Best Bread Machines for Home Bakers in 2024

While all of the bread machines I tested can produce a pretty basic loaf of bread, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes with a range of additional features and price points. If size or price are limiting factors for you, the decision becomes very easy, with only a few compact models under $100 to consider. If not, it will likely be a matter of which additional features are most important depending on the type of bread you expect to make most often. As you begin the process of choosing a bread machine, you’ll notice that they vary considerably in shape, size, and price. There are a few factors that contribute to these differences in bread machine options, and you’ll want to consider which features are most important to your baking needs.

Size of the bread machine

First, automatic bread makers come in a variety of sizes. This refers not only to the physical space the appliance has to bake bread (which can be considerable), but also to the size of the loaf it can bake. Common bread makers are 1- and 2-pound models. If you’re just baking a loaf for yourself, a smaller bread maker may work just fine, while larger families will need larger loaves to keep everyone happy with comforting carbs.

Shape of bread maker

You should also consider the shape of the appliance’s inner bread pan, as this will determine the shape of the bread. Many bread makers have square pans, which will produce square loaves, but you can also find bread maker models that produce horizontal loaves, which are closer to the loaves you would buy in the store.

Types of bread it makes

Some are better equipped to produce a thicker, more consistent crust, some have built-in settings for gluten-free breads, while others allow you to pre-set mix-ins like fruit or nuts, which they’ll add at the right time during the process. Want to make different types of bread? Bread makers can only produce specific types of bread depending on the bread flour and settings, so if you want to make wheat, whole wheat, French, white, sourdough, or other types, you’ll need a machine that has the right settings for your bread machine recipe. If you want gluten-free bread, you’ll want to get a gluten-free bread machine. Some higher-end bread makers even have settings for non-bread, like cake.

Bread maker functions and settings

Most bread makers produce a standard 1.5- or 2-pound loaf, and they come pre-programmed with a variety of settings, including white, wheat, and quick bread, along with other common bread types, as well as dough and jam settings. They all have the option to choose a light, medium, or dark crust, and they also include a delay start feature, which means you can gather your ingredients in the morning and come home after work to the warm, cozy smell of freshly baked bread. (Throw some soup or chili mixture into a slow cooker while you’re at it, and your nighttime self will be very happy with your morning self.) You can also set it to start at night and wake up to freshly baked bread.