Best Bread Makers to Bake Bread at Home in the UK

The Panasonic SD-2501WXC is easily the most complete appliance on this list. Before anything else, this machine comes fitted with 25 pre-set programmes. These programmes include 25 Bake, Bake Rapid, Sandwich Bake, Bake Raisin, Dough, Dough Raisin, Italian Bake, Pizza Dough, Pizza Bake, and more, without forgetting Gluten-Free Bake, and even Jam and Compote modes, so you won't be limited to baked products alone. The instructions include 6 compote and 8 jam, so you'll be able to experiment here. There's also the Speciality mode that lets you use different grains and flours, not unlike spelt flour that you cannot make into bread without using machines like this one. The Rye Bread setting, coupled with the robust mixing blade, will also be able to create various tasty loaves with rye and spelt flours mixed together.

With these many settings alone (and we're not even talking about the construction and all that yet), the machine's biggest flaw becomes somewhat obvious even when you haven't been presented with one yet - its size. Measuring 25.6 x 38.2 x 38.9 centimetres, the unit is massive, so you'll have to sacrifice ample countertop space or store the machine somewhere else and move from that place to the kitchen countertops when baking bread. The appliance weighs 7 kilograms, not necessarily lightweight but light enough to carry alone.

The Russell Hobbs 23620 is pretty compact and really fast.

Measuring 32.2 x 29 x 30 centimetres in overall dimensions, the model will not impose on any precious kitchen space you want to conserve. It weighs 4.3 kilograms, so you shouldn't have any issues moving the bread maker around either. The black housing with silver accents, incorporating an LCD screen and touch buttons, will mesh well with any modern/contemporary kitchen setting.

Drawing 600 watts, the machine takes far less time to prepare bread than its peers. The company's 55-minute fast-bake feature is present as well, letting you whip up the most delicious white loaf in less than an hour.

Fast-bake aside, the model comes equipped with 10 additional pre-set programmes, including Basic, French, Whole Wheat, Cake, Sweet, Dough, Jam, Sandwich, Gluten-free, and Speciality. You can use these settings to prepare anything on this list, from delicious but healthy whole-wheat bread to mouth-watering jams.

As far as the loaf size is concerned, the model will let you make 500-, 750-, and 1000-gram loaves. As you would imagine, these loaves will be enough to satisfy 2-4 individuals.

The programmable bread machine from Murphy Richards is all about providing the user with a multitude of choices. Though they aren't necessarily unique, a dozen of pre-set programmes will allow you to bake not just a number of different types of bread but also the most delicious cakes and jams. Of course, if you wouldn't describe yourself as a person with a sweeter tooth, the model has plenty to offer you too. From a basic white or a French to a wholewheat or simple dough, the machine can bake it all.

In terms of the loaf size, the bread maker will allow you to choose from 1 lb, 1.5 lb, 2 lb loaves (or 450, 680, and 900 grams if you feel so inclined). The last couple of options work with the Fastbake function. Using the latter, you will be able to make yourself a freshly baked loaf in no more than 50 minutes. If you have a celiac disease or you simply do not fancy gluten in your food, the model will allow you to сhoose from a number of gluten-free options, using the recipes that are included in the instruction manual. And if you like to switch things up every once in a while, there're 3 crust settings that you can use to change the crust from light to dark.

Most bread makers are usually offering too much or too little. The Tower T11003 is not most bread makers. From just about every perspective, this is a much more intelligent machine than its price bracket normally entails. To begin with, the appliance lets you adjust the crust, choosing between light, medium, and dark settings, achieving always delicious but very different results. To add more, the machine comes with a bread pan that you can always remove and that incorporates effective non-stick coating, so even the most intense baking sessions will not leave considerable traces behind.

This is not the most unique product though. Besides the removable non-stick pan and crust control, the machine is not that different from most mid-range bread makers. Not unlike these makers, the Tower T11003 is adopting 12 pre-set programmes, including Basic, French, Whole Wheat, Quick, Sweet, Ultra-Fast I, Ultra-Fast II, Dough, Gluten-free, Cake, Sandwich, and Bake. Using the ultra-fast programmes, you'll be able to prepare a fresh loaf in less than an hour. And, with the supplied measuring jug, the machine will let you add the precise dough amount that's necessary, no more and no less. That said, because the marks on the measuring jug are almost invisible, sometimes it will be a little more about guesswork and a little less about precision.

The Sage BBM800BSS looks brilliant, let's start with that. Normally, these appliances try to couple black with white/chrome, which usually makes them modern and even relatively stylish but not especially unique. As you can probably tell, the unit we're reviewing here is different, incorporating this peculiar all-silver housing that will definitely be able to add character to most kitchens. Keeping the lines clean and its accents smooth and polished, the appliance maintains this mature streamlined profile, poised to attract attention even next to the most expensive stainless steel appliances.

The large LCD screen with its light-blue backlighting adds to the product's sleek and polished aesthetic, also making the settings intuitive and accessible. The so-called "turn-and-confirm" dials will let you easily manage the screen's smart interface and sift through the numerous settings and features.

These settings include 13 pre-set programmes, from Basic, Whole wheat, Rapid, Gluten-free, Crusty loaf, Sweet, Yeast-free to Dough, Pizza, Pasta, Bake only, Jam, and Knead. In addition to pre-set programmes, the appliance will let you utilise 9 custom settings. Using these settings, you'll be able to create and store various recipes, keeping them readily accessible whenever necessary.