There’s something truly special about making perfect waffles at home. They come out golden and crisped, cooked to cake-like, fluffy perfection inside — except when they don’t. This breakfast staple (and with a little fried chicken, a lunch and dinner must-have) can come out soggy and unevenly cooked with the wrong kind of iron. Find the proper maker, and make sure your big waffle breakfast never gets ruined.
The perfect waffle maker for you is going to depend a lot on how you like to cook, how much space you have in your kitchen, and who you’re making the waffles for. Keep the following in mind, and you’ll find the right one for you.
Shape: Waffle makers come in all shapes and sizes, like round, square, and even fun shapes like dinosaurs that are perfect for kids.
Size: Waffle makers come in different sizes, too, making some perfect for solo cookers, while others will be better for large families. Some also take up a lot more counter space than others, so keep the maker’s footprint in mind if you have a smaller kitchen.
Safety: Some waffle makers come with heat indicator lights, while others just turn on automatically when you plug them in. Also keep in mind that some have handles that tend to get hot. (We make a note of those that do).
How We Chose
We reviewed hundreds of waffle makers, looking for the most popular and innovative models on the market. We also consulted expert and user assessments, and emerged with a list of waffle makers that will suit your culinary need and budget. Find the best waffle maker for you below. And if you're looking for other cooking gadgets, check out our guides on sandwich makers, panini presses, and mini donut makers.
This innovative waffle maker makes flipping the waffle possible without doing somersaults yourself. The Presto FlipSide has a hinged design, which makes flipping the entire iron as easy as turning a page. It does require extra counter space to make the waffles, but the results — perfectly cooked, extra thick, round — are worth it.
Lithium ion batteries are required. Reviewers say this is the “best waffle iron ever,” with “perfect” results.
Set Includes: A Belgian-style nonstick waffle maker with a built-in timer and batteries.
If you’re making waffles for one, or you have a small space, this is a fabulous option. The Dash Mini Maker has an average of 4.7 stars from more than 175,100 reviewers who love its ability to cook up waffle perfection in just a few minutes. This maker also works as a traveling waffle maker, and many use it to grill sandwiches as well, since the waffles are roughly 4 inches big.
One reviewer writes that while “this silly little thing is perfect,” and “so simple” to use, but warns that the handle can get very hot, so be aware when making your waffles and avoid letting children use unsupervised.
Set Includes: A mini-waffle nonstick maker with a recipe book and a 1-year warranty.
While spending north of $100 may feel excessive for a waffle iron, the more than 11,200 reviewers on Amazon think it’s worth it. With an average of 4.8 stars, this waffle maker creates two thick, perfectly cooked Belgian waffles at the same time. The six-setting browning control knob ensures each waffle is cooked to order. Reviewers say it makes a “darned fine waffle,” and gets a “heavy workout” at their house, delivering “commercial” grade results, at a fraction of the price.
Set Includes: A nonstick Belgian-style double waffle maker, with two LED ready-indicator lights and three audio beep tones signaling doneness.
This Belgian waffle maker gives you great control and results, with its easy flipping action and dishwasher-safe removable plates. The waffles are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, thanks to the adjustable browning control and a ready-to-cook light. Neatnicks will love the removable plates, as well as the clean and modern set up.
Set Includes: Nonstick Belgian waffle maker with removable dishwasher-safe plates, and power-on and ready-to-cook lights.
This Cuisinart round waffle maker is a bargain, cooking up delicious waffles on the cheap. You don’t have to skimp on bells and whistles, either: This maker comes with five browning settings and indicator lights.
Reviewers love this heavy-duty waffle maker, and say that it’s speedier than most. Others love that they can crank up or lower the browning with the touch of a dial.
Set Includes: Nonstick round Belgian waffle maker with browning control, automatic shutoff, red and green indicator lights, and a heat-resistant handle.
This Cuisinart four-slice Belgian waffle maker is reliable and high-performing, making deep pocket waffles that hold butter, syrup, and more. It features browning control and light indicators, making it safe enough for teens to cook with solo.
Reviewers love the “perfectly crisp” exteriors and “tender” interiors this maker delivers.
Set Includes: Square nonstick Belgian-style waffle maker with five-setting browning control, indicator lights, a locking lid, and a recipe book.
If you’re craving waffles with a perfectly browned (but not burned!) exterior, this All-Clad nonstick waffle maker is the ticket. The key to crisp is in All-Clad’s unique steam-release system, which ensures an even golden exterior and fluffy interior. There are seven browning levels so that you can micromanage the hue.
One reviewer says they’ve “had this one for years now and I highly recommend it,” while another says it makes “the best waffles” they’ve ever had.
Set Includes: Nonstick round Belgian-style waffle maker with seven browning levels and ready indicator lights, and an audio beep when cooking is complete.
And now for something different: a waffle maker that stands up. This may not look like a “normal” waffle maker, but the design allows you to pour batter into the maker without making a mess, or making half of the waffle bigger than the other half.
The design saves on counter space, too. It also comes with five browning settings, giving you control over the crispiness. Reviewers hail this “no mess” “quick and easy” maker, which delivers “excellent” results “without fail!”
Set Includes: Nonstick round Belgian-style waffle maker with five-set browning control and ready-to-bake and eat indicator lights, with an audible alert.
Waffles aren’t Brussels sprouts; most parents don’t have to cajole their kids into eating the sweet treats, but folks of all ages will get an extra surge of excitement when they see these cool dinosaurs land on their plates. Reviewers love the great results, but warn that there’s no off or on switch or heat indicator light, so parents should cook these dinos solo.
Set Includes: Nonstick mini waffle maker with five unique dinosaur shapes.
Who knew there was such a thing as a waffle bowl maker? The Dash Mini Waffle maker creates 4-inch bowl-shaped waffles for indulgent breakfasts and desserts, even taco bowls.
One reviewer writes that this makes “the perfect individual Keto waffle bowls.” Others also say this “little waffle bowl is great for my son who is allergic to wheat,”while another writes that they’re impressed with how “efficient and quickly this cooked!”
Set Includes: One waffle bowl maker with a 1-year warranty, and a recipe book.
Kathleen WillcoxKathleen Willcox is a journalist who writes about parenting, technology, shopping, food and wine.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
