A bread machine mixes, kneads, rises and bakes in one pan, so a loaf needs little more than measuring the ingredients. Machines differ in loaf size, the number of programs, how long the delay timer runs and whether they offer gluten-free, jam or dough cycles.
The six machines below are all 2 pound class models, from compact countertop units to a dual-heater Zojirushi and a Cuisinart with a convection fan. Sizes, programs and features come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these machines ourselves, and performance claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Loaf size | Most offer 1, 1.5 and 2 pound loaves |
| Programs | Gluten-free, dough, jam and cake cycles widen the use |
| Delay timer | Lets you load ingredients and bake later |
| Pan and paddle | A non-stick pan and removable paddle make cleanup easier |
Specs at a Glance
| Machine | Size (D x W x H) | Programs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart Compact | 10.25 x 13.25 x 11.25 in | 12 | 3 loaf sizes; 13 hour delay start; viewing window and light |
| Elite Gourmet EBM8103B | 9.45 x 11.89 x 13.98 in; 4.9 lb | 19 presets | 15 hour delay timer; 60 minute keep warm; recipe book |
| Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus | 10.5 x 18 x 12.87 in; 24 lb | Includes gluten-free and whole wheat | Dual heaters; two kneading blades; 13 hour timer; 700 watts |
| Cuisinart Convection | 12.25 x 8.85 x 13 in; 10.8 lb | 16 | Convection fan; mix-in dispenser; sourdough starter cycle |
| Amazon Basics | 11.6 x 9.17 x 11.6 in; 7.6 lb | 14 | 550 watts; ExpressBake under 90 minutes; 3 crust colors |
| Hamilton Beach 29987 | 13.98 x 9.13 x 11.89 in; 9.3 lb | 14 | Delay start; express cycles; nonstick pan |
The 6 Best Bread Machines
1. Cuisinart Compact 2 Lb Bread Maker CBK-110NAS
A compact machine with 12 programs, 1, 1.5 and 2 pound loaves, three crust shades, a 13 hour delay start and a 60 minute keep warm function. It bakes in a vertical metal non-stick pan, has a viewing window with an interior light and sounds an alert when it is time to remove the paddle. The listing gives a 3 year limited warranty. The detail section lists a different model number than the title, so confirm it before ordering.
Suits: a small counter. Strengths: a window with a light and a paddle alert. Weaknesses: the listing’s model details do not match. Skip it if you want more than 12 programs.
View Cuisinart Compact 2 Lb Bread Maker CBK-110NAS on Amazon
2. Elite Gourmet 2 Lb Bread Maker EBM8103B
A 4.9 pound machine with 19 one-touch programs including gluten-free, rye, French, quick bread, pizza dough, cake and jam, three loaf sizes, three crust shades, a 15 hour delay timer and a 60 minute keep warm. The title names a ceramic pan while the material field says aluminum, and a recipe book is listed in the highlights.
Suits: a beginner who wants many presets. Strengths: 19 programs and the longest delay timer here. Weaknesses: the pan material is described two ways. Skip it if you want a convection fan.
View Elite Gourmet 2 Lb Bread Maker EBM8103B on Amazon
3. Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20BA
A 24 pound stainless steel and black 2 pound breadmaker with dual heaters on the bottom and lid, two kneading blades, a 13 hour timer and a large LCD. Programs include multigrain, whole wheat, gluten-free, salt-free, sugar-free and vegan, and a rapid course finishes a white or whole wheat loaf in about 2 hours 25 minutes. It runs on 120 volts and 700 watts with a 39 inch cord, and the pan, two blades and a measuring cup are included.
Suits: a serious home baker. Strengths: dual heaters and two blades. Weaknesses: heavy and 18 inches wide. Skip it if counter space is tight.
View Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker BB-PDC20BA on Amazon
4. Cuisinart Convection 2 Lb Bread Maker CBK-210NAS
A 10.8 pound machine with a built-in convection fan that circulates air during baking, an automatic mix-in dispenser holding up to three-quarters of a cup, 16 programs including gluten-free and a sourdough starter cycle, a custom memory slot and three crust shades. It bakes 1, 1.5 and 2 pound loaves and has a removable paddle. The title says CBK-210NAS while the detail section lists the model as CBK-200.
Suits: loaves with fruit or nuts. Strengths: a mix-in dispenser and a convection fan. Weaknesses: the listing shows two model numbers. Skip it if you bake only plain loaves.
View Cuisinart Convection 2 Lb Bread Maker CBK-210NAS on Amazon
5. Amazon Basics Programmable Bread Maker 2 Lb
A white 550 watt non-stick machine with up to a 2 pound loaf, 14 settings for breads, doughs, gluten-free options and jams, an ExpressBake setting that bakes in under 90 minutes, three crust colors and an LCD display. It weighs 7.6 pounds and measures 11.6 by 9.17 by 11.6 inches.
Suits: a simple everyday loaf. Strengths: ExpressBake and a plain control panel. Weaknesses: the listing gives no delay timer length in the bullets. Skip it if you want mix-in or convection features.
View Amazon Basics Programmable Bread Maker 2 Lb on Amazon
6. Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29987
A 9.3 pound white and stainless steel machine with 14 programmable settings including artisan dough and gluten-free, three loaf sizes, three crust shades, express cycles for each loaf size and a delay start. The kneading paddle and nonstick bread pan are included and both are removable.
Suits: a household that wants express cycles. Strengths: separate 1, 1.5 and 2 pound express settings. Weaknesses: the listing gives no keep-warm detail. Skip it if you want a window or a mix-in dispenser.
View Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29987 on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Place the machine on a level counter with room around the vents.
- Measure ingredients exactly and add them in the order the manual gives.
- Wash the removable pan and paddle by hand unless the manual says otherwise.
- Let the loaf cool before slicing.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a loaf size larger than your household uses.
- Ignoring the width of a big machine such as the Zojirushi.
- Skipping the manual for gluten-free programs.
- Leaving the paddle in when a program asks you to remove it.
Bread Machine FAQ
Can these make gluten-free loaves?
The Elite Gourmet, Zojirushi, Cuisinart Convection, Amazon Basics and Hamilton Beach list a gluten-free option. Check the Cuisinart Compact listing before counting on one.
Can I bake overnight?
Machines with a delay timer let you load ingredients and set a later start. Check the timer length on each listing.
The Short Version
For a compact counter, the Cuisinart Compact. For many presets, the Elite Gourmet. For dual heaters, the Zojirushi. For mix-ins and convection, the Cuisinart Convection. For a fast loaf, the Amazon Basics. For express cycles, the Hamilton Beach.
