The Best Bread Machine for Your Baking Style
Updated: Jan. 31, 2022Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
Think bread makers are an appliance of the past? Think again! These gadgets do it all from mixing to proofing to baking. Find out what the best bread machine is for you.
Love the taste and smell of homemade bread? Of course! Everyone loves a slice of freshly baked bread, but baking yeasted breads at home can be intimidating. Between the finicky yeast, kneading the dough and waiting for it to rise, from-scratch loaves can be a challenge—unless you’ve got a bread machine.
Yes, a bread machine! This appliance might seem like a flashback from the ’90s, but bread makers are super handy. They mix the dough, knead and bake, all at the push of the button. It doesn’t get better than that. But before you click “buy now,” make sure you’re getting the best bread machine for your baking needs.
What to Look for When You’re Shopping for a Bread Machine
Do a quick online search and you’ll find so many bread maker options. Look for recognizable brands and sift through them by keeping these preferences in mind:
- Settings: Gone are the days of basic 1990s bread machines. Today you can find bread makers with all kinds of settings, including gluten-free bread presets. Check the specs and see if they suit your baking—and eating!—style.
- Cleanup: What level of cleanup are you willing to take on? Some bread maker models offer nonstick surfaces and dishwasher-safe inserts. Others require washing by hand.
- Price: Keep in mind how much you want to spend. You can find a great bread machine for around $100.
The Best Bread Machine for Your Baking Style
Looking for the right bread machine? We’ve found four options to satisfy any type of home baker.
Best for Beginners: Cuisinart Compact Automatic Bread Maker
New to bread baking and bread machines? You’ll want an appliance that’s a cinch to use right out of the box. That model is the Cuisinart Compact Automatic Bread Maker.
According to reviewers, this bread maker is incredibly easy to use: Intuitive buttons and an LCD display take all the guesswork out of baking bread. You can choose from pre-programmed bread options including packaged mixes, gluten-free bread, French bread and more, and the machine does all the work of mixing, kneading, proofing and baking. All you have to do is measure your ingredients!
One more thing we love is the finish of this appliance. It’s compact and looks great in stainless steel. This is one kitchen gadget you’ll definitely want to keep on the counter.
- Capacity: Up to a 2-pound loaf
- Special features: 12 pre-programmed settings, three crust options (light, medium and dark), delay start function
- Price: $110
Best for Impatient Bakers: Oster Expressbake Bread Maker
In our Test Kitchen, you’ll find the Taste of Home team testing reader-submitted recipes in the Oster Expressbake Bread Maker.
This bread machine is beloved by our staffers and reviewers for many reasons, but its Expressbake option is definitely the most raved-about feature. With this accelerated process, large loaves of bread (up to 2 pounds) can be ready in under an hour! Bakers, you know that’s a big time-saver. Use this setting along with one of Oster’s 12 other pre-programmed options and you’ll have a full breadbox in no time.
- Capacity: Up to a 2-pound loaf
- Special features: 12 pre-programmed settings, three crust options (light, medium and dark), delay start function, express bake setting
- Price: $90
Easiest Cleanup: Hamilton Beach Premium Dough & Bread Maker
With fancy gadgets, you’re often left with lots of pieces that require washing by hand. While some of us don’t mind doing the dishes, many bakers prefer easy-to-clean machines with dishwasher-ready parts. When it comes to bread machines, that’s the Hamilton Beach Premium Dough & Bread Maker.
Reviewers love how easy this bread machine is to keep clean. After the bread maker does the mixing and baking, all you have to do is remove your bread and pop the parts into the dishwasher. No fuss! As for the bread itself, you can customize it just the way you like with 14 different settings, plus options for different types of crust. When your bread is done baking, this machine switches over to “keep warm” mode so you can be sure your loaf is nice and toasty for your bread basket at dinnertime.
- Capacity: Up to a 2-pound loaf
- Special features: 14 pre-programmed settings, three crust options (light, medium and dark), automatic keep-warm function, non-stick, dishwasher-safe components
- Price: $120
Best Appliance for Proofing: Brod & Taylor Folding Proofer
Many home bakers derive a lot of satisfaction from mixing and kneading bread dough, so they may not be tempted by traditional bread machines. But there’s one part of bread making that many find challenging: proofing the dough. If you long for the assist of a bread maker just for proofing, you can opt for a specialized appliance: the Brod & Taylor Folding Proofer.
This compact appliance (it folds flat when you’re done!) maintains consistent temperature and humidity for proofing bread dough—perfect if you struggle with a dry climate or chilly house. Inside, this proofer is spacious enough to accommodate a large mixing bowl or two regular-sized loaf pans.
- Special features: Folds up for easy storage; can also be used as a slow cooker
- Price: $180
How to Use Your Bread Maker at Home
Don’t think for a second that you have to limit yourself to basic bread recipes when it comes to your bread machine. You can use this appliance to stir up specialty options like pretzels, cinnamon rolls, and bagels. Want to try your hand at naan? Let the machine do all the work of mixing, kneading and proofing. All you have to do is shape the bread and bake it off in the oven. Easy!
Cinnamon Swirl Breakfast Bread
My aunt gave me the recipe these pretty, rich-tasting loaves many years ago. It's one of my favorite bread machine recipes. —Peggy Burdick, Burlington, Michigan
Need a new bread machine? Take a look at our picks for the best bread machines of the year. 
Sour Cream Chive Bread
This savory loaf mildly flavored with chives is delicious when served warm with a meal, soup, salad or stew. It also tastes wonderful toasted the next day for breakfast. —Deborah Plank, West Salem, Ohio 
Bread Machine Panettone
This bread machine panettone is easy to make. Every tender, moist slice is filled with candied fruit and raisins. —Josephine Bianchi, Bristol, New Hampshire Pumpkin Spice Bagels
Enjoy pumpkin pie flavor with these classic bagels. For a change, adjust the spices to suit your taste buds. —Kristy Reeves, LeRoy, Kansas 
Mini Maple Cinnamon Rolls
Maple syrup sweetens these lovely little cinnamon buns. I make the dough in my bread machine before popping the rolls in the oven. My husband prefers them warm. —Juanita Carlsen, North Bend, Oregon 
Pepperoni Cheese Bread
As a stay-at-home mother of two little girls, I pack a lot of activity into my days. The bread machine makes it a snap to turn out this attractive loaf that gets its zip from cayenne pepper, pepperoni and Mexican cheese. —Dusti Christensen, Goodridge, Minnesota 
Seeded Whole Grain Loaf
My husband and I want whole grain bread, but we don't like the spongy store-bought whole wheat breads. I drastically altered one of my favorite batter bread recipes to create this earthy bread. It is crunchy, chewy and easy. This is one of those bread machine recipes I make over and over. —Amber Rife, Columbus, Ohio 
Vegetable & Cheese Focaccia
My family eats this flavorful bread as fast as I can make it. Sometimes I add different herbs, red onion or crumbled bacon. It's one of my best recipes!
—Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland 
Bread Machine Pumpkin Monkey Bread
I love making this pumpkin monkey bread for a holiday brunch. Leftovers reheat well, and the sauce is good enough to make extra to use as waffle and pancake syrup. —Emily Main, Tonopah, Arizona Bread Machine Naan
Chewy yeast-raised flatbread is a snap to make in a bread machine. Serve naan with your favorite Indian dish to soak up the curry and sauces. —Shannon Ventresca, Middleboro, Massachusetts 
Soft Giant Pretzels
My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado
For something even simpler, look through our collection of easy bread machine recipes. Garlic Herb Bubble Loaf
I adapted an old sour cream bread recipe for this deliciously different pull-apart loaf that smells heavenly while baking. It has a light crust, tender interior and lots of herb and butter flavor. We think it's wonderful with a hot bowl of potato soup. —Katie Crill, Priest River, Idaho Sun-Dried Tomato & Olive Loaf
I can’t get enough of this beautiful, richly flavored loaf that starts in the bread machine. I tear off big chunks, dip them into extra virgin olive oil and eat. Delicious!—Carole Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 
Golden Honey Pan Rolls
A cousin in North Carolina gave me the recipe for these delicious honey-glazed rolls. Using my bread machine to make the dough saves me about 2 hours compared to the traditional method. The rich buttery taste of these rolls is so popular with family and friends that I usually make two batches so I have enough! —Sara Wing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Calzone Rolls
Big pizza flavor comes through in these rolls, thanks to the peppers, mushrooms, olives and pepperoni. This recipe makes two pans of rolls, and you can make the dough in a bread machine. —Barb Downie, Peterborough, Ontario 
Pecan Raisin Bread
We love raisin bread and also enjoy the nutty flavor of pecans, so I decided to combine the two for this delectable loaf. This is one of my favorite bread machine recipes—it smells so good and tastes even better. —Lora Sexton, Wellington, Texas 
Soft Garlic Breadsticks
I rely on a bread machine to mix the dough for this buttery garlic breadsticks recipe that is mildly seasoned with garlic and basil. I like to use this dough when making pizza, too. —Charles Smith, Baltic, Connecticut 
Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia
This bread looks inviting and doesn’t disappoint when you take a bite. The sun-dried tomatoes and red onions give it an extra-special appearance, fit for any celebratory meal. —Kathy Katz, Ocala, Florida 
Banana Wheat Bread
A subtle banana flavor comes through in this moist whole wheat loaf. Flecked with poppy seeds, the sweet slices are wonderful warm or toasted and spread with butter. —Louise Myers, Pomeroy, Ohio 
Braided Onion-Potato Loaf
Ever wonder why a bread recipe includes mashed potatoes? The potato's starchy quality absorbs liquid during the kneading stage, and it holds onto that liquid during baking. The bread finishes with a crisp, brown exterior crust and a flavorful, moist interior that helps the bread keep longer. —Joan Ranzini, Waynesboro, Virginia
Onion French Bread Loaves
Since I love variety in my cooking, I tried adding dried minced onion to my usual recipe in attempts to copy a bread I had tasted, creating these two tasty loaves. Using the bread machine on the dough setting is a great timesaver. —Ruth Fueller, Barmstedt, Germany 
Chipotle Focaccia with Garlic-Onion Topping
Chipotle peppers leave some people tongue-tied; others can't get enough of the smoky heat. I came up with this recipe for chipotle, roasted garlic and caramelized onion focaccia. Some wanted it spicier—it's only a medium heat pepper—and some like it just the way it is. Add more if you crave the fire. —Frances "Kay" Bouma, Trail, British Columbia 
Frosted Cinnamon Rolls
These pretty cinnamon rolls are absolutely marvelous and taste just like the ones sold at the mall. Topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting, they are best served warm with coffee. Or reheat leftover rolls in the microwave and enjoy any time of day. —Velma Horton, LaGrange, California
Hawaiian Dinner Rolls
Pineapple and coconut give a subtle sweetness to these golden homemade rolls. If there are any leftovers, they're great for sandwiches. —Kathy Kurtz, Glendora, California Veggie Pull-Apart Bread
A bread machine hurries along the dough-making process, but chopped vegetables, bacon and cheese make the buttery wreath unforgettable. —Christi Ross, Guthrie, Texas 
Herbed Onion Bagels
I create my delightful bagels by adapting several other recipes. I enjoy them spread with cream cheese or onion and chive cream cheese. —Pam Kaiser, Mansfield, Missouri 
Soft Oatmeal Bread
My husband loves to make this bread. With its mild oat taste and soft texture, it's sure to be a hit with the whole family. Slices also are delicious toasted for breakfast. —Nancy Montgomery, Plainwell, Michigan 
Flavorful Herb Bread
This bread is one of my favorites. It has a wonderful texture and slices beautifully, and the flavor of the herbs really comes through. (Psst—If you don't have a bread machine on hand, learn how to make bread without one!) —Gerri Hamilton, Kingsville, Ontario 
Garlic Parmesan Bread
This hearty aromatic bread has just a hint of honey and garlic. It's one of my favorite breads. It goes with anything from bologna sandwiches to spaghetti. —Jami Blunt, Hardy, Arkansas Rosemary-Garlic Focaccia Bread
This bread smells wonderful when it’s baking in the oven. I make it mostly during the summer when rosemary is abundant in the garden, but also around the holidays when rosemary plants are available in the stores. —Tammy Bollman, Minatare, Nebraska
