Panasonic SD-B2510 Automatic Breadmaker review: is this the best Panasonic bread maker?

We all enjoy the smell of warm, crusty bread wafting through the house, but who has the time and energy to whip up a showstopper from scratch every week? That's where a bread maker comes in; these helpful machines can give you all the delights of delicious homemade loaves (and more), without the hassle and mess of making bread by hand.

We've been on a quest to find the best bread maker for your kitchen. From the top budget buys to high-tech, all-singing, all-dancing models, we've found something for everyone. However, we wanted to be sure that they really do a good job and stand the test of time, so we enlisted the help of our trusty army of Mumsnet users to gather their reviews on the bread makers they've tried, tested and loved.

Jules is a mum of two girls - one at university, the other at school. She's a keen cook and brownie maker, although she's more than happy to outsource daily bread making to her Panasonic! Since splashing out on the SD-B2510 over six months ago, it’s been used roughly every other day to bake bread for the family, usually a multigrain option, or the French white loaf. Read on to see how she found this particular bread maker after plenty of use.

Plus, for more kitchen gadgets to make family life and mealtimes easier, we've also rounded up the best air fryer and best slow cooker according to Mumsnet users.

Our verdict at a glance

Price on writing: £125 | Buy now from Amazon

What we like

• Sleek, modern design

• Offers 21 impressive programmes, including gluten-free options

• User-friendly control panel with clear settings menu

• Fast bake option available (two-hour rapid program)

• Can choose from three loaf sizes and crust browning levels

• Runs fairly quietly

• Long-lasting and durable compared to cheaper alternatives

• Good value for money considering its versatility and quality build

What we don't like

• Relatively expensive compared to some other models

• Large size may not be suitable for kitchens with limited counter space

• Lacks a viewing window and fruit and nut dispenser

• Not dishwasher safe, but still easy to clean by hand

Panasonic SD-B2510 summary: what is it?

The SD-B2510 is a highly-rated machine from bread maker connoisseurs Panasonic. It boasts an impressive 21 programmes, including four gluten-free options, so you can choose the loaf to suit your taste and dietary requirements. It also features settings for dough, jam and chutney, too.

At £125, it doesn't come cheap, but it's less expensive than some other Panasonic models, and features high-tech features like dual sensors, which adjust the timing according to the temperature for ideal results. You can also choose three loaf sizes and crust browning levels for extra versatility.

Related: Discover the best cookbooks, according to Mumsnet users

How easy is the Panasonic SD-B2510 to use?

To find out if this bread maker is really worth the dough <ahem>, we enlisted the help of Mumsnetter Jules to give us an in-depth review of this bread maker, because if anyone can reliably report on how effective a kitchen gadget is long-term, it's someone who has been using it regularly for many months.

Jules reported that, on first impressions, it looked "solid" and "well made", and found that the instructions were straightforward so she could get started quickly. She also rated the set up as very easy.

However, the size of the machine may not suit everyone: "It is quite large, but ours pushes into a corner on the kitchen worktop. It's quite tall but easily fits under the kitchen cupboards. It's used every other day so it's worth the space." Our tester also found the design looked "sleek and modern", which is good news if you're intending to leave your machine out, rather than tucked away in your cupboards next to your food processor and selection of Tupperware.

One thing to note, however, is that it doesn't have a viewing window to see how your bread is doing, but you may consider this to be a nice-to-have feature, rather than an essential.

After several months of rigorous use, Jules found it was "extremely easy to use" thanks to the clear settings menu and minimal prep work: "The control panel is on the top of the machine. The recipes all have a number, and then you use the arrows to get to the right setting. There's a list on the side of the panel, and all the recipes in the instruction book have a menu number. Then, depending on recipe, you select size and crust, and timer (this one is great for putting the machine on at night and waking up to the smell of fresh warm bread), and then press the start button.

"I put the bread pan on my digital scales and add in all the ingredients according to the recipe, then put the pan in the machine, set the menu and press start - it takes a couple of minutes. It's only flour and butter which get weighed, everything else is in volume, a teaspoon or tablespoon measure, and a marked cup is included for those."

The bread maker runs fairly quietly, too, and while it is audible, it's not too noisy or disruptive.

Related: The best pressure cooker for speedy family meals

Results

Now onto the best part: those all-important results. When you're investing in a new kitchen gadget, be it anything from a multi-cooker to a deep fat fryer, you want to be sure you're splashing out on something that produces the results you want, and it's no different with a bread maker.

Jules was very impressed with the loaves the SD-B2510 produced, finding the bread rises evenly and was the texture and colour expected from the selected setting.

"I love the French bread, this is a white, slightly chewy bread. The recipe has changed [from the previous Panasonic recipe] - I add a teaspoon of butter as per the old recipe. Apart from that, we use the basic wholewheat programme with a variety of different mixed grain flours. They always turn out delicious." The pizza dough it produces is also a highlight.

After baking, the clean up is fairly easy, although the pan isn't dishwasher safe, so you will need to wash it by hand.

Related: The best Instant Pot multi-cookers, as recommended by Mumsnet users

Our verdict

Star rating: 5/5

Panasonic dominates the bread maker market, and the SD-B2510 is our pick for the best overall. It's a highly-rated machine with a sleek design and impressive 21 programmes, which provide tasty and pleasing results. If you're new to the wonderful world of bread makers, fear not, as the included instructions and recipe booklet are clear and help you get started, with a handy recipe for each setting. It's also super intuitive to use - just add your ingredients, choose the settings, and press start. It's really that easy.

While it's not the cheapest option out there, it's certainly an investment that will last. Before her first Panasonic, Jules "had several cheap bread machines. They had a much flimsier build and lasted one to two years. Not worth it!" So, all in all, the SD-B2510's longevity and performance makes it worth every penny.

Key specs

• Dimensions: 22.5 x 39.5 x 36.2 cm

• Weight: 6.5 kg

• Programmes: 21

• Delay function: Yes

• Viewing window: No

• Fruit and nut dispenser: No

• Crust choices: Three

• Size choices: Three

• Power: 550W

Related: Best George Foreman grills for low fat family cooking

How we tested

We first asked Mumsnet users the bread maker models they have tried, tested and loved, recruiting our Insight panel to give their opinions and feedback on everything from ease of use and cleaning, versatility, design, and how tasty the results from each bread maker were.

Once we had collated these results, we consulted with our Mumsnet tester, Jules, to get her in-depth insights into how she found the SD-B2510 after six months of regular use. Through using real-life, independent Mumsnet users for feedback, we ensure we get honest, unbiased opinions from people just like you.

For more kitchen products suggested by Mumsnetters, don't miss our guides to the best recipe boxes and top sandwich toasters.