Best Waffle Maker of 2020
We can confidently say that overall the Breville No-Mess made some near-perfect, delicious, classic waffles. Two things stood out that really set the No-Mess apart from the competition. The first is its wraparound, non-stick moat, which catches any spilled batter and turns it into a crispy amuse-bouche instead of a goopy mess that you want nothing to do with. The second is its very accurate and consistent shade settings. This machine has seven different options and can do amber and fluffy to dark and crispy, and pretty much anything in between. It is also consistent, giving us the confidence that we could reproduce the same results each time. Finally, both lights and beeps let you know when the iron is up to temperature and when the waffle is done, eliminating any guesswork.
It is one of the most expensive single-waffle makers on the market, and its price can be a major drawback for some. It is also one of the larger ones, taking up more counter space than most of the other similar makers. However, even with the extra cost and bulk, it certainly translates into better performance and quality construction. If you are willing to make an investment in top-notch waffles at home, this is the best option around, and you should be able to enjoy it for years to come.
Read review: Breville No-Mess
If you don't want to feel like an assembly line worker while making Sunday breakfast for a large family, the KRUPS GQ502D is one of your best bets. This machine can churn out four fluffy waffles at the same time, so nobody has to let their food get cold waiting for everyone to be served. The indicator lights and beeps let you know when the griddle is up to temperature and when the waffles are done. A shade knob also enables you to adjust from a nice pale gold to a dark, crunchy brown. The griddles are dishwasher safe, so when you're done cooking, they can be removed and tossed in the dishwasher. The unit also locks shut for easy vertical storage, saving precious cabinet space.
Our biggest complaint about the KRUPS GQ502D is that it takes longer to heat up and cook than other, smaller machines. We generally found ourselves leaving the waffles on the griddle for an extra minute or two past when the beeps indicated the waffles were done. We also found that they don't cook as evenly as we would have liked them to, with the edges of the waffles cooked much more than the centers. If you have a large family and need to churn out lots of waffles very quickly, these are small sacrifices to make, but in any other instance, we'd suggest a smaller, round machine instead.
Read review: KRUPS GQ502D
Somehow early mornings in the office got a little easier when we had the Presto FlipSide around. In our testing, it served up fluffy, evenly cooked waffles that sopped up syrup like a sponge. The unique hinged design means you get all the benefits of a waffle maker that can flip over, without all of the unwieldy storage issues. It can even lock in the upright position so you can easily slide it into a cupboard. User-friendliness is increased by nice touches like an indicator light that lets you know when the machine is up to temperature and a timer that lets you know when the waffle is done. Finally, we found that the non-stick surface worked quite well and didn't leave any caked-on messes that required extra cleanup.
On the flip side (sorry, we couldn't resist), this waffle maker isn't all strawberries and syrup. While the unit packs up nice and small for storage, it requires a lot of counter real estate when in use. Overall we'd call its waffles evenly cooked, but one side does come out a bit crispier than the other. However, we would say that these gripes are all very minor, and we don't think they should dissuade you from stepping up your breakfast game.
Read review: Presto FlipSide
If you're looking to make waffles at home that are easy on the pocketbook, the Cuisinart WMR-CA Round Classic is hard to beat. In our testing, this machine was able to produce waffles with a similar level of taste and texture of the higher-priced models, but for a fraction of the cost. We were especially impressed that every time we used one of the Round Classic's five different shade settings, it reliably produced the same level of crispiness. We've found that this kind of consistency is something that is generally associated with a much larger price tag.
Unfortunately, the Cuisinart Round Classic's low cost does come with some drawbacks. We found this machine's construction to be notably lower-quality. For example, the unit itself feels poorly balanced, making us nervous that it could tip over, and the control dials don't seem to be 100% accurate. It also lacks any sort of indicators, so it will take some trial and error to get a feel for how long it takes to heat up and how long it takes to cook a waffle. If you're looking to make waffles an every weekend tradition, it's likely worth paying extra for a model that doesn't have these drawbacks. However, if you need a machine for special occasions just a few times a year, the Cuisinart Round Classic is an inexpensive and effective way to have that option ready and waiting.
Read review: Cuisinart WMR-CA Round Classic
Sometimes you don't want waffles to be the centerpiece of your breakfast. You want them as a side dish for a large brunch spread, or you may just want to make one small waffle to adorn with a healthy scoop of ice cream. That's where the Dash Mini Maker Griddle shines. This small device makes 4-inch classic waffles with ease, expediency, and very little mess. Additionally, the small size and ease of cleaning make the Mini Maker Griddle more amenable to experimentation with different griddle recipes like cookies, hashbrowns, and chaffles (that's a cheese and egg waffle, and it's a gamechanger). Plus, it's cheap enough that you could buy two if you want to make a waffle sandwich bun in one go.
The streamlined simplicity of the Mini Maker Griddle leaves little room for bells and whistles. There are no controls — you just plug it in, and a light turns on when it reaches cooking temperature. There is also no timer to let you know when the waffle is done, so you have to keep track of that on your own. Luckily the griddle is quite forgiving and tends not to burn anything, even if it's left cooking for a few extra minutes. For cooking whimsical and creative mini waffles, there is no better than the Dash Mini Maker Griddle.
Read review: Dash Mini Maker Griddle
Best Combo of Performance and Aesthetics
All-Clad Stainless Steel Classic
Size: 6.5 inch diameter | Style: Classic
If you are looking to make waffles a staple in your home, there's a good chance your waffle maker is going to become a permanent presence on the counter. If that's the case, you may appreciate the all stainless steel, rugged look of the All-Clad Stainless Steel Classic. This heavy-duty, built-to-last machine can churn out delicious waffles in seven different shades from fluffy to crispy. It also has all of the pre-heating and fully-cooked indicators that one would expect from a top-notch appliance.
The biggest downside of the All-Clad is its relatively high price. Even if you are willing to spend extra on a more reliable and well-built machine, the All-Clad still has some weak points compared to the similarly priced Breville No-Mess. First off, the Breville's design essentially eliminates overflowing batter spills, whereas the All-Clad simply minimizes them. Some surfaces of the All-Clad can also get quite hot to the touch, something we didn't experience with the Breville. Still, if the All-Clad is perfect with your kitchen decor, we don't think this machine is going to disappoint.
Read review: All-Clad Stainless Steel Classic
Most larger capacity waffle makers utilize a wide bed that can make for uneven batter distribution. The Cuisinart Double Belgian avoided that by stacking two round, flippable irons on top of one another, allowing you to make two delicious Belgian-style waffles at the same time. Plus, helpful lights and beeps let you know when the irons are ready to go and when the waffles are done.
The one thing we felt lacked in the Cuisinart Double Belgian is the void of removable griddles. This machine weighs a whopping 13 pounds and is so much larger and heavier than most that trying to clean it after each use can be a hassle. Luckily the non-stick is usually pretty effective, so you shouldn't be stuck scrubbing too often. As long as you have storage space for this bulky device, it's the best way we've found to quickly make fluffy Belgian waffles.
Read review: Cuisinart Double Belgian
If you're looking to spice up your breakfast spread but want to spend as little as possible, the Oster CKSTWF2000 is your best bet. In our testing, it was able to make some great waffles with a nice crunch and a bit of fluff. The temperature control knob lets you find your desired point on the fluffy to crunchy spectrum, and a helpful ready light lets you know when everything is up to temperature.
As is often the case with budget products, you often have to make some sacrifices, and the same goes for the CKSTWF2000. It is pretty easy to overload the unit with batter (we would suggest starting below the manufacturer's recommendation). Even if you get the batter right, there tends to be a good bit of condensation that drips off of the front of the machine, requiring some wiping. The waffles also fall just a bit short of the fluffiness most people would require to truly call them Belgian. They're certainly leaps and bounds better than frozen waffles, but you might be disappointed if you're expecting a super fluffy restaurant-style product.
Read review: Oster CKSTWF2000
Why You Should Trust Us
Authors Steven Tata and Max Mutter have been leading TechGearLab's breakfast brigade since 2016. In that time, they have tested over 80 breakfast-related kitchen appliances. They have honed the craft of restaurant-quality breakfast prep into home kitchens over the years and bring that expertise to this review.
We researched over 70 models before buying the best of the best in every price range. We then spent more than 80 hours using those devices, one right after the other, and taste-tested all of the resulting waffles. This allowed us to thoroughly examine each model's user-friendliness, construction quality, and of course, waffle making ability.
Analysis and Test Results
Waffle makers are fairly simple devices but don't let impulsiveness make you snag just any model off of the shelf. If you pay attention to a few minor details you can end up with a maker that will churn out just what you are looking for.
Waffle Type: Belgian vs. Traditional
The first thing to consider when choosing a waffle maker is what type of waffles you want. Belgian style waffles are super thick and fluffy and are generally what you would expect when ordering a waffle in a restaurant. These things soak up butter and syrup like a sponge and bring a decadent pastry kind of feel to your breakfast. Some of our favorite Belgian style machines are the Presto FlipSide and the Cuisinart Double Belgian.
Classic style waffles are much thinner than their Belgian counterparts and generally have crispier and crunchier faces. These waffles still have fluffy interiors and are much more decadent than store-bought frozen waffles, but lack the pillowy volume of Belgian waffles. In our testing, the Breville No-Mess and the Dash Mini Maker Griddle fit into this category of producing great classic style waffles.
To Flip or Not to Flip
One of the differentiating features you can find in a consumer waffle maker is the ability to flip the waffle in the middle of cooking (think of those large contraptions often seen at hotel breakfasts). Rotating the waffle halfway through the cooking process promotes better batter distribution, which leads to more even cooking, and a more satisfying final result. Models like the Cuisinart Double Belgian offer this feature, but generally take up much more space than the average kitchen model. The Presto Flipside offers a unique hinged design that allows it to flip on your countertop and then pack up into a very slim profile for storage.
User Friendliness
The best waffle makers allow you to easily get the desired results you want and make it hard to burn your waffles. Features like temperature adjustment knobs can help you get the exact shade and texture you're looking for, and timers can ensure you don't leave the waffle on the griddle too long. Additionally, the ability to flip a maker over encourages more even batter distribution, and thus more even cooking and more consistent results.
The Breville No-Mess is the most convenient and adjustable of all the models we tested. With seven shade settings, this model offers more adjustability than any other we tested, and both beeps and lights let you know when the waffle is done. The Presto Flipside has only an auditory cook timer, but its ability to flip makes it easier to get consistent results. While the Dash Mini Griddle Maker lacks any sort of adjustability or timers, we found its heating elements to be quite forgiving, not burning our waffles even when we left them on for too long.
Ease of Cleaning
Thankfully most waffle makers have dependable non-stick coatings. Because of this, the cleaning process typically isn't too tedious — you can generally get away with just wiping the griddle with a damp cloth once it has cooled down, and you're good to go. The non-stickiness performance does vary, with some models performing better than others. Even so, some of the stickier ones can generally be remedied with some cooking spray. Some models even have removable griddles that can be placed in a dishwasher.
The two main sources of messes when cooking with a waffle maker are overflowing batter and excess condensation (luckily, most non-stick grates work well enough to avoid any stuck-on and burnt batter catastrophes). Usually, through trial and error, you can solve the overflowing batter problem to find the exact amount of batter for your maker/batter combo, but some models still tend to spill no matter what you do. Similarly, some models create a lot of condensation that can leave a puddle on your counter, while others do not.
If you're one that is particularly not a fan of excess condensation, the Oster Flip offers a removable drip tray to prevent puddles on your countertop. No machine deals better with overflowing batter than the Breville No-Mess. It has a non-stick reservoir that catches excess batter, making cleanup much quicker and easier.
Capacity
Most Waffle makers only make one waffle at a time, and take 4-5 minutes to make a waffle. If you're making brunch for a larger family, that creates a bit of a timing issue. The Cuisinart Double Belgian can make two waffles at once while still offering a flippable design that promotes even batter distribution. However, it also takes up much more space than most models on the market. Square makers can often make four waffles at a time, but usually at the sacrifice of uneven cooking due to their shape. The KRUPS GQ502D is the best such model we've found.
Storage
It's an admirable goal to make waffles every morning, and as great as that may sound, that will probably not be the case. Because of this, you're likely going to want a waffle maker that can easily be stored out of the way when not in use. The Presto FlipSide and the KRUPS GQ502D were two models in particular that we found to make storage quite efficient and easy, and they can lock and stand up vertically. In many situations, this can save a lot of precious cabinet space.
Conclusion
Having fluffy, cafe-style waffles at home is both easier and less expensive than you may think. For just a small investment and some elbow grease for mixing up the batter, you can have a delicious brunch in the comfort of your own dining room. We hope our research has led you to the perfect breakfast companion.
— Max Mutter, Michelle Powell, and Steven Tata