Top 10 Bread Makers in 2027 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The best bread maker in 2027 is the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus (BB-PDC20) at $340, the only machine here with dual top-and-bottom heating elements for even browning, two kneading paddles, and a true horizontal 2 lb loaf. For shoppers who want a real bakery loaf without the premium sticker, the Best Value pick is the Cuisinart CBK-110 Automatic Bread Maker at $110, a compact vertical machine with 12 programs and reliable full-size loaves.

This list is for home bakers ranging from weekend hobbyists to daily bread eaters, including gluten-free households and anyone who wants set-it-and-forget-it loaves with a delay timer.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted the factors that actually separate a great loaf from a mediocre one, drawing on hands-on testing from Wirecutter, America's Test Kitchen, Serious Eats, Good Housekeeping, and The Spruce Eats, cross-checked against manufacturer spec sheets from Zojirushi, Breville, Cuisinart, and Panasonic.

• Loaf quality & crust — 25%
• Programs & versatility (gluten-free, jam, dough) — 20%
• Loaf size & shape — 15%
• Ease of use & cleanup — 15%
• Build & durability — 15%
• Price-to-performance — 10%

1. Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus (BB-PDC20) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Price: $340 | Best for: Serious home bakers who want bakery-grade loaves

The Virtuoso Plus is the machine reviewers keep crowning, and the reason is the hardware. It is one of the only home bread makers with both a bottom and top heating element, plus a heated lid, so the crust browns evenly across the top instead of staying pale. It bakes a true horizontal 2 lb loaf in a 9x5-inch pan using dual kneading paddles for thorough mixing, and it adds dedicated gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan courses on top of the standard menu.

You get three crust settings, a 13-hour delay timer, and a rapid course that finishes in under 2.5 hours.

Pros:

• Even top-and-bottom browning no single-element machine can match
• Horizontal loaf shape that looks and slices like store bread
• Dual paddles for consistent kneading
• Gluten-free and special-diet courses built in

Cons:

• Premium price near the top of the category
• Large countertop footprint

Verdict: The most consistent, best-looking loaf you can bake at home, and worth the premium for frequent bakers.

2. Breville Custom Loaf (BBM800XL)

Price: $380 | Best for: Bakers who want maximum customization and an auto fruit-and-nut dispenser

The Custom Loaf is the power user's choice, offering the deepest customization menu in the category. It bakes four loaf sizes up to 2.5 lb, includes a collapsible kneading paddle that minimizes the hole left in the bottom of the loaf, and adds an automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser that drops in mix-ins at the right moment.

There are 13 settings including gluten-free, plus custom modes where you can fine-tune knead, rise, and bake times. The single bottom element means browning can be slightly uneven on top compared to the Zojirushi.

Pros:

• Automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser
• Collapsible paddle leaves a smaller hole
• Four loaf sizes plus deep custom programming

Cons:

• Bottom-only heating can brown unevenly
• Expensive and bulky

Verdict: The most customizable machine here, ideal for bakers who tinker with every variable.

3. Panasonic SD-YR2550

Price: $300 | Best for: Versatility seekers who want dual sensors and gluten-free modes

The SD-YR2550 packs 31 programs and four dedicated gluten-free modes, making it one of the most flexible machines on the market. Dual temperature sensors adjust the bake to ambient room conditions, which helps it turn out consistent loaves in both a cold and a warm kitchen.

It includes an automatic yeast, raisin, and nut dispenser, a 13-hour digital timer, and a horizontal pan. Reviewers praised the rapid loaf that finishes in about two hours versus roughly five for the classic course.

Pros:

• 31 programs with four gluten-free modes
• Dual temperature sensors for consistency
• Automatic dispensers for yeast and mix-ins

Cons:

• Bulky on the counter
• Interface has a learning curve

Verdict: A do-everything machine that adapts to your kitchen and your diet.

4. Cuisinart CBK-110 Automatic Bread Maker 💎 BEST VALUE

Price: $110 | Best for: First-time buyers who want a trusted brand on a budget

The CBK-110 is our Best Value pick because it delivers reliable, full-size loaves from a name you can trust at roughly a third of the premium machines' price. It uses a space-saving vertical design that bakes up to a 2 lb loaf, runs 12 preprogrammed menus including gluten-free and dough, and offers three crust shades plus a 13-hour delay timer.

The vertical pan means a taller, more square loaf rather than the horizontal sandwich shape, but the crumb is even and fluffy.

Pros:

• Trusted brand at a budget price
• Space-saving vertical footprint
• 12 programs including gluten-free and dough
• 13-hour delay timer

Cons:

• Vertical loaf shape is less sandwich-friendly
• Single paddle leaves a larger hole

Verdict: The smartest money in the category, and the machine most people should buy first.

5. Cuisinart CBK-210 Convection Bread Maker

Price: $180 | Best for: Bakers who want a crisper crust without going premium

The CBK-210 steps up from the CBK-110 with a convection fan that circulates hot air for a crisper, more even crust. It bakes loaves up to 2 lb, offers 16 programs, and includes a low-carb and gluten-free setting. The convection action helps it brown more evenly than most single-element machines, narrowing the gap to the dual-element Zojirushi for far less money.

It keeps the same useful 13-hour delay and three crust shades.

Pros:

• Convection fan for crisper, more even crust
• 16 programs including low-carb
• Mid-range price with premium-leaning results

Cons:

• Still a vertical loaf shape
• Slightly louder during knead

Verdict: A crust upgrade for bakers who want better browning without the top-tier spend.

6. KBS Pro 19-in-1 Bread Machine

Price: $140 | Best for: Gluten-free bakers on a budget

The KBS Pro earns its spot on strong gluten-free performance for the price. It runs 19 programs, including a dedicated gluten-free cycle, jam, yogurt, and dough, and bakes in a nonstick ceramic pan that releases cleanly and resists scratching. It handles loaves up to 2 lb, offers three crust shades, and includes an automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser plus a 15-hour delay timer.

The ceramic pan and broad menu make it a standout under $150.

Pros:

• Strong gluten-free results for the price
• Ceramic nonstick pan that cleans easily
• 19 programs plus auto dispenser

Cons:

• Build feels less premium than Zojirushi or Breville
• Instructions are sparse

Verdict: The best gluten-free loaf you can get for around $140.

7. Neretva 20-in-1 Dual-Heater Bread Maker

Price: $120 | Best for: Feature hunters who want dual heaters cheaply

The Neretva 20-in-1 is the rare budget machine with dual heating elements for 360-degree heat, a feature usually reserved for premium models. It offers 20 programs spanning gluten-free, sourdough, jam, yogurt, and even meat floss, bakes in a nonstick ceramic pan, and includes a 15-hour delay with a 1-hour keep-warm.

Loaves run up to 2 lb in a vertical pan, and the touch panel is simple to navigate. It is the most feature-dense machine under $130.

Pros:

• Dual heaters at a budget price
• 20 programs including sourdough and yogurt
• Ceramic pan with easy cleanup

Cons:

• Long-term durability is less proven
• Vertical loaf shape

Verdict: An impressive amount of hardware for the money, if you can accept an unproven brand.

8. Hamilton Beach Premium Bread Maker (29890)

Price: $90 | Best for: Budget gluten-free baking with mix-ins

The Hamilton Beach 29890 is a strong sub-$100 option, recommended by reviewers as a budget gluten-free pick. It includes a dedicated gluten-free program, an automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser, and 14 settings covering dough, jam, and standard loaves up to 2 lb. The vertical pan and single element keep costs down, but the menu breadth and dispenser punch above the price.

A 13-hour delay timer rounds it out.

Pros:

• Auto fruit-and-nut dispenser under $100
• Dedicated gluten-free program
• 14 settings with delay timer

Cons:

• Crust browning is uneven
• Plastic build feels light

Verdict: A lot of features for under $100, especially for gluten-free mix-in loaves.

9. Hamilton Beach 2 lb Digital Bread Maker (29882)

Price: $80 | Best for: Absolute beginners on the tightest budget

The 29882 is the most forgiving entry point in the category and the cheapest machine worth owning. It keeps things simple with 12 preprogrammed settings, three crust shades, and loaves of 1.5 or 2 lb in a vertical pan. There is a 13-hour delay timer and an express bake cycle, but no gluten-free-specific tuning beyond the standard menu.

For someone testing whether bread baking is for them, it is hard to spend less and still get consistent results.

Pros:

• Lowest price of any recommended machine
• Simple 12-setting interface
• Express bake and delay timer

Cons:

• No specialized gluten-free cycle
• Basic build and small viewing window

Verdict: The best way to try bread baking without committing real money.

10. Oster Expressbake Bread Maker

Price: $70 | Best for: Fast loaves and bargain hunters

The Oster Expressbake rounds out the list as a no-frills bargain with a genuinely useful express cycle that bakes a loaf in about an hour. It offers 12 programs, a gluten-free setting, three crust shades, and loaves up to 2 lb in a vertical pan, plus a 13-hour delay timer.

The crumb is denser than the premium machines and the crust browns unevenly, but at this price the speed and gluten-free option make it a reasonable starter.

Pros:

• One-hour express loaf
• Gluten-free setting at a rock-bottom price
• 12 programs with delay timer

Cons:

• Denser crumb and uneven crust
• Cheapest-feeling build here

Verdict: A fast, cheap loaf for bakers who value speed over refinement.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying a Bread Maker

• Loaf size and pan shape — A horizontal pan (Zojirushi, Panasonic) makes sandwich-shaped loaves; vertical pans make taller, more square loaves. Most home bakers want a 1.5 to 2 lb capacity.
• Dual paddles — Two kneading paddles mix dough more thoroughly and produce a more even crumb than a single paddle.
• Program variety — Look for gluten-free, dough-only, jam, and rapid cycles if you want flexibility beyond basic white bread.
• Gluten-free cycle — A dedicated gluten-free program adjusts knead and rise times; it genuinely matters if you bake gluten-free.
• Crust control — Three crust shades (light, medium, dark) are standard and useful.
• Delay timer — A 12 to 15-hour delay lets you wake up to fresh bread.
• Build quality — Ceramic nonstick pans resist scratches; heavier machines vibrate less during kneading.

What matters less than marketing implies: the raw program count. A machine with 20 settings is not automatically better than one with 12, because many extra modes (meat floss, yogurt) go unused. Focus on even heating and loaf shape over a long feature list.

FAQ

Is a dual-heating-element bread maker really worth it? Yes, if even crust browning matters to you. Single-element machines heat only from the bottom, so the top of the loaf often stays pale. The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus and Neretva use top-and-bottom elements for noticeably more even browning.

What is the difference between a horizontal and vertical loaf? Horizontal pans produce a wide, sandwich-shaped loaf like store bread, while vertical pans make a taller, more square loaf. Horizontal machines are usually larger and pricier; vertical machines save counter space.

Can bread machines really make good gluten-free bread? Yes, with a dedicated gluten-free cycle that shortens kneading and adjusts the rise. The Panasonic SD-YR2550, KBS Pro, and Hamilton Beach 29890 all bake reliable gluten-free loaves.

Why is there a hole in the bottom of my loaf? The kneading paddle leaves a hole when you remove the loaf. The Breville Custom Loaf uses a collapsible paddle to minimize this; on other machines you simply pull the paddle out before slicing.

How long does a bread machine take to bake a loaf? A standard cycle runs about three to five hours including rise time. Rapid or express cycles cut that to roughly one to two and a half hours, though the crumb is slightly denser.

Do I still need to measure ingredients carefully? Yes. Bread machines automate kneading and baking, but accurate measuring of flour, water, yeast, and salt is still the biggest factor in a good loaf.

Bottom Line

For the best loaf you can bake at home, the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus at $340 is the Best Overall pick thanks to dual heating elements, dual paddles, and a true horizontal loaf. If you want a trusted machine that bakes reliable full-size loaves without the premium price, the Cuisinart CBK-110 at $110 is the Best Value winner and the right starting point for most people.

Use the decision tree above to route yourself to the pick that matches your budget, loaf-shape preference, and gluten-free needs.

Sources

• Wirecutter — The Best Bread Machine
• America's Test Kitchen — Bread Machines
• Serious Eats — The Best Bread Machines
• Good Housekeeping — Best Bread Makers
• The Spruce Eats — The Best Bread Machines
• Tom's Guide — Best Bread Machines
• TechGearLab — The Best Bread Machine, Lab Tested & Ranked
• Zojirushi — Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20 spec sheet
• Breville — Custom Loaf BBM800 spec sheet
• Panasonic — SD-YR2550 spec sheet

*Bread maker review — bread machine reviews, rating, best bread maker 2027, and a review of the top picks for home bakers.*