If you love the smell and taste of freshly-baked bread, but don’t want the laborious task of kneading and proving your own dough, then a bread maker is the answer. These clever machines mix, knead and prove the dough, then bake it to perfection.
Some models are also capable of making jam, yoghurt and even ice cream. But the functions they offer and their prices vary greatly, so we’ve put a selection through their paces to see just how good they are.
How we test:
We considered everything from packaging and how easy they are to use, and their performance (quality of bread and functionality) as well as value for money etc.
We made a 1kg white loaf using each appliance's basic bread recipe, set to a medium crust.
Read on to discover our results...
Looking for more nifty gadgets that can make use of your freshly baked loaf? Check out our round ups of the best toasters on the market and best toastie makers for 2022
Tried and tested | Best bread makers at a glance:
- Best overall | Gastroback 62823 Design Automatic Advanced bread maker (RRP £129.90) | Buy now from Amazon
- Best for programs | Panasonic SD-R2530KXC Bread Maker (RRP £179.99) | Buy now from Amazon
- Best for large loaves | Lakeland touchscreen bread maker and more (RRP £149.99) | Buy now from Amazon
- Best for speedy baking | Morphy Richards 502001 Homebake bread maker (RRP £69.99) | Buy now from AO.com
- Best for bread-making beginners | Tower T11003 2lb digital bread maker (RRP £84.99) | Buy now from Amazon
- Best budget buy | Russell Hobbs 18036 compact bread maker (RRP £84.99) | Buy now from Amazon
Six of the best bread makers:
Gastroback 62823 Design Automatic Advanced bread maker
Score 18 out of 20
- Buy now form Amazon, (£129)
Pros
- Long power cord
- Lots of functions/programs
- Ingredients box for adding seeds, nuts, fruit etc
Cons
- Large footprint
- Wordy instruction manual
18 programs: Basic bread, French bread, wholewheat, sweet bread, rice bread, gluten-free, quick bread, fruit bread, cake, jam, defrost, mix, knead, dough, ice cream, bake, homemade, yoghurt
This bread maker was very easy to use and the program buttons were intuitive to use.
This bread maker was very easy to use and the program buttons were intuitive to use.
The baking pan and paddle were easy to fit and remove for cleaning, although they can’t be put in the dishwasher. A robustly built machine, it's quite large, so would take up a bit of space on your worktop.
I liked that it had an automatic ingredients box which will add nuts, seeds, fruits or chocolate sprinkles while your loaf or cake are baking - it was one of only two on test that did - the other being the Panasonic.
The timer also counts down the remaining baking time, and there's a defrost program and a rice bread program.
Does it make a good loaf?
A basic 1kg loaf of bread can be made in 3 hours 15 minutes, while using the Quick Bread setting you can produce a 1kg loaf in 2 hours 15 minutes.
The bread was fairly easy to remove from the pan once it had baked. The loaf was quite squat with an uneven top. However, it had a very even golden crust all over and a lovely firm texture which sliced well.
Should you buy?
This machine costs £129.90 and comes with a two-year guarantee. Although it’s one of the more expensive models we tested, it’s vast array of functions and sturdy construction mean that it offers good value for money for buyers who will make the most of all its capabilities.
Panasonic SD-R2530KXC Bread Maker with 30 programmes
Score: 18 out of 20
Pros:
- 30 programs including bread mixes
- Automatically dispenses seeds, nuts, fruit etc
- Accessories include: 1 sourdough cup, 1 measuring spoon, 1 sourdough starter spoon
Cons:
- Large footprint
- Hard to see display panel
30 programs: Basic bread, wholewheat, French bread, sourdough, brioche, rice bread, gluten-free, cake, jam and pizza dough, also manual setting
It has an automatic dispenser, which add nuts, seeds, fruits or chocolate sprinkles while your loaf or cake are baking - it was one of only two on test that did - the other being the Gastroback 62823 Design Automatic Advanced bread maker.
This bread maker was easy to use, although given the large size of the bread maker, the small LED screen is a bit tricky to see and would improve if it was backlit. That said, the program buttons are intuitive and once you’ve used it a couple of times the sequence of which buttons to push becomes familiar.
The baking pan and paddle were easy to fit and remove for cleaning, although they can’t be put in the dishwasher.
I liked that you can set a time for 13 hours in advance, so fresh bread in the morning has become an almost daily ritual. It has an automatic dispenser, which add nuts, seeds, fruits or chocolate sprinkles while your loaf or cake are baking - it was one of only two on test that did - the other being the Gastroback 62823 Design Automatic Advanced bread maker.
There’s plenty of choice for the loaf size too, with most recipes offering medium, large, or extra-large up to about 1.1kg and three choices of crust light, medium and dark.
Does it make a good loaf?
A basic 1.1kg loaf of bread can be made in 4 hours 5 minutes, while using the Basic Rapid setting takes just 2 hours.
The loaf was easy to remove from the pan once it had baked and was a lovely even shape, with a very even golden crust all over and a lovely firm texture, which sliced well.
Should you buy?
This machine costs £179 and comes with a one-year guarantee – not as generous as others on test. Although it’s the most expensive model we tested, it’s vast array of functions and sturdy construction mean that it offers good value for money for buyers who will make the most of all its capabilities.
Lakeland touchscreen bread maker and more
Score 17 out of 20
- Buy now from Amazon (£149.99)
Pros
- Easy to read display
- Can make loaves up to 1.5kg
- Jam and yoghurt-making settings
Cons
- Large footprint
- Uneven crust colour
- High price point
12 programs: Basic bread, quick, sweet, wholewheat, gluten-free, dough, knead, cake, jam, yoghurt, bake, custom
The bread pan is long and loaf-shaped, unlike most other models, and it boasts not one, but two, kneading paddles.
This attractive glossy black and silver bread machine has an unusual design, which makes it stand out from the crowd. However, the long lid might not fit easily underneath kitchen wall units when lifted.
The instruction manual is easy to follow and packed with useful tips. The bread pan is long and loaf-shaped, unlike most other models, and it boasts not one, but two, kneading paddles. However, it’s fairly easy to fit and remove for cleaning, but can’t be put in the dishwasher.
The large LED touchscreen display on the front is easy to use, and shows you what stage the programme is at, and there’s a large viewing window.
In addition to 12 programs, it has a Custom programme so you can make your bread to your preferences. It will also keep your bread warm for 60 minutes and there's a generous 15-hour delay start function allows you to put your ingredients in the pan the night before, set your programme and wake up to a freshly baked bread in the morning.
Does it make a good loaf?
We baked a 1kg loaf in 3 hours and 5 minutes, but using the quick setting you can produce a 1kg loaf in 2 hours and 5 minutes.
Even with two kneading paddles in place, our loaf slipped easily out of the bread pan once it was cooked. However, the crust had splits in it which made it look rustic, but wasn’t the look we wanted.
The crust colour was uneven with the sides noticeably darker than the top of the loaf. The crust of this loaf was quite firm but the texture of the bread was fairly soft, however it sliced well.
Should you buy?
This versatile bread maker costs £149.99 and comes with a three-year guarantee. Considering the quality of the build and the amount of programs and functions it boasts, it does represent pretty good value for money for buyers who will regularly use of all it has to offer.
Morphy Richards 502001 Homebake bread maker
Score 16 out of 20
Pros
- Really good instructions
- Lots of recipes included
- Can also make jam and yoghurt
Cons
- No keep warm function
- Paddle is fiddly to keep in position
- Small viewing window
14 different programmes for not just bread, but cakes, yoghurt and even jam
The paddle for the machine folds over so it is less intrusive in the finished loaf...
The Homebake breadmaker is a stylish machine with a compact design that's useful if you’re pushed for space.
The instruction booklet was really good and the touchscreen was easy to see and use, although the viewing window was smaller than on other models we tested.
The paddle for the machine folds over so it is less intrusive in the finished loaf and it only makes two sizes of bread; a 700g loaf and a 1kg loaf, however you can choose from three crust-colour settings: light, medium and dark.
It has a useful 13-hour delay timer which allows you to bake a loaf while you’re asleep or out at work, although there is no keep warm function.
Does it make a good loaf?
We made a basic 1kg loaf of bread in 3 hours, and by using the fast bake setting you can produce a 1kg loaf in 55 minutes.
The baking tin and paddle were easy to fit and remove, but can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher. This bread maker produced a loaf with a smooth crust with an all-over golden colour. The texture of the bread was light and soft, but the firmer crust meant it cut well.
Should you buy?
Priced at £123 with a two-year guarantee, this machine offers pretty good value for money, considering it also makes jam and yoghurt, as well as baking bread and cakes.
Tower T11003 2lb digital bread maker
Score 15 out of 20
Pros
- The Ultra Fast Loaf function
- Lightweight and stylish
- Easy to use
- 12 programs
Cons
- Only makes two loaf sizes
- Doesn’t include recipes for anything other than bread
- Only suitable for making bread
12 programs: Basic bread, French bread, wholewheat, quick, sweet, ultra fast I, ultra fast II, dough, gluten-free, cake, sandwich, bake
The clear LED display tells you know what stage your bake is at and how long you’ve got remaining...
This model came with quite simple instructions and the bread pan and paddle were easy to fit and remove from the machine for cleaning, although they can’t be put in the dishwasher.
You can only make two sizes of bread in this model; a 700g loaf and a 1kg loaf, but you can choose from three crust-colour settings: light, medium and dark.
The 13-hour delay timer allows you to wake up to fresh bread in the morning.
The clear LED display tells you know what stage your bake is at and how long you’ve got remaining, while the large viewing window lets you see how your bread is rising.
Although this model doesn’t come with an automatic dispenser, it beeps loudly when it's time to add extras such as seeds, fruit or nuts.
Does it make a good loaf?
I made a basic 1kg loaf of bread in 3 hours, and by using the Ultra Fast Loaf setting you can produce a 1kg loaf in just 58 minutes.
The bread was very easy to remove from the pan once it had baked. The loaf this bread maker produced was a very even size, well-risen and had an even, nicely browned crust. The texture of the bread was pleasantly firm with a close texture which sliced well.
Should you buy?
If you’re new to bread-making and want a model that does the basics, this bread maker’s a good option. It’s simple to use, comes with a three-year guarantee and offers very good value for money at just £84.99.
Russell Hobbs 18036 compact bread maker
Score 15 out of 20
Pros
- Great budget price
- Impressive range of functions
- Very compact
Cons
- Short cord length
- No measuring tools included
- Pale crust colour
12 programs: Basic bread, French bread, wholewheat, cake, sweet, dough, jam, sandwich, gluten-free, fast bake I, fast bake II, speciality (pizza)
...considering its budget price, this bread maker comes with an impressive range of functions.
A compact design, making it ideal for small kitchens, and considering its budget price, this bread maker comes with an impressive range of functions.
The instruction manual is brief, but straightforward, although the program text on the machine is quite small.
The bread pan and paddle are very easy to fit and remove for cleaning, and they can be put in the dishwasher and I liked its large viewing window making it easy to watch your bread rise.
You can make three loaf sizes: 1lb, 1.6lb and 2.2lb and choose from three crust colours.
A 13-hour delay timer lets you set it up in advance and there's a handy 60-minute keep warm function.
An audible alert lets you know when it’s time in the baking process to add nuts, fruit or seeds.
Does it make a good loaf?
We made a basic 1kg loaf in 3 hours and 20 minutes, but you can rustle up a 1kg loaf in 55mins using the fast bake function.
The bread was very easy to remove from the pan, although some of the base of the loaf got caught around the paddle. The loaf was very well risen, however, despite selecting a medium crust colour, the result was quite pale with a very soft texture - which would be ideal for sandwiches, but not what we were expecting. Due to its overall softness, it made slicing difficult.
Should you buy?
At £50 with a two-warranty, this small but mighty machine offers excellent value for money. It offers a wealth of functions and programs at a fraction of the cost of other bread makers.
FAQs
Did you know?
The first domestic bread making machine was released in Japan in 1986 by the Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. (now Panasonic) based on research by project engineers and software developer Ikuko Tanaka, who trained with the head baker at Osaka International Hotel to learn how to optimally knead bread. A decade later the machines had become popular in the United Kingdom.
