes, you may find your bread repertoire expanding to new types.
The EONBON 17-in-1 Bread Maker is our Best Pick – With Everything model. The automatic nut dispenser lets you easily create loaves of bread with all kinds of bits in them.
There is nothing better for lunch at home than freshly made bread with homemade soup. We’ve got that covered with our 5 Best Soup Makers – Soups and Smoothies Quickly and Easily review. And for hearty home-cooked meals ready for you when you come in through the door at night, pair your delicious bread with a meal from your slow cooker. We have a Slow Cooker review too.
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
