The 6 Best Bread Boxes, Tested by Food Network Kitchen
We went through a dozen loaves to find top-performing bread boxes in a variety of sizes and styles.
Layla Khoury-Hanold
Our Top Picks for Bread Boxes
- Best Overall: Oggi Stainless Roll-Top Bread Box
- Best Runner-Up: Joseph Joseph Bread Box with Removable Bamboo Cutting Board
- Best Value: Ganrosi Large Bread Box
- Best Large Capacity: Yamazaki Home Tower Bread Box
- Best for Sandwiches: Buddeez Bread Buddy Bread Box
- Best Color Options: Culinary Couture Extra-Large Stainless Steel Bread Box
Tested By Layla Khoury-Hanold for Food Network Kitchen
If you want to keep those freshly baked loaves of sourdough fresh or have lots of baked goods to store, you might want to consider buying a bread box. Bread boxes keep your loaves fresher for longer and corral various baked goods in a designated container. Plus, using a bread box storage container is a fun way to add personal style to your kitchen.
How We Tested
We purchased 12 top-rated bread boxes according to various online sites, reviews and bestseller rankings. We tested a variety of styles and configurations, including two-tier, stackable, drop-down, roll-top, lift-off and snap-on lids, made with a range of materials and at a variety of price points.
Part 1: Product Intake
Here, we noted the bread box’s size, weight, price, material, manual, instructions for use and care, as well as any special claims or features. We observed the bread box's configuration, including how the box opened (roll-top, drop-down, lift-off, snap-on lid), whether you could stack other items on top of it and if it had ventilation such as holes or gaps in seams. We noted whether a manual was included with the bread box, and if so, whether it was easy to read and if it included specifications for cleaning and maintenance. We also made note of features and evaluated any special claims throughout testing, such as whether the bread box included a removable cutting board or if the bread box was dishwasher safe.
Layla Khoury-Hanold
Part 2: Food Testing
For this portion, we tested one loaf of storebought bread per bread box, with its plastic packaging removed, against one control loaf which was stored in its original plastic bag on the countertop. We removed the loaf’s plastic packaging for all the bread boxes except one which was explicitly designed to be used with the original plastic bag. We evaluated the bread box performance in two steps over seven days.
Mold Test: We checked the bread daily to assess whether any mold grew and planned to note the level of mold observed on the days it started to grow. None of the bread developed mold for the bread boxes we tested and neither did the control loaf.
Freshness Taste Test: On days three, five and seven, we conducted a taste test by tasting one slice of bread from each bread box and comparing it to a slice of the control bread that had been left on the counter. We noted how the bread stored in the box compared to the control loaf, including taste, freshness, texture and dryness/moisture.
Part 3: Cleaning
We noted whether or not the manufacturer included specific instructions for cleaning and maintenance and whether or not the bread box was dishwasher safe. We recorded how easy it was to clean the bread box and wipe down excessive crumbs. For those bread boxes that could be hand-washed, we tested the ease and efficacy of doing so. Only one bread box was dishwasher-safe, so we tested that on the top rack.
- Contemporary design
- Very deep and spacious compartment
- Takes up a substantial amount of space
- Can't stack other kitchen items on top
This versatile bread box took top honors for its performance, capacity and design. Its spacious capacity means you can fit up to two loaves of bread or one loaf of bread and a sleeve of bagels or an assortment of pastries. By the end of seven days, the loaf was still quite fresh overall and maintained a moist interior; it was just slightly less flavorful and had a drier exterior compared to the control loaf but still outperformed the other boxes tested with unwrapped bread. The steel and frosted plexiglass materials give it a contemporary look and feel that would complement a variety of kitchens, particularly those with stainless steel appliances. A couple of drawbacks to the roll-top design: You have to take care not to squish slices of bread that may fall to the side when opening and closing it, and the rounded nature of the design means you can’t stack other items on top of it.
- Size 15" x 10" x 7.5"
- Closure Type Roll-top lid
- Material Stainless steel, glass
- Airflow None
- Included cutting board
- Neutral design matches any kitchen decor
- Have to oil the bamboo lid to maintain condition
This one was another top performer, and we also appreciated its compact footprint and design features. Although it doesn’t have any built-in ventilation features, by day seven, the bread was still fresh overall and as soft in texture as the control loaf, although it was a little less flavorful. Because of its smaller size, it fits one loaf of bread plus a bag of rolls or small sleeve of bagels. This bread box also features a non-slip base and an easy lift-off bamboo lid that doubles as a cutting board with crumb-catching grooves. The lid lies flat so you can stack other items on top of it, too. It easily wipes clean with a damp paper towel and the lid washes easily with soap and water (be sure to dry it right away). This bread box is available with a white or black base. One thing to note is that it is a little bit more expensive than our top pick.
- Size 14.6" x 7.1" x 8.7"
- Closure Type Lift-off lid
- Material Polypropylene
- Airflow None
- Easy to wash out in sink
- Very deep
- On the taller side which makes it hard to squeeze between countertops and cabinets
This metal bread box performed almost as well as our top two performers and comes in at a more modest price point. By day seven, the bread was still fresh overall but was drier and less flavorful compared to the top performers; but still performed solidly overall. Its capacity comes with its height; it can fit two loaves of bread stacked on top of one another, or one loaf of bread and a half-dozen bagels. It features a farmhouse-meets-retro design with “bread” spelled out in vintage lettering, which may or may not be to everyone’s style preference. Also, the raised handle on the lid precludes users from being able to stack anything on top, though you can buy a version with a flat wooden lid.
- Size 14.75" x 7" x 11.5"
- Closure Type Lift-off lid
- Material Metal
- Airflow Non-airtight lid
- The rectangular flat top allows for kitchen storage (can hold up to 22 pounds)
- Magnetic strip holds door closed
- On the more expensive side
- Takes up a substantial amount of space
This steel bread box boasts a contemporary, sleek design and large capacity that can hold up to four loaves of bread or a combination of loaves and baked goods. It has a small, built-in ventilation gap to promote airflow, and we found that the bread was still quite fresh after seven days, though slightly less flavorful than the control loaf. Because of its extra spacious capacity, it takes up a lot of kitchen countertop space but with its drop-down lid, you can also stack other items on top of it (the manufacturer states that it can hold up to 22 pounds). It easily wipes clean with a damp paper towel. It was one of the more expensive bread boxes we tested, but if you have a need for a durable, large capacity bread bin, it’s worth the investment.
- Size 16.93" x 14.37" x 9.45"
- Closure Type Drop-down lid
- Material Steel
- Airflow 0.5 inch gap runs along the base of the box
- Slim design saves countertop space and makes it easy to store in cabinets
- Easy to use
- Inexpensive
- Only accommodates one loaf
- Not versatile — only fits one kind of shape
This plastic bread box won points for its practical design, ease of use and wallet-friendly price tag. It’s designed to hold a standard, rectangular store-bought sliced sandwich loaf and to be used with the bread’s original plastic bag. By the end of day seven, this loaf tasted, looked and felt the most like the control loaf. The design allows for the excess plastic bag to be wrapped over the edge of the container; this makes it especially great for making several sandwiches at a time since you can dispense the bread one slice at a time by pulling down on the outside of the bag to raise up the loaf inside. It doesn’t take up much space on the counter and can also be stored vertically. It’s also portable, making it ideal for toting on camping trips or picnics. It’s made with BPA-free plastic and is easy to keep clean, either by handwashing with warm, soapy water or by running it through the dishwasher. The only drawback is that it is made for a specific shaped bread loaf.
- Size 5.25" x 5.25" x 13.5"
- Closure Type Snap lid
- Material Plastic
- Airflow Four holes on the bottom
- Durable and long-lasting
- Multipurpose
- Fingerprints show up easily
This large capacity bread box manages to maintain a sleek footprint and is made from durable stainless steel. It holds up to two loaves of bread or a longer loaf such as a baguette, or a variety of baked goods. It has a secure hinged lid and also a small line of holes at the back to promote ventilation and prevent mold growth. This bread box has a contemporary design with a subtle vintage flair and comes in nine different colors. Note that we tested the blue model and noticed that it shows fingerprints, so take that into consideration if you select a darker hue. That said, the fingerprints washed off with a soapy sponge and the box was easy to clean overall. This bread box also comes with a bonus e-recipe booklet that includes 35 bread recipes and bread-making tips. The manufacturer touts its versatility, noting that the boxes can be used to store other food items or used to organize non-food items such as office supplies.
- Size 16.5" x 8.9" x 6.5"
- Closure Type Flip down-lid
- Material Stainless steel
- Airflow Small line of holes in the back
What to Consider When Buying a Bread Box:
Budget: Decide how much you’re willing to spend on a bread box and consider what you’ll be using it for, which can impact the size and price of the bread box.
Size: Be sure to check product dimensions to determine if its footprint fits on your countertop or designated kitchen storage space. Decide what you plan to use the bread box for and ensure that the capacity matches what you need, such as one or more loaves of bread and/or other items such as muffins, bagels, baguettes, cookies or pastries. Some bread boxes are only designed to hold a specific kind of supermarket-sliced bread loaf, while others can accommodate a variety of store-bought or homemade bread shapes.
Material: Bread boxes come in a variety of materials, including steel, marble, olive wood, plastic, plexiglass or bamboo. This affects the weight of the bread box, its aesthetic and how easy it is to clean.
Configuration: Bread boxes are configured differently in terms of how they open, including roll-top, lift-off, drop-down and snap-on lids. If you’re hoping to stack other items on top of your bread box, opt for one with a drop-down lid or a lift-off lid with a flat design. Some bread boxes also include ventilation features, such as small holes or gaps in the seam to promote airflow and prevent mold, but it should be noted that some of our top performers didn’t have ventilation features.
Design: Check product photos and descriptions to make sure that the bread box style fits within your kitchen aesthetic. Some bread boxes are available in different colors, too. You’ll also want to note any design features, like a lid that doubles as a cutting board or a serving tray, and whether or not other items can be stacked on top of it.
Assembly: Most of the bread boxes we tested were ready to use out of the box, but two required assembly, so be sure to double-check product descriptions and specifications before purchasing.
Care: Check the manufacturer’s specifications for care, including how to clean it and if any additional maintenance is required.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why should you use a bread box?
Bread boxes can help to keep loaves of bread fresher for longer, whether it’s a store-bought or homemade loaf. Many bread boxes are designed to promote ventilation, either through small holes, gaps in the seams or textured interior bottom, which helps to prevent the bread from molding. Bread boxes can also be used to store other baked goods, such as banana bread, muffins, bagels or pastries, helping to de-clutter kitchen countertops. Using a bread box can also be a fun way to add a stylish accessory to your kitchen or to complement existing kitchen decor.
How do you store bread in a bread box?
For store-bought loaves, packaging should be removed before storing it in the bread box, unless the manufacturer explicitly instructs you to leave the bread in its original packaging. If your loaf is freshly baked, be sure to let it fully cool before storing it in the bread box.
How do you store bread so that it lasts longer?
Be sure to store your bread box in a cool, dry part of your kitchen away from direct light and heat. Avoid storing your bread box near a dishwasher or on top of the refrigerator, as these areas tend to generate heat and moisture.
How do you clean a bread box?
It’s always best to check a user manual or see if the manufacturer lists specific cleaning instructions online. Depending on the material of the bread box, some may be hand-wash only while others might instruct users to wipe the box clean with a damp cloth.
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