Is the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Aug 2026). How we score
Save $86Depends. Zojirushi Supreme for most people.
Amazon prices as of Sep 30, 2:51 AM EDT (details)
Why
America's Test Kitchen rated the Virtuoso Plus Highly Recommended and gave it full marks for performance: "With a fancy heated lid and dual paddles for kneading, this machine formed and baked beautiful, golden-crusted loaves with even-crumbed interiors." "The machine's heated lid helped it achieve the exact chosen crust shade every time." But ATK's winner is the cheaper Zojirushi Supreme, which bakes the same rectangular loaves and was easier to use; the Virtuoso's "control panel was slightly confusing to use." ATK's Best Buy, the Cuisinart Compact, matched the Virtuoso's ratings at a fraction of the price, with smaller, cube-shaped loaves. Splurge if you want the exact crust color or its gluten-free and vegan cycles; save if you mostly bake basic white and wheat loaves.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus
Home Bakery Supreme Breadmaker
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's winner: "this reliable machine impressed us with its picture-perfect loaves," with two paddles and "traditional, rectangular-shaped loaves." It rated higher than the Virtuoso for ease of use and slightly lower for performance, because "crust shade, which often came out a bit lighter than the setting we selected (medium)." It has no gluten-free or vegan cycle, but its Homemade cycle lets you set kneading, rising and baking times. ATK didn't test long-term durability, and the listing doesn't state a warranty.
| Criterion | Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus | Zojirushi Supreme |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3/3 | 2.5/3 |
| Ease of use | 2.5/3 | 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
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 | Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus | Cuisinart Compact |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 2.5/3 | 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
Common questions
Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus or Home Bakery Supreme?
America's Test Kitchen's winner is the cheaper Supreme: both bake rectangular 2-pound loaves with two paddles, and the Supreme was easier to use. The Virtuoso Plus adds a heated lid that nails the crust shade you pick, plus gluten-free, vegan and other special cycles.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Bread Machines (updated Aug. 17, 2026), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
