Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme Breadmaker Review (BB-CEC20): Still Worth It in 2025?
Quick take
If you want bakery-style, rectangular loaves without fussing over temps and rise times, the Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme (model BB-CEC20) is still a rock-solid pick. It bakes a full 2-lb loaf, uses two kneading blades for strong gluten development, and includes programs for dough, cake, jam, and even sourdough starter—plus a 13-hour delay timer for “wake-up-to-fresh-bread” mornings.
Why people love the Supreme
- True bakery shape: The pan is long and rectangular, so your loaf looks like what you’d buy at the store (great for sandwiches). Zojirushi
- Dual paddles = better mix: Two blades handle heavy doughs and whole-grain recipes with fewer flour pockets. Amazon
- Set-and-forget programs: Basic/whole-wheat/quick cycles, dough-only, cake, jam, and a Home Made program with 3 custom memories. Amazon
- Quality-of-life touches: Big viewing window, nonstick pan, 10-minute power-fail backup, and that handy 13-hour delay. Amazon
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What it’s like to use (real-world)
The Supreme is the definition of dependable. Everyday white or honey-wheat loaves dome nicely; the dual paddles keep mix-ins (like seeds or oats) from clumping, and the crumb stays soft but sliceable. For whole-grain lovers, the longer kneads help with structure. If you’re into pizza night, the Dough cycle produces supple dough ready to rest and stretch. Zojirushi’s manuals are unusually helpful, with both volume and weight and a solid troubleshooting guide for new bakers.
Supreme vs. Virtuoso Plus (should you upgrade?)
The Virtuoso Plus (BB-PDC20) is the newer sibling. Its key difference is an additional heater in the lid for more even top browning—nice if your kitchen runs cool or you’re picky about a uniformly golden crown. If that matters to you and the price difference is small the Virtuoso Plus may be worth it. Otherwise, the Supreme delivers similar capacity and results for less.
How it stacks up against other favorites
Independent testers consistently rank Zojirushi’s two-paddle machines at or near the top for loaf quality and proofing stability. Breville’s Custom Loaf is a customization champ with a collapsible paddle and slick UI, but most pros still give the edge to Zojirushi for bread texture and consistency.
Who should buy the Supreme
- You want tall sandwich loaves with an even crumb
- You bake several times a week and need reliability
- You value dough-only cycles (pizza, rolls, buns) as much as baked loaves
- You prefer a trusted classic with tons of community recipes
Who should consider the Virtuoso Plus instead
- You want extra-even top browning thanks to the lid heater
- You bake dense rye/whole-grain loaves and want every thermal advantage
- You don’t mind paying a bit more for the newest model
The fine print (things to know)
- Counter space: At ~16.9″ W x 12.3″ H x 8.5″ D, it’s sizable—measure your spot.
- Paddle holes: Like all bread machines, the paddles leave small holes in the base; most owners shrug it off.
- Top color: Without the Virtuoso’s lid heater, the top can be a shade lighter in some kitchens; crust setting “dark” helps.
Best Amazon picks to pair with it (easy wins)
- Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme (BB-CEC20) – the star of this review (Amazon)
- Breville Custom Loaf (BBM800XL) – feature-rich alternative
- SAF Instant Yeast – the standby for reliable rise
- King Arthur Bread Flour – strong, consistent protein for height
- Digital Kitchen Scale – weigh ingredients; fewer dense loaves
- Bread Slicer Guide + Serrated Knife – neat, even slices
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Verdict
If you want consistently great sandwich loaves and dough with minimal tinkering, the Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme remains an easy recommendation. If you obsess over the top crust’s color and find the Virtuoso Plus close in price, go that way. Otherwise, the Supreme still hits the sweet spot of performance, durability, and everyday convenience.
FAQ (fast answers)
Does it really handle whole-wheat? Yes—dual paddles and extended kneads are built for heavier flours.
Can I program my own cycle? The Home Made program lets you tweak knead/rise/bake and save three custom memories.
What else can it make? Doughs, cake, jam, and a quick sourdough starter.
