With as many as 32 automatic and manual pre-set options, this bread maker will let you bring out the best of your creativity. Thanks to unique Panasonic technology, which replicates the kneading technique of artisan bakers, it ensures fantastic baking results with ideal texture loaf after loaf.
Removing a loaf from the bottom of the pan may be challenging.
Loaded with tuned features, two built-in sensors and the ability to replicate artisan-style kneading technique, the Panasonic SD-YR2540HXC will become your trusty kitchen helper, producing loaves, doughs, jams and whatnot in the best quality possible time and again.
550 watts
32 programmes:
Bread (Basic, Basic Rapid, Basic Raisin, Basic Stuffed, Bread Mix, Bread Mix Raisin, Whole wheat, Whole wheat Rapid, Whole wheat Raisin, Brioche, French, Rye, Sourdough, Spelt Bread);
Gluten-free (Bread, Cake, Pizza, Pasta);
Dough (Basic, Basic Raisin, Whole wheat, Whole wheat Raisin, Sourdough Dough, Sourdough Starter, Pizza);
Sweet (Cake, Bake Only, Jam, Compote);
Manual (Cake Kneading, Bread Kneading, Rise)
For 1-3 persons: M (400g), L (500g) or XL (600g)
13-hour delay timer, 3 crust settings, LCD screen, Overheating protection, Yeast dispenser, Dual temperature sensors, Artisan-style kneading technique, Sourdough cup, Measuring spoon, Sourdough starter spoon included
1 year
You'll be able to select from 3 crust settings to make the crust as dark and crunchy as you want. The large viewing window will let you observe the progress. When the appliance is accidentally unplugged or switched off, the model will continue baking from where it's stopped in its programme whenever power is restored.
The machine is relatively noisy.
The Russell Hobbs 23620 is probably the most well-thought-out bread maker we've looked at. The model is definitely more attractive than anything within its price range. There's enough here to satisfy experienced cooks. But it is also accessible for beginners.
660 watts
12 pre-set programmes: Basic, French, Whole-wheat, Cake, Sweet, Dough, Jam, Sandwich, Gluten-Free, Fastbake I, Fastbake II, Speciality
For 2-4 persons: 500g, 750g, or 1000g
13-hour delay timer, 3 crust options, 7-minute power cut-off memory function, Automatic keep-warm function for 1 hour, Dishwasher safe non-stick pan and kneading blades, Large viewing window, LCD screen, Non-slip feet
1 year
A dozen of pre-set programmes will allow you to bake not just a number of different types of bread but also the most delicious cakes and jams. The 13-hour delay timer allows you to enjoy a freshly baked loaf of bread first thing in the morning. The air vents help the dough rise. The LCD screen is easy to read.
The dark crust setting is pretty pale.
The appliance will prove to be a good choice for customers who are looking to get the most of a machine like that without overpaying for a number of gimmicky features. Plus, the model includes a number of interesting recipes for you to play with.
600 watts
12 pre-set programmes: Basic white, French, Whole-wheat, Quick, Sweet, Fastbake I, Fastbake II, Dough, Jam, Cake, Sandwich, Extra-bake
For 2-4 persons: 450g, 680g, or 900g
13-hour delay timer, 3 crust settings, Viewing window, Air vents, Lid handle, Cord storage, Cool-touch housing, Measuring spoons, Recipes included
2 years
The crust control feature will let you choose between loaves with light, medium, and dark crusts. The non-stick coating on the bread pan will enable easy cleaning. The ultra-fast programmes can make a fresh loaf in under an hour. The touch buttons are responsive but not too sensitive.
The marks on the measuring jug are almost invisible.
The Tower T11003 will be able to accommodate newbies that are not crazy about bread as much as experienced users who love experimenting and preparing different loaves. Using this machine, you'll also easily make different pastries, pies, and sandwiches.
550 W
12 pre-set programmes: Basic, French, Whole Wheat, Quick, Sweet, Ultra-Fast I, Ultra-Fast II, Dough, Gluten-free, Cake, Sandwich, Bake
For 3-4 persons: 700g or 1000g
13-hour delay timer, Large viewing window, LCD screen, 60-minute keep-warm function, Adjustable crust control (light/medium/dark), Non-stick bread pan, Non-slip feet, Measuring jug included
1 year (additional 2 years after registration)
The 15-hour delay timer allows you to prepare bread at any comfortable time for you, without you necessarily having to be there. The automatic 60-minute “keep warm” function keeps the loaf soft and warm until you take it out of the pan.
The keys on the control panel can be pressed easily while operating, therefore it's best not to touch the lid unnecessarily.
The Tower T11002 is a practical choice for confined counter tops. At the same time, it has a range of premium settings and functions, allowing everyone to tailor recipes to their exact needs and taste. To add more crunch to your loaves, it also has a nut dispenser.
710 watts
17 programmes: Soft Bread/Rice Bread, Sweet Bread, Natural Sourdought, French bread, Whole Wheat, Quick Bread, Sugar Free, Multigrain, Milky Loaf, Cake, Raw dough, Leaven dough, Jam, Bake, Yougurt, Gluten Free, Ferment
For 2-4 persons: 500g, 750g, or 1000g
15-hour delay timer, 3 crust settings, 60-minute warming function, LCD screen, Nut dispenser, Viewing window, 15 min power interruption back up system
1 year (+ 2 years upon registration)
Plenty of Customisation Options to Suit Any Needs
If money is not an issue, and you're looking for a bread maker that can offer plenty of customisation, allowing you to make an ideal loaf perfectly tailored to your special needs, the Panasonic SD-YR2540HXC could be just the right thing. This brand is famous for kitchen appliances, producing top-tier models with advanced features to deliver exceptional users' experience, and the SD-YR2540HXC is not an exception. Featuring as many as 32 automatic and manual programmes, it provides flexibility like no other, letting you tweak all kinds of recipes or create your own at the quick touch of the button.
The machine itself is pretty compact, even though the picture might suggest otherwise. With its vertical design and overall dimensions of 47.29 x 41.29 x 31.5 cm, it is not going to take up a lot of space on your worktop. However, it's not very lightweight. At a weigh of a bit more than 8 kg, it's the kind of device you want to keep stationary in your kitchen without having to stash it away after each use.
On top of the SD-YR2540HXC, there is a LED screen with control buttons, providing quick access to the functions and settings that the bread maker has. The unit lets you take as much control over the baking process as possible. Plus, it includes a handy manual, which not only explains how to use it in simple steps but also provides a wide selection of recipes of breads, doughs and cakes you can try making in it.
Also, the Panasonic SD-YR2540HXC has a very beautiful, smart and sleek design in a stylish gunmetal colour that can instantly dress up your kitchen, seamlessly meshing with the rest of your kitchen appliances.
Extensive Funcitonality
Compared to other peers on this list, the Panasonic SD-YR2540HXC offers the most extensive functionality. With its operation based on innovative Panasonic technology, it employs the kneading blade and specially placed ribs in the pan to imitate the kneading technique of artisan bakers, which results in fantastic tasting loaves every time.
Furthermore, it features two integrated sensors. This allows it to sense both the ambient and internal temperatures so that it can produce the same results in all climate conditions. Have you tried to make bread but failed because there was the draught in your kitchen? Rest assured that with this bread maker, you won't ever face this kind of issue again.
Going back to the functions, the Panasonic SD-YR2540HXC is packed with a full range of pre-set settings, allowing you to cook white, glute-free, wholemeal bread loaves, pasta, pizza dough, cakes, jam and whatnot. For those of you who are well acquainted with bread making techniques and want to bring out some creativity, it also offers a number of manual options with a 13-hour timer setting. And, of course, it has the Yeast Dispenser setting to add the yeast to the pan.
To sum up, if you are looking for a decent machine packed with tuned features, this bread maker from Panasonic can be exactly what you need. With its wide range of automatic and manual functions, it will do the troublesome dough making for you, delivering you delicious loaves and doughs time and again.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £209.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B094PHJDLH |
Compact and Fast
The Russell Hobbs 23620 is pretty compact and really fast. Measuring 32.2 x 29 x 30 centimetres in overall dimensions, the model will not impose on any precious kitchen space you want to conserve. It weighs 4.3 kilograms, so you shouldn't have any issues moving the bread maker around either. The black housing with silver accents, incorporating an LCD screen and touch buttons, will mesh well with any modern/contemporary kitchen setting.
Drawing 600 watts, the machine takes far less time to prepare bread than its peers. The company's 55-minute fast-bake feature is present as well, letting you whip up the most delicious white loaf in less than an hour.
Fast-bake aside, the model comes equipped with 10 additional pre-set programmes, including Basic, French, Whole Wheat, Cake, Sweet, Dough, Jam, Sandwich, Gluten-free, and Speciality. You can use these settings to prepare anything on this list, from delicious but healthy whole-wheat bread to mouth-watering jams.
As far as the loaf size is concerned, the model will let you make 500-, 750-, and 1000-gram loaves. As you would imagine, these loaves will be enough to satisfy 2-4 individuals.
Crust Settings
Going back to the functionality side, we really like the 13-hour delay bake function that you can use to have freshly-baked bread at your convenience. You'll be able to set the delay feature at night and wake up to a freshly-baked loaf for breakfast. Alternatively, you can activate the function before a busy day at work, so that you'll have the opportunity to come home to a crusty, delicious loaf to accompany your dinner.
The 7-minute power cut-off feature is pretty great too. When the appliance is accidentally unplugged or switched off, the model will continue baking from where it's stopped in its programme whenever power is restored. The usual keep-warm function will be able to keep your bread warm for up to an hour after finishing the loaf.
But it is probably the crust control feature that takes the proverbial cake. Using this feature, you'll be able to select from 3 crust settings to make the crust as dark and crunchy as you want. On the practicality/safety front, the large viewing window will let you observe the progress, whilst the non-slip feet will make sure the appliance doesn't accidentally slide from the countertop.
In short, the Russell Hobbs 23620 is probably the most well-thought-out bread maker we've looked at. The model is definitely more attractive than anything within its price range. There's enough here to satisfy experienced cooks. At the same time, the appliance is accessible for beginners.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £59.95 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01HMITHY2 |
Choose Your Setting
The programmable bread machine from Murphy Richards is all about providing the user with a multitude of choices. Though they aren't necessarily unique, a dozen of pre-set programmes will allow you to bake not just a number of different types of bread but also the most delicious cakes and jams. Of course, if you wouldn't describe yourself as a person with a sweeter tooth, the model has plenty to offer you too. From a basic white or a French to a wholewheat or simple dough, the machine can bake it all.
In terms of the loaf size, the bread maker will allow you to choose from 1 lb, 1.5 lb, 2 lb loaves (or 450, 680, and 900 grams if you feel so inclined). The last couple of options work with the Fastbake function. Using the latter, you will be able to make yourself a freshly baked loaf in no more than 50 minutes. If you have a celiac disease, or you simply do not fancy gluten in your food, the model allows you to choose from a number of gluten-free options, using the recipes that are included in the instruction manual. And if you like to switch things up every once in a while, there are 3 crust settings that you can use to change the crust from light to dark.
A Number of Recipes
There's nothing like waking up to a smell of fresh bread in the morning. Naturally, the people behind this product are aware of that, which is why they didn't forget to include the 13-hour delay timer. Simply set it up before you go to bed, and you will be able to enjoy the said freshly baked loaf of bread first thing in the morning.
Speaking of settings, all the model's functions are available via an easy-to-read LCD. That means you shouldn't have any issues figuring the whole thing out regardless of your experience with these appliances. Now, in terms of construction, the company behind this bread maker machine made sure to employ just about every trick in the book that simplifies the model's operation and makes it more convenient for everyone. The viewing window allows you to take a peek inside and enjoy the process as it unfolds. The air vents are there to help the dough rise. Finally, the cool touch housing and the lid handle allows you to handle the machine with ease and confidence.
All things considered, the appliance will prove to be a good choice for the types of customers who are looking to get the most of a machine like that without overpaying for a number of gimmicky features. Plus, the model includes a number of interesting recipes for you to play with.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £50.79 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00275FV5K |
Striking the Perfect Balance
Most bread makers are usually offering too much or too little. The Tower T11003 is not most bread makers. From just about every perspective, this is a much more intelligent machine than its price bracket normally entails. To begin with, the appliance lets you adjust the crust, choosing between light, medium, and dark settings, achieving always delicious but very different results. To add more, the machine comes with a bread pan that you can always remove and that incorporates effective non-stick coating, so even the most intense baking sessions will not leave considerable traces behind.
This is not the most unique product though. Besides the removable non-stick pan and crust control, the machine is not that different from most mid-range bread makers. Not unlike these makers, the Tower T11003 is adopting 12 pre-set programmes, including Basic, French, Whole Wheat, Quick, Sweet, Ultra-Fast I, Ultra-Fast II, Dough, Gluten-free, Cake, Sandwich, and Bake. Using the ultra-fast programmes, you'll be able to prepare a fresh loaf in less than an hour. And, with the supplied measuring jug, the machine will let you add the precise dough amount that's necessary, no more and no less. That said, because the marks on the measuring jug are almost invisible, sometimes it will be a little more about guesswork and a little less about precision.
No Gimmicks
Appearance-wise, the model looks similar to the majority of Tower kitchen appliances, with the company's signature black housing looking sleek and polished. The controls are nothing new too, with sizable touch buttons and an LCD screen between them. Using these controls, you can choose between the 12 pre-set programmes that we have mentioned above, adjust the crust, set a delay timer (anywhere between 30 minutes and 13 hours), and activate the 60-minute keep-warm function that, oddly enough, will keep the loaf warm for 60 minutes.
Above these controls is the standard see-through window that lets you observe the baking process without removing the lid and disrupting the process. Below them are the non-slip feet that prevent the machine from slipping and kidding around the countertops, keeping them scratch-free.
Finally, even though the unit's quite compact, measuring 35.7 x 24 x 30.5 centimetres, you can bake 700- and 1000-gramme loaves, easily serving 3-4 individuals.
To rephrase the point we made earlier, the Tower T11003 comes without any bells and whistles, trading gimmicky features for only the most necessary functions and solutions.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £73.84 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07YL823KG |
Space-Saving Bread Maker
If you can't afford a lot of space for a giant bread maker, the Tower T11002 Digital Bread Maker has you covered. It has very compact dimensions of 26 x 34.5 x 31 cm, allowing it to take up minimum space on your counter, and even has a carrying handle, so you can easily stash it away in a drawer.
Despite its space-saving design, the Tower T11002 Digital Bread is not void of features. It has 17 programmable settings, letting you create perfect homemade loaves, regardless of whether you use a ready bread mix or wholemeal flour. It is also very to operate. With its intuitive digital LCD screen, you can easily choose the desired programme, loaf size and crust shade you want, and the machine will do the rest for you, popping out best-tasting loaf after loaf.
The window on the top of the unit is a handy addition, making it possible to view at what stage the bread making process is. However, if you'd rather “set it and forget it”, you can take advantage of a 15-hour delay timer. The latter will be especially appreciated by those who love to wake up to the smell of a freshly-baked bread loaf. If you forget about your loaf (which is unlikely to happen), the automatic 60-minute “keep warm” function will keep your bread nicely soft and warm until you remove it from the pan.
Highlights
With regard to loaf sizes, the unit offers three loaf size options, including 500g, 750g and 1000g, making it suitable for a household of 2-4 people. It also has three crust settings, which allows you to optimise the bread texture to your taste requirements. Another useful feature worth mentioning is a nut dispenser that can add seeds and nuts into your loaves once the machine has finished kneading. All of these options can be easily accessed in the menu displayed on the illuminated LCD.
There are many things about this bread maker that appeal to us, including its great baking performance, modern design and variable customisation options, but the most remarkable of them is its 15-min power interruption back up system. Thus, if you accidentally unplug the device or the power goes off once you've loaded all the ingredients and have already started the unit, it remembers the programme state for 15 minutes and can continue backing from where it's been stopped.
To bring to an end, the Tower T11002 is a very good bread making machine. It's easy to operate and has all the perks of premium models while coming at a much lower price tag. Besides, it is optimised to take up only little space of your worktop, which makes it a practical addition to just about any kitchen.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £97.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00MMLHXLY |
What Is a Bread Maker?
If you love homemade baked goodies but do not think you're a very good cook, there's a great solution. You can get a bread maker machine and bake perfect loaves time and again without the risk of burning and spoiling ingredients. A bread maker machine is a truly helpful device. They come in various capacities and make the task of baking easier for everyone, regardless of whether (or not) you have prior experience.
More often than not, these devices are featured with a few built-in programmes so all you need to do is simply select a suitable mode. A bread maker will do the rest. Most modern models can do pretty much everything - knead the dough, calculate the right amount of time for it to rise, and then bake it, thus, minimizing guesswork and guaranteeing excellent results. However, if you aren't sure what model you need, make sure to take a look at our "What to look for" section. Hopefully, you'll find there all the information you need regarding the important features and functions that should be taken into account when choosing a bread maker.
On the note of baked goodies, we also recommend checking out our selection of toasters and coffee machines. Start your mornings right!
What Features to Compare
Power
When selecting a bread maker machine, power should be among the first things to consider as it determines the operation time and the baking speed of a device. To put it simply, the more powerful the bread maker is, the less time it will take to bake bread (or make jam, for example). As a rule, modern breadmakers feature the power rate between 450 up to 1650 watts. Low-powered machines often include fewer modes (programmes) than high-powered bread makers, and many of them do not have the function of dough kneading. So, make sure to check these when choosing a bread machine.
Settings
Settings or a number of modes (programmes) are another aspect worth taking into consideration. Depending on how much you're ready to invest in a device, you may find models with a basic and more advanced set of settings. There are bread makers that feature 2 programmes as well as those that include 25 modes and more. These programmes vary in terms of time and temperature. The combination of these parameters determines the suitability of a breadmaker for certain baking tasks. That said, any breadmaker, regardless of its price tag, has a standard set of settings making it suitable for baking pastry. So, if you don't need the most high-tech bread maker machine with advanced technology, you can safely choose from more affordable models.
Loaf Size
Another feature to look at is the loaf size the chosen bread maker can create. A traditional range of loaf sizes goes as this: 1 lb, 1.5 lbs, 2 lbs, and 3 lbs. We assume that your choice should be based upon your family requirements. If you live with a large family and go through quite a lot of bread, it's only logical to choose a bread machine that can bake 2-3 lb loaves. And vice versa. If your household is small, there's no sense to go for the biggest volume.
Extras
The last but not the least, we'd recommend you to turn attention to the extra features bread makers offer. Though not necessary, and certainly not critical, many of them are nice to have. A delay timer, for example, will allow you to put off the start time of any programme; an audible reminder will send you a signal when a loaf is ready; a viewing window will allow you to see what's happening inside the device. These are only some of the features that can be found in bread maker machines, and this list can be further extended. Hopefully, our rundown of the most popular bread machines available in the market will help you narrow down your choice.
Sources:
1. Matthew Steen Does your house smell like fresh bread? Choice. March 26, 2014.
2. Lynn Wright How to choose the best breadmaker? SagaMAGAZINE. May 25, 2016.
3. How to Choose a Bread Maker? wikiHow.