I am looking to get a bread machine, but am not familar with brands or types.
Could those of you that have one give me your opinions?
Thanks!
I’d look for one that bakes the loaf in a horizontal position.I have a ** West Bend ** whatever that is,don’t remember where I bought it,but the bread pan is vertical in the machine,and to get the loaf out after having the pan awhile takes a lot of shaking/bumping to the point of sometimes having to extricate it with a plastic knife of sorts.This usually results in a somewhat mutilated/torn chunk of bread off that end of the loaf.Bread tastes good,tho.
As with all of them,I guess,the users manual/breadmaking recipes are fairly easy to comprehend.
If you want the best, get a Zojirushi.
You will pay more…but they last and have a wide range of programmable settings.
We’ve had one for several years now, even occasionally making sourdough (something you really can’t do in other bread machines because of the lengthy rising time).
The Breadman series is also popular.
Might be worth checking out ePinions
I have the Oster 5846 - http://www.oster.com/productpantry/products.asp?PCatId=2 - it’s one of the best appliances we have ever invested in! And boy did I make a lot of bread this holiday season… I’m talking a LOT…
And yes, you can make sourdough in it, no problem. It worked out beautifully. Made two loaves for gifts of that alone. 
I have a Panasonic, one with a separate compartment that drops the yeast in. It’s a really basic machine, but I likes it. (It’s a vertical-style machine, and I never have a problem getting the bread out. You do have to let it cool a bit.
One thing I’ve noticed is that all the recipes tend to create a bread that is very lofty and airy. If you like your bread more dense, use 3/4 to 1/2 of the suggested yeast.