The Best Bread Makers 2020 | Review & Guide
Make your own bread is an activity that was again on the rise. But it’s not always easy when you do it just right. Assays, kneading, cooking … All used all miss, and have lost a lot of time. The best bread machines allow you to keep only the most enjoyable aspect: freedom, creativity, and good bread on arrival.
So how to make sure the bread machine that you will choose will be most effective to not waste time, do not take the lead – and above all, a satisfactory result? We explain you everything and more in the buying guide.
The best bread makers in 2020
1. Panasonic Croustina – The best bread machine all categories
bread machine manufacturers usually a highlight advantage. You put the ingredients in the tray, you start the machine, and you let it do its job. Sure it’s convenient, but you can sometimes feel not to have especially contributed to the ultimate success – the only alternative is to spend 2 hours in the kitchen for a single loaf of bread. Panasonic Croustina is an excellent compromise, since it allows great freedom of use, but also perfectly calibrated programs, so you have a choice, depending on your mood, to be totally in control … or let the machine do from A to Z.
You’ll understand the Panasonic Croustina took the challenge to innovate in a market which seemed to have come to its peak. And the first difference that note is its design. Everything is designed to offer a thick and crispy crust – where many models generally provide a closer result than the bread. Artisanal inspiration process is therefore reflected in some choices that may seem surprising. For example, heat reflection properties of the hood, which mimics the effect of a baker’s oven … at the cost of the cooking control window.
The other difference is in some material of choice. The blades, as the vessel, have a ceramic coating: the thermal characteristics are excellent. But it is also a significant advantage in terms of sustainability. Innovation that was adored? The blade retracts after the kneading.
On most bread machines, the blades remain frozen in the dough during baking. After unmolded bread, we end up having to remove the blade from the bread: it leaves a rather unsightly hole. With this enhancement, the Croustina provides regular bread and beautiful from all angles. And when we slice the bread is not damaged!
These are the points that justify the relatively high price. Especially when compared bread machines only in terms of functionality – one could get the impression that the Croustina is a little late. It indeed offers or ingredients tanks or control window, and displays only 18 programs. But if it’s build quality and cooking that interests you, you’ll understand that it has no competition in this area.
This excellence has a price however, and it is not just literal. It is rather larger than its competitors, and will take more space on the worktop. This is because it took a bet very similar to an oven design. The tank round into a rectangular baking tray: inevitably, at first, it’s wasted space. But it is this design that allows a result as crisp and close to that of a baker oven. As you do the math, so.
In terms of programs, its great strength is that it is very easy to configure. If you want to venture beyond the recipes pre-defined or that we want to change a bit, the controls are very intuitive and cover almost all the elements, the kneading time to the intensity of the cooking.
This bread machine works equally well for gluten-free recipes brioches, cakes, pasta sanded or pizza dough.
For purists, the bread machine Croustina a few shortcomings: the distributor of ingredients, for example. But if you are looking for above all the most basic functions, reliability and excellent cooking, Croustina has not – yet – equivalent competitors.
2. Princess 152,007 – the cheap bread machine and compact
Princess is a European brand of electrical input range. Far from competing with giants such as Philips, Moulinex and Russell Hobbs, the Princess bread machines have an advantage: a small price, and all the essentials. Without too much compromise on the result.
The Princess is one of the bread machines more compact in this roundup. We can compare its performance with a Moulinex by reducing most of its half of characteristics – the price too!
And for less than € 50, depending on your needs, this is not necessarily a problem. With its small power consumption – less than 600W – and its small size on the work plan, it can even be an advantage for couples and small families. Some larger models do not always modulate the quantities. Or say you can make a 500g bread – but the calibration of the cooking will not be as convenient as using the maximum size.
The Princess is a bread machine that can knead and bake loaves of 750g, which corresponds to the average size of a baked bread. To give you an idea, it’s the equivalent of 3 French baguettes. And it’s not bad.
For that price, especially Princess has sacrificed options. And that is why we have chosen: bread machines that claim to offer as many features as a top model for 4 to 6 times cheaper, it is suspicious. But a brand that focuses on the essential is an asset.
The build quality in particular is amazing for the price. The body is stainless steel – where most would offer plastic – and the whole is rather elegant. The advantage of bread as compact machine for light weight, it is the certainty that the pieces are united and that there is no risk of progressive dislocation during kneading. And it weighs only 3 kg indeed! Practice for storage after use, if you want to save space on your countertop.
There is also a window to monitor cooking, and ensure that the three levels of browning selected is the one that suits us.
In terms of revenue, the Princess bread machine boasts to offer 19 programs. In fact, one suspects well, some of these are redundant. What can be noted is that the strength of kneading is sufficient for denser pasta, including some gluten free, and that the cooking consistency is satisfactory for more complicated recipes – such as breads to cereals, which can become bitter if external seeds burn too.
For that price, we are not convinced that it is correct for compotes and jams. Manufacturers always the highlight – in fact, it is better to bet on a much more expensive model to be sure to benefit from the good cooking consistently … and ease of cleaning.
Overall, it is very easy to use. We sail in the different programs, as for a conventional oven, with the ability to program the cooking up to 15 hours in advance. Ideal to get his hot bread in the morning! Warning to a point though: the trouble is quite noisy. If your kitchen is adjacent to a bedroom, we prefer starting the program early enough to sleep while cooking – silent, it.
The Princess is a bread machine quite satisfactory for the price. If you had no ambition to explore many recipes outlandish – yoghurts, jams … – nor the need to make breads 1.5kg, it should be OK. It is also a much safer investment if you are not entirely convinced by the concept of making bread, but you want to try!
3. Tristar BM-45 – The best bread machine input range
Tristar is a leading home appliances at low prices. Among their leading products include especially compact ovens that are the rage for students studios and small apartments. What put us on the trail to find the best machine for bread baking is one of the most delicate items. And we found: WB-45 is by far the best bread machine to less than 77 €, despite some limitations.
As the Princess, the Tristar was able to make his savings intelligently to offer a bread machine 3 times cheaper than the market average. We regret perhaps construction, very plastic and white; but the design is generally effective. For display, one is satisfied with an LCD screen that shows the schedule information, the amount of bread, keeping warm commands and options. Navigation is intuitive, since these commands are actually very similar to those of a conventional oven.
Only missed design, compactness. We noted that there was a significant day between the tank and the cooking board, where most models do not leave exceed one centimeter. And because among all the appliances which we want to equip his kitchen, places are expensive on the worktop. It is a pity that this will be a bit difficult to clean when fouling. For this reason we advise against, contrary to Tristar highlights, to use the bread machine to make jams or compotes.
For bread however, is royal. With a scalable capacity of up to 1kg, and good baking results at all levels – 500 to 750g – the Tristar is a bread machine that should suit all needs.
Parts for the blades are easy to find and cheap – this is a good point of sustainability, but also an opportunity to discover other trouble accessories for variety.
The trouble is also powerful enough for the most dense pasta. And it can even be a problem given the small weight of the device – less than 4kg – it may tend to slightly move the machine. Be careful not to put the edge of the work surface!
Its weight is a major asset in hand, for storage and move in one motion. This bread machine is equally effective for the buns for gluten-free bread: you know, a successful cake, that’s all in the wrist, and it’s not always easy to hand.
The Tristar is another good entry option. For a price slightly higher than the Princess, this bread machine offers more flexibility and good versatility. If we noted some small design flaws, it is quite satisfactory for the most basic tasks: make good bread without effort.
4. Rommelsbacher – The best bread machine for the gluten-free bread
Rommelsbacher is a trademark of German appliances which specialized in – very – good bread machines. And take a look at the other side of the Rhine, in this area, is a very good idea. Indeed, the Germans do not have the same tradition as the French in terms of bakery, and they used to make their bread themselves. It is a generally thicker dough for baking harder than French bread. Their bread makers therefore have generally benefits of power and cooking consistency – and that’s not counting the quality of German construction course.
In terms of design, Rommelsbacher presents only advantages. Higher than wide to occupy less space on the worktop, with good volume optimization and a chrome finish mat and elegant. It’s flawless. On the top, there is a LCD and different programming buttons. Overall, the grip is childish if we already know to use a traditional oven.
But in addition to the glass, which monitors the cooking, we find something new that is rarely crossed in the entry level: a tank ingredients. It is a small box located above the tank that allows disseminating certain ingredients during kneading. And once you have tried hard to pass. If you want to make a brioche eg chocolate chips, with the chips directly into the mix, you take the risk of ending with a big packet of chocolate in the heart – it is because of the limited movement of trouble compared to the manual work. A distributor of ingredients helps to distribute this type of ingredients: cereals, nuts, chips, dried fruit, candied fruit …
The tank has a capacity of about 1.8L. Considering the rising of the dough, we can estimate that this bread machine suit for 700 loaves 900g: it is quite reasonable. Even the French, who are among the world’s largest consumer of bread with their 120g per day: for a couple, two loaves per week should be ample.
The Rommelsbacher offers 13 programs. It may seem little, but this time we do not see any particular redundancy, are 13 different settings. They help make the standard bread, crust pastry, cakes … but also gluten-free bread, more difficult to knead, and even bread. Besides programs for jam, for highly effective blow. Each program is then customized to adjust according to your tastes and expectations – pizza dough, light bread …
You can program these recipes until 13h in advance. The great strength of Rommelsbacher system is called the “program memory”. You can stop the bread machine for an hour, then ask him to pick up where it left off. Ideal for not losing time to reconfigure the cooking taking into account the tasks already performed by the machine.
The build quality is another benefit. The parts are integral and strong: and this is not a solid argument. It also allows it to be very quiet during the kneading. Note however, the stainless steel finish transfers some of the heat during cooking and can reach up to 50 degrees. It is not enough to cause burns, but it is better not to put objects on it.
Easy to use, for flawless results and great freedom of use: the Rommelsbacher presents all the most important benefits to make a good bread machine.
5. Moulinex OW2501 – The best bread machine midrange
No introduction Moulinex of French cooking easy partner for almost a century. If the brand has had its ups and downs in terms of build quality, their range of bread maker the latest among the best. The OW2501 is no exception, and for a very comfortable price.
A major advantage of the bread maker Moulinex, is the great freedom of use it offers. And this is mainly due to its clear and minimalist interface. It is programmable, with the ability to provide a delayed start up to 13h. However, it should take into account that some types of preparations must be removed from the mold immediately, to avoid unpleasant surprises. For example, the buns can hang in the tank and end up tearing.
It is perhaps for failing to clarify that the Moulinex recipes are also confusing. In the case of the bun, for example, the brand recommends a dose of butter quite unusual … We prefer to use their favorite recipes that work well with the device.
For his trouble with 720W, it will overcome all the pasta, even the most difficult. And that’s a very good point for gluten-free pasta, for example, tend to be thicker or dry before cooking.
This bread maker Moulinex allows to make bread from 500g to 1kg, with a consistency and exceptional cooking quality for all formats. It is quite rare: it is common that even a bread machine is poorly calibrated for a smaller bread, among others. In this case, we have not seen any problem of this type.
What we enjoyed in the Moulinex is its versatility. Because it is a fairly qualitative model to really consider using it to make jams or sauces … and even yogurt. Thanks to the capacity of its tank, it can be up to 1 liter of fresh yogurt! The possibilities are limitless.
Clearly, the Moulinex is a bread machine may seem relatively basic in functionality. But in reality, the consistency and quality of its mess and cooking allow to do almost any preparation effortlessly, with a very satisfactory result.
6. Morphy Richards Homebake – A mid breadmaker simple and reliable range
Morphy Richards is perhaps not the best known brand in France in terms of appliances. But in the UK, it enjoys an excellent reputation. Similar to Moulinex – plus pretty much say – the British manufacturer has particularly specialized in bread machines. The Homebake presents the best value for money of their range, and you’ll quickly see why.
The Morphy Richards is very elegant, and it is one of the brand design signatures. This bread maker has a beautiful stainless steel finish, but especially effective rectangular shape in terms of space. With a size of 27cm of 37, it takes reasonably little space on the worktop. Beware though, as all stainless steel finishes, the bread maker will tend to heat during the cooking phase.
Unlike many of their competitors, the brand has chosen to touch buttons rather than mechanical – it’s more hygienic. However we sometimes have to support one or two additional times for the application to be detected if you have wet hands: in the kitchen, this is common. Pity.
This bread machine allows for breads of 600 or 900 grams, enough to last a week a couple, and a few days with family. Like many models, it allows to set the cooking level of the crust – and tastes in this area, do not argue.
The manual guides the use of the machine not bread not. And unlike most household manuals, it will tend to keep it on hand with his cookbooks. As he details such as enjoying the many programs and what adjustments you can make.
Of the 14 available programs include, in particular gluten-free bread, breads Madeira, bread crumbs home, wholemeal bread … Practical options, but especially relevant, results that are at the rendezvous. The quality of cooking is constant from one program to another. And that’s a big advantage: programs are properly calibrated save time and avoid long fumbling to find the ideal setting for a recipe to another. There are also 25 special recipes in the manual that accomplish preparations from A to Z.
In general, the performance of this bread machine are therefore excellent for a midrange model. If you are looking for a versatile model, efficient, and you bring attention to the design, it is a safe choice.
7. Riviera Bar and MP 570 – The best bread high-end machine
Bar Riviera and is probably the most recognized French brand in the high-end appliances. Their products, versatile and excellent tailoring, can even enter the semi-pro category and it is not rare to find in small restaurants, for example. Breadmaker Riviera and Bar is exactly this: most expensive, but also more complete.
The first element that may note this bread maker, and is common to many appliances and Bar Riviera, is the pro and compact appearance. We feel it is designed for serious cooking and organizing: and there is no reason that fans do not benefit either. The entire unit is in stainless steel – we recall the dangers this may represent in terms of heat, careful not to place the bread machine near flammable items. In the logic of restoration, it is also very easy to clean. Even the control panel, to physical buttons, is covered with a plastic film pleasant to the touch and hygienic.
This compactness effort is all the more admirable it produces breads to 1.5kg. The constancy of the temperature and quality of the coating material provides good results regardless of income. It also applies to jams, it performs very well – and why we really appreciate the ease of maintenance, for once. As for Croustina, the blade is also foldable.
It is also the bread machine the most powerful in this test, with a rated power of 820W. A more powerful trouble tends – paradoxically – to be quieter, since no engine trouble kneading, even the strongest pasta. This is an excellent point for making gluten-free bread, also.
The set is very stable, we should not have problems during the kneading phase. First the rectangular shape and low machine bread slice with other models, more cylindrical and tops, whose center of gravity is less balanced. La Riviera Bar and will not budge on the worktop, or vibrate, which helps reduce the volume of sound operation.
The other reason for this stability is one of its drawbacks: it weighs a little more than 9kg. One can hardly consider storing it after use.
La Riviera Bar and makes up for his versatility, however. quality calibrations have already been mentioned on different recipes and the quality of the result, even on some delicate confections such as jams. This is an opportunity to delve into 24 different programs, coupled with a distributor of ingredients that multiplies the possibilities and tasty combinations. The included recipe book full of good ideas, and the feedback from those who have tried to follow are very positive.
Finally, there is the reliability of a French model that comes in. It has a 3-year warranty on parts, easy to argue with a dedicated customer service. If we take into account in the price of some cheaper models, the need to change the blades regularly – about once a year if you use it very often – it starts to be worth slightly lengthen your budget!
La Riviera Bar and bread is the best high-end machine. Some of its limitations – including its weight – risk of disadvantage against other more affordable models and classic. But if you are looking for versatility, above all, is that it takes you. If you prefer a more traditional model and the cooking quality, it will be rather Croustina. But you should not regret buying either of these models.
Buying Guide: everything you need to know about bread machines before buying one
The functions of a bread machine
A bread machine perhaps a household entirely conventional. This is a mini-oven with integrated jam system. We therefore savings, especially the delicate task of kneading dough – that is, those who have tried can attest, very physical and hard to succeed the first time. Especially a successful bread must be kneaded long and intermittently to allow leaven the opportunity to work and to raise the dough.
But some bread machines offer more varied options. Most, for example, include a warm maintenance program to have that feeling of “just out of the oven.”
The delayed start is also an interesting option, it allows for example to launch a program in advance and predict the end of the cycle for a specific time – when we get home from work, or awakening for example.
Finally, we can also benefit from a tank ingredients, present on many models. It helps spread the seeds, chocolate chips, etc … evenly in the dough during kneading.
The size of the bread
In France, we do not quite used to choose our bread by weight. For example, everyone does not know that a standard wand weighs 250 grams. therefore difficult to decide when it comes to choosing a bread machine on the size criterion.
To better navigate, we can keep in mind that a loaf of 500g provides about 8 slices, 16 slices 1kg and 1.5kg 24 slices. To you to determine the consumption of your home, and how often you will want to make bread.
In general, the bread to a bread maker will keep better than a wand, thanks to its shape – a wand being thinner, it dries faster.
The settings
Even machines with the more conventional bread allow you a certain freedom of control. The most basic include baking the crust – often three levels of gilding – or the ability to knead without cooking, and vice versa. This is especially convenient for your pasta, pizza or pasta broken.
Other bread machines will include so-called programs. They will be more or less well calibrated for different types of bread, and it is a factor determining the quality of a bread machine. Hard to tell without testing, however, be advised to rely on customer feedback.
These programs sometimes found the opportunity to make jams, compotes or even yogurt. For these programs, it is advisable to aim at least in the mid-range models to get a good result.
Durability
The main argument of a bread machine is that wastes less, that bread costs less and it is not more difficult. Provided, of course, it lasts several years.
Since this is a relatively simple appliance, it should be the case. But you still have to make sure some criteria to make sure.
The coating quality of the cooking vessel is a first element to be monitored. As a stove, a poor coating may be scratched or flake – ideal still being a ceramic bowl, as the Croustina.
Since the kneading phase is intense enough, it will also seek a good ratio between the weight of the machine and engine power. More it is light, the less we advise a model with a higher power because the vibrations and movements will be noisy and will eventually damage the bread machine.
The blades and the tank are replaceable if something goes wrong. If you choose an entry model range, quickly check the price of these parts and do the math over the long term to see if the compromise on the ongoing sustainability worth it – this is sometimes the case.
FAQ: it answers the questions that you ask about bread machines
If you are looking for an entry-level model, it is advisable to always take the one with the fewest options. You’ll be more likely to benefit from a good kneading and reliable cooking – it’s even more important. You can then refer you to a model between 70 and 100 €, being especially careful if your budget is smaller than that. At 50 €, we found only one satisfactory model.
For a model more versatile and a beefier trouble, we prefer models to 100 € and more. It is from there that one is sure to make gluten-free bread, for example.
A qualitative cooker, with good materials, reliable programs and varied and useful options, in addition to all the benefits we have listed above, it will take more than 150 €.
The choice of the bread machine is obviously an important factor in the quality of the bread. But the ingredients too! A few tricks can really improve the result.
Use, if possible, water at room temperature. Cold water slows the rising of the dough, and the hot water will damage the yeast – that is alive, that are microscopic fungi. Measure out your salt sparingly, since salt is a natural antifungal, which may limit the action of yeast. Also avoid mixing these two ingredients directly, always dilute the yeast in the flour.
If the result is not to your liking, you can try with different types of flour. Without much we pour on it – because there is a lot to say – all the flour has a code corresponding to their mineral content. T45, T55, T80 etc … Make sure you use the right type of flour for what you are trying to do. It is also an opportunity to discover the many alternatives that exist flours: buckwheat, spelled …
It depends on the income, but typically longer than traditional bread stick. Count on average 3 to 5 days. This data should be indicated on the recipe.
Normally, using a bread machine is very simple. Choose the most suitable program to the recipe you plan to do – sliced bread, cereal bread, gluten free bread … – pour the ingredients and let the bread machine take over.
Some recipes are more successful if you unmold the whole preparation on. This is especially true in the case of buns for example, which are rich in butter. Others can be kept warm for some time without problems.
Clean it between uses. Be careful not to put the tank and the blades in the dishwasher if it is against-indicated, may damage the coating.
The most important thing is not to let the cooking surface is dirty – it is between the tank and the walls of the unit. Any residue of pulp or worse, jam, risk of burn and generate an unpleasant odor. And it is also very bad for the durability of the device.
If the blade begins to be damaged, or if it has any defect, change it immediately. Replacement blades are inexpensive in general, and you are thus sure not to damage your trouble.
It’s very simple, because we must somehow remove the blade at the end of cooking on most models. Some brands use non-proprietary blades that are compatible from one machine to another, otherwise you have to get that recommended by the manufacturer.
Be careful to pass the hot water before first use. There may be machining dust residue that give an unpleasant taste or emit fumes. This is also the case of cooking vats.
Where to buy a bread machine?
There is always a handful model in appliance stores. But due to the relatively low volume of sales, variety of choice is rarely satisfactory. That is why we recomend to take a look at online sellers.
Especially since the two neighboring countries of France have much more integrated the bread machine in the kitchen: the United Kingdom and Germany. The Germans, like the British, do not usually go to the bakery as often as French. The bakery is a place rather expensive, with qualitative products – while in France it is the most prolific local shops of our city centers.
Result, the selection found on e-shops often includes more comparable import models or even higher than those of Moulinex.