Largely due to the recent pandemic, bread makers have grown in popularity in recent years. The concept of being more self-sustainable has become appealing to a wider variety of people. Making your own bread is just one of many ways you can be more self-sustainable. With the rising cost of bread in Canada, it’s also a great way to save money, while eating freshly made bread in the process.
From crock pots to Dutch ovens, there are many techniques for making your own bread. However, an automatic bread maker can definitely help simplify the process.
Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of bread makers. We’ll also highlight the best bread maker machines on the market in Canada this year.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: ZOJI Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus
Jump to Review - Most Versatile: KBS 17-in-1
Jump to Review - Best For Families: West Bend 47413 Hi-Rise
Jump to Review - Most Compact: Cuisinart CBK-110
Jump to Review - Best Value: Hamilton Beach HomeBaker
Jump to Review
Are Bread Makers Worth It?
For families or those who eat bread regularly, a bread maker can save you tons of money down the road. While the machine may cost you anywhere from $100 to $500, the investment will pay off quickly, provided that you actually use the bread maker regularly. The average cost of a 675 basic loaf of bread in Canada is $3 (as of 2022), so a weekly bread consumer spends a minimum of about $150 per year on bread. This number is significantly higher for families or those who opt for artisanal or gluten-free bread.
Bread makers are convenient since you can make a wide range of bread styles with them (including gluten-free bread and cake). All you need to do is add your raw ingredients of choice, select a cycle, and let the machine work its magic. With most bread makers, you can even schedule your bread to be made the next morning.
That said, while a bread maker is not a necessary purchase, it’s an easy and cost-effective way to enjoy freshly baked bread from the comfort of your home. It’s also a great way to control the ingredients you put into your body.
The 5 Best Bread Makers in Canada in 2025
Here is our selection of the best bread maker machines in Canada this year.
ZOJI Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker
The ZOJI Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus is the best bread maker on the market for a variety of reasons. With 15 different bread options, the Virtuoso Plus is highly versatile and makes consistently perfect bread every time. In addition to its programmed cycles, it lets you make your own custom bread. That said, this break maker might be a little too advanced for beginners.
The Virtuoso Plus has a convenient Rapid Setting that lets you bake a loaf of white or whole wheat bread in just 85 minutes. It has two kneading blades that provide you with unbeatable results.
In terms of bread types, the Virtuoso Plus lets you make gluten-free bread, multigrain bread, vegan bread, sugar-free bread, cake, and more. It’s one of few bread makers that has a vegan bread setting. It also has 3 custom bread settings that can be programmed.
While it’s much more expensive than other bread makers on the market, the Virtuoso Plus is worth the investment if you can handle it.
KBS 17-in-1 Automatic Bread Maker
The KBS Automatic Bread Maker is one of our favourites because of its wide variety of bread options. It offers 17 different bread cycles, 3 crust options, and 3 loaf sizes. It lets you make sourdough bread, gluten-free bread, and even cake with a max loaf size of 2 lbs.
The KBS is very easy to use and will take about 90 minutes to bake a loaf of bread. It will knead, proof, and bake your bread without any manual intervention required. If you want more than its 17 programmed options, it also offers two custom modes. With its custom programs, you can set the fermentation level and baking time based on whatever type of bread you’re making.
Other features we appreciate about the KBS are its timer settings. With its delay timer, you can essentially schedule your bread to be made for the next morning. You can also keep your bread warm for up to an hour after it’s made. If you’re making bread with dried fruits, chocolate chips, or nuts as a topping, the machine has a dispenser that will automatically release the ingredients at the perfect moment.
West Bend 47413 Hi-Rise Bread Maker
The West Bend Hi-Rise is one of the best bread machines for making large loaves of bread. Compared to other bread makers, the Hi-Rise is capable of making 3 lb loaves of bread. It’s also quite versatile, with 12 bread options, including basic, whole wheat, sandwich bread, sweet, and gluten-free. It also comes with a custom setting for the more experienced breadmakers out there.
In terms of its additional bread-making options, the Hi-Rise lets you choose between three loaf sizes: 2 lbs, 2.5 lbs, or 3 lbs. It also lets you choose the crust’s doneness level (light, medium, or dark).
With dual kneading blades, the West Bend produces bread with a lighter taste and a higher rise. It has a delayed start cycle that can be programmed up to 13 hours in advance. This means you can wake up with freshly baked bread. The bread will be kept warm for up to an hour.
Overall, with its high capacity and variety of bread options, the Hi-Rise is probably the best bread machine for families.
Cuisinart CBK-110 Compact Bread Maker
With its vertical design, the Cuisinart CBK-110 Automatic Bread maker is one of the most compact bread makers out there. As a compact bread maker, it makes smaller loaves up to about 1.5 lbs in weight. It has 12 pre-programmed options, including gluten-free bread, French bread, and artisanal-style bread.
In addition to different types of bread, the CBK-110 also lets you choose from 3 types of crust and 3 loaf sizes. Asides from removing the kneading paddle, the bread-making process is completely automatic. The machine has a viewing window on the lid so you can keep an eye on the bread-making process. However, a few users have complained that the lid is difficult to clean sometimes since it’s not removable.
With its vertical design, the machine doesn’t take up too much space on your counter and is easy to store when not in use. It has a width of 13″ and a depth of 10″ and weighs just 1 pound. Similar to the KBS, the CBK-110 has a delay timer, so you can schedule your bread up to 13 hours ahead of time.
Hamilton Beach HomeBaker Bread Maker
While the Hamilton Breach HomeBaker is not the best bread maker out there, it’s simple and budget-friendly, costing just over $100. This makes it a decent option for beginners. Similar to the Cuisinart, it comes with 12 pre-programmed settings, including a gluten-free option. What really sets it apart is its excellent program for making cakes.
There is nothing particularly unique about the HomeBaker, asides from its low price point and rounded design. It’s also one of the few bread makers out there that has actual buttons as opposed to a digital touch interface. This is a bonus for some people, however, it does make the machine more difficult to clean.
Similar to the Cuisinart bread maker, the bread-making process is almost fully automatic with the HomeBaker. You will just have to remove the kneading paddle when instructed. In terms of additional bread options, it can make either a 1.5 lb loaf or a 2 lb loaf. It has 3 crust settings (light, medium, or dark).
How to Choose The Best Bread Maker?
Before purchasing a bread maker machine, it is important to consider a few specs. Among others, make sure to look at its capacity, bread-making cycles, dough mixer, timer functions, and its size. Here is an overview of each spec to look out for:
Capacity/Bread Pan Volume
A bread maker’s capacity is typically measured by the volume of the bread pan or the maximum loaf size it can produce. Most break makers will offer a capacity of 1.5 lbs to 2 lbs, but you can also find some break makers with a 3 lb capacity. To put that into perspective, a bread recipe with 6 cups of flour can produce a 2.5 lb loaf. If variety is important to you, look for a machine that can make a range of loaf sizes.
Bread-Making Options/Cycles
Bread makers will come with various preprogrammed cycles, including white bread, whole wheat bread, French bread, gluten-free bread, and even cake. Some machines will even let you make jams or yogurt. Most machines will have at least 12 cycles to choose from. More advanced machines will even come with custom modes that can be programmed by yourself.
While all of these options sound exciting, most people tend to stick to the same one or two cycles every time.
Number of Kneading Paddles
The dough mixer is commonly referred to as the kneading paddle or blade. While affordable bread makers will have one paddle, more advanced bread makers will often have two paddles. A machine with two kneading paddles will generally do a better job at mixing the ingredients and activating the gluten. However, one kneading blade is more than enough for small and short loaves.
Timer Options
Depending on your bread-making needs, a built-in timer can be critical. The main use for a timer on a bread maker is to schedule your bread ahead of time (referred to as delay start). Delay start functions are very convenient if you want to wake up to a fresh loaf of bread. You will commonly find bread makers with a delayed start of between 11 and 13 hours. This means if it’s 9 pm and you want your bread to be ready by 7 am, you would set a 10-hour timer.
Size & Dimensions
There’s no denying that bread makers can be large and bulky. If space is limited in your kitchen, be sure to look at the dimensions of the bread maker you’re interested in. They also tend to weigh up to 15 lbs, so keep this in mind as well.
Bread Maker FAQs
The cost of a home bread maker varies between $100 and $500, depending on many factors such as the brand, the power, the capacity, and the functionalities offered. For basic household use, the mid-range models generally have a price ranging between $200 and $300.
Maintaining a breach machine mainly consists of cleaning the machine after use. After a few cycles, your machine may start to accumulate fat. You will then need to remove any grease with a damp cloth and some diluted dish soap. It’s essential to dry the machine completely after cleaning it.
Depending on the bread machine, you may also have to lubricate the bread spindle shaft occasionally. Refer to your particular machine’s user manual for instructions on how to do so.
To ensure the longevity of your bread maker, it is essential to clean it after each use. Most models come with a non-stick pan, making it easy to clean. To clean it, you will need a damp cloth, a dry cloth, and some mild dish soap.
After use, clean the inside of the tub with a damp cloth and dish soap. If necessary, also remove the bread residues that are attached to the bottom of the bin. Then all you have to do is dry with the soft, dry cloth so as not to damage the non-stick. For the mixer you simply need to wash it with hot soapy water, then rinse it.
To avoid your bread sticking to the pan, you should grease your bread maker’s pan before adding your ingredients. This will make it easier to remove the baked bread from the pan. Some bread pans are non-stick and don’t require greasing the pan, so we recommend looking at your machine’s user manual when in doubt.
