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Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb vs Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on loaf quality, durability & nonstick. Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker wins on programs & gluten-free, paddle hole & removal.
The biggest complaint about the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb is very expensive; for the Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker it's uneven browning and deflated loaves. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb | Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in bread machines | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Horizontal 2-paddle | Horizontal 1-paddle |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 6% | 14% |
| Overall score | 4.1 | 3.7 |
| Loaf quality | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Programs & gluten-free | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Paddle hole & removal | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Ease & noise | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Durability & nonstick | 4.5 | 2.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $100 · $$ $100–250 · $$$ over $250. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb
- Very expensive
Wirecutter says it usually costs around $400 and has only a one-year warranty, which is limited for the price. Food & Wine says it was the most expensive machine it tested, more than double the average. Amazon's summary says some owners feel it's not worth the money.
- Big and heavy
Wirecutter measures it at 10 by 18 inches and 24 pounds, about the size of a microwave. Serious Eats calls it big and heavy, and Food & Wine says you'll likely need to store it in a pantry or closet.
- Two paddle holes; paddles can stick
Wirecutter notes that two-paddle machines leave two holes in the bottom of the loaf. Amazon's summary says some owners report the paddles getting stuck.
Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Who should pick which
Pick the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb if
Frequent bakers who want the best loaf
Gluten-free and whole wheat bread
Classic horizontal sandwich loaves
Skip it if: You bake only occasionally; You're short on counter or storage space; You want a quick-bread setting
Pick the Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker if
Tinkerers who want to save custom programs
Loaves up to 2.5 lb
Smaller paddle holes and automatic mix-ins
Skip it if: You want the most even crust; You want a quiet machine; Long-term reliability matters most
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