The 6 Best Waffle Makers for Crispy, Fluffy Waffles
Forty-five models later, here are the best waffle makers for your money.
Reviewed by Nicole PapantoniouKitchen Appliances Lab Director
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
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).
Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker
Pros
- User-friendly
- Made delicious boxed and fresh waffles
- Handle stays cool
Cons
- No ready sound indicator
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.
Pros
- Affordable
- Indicator light alerts you when your waffle is ready or when you need to add batter
- Top scores for nonstick surface
- Locking mechanism
Cons
- Channel creates a rim around waffles
- Produces quite a bit of steam
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.
Cuisinart Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker
Pros
- Great for large crowds
- Easy-to-clean drip area
- Handles stay cool to the touch
Cons
- Bulky
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.
Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4-Square
Pros
- Stellar scores in Lab tests
- Robust waffle and shade settings
- Moat collects excess batter
Cons
- Larger footprint
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.
Presto Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker
Pros
- Flip design delivers even cooking
- Stores vertically
- Features indicator lights and a countdown timer
Cons
- No presets
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.
Pros
- Plates come in adorable designs
- Amazon #1 best seller
- Easy to use
Cons
- Small serving size; adults may need to make multiple to feel full
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.
Other waffle makers we tested
- Ninja NeverStick Pro Belgian Waffle Maker: This unique vertical-style waffle maker takes up less space on your countertop and comes with a measuring cup. To make waffles, you pour batter through the top. While this Belgian waffle maker produced fluffy waffles, we found that it created some holes in the waffles if we weren't careful pouring batter into the machine.
- Hamilton Beach Flip Belgian Waffle Maker: This model includes detachable plates that click off and are dishwasher-safe to make post-breakfast cleanup entirely fuss-free. It also features ready indicator lights and a removable drip tray. The waffle maker is on the bulkier side, though, and requires more storage space.
- Holstein Housewares Non-Stick 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
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we’ve cooked more than 430 batches of waffles to test more than 45 classic and Belgian waffle makers over the past 10 years. For each, we prepare waffles using both a boxed pancake and waffle mix as well as a homemade recipe. We evaluate the cooked waffles on browning, doneness, tenderness, moistness and consistency.
We score the waffle makers on how easy they are to operate, how many heat settings they feature, "doneness" indicators (like lights and sounds), surface temperature and the quality of the operating manuals (read: if they are actually helpful). Our top performers cooked evenly-colored waffles that were crisp on the outside and moist and tender on the inside.
When using the waffle makers, we did not use nonstick cooking spray. Aerosol cooking sprays can make the waffles gummy and cause smoking over time. Most waffle makers are nonstick enough without the spray, but if you need, you can use a non-aerosol spray or lightly brush grates with oil.
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.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nicole Papantoniou runs the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab where she oversees all content and testing related to cooking products. She has been testing and developing cooking tools, gadgets, gear and appliances since 2014. She's covered the full gamut of breakfast-related kitchen gear including waffle makers, coffee makers, nonstick pans and toaster ovens.
Trish Clasen Marsanico is a deputy food editor who works in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen with a team that develops hundreds of delicious recipes each year—including tons of tasty dishes to serve for brunch. She collaborated with Nicole and Lab testers to incorporate their testing notes and feedback into this comprehensive list. She will always choose a waffle over a pancake, any day of the week.
Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute and most recently updated this shopping guide to add in new top-tested pics as well as user advice. She covers kitchen sales during annual events like Black Friday and has reported on the best kitchen towels and aprons. She grew up making waffles in a Belgian waffle maker with her mom on Sunday mornings.
Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
The Best Ice Cream Makers
The Best Automatic Espresso Machines
The Best Smart Refrigerators
The Best Countertop Dishwashers
