Wirecutter

A favorite among the pros, the Zojirushi is sturdy, super reliable, and makes a standard-shaped loaf, unlike most other machines we tested.

TechGearLab

If you want a bread machine that can outbake the rest, look no further than the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus. This top-tier machine produced some of the tastiest bread in our tests and took home the prize for making the most consistent and aesthetically pleasing loaves. This is also the only model we tested that included two separate kneading blades, ensuring that all of the ingredients are thoroughly integrated into your dough and leaving no residual flour behind. The Virtuoso has numerous presets and is unique because it has memory functions, allowing you to customize the knead, rise, and bake times to match your preferences and favorite recipes. 
However, these bells and whistles don't come cheap. The Virtuoso Plus is one of the most expensive machines we've tested. It's also one of the bulkiest and heaviest machines of the group, requiring a significant investment in terms of both money and real estate in your kitchen. We strongly feel that the Zojirushi is the best baker of the bunch, but it might be overkill for folks who bake bread infrequently or who aren't willing to pay a premium for the best model. 

The best all-around breach machine is, without a doubt, the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus. This model consistently makes great bread, no matter what recipe we choose from its book of 51 options. While several others make good white and wheat bread, this model is the only one that churns out a gluten-free loaf we actually want to make a sandwich with. It also makes the best yeast-free pound cake around. In all four types of bread we made, the Virtuoso produced loaves with even, medium-brown crusts and tasty yet supportive interiors. These 2-pound loaves are a great shape for making sandwiches as well. Its magazine-style recipe booklet includes color pictures and easy-to-read charts that make using this machine that much more enjoyable.
This level of excellence comes at a price, though. It's the only model in our lineup that only lets you make 2-pound loaves without any option to change the size. And at this cost, it may be overkill for many folks just looking to make some fresh white bread for a sandwich. But if you love baking and eating all kinds of breads and cakes and need a good gluten-free option, the Virtuoso Plus will not let you down.
Read more: Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus review

Upgrade Pick

amazon.com

walmart

target

yotpo

America's Test Kitchen

With an easy-to-use interface and multiple bread options (including a “Homemade” option, which lets you customize the kneading, rising, and baking times), this reliable machine impressed us with its picture-perfect loaves. Two kneading paddles ensured a well-integrated dough with an even-crumbed interior that, while light and tender, was also sturdy enough to cut without falling apart. We also liked the traditional, rectangular-shaped loaves the machine produced. The only area the machine struggled in was with crust shade, which often came out a bit lighter than the setting we selected (medium), though the bread still tasted delicious and was perfectly baked.

Breadmaker Comparison