The Zojirushi BB-PAC20 and the Breville BBM800XL are two top-tier home bread makers, but they cater to different bakers. The Zojirushi, from renowned Japanese brand Zojirushi, focuses on precision engineering, smaller loaf sizes, and extremely consistent results, making it compact and reliable. The Breville, by Australian brand Breville, is a larger machine offering more features, including a unique collapsible kneading paddle, extensive customization for bigger loaves, and an automatic fruit dispenser.
Here's everything you need to know about these bread makers to decide which is the right one for your kitchen.
Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso
The Zojirushi BB-PAC20 holds its place as a favorite among home bakers who prioritize consistent, high-quality results. Praised for its Japanese precision and durability, this machine is famous for its dual kneading blades that thoroughly prepare the dough and dual heaters in the lid and base for perfectly browned crusts every time.
- What it is: A premium, mid-sized bread maker known for producing traditionally shaped 1 to 1.5-pound loaves.
- Key features: Dual kneading blades for thorough mixing, a 13-hour delay timer, multiple pre-programmed settings (including gluten-free, whole wheat, jam, and cake), and a second heater in the lid for even baking.
- Price: Typically around $250-$300.
- Dimensions: 18" x 10.5" x 12.8" fitting a rectangular loaf pan.
- Materials/Construction: Features a sturdy non-stick baking pan and durable metal exterior.
- Style: A sleek and modern, but subtle design with a minimalist control panel that fits cleanly into most contemporary kitchens.
- Pros: Delivers incredibly consistent results batch after batch. Dual blades produce excellent dough texture. Sleek, compact footprint. Includes specialty settings like jam and cake. Durable and built to last.
- Cons: A bit pricier for its loaf capacity. Fewer customization options compared to the Breville. Does not have an automatic nut/fruit dispenser.
The Zojirushi BB-PAC20 is for the baker who wants reliable, repeatable perfection and values thoughtful engineering over endless settings.
Shop this product: https://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-BB-PAC20-Bakery-Virtuoso-Home/dp/B0067MVJ3C
Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf Bread Maker
The Breville BBM800XL, also known as the Custom Loaf, is designed for the modern baking enthusiast who craves versatility and control. It stands out with smart features like an automatic fruit and nut dispenser and a unique collapsible kneading paddle that minimizes the hole typically left at the bottom of the loaf.
- What it is: A large-capacity, feature-rich bread machine for loaves up to 2 pounds.
- Key features: Collapsible kneading paddle to reduce the hole in the bread. Automatic dispenser for adding fruit, nuts, or herbs. A large, user-friendly LCD to track progress. 13 automatic settings with options to customize crust color, loaf size, and baking modes.
- Price: Usually costs between $300-$350.
- Dimensions: 16.25'' x 9.75'' x 15.62'' offering multiple loaf size options including 1, 1.5, and 2-pound loaves.
- Materials/Construction: A robust brushed stainless steel exterior and a user-friendly digital display give it a premium feel.
- Style: A distinctly commercial look with its brushed metal finish and high-tech interface, making it a statement piece on any countertop.
- Pros: High degree of customization for experienced bakers. Larger loaf capacity is great for families. Collapsible paddle is a unique, useful feature. The automatic dispenser adds convenience. Its modern styling looks professional.
- Cons: Has a larger footprint than the Zojirushi. The feature set might be too complex for a first-time user. The higher price reflects its advanced capabilities.
This bread maker is right for the experimental baker who wants bigger loaves and full control over every part of the baking process.
Shop this product: https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BBM800XL-Custom-Loaf-Bread/dp/B005OYM6R2
Zojirushi BB-PAC20 vs. Breville BBM800XL Comparison
Dimensions & Loaf Capacity
The most immediate difference is in size and output. The Zojirushi BB-PAC20 is more compact and produces a traditionally shaped 1 to 1.5-pound loaf, making it ideal for smaller households or kitchens with limited counter space. Its rectangular shape is familiar and functional.
The Breville BBM800XL is a larger, taller unit designed to accommodate bigger batches. It can produce 2-pound loaves, which is excellent for larger families or anyone wanting to get more bread from each bake. This versatility comes at the cost of a bigger footprint, so measure your counter space before purchasing.
Features & Customization
This is where the two machines truly diverge. Zojirushi offers precision through its pre-programmed settings. Its gluten-free and whole wheat cycles are highly respected for their reliability, and the top heating element ensures perfectly browned crusts. It has fewer options but executes them flawlessly.
Breville is all about control. Its 13 automatic settings are just a starting point, you can customize everything from crust darkness to cycle times. The two standout features are the automatic fruit and nut dispenser, which adds ingredients at the perfect moment, and the collapsible paddle. This paddle pulls back just before the baking phase, leaving a much smaller hole in the bottom of your finished loaf.
Materials & Construction
Both machines are built to last with high-quality materials, justifying their premium prices. The Zojirushi has a sleek metal exterior and a very durable non-stick pan that speaks to its focus on longevity and simple function.
The Breville boasts a sturdy brushed stainless steel housing that feels robust and professional. Its large LCD interface is a step up in modern usability compared to the Zojirushi's more traditional button display. Both are solid appliances, but the Breville feels more high-tech in hand.
Price & Value
The Zojirushi typically retails for about $50 less than the Breville. Its value comes from its extreme reliability and consistency - you're paying for a machine that works perfectly for years. For bakers who stick to a few favorite recipes, this dependability is worth the price.
The Breville's higher price tag is a direct reflection of its extra features: larger capacity, an automatic dispenser, a collapsible paddle, and greater customization. For those who will use these extra functions, an additional $50 offers great value and expands their baking potential.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Zojirushi is best for home bakers who want fantastic, consistent results without fuss. If you are baking for one or two people, appreciate well-engineered simplicity, or primarily make gluten-free or whole wheat bread, this machine is a superb choice.
The Breville is for the creative or high-volume baker. If you love experimenting with recipes, need to produce larger loaves, desire the clean finish from a collapsible paddle, or simply want the most feature-rich appliance, the Breville is a better fit.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both are fantastic bread makers that serve different priorities, so the right choice depends on your needs.
Choose the Zojirushi BB-PAC20 if:
- You prioritize consistent, reliable results above all else.
- You have a smaller household and a 1.5-pound loaf is plenty.
- You have limited counter space and need a more compact machine.
- You prefer straightforward, proven pre-programmed settings for recipes like gluten-free bread.
Choose the Breville BBM800XL if:
- You bake for a larger family or enjoy having extra bread on hand.
- You love to experiment with recipes and want maximum control over your settings.
- You frequently bake with add-ins like fruits and nuts and want the convenience of an automatic dispenser.
- A minimal hole in the bottom of your loaf is a high priority for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between the Zojirushi and the Breville?
The biggest difference is philosophy: the Zojirushi BB-PAC20 is built for flawless consistency and simplicity, while the Breville BBM800XL is designed for maximum customization and features. The Zojirushi is more compact with smaller loaves, while the Breville is larger with higher capacity and convenient features like an automatic dispenser.
Which one leaves a smaller hole in the bread?
The Breville BBM800XL leaves a significantly smaller hole thanks to its collapsible kneading paddle, which retracts before the baking cycle begins.
Is the Breville BBM800XL's automatic dispenser worth it?
Yes, if you regularly bake with mix-ins like nuts, seeds, or dried fruit. It adds them at the optimal time in the kneading cycle, ensuring they're evenly distributed and not crushed, which is a great time-saver.
Which one is better for gluten-free bread?
Both have dedicated gluten-free settings, but the Zojirushi BB-PAC20 is particularly praised by many users for producing light, well-structured gluten-free loaves out of the box with minimal adjustments required.
Can I make things other than bread in these machines?
Absolutely. The Zojirushi has settings for making jam and cake. The Breville BBM800XL has a setting for jam, as well as modes for making pasta and pizza dough right in the machine.
Which machine is quieter during operation?
Both machines are built with high-quality components and are generally quieter than budget models. The kneading process will generate some motor noise in either unit, but neither is considered loud, and both reviews suggest they are very user-friendly in a small home.
How long do they take to bake a loaf?
Baking times vary depending on the chosen setting. A standard loaf takes around 3-4 hours, from mixing to cooling. Both machines have rapid bake settings that can produce a loaf in about 2 hours, though texture may be slightly different.
Are the baking pans easy to clean?
Yes, both machines feature removable baking pans with durable non-stick coatings, making them extremely easy to hand-wash with soap and water after they have cooled.
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