Our Best-Tested Waffle Makers
Find your perfect pick, whether you prefer classic or Belgian waffles.
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A frozen waffle is a tried-and-true, convenient breakfast. But true waffle lovers know nothing beats a waffle fresh from a waffle iron.
I love the smell of homemade waffles. I love the textures. I love the blank canvas. And that's great for me, because I make stacks and stacks of waffles—even heart-shaped waffles—to find the best machines.
How we test waffle makers
Over the past decade, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab have tested more than 45 waffle makers and prepared over 450 batches of waffles. 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, "doneness" indicators (such as lights and sounds), and the usefulness of the instruction manual. Our top performers produce evenly colored waffles that are crisp on the outside and moist and tender on the inside.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Breville No-Mess Waffle Maker
- Best value: Chefman Anti-Overflow Belgian Waffle Maker
- Best space-saving: Ninja NeverStick PRO Belgian Waffle Maker
- Best large: All-Clad 4-Square Digital Gourmet Waffle Maker
Best Deal
Piles of waffles made to ensure the consistency across batches.
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 and well-designed machine. A simple dial lets you choose from seven darkness levels (1 to "max"). The moat around the waffle grid did an excellent job of preventing batter overflow, so you don't have to clean the machine or your counters after cooking.
This pick also offers thoughtful details: The lid locks for storage, and a channel is built into the bottom of the machine so you can easily wrap and store the power cord. 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 contribute to the even cooking.
| Shade settings | 7 |
| Dimensions | 9" x 11" x 5.7" |
| Weight | 6.7 lbs |
| Material | Brushed stainless steel |
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 because it's a budget-friendly way to get our top pick's best feature: the channel around the cooking grid, designed to prevent overflow. It worked well at preventing 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, though we found we needed to cook on 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 could even remove waffles with blueberries without leaving any residue.
This unit features a top latch that keeps it 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 |
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 features a rotating design so you can flip the body of the cooker 180 degrees for better batter dispersion, encouraging more even cooking. In our tests, it flipped smoothly and produced reliably well-browned, tender, and crispy Belgian waffles that 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 preferred darkness and crispiness for 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 |
Pros
- Crisp, fluffy waffles in testing
- Smaller footprint for tight counters and cabinets
- Includes a spouted measuring cup for easier pouring
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.
This model performed well in our Lab tests, producing crispy, 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 did produce varying browning results.
| Shade settings | 5 |
| Dimensions | 7.72" x 6.57" x 11.9" |
| Weight | 6.7 lbs. |
| Material | Stainless steel |
Pros
- Creates up to four waffles at a time
- Removable plates make cleanup easy
- Lid locks in place for storage
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 this model lacks cord storage. Our largest complaint was the lack of a loud enough beep when the machine was preheated or when 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 |
Pros
- Available in several colors and plate designs
- Easy to use
- Consistent cook across waffles
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 who want to make breakfast for their crush)
Dash's mini waffle maker produces one small waffle at a time: They're 4-inch waffles—the perfect size for a light breakfast or dessert—and the waffle maker comes in six different colors and various shapes from classic round to heart-shaped (shown here) as well as novelty designs like skulls and pumpkins.
Simply plug it in to turn it on; the indicator light on top will let you know 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 and 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
✔️ Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker: A straightforward Belgian-style waffle maker, this Cuisinart model offers six shade settings via a simple dial. We liked the loud beeps and green light that indicate that the machine is preheating or your waffle is ready. And while you'll have to experiment to find the right doneness option for your homemade waffle recipe, we saw consistent browning in our boxed-mix test. One downside is that the metal top gets very hot during use.
✔️ Cuisinart Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker: This rotating waffle maker cooks two waffles at once, and it produced evenly browned waffles in our tests. However, it is bulky to store and lacks an overflow channel, so we had to wipe the machine down after every use.
✔️ Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker: This slim model made great waffles, both from boxed mix and homemade, in our tests. It has five browning settings, selected with a sliding lever, and can be stored upright. The red and green indicator lights let you know when it's time to add the batter and when your waffle is done, but it doesn't offer an audible alert, so we recommend staying nearby during cooking.
✔️ 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, though, slid around the countertop and performed best with boxed mix rather than homemade recipes.
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 a mini waffle maker or a model that functions or stores vertically, which takes up less space.
✔️ Type: There are two main types of waffle makers: classic and Belgian. Classic waffle makers produce thin, crispy waffles, while Belgian waffle makers 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 a separate timer. Our favorite waffle makers had variable shade settings that consistently produced evenly colored waffles.
What's the difference between a Belgian waffle maker and a regular waffle maker?
✔️ Belgian waffle makers often 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 to allow the batter to distribute evenly, but 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 mean more crunch, since 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. 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, wipe the exterior with a damp cloth, 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; 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 led the most recent round of testing for this article. She made (and ate) countless batches of waffles and stocked her freezer (and the freezers of many colleagues). She has also tested hot chocolate makers, so you could check those out if you want a truly over-the-top breakfast. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center.
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