Sometimes it’s easier to pop frozen waffles in your toaster, but breakfast lovers know that waffles taste best when served hot and fresh out of a waffle iron. (Pro tip: use a low setting to bake a batch of waffles, freeze and then reheat in the toaster). If you prefer thin and crispy waffles, you’ll want a classic waffle maker. A Belgian waffle maker will deliver thick and fluffy results. There are round and square models as well as options that can produce more than one serving.
Experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab have tested more than 45 waffle makers and prepared over 430 batches of waffles in the past decade. In Lab testing, we assess the evenness of browning and how well-cooked, moist and crisp the waffles are, as well as score the ease of use for each model. The results include top-performing classic and Belgian waffle makers that vary in price and shape (yes, we found heart-shaped waffle makers too).
1
BEST OVERALL
Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker
Dimensions: 7.88″ x 9.69″ x 3.31″ | Weight: 3.85 lbs | Material: Stainless steel | Shade settings: 5
Who it’s best for: Waffle lovers who enjoy thin and crispy waffles.
The Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker offers a straightforward, slim design that made great waffles, both from boxed mix and fresh batter, in our tests. The waffle maker features five browning settings that are controlled with a sliding lever and red and green indicator lights help you know when it’s ready to cook and when your waffle is done.
It does not have a ready sound indicator, however, so we recommend staying nearby during cooking to ensure your waffles don’t overcook. While the exterior gets hot — as do most of the other waffle makers we tested — the handle stays cool to the touch. This waffle maker has a relatively slim design and can be stood upright for storage.
2
BEST VALUE
Chefman Anti-Overflow Belgian Waffle Maker
Dimensions: 10″ x 8″ x 4″ | Weight: 3.75 lbs | Material: Iron | Shade settings: 7
Who it’s best for: Those looking for a budget-friendly waffle maker that is designed for mess-free cooking.
Simply plug in this under $25 waffle maker to turn it on. In testing, Deputy Editor Sarah Gregory appreciated the green indicator light that alerts you when to add batter or check if your waffle is ready. The most unique feature about this model, though, is the channel around the plate that is designed to prevent overflow. One tester noted that the channel causes a ring to form around your waffle, but you can easily tear it off.
Our consumer testers also found the Anti-Overflow Belgian Waffle Maker to quickly make waffles with ease. They also praised the nonstick surface — one tester said they were even able to easily remove waffles with blueberries and noticed no residue left behind.
The waffle maker has a latch on the top that not only ensures it will stay shut when not in use, but more importantly helps prevent leaks. Since Gregory found this Belgian waffle maker produced a lot of steam due to the longer cook time Belgian waffles require, she how appreciated the locking mechanism can prevent little ones from opening the appliance.
3
BEST DOUBLE
Cuisinart Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker
Dimensions: 10.63″ x 16.5″ x 10.25″ | Weight: 13 lbs | Material: Stainless steel | Shade settings: 6
Who it’s best for: Larger families who need to cook more than one serving or home chefs who frequently host brunch gatherings or parties.
The Cuisinart Double Belgian Waffle Maker is a must for families (or anyone who loves entertaining for brunch). Our gift editors have even recommended it as a wedding registry gift. It can make two waffles at a time, which reduces the amount of cook time to feed a crowd. It features a ready indicator light and variable shade settings. In our test, waffles made from a mix came out tender and consistent, and from-scratch waffles were also crisp.
This model features nonstick plates and offers a large drip area that’s easy to clean. Its rotating design is reminiscent of waffle makers you’d find in professional kitchens and hotel breakfast buffets; they’re known to disperse batter evenly. We like that the oversized handle stays cool during the cooking process, although this double maker is quite bulky to store.
4
MOST VERSATILE
Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4-Square
Dimensions: 8.82″ x 15.75″ x 18.5″ | Weight: 15.25 lbs | Material: Aluminum and stainless steel | Shade settings: Nuanced dial from light to dark (plus five waffle variety settings)
Who it’s best for: If you have enough storage space in your kitchen to fit this larger waffle maker, you’ll appreciate its robust settings.
Breville’s Smart Waffle Pro is one of the brand’s most popular waffle makers. Depending on the style you buy, it can make two or four waffles (shown here) at a time. In our tests, the two-square product earned one of the highest overall scores. Note the four-square model will require more storage space.
Don’t want to choose between a classic or Belgian waffle? This pick, though expensive, is extremely feature-rich, including four versatile presets for Belgian, classic, chocolate and buttermilk waffle recipes. From there, you can also choose one of 12 different shade settings, and even add “a bit more” time at the touch of a button if the waffle isn’t cooked to your exact preference.
According to our testers, it excelled at baking waffles from scratch and from a mix, receiving near-perfect scores for browning, tenderness and consistency. The waffle maker has deep, 1-inch pockets and a moat around the plates to collect any excess waffle mix, which can help prevent the batter from pouring onto your countertops. One especially unique feature is the waffle maker’s ability to adjust the cooking time based on the temperature of the plates.
5
BEST ROTATING BELGIAN
Presto Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker
Dimensions: 11.25″ x 11.75″ x 4″ | Weight: 4.94 lbs | Material: Stainless steel | Shade settings: None
Who it’s best for: Anyone who wants consistently good waffles without taking up too much storage space.
According to our testers, the Presto FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker is reliable for well-browned, tender and crispy Belgian waffles. It has nonstick plates that wipe down easily after use and its flip design allows for even better dispersal of batter without a spatula and encourages more even cooking. Plus, since it can be stored vertically unlike other Belgian waffle makers, it’s a smart choice for anyone low on storage space.
It includes ready indicator lights as well as a countdown timer — a unique feature that sets it apart from most waffle makers on the market. (The recommended cook time is four minutes, but you can adjust that timing to achieve a waffle perfectly suited to your preferences.) One downside: It lacks any other presets.
Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou recently used this waffle maker at a party and received rave reviews from her guests. She was able to seamlessly make waffles to order and guests found it easy to tear off pieces.
6
BEST MINI
Dash Mini Waffle Maker
Dimensions: 5″ x 6.4″ x 2.8″ | Weight: 1.3 lbs | Material: Metal | Shade settings: None
Who it’s best for: The adorable waffle maker is a great gift idea for kids who want to expand their cooking skills as well as college students who miss home-cooked breakfasts.
With more than 242,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this little waffle maker from Dash is a #1 best seller. This iron makes mini, 4-inch waffles — the perfect size for a light breakfast or dessert — and comes in 15 different colors and various shapes from classic round to heart-shaped waffles (shown here) as well as novelty designs like skulls and pumpkins.
Simply plug it in to turn it on (there’s a ready light when it’s preheated). Our testers found this mini waffle maker easy to use and appreciated that it came with additional plates, although some wished there was included storage for these extra components. Kids had fun helping parents make waffles.
If you are feeding mostly adults, though, you may want to opt for Dash’s full-size Belgian waffle maker, which produced perfectly cooked waffles in our tests. The mini is great for small mouths, but you may find yourself spending a lot of time preparing multiple waffles one by one to feel satisfied.
How to choose a waffle maker
✔️ Number of waffles: Waffle makers can generally make one, two or four waffles at a time. Consider how many people you often feed at once to figure out which makes most sense for you. (And note, you can keep waffles warm in a 225°F oven if you’re working in batches).
✔️ Size: Size often goes hand-in-hand with the number of waffles the product can produce at once, but it is also a separate factor to consider. Think about how much counter or storage space you have to spare. If you’re really short on storage, look into mini waffle makers, which take up less real estate.
✔️ Type: There are two main types of waffle makers: classic and Belgian. Classic waffle makers produce crispy results while a Belgian waffle maker will deliver thicker and fluffy waffles. Both are available in round or square shapes (more on that below) and some are rotating.
✔️ Shape: After deciding on a style of waffle maker (i.e. Belgian waffle maker vs. classic waffle maker), choose the shape of waffle you prefer. Round and square are popular options, but you can also find a variety of fun shapes including heart-shaped waffles.
✔️ Settings: Some lower-priced models simply plug in, heat to a default temperature and have an indicator for when the waffle is done. The simplest models require you to use a separate timer. Our favorite waffle makers had variable shade settings that made consistently evenly-colored waffles.
What’s the difference between a Belgian waffle maker and a regular waffle maker?
✔️ Belgian waffle makers typically have round plates versus square, but what really sets them apart are the thick, fluffy waffles they produce. Belgian waffles are soft with a slightly crisp exterior. They also have large, deep pockets that trap even more butter or syrup per bite. They can be made on a rotating waffle maker, which allows the batter to distribute evenly, but some newer models may have deeper plates that don’t require flipping. The more advanced options have moats around the edges to help prevent batter spillage.
✔️ Classic waffle makers have thinner plates than Belgian waffle makers and yield thinner waffles that are crispier throughout. The main difference between a regular, classic waffle and a Belgian waffle is that classic waffles don’t have that thick, fluffy interior. The plates also create more pockets per square inch that are smaller and more shallow. More pockets lend more crunch because there are more crispy edges per bite.
How do you clean a waffle maker?
Papantoniou and Gregory provide cleaning tips so you can well maintain your waffle maker and avoid a difficult cleanup.
- Avoid nonstick aerosol sprays. Our pros recommend preparing the plates by brushing a thin layer of oil or grease. Nonstick aerosol sprays include propellants and other additives that can cause sticky build-up over time as well as smoking.
- Unplug the appliance before cleaning. After the waffle iron has cooled completely, use a damp cloth to wipe the exterior and a soft brush or sponge to remove any stuck-on batter. Do not submerge the waffle maker in water.
- If applicable, remove the plates after they have cooled. Our experts recommend cleaning the plates by hand, but you can check the user manual to confirm if the removable plates are dishwasher-safe. If the plates are not removable, you can use a damp cloth to wipe them clean after they have cooled completely.