6 Best Waffle Makers, According to Testing
We made stacks and stacks of waffles to find the most reliable machines.
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Frozen waffles are a modern marvel, but true fans know nothing beats a waffle fresh from a waffle iron. The good news? There are great waffle makers at a range of prices. The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab have tested more than 45 waffle makers and prepared over 450 batches of waffles in the past decade.
We score the evenness of browning and how well-cooked, moist, and crisp the waffles are. We also assess the ease of use for each model. Our picks include classic and Belgian waffle makers—and even a heart-shaped waffle maker.
Best Deal
Breville No-Mess Classic Waffle Maker
Pros
- Overflow moat reduces messes
- Even browning in Lab tests
- Lid lock and cord storage
Cons
- Slightly longer preheat cycle than others its size
BEST FOR: Fans of classic, crispy, diner-style waffles
We loved the evenly browned waffles from Breville's straightforward but well-designed machine. There's a simple dial that lets you choose from seven darkness levels (from 1 to "max"). The moat around the waffle grid did an excellent job of preventing batter overflow, which saves you from having to clean the machine and your counters after cooking.
We also appreciated the thoughtful details beyond the consistent performance: The lid locks for storage, and a channel is built into the bottom of the machine to allow for easy cord wrapping. Three loud beeps let you know the waffle is ready, so you don't have to watch the cook like a hawk. The very minimal downside is that it had one of the longest preheat times in our test, but that did result in even cooking.
| Shade settings | 7 |
| Dimensions | 9" x 11" x 5.7" |
| Weight | 6.7 lbs |
| Material | Brushed stainless steel |
Chefman Anti-Overflow Belgian Waffle Maker
Pros
- Affordable
- Indicator light alerts when to add batter or remove your cooked waffle
- Built-in locking mechanism and cord storage
Cons
- Requires longer cook time for consistent crispiness
BEST FOR: Those looking for an affordable waffle maker that's designed for mess-free cooking
Chefman's model makes our list by offering a budget-friendly way to get our top pick's best feature: the channel around the grid, designed to prevent overflow. It worked well to help prevent mess. In testing, we appreciated the green indicator light that alerts you when to add batter or check whether your waffle is ready. The waffles were consistently moist and well-browned, although we found that we needed the higher settings to achieve crispiness.
Our consumer testers also liked the Anti-Overflow Belgian Waffle Maker: They praised the nonstick surface, with one noting they were even able to remove waffles with blueberries while leaving no residue behind.
This unit features a latch on top that ensures it remains shut when not in use. It also includes a built-in cord wrap for compact storage.
| Shade settings | 7 |
| Dimensions | 10" x 8" x 4" |
| Weight | 3.75 lbs |
| Material | Plastic |
Presto Flipside Belgian Waffle Maker
Pros
- Produced consistent waffles during testing
- Machine rotated smoothly
- Stores upright to save space
Cons
- Includes a timer but no shade selector
BEST FOR: Folks who want Belgian waffles with a smaller storage footprint
The Presto FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker is reliable for well-browned, tender, and crispy Belgian waffles. The rotating design requires you to flip the body of the cooker 180 degrees for better dispersal of batter, which encourages more even cooking. In testing, it flipped smoothly, and the waffles were easy to remove from the surface. One unique feature we liked: It includes a very simple little kickstand, allowing you to store the unit vertically.
Although there is no shade selector, it includes a built-in timer that you can set to suit your preference for the darkness and crispiness of your waffles. It also beeps loudly to let you know when the time has expired (but note that it doesn't stop beeping unless you press one of the timer buttons again).
| Shade settings | None (browning is set via built-in timer) |
| Dimensions | 4" x 11.25" x 11.75" |
| Weight | 4.72 lbs |
| Material | Plastic and stainless steel |
Ninja NeverStick PRO Belgian Waffle Maker
Pros
- Crisp, fluffy waffles in testing
- Smaller footprint for tight counters and cabinets
Cons
- Properly adding batter requires a learning curve
BEST FOR: Waffle lovers who have limited counter or storage space
Ninja's vertical-style waffle maker has you add your batter through the top. (It comes with a spouted measuring cup for more accurate pouring.) Thanks to its upright design, this maker takes up less space than traditional waffle makers, making it a strong choice for anyone with a smaller kitchen.
In our tests, we found that this model worked well, producing crispy and fluffy waffles that didn't stick. One caveat: Adding batter has a learning curve. We found that we created holes in the waffles if we didn't fill the machine adequately, and produced a "handle" on top if we overfilled it somewhat.
This model features five shade settings, and our testers found that the doneness levels produced varying browning results.
| Shade settings | 5 |
| Dimensions | 7.72" x 6.57" x 11.9" |
| Weight | 6.7 lbs. |
| Material | Stainless steel |
All-Clad 4-Square Digital Gourmet Waffle Maker
Pros
- Creates up to four waffles at a time
- Removable plates make cleanup easy
Cons
- Lacks an audible indicator of readiness and doneness
BEST FOR: Families and that friend who hosts brunches at home
All-Clad's large waffle maker lets you cook four waffles at once (or, heck, one large waffle if you're hungry enough!). It features a digital interface that allows you to select from six cook settings—Classic, Belgian, Berry, Chocolate, Buttermilk, and Gluten-Free—as well as seven shade options.
We were pleased with the texture and color of the batches, but the homemade waffles were more difficult to remove from the machine than those prepared from a boxed mix. We appreciated the lid lock for when it's not in use, but it lacks cord storage. Our largest complaint was the lack of a loud enough beep when the machine was preheated or the waffle was ready.
The attachable overflow trough was merely adequate, but we loved the removable plates, which make cleanup very easy.
| Shade settings | 7 (and 6 cook settings) |
| Dimensions | 15.5" x 10.75" x 6" |
| Weight | 15.375 lbs |
| Material | Stainless steel |
Dash Mini Waffle Maker
Pros
- Available in several colors and plate designs
- Easy to use
Cons
- 4-inch size means it take a while to prepare a standard batch of batter
BEST FOR: Parents of little kids who are swayed by a fun shape (and also hopeless romantics)
Dash's mini waffle maker produces 4-inch waffles—the perfect size for a light breakfast or dessert—and comes in six 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; an indicator light will tell you when it's preheated. Our testers found this mini waffle maker easy to use, and our experts noted that it produced fairly consistent results. Still, you will need to cook longer than one cycle—which is about 1 minute 15 seconds, indicated by a click of the light—for crisp waffles (2 to 2.5 minutes worked well).
This mini maker is great for whimsy and kid-size servings, but it does take a considerable amount of time to work through the average batch of waffle batter.
| Shade settings | None |
| Dimensions | 5" x 6.4" x 2.8" |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs |
| Material | Metal |
Other waffle makers we tested
✔️ Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4-Square: We had very mixed results with this machine, with one producing wan, pale waffles. The biggest drawback is that it does not have removable plates, making cleaning the heavy machine quite difficult.
✔️ Cuisinart Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker: This rotating waffle maker cooks two waffles at once, and it produces evenly browned waffles in our tests. However, it is bulky to store, and it lacks an overflow channel, so we found that we had to wipe the machine down every time we used it.
✔️ Holstein Housewares Nonstick Heart Waffle Maker: If you (or your kids) are sold on the idea of heart-shaped waffles, this model can bake up four waffles in one go. The handle remained cool to the touch, and the waffles were moist with a slightly crispy edge. The appliance slid around the countertop, though, and performed best with boxed mix rather than homemade recipes.
How we test waffle makers
Over the past 10 years in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we've cooked more than 430 batches of waffles to test over 45 classic and Belgian waffle makers. For each, we prepare waffles using both a boxed mix and a homemade recipe. We evaluate the cooked waffles for browning, doneness, tenderness, moistness, and consistency.
We score the waffle makers on how easy they are to operate, the number of heat settings they feature, "doneness" indicators (such as lights and sounds), and the usefulness of the instruction manual. Our top performers produced evenly colored waffles that were crisp on the outside and moist and tender on the inside.
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 tend to feed at once to figure out which makes the most sense for you. (And note that you can keep waffles warm in a 225°F oven if you're working in batches.)
✔️ Size: Think about how much counter or storage space you have to spare. If you're short on storage, consider mini waffle makers or models that function or store vertically, which take up less space.
✔️ Type: There are two main types of waffle makers: classic and Belgian. Classic waffle makers produce thin, crispy results, while a Belgian waffle maker will deliver thicker, fluffier waffles. Either style might come from a rotating waffle maker, which requires you to flip it over after adding batter for even cooking.
✔️ Shape: After choosing between Belgian and classic waffles, consider the waffle shape you prefer. Round and square are popular options, but you can also find a variety of fun shapes, like hearts or Christmas trees.
✔️ Settings: Some lower-priced models simply plug in, heat to a default temperature, and offer an indicator for when the waffle is done. The simplest models require the use of a separate timer. Our favorite waffle makers had variable shade settings that produced 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 might require flipping the chamber during cooking, which allows the batter to distribute evenly, but some newer models may have deeper plates that don’t require flipping. We like models that have moats around the edges to help prevent batter overflow.
✔️ Classic waffle makers have a shallower grid 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. They also tend to have more pockets per square inch. More pockets lend more crunch because there are more crispy edges per bite.
How do you clean a waffle maker?
Follow these tips to make cleanup easier:
- Avoid nonstick aerosol sprays. Many waffle plates are nonstick and do not require any prep. If the manufacturer recommends greasing the grid, we suggest brushing on a thin layer of oil or grease. Nonstick aerosol sprays contain propellants and other additives that can cause sticky buildup 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 then use 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 whether 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.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Deputy Editor Sarah Gregory lead the most recent round of testing for this article. She made (and ate) countless batches of waffles and stocked the freezers of many a colleague. She has also tested egg poachers and hot chocolate makers to help make breakfasts better. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center.
Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, health and food. She has been cooking professionally since 2017 and has tested kitchen appliances and gear for Family Circle as well as developed recipes and food content for Simply Recipes, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Oxo and Food52. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education).
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