Amazon Basics Bread Machine Review
This Amazon Basics bread maker review is a summary of our experience with the Amazon Basics bread machine after baking dozens of bread maker recipes over several months. You can double-check the specific model referenced here.
Looking for a new bread machine? If you want a compact, budget-friendly appliance that is easy to use you should definitely consider the Amazon Basics Programmable Bread Maker.
Of the 5 different bread machine models we tested during production of The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook, this machine is a near identical copy of one of my very favorites but retails at less than half the price!
If you'd like to read the reviews of the other models we tested, be sure to check out the Best Bread Machine for Beginners article here.
Amazon Basics. vs. Cuisinart Compact
When I have the option to choose any of my bread machines, I almost always grab my Cuisinart Compact bread maker.
I was shocked to see how nearly identical the Amazon Basics model is.
The Cuisinart is featured in the photo below on the left in silver, the Amazon Basics is featured on the right in white:
How They Are Similar:
- Same Size and Shape: Both machines are the same height, same width, and same basic shape.
- Same Bread Pan: The metal bread pan insert and paddle look almost exactly the same and definitely bake the same shaped loaves.
- Same Program Options: The basic bread program options are the same on both models, they both offer 12 useful programs including Basic/White, French, Whole Wheat, Quick, Sweet, Gluten-Free, Dough, Jam, Packaged Mix, Cake, and Custom Bake. The Amazon Basics offers 2 additional programs, Yogurt and Homemade but only the Cuisinart offers Artisan.
How They Are Different:
- Heft & Quality: The Cuisinart has a very sturdy metal body and overall feels heavier, sturdier, and better made than the Amazon model.
- No Viewing Light: The Amazon machine does not have a built-in light to see the dough as it rises.
- Paddle Position: When the paddle is left in the loaf to bake instead of removed, the Amazon paddle seems to leave a very large gash in the bottom of the loaf while the Cuisinart tends to leave a smaller impression.
- Price: The Cuisinart retails for more than double the price of the Amazon.
Will It Fit In My Kitchen?
To best illustrate the size of the bread maker, I took these photos on my kitchen counter underneath a standard height kitchen cabinet.
The Amazon bread machine is the smallest of the bread makers we tested. It is a petite, square-shaped, plastic bodied appliance.
When the machine is closed, it will fit neatly underneath a standard-height kitchen cabinet on your counter.
To open the machine, you may have to pull it forward so the lid has enough clearance to swing fully open. The good news is that due to it's tiny footprint, you'll have plenty of space to work with the machine.
The size of the machine is perfect for smaller kitchens. It takes up very little room on your counter and could be easily stored inside a kitchen cabinet.
What Can You Make With It?
You can make almost any bread machine recipe in this machine.
The Amazon Basics, just like the Cuisinart, tends to produce some of the most consistent versions of my favorite recipes.
- The dough is always mixed well.
- The rises nicely fill the pan.
- The machine bakes the bread evenly from end to end.
While the machine has the capacity for both 1.5-pound and 2-pound loaves, I almost never trust it with 2-pound recipes. Often, the 1.5-pound recipes completely fill the pan once they have risen and baked.
You can make traditional loaves of bread as well as breads with mix-ins (raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, etc.)
The bread maker also produces excellent dough for pizza, dinner rolls, pretzels, and cinnamon buns.
The Bread Pan & Paddles
The Amazon Basics bread machine bread pan features a vertical orientation which helps the machine save space in your kitchen.
When you turn the bread out of the pan after baking, you lay it on its side before slicing. The top and bottoms of the pan are actually the end sides of the loaf.
This gives your breads a very consistent shape from one end to the other which is perfect for making sandwiches and having your slices match up.
The actual bread slices will have a unique shape to them and resemble a square-shaped clover.
The actual pan itself has a nonstick coating that has withstood heavy use over many months.
I always hand wash all our bread machine bread pans and paddles. None of them are scratch-proof and must be handled with care.
How Sturdy Is It?
I selected the white bread machine because it matches my kitchen decor nicely but it does come in black. They are both made out of a sturdy plastic but the make feels light and a little bit cheap.
The external housing is definitely where they saved money in construction to be able to lower the price so far as compared to the Cuisinart.
- The hinges are smooth but light.
- The bread pan turns to lock into position and connects firmly.
- The buttons are easy to push but are light weight and plasticky. I've had a little trouble with the buttons registering the setting properly but with enough pushing it has always worked out.
- The entire machine is very light-weight and portable.
How Easy Is It To Use?
The program settings on the machine are very clear to navigate. It is extremely easy to choose the proper loaf size and crust darkness.
However, the Amazon bread maker sometimes requires a watchful eye during the early stages of many recipes to ensure the dough is the proper consistency.
The same recipe that works perfectly in another machine can sometimes be on the wet side in this machine. An extra sprinkle of flour may be needed if the dough is sticking to the bottom of the pan.
If your recipe has mix-ins like raisins, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts, you'll have to wait for the alarm beep to sound to let you know the right time to add them to the pan. You may also have to help the machine properly mix them evenly into the dough.
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The Quality of the Bread It Makes
The Amazon Basic bread machine does a fantastic job with many of my favorite breads. I love the consistency of texture, shape, and quality of every loaf.
It is the best at simple breads without mix-ins.
It is my first pick when I'm making bread machine dough for baking in the oven because the vertical nature of the pan keeps the ingredients close together for easy mixing and kneading.
Storage Considerations
This is one of the strongest selling points for both the Cuisinart and the Amazon Basics. Both machines are the smallest of the brands we tested and are excellent for small kitchens or tight spaces.
The machine is very light and easy to move, so if you don't want it sitting on your counter you'll be able to easily stash it away someplace else and bring it out when you want to bake.
The tall, skinnier shape of the body of the machine means it will take up the least amount of space on any shelf or inside any cabinet.
Noise Factors
I have to admit even with the cheaper build, the Amazon Basics is still one of the quieter bread machines I've tested. The motor is solid enough and makes a whirring sound as it initially mixes the ingredients, but it isn't too loud.
The kneading phase is also a little loud as the dough is beaten against the side of the machine.
Once the kneading phase is over, the machine is silent. So there will only be some noise to tolerate for the first 30 minutes or so.
Awesome Features
There are several things to love about this bread machine model:
- Budget Friendly: This is the least expensive model we tested and the price will fit more families' budgets than the higher end models available.
- Size: I love the shape and size of this machine above all others.
- Consistent Mixing: Rarely does this machine require scraping of dry flour pockets in the corners of the pan.
- No Wiggles: The machine is very sturdy and doesn't shift positions on your counter during mixing.
- Consistent Shape: Each loaf has a very consistent shape for slicing.
- Easy Program Selections: The menu options are simple and clear.
Cons to Consider
No bread machine is perfect, each of the models we tested had features I would love to see improved.
There is really only one con to consider for the Amazon Basics but it can be a big one:
Extra Babysitting:
If you want to add mix-ins, you'll have to listen for the beep and add them manually.
I've missed the beep more than once and it can be very frustrating.
Summary
I loved working with the Cuisinart during the production of my bread machine cookbook but it can be an expensive first step into the world of homemade bread baking.
If price is an option, the Amazon Basics bread maker is close enough that I can safely recommend it as an excellent first bread machine for someone who doesn't want to have a huge investment right off the bat.
If you're not sure you're going to love baking bread and just want to test things out or need a second bread machine just for prepping dough you will bake in your oven, the Amazon Basics will do everything you need.
However, if you are 100% certain you are going to love bread machine baking, I would really encourage getting the sturdier Cuisinart model. Mine has held up for 5 years with very heavy use. I'm not sure I'll be able to say the same about the Amazon Basics machine in that same amount of time.
Is the Amazon Basics right for you?
Yes, you should absolutely get an Amazon Basics bread maker if this describes you:
- You're new to bread baking and want an easy to use machine.
- You love the idea of a smaller sized machine.
- You're not ready to commit to the price of a premium machine.
- You want consistent-shaped bread slices.
- You don't need very large loaves of bread and are happy with 1.5-pound recipes.
- You are only interested in prepping dough and want something that mixes well.
- You're willing to check the machine periodically for the first 10 - 15 minutes.
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