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Breville

Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker: the downsides first

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#2 of 8
$$$Horizontal 1-paddleScore 3.7/5
14%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)

The most customizable machine, with a collapsing paddle and an auto mix-in dispenser. But Wirecutter and Food & Wine got unevenly browned loaves, and it has the highest Amazon low-star share of the premium picks.

Top complaints

  • Uneven browning and deflated loaves

    Wirecutter says every unit it tested made loaves with unevenly browned, sometimes badly overcooked sides. Food & Wine found both test loaves light on top and uneven on the bottom and sides, and Serious Eats' white loaf deflated considerably after removal.

    Source: Wirecutter, Food & Wine, Serious Eats
  • Durability concerns

    Amazon's summary says durability is a concern, with some machines breaking by the second loaf or not holding up over time, and some owners find it overpriced.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Paddle doesn't always collapse; noisy

    Amazon's summary says feedback on the collapsible paddle is mixed, with some owners reporting it doesn't collapse properly. The Spruce Eats lists noise as its main downside.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say), The Spruce Eats

What owners love

  • Most settings and custom programs

    Food & Wine says it offers more customization than any other machine, with 14 settings and a manual of more than 100 recipes. The Spruce Eats notes it can save up to nine custom recipes, and Serious Eats highlights four loaf sizes up to 2.5 lb.

    Source: Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, Serious Eats
  • Collapsing paddle and mix-in dispenser

    The Spruce Eats says the paddle collapses after kneading, so the hole is much less noticeable, and the dispenser adds fruit and nuts at the right time. Food & Wine liked the automatic mix-ins.

    Source: The Spruce Eats, Food & Wine
  • Very easy to use

    Food & Wine, Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping all call the interface easy, and Good Housekeeping notes a light for the viewing window. The Spruce Eats mentions a 1-hour backup battery for short power outages.

    Source: Food & Wine, Serious Eats, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Eats
Good for
  • Tinkerers who want to save custom programs
  • Loaves up to 2.5 lb
  • Smaller paddle holes and automatic mix-ins

Scores (tap for why)

  • Loaf quality3.0
    Why 3.0?Good loaves for The Spruce Eats, but uneven browning for Wirecutter and Food & Wine, a deflated loaf for Serious Eats, and underwhelming results for Good Housekeeping.
    Source: The Spruce Eats, Wirecutter, Food & Wine, Serious Eats
  • Programs & gluten-free5.0
    Why 5.0?Gluten-free and 13 other settings, nine savable custom recipes and four loaf sizes up to 2.5 lb.
    Source: Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, Serious Eats
  • Paddle hole & removal4.0
    Why 4.0?The paddle collapses after kneading for a much smaller hole (The Spruce Eats), and little dough stuck to it (Serious Eats); some Amazon owners say it doesn't always collapse.
    Source: The Spruce Eats, Serious Eats, Amazon.com product page
  • Ease & noise4.0
    Why 4.0?Testers found it very easy to use, with a lit display and progress indicator, but The Spruce Eats found it noisy.
    Source: Food & Wine, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Eats
  • Durability & nonstick2.5
    Why 2.5?14% Amazon low-star share, and Amazon's summary flags units breaking early or not holding up over time.
    Source: Amazon.com product page

What experts say

  • The Spruce Eats: Best overall: good standard and gluten-free loaves, a collapsing paddle and a mix-in dispenser. It is a bit noisy.
  • Food & Wine: Most versatile: unbelievably easy to use, but both test loaves browned unevenly.
  • Serious Eats: Best for full control, with tasty cinnamon bread and easy cleanup; the white loaf deflated considerably.
  • Wirecutter (NYT): Not recommended: every unit tested made unevenly browned, sometimes badly overcooked loaves.
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If that catch is a deal-breaker

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Most testers say this makes the best loaves of any machine, including gluten-free, in a normal sandwich-loaf shape. The catches are a price of around $400-460, a 24-pound body the size of a microwave, and two paddle holes in every loaf.

Its catch: very expensive#3 in bread machinesZojirushi Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker, 1 lb

A small, quiet machine that bakes excellent 1-pound loaves. Testers balk at paying about $300 for small loaves, and it has no gluten-free or whole wheat setting.

Its catch: pricey for tiny loaves#4 in bread machinesCuisinart Compact Automatic Bread Maker

Amazon's best-selling bread machine and a pick at Serious Eats, The Spruce Eats and Food & Wine for good loaves in a compact body. But its tall 2-lb loaves can hit the lid and collapse, and some units fail early.

Its catch: tall loaves that can collapse

Head-to-head

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