Skip to content
BuyOnceRight: buy once, buy right
Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885

Hamilton Beach

Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885

  • 2-lb capacity
  • 14 programmable settings including whole grain
  • 3 loaf sizes, 3 crust shades
  • Viewing window
  • Dishwasher-safe pan and paddle
Check price on Amazon

Sponsored link · confirm price and availability on Amazon · updated

On this page

Is the Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885 worth it?

Yes, if you want fresh bread with minimal effort and a modest budget. The Hamilton Beach 29885 handles everyday white, wheat and gluten-free loaves and includes a delay timer for bread that's ready when you wake up. Bakers who want crusty artisan loaves or very even browning will outgrow it.

Our take

The Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885, explained

A bread machine is about convenience: you add ingredients, choose a program, and come back to a finished loaf. The Hamilton Beach 29885 is a straightforward, affordable way to get that, with enough programs to cover the breads most households actually make.

It isn't trying to compete with high-end machines that use dual kneading paddles and heated lids. It's a dependable everyday machine, and for many kitchens that is exactly the point.

What it does well

Sandwich loaves are the machine's sweet spot. Basic white, whole wheat and French programs produce soft, consistent bread, and the dedicated gluten-free cycle is a real advantage for households that need it, since gluten-free dough behaves very differently and needs its own mixing and rising times.

The delay timer is the feature owners use most. Load it at night, set the timer, and the kitchen smells of fresh bread in the morning. Avoid the delay setting for recipes with milk, eggs or other perishables, which shouldn't sit at room temperature for hours.

Its limits

Like most single-paddle bread machines, it bakes a tall loaf with a hole from the kneading paddle in the bottom. That's normal, but it's worth knowing if you picture neat, bakery-shaped slices.

Crusts are softer and browning is less even than oven-baked bread. Many experienced bakers use the dough cycle for mixing, kneading and the first rise, then shape the loaf and bake it in a conventional oven, which gives you the machine's convenience with a better crust.

Getting consistent results

Bread machines are sensitive to measurement. Weigh flour with a kitchen scale if you can, because a cup of flour can vary by 20 percent or more depending on how it's scooped. Add ingredients in the order the manual specifies, usually liquids first and yeast last, kept away from the salt and liquid until mixing starts.

Use bread flour for white loaves; its higher protein builds the structure that gives a better rise. Fresh, in-date yeast matters more than any setting on the machine.

Getting the most from it

  • Weigh flour instead of using cups for far more consistent loaves.
  • Watch the dough during the first knead: it should form a smooth ball. Add flour or water a tablespoon at a time if it's too wet or too dry.
  • Remove the kneading paddle right after baking so it doesn't bake into the loaf.
  • Use the dough cycle and finish in your oven when you want a crustier loaf or rolls.

Written by the BuyOnceRight research desk. Updated . Specifications are the manufacturer's; we don't claim hands-on testing we haven't done.

Specs that matter

Key features

  • 2-lb capacity
  • 14 programmable settings including whole grain
  • 3 loaf sizes, 3 crust shades
  • Viewing window
  • Dishwasher-safe pan and paddle
The trade-offs

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Dedicated whole grain preset handles most standard whole wheat blends adequately
  • Large ratings volume gives plenty of real-world feedback on which whole wheat recipes work best in this machine
  • Dishwasher-safe pan and paddle simplify cleanup after a sticky whole grain dough

Cons

  • Single kneading paddle and single heating element struggle more with 100 percent whole wheat than dual-blade machines
  • Denser loaves come out noticeably shorter than on the Zojirushi or Breville
  • Shorter reported lifespan than the premium machines under heavy weekly whole wheat baking
Fit check

Should you buy the Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885?

Buy it if you're…

  • Shopping for beginners
  • Shopping for budgets under $100
  • Shopping for small households
  • Shopping for budgets under $150
  • Shopping for gluten-free bread

Think twice if this matters to you

  • Single kneading paddle and single heating element struggle more with 100 percent whole wheat than dual-blade machines
  • Denser loaves come out noticeably shorter than on the Zojirushi or Breville
  • Shorter reported lifespan than the premium machines under heavy weekly whole wheat baking
Where it ranks

Featured in 6 best-of lists

ListRank
Best Bread Machines for Beginners· Top pick#1 / 5
Best Bread Machines Under $100#1 / 2
Best Bread Machines for Small Households#2 / 5
Best Bread Machines Under $150#2 / 5
Best Bread Machines for Gluten-Free Bread#4 / 4
Best Bread Machines for Whole Wheat Bread#4 / 4
Cross-shop

Alternatives to the Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885

Products ranked near it in our research, each better for a slightly different buyer.

Head-to-head

Compared with

Buying advice: bread machines

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Kneading is loud and the machines are bulky. Check counter space and whether you can store it in a cupboard.

Read the full guides

Answers

Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885: common questions

Can the Hamilton Beach 29885 make gluten-free bread?

Yes. It has a dedicated gluten-free program with mixing and rising times suited to gluten-free dough, which behaves very differently from wheat dough.

Why does my bread machine loaf collapse?

Usually too much yeast or liquid, or too little salt, which lets the dough over-rise and then fall. Measure carefully by weight and use the amounts in the machine's recipes.

Is a bread machine worth it?

If you eat bread regularly and value convenience, yes. Homemade loaves cost less per loaf than bakery bread and you control the ingredients. If you love crusty artisan bread, oven baking still produces better results.

Is the Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885 worth buying?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885 ranks #1 in our Best Bread Machines for Beginners list (top pick). Its biggest strength: dedicated whole grain preset handles most standard whole wheat blends adequately. The main caveat: single kneading paddle and single heating element struggle more with 100 percent whole wheat than dual-blade machines.

Who is the Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885 best for?

Based on our research it suits beginners, budgets under $100, small households and budgets under $150. It's ranked #1 of 5 in our Best Bread Machines for Beginners list.

What are the downsides of the Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885?

The main trade-offs owners and reviewers point to: single kneading paddle and single heating element struggle more with 100 percent whole wheat than dual-blade machines; denser loaves come out noticeably shorter than on the Zojirushi or Breville; shorter reported lifespan than the premium machines under heavy weekly whole wheat baking.

What are the key features of the Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885?

2-lb capacity, 14 programmable settings including whole grain, 3 loaf sizes, 3 crust shades, Viewing window and Dishwasher-safe pan and paddle.

What are the best alternatives to the Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885?

Worth comparing: Cuisinart CBK-200 Convection Bread Maker, Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20 Bread Maker and Amazon Basics Programmable Bread Maker, 2 lb. Each ranks near it in our research for a slightly different buyer.

Where can I buy the Hamilton Beach Digital Bread Maker 29885?

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.

More bread machines shortlists

More like this

Other bread machines we recommend

All bread machines

Browse all research