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West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Review: Sandwich-Shaped Loaves and Real Flexibility, With a Durability Question

The West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker offers sandwich-shaped loaves with a durability question, best for families. Rated 4.2 out of 5 across 2,766 user ratings. The main drawback: durability is the most common complaint. We scored it 4.0 out of 5.

By Whimsical Pris, Kitchen Editor Published December 25, 2025 Updated September 26, 2026
4.0Our score
West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine Programmable 12 Programs Including Gluten Free & 3 Loaf Sizes and Crust Colors with Traditionally-Shaped Horizontal Bread Pan with Dual Knead Blades, 3-Lb, Gray West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine Programmable 12 Programs Including Gluten Free & 3 Loaf Sizes and Crust Colors with Traditionally-Shaped Horizontal Bread Pan with Dual Knead Blades, 3-Lb, Gray, view 2 West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine Programmable 12 Programs Including Gluten Free & 3 Loaf Sizes and Crust Colors with Traditionally-Shaped Horizontal Bread Pan with Dual Knead Blades, 3-Lb, Gray, view 3 West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine Programmable 12 Programs Including Gluten Free & 3 Loaf Sizes and Crust Colors with Traditionally-Shaped Horizontal Bread Pan with Dual Knead Blades, 3-Lb, Gray, view 4 West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine Programmable 12 Programs Including Gluten Free & 3 Loaf Sizes and Crust Colors with Traditionally-Shaped Horizontal Bread Pan with Dual Knead Blades, 3-Lb, Gray, view 5 West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine Programmable 12 Programs Including Gluten Free & 3 Loaf Sizes and Crust Colors with Traditionally-Shaped Horizontal Bread Pan with Dual Knead Blades, 3-Lb, Gray, view 6 West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine Programmable 12 Programs Including Gluten Free & 3 Loaf Sizes and Crust Colors with Traditionally-Shaped Horizontal Bread Pan with Dual Knead Blades, 3-Lb, Gray, view 7 West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine Programmable 12 Programs Including Gluten Free & 3 Loaf Sizes and Crust Colors with Traditionally-Shaped Horizontal Bread Pan with Dual Knead Blades, 3-Lb, Gray, view 8 West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine Programmable 12 Programs Including Gluten Free & 3 Loaf Sizes and Crust Colors with Traditionally-Shaped Horizontal Bread Pan with Dual Knead Blades, 3-Lb, Gray, view 9 West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine Programmable 12 Programs Including Gluten Free & 3 Loaf Sizes and Crust Colors with Traditionally-Shaped Horizontal Bread Pan with Dual Knead Blades, 3-Lb, Gray, view 10
Product gallery, 10 images
$105.99$129.99 18% off Check price on Amazon

Prices shown were correct on September 26, 2026 and change frequently.

TL;DRThe Short Answer: Is the West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Worth It?

Most bread machines bake a tall, oddly shaped loaf that never quite fits the toaster, and that is the problem the West Bend Hi-Rise sets out to fix. Its horizontal pan and twin kneading blades turn out a proper sandwich-shaped loaf in three sizes, and the bread itself is consistently good. It suits families and regular bakers who want a big loaf and room to tweak programs. The catch is the long-term picture: durability is the most common complaint, and seating the pan takes practice.

NoFussDeal rates the West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker 4.0 out of 5 at $105.99. Last updated September 26, 2026.

Key Facts

Product Dimensions
11"D x 15.5"W x 13.5"H
Wattage
432 watts
Voltage
110 volts
Material
Plastic
Color
Gray
Item Weight
0.27 g

What Stands Out

  1. Traditionally shaped horizontal pan bakes 2, 2.5 or 3 lb loaves
  2. Dual knead blades that West Bend says knead more thoroughly for a lighter taste and higher rise
  3. 12 programs including Basic, Wheat, French, Sweet, Dough and Gluten-Free, with Light, Medium and Dark crust
  4. 13-hour delayed start, plus a recipe book covering bagel and pasta dough, low-carb and gluten-free bread

Strengths and Drawbacks

What works

  • Horizontal pan bakes a traditional sandwich-shaped loaf that slices neatly
  • Twin knead blades handle heavy doughs and mix-ins well
  • Excellent bread quality, even baking and taste
  • Custom program lets experienced bakers set their own knead, rise and bake times
  • Large viewing window and a clear countdown display
  • Quiet while kneading

What does not

  • Durability is the most common complaint
  • The pan is fiddly to seat and can be stiff to remove
  • Blades can tear the base of the loaf unless removed before the final rise

Features in Depth

01

Dual Knead Blades in a Horizontal Pan, Three Loaf Sizes

Loaf Sizes 2, 2.5, 3 lb Knead Blades 2, horizontal pan Bread Quality and Taste Consistently excellent

West Bend's traditionally shaped horizontal pan bakes three loaf sizes, 2, 2.5 or 3 lb, and that pan is the main reason to choose this machine. A horizontal pan gives a loaf that slices like store bought sandwich bread, where vertical machines tend to produce a tall, narrow block. Two knead blades share the work, which West Bend says kneads the dough more thoroughly for a lighter taste and higher rise, and the pair copes with heavy or sticky doughs that defeat single-blade machines. One trade-off comes with the design: the blades stay in the pan during baking and can tear the underside of the loaf when it comes out. Lifting the dough and taking the blades out before the final rise avoids this. The smaller loaf sizes may not fill the long pan and can come out a little lopsided, while the largest loaves tend to look bakery neat.

$105.99 4.0/5 Check price
02

12 Programs Including Gluten-Free, Three Crust Levels

Programs 12, including gluten-free Crust Levels 3 Delayed Start Up to 13 hours

The Hi-Rise has 12 programs, among them Basic, Wheat, French, Sweet, Dough and Gluten-Free, plus Light, Medium and Dark crust settings and a delayed start of up to 13 hours. A dedicated gluten-free cycle matters because gluten-free dough behaves more like a thick batter and is spoiled by a second knead, and this program does skip that second knead, which makes it a real option for a household with celiac disease. Gluten-free loaves may need extra baking time added afterwards. For confident bakers, the custom program is the hidden strength: use it to lengthen kneading and rising and shorten baking to suit their flour, altitude or recipe. It has limits, and the custom settings can reset if the machine is unplugged for a few minutes, so note your favorite settings down.

$105.99 4.0/5 Check price
03

Durability and Ease of Use: The Weak Spots

Durability The most common complaint Warranty 1 year Most Common Learning Curve Seating and removing the pan

Durability is the one area that leans negative, and ease of use and value draw mixed views, so this is a machine to buy with open eyes. The ease of use complaints are specific and fixable. Seating the pan on its drive takes some wiggling of the blades until both sides engage, and it gets easier with practice; putting the pan in the machine before adding ingredients saves mess for that reason. Pulling the pan out after baking can be stiff too. The blades can stick in the loaf, and turning the spindle from under the pan helps release it. West Bend backs the machine with a 1-year warranty, so keep the receipt and use it if a fault shows up. As a replacement for a long-serving older machine it delivers delightful bread, which is why the overall picture stays positive despite the durability worry.

$105.99 4.0/5 Check price
04

Power, Size and Care

Voltage 110 volts Wattage 432 watts Dimensions 11"D x 15.5"W x 13.5"H

The Hi-Rise runs on 110 volts and is rated at 432 watts. It measures 11 inches deep, 15.5 inches wide and 13.5 inches high, which can be deeper than an older machine, so check the cupboard or counter space where it will live. West Bend specifies hand washing only for the pan and blades, and the manual advises against a rough sponge or cooking spray on the nonstick pan. It is easy to clean overall; the one fiddly spot is the socket where the blades attach, which a bottle brush clears easily. It is quiet while kneading, though the finish beep can be hard to hear from another room. On a freestanding sideboard it can shake during kneading, while on a solid counter it stays still.

$105.99 4.0/5 Check price

How We Scored It

Based on
The manufacturer's published specifications and the product's live Amazon listing.
Owner rating
4.2 out of 5 on Amazon, recorded September 26, 2026
How we score
We score each thing that comes up most in owner feedback on the West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine. Eight things come up most in owner feedback: five draw praise, two split opinion and one draws mostly complaints. Its ratings average 4.2 stars (67% five stars, 12% four, 6% three and 15% one or two), so every score starts at 84, that average on a 100 point scale. Where opinion is split, we take off 6. Where it draws mostly complaints, we take off 12. Then we read nine owner reviews in full (every one we found gave it four or five stars) and move the score up to 5 points either way depending on how the owners who mention it rated the product. Our overall score starts from the same 4.2 star average and loses 0.1 for each thing that draws mostly complaints, with 0.1 more when at least a tenth of ratings are one star, never more than 0.3 in all. Here that takes off 0.2, which gives 4.0. Read our editorial standards

Performance

One of the nine owner reviews we read mentions it. That owner gave the product four or five stars. Score 84: its 4.2 star average on a 100 point scale.

84Positive

Bread Quality

Eight of the nine owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 89: we started at 84 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.

89Positive

Loaf Size

West Bend lists the product dimensions as 11"D x 15.5"W x 13.5"H and the capacity as 3 pounds. Seven of the nine owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 89: we started at 84 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.

89Positive

Ease Of Cleaning

West Bend lists the product care instructions as Hand Wash Only. Three of the nine owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 89: we started at 84 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.

89Positive

Ease Of Use

Five of the nine owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 21% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 78: we started at 84 and took off 6 because opini…

Read the full note (412 characters)

Five of the nine owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 21% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 78: we started at 84 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

78Mixed

Durability

West Bend lists the warranty description as 1 Year. Two of the nine owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 21% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Scor…

Read the full note (474 characters)

West Bend lists the warranty description as 1 Year. Two of the nine owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 21% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 72: we started at 84 and took off 12 because it draws mostly complaints.

72Needs Improvement

Owner Satisfaction

67% of ratings are five stars and 12% are four. 6% are three stars and 15% are one or two. A sizable share of ratings sit low, so weigh the drawbacks below as heavily as the praise. Score 84: its 4.2 star average on a 100 point scale.

84Mostly Positive

Value for Money

Five of the nine owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 21% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 78: we started at 84 and took off 6 because opini…

Read the full note (412 characters)

Five of the nine owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 21% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 78: we started at 84 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

78Mixed

Specifications

Size and weight

Product Dimensions
11"D x 15.5"W x 13.5"H
Item Weight
0.27 g

Power

Wattage
432 watts
Voltage
110 volts

Materials and warranty

Material
Plastic
Color
Gray

What Buyers Say

Based on 2,766 Amazon customer ratings, averaging 4.2 out of 5, recorded 12 September 2026. See the reviews on Amazon

★★★★★

Able to handle difficult dough and bakes beautiful loaves.

I am very pleased with this bread maker. This is my 5th in 12 years. The one I got before this was vertical and I did not like the loaves. This one is horizontal and I love the loaves I'm ge… Read it on Amazon
T. L. Matthews · August 5, 2026 · Verified
★★★★★

I say this one’s more than equal to that expensive bread machine.

I almost returned this bread machine.I loved the size of the loaves it makes and the double paddles. I originally bought it because my other (4 yr old) “artisan” bread machine couldn’t mix r… Read it on Amazon
Margie · September 5, 2024 · Verified
★★★★★

Delicious homemade bread

West Bend delivered on the qualities that I was looking for in a bread machine - easy to use, affordable, and bakes good bread! Granted, removing and replacing the bread pan takes some getti… Read it on Amazon
MBW · March 30, 2026 · Verified
★★★★☆

Good machine for Gluten-free bread

Having a Celiac in the house means you don't buy regular bread.And store-bought GF bread is expensive.I have made GF bread at home many times, with mixed results, but I was really looking fo… Read it on Amazon
centsworth · March 28, 2023 · Verified
★★★★★

Makes large loaves.

Our 30-year old Zojirushi bread maker finally broke. This West Bend had good reviews and was a good price. So far, we have made 4 of the recipes in the owner's manual. All of those loaves we… Read it on Amazon
Jim S, Littleton, CO · August 29, 2023 · Verified
★★★★★

Modern and convenient!

Have baked bread all my life (I'm 73) This is the quickest easiest bread I have ever made. Taste almost like mybread made from scratch and kneaded my hand. Love love love it. Great birthday … Read it on Amazon
Darla Renn · July 30, 2026 · Verified

Setting It Up

  1. Unpack and Wash

    Remove the packaging, then hand wash the bread pan, knead blades, measuring cup and spoon in warm soapy water and dry them. Wipe the inside of the machine with a damp cloth. Read the manual before the first loaf, since its tips are genuinely useful.

  2. Fit the Blades and Seat the Pan

    Push both knead blades onto their shafts, then lower the pan into the machine, turning the blades slowly until each side drops onto its drive. Give the pan a gentle tug to check it is locked in. Putting the pan in first and adding ingredients afterwards avoids spills inside the machine.

  3. Add Ingredients

    Add ingredients in the order the recipe book gives. West Bend's manual suggests weighing flour rather than measuring by the cup, which gives more consistent loaves.

  4. Choose Program, Size and Crust

    Select the program, then the loaf size (2, 2.5 or 3 lb) and crust shade (Light, Medium or Dark). Check the loaf size each time, as the machine can carry over the previous setting.

  5. Start or Set the Delay

    Start the program straight away or set the delayed start, up to 13 hours ahead, so the bread finishes when you want it. Watch the dough through the lid window during the first knead and adjust with a little flour or water if needed.

  6. Remove the Loaf and Clean Up

    Lift the pan out with oven mitts, turn the loaf out onto a rack and use the removal tool to free any blade left in the bread. Let the pan cool, then wash it and the blades by hand.

Common Questions

Can I customize the programs?

Yes. Alongside the preset programs there is a custom program where you set your own knead, rise and bake times, and adjusting these makes a big difference to the finished loaf. It has limits, and the settings can reset if the machine is unplugged for a few minutes, so keep a note of combinations that work.

How worried should I be about durability?

It is the main concern, and the one area where the verdict leans negative. West Bend covers the machine with a 1-year warranty, so keep your receipt and act quickly if a fault appears. Many owners are still very happy with it, largely because of the bread it bakes.

Is the gluten-free setting any good?

It is built the right way: the Gluten-Free program has no second knead, which would knock the air out of gluten-free dough. For a household with celiac disease the results are good, though loaves may need extra baking time added once the program finishes.

Can I wash the bread pan in the dishwasher?

No. West Bend specifies hand washing only for the pan and blades. Use a soft sponge rather than anything abrasive to protect the nonstick coating, and a bottle brush for the blade sockets.

How much space does it need?

It measures 11 inches deep, 15.5 inches wide and 13.5 inches high. It can be deeper than an older machine, so it may not fit where an older machine lived; measure first.

Does it make a normal loaf shape?

Yes. The traditionally shaped horizontal pan makes a loaf like a store bought sandwich loaf rather than the tall, narrow loaf of vertical machines, and that shape is a main reason for choosing it. The largest loaf size tends to fill the pan best and give the neatest shape.

On Video

6 videos

West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Programmable Horizontal Dual Blade with 12 Programs Including Gluten

Buy4 Choice
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  1. West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Programmable Horizontal Dual Blade with 12 Programs Including Gluten Buy4 Choice
  2. west bend hi rise bread maker Consumer Reports alecortesr
  3. I don’t trust bread machines Jeanelleats
  4. Westbend Breadmaker Instructional Video Kent Peterson
  5. Best Bread Maker Machine For Gluten Free Bread Henbk
  6. I Bought A Bread Maker 🍞 Blatant Reviews

The Verdict

4.0Out of 5

The West Bend Hi-Rise earns its place on the bread itself. Its horizontal pan and twin blades make a proper sandwich loaf in three sizes, the rise, crust and taste are consistently good, and the custom program gives experienced bakers real control. The practical niggles are learnable: the pan takes practice to seat and remove, and the blades can tear the base of the loaf unless you take them out before the final rise. The bigger question is longevity, which leans negative, so treat the 1-year warranty as something to keep track of. For a household that bakes often and wants a bakery-shaped loaf, it is a strong choice.

Who should buy it

  • Families wanting full-size sandwich loaves
  • Bakers who like to tweak recipes and will use the custom program
  • Households baking gluten-free who want a program without a second knead
  • Anyone who wants fresh bread on a schedule using the 13-hour delayed start
  • People replacing an old bread machine who are comfortable with a short learning curve

A flexible, well-liked bread maker that bakes an excellent horizontal loaf. Buy it for the bread and the control; go in knowing the pan takes practice and durability is its weak spot.

Check price on Amazon

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