7 easy-to-use bread makers for home-baking bliss

The Zojirushi bread maker lets you bake like never before, thanks to its revolutionary heating element promising browned crusts every time. With double kneading blades and various healthy course settings, including gluten-free and vegan, it gives you unbeatable versatility.

This bread machine has over 5900 five-star ratings on Amazon alone, with reviewers expressing how happy they are with the performance, appearance and ease of use. They say it works well, is easy to clean, produces flawless results and that the heated lid works perfectly.

“I gulped at the price,” wrote one reviewer. “But oh. My. We just sampled our first taste of the new loaf…it is well worth the cost! Heavy duty construction, simple precise instructions without any ambiguity, clear step by step recipes that yield amazing soft tasty loaves with delicate crusts. There’s the colour-by-numbers recipes, including gluten free, salt free, and sugar free options, and dough/bagel/cake/jam choices.”

Key features:

• Double kneading blades and dual heaters
• Various healthy course settings like multigrain, whole wheat and sugar-free
• Versatile dough, cake and jam settings
• Large LCD display with convenient key code
• Crust control with three available crust colours
• Convenient 12-hour clock with 13-hour delay timer

You’ll be master of homemade bread with the Breville Custom Loaf Pro. It takes the hassle out of baking with its 13 automatic settings and nine customisable options for your choice of crust colour and size.

“Excellent product,” wrote a five-star reviewer at The Good Guys. “Easy to operate and outstanding bread. We have only used prepackaged bread mix to date but it was successful every time. Really helpful book with instructions, recipes and tips. Definitely worth paying the extra for this superior appliance.”

Key features:

• Brushed stainless steel design
• 830W motor for reliable performance
• Crust colour options: light, medium and dark
• Loaf size options: 500g, 750g, 1kg or 1.25kg
• Automatic raisin and nut dispenser
• Power interruption protection
• Smart LCD display
• Two-year warranty

Also available at:

• $388 (usually $499) from Amazon
• $393 from Big W
• $394 (usually $499) from Appliances Online
• $419 from Betta Home Living
• $449 (usually $449) from Breville

Discover the joy of baking with the best-selling Panasonic break maker. Featuring automatic ingredient dispensers, 31 programs including gluten-free options and dual temperature sensors, it’s your ticket to easy, delicious bread whenever you want it.

“It’s great to use, very simple and so easy to clean,” said an Amazon reviewer who left five stars. “Every loaf has been great, but the whole experience has been quick and simple, so much so that usage has not declined due to any hassles. We have used it every other day since we got it and I see no reason why this will stop. Bread comes out reasonably easily if done soon after it’s ready and clean-up is a few minutes and part of the routine so it’s ready again when needed. It has a permanent place on the kitchen side.”

Key features:

• 4.6 out of 5 stars from 136 ratings on Amazon
• Stainless steel design with compact dimensions
• Automatic yeast and fruit/nut dispensers for perfect ingredient distribution
• 31 programs for bread, cake, pizza dough, jams and more
• Four built-in gluten-free modes
• Dual temperature sensors ensure optimal baking results
• 13-hour digital timer
• One-year warranty

Also available at:

• $335 from Big W
• $349 from Bing Lee
• $349 from The Good Guys
• $399 from Myer

This handy machine has 18 automatic programs, an LCD display and an automatic ingredient dispenser that does the hard work for you. Just throw in your ingredients, set the timer and let it do its thing — whether it’s a classic white loaf or something a little more adventurous.

“This is my first bread maker, and right from the jump, it was easy to use and created a perfect loaf — first time,” wrote a five-star reviewer on the Dick Smith website. “Excited to use it again and again. Fantastic product for the price, and easy to use (especially if you buy bread mix that has bread maker instructions too).”

Key features:

• 18 automatic programs
• 15-hour time delay
• Automatic ingredient dispenser
• Premium stainless steel casing
• User-friendly LCD display
• Non-slip rubber feet
• Easy-to-clean food-grade bread bucket

Also available at:

• $163.99 (usually $359.99) from Kogan
• $168.70 (usually $359.99) from Catch
• $169.99 (usually $359.99) from Brosa
• $169.99 from Big W
• $169.99 from MyDeal
• $194.99 (usually $220.99) from Myer

Another solid pick from Breville. This option does all the cooking while you sit back and enjoy the smell of freshly baked goodness. Boasting 13 pre-set programs, you can whip up everything from a loaf to gluten-free or even homemade jam. The automatic nut and fruit dispenser means no guessing how much time is left, and if patience isn’t your strong suit, the Express setting has loaves ready in record time.

“I bought this maker for the purpose of being able to bake a small sized loaf,” wrote a five-star reviewer at Breville. “It has a simple, no-fuss menu and is light and easy to lift to store away in a cupboard as I prefer. I like the ability to remove the paddle partway through cooking when the machine beeps.”

Key features:

• 13 pre-set programs
• Non-stick bread pan and removable kneading blade for easy cleaning
• Large LCD display screen
• 15-hour delay start timer and auto keep-warm function
• Crust colour selection (light, medium and dark) and loaf size selection (small, medium and large)
• Accessories include a non-stick bread pan, kneading blade, measuring spoon, measuring cup and kneading blade hook
• One-year warranty

Also available at:

• $185 (usually $219) from Amazon
• $185 (usually $219) from Appliances Online
• $274 from Brosa
• $274 from Kogan

Rise and shine to the aroma of freshly baked bread. The 15 hour delay start technology lets you set and forget, while the 12 pre-set programs, three loaf sizes and three crust levels will make you wonder how you ever lived without a bread machine.

“The bread maker itself is wonderful, well built and sturdy,” wrote one reviewer on the House website, with others adding that it’s a great, easy-to-use appliance which doesn’t take up a lot of room.

Key features:

• 12 pre-set programs, including basic, quick, sweet, gluten-free, knead, dough, cake and more
• Three crust levels, including light, medium and dark
• Three loaf sizes: 1kg, 1.2kg and 1.5kg
• LCD display screen
• Includes measuring cup, measuring spoon, hook for easy removal of kneading paddles and a recipe book

Also available at:

• $499.99 from Robins Kitchen
• $499.99 from Brosa
• $499.99 from Kogan

The TODO bread maker has you covered with 13 pre-programmed functions and adjustable crust control, so you can perfect your loaf every time. Adding ingredients is a simple thanks to the built-in fruit and nut dispenser, and with the keep-warm function, your bread stays fresh for up to 60 minutes.

“Does what it’s supposed to do,” said a reviewer who left five stars on Amazon. “If you follow the recipe it actually makes very nice bread (a few recipes are even included in the booklet). And it has some other functions too, eg. makes just a dough, or just bakes. It even has a nut dispenser which is very handy to have.”

Another added: “Love this bread maker. I am gluten intolerant and bought this to make my own bread. It is so easy to use and my bread came out perfect.”

Key features:

• Stainless steel design with 550W power
• 13 pre-programmed functions for versatile baking
• Non-stick coated bread pan
• Transparent viewing window
• Large LCD display
• 60-minute keep-warm function
• Adjustable crust control with options for light, medium or dusk crust
• Delay start of up to 13 hours

Also available at:

• $129 from Catch
• $122.55 from Kogan
• $129 from Brosa
• $129 from Amazon
• $129 from MyDeal
• $169.99 from Temple & Webster