Here’s How I Found The Best Waffle Makers of 2017:
Winter is an excellent time for making waffles in an iron—what time of year is not right for waffles, really? A hot waffle iron especially perks up my kitchen on a gray winter morning; it smells good, warms my hands, and turns an otherwise boring breakfast into a delight. I looked at ten waffle irons and reviewed them, to find the best deal on Amazon. I decided to rate the waffle irons on five points:
- Value for the money
- Product durability and features
- Style and size
- Ease of cleaning/storing
- How well it makes waffles
Each point gets a star, so a five star rating is a superb waffle iron.
1. Cuisinart WAF-F20 Double Belgian Waffle Maker (*MY TOP CHOICE*)
Cuisinart usually makes quality kitchen gadgets, and their Double Belgian Waffle Maker is no exception. This stainless steel waffle iron can make two deep-pocket 1-inch Belgian waffles at the same time, so you and a breakfast guest can both eat hot waffles. It’s got a 6-setting browning control knob to ensure each waffle is cooked right, and 2 LED Ready indicator lights to let you know when each waffle is done (it beeps when ready too). Cuisinart has added an arrow to the handle as a reminder of which way to rotate, which helps when you’re trying to cook while half-asleep. Like most of the irons on this list, it has a nonstick coating for quick food release and easy cleanup. This is a “flip” model: its easy-to-handle rotary flips each waffle 180 degrees to ensure even cooking on top and bottom. This model draws 1400 watts of power, so give it its own outlet. On to the Cuisinart WAF-F20’s score:
- Value for the money: at $75.72 with a 1-year warranty, this one is a deal. 1 star.
- Product durability and features: well made of stainless steel, good features. 1 star.
- Style and size: at 16.5 x 10.62 x 10.25 in and 13 pounds, it’s large—but not too heavy for most people to handle with ease. It’s attractive to look at and stainless steel is easy to clean. 1 star.
- Ease of cleaning/storing: not too bad, pretty easy. 1 star.
- How well it makes waffles: crispy every time, cooked through, golden brown. 1 star.
The first waffle iron I looked at gets five stars out of five. Here’s a tip for cleaning your Cuisinart: always spray the grids with cooking oil before pouring each waffle— otherwise you’ll have a mess. It’s easy to forget this step, but deadly. When you need to clean the grid thoroughly, wrap a chopstick in a small piece of damp paper towel to get in between the grooves. One more note: this model was sold under the Waring brand name until recently (hence the WAF model number)—Waring and Cuisinart are owned by the same company (Conair).
2. Gourmia GWM460 Stainless Steel Waffle Maker
This is one of the better waffle irons in the $35 range. It features a 180-degree rotation to evenly distribute the batter, adjustable temperature to prevent overcooking, and it comes with an instruction manual & step-by-step cookbook. The Gourmia GWM460 is made with stainless steel housing for long-term durability and has a foldable handle to save cabinet space. There’s also an indicator light to let you know when to add the batter and prevent over filling, and a removable drip tray.
- Value for the money: good bang for the buck, it’s $34.99 + are ETL certified .1 star.
- Product durability and features: solid construction, adjustable heat level and draws 120V: 1 star.
- Style and size: 14.5 x 11 x 7.7 inches, 6.1 pounds, unobtrusive design: 1 star.
- Ease of cleaning/storing: nonstick coating, stores upright for compact spaces and has a foldable handles: 1 star.
- How well it makes waffles: timer runs a little short, so there’s a learning curve for crisp waffles. ¾ star.
Four and ¾ stars for this cute kitchen appliance which makes a good birthday gift for a foodie friend.
3. KRUPS F654 Belgian Waffle Maker
Retailing for $54.95, the KRUPS F654 Belgian Waffle Maker is a good buy. It makes four thick Belgian waffles in just minutes, has a nonstick for easy removal of waffles and fast clean up, and has “cool touch” handles. This iron’s latch allows for upright storage and the machine draws 1400 watts. The KRUPS F654’s permanently installed plates ensure even browning, and a ready LED light signals when the waffle maker is preheated and ready to bake. A 2-year worldwide warranty provides some peace of mind too. The power cord, including the plug, for this Krups Belgian waffle iron is 24 inches long, so it works on most kitchen counters.
- Value for the money: not bad at all. 1 star.
- Product durability and features: stainless steel, good features. 1 star.
- Style and size: sleek, chrome-finish is nice. 4.5 x 13 x 10.25 in, 8.5 lbs.—fine. 1 star.
- Ease of cleaning/storing: stores upright, not too bulky. 1 star.
- How well it makes waffles: four good waffles in one shot, with a scant 1/2 cup of batter per waffle, bake for 4 minutes, golden brown. 1 star.
When this waffle maker first arrives, wipe the plates clean with a damp sponge, grease them lightly with butter, margarine, or cooking spray, and heat (that goes for all the irons on this list, really). After seasoning, you can make several batches of waffles without any sticking. Do not use a metal fork or utensil to extricate the waffles or you’ll scratch the surface of the iron‑wooden utensils work fine. I’m awarding five stars to the KRUPS F654 Belgian Waffle Maker, and not just because the company makes excellent espresso machines too.
And here’s another tip for cleaning the grooves: use a new toothbrush. Pour some nontoxic, non-scratchy soap on the iron and scrub with the brush. Turn the waffle maker upside down to dry it, or, if you’re in a hurry for some reason, use a hair dryer. Don’t turn it back on without batter in it, you’ll do more harm than good.
4. Breville BWM640XL Smart 4-Slice Waffle Maker
I wanted to include one really high-end waffle maker in this review, and I went with the Breville Smart 4-Slice Waffle Maker, which sells for $299 on Amazon (where it’s earned 4.8 out of 5 stars in over 80 reviews). This device has stainless steel housing, nonstick die-cast aluminum cooking plates, “Waffle IQ technology” (four batter type custom settings and 12 color settings), a wide wrap around moat to catch and cook overflow, and an LCD indicator with reset timer button and a bit more button. This gadget can make Belgian, classic, chocolate, or buttermilk waffles with its 12 different heat settings. Expect crispy golden waffles with even heat distribution
Oh, and the top plate lid automatically starts timer when lid closes—this is a good waffle maker to buy if you don’t want to put too much thought into waffle making and still want a gourmet result.
- Value for the money: 1 star.
- Product durability and features: very well made, many features. 1 star.
- Style and size: measures 15.8 x 8.8 x 18.5 inches, weighs 16.9 lbs.—it’s big, but this is an investment, and it looks sweet on the counter. 1 star.
- Ease of cleaning/storing: cleaning is harder, but see my tips. Stores upright in a small space. 1 star.
- How well it makes waffles: Follow the instructions and use the recommended setting for your first time and you won’t be disappointed—these are gourmet waffles. 1 star.
I’ll give this product five stars, with the caviat emptor that is pricey. You might find it on sale at Amazon from time to time. If you’re willing to invest $300 in a kitchen device, this one will be around for generations.
5. KRUPS GQ502D Adjustable Temperature Belgian Waffle Maker with Removable Plates, 4-Slice, Silver and Black
The Krups GQ502D Adjustable Temperature Belgian Waffle Maker also makes my cut, for a few reasons. First, it can handle four slices at once, second, it’s a Krups (so I know it’s well made), and third, it has removable, dishwasher safe bake plates. Its five adjustable browning levels, from light to dark, are user friendly, and it bakes waffles with extra-deep pockets, light and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside—good stuff.
- Value for the money: Retailing at $129, it’s worth it. 1 star.
- Product durability and features: easy to use features, well made gadget. It draws 1200 watts of power. 1 star.
- Style and size: At 12.6 x 6.7 x 16.5 inches and 9.1 pounds, this is a small and portable machine. Black and silver housing goes with most kitchens. 1 star.
- Ease of cleaning/storing: super easy dishwasher safe cleaning and upright storage, 1 star.
- How well it makes waffles: The iron heats up slow in the first round, and for that reason it gets ¾ of a star, but the waffles come out gold and tasty.
Krups’ second offering on my list garners 4 and ¾ stars.
6. Cuisinart WAF-V100 Vertical Waffle Maker
Cuisinart’s WAF-V100 Vertical Waffle Maker has a space age sort of vibe, with a sleek silver design. It sells for $51.18, and has some good features: a vertical design and batter pour spout; five-setting browning control; an audible alert;
and ready bake/ready-to-eat indicator lights. It bakes one round Belgian waffle at a time, making it a good choice for single folks and couples. This model also has a cool touch locking handle that’s easy to open and close, preventing batter from leaking out of the unit.
- Value for the money: 1 star.
- Product durability and features: easy to use, 1 star.
- Style and size: I like the spaceship design, which fits with a lot cool kitchens. This product measures 13 x 8 x 15 in and weighs 8 pounds. 1 star.
- Ease of cleaning/storing: cord wraps, unit stores vertically. 1 star.
- How well it makes waffles: It cooks the waffles quite quickly—2 to 3 minutes tops. Okay waffles result. ¾ star.
Cuisinart WAF-V100 Vertical Waffle Maker earns 4 ¾ star on my scale. A good buy, a different look than every other waffle iron on the list.
7. Oster CKSTWF2000 Belgian Waffle Maker
Oster’s Belgian Waffle Maker measures 5.2 x 10.8 x 8.5 inches, has a stainless steel exterior and Teflon coated baking plates. The CKSTWF2000 model has nonstick cool touch handles and power on/ready indicator lights. As with all Teflon products, I seasoned this one with a thin layer of cooking oil—after that, it truly is nonstick and cleaning the product is not hard. The adjustable temperature control makes for light and fluffy or crispy waffles, depending on your preference. FYI, the green light is not a timer, it’s an indicator light letting you know the waffle maker has reached a certain temperature. This machine requires 120V and can be stored vertically, so it fits in my pantry easily. It makes a golden brown waffle 7 1/2 inches in diameter, in about the same time it takes to make a pancake.
- Value for the money: at $17.88, this is the cheapest waffle maker I found. It’s sold through Jarden Consumer Solutions, and doesn’t appear to come with a warranty. ¾ star.
- Product durability and features: temperature dial heats up a bit. ½ star.
- Style and size: small size, 3 pounds, okay style. 1 star.
- Ease of cleaning/storing: cord wraps around, can be stood vertically. 1 star.
- How well it makes waffles: it only makes one waffle at a time, but the waffle comes out well. 1 star.
I give the Oster CKSTWF2000 Belgian Waffle Maker 4 ¼ stars overall. It’s a decent choice for single people or small families that only make waffles once in a while.
8. BLACK+DECKER WMB500 Belgian Waffle Maker, Stainless Steel
From Black + Decker, a company with decades of kitchen gadget production, comes the WMB500 Belgian Waffle Maker WMB500. This is a sound buy at $22.49, with a 2 year limited warranty. Its design is simple and not too ugly, and it has the same nonstick waffle grids as many others on my list. It’s also got a ready indicator light, convenient cord wrap, and a vertical storage base for compact storage. This is a stainless steel device on the outside, with stay-cool black synthetic handles. Like many others here, this waffle maker has a ready light that shines when the waffle maker is properly heated to accept the batter and shines again when the waffle is cooked. The WMB500 makes 7-1/4-inch-diameter Belgian waffle with four sections each, so you can easily divide them among several people. It’s a 650-watt appliance measuring 8 inches wide, 3-1/2 inches high, and 11-1/2 inches deep.
- Value for the money: pretty good. 1 star.
- Product durability and features: standard fare, ¾ star.
- Style and size: small, lightweight. 1 star.
- Ease of cleaning/storing: very good. 1 star.
- How well it makes waffles: they are ready in 5-6 minutes, and come out easily from the plate. Mostly uniform baking, 1 star.
You can use pancake mix in this waffle maker (as its instruction manual suggests) and have fluffy waffles. 4 ¾ stars for Black + Decker’s low-end entry.
9. Oster CKSTWF11WC-ECO DuraCeramic Belgian Flip Waffle Maker
I’ll let the company explain their product: “This Oster Belgian flip waffle maker is designed with a unique and innovative Dura ceramic non-stick coating that last 4x longer than standard non-stick coatings and won’t flake or peel. The safe, natural ceramic coating is PFOA and PTFE free, so you can cook foods without worry. Dura ceramic finish cooks up to 20% faster to get you eating quicker and easily wipes clean.” Product testing mostly bore up this claim, and I did find the waffle maker to evenly distribute batter and cook waffles well. The “high end metal handles with cool touch holders” work as promised. This product stores vertically for efficient, space-saving storage and has a removable drip tray for easy cleaning. I also appreciated the adjustable temperature control, which has settings for fluffy, crispy, or golden waffles.
- Value for the money: at $35.97, this model’s a deal. 1 star.
- Product durability and features: I liked the ceramic plates; they’re a nice change from all these Teflon plates. 1 star.
- Style and size: looks okay on the counter, measures 10.4 x 16.6 x 6.2 inches and weighs 5.3 lbs. 1 star.
- Ease of cleaning/storing: all good here, 1 star.
- How well it makes waffles: good temperature control, 1 star.
The DuraCeramic Belgian-Style Flip Waffle Maker earns five stars. The product page on Amazon even offered me some helpful suggestions on how to use ceramic plates (as opposed to cast iron and Teflon)— always spray a non-stick product on the plates, and/or use egg yolk in the waffle batter. This waffle maker is versatile and easy enough to use that you can make other things too: shredded potato pies, quesadillas, bacon, homemade fishcakes, zucchini bread…lots of things.
10. Presto 03500 Belgian Bowl Waffle Maker, Black
The Presto 03500 Belgian Bowl Waffle Maker could make this list for cuteness alone—it’s like a little upside down hat on the counter, and it makes waffles. In over sixty Amazon reviews, this nifty appliance has a 4.5/5 rating. It retails for $25.37 and makes a thick, fluffy and tender 4-inch waffles. But the Presto 03500 can make more than waffles; the bowl design accommodates other fun breakfasts too—scrambled eggs, ham, sausage, hash browns and more.
The product features a nonstick grid for easy cleaning. At 8.25 x 9.3 x 5.25 in and 3.07 lbs., this is one of the smallest waffle makers on my list, but the bowl is deep enough to make a satisfying waffle. Pancake mix or waffle mix works well in the Presto. This device is a good choice for experimental cooks; fill the bowl with baker’s dough, bake it fill the pastry bowl with whip cream and strawberries, or chicken and gravy, or cheese and sun dried tomatoes….
- Value for the money: 1 star.
- Product durability and features: I liked that it came with a recipe book and that it only needs 750 watts/110 volts of energy. 1 star.
- Style and size: the exterior is black and very cute. Small, lightweight, easy to love. 1 star.
- Ease of cleaning/storing: little tricky to get down in the bowl, but if you use a clean rag over a spoon you can clean it okay. ¾ star.
- How well it makes waffles: very well. Plus all the other creative food in bowl possibilities.
Delightfully different, Presto’s Belgian Bowl gets 4 and ¾ stars from me. This waffle maker is a good idea for people with small kitchens and limited counter space.
Conclusion
And so we come to the end of my waffle maker review. The winner on this list is the Cuisinart WAF-F20 Double Belgian Waffle Maker, which offers the best combination of quality and price. Any of the waffle makers on this list are a safe buy, but the Cuisinart has a more stylish design (which I find important in a machine that sits out on my kitchen counter for days at a time) and it makes great waffles. The Krups F654 Belgian Waffle Maker runs a close second, for the durability and style of the thing.
I’d like to offer you just a few more tips on making waffles. First, if you find you have extra batter left over, make the waffles anyway, then put them in a zip lock bag and freeze them. Next time you don’t know what to eat for breakfast, pop the frozen waffles in your toaster and boom, breakfast. Another idea that gets overlooked often is waffles for dessert; served with strawberries and ice cream, they are a delicacy and cheap, as dessert goes. I like to make some for my hubby and serve them to him with a nightcap—it’s a good way to get sleepy. I hope you enjoyed my extended waffle maker review and can choose one without too much…waffling about.
