If the idea of manual kneading and proofing have ever stood in the way of you and that crusty-topped, chewy-centred slice of heaven, it’s time to get acquainted with one of the simplest small appliances going around. Purists might call buying a bread maker cheating but then, isn’t that the point? They cut time and labour in half, making them a natural choice for the time-poor carb lovers of the world.

There are some factors to consider when choosing your bread maker, like how much bench space you have, how often you’ll be churning out loaves, and whether you’re partial to a bit of variety. Here are our picks for some of the best in the market.

Panasonic was responsible for the first ever bread maker, back in the ‘80s. This rather hefty one is as true a replica of that OG model as you’ll find in Oz. With a whopping 33 dough modes, you can even master a rustic sourdough, created with a long fermentation process. Or opt for rye bread, scones, or pizza dough, from scratch. This one also has a smart temperature sensor, ensuring bread consistency when the room temp is anything but. There are three different size options, meaning both snack loaves and family ones are achievable.

A few key features make The Baker’s Oven one of the more popular models around. Firstly, it’s a nice size for a smaller space. It sports 23 functions, including a French-style, wholewheat, gluten free, and rapid bake for fresh bread under two-and-a-half hours. The best part? You can now wake up to a hot loaf thanks to the 13-hour preset timer.

The little sister to the Automatic Bread Maker, this petite number will still churn out those crusty loaves, gluten-free rolls, pizza dough and cakes in no time. It’s easy to use and clean, features a 13-hour timer (read: fresh bread by sunrise), making it a great choice for novice bakers in smaller households.

At the other end of the spectrum is the brawny Bakehouse by Sunbeam, weighing in at eight kilos. Featuring 14 preset menus, you can prep French bread, sweet pastries, rye bread and more. It also has the official backing of Coeliac Australia for its ability to turn out tasty gluten-free loaves with ease. If you love a fruit loaf, you’ll appreciate the automatic fruit-and-nut dispenser, which adds ingredients during the kneading stage to make sure they don’t turn to mush. Want to have bread ready by the time you’re back from the gym? Turbo mode will put a loaf on the table in as little as 70 minutes.

This is one of the pricier machines going, but with good reason: there’s a huge variety of preset baking options, removing the guesswork from all your favourites. Get ready for crusty loaves, wholewheat breads, and easy-as-pie pizza dough. Need jam to go with your freshly made loaf? There’s an option to make preserves. Love your toast fruity? A nifty automatic dispenser is on hand to help with those raisin loaves, and hot cross buns. One for the true dough lovers.

Compact in size and easy on the purse, the Compact Bakehouse can still slay at a number of doughy tasks, including making pastry and pasta dough with a special setting. It’s for those who are keen to dabble in homemade bakes, including wheat, sweet, buttermilk, and gluten-free loaves.

If you like your appliances slick and stainless steel, this one by Kogan will appeal. A straightforward set-and-forget machine with 19 automatic programs, it’s good bang for buck, and will keep your bread warm for a further 90 minutes after it’s cooked. One for the bread voyeurs, it has a large viewing window, with lights inside to give the loaves centre stage.

See our flour and yeast directory above.