Panasonic Bread Machines in the US & Canada (Plus Alternatives)
Europe has traditionally been getting the best Panasonic bread makers in terms of functionality (see the article on Panasonic SD-ZB2502-BXC, for example), while North American customers have typically had to settle for less fancy models. The good news is that for the average bread machine user, the features offered by the modern Panasonic bread machines, including those sold in the US and Canada, are more than enough. You'll get several bread and dough modes, crust control, choice of at least two loaf sizes, LCD display, delay timer (up to 13 hours), and keep warm function. And if that's not enough, there are also many other manufacturers providing bread makers that boast all the same features and functions as the Panasonics – and more! And, in some cases, these little powerhouse machines come with a very affordable price tag.
In this article, we take a look at the key features of modern Panasonic bread makers sold in North America, plus provide an overview of some great alternatives to Panasonic bread machines – just in case you're willing to go off piste with your brands and get a machine from a less famous bread maker manufacturer.
Panasonic vs. Other Popular Bread Makers
The following comparison charts provide an overview of the key features and functions of Panasonic SD-YD250 and Panasonic SD-RD250, both of which are commonly available in North America. In order to give you an idea of how the Panasonic machines compare against other electric bread makers in the same price range, the charts also include a number of other popular bread machines you might want to consider if you're looking for an alternative to a Panasonic. If you're unfamiliar with some of the features mentioned in the charts, just scroll down further – we've reserved the space below the charts for explaining some of the features and functions in detail. Note: Some of the features – such as loaf size option, crust control, and delay timer – may only be available on select programs (for details, see the user manuals – the links are provided below).
| Panasonic SD-YD250 | Panasonic SD-RD250 | Cuisinart CBK-100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price on Amazon (in US$) | |||
| Highlights |
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|
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| 100% whole wheat program1 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Gluten-free program | No | No | Yes |
| Jam/marmelade program | No | No | Yes |
| Customizable programs | No | No | No |
| Complete list of programs | See manual | See manual | See manual |
| Crust settings | Light Medium Dark | Light Dark | Light Medium Dark |
| Loaf sizes | M L XL | M XL | 1 lb 1.5 lb 2 lb |
| Delay timer2 | Up to 13 hours | Up to 13 hours | Up to 13 hours |
| Keep warm function | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dispenser for add-ins | YeastPro automatic yeast dispenser | Automatic raisin and nut dispenser | No |
| Kneading blade system | Single blade | Single blade | Single blade |
| Viewing window on the lid3 | No | No | Yes |
| LCD display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Details (user reviews, price on Amazon, etc) |  Click here Click here | Click here Click here | Click here Click here |
| Zojirushi BB-PAC20 | Zojirushi BB-CEC20 | Breville BBM800XL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price on Amazon (in US$) | |||
| Highlights |
|
|
|
| 100% whole wheat program1 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gluten-free program | Yes | No | Yes |
| Jam/marmelade program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable programs | Yes (3) | Yes (3) | Yes (9) |
| Complete list of programs | See manual | See manual | See manual |
| Crust settings | Light Medium Dark | Light Medium Dark | Light Medium Dark |
| Loaf sizes | 2 lb | 2 lb | 1.0 lb 1.5 lb 2.0 lb 2.5 lb |
| Delay timer2 | Up to 13 hours | Up to 13 hours | Up to 13 hours |
| Keep warm function | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dispenser for add-ins | No | No | Automatic raisin and nut dispenser |
| Kneading blade system | Dual blade | Dual blades | Single blade |
| Viewing window on the lid3 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LCD display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Details (user reviews, price on Amazon, etc) | Click here Click here | Click here Click here | Click here Click here |
Notes
1 Whole wheat program (100%). Many cheaper electric bread machines cannot handle doughs that use exclusively whole wheat flour. However, all of the bread machine included in this review – with the exception of Panasonic's SD-RD250 model – can make 100% whole wheat bread, according to their respective manuals/recipe booklets (the Panasonic SD-RD250 can handle dough that contains up to 30% whole wheat).
2 Delay timer. All of the models included in the comparison chart above are equipped with a digital delay timer which allows you to delay the kneading and baking by up to 13 hours. Thanks to this feature, you can wake up to the wonderful aroma of ultra-fresh bread in the morning or enjoy a slice of warm bread at the end of a long day at work.
3 Viewing window on the lid. Regardless of their price, almost all modern bread makers have a viewing window on the lid to allow you to sneak a peek without lifting the lid. Therefore, it may seem strange that Panasonic, a leading bread maker brand, has decided not to add a viewing window to its products. But there's an explanation for this unusual decision: according to Panasonic, eliminating the window allows for more even heat reflection which results in better rising of the dough and a better crust. If you want a machine that has both a viewing window and even heat distribution, consider getting Zojirushi's Home Bakery Virtuoso BB-PAC20 (see chart above). It is not the cheapest Zojirushi bread maker out there, but it does come with a whole range of features, with the lid heater being just one of them.
