Small bread makers are compact, counter-friendly appliances designed for home kitchens. They facilitate the process of bread making, reducing the time and effort needed by automating mixing, kneading, rising, and baking. These machines typically have various settings, allowing users to customize their bread recipes and textures. Ideal for smaller households or individuals, they efficiently produce smaller loaf sizes, providing freshly baked bread whenever needed.
We researched the best small bread makers on the market and found the 6 best small bread machines you can use in your kitchen. These bread machines are budget-friendly and conveniently meet the needs of an average American family. Let’s go through the reviews to find the best one for you.
7 Best Small Bread Makers
Cuisinart Bread Maker Machine, CBK-110P1
The Cuisinart CBK-110P1 Bread Maker is a compact, versatile, and user-friendly appliance, perfect for first-time bakers and those with limited kitchen space. Its sleek, stainless-steel design adds a touch of modern aesthetics to any kitchen. The machine features 12 pre-programmed menu options, three crust shades (light, medium, dark), and two loaf sizes (1 and 2 lbs), allowing you to customize your baking to your preferences.
One of its standout features is the rapid bake function, which can produce a loaf in under 2 hours, which is ideal for those who need fresh bread in a hurry. Despite its small size, the performance is impressive, consistently delivering well-risen, evenly baked loaves. The delayed start timer is a handy feature, allowing you to wake up to fresh bread in the morning.
The machine is very user-friendly with its intuitive control panel and clear LCD. The viewing window on the top lets you monitor the baking process. The removable, non-stick baking pan ensures easy cleaning. However, some users have reported the kneading paddle occasionally sticks in the loaf.
Overall, the Cuisinart CBK-110P1 is a reliable, well-priced bread maker that balances functionality, ease of use, and quality, making it a great choice for most home bakers
KBS Large 17-in-1 Bread Machine, MBF-010
The KBS MBF-010 17-in-1 Bread Machine is a versatile, high-capacity bread maker designed for users who need more varied baking options and larger loaves. Its standout features include 17 custom settings encompassing a wide variety of bread types and doughs, including gluten-free and whole-wheat options.
The device has a fruit and nut dispenser, a feature that automatically adds ingredients at the optimal time, and a ceramic non-stick pan, ensuring even heat distribution and easy clean-up. The machine also features 3 crust colors and 3 loaf sizes, giving you maximum control over your baking.
The KBS bread machine sports a modern, sleek stainless steel design with a touch panel and a digital display that is intuitive and user-friendly. Another impressive feature is its 15-hour delay timer, 1-hour automatic keep warm, and 15-minute power interruption recovery, ensuring fresh bread anytime.
However, its larger size may not suit kitchens with limited counter space. Also, the numerous options might seem overwhelming to a novice baker. Despite these minor issues, the KBS MBF-010 bread maker offers versatility, capacity, and functionality, making it a high-quality choice for serious home bakers.
Elite Gourmet EBM8103M – Small Bread Machine
The Elite Gourmet EBM8103B Bread Maker is a solid choice for home bakers looking for quality and affordability. It boasts 19 pre-set cooking functions, offering the versatility to make a wide range of bread types, including gluten-free and whole wheat.
The machine provides three loaf sizes (1, 1.5, and 2 lbs) and three crust color settings, allowing customization according to your preference. Its user-friendly LCD and intuitive button controls make operation straightforward, even for beginners. A notable feature is the 15-hour delay timer, ideal for preparing fresh bread just in time for breakfast or dinner.
The viewing window at the top is convenient, allowing you to check on your bread’s progress without opening the lid. However, the machine lacks an automatic fruit and nut dispenser, which may be a disadvantage for some.
Despite being compact, the EBM8103B doesn’t compromise on performance and delivers consistently well-baked loaves. Overall, it offers excellent value for its price point, making it a good option for those new to bread making or with smaller kitchen spaces
Amazon Basics 2 Pound Non-Stick Bread Making Machine, BM1349-UL
The Amazon Basics BM1349-UL-W Bread-Making Machine is an affordable, straightforward option without sacrificing essential features. Designed to deliver simplicity and performance, it offers 14 settings, including options for basic bread, French, whole-wheat, sweet, gluten-free, and dough-only.
The machine accommodates 1.5 or 2-pound loaves and allows for three crust color settings, giving you control over the final product’s appearance and texture. The intuitive, user-friendly control panel and LCD make setting selections quick and effortless, while the 13-hour delay timer allows fresh bread when desired.
Its non-stick interior pan ensures easy bread removal and cleanup, but there is no specific mention of an automatic fruit and nut dispenser, which may limit the recipes you can use. A handy viewing window allows you to monitor your bread’s progress.
While it may lack some advanced features in higher-end models, the Amazon Basics BM1349-UL-W Bread-Making Machine offers simplicity and consistency, making it a good choice for beginners or those on a budget. It delivers excellent value, proving that good performance doesn’t always come at a high price
KITCHENARM 29-in-1 SMART Bread Machine, 85203
The KITCHENARM 85203 29-in-1 Smart Bread Machine is a high-end appliance perfect for advanced home bakers seeking variety and control in their baking. Its impressive 29 custom settings offer unparalleled versatility – from basic bread, French, and whole wheat to gluten-free, sourdough, and even non-bread options like yogurt and jam.
Offering three loaf sizes (1, 1.5, and 2 lbs) and three crust colors, the machine caters to a wide range of tastes and dietary needs. One key feature is the automatic fruit and nut dispenser, which adds ingredients optimally during the kneading process.
The machine’s intuitive LCD panel is user-friendly, while its sleek, modern design with brushed stainless steel finish enhances any kitchen decor. A unique SMART functionality learns from your past cooking and further customizes the baking process for your recipes, providing a personalized bread-baking experience.
However, its complex functionalities might be overwhelming for beginners. Also, the machine’s larger size requires considerable countertop space. Despite these minor drawbacks, the KITCHENARM 85203 is an excellent investment for those seeking sophisticated, tailored baking experiences.
Dash Everyday Stainless Steel Bread Maker, DBM150GBAQ01
The Dash Everyday DBM150GBAQ01 Bread Maker is an excellent option for beginners or those with limited kitchen space. Its compact and stylish design, particularly in its distinctive aqua color, adds fun to any kitchen.
This bread maker features 12 pre-set modes, allowing you to create a variety of bread, including French, whole grain, sweet, gluten-free, and even dough and jam. The machine offers three crust settings, ensuring your bread is baked to your preferred level of crispness.
Its user-friendly interface and clear LCD screen make operation simple. A handy “keep warm” function ensures your bread stays fresh if you’re not ready to eat it immediately after baking. The viewing window on the lid is a nice touch, allowing you to monitor the progress of your loaf.
While it lacks advanced features, such as an automatic fruit and nut dispenser, the Dash DBM150GBAQ01 more than makes up for its simplicity, compactness, and affordability. It’s an excellent choice for casual bakers or those just starting their bread-making journey.
Briskind 19-in-1 Compact Bread Maker Machine – BM8605
The Briskind BM8605 19-in-1 Compact Bread Maker Machine is a feature-packed, user-friendly appliance ideal for various baking needs. With 19 pre-set programs, it offers the flexibility to create various bread types, including gluten-free, whole wheat, sourdough, cakes, and jams.
The machine is designed for three loaf sizes (1, 1.5, or 2 lbs) and provides three crust color settings. A distinguishing feature is its 15-hour delay timer and 1-hour “keep warm” function, ensuring you always have fresh, warm bread at your convenience.
The user interface is straightforward, featuring an LCD screen and touch panel controls. The non-stick, removable inner pan ensures easy cleaning, and the viewing window lets you monitor the baking process.
Although it lacks an automatic fruit and nut dispenser, it’s compact design and impressive feature set make it a reliable choice for small kitchens or beginners in bread making. The Briskind BM8605 balances functionality, space-saving design, and affordability.
Features to Consider Before Buying a Small Bread Machine
Size and Capacity
Consider the space available on your countertop and the amount of bread you intend to make regularly. Small bread machines can typically produce loaves between 1 and 2 lbs. A compact model making 1 lb loaves may be sufficient for small households or single users.
Settings and Programs
Bread machines come with various pre-set programs for different types of bread, including white, whole wheat, gluten-free, and more. Some also offer settings for dough, cakes, and jams. More programs mean more versatility but can be overwhelming for beginners.
Crust Control
This feature lets you choose the color and crispness of your bread’s crust, usually offering light, medium, and dark options. It adds a level of customization to your baking, allowing you to bake bread to your liking.
Delay Timer
A delay timer allows you to add ingredients and set the machine to start baking later often up to 13 or 15 hours. This feature is perfect for waking up to fresh bread or having a warm loaf ready when you come home.
Keep Warm Function
This feature keeps the bread warm after it is baked, usually for about an hour. It’s handy if you’re not around immediately when the baking cycle ends, ensuring you’ll still return to warm, fresh bread.
Viewing Window
A bread maker with a viewing window allows you to monitor the progress of your bread without opening the lid, keeping the heat consistent inside.
Non-Stick Pan and Removable Parts
A non-stick bread pan makes removing the bread easier and makes cleanup a breeze. Also, machines with removable parts, such as the kneading paddle, are easier to clean.
Automatic Fruit and Nut Dispenser
This feature automatically adds ingredients like nuts, dried fruits, or yeast at the appropriate time in the kneading cycle. It’s useful if you like to make specialty bread but isn’t necessary for basic bread baking.
Control Panel and Display
A user-friendly control panel and clear display make choosing settings and understanding the baking progress easier. Some machines offer touch panels, while others use traditional buttons.
Noise Level
Bread makers can sometimes be noisy when kneading dough. If you’re sensitive to noise or plan to use the delay timer overnight, look for a machine known for quiet operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to make bread at home or buy from stores?
Homemade bread can be cheaper than store-bought, depending on the ingredients used. However, you also need to consider the initial cost of the bread machine and the value of your time.
How long does a bread machine last?
The lifespan of a bread machine depends on its build quality, frequency of use, and maintenance. With good care, most models can last for many years, often around 5-10 years.
Why is bread machine bread dense?
Bread can turn out dense for several reasons, like using old yeast, not enough yeast, or too much flour. It can also happen if the dough is not kneaded, proofed, or baked properly.
Why is bread machine bread runny?
If your bread dough is runny, it might be due to an excess of liquid ingredients or insufficient flour. Balancing wet and dry ingredients is essential for proper dough consistency.
How long does homemade bread last?
Homemade bread typically lasts for 2-4 days at room temperature. However, it doesn’t contain preservatives like store-bought bread, so it’s best eaten fresh.
What is bread machine yeast?
Bread machine yeast, or instant yeast, is specifically formulated to be faster-acting and reliable in bread machines.
Do I need to grease the bread maker pan?
While most bread machines have non-stick pans, lightly greasing the pan can make it easier to remove the bread after baking.
Can I use a bread machine to make gluten-free bread?
Yes, many bread machines have a specific gluten-free setting, and you can also find many gluten-free bread recipes designed for bread machines.
Can I freeze homemade bread?
Yes, you can freeze homemade bread. Allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or a freezer bag.
Can I make rolls in a bread machine?
Yes, you can use the dough setting on a bread machine to mix and knead the dough for rolls. You would then shape the rolls and bake them in a conventional oven.
How to clean and maintain a bread machine?
Always unplug and let the machine cool down before cleaning. Wipe the interior and exterior with a damp cloth. The bread pan and kneading paddle are typically removable and can be washed with warm soapy water. Always check the manual for specific cleaning instructions. Regular maintenance, such as checking the belt’s condition and the heating element, can also help extend the machine’s lifespan.
