Elite Gourmet EBM8103BBest overall- Max loaf size
- 2 lb (1, 1.5 and 2 lb options)
- Programs
- 19
- Delay timer
- 15 hours
- Keep warm
- 60 minutes
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonThe Best Bread Makers
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There is nothing quite like waking up to the smell of warm bread you didn't have to stand over. A bread maker does the mixing, kneading, rising and baking while you sleep, which is why so many home cooks end up wondering why they waited. The hard part is picking one, because pan sizes, paddles and price swing wildly.
Our top pick is the Elite Gourmet EBM8103B: a 2 lb loaf, 19 programs and a delay timer at a friendly price, so it suits first-timers and families alike. The rest of the list covers a premium two-paddle favorite, a feature-packed budget option, a big-batch machine and a compact Cuisinart.
The rundown
1 Elite Gourmet EBM8103B | 2 Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20BA | 3 KITCHENARM 29-in-1 Smart | 4 KBS Pro 710W | 5 Cuisinart CBK-110P1ES | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best overall | Best premium | Best for experimenting | Best with add-in dispenser | Best compact |
| Max loaf size | 2 lb (1, 1.5 and 2 lb options) | 2 lb | 2 lb | 2.2 lb | 2 lb (1, 1.5 and 2 lb options) |
| Programs | 19 | Not listed | 29, plus custom HOME MADE menu | Not listed | 12 |
| Delay timer | 15 hours | Not listed | 15 hours | Not listed | 13 hours |
| Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon |
Elite Gourmet EBM8103BBest overall
Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20BABest premium- Max loaf size
- 2 lb
- Paddles
- 2 kneading blades
- Heating
- Dual heaters (bottom and lid)
- Rapid cycle
- White or whole wheat in 2 hr 25 min
KITCHENARM 29-in-1 SmartBest for experimenting- Max loaf size
- 2 lb
- Programs
- 29, plus custom HOME MADE menu
- Delay timer
- 15 hours
- Pan coating
- Teflon nonstick
KBS Pro 710WBest with add-in dispenser- Max loaf size
- 2.2 lb
- Motor
- 710W
- Pan
- Ceramic, with ceramic paddle
- Extras
- Automatic dispenser, 53-recipe book
Cuisinart CBK-110P1ESBest compact- Max loaf size
- 2 lb (1, 1.5 and 2 lb options)
- Programs
- 12
- Delay timer
- 13 hours
- Keep warm
- 60 minutes
1Best overall
Elite Gourmet EBM8103B
A 2 lb loaf, 19 one-touch programs and a 15-hour timer at a price most people won't think twice about.
- Max loaf size
- 2 lb (1, 1.5 and 2 lb options)
- Programs
- 19
- Delay timer
- 15 hours
- Keep warm
- 60 minutes
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonPrices and availability on Amazon change often.
Why we picked the Elite Gourmet EBM8103B
The Elite Gourmet EBM8103B is the bread maker we'd pick for most people, because it covers the basics and then some without costing much.
What we like
It bakes up to a 2 lb loaf, with 1 and 1.5 lb options, so it suits a family or a smaller household. Its 19 programs include gluten-free, dough, jam and cake, and the 15-hour delay timer and 60-minute keep warm make it easy to fit around your day. It's compact enough for small kitchens, and the price is low for the size and program count. Owners on r/BreadMachines report that the Elite Gourmet EBM8103B has outlasted an earlier machine they owned and has worked flawlessly for one owner so far.
Worth knowing
The build is plain and mostly plastic, so it doesn't feel premium. If you want a sturdier machine, you'll have to spend more elsewhere.
If it's not for you, the KITCHENARM 29-in-1 suits bakers who want 29 programs and custom menus, while the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus suits those who'll pay more for dual heaters and two kneading blades.
2Best premium
Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20BA
A two-paddle machine that bakes traditional-looking 2 lb loaves, if you're willing to pay for it.
- Max loaf size
- 2 lb
- Paddles
- 2 kneading blades
- Heating
- Dual heaters (bottom and lid)
- Rapid cycle
- White or whole wheat in 2 hr 25 min
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Two kneading blades and dual heaters for even baking
- Handles 2 lb recipes well, with traditional-looking loaves
- Healthy settings: whole wheat, gluten-free, salt-free, sugar-free, vegan
- Rapid cycle bakes a loaf in under two and a half hours
- Large, easy-to-read display
Cons
- Expensive compared with most machines
- Takes up more counter space
- Large pan makes smaller recipes difficult
Read our full take
Why we like it
Experts note that machines with two paddles tend to produce better loaves, and this is the standout two-paddle model. It handles 2 lb sandwich-bread recipes very well and the loaves look more like ones from a bakery than the usual block shape.
It is the one to buy if baking will be a regular habit and you want the extras, from multigrain and whole wheat courses to a rapid cycle. If you only bake now and then, a cheaper machine will do the job.
3Best for experimenting
KITCHENARM 29-in-1 Smart
29 programs and up to four custom menus for people who like to tinker.
- Max loaf size
- 2 lb
- Programs
- 29, plus custom HOME MADE menu
- Delay timer
- 15 hours
- Pan coating
- Teflon nonstick
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- 29 programs, more than most machines
- Create up to four personalized menus
- Saves your last settings for one-press repeat baking
- Includes a 77-recipe book
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Uses one mixing paddle rather than two
- Teflon-coated pan
Read our full take
Why we like it
If you want to move beyond basic loaves, this machine offers the widest list of programs on our list, covering sourdough, brioche, ciabatta, keto, gluten-free and non-bread items such as jam and yogurt. The custom HOME MADE menu lets you set each knead, rest, rise and bake stage yourself.
It is also popular with home bakers who write about bread machines. The single paddle and nonstick pan are the trade-offs for a much lower price than the premium names.
4Best with add-in dispenser
KBS Pro 710W
A ceramic pan and an automatic nut and fruit dispenser for hands-off mix-ins.
- Max loaf size
- 2.2 lb
- Motor
- 710W
- Pan
- Ceramic, with ceramic paddle
- Extras
- Automatic dispenser, 53-recipe book
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Automatic dispenser adds nuts and fruit at the right time
- Ceramic pan and paddle instead of Teflon
- Slightly larger 2.2 lb capacity
- 15-hour timer, 1-hour keep warm and power-failure backup
- Includes 53 recipes and accessories
Cons
- Mid-range price
Read our full take
Why we like it
Experts say that for add-ins like nuts or dried fruit you should look for a machine with an ingredient dispenser. This one adds them for you partway through, so there is no need to be standing by with the lid open.
The ceramic pan is a plus for people who want to avoid Teflon-style coatings, and the 2.2 lb capacity gives you a bit more room than a typical 2 lb machine. It is a solid upgrade for regular bakers.
5Best compact
Cuisinart CBK-110P1ES
A counter-friendly machine with a vertical pan that still bakes up to 2 lb.
- Max loaf size
- 2 lb (1, 1.5 and 2 lb options)
- Programs
- 12
- Delay timer
- 13 hours
- Keep warm
- 60 minutes
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Compact footprint for small kitchens
- 12 programs including cake and pizza dough
- 3 crust colors and 3 loaf sizes
- LCD with countdown and audible reminders
Cons
- Vertical pan gives a harder side crust and a less traditional loaf shape
- Costs more than similar basic machines
Read our full take
Why we like it
Bread experts point out that the compact size of this machine is a real benefit for families with smaller kitchens. It still offers 3 crust colors, 3 sizes up to 2 lb and a delay timer, all with a brand name that is easy to trust.
Keep in mind that vertical pans produce a loaf with more hard side crust and less soft top crust than horizontal ones. If counter space matters more than loaf shape, this is a tidy choice.
FAQ
Which bread maker suits you?
Match the machine to the bread you actually eat. Beginners should look at the basic, lower-priced models. Regular bakers who like extras can justify a two-paddle or dispenser model. Big households need the larger pans.
What should you look for in a bread maker?
- Loaf size: a 1 lb loaf may not be enough for a family.
- Paddles: two paddles generally mean better loaves.
- Add-in dispenser: useful for nuts and dried fruit.
- Programs: check for sourdough, gluten-free or jam if you want them.
- Pan shape: pans vary a lot between brands.
What is the best bread maker for home use?
For most households, the Elite Gourmet EBM8103B is the best place to start. It bakes up to a 2 lb loaf, has 19 programs and a 15-hour delay timer, and costs far less than premium machines. If you bake often, the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus is the step-up pick.
What's the best bread maker for sourdough?
Look for a machine with a dedicated sourdough program. Among our picks, the KITCHENARM 29-in-1 and the KBS Pro list sourdough settings. Bread experts also advise checking for this setting before you buy if sourdough matters to you.
What's the best bread maker for gluten-free bread?
The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus, KITCHENARM, KBS, Elite Gourmet and Neretva all list a gluten-free program. The Zojirushi also offers salt-free, sugar-free and vegan courses, which makes it the most flexible for special diets.
Why trust BullseyeBuy
How we made this guide
- 2 expert guides read
- 10 bread makers compared
- 10 listings checked in stock
This shortlist is built from ten bread makers that are in stock right now. We compared loaf sizes, programs, pan materials and add-in features, and weighed them against what bread baking experts say matters: pan size, number of paddles and how much you will actually bake.
Our expert team tests products when it is needed and researches online and in interviews. Every guide is fact-checked and edited by a real person.
The BullseyeBuy editorial team · Updated Oct 23, 2026
Checking our work: 7 sources
How we pickEditorial standardsAffiliate disclosureReport a mistake
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