The best bread makers
Fresh bread without the kneading: add the ingredients, set the timer and wake up to a warm loaf. Five bread makers compared, from a compact 1lb machine to one that adds its own yeast and nuts.
A bread maker mixes, kneads, proves and bakes in one tin, which is why so many of them run overnight: put the ingredients in at bedtime, set the delay timer, and the loaf is ready for breakfast. The Morphy Richards, Tower and Tefal make loaves of up to 2lb or 1kg, plenty for a family; the Panasonic offers three sizes, and the Lakeland bakes a single 1lb loaf for one or two.
Past that, it comes down to programmes and extras. Every machine here can make gluten-free bread, the Tefal also makes yoghurt and jam, and the Panasonic adds the yeast and any fruit on its own at the right moment, so nothing gets forgotten on an early-morning bake.
What matters
- Loaf size: 2lb or 1kg for a family, 1lb for one or two.
- A delay timer of 13 hours or more, for bread that’s ready at breakfast.
- Gluten-free and dough programmes, if you’ll use them.
- Dispensers that add yeast, fruit and nuts on their own.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Panasonic SD-YR2550 Bread Maker
£199.99 RRP
Automatic dispensers add the yeast, and the raisins or nuts, at the right moment, and two sensors adjust the rising time to a warm or cold kitchen. Panasonic, then called Matsushita, sold the first home bread maker in Japan in 1986.
What owners say: Owners say the loaves come out evenly baked and full of flavour, and that picking the right programme for a recipe takes seconds.
A closer look: Yeast waits in its own dispenser and drops in partway through mixing, so it stays away from the water during an overnight delay, and raisins or nuts go in the second dispenser. Butter doesn’t need softening first, as the machine warms it while it mixes.
- Yeast and raisin/nut dispensers
- 31 programmes, 4 gluten-free
- Dual temperature sensors
- 13-hour delay timer
- 3 loaf sizes
Best for: Hands-off overnight loaves
- Loaf sizes
- M, L and XL
- Programmes
- 31
- Gluten-free
- 4 programmes
- Yeast and nut dispenser
- Yeast, raisins, nuts
- Delay timer
- 13 hours
- Power
- 550W
#2 of 5
Runner-up
Morphy Richards Fastbake Bread Maker (48281)
£99.99 RRP
The Fastbake setting turns out a 1.5lb or 2lb loaf in under 50 minutes, handy when the bread bin’s empty at teatime, while the 13-hour timer and an hour of keep-warm take care of breakfast.
What owners say: Owners find the instructions and recipes clear to follow, and the gluten-free loaves win particular praise.
A closer look: The basic programme takes longer than Fastbake and gives the dough more time to rise, so it suits a weekend loaf, with Fastbake kept for busy weekdays. The gluten-free recipes in the manual run on programme 1 rather than a setting of their own.
- Fastbake loaf in under 50 minutes
- 12 programmes
- 13-hour delay timer
- Keeps warm for 60 minutes
- 3 crust settings
Best for: Quick loaves on busy days
- Loaf sizes
- 1.5lb and 2lb
- Programmes
- 12
- Gluten-free
- Via programme 1
- Yeast and nut dispenser
- No
- Delay timer
- 13 hours
- Power
- 600W
#3 of 5
Tower 2lb Digital Bread Maker (T11003)
£89.99 RRP
A straightforward 2lb machine with 12 programmes, gluten-free and cake among them, a choice of light, medium or dark crust, and an ultra-fast setting that has a loaf ready in 58 minutes.
What owners say: Owners get good results from shop-bought bread mixes and find the non-stick pan easy to clean.
A closer look: It beeps when it’s time to add seeds, fruit or nuts on the basic, French and wholemeal programmes, so stay within earshot for those. Registering it online with Tower adds two years to the standard one-year guarantee.
- 12 programmes, gluten-free included
- 1.5lb and 2lb loaves
- Ultra-fast loaf in 58 minutes
- 13-hour timer, 60-minute keep warm
- Light, medium or dark crust
Best for: Everyday 2lb loaves
- Loaf sizes
- 1.5lb and 2lb
- Programmes
- 12
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Yeast and nut dispenser
- No
- Delay timer
- 13 hours
- Power
- 550W
#4 of 5
Best budget
Lakeland Compact 1lb Bread Maker (16147)
£50–£75 Price range
Small enough for a crowded worktop, it bakes a single 1lb loaf, the right size for one or two to finish while it’s fresh, with 11 settings including gluten-free and a knead-only mode for pizza dough and rolls.
What owners say: Owners like that it fits a small kitchen and bakes just enough for a household of one or two, with loaves that turn out well time after time.
Heads up: If the paddle stays in the loaf, lift it out with the hook that comes with the machine before slicing.
A closer look: Set the delay timer at bedtime and the hour of keep-warm after baking means the loaf is still warm when you come down for breakfast. Slices freeze well, so a loaf that won’t be finished in a couple of days can go in the freezer for toast later in the week.
- Bakes a 1lb (500g) loaf
- 11 programmes, gluten-free included
- 13-hour delay timer
- Knead-only dough setting
- 3-year Lakeland guarantee
Best for: One or two people
- Loaf sizes
- 1lb (500g)
- Programmes
- 11
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Yeast and nut dispenser
- No
- Delay timer
- 13 hours
- Power
- 530W
#5 of 5
Best for yoghurt too
Tefal Pain & Delices Bread Maker (PF240E40)
£149.99 RRP
Twenty programmes cover bread, sweet and savoury gluten-free loaves, pizza and pasta dough, jam, and yoghurt and soft cheese in the 1-litre pot that comes with it, with loaves of 500g, 750g or 1kg.
What owners say: Owners remark on how quiet it is and how little space it needs, and say it bakes good bread loaf after loaf.
A closer look: Yoghurt is made in the separate 1-litre pot rather than the bread pan, and the filter turns it into a soft, cottage-style cheese. The rapid programme bakes a 500g loaf in about an hour and a half, and the machine signals when it’s time to add extra ingredients.
- 20 programmes, including yoghurt
- 500g, 750g and 1kg loaves
- 15-hour delay timer
- 1L yoghurt pot and cheese filter
- Dishwasher-safe bread pan
Best for: Bread, yoghurt and jam
- Loaf sizes
- 500g, 750g and 1kg
- Programmes
- 20
- Gluten-free
- 2 programmes
- Yeast and nut dispenser
- No
- Delay timer
- 15 hours
- Power
- 700W
How they compare
| Feature | #1Panasonic SD-YR2550 | #2Morphy Richards Fastbake | #3Tower T11003 | #4Lakeland Compact | #5Tefal Pain & Delices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Runner-up | Best budget | Best for yoghurt too | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.1 | 8.9 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Price | £199.99 RRP | £99.99 RRP | £89.99 RRP | £50–£75 Price range | £149.99 RRP |
| Loaf sizes | M, L and XL | 1.5lb and 2lb | 1.5lb and 2lb | 1lb (500g) | 500g, 750g and 1kg |
| Programmes | 31 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 20 |
| Gluten-free | 4 programmes | Via programme 1 | Yes | Yes | 2 programmes |
| Yeast and nut dispenser | Yeast, raisins, nuts | No | No | No | No |
| Delay timer | 13 hours | 13 hours | 13 hours | 13 hours | 15 hours |
| Power | 550W | 600W | 550W | 530W | 700W |
| Best for | Hands-off overnight loaves | Quick loaves on busy days | Everyday 2lb loaves | One or two people | Bread, yoghurt and jam |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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