Best Bread Makers 2026
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Here are the best bread machines for 2026 — 6 machines TechGearLab put through hundreds of loaves of white, wheat, gluten-free, and yeast-free bread in lab testing. This list mirrors the full product set from TechGearLab’s best bread machine roundup (updated December 9, 2024), keeping each machine’s original award, so you can compare the best bread maker options side by side and pick the one that fits your kitchen and your bread habits.
How this list was built: the 6 machines below are the complete set from TechGearLab’s tested roundup. Awards and specs follow that roundup; these machines were not re-tested by us. Prices change, so check the retailer’s page for the current price.
Top 3 Picks
- Best Overall: Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus — the most consistent across every bread type tested.
- Best for Traditional Sandwich Bread: KBS Pro MBF-010 — the top pick for classic white and wheat sandwich loaves.
- Best for Tight Budgets: Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic Programmable — solid basics in a small, light machine.
Comparison Table
| Product | Functions | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus | 15 | 22.7 lbs | Best overall |
| KBS Pro MBF-010 | 17 | 13.6 lbs | Traditional sandwich bread |
| Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic Programmable | 19 | 8.0 lbs | Tight budgets |
| Breville The Custom Loaf | 13 | 16.9 lbs | Custom recipes |
| Cuisinart Compact Automatic | 12 | 8.7 lbs | Small kitchens |
| Oster ExpressBake 2-Pound | 12 | 9.0 lbs | Small footprint, weakest test results |
1. Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus — Best Overall Bread Machine
Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus
The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus came out on top as the best all-around bread machine in testing. It handled every recipe thrown at it — white, wheat, gluten-free, and yeast-free…
The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus came out on top as the best all-around bread machine in testing. It handled every recipe thrown at it — white, wheat, gluten-free, and yeast-free — and turned out consistently good crusts with a sandwich-friendly loaf shape. The trade-offs are size and weight: this is a big, heavy machine, and it only bakes 2-pound loaves.
Specs: 15 functions · 2 lb loaf size · 22.7 lbs · no automatic fruit and nut dispenser
Pros:
- Great with all types of bread
- Consistently good crusts
- Excellent sandwich size and shape
Cons:
- Very large and heavy
- Only makes 2 lb loaves
2. KBS Pro MBF-010 — Best for Traditional Sandwich Bread
If sandwich bread is your main goal, the KBS Pro MBF-010 is the one to get. It made the best traditional white and wheat sandwich bread in testing, with loaves that looked as good as they tasted and top-notch crusts. It offers 17 functions, bakes 1, 1.5, and 2 lb loaves, and includes an automatic fruit and nut dispenser. One note: KBS has rebranded this model as the KBS Large — same machine, new name. Where it falls short is gluten-free and cake recipes, and the interface feels crowded.
Specs: 17 functions · 1, 1.5, 2 lb loaf sizes · 13.6 lbs · automatic fruit and nut dispenser
Pros:
- Superb wheat and white bread
- Loaves look fantastic
- Top-notch crusts
Cons:
- Gluten-free and cake recipes aren’t good
- Interface is crowded
3. Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic Programmable — Best for Tight Budgets
The Maxi-Matic proves you don’t have to spend much to get the basics right. It made delicious wheat bread and above-average white bread, and it’s small and light enough to store without a fuss. With 19 functions covering 1, 1.5, and 2 lb loaves, it handles the essentials. It stumbles on recipe variety and doesn’t distribute mix-ins like chocolate chips well.
Specs: 19 functions · 1, 1.5, 2 lb loaf sizes · 8.0 lbs · no automatic fruit and nut dispenser
Pros:
- Delicious wheat bread
- Small and lightweight
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Poor chocolate chip distribution
- Limited recipe variety
4. Breville The Custom Loaf
The Breville is the pick for tinkerers. It has the easiest interface of the group, plenty of options, a thorough manual, and it lets you customize your own bread recipes more than anything else tested. The downsides: it’s big, the collapsible paddle can be finicky, and its gluten-free bread disappointed.
Specs: 13 functions · 16.9 lbs
Pros:
- Easy interface
- Lots of options
- Thorough manual
- Good customization
Cons:
- Expensive
- Big
- Finicky paddle
- Unfortunate gluten-free bread
5. Cuisinart Compact Automatic (CBK-110)
True to its name, the Cuisinart is compact and light — easy to store and move. It managed decent gluten-free bread density, but results were inconsistent overall, the tall shape isn’t ideal for sandwich bread, and the buttons are hard to press.
Specs: 12 functions · 8.7 lbs
Pros:
- Decent gluten-free bread density
- Lightweight and small
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Inconsistent density
- Too tall for sandwich bread
- Buttons difficult to press
6. Oster ExpressBake 2-Pound
The Oster is light with a small footprint, but it finished last in testing. Its white bread was poor, it lacks gluten-free and other recipe variety, and performance was weak across the board. It’s hard to recommend when the other compact options bake better bread.
Specs: 12 functions · 9.0 lbs
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Small footprint
Cons:
- Poor white bread
- Lacks gluten-free and other variety
- Poor performance across the board
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bread maker overall?
The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus. It was the most consistent across white, wheat, gluten-free, and yeast-free breads, with reliably good crusts and a sandwich-friendly loaf shape.
Which bread machine makes the best sandwich bread?
The KBS Pro MBF-010 (now sold as the KBS Large). It made the best traditional white and wheat sandwich loaves in testing.
Can bread machines make gluten-free bread?
Some can. The Zojirushi made the best gluten-free loaf by a wide margin in testing. The KBS struggled with it, and the Oster doesn’t even include a gluten-free recipe.
What loaf sizes do bread machines make?
Most of these bake 1, 1.5, and 2 lb loaves. The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus only makes 2 lb loaves, so keep that in mind if you bake smaller batches.
Is the KBS Pro the same as the KBS Large?
Yes. KBS rebranded the Pro as the Large with no changes to the machine itself.
What is the best bread machine?
The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus is the best overall bread machine in this lineup, and the KBS Pro MBF-010 is the best for traditional sandwich bread.
What is a good bread maker for beginners?
Start with the best overall pick, the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus, or the best for tight budgets pick, the Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic Programmable, if you want a simpler first machine.
What is the best bread maker for gluten-free bread?
TechGearLab’s testing covered gluten-free loaves across the lineup; the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus (best overall) and the KBS Pro MBF-010 (best for traditional sandwich bread) are the top two picks to compare for gluten-free baking.
What is the best bread maker for home bakers?
The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus is the best overall pick for regular home bakers; the Breville Custom Loaf and Cuisinart Compact Automatic (CBK-110) round out the lineup for different budgets and loaf styles.
Zojirushi bread machine comparison: which Zojirushi is in this list?
The only Zojirushi in this lineup is the Virtuoso Plus, the best overall bread machine pick.
Conclusion
If you want the safest bet, get the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus — it baked the most consistent loaves across every test. Sandwich-bread bakers should look at the KBS Pro MBF-010 (sold now as the KBS Large), and anyone watching their budget or counter space will do fine with the Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic. The Breville suits bakers who want to tweak every setting, while the Cuisinart and Oster are harder to recommend given their uneven results.
