Top bread maker brands for 2021

Paddle problems, inconsistent performance and broken fruit-and-nut dispensers are the most common bread maker problems, according to our survey of 1,650 owners. 

Knowing which brands develop the most faults can be vital when choosing a new kitchen gadget. That's why we asked thousands of Which? Connect panel members to tell us how pleased they are with their bread maker, whether they'd recommend it, and whether they've experienced any problems with it.

We've got data on the biggest bread maker brands including Kenwood, Morphy Richards and Panasonic – so you can see which ones you can reply on to bake a brilliant loaf, and which ones you should steer clear of.

Just want to know which machines make the best loaves? See our bread maker reviews to find out which models impressed in our tests.

Bread maker brands rated

The table below summarises this year's results. Brands are ranked by their customer score, which reveals how satisfied owners are with their bread makers and how likely they are to recommend them, plus how each brand's bread makers score on average in our independent lab tests.

Only logged-in Which? members can see which brand came top in the table below. If you’re not a member, join Which? to get instant access.

• Table notes: Ranked by customer score. Data taken from a survey of 1,650 Which? Connect panel members who own bread makers, carried out in April 2021.
• Average test score Based on all models showing online as of July 2021. - means we have no current tested models.
• Satisfaction rating Shows how satisfied owners are and how likely they would be to recommend the brand to a friend.
• Customer loyalty Shows how loyal bread maker owners were to the same brand when replacing their model.
• % faulty Based on the owners' current products up to seven years old.
• Value for money Based on owners' opinions.
• Customer score How satisfied owners are and how likely they would be to recommend the brand to a friend.

Best vs worst bread maker brands

As the chart below reveals, there's a clear difference between the brand with the highest customer score (89%) and the lowest (66%). There are also big gaps between average test scores, and the proportion of models our panel told us they experienced problems with.

Verdict: top bread maker brands in depth

We've pulled together our survey data and independent test results, along with insight from our bread maker expert, to give you the lowdown on each brand covered by our survey.

Read on to find out the pros and cons of each brand, and which ones are worth buying.

The brands are ordered by their customer score, which reveals whether owners are satisfied with the brand and if they'd recommend it to others. 

Only logged-in Which? members can see our unique test scores and customer satisfaction survey results. 

If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access to our in-depth verdicts on the following brands, listed here in alphabetical order:

• Argos Cookworks bread makers
• Kenwood bread makers
• Lakeland bread makers
• Morphy Richards bread makers
• Panasonic bread makers
• Russell Hobbs bread makers

The three most common bread maker faults

There's nothing shocking about the three most common bread maker problems reported on in our survey:

• 44% – problems with the bread-mixing paddle
• 17% – inconsistent performance
• 14% – broken fruit-and-nut dispenser.

Choosing a high-scoring model from a brand with a low fault rate should help you to avoid some of these problems. 

However, paddle issues are easy to solve and don't need to be a problem. When we test bread makers, we check whether the paddle sticks, leaving a large hole in the bread. We also check the consistency of baking. We’re looking for bread that's risen and baked evenly, and has a light and springy texture inside. For those that make the best, see our Best Buy bread makers.

You can usually buy spare mixing paddles, and if you're getting inconsistent results it's worth checking basic things such as whether your yeast is still in date, and that you're following the recipe exactly. Even the temperature of your kitchen might have an effect on bread making.

A broken fruit-and-nut dispenser doesn't spell the end for your bread maker. While it's frustrating and shouldn't happen, you can add extra ingredients manually instead.

If you believe your bread maker is genuinely faulty, see our consumer rights faulty goods advice guides to see how you can take action. 

How we calculate the best and worst bread maker brands

We have a wealth of information on popular bread maker brands. 

Every two years, we ask the Which? Connect panel members to tell us about their experiences with a range household appliances – from how likely they'd be to recommend a brand to a friend, to how long a product lasted before it developed a problem.

This year, more than 12,000 survey participants told us about more than 38,000 products, including 1,650 bread makers.

Our survey results, combined with our independent testing data, mean we can give you an unrivalled insight into the bread maker brands you should opt for.

Head to our bread maker reviews

Already decided which bread maker brand you want? Use the links below to go straight to our full test reviews, to see which bread makers will make dreamy bread, and which will turn your dough into a disappointing nightmare.

• Lakeland bread makers
• Lidl bread makers
• Morphy Richards
• Panasonic bread makers
• Russell Hobbs bread makers
• Sage bread makers

Last checked: July 2021.