While it’s true that homemade bread is divine…
…not everyone has the time or desire to mix, knead…
…and babysit a ball of dough while it rises.
Even though it isn’t difficult to make bread…
…you need to be available to work with the dough at…
…different stages.
Modern bread makers are here to help!
Before we move into the next section, let’s hear Maria’s experience…
I would like to spend my time making homemade bread for my family.
When I make my own bread, it tastes fresher and more delicious than…
...bread I buy from the store.
Seeing my children’s happy faces as they eat my bread is also an…
...incredible pleasure.
Let’s get started…
Types of Bread Makers
Vertical Bread Machines
In the early days of bread machines, they produced long…
…rectangular loaves of bread.
However, the shape of the loaves produced…
…by using the bread pans was unusual, as they were tall…
…and vertical as opposed to standard bread.
Because they have a smaller footprint they take up less…
…counter space and are easier to store.
You might need to cut the slices of vertical loaves to fit neatly…
…into your toaster since their shape makes them difficult to…
…make sandwiches.
This is a vertical loaf pan, which allows for more area and a smaller footprint. The machine performs admirably. On the dough cycle, we mostly use it for rolls and pizza dough. We use a bread pan and bake in the oven to produce sandwich bread since the loaf is more traditional in size.
- 14 Settings For Perfect Bread Every Time - From now on you can make Whole Grain Bread, French bread, Quick Bread (no yeast), Dough, Cake and a wide variety of homemade bread to customize your bread just the way you like it.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Horizontal Bread Machines
Try finding a bread machine that produces horizontal…
…rectangular loaves that look more like bread baked…
…in a standard loaf pan if tall loaves are too awkward…
…for you.
Compared to vertical bread machines that have shorter…
…bread pans horizontal bread machines have larger ovens…
…that can bake a larger loaf of bread.
In spite of the increased baking capacity, this style of a…
…bread maker tends to be larger overall and will take up…
…more space in your kitchen.
The cost of horizontal baking machines tends to be higher…
…than that of vertical baking machines.
With a big horizontal bread pan and an LED screen for programming, this is lovely and simple to use a bread maker. It makes fantastic bread. We adore the horizontal loaf shape, as well as the variety of crust settings (light, medium, dark) and loaf sizes!
- 【Multifunctional with 17 Customized Automatic Programs, 2LB Large Capacity】 KBS Breadmaker has settings for light, medium or dark crust, different loaf capacity from 1, 1.5 and 2 lb. It also has 17 programs to choose from (QUICK BREAD, WHOLE-WHEAT, GLUTEN FREE, JAM, etc.)
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
But, don’t worry! I have some options for the best bread machines based on my own test!
Our Top Picks for Bread Machines
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb. loaf of bread, Stainless Steel/Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Oster Expressbake Breadmaker, 2-lb. Loaf Capacity, 2 lb, White/Ivory | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Cuisinart Bread Maker, Up To 2lb Loaf, New Compact Automatic | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Curtis Stone 2lb. Bread Maker Model 676-748 (Renewed) | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Hamilton Beach HomeBaker 2 Pound Automatic Breadmaker with Gluten Free Setting | Model# 29881 | Prime | Buy Now |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker
- Various healthy course settings include Multigrain, Whole Wheat, Rapid Whole Wheat, Gluten Free, Salt Free, Sugar Free and Vegan
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
I purchased this after reading the Amazon reviews and am quite…
…pleased with my purchase! With two kneading hooks and an…
…additional heating element on top, it appears to be the best…
…bread machine available. So far, I’ve had consistently good results…
… when I’ve followed the recipes and directions. Simply add the…
…ingredients in the order and quantity given, and the machine will…
…take care of the rest. I’d also suggest reading the tips / viewing the…
…suggestions video in the comments section, which I found quite…
…helpful, particularly the recommendation to pat down the dough…
…into shape at the conclusion of the rise cycle and remove the dough hooks!
Pros:
- Nearly perfect results
- Even browning thanks to the heated top
- Adjustable and fixed settings
Cons:
- Pricey compared to other models
- Not very space-efficient
Oster ExpressBake 2-Pound Bread Maker
- 650 watts oster bread maker with upto a 2.0 pound loaf capacity is ideal for larger families
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you love the idea of fresh, easy homemade bread…
…but don’t want to break the bank, this bread machine…
… has an affordable price tag but still offers plenty of functions.
So far, I’m quite pleased with it. It’s simple to use and makes a…
…delicious loaf of bread. This machine, however, has one peculiarity…
…that you should be aware of: it is light! The combination of this and…
…the motor’s torque leads it to “walk” across the countertop.
The machine had moved from the wall to the edge of the counter…
…and turned entirely around the first time I used it. So, keep an eye…
…on the positioning
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Small footprint saves counter space
- Trustworthy recipes
Cons:
- No gluten-free setting
- Display isn’t backlit
Cuisinart Compact Automatic Bread Maker
- Cuisinart-quality technology promises superior crust, color and texture
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Cuisinart Compact Automatic Bread Maker is perfect for kitchens…
…with limited counter space, and it offers everything you need…
…to make homemade bread.
This is fantastic! I made the first batch of fresh sourdough, and…
…it turned out fantastic. I wish I had spent the extra cash and…
…purchased the one with the delayed start. Digging out the…
…mixing arm is weird, but if you wet your hand slightly, the…
…dough won’t stick as much.
Also, there is a gluten-free menu, artisan creations, jams, sauces, cake…
…and more, plus a recipe book!
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Small countertop footprint
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons:
- Some find loaves small for 2-pound size
“Even if you want to play with different shaped bread loaves or dinner rolls, a bread machine can still be used to knead and rise the dough, then remove to shape by hand and bake in the oven”.
Donna Currie Food Writer and Blogger Specializing Kitchen Gadgets
Curtis Stone 2-Pound Bread Maker
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This machine makes making bread easy.
Using the included instructions book…
Other features include a timer delay…
…audible beeps when it is time to mix in your fruit or nuts…
…and a removable nonstick pan that can be cleaned easily.
As I prepare my first loaf of country white bread with the…
…Curtis Stone Bread Maker, it is quite silent. This is a stylish machine!
The set includes a measuring cup, measuring spoon, hook, and…
…kneading blade.
A one-year limited warranty is provided by the manufacturer.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Three loaf sizes to choose from
- Presets for specific recipes
Cons:
- Some may not like vertical shaped loaves
Hamilton Beach HomeBaker 2-Pound Breadmaker
- 12 settings include: French, gluten-free, quick bread, sweet, 1.5 lb express, 2 lb express, dough, jam, cake, whole grain and bake Includes 2 kneading paddles Dishwasher safe bread pan and paddles Includes recipe booklet with Bobs Mill Custom Gluten-Free Recipes so you can create delicious, gluten-free breads at home Compact size can fit on any kitchen countertop
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This machine comes with 12 settings that can handle French…
…quick bread (no yeast), sweet, 1.5-lb express, 2-lb express…
…dough, jam, cake, whole grain, gluten-free, and bake…
…plus an audible reminder for adding fruits and nuts.
Besides bread, it can also make pizza dough, cakes, jams, flatbreads…
…and croissants, making it a star in your kitchen.
You can also select a light, medium, or dark crust setting…
…and all of this can be done with a delayed timer…
…so you know your bread is ready as soon as you walk in the door.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Express bake settings
- Easy to use
- Quiet
Cons:
- A bit bulky
Sum Up!
As a first consideration, the size of the bread machine…
…should be taken into consideration.
Smaller machines will take up less counter space and…
…be easier to store but the size of your loaves will be limited.
It should be noted that some bread machines can produce…
…larger loaves without taking up too much space, so pay…
…attention to the dimensions and loaf size.
Conclusion
Zojirushi’s Virtuoso Plus is our top recommendation…
…because it produces consistent and nearly flawless results.
A more affordable and compact option…
…is the Oster 2-Pound Expressbake Bread Machine…
…which has an easy-to-use interface, easy-to-follow instructions…
…and comes with reliable recipes!
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
