Breville vs Zojirushi Bread Machines – Comparison Chart

Breville's BBM800XL breadmaker, available through Amazon.com and Amazon.ca

So you've decided to get a high-end bread machine but don't know whether to go for a Breville or Zojirushi? In this article, we take a look at key features of some of the most popular Breville and Zojirushi bread makers available in North America to help you figure out which bread maker is best suited for your purposes.

Key Features and Functions

The two brands carry similar price tags, so cost is probably not going to be the deciding factor. In terms of features and functions, on the other hand, there are quite some differences between the latest Breville and Zojirushi bread machines. Zojirushi's Virtuoso BB-PAC20 and Supreme BB-CEC20 machines, for example, have large horizontal bread pans with dual kneading blades, while the Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf features a single collapsible blade (designed to minimize the hole the breadmaker leaves in the loaf). For those who like to develop their own bread machine cycles and recipes, Breville's Custom Loaf bread maker offers nine customizable programs, compared with three customizable cycles built into the Zojirushi models covered in this review (to learn more, check out HealWithFood.org's in-depth article on bread machines with customizable programs). These and other key features and functions are summarized below:

	Breville BBM800XL	Virtuoso BB-PAC20	Supreme BB-CEC20
Amazon deal
Customizable programs	9	3	3
100% whole wheat program	Yes	Yes	Yes
Gluten-free program	Yes	Yes	No
Jam/compote program	Yes	Yes	Yes
Complete list of programs	See manual	See manual	See manual
Crust options*	Light Medium Dark	Light Medium Dark	Light Medium Dark
Loaf sizes*	1.0 lb 1.5 lb 2.0 lb 2.5 lb	2 lb	2 lb
Keep warm function	Up to 60 min	Up to 60 min	Up to 60 min
Kneading blade system	Single blade	Dual blade	Dual blade
Kneading blade type	Collapsible paddle	Standard	Standard
Automatic dispenser for add-ins	Yes	No	No
Viewing window	Yes	Yes	Yes
LCD display	Yes	Yes	Yes
Delay timer*	Up to 13 hours	Up to 13 hours	Up to 13 hours
Find the lowest price available on Amazon	Click here Click here	Click here Click here	Click here Click here

*Only available on select bread/dough programs (see the manual for details)

Overview of the Pros and Cons Based on User Reviews

When shopping for a new bread machine, it is also a good idea to look for user reviews written by people who have recently bought the model you are thinking of getting. The Breville Custom Loaf bread maker has received positive feedback on, among other things, its customizable programs, automatic dried fruit and nut dispenser, and its alert system which allows you to mute the sound alerts (for example for the night). Its collapsible paddle, on the other hand, has received mixed reviews, with some people praising it and others finding it unfunctional or too gimmicky. The good news is that there's also an audible "remove paddle" alert at beginning of the third rise allows you to remove the paddle altogether if you find it problematic.

Zojirushi's bread machines have a loyal fan base in the US and Canada, with Zoji fans praising the shape and texture of the "Zo loaves" as well as the versatility of their machines (did you know that in addition to making breads, cakes, doughs and jams, Zojirushi's BB-PAC20 and BB-CEC20 models can also make meatloaf and sourdough starters?). But, like all man-made products, also the Zojirushi machines have their shortcomings. The customizable programs, for example, can be adjusted only so much, and according to some Zoji users, the non-stick coating on the pans and kneading blades is rather delicate, so you'll have to be extra careful when cleaning them.

The following comparison chart summarizes some of the most important positive and negative comments shared by Breville and Zojirushi users:

	Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf	Zojirushi BB-PAC20 and BB-CEC20
PROS	Up to 9 custom programs 4 loaf sizes to choose from Automatic dried fruit and nut dispenser Pre-programmed gluten-free cycle Smart, backlit LCD screen Sound alerts can be muted Collapsible paddle (if you find it problematic, it can also be removed before baking when you hear the "remove paddle" alert)	Nicely shaped, long horizontal 2-lb loaves thanks to the dual blade system Can also be used to make sour dough starters and even meatloaf The manual for the BB-PAC20 model is packed with recipes – covering everything from 100% wheat breads, gluten-free loaves and cakes to all sorts of pizza doughs, marmelades and pasta doughs – but also the manual for the BB-CEC20 contains an impressive range of recipes
CONS	Some say the collapsible paddle takes too big a chunk out of the dough The Breville manual has (slightly) fewer recipes than the Zojirushi manuals	The customizable programs do not allow for as much freedom as the Breville machine (i.e. narrower time/temperature ranges for most steps) Some reviewers reported problems with the non-stick coating of the bread pan and the kneading blades
LEARN MORE	View user reviews on Amazon.com User reviews on Amazon.ca	User reviews on Amazon.com View user reviews on Amazon.ca