6 Best Bread Makers for Whole Wheat Bread of 2025

For enthusiasts seeking the pinnacle of whole wheat bread making, the Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA Virtuoso Plus stands out with its uncompromising performance. This machine is engineered to tackle dense doughs, featuring powerful double kneading blades that ensure thorough gluten development, a crucial factor for achieving a proper rise with whole wheat flour. Its unique dual heaters located on both the bottom and lid guarantee exceptionally even baking and browning, preventing the common issue of pale tops often seen in single-heater units. This appliance is designed to solve the pain point of dense, under-baked whole wheat loaves, consistently delivering superior texture and crust.

Performance is where the Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA truly shines, particularly with its dedicated Whole Wheat and Rapid Whole Wheat cycles. These programs are finely tuned for the nuances of whole grain baking, handling up to a 2 lb loaf with its robust 700-watt motor. The rapid cycle can produce a whole wheat loaf in just over two hours, a remarkable feat for this type of bread. While its footprint is larger than some compact models, this accommodates the horizontal loaf pan, yielding a traditional rectangular loaf shape. It handles various whole grain mixes with ease, consistently producing well-risen, evenly baked results, though like any machine, it requires precise measurement.

Positioned at the higher end, the Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA is a premium choice best suited for serious home bakers who prioritize consistent, high-quality results, especially with challenging recipes like 100% whole wheat. Compared to simpler models like the Elite Gourmet B0DHB9Q2CT, it offers significantly more robust kneading power and superior heating technology. While the KitchenArm B087FB8SCK boasts more programs and customization, the Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA’s strength lies in its dedicated engineering for classic loaf structures and dense doughs. This machine provides exceptional performance and build quality that justifies its higher position compared to the more budget-friendly Elite Gourmet.

The VEVOR B0DZMDB6HB bread maker emerges as a highly capable mid-range option for those specifically interested in whole wheat baking without breaking the bank. It offers a dedicated whole wheat program among its 15 functions, designed to handle the specific needs of this flour type. The machine features a food-grade ceramic pan, promoting healthier baking and easy cleanup, which is a welcome feature after baking stickier whole wheat doughs. Its one-touch operation simplifies the process, making it accessible even for beginners tackling whole grain recipes.

This VEVOR unit performs reliably for standard whole wheat recipes, accommodating loaf sizes up to 3 lbs, suitable for larger families. Its automatic kneading and rising cycles are adequate for many whole wheat blends, though it may not have the sheer power of dual-blade systems found in premium models for very dense, heavy doughs. The ability to select crust color adds a layer of control over the final texture of your whole wheat loaf. The 15-hour delay timer is particularly useful, allowing you to prep ingredients the night before and wake up to fresh whole wheat bread. Its power-off memory function provides peace of mind against short outages.

Competing in the crowded mid-range, the VEVOR B0DZMDB6HB offers a strong balance of features and value. It provides more program versatility and larger capacity options than the budget-focused Elite Gourmet B0DHB9Q2CT. While it lacks the extensive customization or dual kneading of the KitchenArm B087FB8SCK or Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA, its ceramic pan and larger capacity options set it apart within its price bracket. It’s an ideal choice for families or individuals seeking a versatile machine for whole wheat and other bread types, offering good value and useful features compared to the simpler Elite Gourmet.

For the adventurous baker focused on perfecting whole wheat and exploring variations, the KITCHENARM B087FB8SCK is a feature-packed powerhouse. With an impressive 29 automatic programs, including specific whole wheat settings, this machine offers unparalleled flexibility. Its standout feature is the fully customizable cycle-level programming (HOME MADE menu), allowing users to fine-tune kneading, rising, and baking times. This level of control is invaluable for adapting complex whole wheat recipes, especially those with added grains or seeds, ensuring optimal results that standard presets might miss. It effectively solves the problem of rigid programs limiting creative whole grain baking.

In terms of performance for whole wheat, the KITCHENARM B087FB8SCK capably handles standard recipes across its 1lb, 1.5lb, and 2lb loaf sizes. While it doesn’t feature dual kneading blades like the Zojirushi, its motor is sufficient for most whole wheat doughs, and the customizable cycles allow users to add extra kneading time if needed for very dense mixes. The machine supports recipes designed for both high-gluten and less-gluten flours, providing versatility. The ADD-NUTS alarm is a practical feature for whole wheat breads often incorporating seeds or nuts, ensuring they are added at the optimal time.

The KITCHENARM B087FB8SCK positions itself as the ultimate customizable machine, perfect for experienced bakers or enthusiasts eager to experiment with whole wheat and other complex recipes. Compared to the versatile Neretva B08ZNJMGTJ, it offers significantly more programs and the unique cycle-level programming. While it may not match the sheer build quality or dedicated dual heating of the Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA, its extensive menu options and customization provide a different kind of value. This machine offers exceptional programmability and recipe support for its price point, surpassing the simpler feature sets of the Elite Gourmet B0DHB9Q2CT or VEVOR B0DZMDB6HB.

Families or individuals requiring large quantities of whole wheat bread will find the Neretva B0C9SY6R4H bread maker an excellent heavy-duty option. Its standout feature is the super large 3.3LB capacity, significantly exceeding most standard bread makers. Crucially for whole wheat, it is equipped with dual kneading paddles and dual heaters (top and bottom), mirroring premium features found in higher-end models. These elements are vital for handling large, dense whole wheat doughs, ensuring they are thoroughly kneaded and baked evenly throughout the massive loaf. It directly addresses the challenge of baking large whole grain loaves that can be under-kneaded or unevenly cooked in smaller, less powerful machines.

Performance with whole wheat is strong thanks to the combination of dual kneading and dual 360° surrounding heating. The powerful 850W motor drives the paddles effectively, while the dual heaters promote a consistent internal temperature and crust development, even on large 3.3lb loaves. The machine includes a dedicated whole-wheat program among its 15 menus. The auto fruit and nut dispenser is a convenient addition, especially for whole wheat recipes that often include these ingredients, ensuring they are incorporated at the correct stage. Its nonstick ceramic pan facilitates easy removal of large loaves and simplifies cleanup.

The Neretva B0C9SY6R4H is positioned as the premier choice for large-volume whole wheat baking. It offers key performance features like dual kneading and dual heating, comparable to the Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA, but with a much larger capacity. While it doesn’t have the extensive program customization of the KitchenArm B087FB8SCK, its focus is on delivering robust performance for big loaves. For its capacity and feature set, it offers a compelling value proposition, providing premium features for large-scale baking that exceed the capabilities of smaller machines like the VEVOR B0DZMDB6HB.

The Elite Gourmet EBM8103SS is an exceptionally budget-friendly entry point into home bread making, including options for whole wheat. It simplifies the process with 19 preset menus, taking care of kneading, rising, and baking automatically. While it may not boast the advanced features of more expensive units, it provides a straightforward path to making fresh whole wheat loaves at home, tackling the basic user need for simple operation. Its compact design is also a plus for smaller kitchens.

Performance for whole wheat on the Elite Gourmet EBM8103SS is adequate for standard 1lb, 1.5lb, or 2lb loaves using its dedicated whole wheat setting. It features a single kneading paddle and a standard heating element. While it gets the job done for basic recipes, users attempting very dense or complex whole wheat doughs might find the kneading less vigorous compared to dual-paddle machines. The 15-hour delay timer is a convenient feature unexpected at this price point, allowing scheduled baking. It’s best suited for simpler, less demanding whole wheat recipes.

As the most affordable option in this lineup, the Elite Gourmet EBM8103SS is ideal for beginners or those on a tight budget who want to occasionally bake whole wheat bread. It offers a wider range of programs (19 vs 15) than the slightly more expensive VEVOR B0DZMDB6HB. While it lacks the dual kneading/heating of the Neretva B0C9SY6R4H or Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA, and the customization of the KitchenArm B087FB8SCK. However, for essential functionality and a whole wheat setting at a significantly lower cost, it delivers basic performance that is hard to beat compared to any other model listed.

The Neretva B08ZNJMGTJ bread maker offers a compelling blend of versatility and performance for those seeking a machine capable of more than just standard loaves, including quality whole wheat. It stands out with its 20 program menus, which include options for whole wheat, sourdough, and other specialized doughs, providing ample room for culinary exploration. Crucially, it incorporates dual heaters for 360° surrounding baking, promoting the even heat distribution essential for well-baked whole wheat bread, a feature often found in higher-priced units. This addresses the user desire for consistent results across a wider range of recipes.

Performance-wise, the Neretva B08ZNJMGTJ handles whole wheat effectively up to its 2lb capacity, benefiting from the even baking provided by its dual heaters. While it uses a single kneading paddle (unlike its larger sibling), the 550W motor is sufficient for most standard whole wheat doughs. The inclusion of programs like sourdough and pizza dough adds significant value for users wanting more than just basic bread. The 15-hour delay timer and 1-hour keep warm function add convenience to the baking process, ensuring fresh bread when you want it. The ceramic nonstick pan ensures easy loaf release and cleanup.

Positioned as a highly versatile option, the Neretva B08ZNJMGTJ competes strongly by offering a wide array of programs including dual heating at a mid-range price. It provides more program variety than the VEVOR B0DZMDB6HB and includes dual heaters, a feature absent from the VEVOR, KitchenArm B087FB8SCK, and Elite Gourmet B0DHB9Q2CT. While it doesn’t have the large capacity or dual kneading of the Neretva B0C9SY6R4H or the robust kneading of the Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA, its combination of program depth and dual heating makes it a versatile choice offering excellent feature-to-price value compared to the simpler Elite Gourmet.