The 7 Best Bread Machines in 2026

If you want a bread maker that reliably delivers bakery-style loaves with minimal fuss, the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus is hard to beat. Its thoughtful healthy-course lineup—multigrain, whole wheat, rapid whole wheat, gluten free, salt- and sugar-free, even vegan—makes it an excellent fit for anyone with dietary preferences. The double kneading blades really do a thorough job, and the dual heaters on both the bottom and the lid promote even baking and attractive browning, so you get consistent results slice after slice. The rapid programs are impressively quick, able to turn out a white or whole-wheat loaf in about 2 hours and 25 minutes, and the large LCD with lid-mounted key code keeps selection simple.

On more basic points, its 120V/700W rating and 39-inch cord are standard for a machine of this class, nothing flashy but perfectly functional. All together, the mix of purposeful settings, solid kneading, and even baking is why this model earns a top spot as Best Overall.

If you’re judging the Breville Custom Loaf by programmability, it really stands out. The machine’s nine custom settings let you save and recall your own recipes, and you can slot those into more than 13 automatic programs—so once you’ve dialed in a favorite loaf, it’s a one-touch repeat. The smart LCD guides you through each stage, and switching between manual and automatic modes is intuitive, which makes experimenting with hydration, crust, or timing painless. The automatic fruit and nut dispenser and the collapsible kneading platform are small but thoughtful touches that let complex recipes run without babysitting.

A few features are fairly standard for the class: three crust color options, a 1–2.5 lb capacity, and a one-year warranty. Power-interruption protection is handy but expected at this price. Overall, its programmability is the reason it earns top marks—the Custom Loaf gives you real control and repeatability without being fiddly.

Panasonic’s SD-R2550 stands out for presets that actually think for you. The double temperature sensor isn’t just marketing—by monitoring both room and internal dough temps the machine adjusts rise and rest times automatically, so presets for whole wheat, brioche, gluten-free and even sourdough produce consistent crumb and crust without constant babysitting. The artisan-style kneading blade and strategically ribbed pan work with those programs to give better texture, and the timed raisin/nut dispenser means add-ins are distributed evenly on automated cycles.

With 20 settings including pizza, pasta and cakes, the SD-R2550 gives real variety for preset-driven bakers. The manual time setting is available if you want to tweak things, but it’s a straightforward, no-frills option—useful but not revolutionary. Overall, the machine’s thoughtful sensors, targeted kneading and well-timed dispensers are what earn it a top spot for Best Presets, especially if you prefer reliable results with minimal fiddling.

If you want a bread maker that really benefits from convection baking, the Cuisinart CBK-210 delivers. The powerful convection fan makes a noticeable difference—air circulation gives you a more even crust, better color and a texture that feels closer to something from a bakery. The automatic fruit and nut dispenser is a nice convenience, too; it times additions so fillings are distributed without any guesswork. With 16 menu programs and a custom timing option, you’ve got plenty of presets plus the freedom to tweak and try your own recipes.

Some features are pretty standard: three crust colors and three loaf sizes up to two pounds cover the basics but won’t satisfy someone who needs extra-large loaves. Still, for home bakers after superior crust and consistent results, the CBK-210’s convection performance and flexible programming make it a top pick in its category.

If you want fresh, homemade loaves without spending much, the Elite Gourmet Programmable Bread Maker delivers exactly what matters: consistent results, simple operation, and real savings. The 19 preset programs cover everything from basic white bread to pizza dough, and the three loaf-size options up to two pounds mean you can bake just what your household needs. The 15-hour delay timer and 60-minute keep-warm function add real convenience, so you can set it and come back to warm bread — a small luxury that makes this feel like a smarter buy than most entry-level machines.

Where it shines is value: it effectively frees up the oven and trims kitchen heat and cleanup, and being from a long-standing brand with U.S.-based support is reassuring. It’s not loaded with premium extras — expect straightforward controls rather than touchscreen bells and whistles or advanced dual-kneading features — but for everyday baking on a budget, it’s hard to beat.

What stands out for the Briskind in the Best Ceramic Pan category is its ceramic non-stick bread pan — a healthier alternative to Teflon that helps promote even browning and easy release, so loaves come out clean and slice-ready. The horizontal pan produces a traditional loaf shape, and the built-in smart sensor that monitors internal temperature during fermentation helps deliver consistent crumb and crust. The quiet operation and three crust colors also make for pleasant, predictable results every bake.

On the convenience side, the machine packs a lot: a wide range of preprogrammed menus (including sourdough starter and yogurt), a customizable program, three loaf sizes, and a 15-hour delay timer and keep-warm function. Those are useful but fairly standard for modern machines. Safety-minded touches, like grounding, overload and overheat protection, plus a 2-year warranty, are reassuring. Note it isn’t compatible with 230V regions — something to watch if you’re outside North America. Overall, the ceramic pan and thoughtful controls make this a strong pick for health-conscious home bakers.

If you want big, bakery-style loaves at home, the West Bend Hi-Rise delivers exactly that. The traditionally shaped horizontal pan sizes up to 3 pounds, so you can bake family-sized loaves instead of tiny sandwich breads. The dual knead blades are a standout — they work the dough more thoroughly than single paddles, which helps produce a lighter crumb and noticeably better rise, a real plus for larger bakes.

The machine is also easy to tailor to different recipes: 12 digital settings include everything from basic and wheat to gluten-free, plus three crust-darkness options and a 13-hour delayed start so you can time fresh bread for dinner. It comes with useful extras (recipes, measuring tools, and a blade removal tool), which makes getting started simple. Some of these conveniences — like multiple settings and crust control — are fairly standard in this class, but combined with the true 3-pound capacity and the dual paddles, this model earns its place as a top pick for large loaves.