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Top picks for home baking in 2020

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5 years ago

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Bread tastes much better when you make it yourself, and these machines let you bake fresh loaves with just the touch of a button.

By Joseph Green

These are testing times, and we all have different ways of getting through the day. Some rely on work, some turn to gaming and streaming, and some exercise. Everyone is unique, except when it comes to baking.

We don’t know what causes this strange phenomenon, but in uncertain times, everyone seems to resort to bread making. Maybe it’s coded deep within human DNA, because we simply can’t resist a bit of baking when disaster strikes. 

It does make a lot of sense when you consider just how good homemade bread actually tastes. We don’t know who needs to hear this, but shop-bought and homemade bread are not the same. A freshly baked loaf is a thing of beauty, and deserves to be celebrated. It’s the star of the show, not the side.

The only people who truly understand are those who have sampled the good stuff in the comfort of their own home, and you could join them. You don’t need to be a serious home baker, because there are absolutely loads of great bread making machines out there that can make fresh loaves with just the touch of a button. We’re sure you can manage that.

What is the best bread maker for home baking?

The good news when it comes to bread makers is that there are lots of models on offer from reliable brands like Panasonic, Morphy Richards, and Russell Hobbs. The bad news is that with so many options, it can be difficult to pick the right machine for you and your budget. 

To make the process a little easier, you should pay attention to customer reviews and the list of features in each model. For example, it’s important to check whether a bread maker has an automatic ingredient dispenser, delay timer, viewing window, and keep-warm function. These features aren’t all essential, but it’s useful to keep these things in mind when you come to sizing up your options.

To give you a clearer idea of what’s available, we have lined up a selection of some of the best bread makers on the market. You can find some of the very best machines from top online retailers like Amazon, Argos, and John Lewis.

These are the best bread makers in 2020.

Stocks will be limited due to increased demand for bread makers at the moment, but you can always set up an alert for when your favourite model is back in stock. 


Gluten-free recipes • Three levels of loaf size and crust colour • 37 programmes • 13-hour delay timer

One of the most expensive options

Popular bread maker is a little pricey, but makes up for it with impressive range of features and programmes.

Panasonic SD-ZX2522

This bread maker lets you choose from three levels of loaf size and crust colour.

  • Dimensions:
    38.2 x 25.6 x 38.9 cm
  • Number of programmes:
    37
The Panasonic SD-ZX2522 bread maker is one of the most expensive models on the market, but that’s because it offers way more programmes and features than most.
As well as special programmes for rapid multigrain bread, 100% gluten-free recipes, and jams, the Panasonic SD-ZX2522 bread maker also lets you select from three levels of loaf size and crust colour, offering extra levels of flexibility and personalisation. 
You also get a stylish glass touch control panel, yeast and raisin/nut dispenser, and dual internal and ambient temperature sensors. It’s a serious machine for serious bakers.

14 programmes including gluten free baking • Three crust settings • Viewing window to monitor baking process • Small footprint

Reviews are mixed, but this bread maker offers a sleek and compact design with a wide range of features for baking the perfect loaf.

Morphy Richards Homebake 502001

This compact bread maker comes with a wide range of features and programmes.

  • Dimensions:
    36 x 26.5 x 28.5 cm
  • Number of programmes:
    14
If space is tight in your kitchen, we recommend the Morphy Richards Homebake 502001 bread maker.
It’s sleek and compact, with a wide range of features and programmes that let you to create a variety of breads, doughs, and more. There are 14 pre-set programmes including gluten free options, giving you the opportunity to get creative. 
This machine also provides you with the option of three different loaf sizes and five crust settings, and a fast bake function that creates a perfect loaf in just 90 minutes.

27 programmes • Three adjustable crust settings • 13-hour delay timer • 115-minute fast bake time

Advanced features and useful programmes should make the whole process as easy as possible.

Panasonic SD-ZB2502BXC

Advanced features guarantee a wide variety of breads, cakes, jams, and compotes.

  • Dimensions:
    38.2 x 25.6 x 38.9 cm
  • Number of programmes:
    27
The Panasonic SD-ZB2502BXC bread maker offers advanced features that combine to produce a wide range of different breads, cakes, jams, and compotes.
You get to pick from 27 baking programmes and three adjustable crust settings, so you have a lot of options. This bread maker also offers a fast bake function, 13-hour delay timer for overnight baking, and an automatic ingredients dispenser.
Cheaper models are available, but this machine is ready-made for ambitious home bakers who want more flexibility.

Cheap • Three adjustable crust settings • 120-minute fast bake time • 13-hour delay timer

One of the best value bread makers, offering many advanced features for less.

Cookworks Breadmaker

This cheap bread maker has all you need to bake a variety of loaves.

  • Dimensions:
    35.4 x 28.7 x 25.8 cm
  • Number of programmes:
    12
The Cookworks Breadmaker might be one of the cheapest machines, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in functionality. In fact, it has most of the features and programmes found in the priciest models.
You can bake a variety of loaves with the 12 pre-set programmes and can even change the crust colour to your preference. You can bake overnight with the 13-hour delay timer, and check on your bread’s progress through the handy viewing window and LCD display. 
It’s not the fastest machine, but you can still get your hands on fresh bread in just 120 minutes. 

Cheap • Fastest bake time • 12-hour delay timer • Makes jam and cakes

Versatile machine is one of the fastest and cheapest bread makers around.

Morphy Richards Fastbake 48281

Works quickly to produce homemade bread, with a wide range of impressive features and programmes.

  • Dimensions:
    30 x 28.5 x 40.5 cm
  • Number of programmes:
    12
The Morphy Richards Fastbake 48281 is another cheap machine with a lengthy list of features. 
You get 12 pre-set programmes, three adjustable crust settings, a 12-hour delay timer, keep-warm function, and viewing window to monitor the baking process. There is a lot to like about this machine, and it’s especially useful if you’re short on time.
This bread maker has a 50-minute fast bake time, which is the best on this list. Fresh bread could be all yours in under an hour, which is pretty impressive.

55-minute fast bake time • 13-hour delay timer • Keep warm function • Viewing window

Not as many programmes as some other machines

Attractive bread maker offers much more than just aesthetics, with lots of great programmes and features to enjoy.

Russell Hobbs 23620

Good looking bread maker does all of the work for you.

  • Dimensions:
    29.5 x 29 x 31.9 cm
  • Number of programmes:
    12
The Russell Hobbs 23620 bread maker offers the choice of 12 programmes, three loaf size and crust options, and a whole lot more. It’s also a nice looking machine, which is important for balancing the functionality and aesthetics of your kitchen.
This machine is packed with helpful features, including a 55-minute fast bake function, 13-hour delay timer for overnight baking, and viewing window for monitoring. It’s also really easy to use, which is great news for total beginners.
The Russell Hobbs 23620 bread maker is another compact option, so it works well in smaller kitchens without a lot of space.

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