While those featured in this list have been around for a while, they stood out as firm favourites in our rigorous tests – which means you can rest assured they’re still the best available to buy right now. Read on to discover which breadmakers our expert reviewers awarded top marks.
Best breadmakers at a glance
- Best breadmaker: Panasonic SD-B2510, £119
- Best breadmaker for more than loaves: Tefal Pain and Delices, £115
- Best breadmaker for gluten-free bread: Panasonic SD-YR2550, £169
- Best breadmaker for spelt bread: Panasonic SD-YR2540, £240
- Best breadmaker for rustic loaves: Panasonic SD-R2530, £149.99
- Best breadmaker for fast bakes: Russell Hobbs 23620 Compact Fast, £84
- Best breadmaker for large loaves: Lakeland touchscreen breadmaker, £119.99
- Best small breadmaker: Morphy Richards Fastbake breadmaker, £99.99
- Best value breadmaker: ProCook 2lb breadmaker, £69
- Best-looking breadmaker: Sage the Custom Loaf breadmaker, £249.95
Jump to section:
More like this
Best breadmakers to buy in 2024
Panasonic SD-B2510
Best breadmaker
Pros:
- Landscape design
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- Large variety of presets
- Customisable settings
Cons:
- No viewing window
- No automatic dispenser
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 550W
The SD-B2510 is one of Panasonic’s more affordable breadmakers. Although it doesn’t come with an ingredient dispenser or the wealth of settings of its more expensive counterparts, this model produced one of the best loaves of all of the breadmakers we’ve tested; well-risen, evenly browned and an open and airy texture.
It’s equipped with 21 settings including a range of breads, as well as cakes, jams and gluten-free bakes.
This model is landscape in orientation, which offered a good deal of space in front of the machine for prep.
Like all of the Panasonic breadmakers we’ve tested, this one does take a long time to bake. It took four hours to bake a simple loaf. But, if you’re happy to wait for fantastic results, this model is a must-have.
Read our full Panasonic SD-B2510 review.
Tefal Pain and Delices
Best breadmaker for more than loaves
Pros:
- Quiet
- Very versatile: can make yogurt
- Good selection of gluten-free recipes
Cons:
- Browns a little unevenly
- No viewing window
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 700W
Tefal are well known for their impressive pans and air-fryers and this breadmaker is no exception. If you’re in the market for a versatile breadmaker, this model is a fabulous choice. Not only does it make a wide selection of classic loaves but it can also be used to make pizza and pasta doughs, as well as a range of dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese, using the dedicated pot provided.
There’s no viewing window, which was a disappointing omission, but the loaf of bread produced was very good. It was well-risen, with an open and airy texture. The sides and top of the bread were exactly the same colour and both were within the range of the rich, nutty brown we were looking for.
Read our full Tefal Pain and Delices breadmaker review.
Panasonic SD-YR2550
Best breadmaker for gluten-free bread
Pros:
- Lots of settings
- Settings for gluten-free bread and bread mixes
- Intuitive to use
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Yeast dispenser
- Delay timer
Cons:
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 550W
If you’re taken by the Panasonic breadmaker at the top of the list, but are after a couple more settings (and are willing to spend a bit more), the SD-YR2550 comes with 31 settings in total, four of which are gluten free. There are settings for a wide range of breads, including six dough settings (including one for a sourdough starter), four sweet settings and three manual settings, allowing you to really make the most of your new breadmaker.
It’s very intuitive to use, so ideal for first-time users and Panasonic loyalists alike. It doesn’t come with a viewing window, but does come with an ingredient and yeast dispenser, which is very useful. The loaf produced was nicely brown and well-risen.
Read our full Panasonic SD-YR2550 review.
Panasonic SD-YR2540
Best breadmaker for spelt bread
Pros:
- Automatic dispensers
- Large range of settings
- Lots of accessories included
- Clear and informative manual
- Setting for bread mixes
Cons:
- Expensive
- No viewing window
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 550W
We tested the SD-YR2540 and the SD-YR2550 (above) side by side and found very little difference between the two models. They’re not quite the same shape, but performance-wise, they produced identical, high-quality loaves.
Unlike the SD-YR2550, the SDYR540 comes with 32 presets, the addition being for spelt bread. Whilst there’s a decent jump in price between the two Panasonic models, if you’re a fan of Panasonic’s design and you’re after a model that can make spelt bread, then it’s worth the investment.
Read our full Panasonic SD-YR2540 review.
Panasonic SD-R2530
Best breadmaker for rustic loaves
Pros:
- 30 programmes
- Good range of gluten free settings
- Fruit and nut dispenser
Cons:
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 550W
This Panasonic breadmaker comes equipped with 30 settings as well as a fruit and nut dispenser. It doesn’t come with a yeast dispenser like some of the more expensive Panasonic models on this list, cementing this model firmly as one of their mid-tier breadmakers.
After baking, our test bread had a distinct rustic look to it that we could have easily have passed off as being handmade. The crust was crisp, and whilst we’d have liked to have seen a little more even colour all over, inside, the loaf was light and fluffy.
Read our full Panasonic SD-R2530 review.
Russell Hobbs 23620 Fast Bake breadmaker
Best breadmaker for fast bakes
Pros:
- Quality for a budget price
- Good fast-bake functions
Cons:
- No nut and seed dispenser
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 660W
The Russell Hobbs breadmaker may have been the smallest machine we tested, but its size did not impede any of its many features – it can even make an impressive large 1kg family-sized loaf.
With its soft curved lines and shiny black casing, it’s a machine you’d happily leave out on the worktop when not in use.
There are 12 pre-programmed recipes, and most come in three sizes with three crust colours, plus two fast bakes which will have a loaf of bread out of the pan and cooling in under an hour.
Read our full Russell Hobbs 23620 Fast Bake Breadmaker review.
Lakeland touchscreen breadmaker
Best breadmaker for large loaves
Pros:
- The control panel locks
- Can make very large loaves
- Display controls are large and there’s a clear, useful viewing window
Cons:
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 850W
Featuring the largest control panel of all the models on this list, this breadmaker is ideal for those who struggle with their eyesight or are simply not fans of pokey screens. The touchscreen is very responsive and even locks when the machine has been set, to avoid any knocks or curious fingers fiddling with the controls.
The breads produced by this breadmaker are large, in fact they’re the largest loaves of all the breadmakers we’ve tested, so if you get through a lot of bread or have lots of mouths to feed, this model is a great choice. The bread itself was well risen, if a little paler than we’d have liked on top. Inside, it was soft, with an open texture.
Read our full Lakeland Touchscreen Breadmaker review.
Morphy Richards 48281 Fastbake breadmaker
Best small breadmaker
Pros:
- Small footprint
- Easy to use
- Two fast settings
- Compact lid opening
Cons:
- Browns a little unevenly
- Paddle baked into bread
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 600W
Where most breadmakers take up a fair chunk of the countertop, this Morphy Richards model is a great option if you’re after something a bit more compact. It has 12 settings, including functions for jam and cake. If you need bread in a hurry, there are also two fast-bake settings for small and larger loaves, which each take just 58 minutes.
The controls are positioned on the front of the breadmaker, and we found them very responsive and easy to navigate. There’s a viewing window, too, so you can easily check on the progress of the bread without opening the lid. After baking, we found the paddle came out with the bread and got stuck, and as no removal tool was provided, we had to tear the base to get it out. On the upside, our loaves had an open, pillowy texture, and the crust was nicely browned on the sides.
Read our full review of the Morphy Richards 48281 Fastbake breadmaker.
ProCook 2lb breadmaker
Pros:
- Great for beginners
- Lightweight
- Three loaf colour options
- Well-written instruction manual
- Gluten-free setting
Cons:
- Loaves are quite pale, even on ‘dark’ setting
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 550W
This tall, modern-looking breadmaker is more lightweight than it looks, and has soft curved edges that help to reduce its overall footprint – useful if space is an issue in your kitchen.
It has a clear viewing window and 12 presets, which include basic, French bread, whole wheat, quick, sweet, dough, gluten-free, cake, sandwich, buttermilk, kneading, and bake. The timer is very loud, so you certainly shouldn’t miss it going off, and there’s a keep-warm setting that runs for up to an hour after baking.
In test we tried both the ‘medium’ and ‘dark’ colour settings, both of which produced paler results than we’d expected – the ‘dark’ was our preference of the two, as it had a slightly crisper crust. Both loaves were also a little misshapen at the top, but had a good rise and a soft, open texture overall.
Sage the Custom Loaf breadmaker
Best-looking breadmaker
Pros:
Cons:
- No recipe book included
- Noisy
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 830W
This large breadmaker from Sage impressed us with its high-quality stainless steel casing and range of presets. There are four loaf sizes to choose from, plus a range of pre-programmed recipes and a unique custom function for those who want to experiment. Other features include a handy light, which allows you to check on the bread as it bakes, plus a collapsible paddle for kneading.
We were pleased with how quickly and easily we could use this model, and though it was loud during use and our loaves were a little misshapen, both the taste and texture were good.
Read our full review of Sage the Custom Loaf breadmaker.
How to choose the best breadmaker
There is so much to love about the manual bread-making process. It can be a therapeutic cookery experience for many, and it’s a great way to experiment and control what goes into your bread, especially if you have concerns about additives.
But what if you love fresh bread but a busy schedule leaves little time for the many steps of mixing, kneading, shaping, proving and baking your own? In that case, a breadmaker is for you. Plus, if you buy a machine with a timer, the bread can be ready and waiting for you in the morning.
Breadmakers with custom or knead-only functions mean that if you’ve already got a bank of much-loved recipes or you like the sound of some of our loaves, such as focaccia, fig & serrano ham picnic bread, or cheese & pesto swirls, these can all still be made in a breadmaker.
What to look for when choosing a breadmaker
- A timer function: this lets you wake up or come home to a freshly baked loaf.
- Memory recall: useful if in mid-cycle there is a power loss or the machine is accidentally switched off, as it will pick up on where it left off – within a reasonable time frame.
- Loaf size and crust colour: adds versatility and variety to your baking.
- Gluten-free programmes: for those with dietary restrictions.
- Dough only: these expand the repertoire of the machine with homemade pasta, pizza doughs, French sticks, or to bake your loaf in a conventional oven for more of a home-baked look.
- Non-bread functions: yogurt, sourdough starters and jam functions add even more usefulness.
- Extra features: viewing windows, separate yeast or nut and seed dispensers are handy but not essential.
Are breadmakers worth it?
The aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through your home may be enough to sway you to invest a breadmaker. However, if you’re unsure whether they’re worth the cost or countertop space, here are a few pointers to help you decide.
- Convenience: Having fresh bread at your fingertips without the faff of manual kneading and proving is a huge perk. Many models also come with clever settings like automatic dispensers, which add nuts, seeds or fruit to loaves during the baking process – without you needing to lift a finger.
- Cost upfront: The price of breadmakers can vary quite widely – from a compact model with a limited number of programmes to a multi-functional family-sized machine, you can expect to pay from £60 up to £250. Bear in mind, however, that our testing proved you don’t need to spend all your dough to get a good loaf and more functions don’t necessarily equate to a better machine.
- Cost over time: While there’s an upfront cost to think about, over time you could save money with a breadmaker (versus buying bread from a shop or supermarket) if you use your appliance frequently enough.
- Control over ingredients: If you have dietary requirements or preferences to consider, baking bread from home will give you a clearer idea of which ingredients have been used in your loaves.
- Time saved: Baking bread can be an enjoyable experience, but if you can’t spare the hours to manually knead, prove and mix your dough each time, a breadmaker can significantly speed up the process.
Tips for using a breadmaker
If you have never used a breadmaker before, or are used to older models, here are a few tips for that perfect loaf.
- Breadmaking is an exact science, so measure carefully and closely follow the instructions for the machine, adding the ingredients to the pan in the correct order. Each model of breadmaker is carefully calibrated electronically, so too much or little of any ingredient, or adding them in the wrong order, will throw off the recipe.
- Use the flour as stated in the recipe; strong bread flour cannot be substituted with plain.
- Keep yeast and salt separate. The recipe should always indicate the order of ingredients, the salt will be earlier on, and yeast usually at the end (or from its own dispenser). Never add the two together as the salt will kill the yeast and the bread will not rise.
- Always put the finished loaf onto a rack to cool down to stop the loaf going soggy.
- Machine-made bread does not have any of the additives, stabilisers or improvers used in commercial production so does not keep as long as shop-bought. To keep the bread fresh, pop it into a large plastic bag and squeeze out the air, fasten tightly and it will keep for a few days, after which it is great for toast. It also freezes well once cooled completely.
Why are there so many Panasonic models on this list?
Panasonic offers a streamlined collection of kitchen appliances: microwaves, juicers and breadmakers. But their specialty is in the latter. The brand continuously advances their breadmaker technologies and they tend to bring out at least one new model annually.
Panasonic breadmakers come with a large number of settings – anywhere between 20-40 – and often come with useful additions such as yeast and ingredient dispensers. On the flip side, Panasonic breadmakers consistently take the longest to bake a loaf.
What else can you make in a breadmaker?
Breadmakers are versatile in the loaf sizes and crust colours they offer, but many come with settings that extend beyond the realm of simple bread recipes. Here are a few other ways to make the most of your gadget:
How we test breadmakers
On almost all of the breadmakers we tested, a simple white loaf was first on the list of presets, so any breadmaker worth its salt should be able to make one. We used Good Food’s easy white bread recipe to put each model to the test.
We reviewed a representative sample of bread machines and scored them against the following criteria.
Quality of loaf: we wanted an even rise, open and airy texture, evenly browned appearance and, to state the obvious, a delicious taste.
Ease of use: we preferred machines that had easy-to-use functionality and display. A viewing window was a bonus.
Versatility: a good range of bread types was essential and other baking options, like different-sized loaves and browning levels, were a plus.
Easy-to-follow instructions: there’s not much to using a breadmaker, but if you get it wrong, the machine can quickly be left to gather dust. Simple, clear guidelines were important.
Broad recipe selection: we marked up machines with a good range of recipes. You may want to get creative after a while, but a good starting selection was essential. We also looked for manuals that told you the order to add ingredients in – this is essential info if you’ve never turned your hand to breadmaking before.
Are breadmakers energy efficient?
Breadmakers vary in their energy efficiency, but it is possible to calculate how much energy an appliance will use, which in turn will help you cost up the impact it’ll have on your bills. Here’s how:
Take the appliance’s wattage and multiply it by the gadget’s hours of use per day, then divide the total by 1000. The result will be the appliance’s daily kilowatt-hour (kWh).
The cost per kilowatt-hour will vary depending on your energy tariff and area. If you have a smart meter installed at home, you’ll be able to see the cost per use during cooking without having to calculate it.
Breadmaker recipes
Each individual machine will come with its own instruction manual and recommended recipes, but our easy white loaf recipe can be made in a breadmaker.
More kitchen appliance reviews
Best bread knives
Best hand blenders
Best kettles
Best pestle and mortars
Best toasters
Best slow cookers
Best mixing bowls
Best bread bins
Best flour sifters
Best cooling racks
Best popcorn makers
Best multi-cookers
Best dishwashers 2024
Bread recipes and tips
Our best-ever bread recipes
Video: how to make bread
Wholemeal bread recipes
Ciabatta bread recipes
All you need to know about bread
Six steps to brilliant bread
21 of the best breadmaking equipment, tools and kit
Top 10 flavoured bread recipes
Five quick bread recipes
10 ways to use left over bread
This guide was last updated in September 2024. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.