Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885
- 2-lb capacity
- 14 programmable settings including whole grain
Breville
Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker
- #1 in Best Bread Machines for Small Households
- #2 in Best Bread Machines for Whole Wheat Bread
- #3 in Best Bread Machines for Gluten-Free Bread
- 1 to 2.5-lb loaf range
- 13-plus automatic programs
- Collapsible kneading paddle
- Automatic fruit and nut dispenser
- 9 custom settings
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On this page
Is the Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker worth it?
Yes, for the right buyer. The Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker ranks #1 in our Best Bread Machines for Small Households list (best overall). Its biggest strength: collapsible paddle folds flat during baking, leaving a much smaller hole in gluten-free loaves than a fixed paddle. The main caveat: fewer total ratings than Hamilton Beach or Zojirushi, so there is less long-term owner data.
Overview
What the Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker does well
Full control at the smallest loaf size of any machine here. 5-lb loaf range and 13-plus automatic programs.
5-lb loaf range and 13-plus automatic programs.
The collapsible paddle and wide loaf-size range suit gluten-free experimentation. 5-lb loaf range and 13-plus automatic programs.
Specs that matter
Key features
- 1 to 2.5-lb loaf range
- 13-plus automatic programs
- Collapsible kneading paddle
- Automatic fruit and nut dispenser
- 9 custom settings
The trade-offs
Pros & cons
Pros
- Collapsible paddle folds flat during baking, leaving a much smaller hole in gluten-free loaves than a fixed paddle
- Widest loaf-size range in this list, useful for dialing in a smaller gluten-free test loaf before committing to a full batch
- Automatic dispenser adds seeds or dried fruit at the right point without opening the lid
- 9 custom settings allow fine control over crust color and cycle length
Cons
- Fewer total ratings than Hamilton Beach or Zojirushi, so there is less long-term owner data
- Larger footprint takes up more counter space than the Cuisinart
Fit check
Should you buy the Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker?
Buy it if you're…
- Shopping for small households
- Shopping for whole wheat bread
- Shopping for gluten-free bread
Think twice if this matters to you
- Fewer total ratings than Hamilton Beach or Zojirushi, so there is less long-term owner data
- Larger footprint takes up more counter space than the Cuisinart
Where it ranks
Featured in 3 best-of lists
| List | Rank |
|---|---|
| Best Bread Machines for Small Households· Best overall | #1 / 5 |
| Best Bread Machines for Whole Wheat Bread | #2 / 4 |
| Best Bread Machines for Gluten-Free Bread | #3 / 4 |
Cross-shop
Alternatives to the Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker
Products ranked near it in our research, each better for a slightly different buyer.
- Best overallZojirushi
Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20 Bread Maker
- 2-lb loaf capacity
- Dual heaters, lid plus bottom
Head-to-head
Compared with
Buying advice: bread machines
- Most machines bake 1 to 2.5 lb loaves. A 2 lb loaf suits a family of four; smaller households may prefer a compact machine with a 1 to 1.5 lb setting.
- Dual-paddle machines with a horizontal pan knead more evenly and give a traditional loaf shape. Single paddles leave a tall loaf and a larger hole in the base.
- Useful programs include whole wheat, gluten-free, dough only and a rapid cycle. Many extra programs go unused, so focus on the ones you will bake.
- A 12 to 15 hour delay timer lets you load ingredients at night for fresh bread in the morning. Avoid dairy and eggs on long delays.
- Kneading is loud and the machines are bulky. Check counter space and whether you can store it in a cupboard.
Answers
Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker: common questions
Is the Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker worth buying?
Yes, for the right buyer. The Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker ranks #1 in our Best Bread Machines for Small Households list (best overall). Its biggest strength: collapsible paddle folds flat during baking, leaving a much smaller hole in gluten-free loaves than a fixed paddle. The main caveat: fewer total ratings than Hamilton Beach or Zojirushi, so there is less long-term owner data.
Who is the Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker best for?
Based on our research it suits small households, whole wheat bread and gluten-free bread. It's ranked #1 of 5 in our Best Bread Machines for Small Households list.
What are the downsides of the Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker?
The main trade-offs owners and reviewers point to: fewer total ratings than Hamilton Beach or Zojirushi, so there is less long-term owner data; larger footprint takes up more counter space than the Cuisinart.
What are the key features of the Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker?
1 to 2.5-lb loaf range, 13-plus automatic programs, Collapsible kneading paddle, Automatic fruit and nut dispenser and 9 custom settings.
What are the best alternatives to the Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker?
Worth comparing: Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885, Cuisinart CBK-200 Convection Bread Maker and Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20 Bread Maker. Each ranks near it in our research for a slightly different buyer.
Where can I buy the Breville Custom Loaf BBM800XL Bread Maker?
It's sold on Amazon. Prices and stock change often, so check the current listing before you buy, our link takes you straight to it.
What is the easiest bread machine for a total beginner to use?
The Hamilton Beach 29885 is the easiest starting point for most first-time bakers because its 14 presets and simple dial-and-button interface require the least setup knowledge, and its lower price makes early mistakes less costly. The Cuisinart CBK-200 is a close second, with more presets but a slightly steeper initial learning curve for its convection settings.
Do I need to know how to bake bread before using a bread machine?
Bread machines exist specifically to remove the kneading, proofing, and temperature judgment that hand baking requires. A beginner only needs to measure ingredients accurately, especially the yeast and liquid, and select the correct preset for the type of bread being made. The machine handles timing and temperature automatically.
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Other bread machines we recommend
- Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885
- 2-lb capacity
- 14 programmable settings including whole grain
- Best overallZojirushi
Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20 Bread Maker
- 2-lb loaf capacity
- Dual heaters, lid plus bottom
- Amazon Basics
Amazon Basics Programmable Bread Maker, 2 lb
- Low price for a 2 lb machine
- 14 programs including gluten-free and dough
