Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf Bread Maker Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Breville BBM800XL suits bakers who want recipe storage and timed mix-in dispensing in a programmable bread maker. It makes 1 to 2.5 lb loaves and has a collapsible kneading paddle, while alternatives offer a narrower footprint.
On this page (8 sections)
- What do Breville BBM800XL custom loaf bread maker reviews show?
- The Breville BBM800XL at a glance
- What programs and controls does the BBM800XL offer?
- How much bread can the Breville Custom Loaf make?
- How does the Breville compare with Cuisinart and Elite Gourmet?
- Does the collapsible paddle make a difference?
- What should you check before buying?
- Is the Breville BBM800XL worth choosing?
The Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf Bread Maker suits bakers who want recipe control and automatic mix-in timing. It offers 13 automatic programs, 9 custom settings, three crust colors and loaf sizes from 1 to 2.5 lb.
Its wider range of loaf sizes and stored recipes set it apart from the Cuisinart and Elite Gourmet alternatives here, both of which make loaves up to 2 lb. For details on that alternative, read the Cuisinart CBK-110 bread maker review.
Choose the Breville if those extra controls fit how you bake.
What do Breville BBM800XL custom loaf bread maker reviews show?
The BBM800XL is a strong fit if you want to save custom recipes and add mix-ins automatically. Its 9 custom settings complement 13 automatic programs, and the machine can dispense fruit, nuts and other additions at the right time.
We compared the features and dimensions to identify where this model fits. Its 1 to 2.5 lb capacity supports smaller or larger loaves, while the three crust color options let you set the finish.
The trade-off is counter space. At 16.4 in wide, the Breville is wider than the Cuisinart, so measure your available space and leave room to use the controls.
For help comparing the appliance's weight with its dimensions, see how much a bread maker weighs.
The Breville BBM800XL at a glance
The BBM800XL combines recipe storage, timed mix-in dispensing and a collapsible kneading paddle. Those features make it more configurable than a machine focused mainly on preset programs.
Breville BBM800XL Custom Loaf Bread Maker Machine: Best for custom recipes
- 1 to 2.5 lb loaf sizes
- 13 automatic programs
- 9 custom settings
- Automatic fruit and nut dispenser
A programmable option for bakers who want stored personal recipes, three crust colors and an automatic dispenser for fruit, nuts and other mix-ins.
Pros
- Stores personal recipes in 9 custom settings
- Automatically adds fruit, nuts and other mix-ins
- Collapsible kneading paddle folds before baking
- 60 minutes of backup power
Cons
- Wider than the Cuisinart alternative
- The 1-year limited warranty is shorter than Cuisinart's stated 3-year warranty
The collapsible paddle mixes the ingredients, then folds in before baking to let the dough expand. The machine also includes a fixed paddle for jam.
Who should choose the Breville Custom Loaf?
Choose it if you plan to make different recipes and want to save your own settings. The fruit and nut dispenser can also help when you bake loaves with additions that would be inconvenient to add by hand mid-cycle.
Consider another model if you only need loaves up to 2 lb or have limited counter width. The Breville is 16.4 in wide, compared with 13.25 in for the Cuisinart and 11.89 in for the Elite Gourmet.
What programs and controls does the BBM800XL offer?
The BBM800XL has 13 automatic programs and 9 custom settings. Automatic options include gluten-free, yeast-free, crusty loaf, dough or pasta, and jam.
The smart LCD display helps you monitor the selected setting and cycle progress. Choose among three crust colors to suit the loaf you're making.
Custom settings are useful when you want to save personal recipes instead of relying only on presets. For a first bake, start with an automatic program and follow the recipe and machine instructions.
If you want ideas for getting started, browse these Breville bread maker recipes. Choose a recipe that matches one of the available programs or your experience with the machine.
For a seasonal option, try dairy-free fall bread.
Is this Breville bread maker a good fit for gluten-free baking?
The BBM800XL includes a dedicated gluten-free automatic program. That gives you a preset to consider when baking gluten-free bread, though results depend on the ingredients and recipe.
The Cuisinart alternative also has a dedicated gluten-free program. For a direct brand comparison, read Zojirushi versus Cuisinart bread makers.
Compare the other settings and loaf capacity you need before deciding between them.
How much bread can the Breville Custom Loaf make?
The Breville supports loaf sizes from 1 to 2.5 lb, giving it a larger stated maximum than either alternative in this review. The Cuisinart and Elite Gourmet both offer 1, 1.5 and 2 lb sizes.
A 2.5 lb loaf may suit households that want to bake less often or serve more people at once. Smaller settings can make more sense if bread goes stale before you finish it.
Think about how quickly your household uses a loaf and where you'll store it after baking. A larger maximum is useful only when that batch size suits your routine.
For a whole wheat example, see the high hydration whole wheat loaf guide.
How does the Breville compare with Cuisinart and Elite Gourmet?
The Breville stands out for custom recipe storage and a 2.5 lb maximum loaf size. The Cuisinart emphasizes a compact footprint and delay start, while the Elite Gourmet offers more preset programs.
| Detail | Breville BBM800XL | Cuisinart CBK-110NAS | Elite Gourmet EBM8103B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf sizes | 1 to 2.5 lb | 1, 1.5 and 2 lb | 1, 1.5 and 2 lb |
| Programs | 13 automatic; 9 custom settings | 12 | 19 |
| Crust options | Three colors | Three shades | Not specified |
| Special features | Automatic fruit and nut dispenser; collapsible paddle | 13-hour delay start; paddle-removal alert | 15-hour delay timer; 60-minute keep warm |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 9.6 x 16.4 x 13.3 in | 10.25 x 13.25 x 11.25 in | 9.45 x 11.89 x 13.98 in |
| Warranty | 1-year limited product warranty | Limited 3-year warranty | Not specified |
The Breville bread maker vs Panasonic comparison can help if you're also deciding between those two brands. For this review's alternatives, use the Cuisinart as the compact option and the Elite Gourmet when preset variety matters most.
Does the collapsible paddle make a difference?
The Breville's collapsible paddle folds before the bake stage, giving the dough room to expand. It also helps reduce the paddle-shaped opening left by a fixed paddle, though the exact result can vary by loaf and recipe.
The machine includes a separate fixed paddle for jam. Use the appropriate paddle and settings for the cycle.
What should you check before buying?
Check counter width, loaf size and recipe features before choosing the BBM800XL. Its 16.4 in width is the largest among these three machines.
Measure the spot where the machine will sit, including room to reach the controls. If you bake 2 lb loaves or smaller, the narrower Cuisinart and Elite Gourmet may fit your kitchen better.
Compare the Best Small Loaf Bread Maker if you usually bake smaller batches. If your household uses more bread, the Best Large Loaf Bread Maker guide can help you compare higher-capacity options.
Also consider the stated warranty. Breville provides a 1-year limited product warranty, while Cuisinart has a limited 3-year warranty; confirm the terms that apply to your purchase.
For Panasonic durability context, see how long its bread makers last.
Is the Breville BBM800XL worth choosing?
The Breville BBM800XL makes sense if you want saved custom recipes, automatic mix-in dispensing and loaf sizes up to 2.5 lb. Its width and shorter stated warranty are practical trade-offs to weigh against those features.
Pick the Cuisinart if a narrower machine and delay start fit your routine. Choose the Elite Gourmet if you prefer 19 preset programs; choose the Breville when recipe customization and its larger loaf option matter more.
Frequently asked questions
What makes the Breville BBM800XL a custom loaf bread maker?
The Breville BBM800XL combines 13 automatic programs with 9 custom settings for personal recipes. It also offers three crust colors, loaf sizes from 1 to 2.5 lb and an automatic dispenser for fruit, nuts and other mix-ins, giving you more control over recipes than a preset-only machine.
Does the Breville BBM800XL have a gluten-free setting?
Yes. The Breville BBM800XL includes an automatic gluten-free program, along with yeast-free, crusty loaf, dough or pasta, and jam settings.
The machine also has 9 custom settings for recipes you want to create and store.
How large a loaf can the Breville BBM800XL make?
The Breville BBM800XL supports loaf sizes from 1 to 2.5 lb. The Cuisinart and Elite Gourmet alternatives in this review go up to 2 lb, so consider how much bread you usually bake before choosing a larger machine.
Does the Breville BBM800XL add fruit and nuts automatically?
Yes. Its automatic dispenser adds fruit, nuts and other mix-ins at the appropriate time in the cycle.
That feature can simplify recipes with add-ins, while the collapsible kneading paddle folds before baking so the dough has room to expand.
