Morphy Richards Fastbake 48281
The long-running budget favourite.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewThe 10 Best Bread Makers of 2026, Ranked
Our verdict: The best bread maker in 2026 is the Morphy Richards Fastbake 48281. It tops our ranking with 9.3 out of 10.
Our bread maker picks
Fewer picks than usual: no other model in the top half is better value.
Panasonic SD-B2510
A dependable all-rounder without the dispensers.
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Russell Hobbs Compact Black Breadmaker 23620
A compact fast-bake machine.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewAll 10 bread makers, compared
We compared 18 bread makers sold in the UK and ranked ten on what review sites and owners say. They run from compact 400g machines to 2lb family loaves and dispenser models, from budget Morphy Richards and Tower to Sage and Panasonic. Every product links to its full review below.
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1
Morphy Richards Fastbake 48281Best Choice
9.3 out of 10
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2
Panasonic SD-B2510Best Premium
9.0 out of 10
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3
Panasonic SD-YR2540
8.8 out of 10
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4
Tefal Pain et Delices PF240E40
8.5 out of 10
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5
Sage The Custom Loaf BBM800
8.5 out of 10
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- 6 KITCHENARM 29-in-1 SMART Bread Maker 8.3 out of 10 Check Price
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7
Panasonic SD-PN100
8.2 out of 10
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8
Russell Hobbs Compact Black Breadmaker 23620Best Budget
8.1 out of 10
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9
Tower T11003 Digital Bread Maker
8.1 out of 10
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10
Cooks Professional G3271 Bread Maker with Fruit and Seed Dispenser
8.0 out of 10
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Why No. 1 beats No. 2
The Morphy Richards Fastbake 48281 (9.3) beats the Panasonic SD-B2510 (9.0) because it does clearly better with the review sites.
The full bread maker reviews
1.Morphy Richards Fastbake 48281
The long-running budget favourite. It makes a loaf in under 50 minutes on its fast setting and has a 13-hour delay timer.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say1st of 10
- How happy owners are4th of 10
- How new it is8th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
Named in both best-of lists we read: The Guardian, Mumsnet.
Why it's here
- Fastbake programme gives a loaf in under 50 minutes
- 1.5lb and 2lb loaf sizes
- 12 programmes including jam, cake, sandwich and dough
- Keep-warm for 60 minutes after the cycle
Keep in mind
- No fruit and nut dispenser
- Pan and blades are hand-wash only
- Fastbake loaves are denser than the normal programmes
2.Panasonic SD-B2510
A dependable all-rounder without the dispensers. It keeps the dual sensors and four gluten-free modes of the dearer SD-YR2540 and bakes a larger loaf than the mini SD-PN100.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say2nd of 10
- How happy owners are2nd of 10
- How new it is5th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
Named in one of the two best-of lists we read: Mumsnet (its top pick).
Why it's here
- 21 programmes including four gluten-free modes
- Dual temperature sensors for consistent rises
- 13-hour digital timer
- Owners report even, well-risen loaves from the standard programmes
Keep in mind
- No automatic fruit and nut or yeast dispenser
- Some owners find the printed recipes need adjusting
- Dearer than the budget machines for the same loaf size
3.Panasonic SD-YR2540
The most complete Panasonic, with automatic yeast and fruit and nut dispensers and 32 programmes. It suits people who want to load it and walk away.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say3rd of 10
- How happy owners are3rd of 10
- How new it is3rd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
- BBC Good Food 4.5/52021
Named in one of the two best-of lists we read: Mumsnet.
Why it's here
- Automatic yeast dispenser and fruit and nut dispenser
- 32 programmes including four gluten-free modes and a sourdough option
- Dual temperature sensors adjust proving to the room
- 13-hour delay timer
Keep in mind
- One of the most expensive machines here
- Noisy during kneading
- No viewing window, so you cannot check the dough without lifting the lid
- Large and heavy for a small worktop
4.Tefal Pain et Delices PF240E40
A bread maker that does more than bread. It makes 500g, 750g or 1kg loaves, has 20 programmes and a 15-hour delay start, and comes with a yoghurt pot accessory.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say4th of 10
- How happy owners are9th of 10
- How new it is3rd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
Named in one of the two best-of lists we read: Mumsnet.
Why it's here
- Three loaf sizes: 500g, 750g and 1kg
- 20 programmes including gluten-free
- 15-hour delay start
- Yoghurt pot accessory and recipe book supplied
Keep in mind
- No fruit and nut dispenser
- A single paddle, so loaves have a hole in the base
5.Sage The Custom Loaf BBM800
The premium, tweakable machine. It has an automatic mix-in dispenser and lets you save nine custom programmes of your own.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say4th of 10
- How happy owners are8th of 10
- How new it is8th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
Named in one of the two best-of lists we read: The Guardian.
Why it's here
- Automatic fruit and nut dispenser
- Gluten-free, yeast-free, crusty loaf and jam programmes plus manual control
- Nine slots for custom programmes
- Power-interruption protection
Keep in mind
- Among the dearest machines here
- Heavy at about 8kg for a worktop
- Needs a lot of worktop space
6.KITCHENARM 29-in-1 SMART Bread Maker
A stainless-steel machine with 500g, 700g and 900g loaf sizes and a gluten-free setting. It offers 29 programmes from a newer brand.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say6th of 10
- How happy owners are1st of 10
- How new it is1st of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
None of the review sites we read has reviewed this model or named it in a best-of list, so it scores below the ones they have.
Why it's here
- Three loaf sizes from 500g to 900g
- Gluten-free setting
- 29 programmes
- Stainless-steel body
Keep in mind
- Support and spares depend on the seller
- New brand with a short track record
- The largest loaf is only 900g, smaller than the 2lb machines here
- Only one gluten-free programme, against four on the Panasonics
7.Panasonic SD-PN100
A mini bread maker for small kitchens and one or two people. It bakes a loaf of about 400g and has four gluten-free programmes.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say6th of 10
- How happy owners are7th of 10
- How new it is2nd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
None of the review sites we read has reviewed this model or named it in a best-of list, so it scores below the ones they have.
Why it's here
- Compact at about 25cm wide and 3.5kg
- 18 programmes including four gluten-free
- Dual temperature sensors
- Crust control and an LCD display
Keep in mind
- The 400g loaf is small for a family
- Owners report errors in some printed recipe quantities
- Audible during kneading
8.Russell Hobbs Compact Black Breadmaker 23620
A compact fast-bake machine. It makes 1lb, 1.6lb or 2.2lb loaves and has a 55-minute fast bake programme.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say6th of 10
- How happy owners are5th of 10
- How new it is8th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
None of the review sites we read has reviewed this model or named it in a best-of list, so it scores below the ones they have.
Why it's here
- 55-minute fast bake
- Three loaf sizes from 1lb to 2.2lb
- 13-hour timer and one-hour keep-warm
- Non-stick pan and blades
Keep in mind
- Fastbake II loaves come out smaller and denser
- No fruit and nut dispenser
9.Tower T11003 Digital Bread Maker
A plain 2lb machine with a gluten-free programme. It covers the basics for people who just want fresh bread at a budget price.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say6th of 10
- How happy owners are6th of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
None of the review sites we read has reviewed this model or named it in a best-of list, so it scores below the ones they have.
Why it's here
- 12 programmes including gluten-free and a fast mode
- Programmable delay timer and 60-minute keep-warm
- Three crust settings
- Removable non-stick pan and paddle
Keep in mind
- No fruit and nut dispenser
- Fewer programmes and no dispenser, so it does less than the dearer machines
- Only one gluten-free programme
10.Cooks Professional G3271 Bread Maker with Fruit and Seed Dispenser
A mid-priced way to get an automatic fruit and seed dispenser. It adds a viewing window and 19 programmes.
What makes up the score
- What review sites say6th of 10
- How happy owners are10th of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. What the review sites say counts for most of the score.
What the review sites say
None of the review sites we read has reviewed this model or named it in a best-of list, so it scores below the ones they have.
Why it's here
- Built-in dispenser for fruit, nuts and seeds
- 19 programmes including gluten-free
- Viewing window to check the loaf
- Delay timer and 60-minute keep-warm
Keep in mind
- Fast bake loaves take close to an hour
- Lesser-known brand, so spares and support are harder to find
Before you buy a bread maker
Which company makes the best bread maker?
Panasonic has the most complete range here, with dispenser and sensor models such as the SD-YR2540 and SD-B2510. Morphy Richards, Tower, Russell Hobbs and KITCHENARM cover the budget end, Cooks Professional and Tefal sit in the middle, and Sage makes the most adjustable premium machine. We compared 18 models and ranked these ten on what review sites and owners say.
Can bread makers make sourdough?
Most can bake a sourdough-style loaf, but few have a true starter programme. The Panasonic SD-YR2540 lists a sourdough option, and you can use a live starter on a standard or dough programme with extra proving time. Cheaper machines expect commercial yeast, so check the manual.
Is it worth buying a bread maker for gluten-free bread?
Yes, if you bake gluten-free often, because a dedicated programme handles the sticky batter and the longer rise. Panasonic's SD-B2510, SD-YR2540 and SD-PN100 each list four gluten-free modes, while the Tower and KITCHENARM machines list a single gluten-free programme. Shop-bought gluten-free loaves cost far more per slice than flour you bake yourself.
What size bread maker do I need?
A 400g mini such as the Panasonic SD-PN100 suits one or two people. A 1.5lb to 2lb machine suits a family, but check the space: the Panasonic SD-YR2540 is about 40cm wide and the Sage weighs about 8kg. Horizontal pans give a sliced-loaf shape, while a compact vertical pan gives a taller loaf.
Is homemade bread from a bread maker cheaper than shop bread?
Usually yes against fresh bakery loaves, and by less against supermarket own-brand sliced. A loaf uses roughly 0.3 to 0.5kWh, so around 10p of electricity at typical UK rates, plus flour and yeast. The saving comes from specialist loaves, such as seeded, wholemeal or gluten-free.
Do I need a bread maker with a fruit and nut dispenser?
Only if you bake fruit loaves or seeded bread regularly. Without one, machines beep and you add mix-ins by hand at the right moment. The Panasonic SD-YR2540, Sage Custom Loaf and Cooks Professional G3271 add them automatically. Also look for delay start, a keep-warm setting and power-cut memory.
How we ranked these ten bread makers
Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. Most of each score is what the review sites say: the scores their own reviews give each model, and whether their best-of lists name it. For this guide we read BBC Good Food, Mumsnet and The Guardian. The rest is how happy owners are, held back where few owners have rated a product, and how new it is. Value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 18 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in October 2026.
How we rank, in fullOur No. 1 bread maker
Morphy Richards Fastbake 48281
The long-running budget favourite. 9.3 out of 10.