Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Bread Machines

Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker vs Hamilton Beach Automatic Bread Maker Machine (model # 29982)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 3.7). The gap is mostly about fit for purpose — read the strengths below before deciding.

Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Bread Machines
Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker
3 sources1 derived$399.95as of Jul 31

The Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker turns out high-quality bread with crispy crusts and a light crumb. Reviewers keep coming back to the automatic fruit and nut dispenser, along with how much of each recipe you can customize. TechGearLab called it a machine for recipe tinkerers, noting the included recipes give only average results. It's large and bulky enough to be a significant kitchen commitment, and the collapsible paddle is finicky and fragile. Serious bread makers who want customization more than convenience are the buyers.

Strengths
  • Produces crispy-crust bread with light and fluffy crumb texture
  • Features automatic fruit and nut dispenser that adds mix-ins at the perfect time
  • Includes 9 custom settings to create and store personal recipes
Watch-outs
  • Machine is bulky and takes up significant counter space
  • The collapsible paddle can be finicky and is not scratch-proof
Hamilton Beach Automatic Bread Maker Machine (model # 29982)
Ranked #7 in Best Bread Machines
Hamilton Beach Automatic Bread Maker Machine (model # 29982)
4 sources3 derived$109.95as of Jul 31

The Hamilton Beach 2 Lb. Bread Maker (model #29982) reduces homemade bread to a 3-step process across 12 program cycles. Reviewers highlighted the range of loaves it handles, gluten-free and whole grain included, along with customizable loaf sizes and crust settings. An automatic keep warm feature holds the bread at temperature for an hour after baking. One source noted the product is no longer available. It was described as beginner-friendly, with dishwasher-safe accessories and a large digital display for monitoring progress.

Strengths
  • Fresh, homemade bread in 3 easy steps
  • Versatile with 12 program cycles including basic, French, gluten-free, whole grain, and sweet
  • Customize bread with 3 loaf sizes and 3 crust settings
Watch-outs
  • Independent coverage is thin, so recurring weak points are not established
  • Reported as discontinued, so availability is spotty and support may be limited

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBreville Custom Loaf Bread MakerHamilton Beach Automatic Bread Maker Machine (model # 29982)
Capacity1.5-2 pound loaves2 lbs
Programs9 custom settings12
Dimensions16.4" x 9.6" x 13.3"11.2 H x 11.4 W x 13.9 D
Voltage120 volts120
MaterialBrushed Stainless SteelStainless Steel
ModelBBM80029982
Crust Optionslight, medium, dark crustlight, medium, or dark crust
Pan TypeNon-stick bread pan with handlenonstick ceramic
Timer13-hour delay start timer13-hour delay timer
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