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Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb vs Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker, 1 lb
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 #3 of 8) and scores better on loaf quality, programs & gluten-free, durability & nonstick. Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker, 1 lb wins on ease & noise.
The biggest complaint about the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb is very expensive; for the Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker, 1 lb it's pricey for tiny loaves. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker, 2 lb | Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker, 1 lb | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in bread machines | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Horizontal 2-paddle | Mini |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 6% | 8% |
| Overall score | 4.1 | 3.6 |
| Loaf quality | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Programs & gluten-free | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Paddle hole & removal | 2.5 | — |
| Ease & noise | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Durability & nonstick | 4.5 | 3.5 |
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.
Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker, 1 lb
- Pricey for tiny loaves
Wirecutter's biggest hang-up is the roughly $300 price for a machine that only makes small loaves. Food & Wine says the small step up to a larger, full-featured Zojirushi is worth it.
Source: Wirecutter, Food & Wine - No gluten-free or whole wheat setting
Wirecutter notes it lacks gluten-free and whole wheat settings and performed only on par with cheaper machines in those tests.
Source: Wirecutter - Pan wear and occasional bad loaves
Amazon's summary says some owners report the inner pan wearing out after about 100 uses. Serious Eats got one lumpy, under-risen loaf (the retest was fine) and found it slow to incorporate dry ingredients.
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 Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini Breadmaker, 1 lb if
One- or two-person households
Small kitchens
Quiet operation
Skip it if: You need gluten-free or whole wheat settings; You want full-size loaves; You're on a budget
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.