Is the Breville Custom Loaf Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Aug 2026). How we score
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Why
America's Test Kitchen rated the Custom Loaf Recommended with reservations. It "generally made lovely even-crumbed and golden-brown loaves of bread," and ATK liked the viewing light and the automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser. But the pan was hard to remove and "The collapsible paddle also proved to be more of a pain than an asset." ATK's winner, the Zojirushi Supreme, rated higher for ease of use, and its Best Buy, the Cuisinart Compact, rated higher for performance and ease of use at about a third of the price.
Breville Custom Loaf warranty: 1 year limited
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Breville Custom Loaf
Compact Automatic Bread Maker
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's Best Buy, rated Highly Recommended: "Most of the time, it produced picture-perfect loaves that had an even crumb and a pleasantly fluffy texture." Its pan is smaller and more cube-shaped, so 2-pound loaves can overflow on long-proof settings: "A 2-pound batch of dough rose too much on the whole wheat setting." "If you don't mind playing around with the settings for 2-pound loaves, this affordable machine is a great option." ATK didn't test long-term durability, and the listing doesn't state a warranty.
| Criterion | Breville Custom Loaf | Cuisinart Compact |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 2/3 | 2.5/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Bread Machines (updated Aug. 17, 2026)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Bread Machines (updated Aug. 17, 2026), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Home Bakery Supreme Breadmaker
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's winner, with the same performance score as the Breville and a higher one for ease of use: "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 fixed paddles and rectangular loaves; no mix-in dispenser. Crusts ran a bit light. The listing doesn't state a warranty.
| Criterion | Breville Custom Loaf | Zojirushi Supreme |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2.5/3 | 2.5/3 |
| Ease of use | 2/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Bread Machines (updated Aug. 17, 2026)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Bread Machines (updated Aug. 17, 2026), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Common questions
Is the Breville Custom Loaf worth it?
America's Test Kitchen didn't think so: it bakes good loaves, but its pan is hard to remove and its collapsible paddle was a pain. ATK's winner, the Zojirushi Supreme, and its Best Buy, the Cuisinart Compact, both rated higher.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Bread Machines (updated Aug. 17, 2026), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
