What to Buy Appliances Small Appliances The 7 Best Waffle Makers for Weekend Brunch, Tested and Reviewed Because everyone deserves a great breakfast at home. By Lauren Musni Updated on June 29, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Favorite Factors to Consider The Tests What Didn't Make the List FAQ Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / Dera Burreson Instead of waiting to enjoy waffles at your favorite brunch spot, consider buying a quality waffle maker to prepare them at home whenever you please. You can use this underrated kitchen gadget for classic waffles drizzled with warm maple syrup as well as unique savory recipes like loaded potato waffles. For the ideal golden-brown exterior and light, fluffy interior, the results are only as good as the waffle iron you're working with. Burns, batter spills, and floppy waffles aren't an option for us, which is why we put 17 of the top-rated models to the test. We tested yeast and no-yeast batters in each waffle iron and then determined our favorites based on their design, performance, size, and ease of cleaning. Read on for more about our testing process and see which models earned the top spots. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Cuisinart Classic Waffle Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Breville Smart 4-Slice Waffle Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Best Square: Calphalon Intellicrisp Waffle Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Best Rotating: Crux Belgian Waffle Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Best Mini: Dash Mini Waffle Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Best No-Mess: Breville No-Mess Waffle Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Walmart Pros It cooked waffles to perfection during our tests and is easy to store thanks to its vertical design. Cons There is no cord storage, and it's not ideal for big batches. Earning near-perfect ratings across all categories, the Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker was a no-brainer for our best overall pick. We found it heats up quickly, cooks evenly, and cleans up nicely with no overflow. Most waffle makers have a horizontal build, but Cuisinart designed this vertical model to take up minimal space on the kitchen counter. It features a brushed stainless steel top cover, nonstick baking plates, a locking handle, and light indicators that signal when waffles are done with three beeps. This waffle maker's unique design also prevents batter overflow. Its designated batter pour spout at the top allows you to easily fill it from bottom to top, and it features a five-setting control for just the right browning. Fit for one Belgian waffle at a time, this model is an excellent choice for everyday breakfasts. Price at time of publish: $60 Size: 7.50 x 6.50 x 12.20 inchesMaterial: Stainless steel top cover, nonstick baking platesWeight: 8.8 poundsShade Settings: 5 Food & Wine / Dera Burreson Food & Wine / Dera Burreson Food & Wine / Dera Burreson The 7 Best Pancake Griddles for Fluffy Flapjacks, According to Experts Best Value Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart Pros The batter spreads and distributes evenly when poured into the maker. Cons It does not brown waffles as evenly as other waffle makers, as they were lighter around the edges. As our best value pick, this waffle maker has everything you need to make quality waffles without spending a pretty penny. Housed in brushed stainless steel, the compact model cooks waffles quickly and allows you to remove them smoothly thanks to a nonstick baking plate with four quarters. We loved the five browning settings for customization and the red and green indicator lights that let you know when your breakfast is ready. During our tests, we found that the batter spread evenly but left the edges a bit pale compared to the rest of the golden results. In our opinion, we rather have slightly lighter edges than burnt ones, so this wasn’t a dealbreaker. Price at time of publish: $55 Size: 7.88 x 9.69 x 3.31 inchesMaterial: Brushed stainless steel with nonstick baking platesWeight: 5 poundsShade Settings: 5 Food & Wine / Dera Burreson Food & Wine / Dera Burreson Best Splurge Breville Smart 4-Slice Waffle Maker Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Walmart Pros The features of this waffle maker perform especially well, including 12 shades of browning control and an automatic start function. Cons The batter takes a little longer to spread in the second grid, and it’s more of an investment compared to other models we tested. The Breville 4-Slice Smart Waffle Pro features stainless steel casing and deep-cast aluminum cooking plates for thicker, richer waffles. The maker distributes heat evenly, has two dials to select between four different types of batter, and offers 12 shade settings for optimal browning control. Plus, it has a button designated for browning waffles a bit longer without having to restart the cooking process. We recommend pouring at least half a cup of batter into each grid. However, there’s no penalty if you add more than that because the no-mess moat that surrounds the cooking grids completely eliminates batter overflow. While it took about 30 seconds to spread evenly across the second half of the grid, the browning was consistently even. Price at time of publish: $220 Size: 15.5 x 12.5 x 5 inchesMaterial: Stainless steel structure with nonstick cast aluminum gridsWeight: 15.25 poundsShade Settings: 12 Best Square Calphalon CKCLWF1 Intellicrisp Waffle Maker View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot Pros It delivers consistent and high-quality results, with a crispy exterior and moist center. Cons There was some spillage during testing, so only pour a half cup in the iron. If you want perfect square-shaped waffles, look no further than this Belgian waffle maker by Calphalon. The sleek stainless steel appliance features a dial to adjust between five browning shades, an electric timer for accuracy, and a batter sensor to ensure even heating. Additionally, the ceramic cooking vessel delivers 20 percent more heat to produce consistent, high-quality results, two waffles at a time. During our tests, both the yeast and non-yeast batters cooked evenly, resulting in fluffy centers and crisp outer shells. Just be sure to pour no more than half a cup of batter, as we found the batter can overflow onto the dial with larger portions. Price at time of publish: $144 Size: 9.65 x 11.26 x 5.83 inchesMaterial: Stainless steel cover with ceramic cooking vesselWeight: 8.88 poundsShade Settings: 5 Food & Wine / Dera Burreson Best Rotating Crux Double Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker Amazon View On Amazon View On Cruxkitchen.com Pros It cooks waffles twice as fast with dual cooking plates. Cons If you pour more batter than the ⅔ cup capacity, it will overflow. If you are having a lot of guests over for brunch or are catering a party, this is the appliance for you. This Crux waffle maker features a rotating design and dual cooking plates, which will pump out waffles faster than your favorite breakfast spot. It also has a 1400-watt heating system for even faster cooking, producing about eight waffles in 10 minutes. The rotating function ensures evenly cooked 1-inch Belgian waffles with a browning control setting. Behind a stainless steel exterior, a copper nonstick coating, free of chemicals like PFOA and PFOS, makes both removing waffles and cleaning easy. Price at time of publish: $80 Size: 15.15 x 9.44 x 8.14 inchesMaterial: Stainless steel cover with copper nonstick platesWeight: 6.92 poundsShade Settings: 6 Best Mini Dash Mini Waffle Maker Amazon View On Amazon Pros This mini waffle maker is a great pick for individuals and those with small kitchens, plus it comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and designs. Cons The waffles are smaller than the classic Belgian size, so it might be better for single servings or kids. The Dash Mini Waffle Maker's compact size yields 4-inch waffles that come off with ease thanks to its nonstick cooking surface. Even though it only makes one waffle at a time, it heats up quickly and evenly with 350 watts, so waffles are ready within a few minutes. We found that 3 tablespoons of batter did not fill it, yet 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) of batter spilled over, so it takes a little finesse to get it right. Although the machine results in waffles that are tinier than typical waffles, they are perfect for small servings, breakfast sandwiches, and dessert waffles. Moreover, its compact size fits in small cabinets and even drawers. This waffle maker comes in many different colors and designs, and you can even choose a version that imprints a shape like a bunny, heart, or pineapple onto the waffles. Price at time of publish: $13 Size: 5 x 6.4 x 2.8 inchesMaterial: Nonstick cooking surfaceWeight: 1.3 poundsShade Settings: None Food & Wine / Dera Burreson Best No-Mess Breville No-Mess Waffle Maker Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Breville.com Pros The no-mess moat surrounding its cooking grids prevents batter overflow. Cons The setting for dark brown coloring doesn't produce accurate results. Say farewell to the days of batter overfilling and spilling with Breville's No-Mess Waffle Maker. Aside from its stainless steel finish and premium PFOA-free nonstick plates, it features a unique wrap-around moat to catch any excess batter and cooks it to perfection. Who doesn't want to sample a waffle before digging in? You also get to customize your waffles with this maker's seven browning settings using its Thermal Pro technology. We noticed, however, that the settings towards the darker coloring were neither as accurate nor worked as efficiently as other models. Make sure to fill the waffle grid entirely, as it can be hard to remove your finished product otherwise. Price at time of publish: $150 Size: 9 x 11 x 5.75 inchesMaterial: Stainless steel finish with premium PFOA-free nonstick platesWeight: 6.7 poundsShade Settings: 7 Food & Wine / Dera Burreson Our Favorite Your ideal waffle maker is one that fits your needs and makes waffles the way you like them – crispy, extra golden brown, or on the softer side. We chose the Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker as our best overall pick because of its high score during our rigorous testing process. We loved its easy-to-use and clean nonstick plates, customizable settings, and vertical design for fuss-free storage. Factors to Consider Style The two most common types of waffles are Belgian and American. If you prefer American-style waffles, which are thinner and crispier than their counterparts, you’ll want a classic waffle maker with shallow plates. For thick, fluffy Belgian-style waffles, look for models that are labeled “Belgian” or that have deeper plates. Size Consider not only the size of the appliance but also the size of the waffles. Waffle makers can be quite large, so you may want to invest in a compact, easy-to-store model if you don't have much space in your kitchen or on your counter. The size of your waffles, meanwhile, really depends on personal preference. A mini waffle maker, of course, cooks smaller waffles, which are great for breakfast sandwiches and desserts. Other waffle makers produce waffles as big as your plate. There are waffle makers that make one waffle, two waffles, and sometimes even four. If you're entertaining a large group of people for breakfast or are catering an event, you may want to consider how many waffles a maker gets out and how long this will take. Settings For the most part, waffle makers aren’t very different from one another besides the size, shape, and depth of the plates. However, some models have various browning settings for desired doneness, timers for the cooking time, and indicators for when the plate is hot, while others don’t have any sort of functions. Cleanup Waffle makers can be tricky to clean, especially if you overfill them with batter and it spills over. A waffle maker with nonstick plates is usually easier to clean (and even more so if you can remove the plates). If batter spills over, you should be able to simply wipe it clean. Some waffle makers have wrap-around moats to eliminate the spillage issue. The Tests We scoured the market and tapped our editors for recommendations to come up with a list of more than 17 waffle makers, which we evaluated side by side. We rated the results for cooking performance, design, size, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Using both yeasted and non-yeasted batter, we made three batches of each type with every waffle maker. We measured pre-heating speed, browning and overall doneness, and batter overflow, and we noted observations for use and cleanup throughout. After compiling our notes and data, we picked the very best in seven categories. Food & Wine / Dera Burreson What Didn't Make the List Strong Contenders Cuisinart WAF-200 Belgian Waffle Maker ($110 at Amazon) This waffle maker cleaned up like a dream and heated fairly quickly. Despite being fairly happy with this model, we found the batter did not distribute evenly without stirring or swirling around when pouring. It was also a bit bulky to store and the waffle quadrants split when removed from the heating plate. Cuisinart Double Belgian Waffle Maker ($220 at Sur La Table) This waffle iron prepares two authentic Belgian waffles with its rotating mechanism and adjustable browning control. The cooking plates are made with nonstick coating and there are readiness indicator lights and audio beeps. Although the waffle maker cleans up nicely, we found that it did not cook as evenly as we wanted with one side either being browner or paler than the other. All-Clad Classic Round Waffle Maker ($150 at Williams Sonoma) Glossy stainless steel gives the All-Clad Classic Round Waffle Maker a lavish look. Settings include seven adjustable levels of toasting, but we still found the waffle quite pale using the medium heat setting. Even with the highest level of browning, the edges of the waffles turned out pale. NordicWare Original Stovetop Belgian Waffler ($65 at Nordic Ware) You can use this Belgian waffle iron right on your stovetop. Simply preheat both sides on the stove and pour the batter in. Then, close the iron using its interlocking hinges and let it cook for about one minute before flipping over the iron for another couple of minutes, and voila! You have a waffle. It’s lightweight, but we noted difficulties with batter distribution and uneven browning between the yeasted and non-yeasted batter. Results Still Simmering Oster Belgian Waffle Maker ($30 at Amazon) This Belgian Waffle Maker from Oster makes 8-inch round waffles with nonstick plates and a cool-touch handle for extra ease. We found that the recommended ¾ cup of batter worked much better with 1 cup. Its waffles, however, turned out much too thin for us to consider them the ideal Belgian style that the appliance touts. Chefman Anti-Overflow Waffle Maker ($30 at Amazon) Chefman developed its Anti-Overflow Waffle Maker with a wrap-around channel to catch any batter that overflows. The settings are easy to use, but we thought it would have been nice to have audio indicators along with the lights, as the doneness of the waffles isn't very clear with the lights alone. The waffles also had uneven browning and coloring from side to side. KRUPS 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker ($77 at Amazon) This appliance prepares up to four Belgian-style waffles with removable die-cast plates. The unit features five browning levels with both audio and light indications for pre-heating and doneness. We found it slow to cook and slow to reheat between batches and the waffle's doneness wasn’t consistent on the same settings. Low Performers Black+Decker 3-in-1 Grill Griddle Waffle Maker ($80 at Amazon) At first glance, the multiple functions looked great. Unfortunately, we found that it would have been better to have one single function that worked excellently than multiple functions that gave average results. The price, moreover, does not seem justified considering its reversible plates are a hazard rather than a convenience. Presto FlipSide Electric Waffle Maker ($62 at Amazon) While the cooking plates are reversible, they're not very secure, and they popped out of place during testing. We found it difficult to secure them back into place, as the plate was already hot. We used 1 cup of batter for all tests, which produced waffles measuring 7.5 square inches. Nostalgia MyMini Waffle Maker ($10 at Walmart) The MyMini Waffle Maker from Nostalgia features a preheating light that goes off when ready, but the waffles turned out inconsistent between tests, with uneven browning. The maker did not respond well to making one waffle after the next, so it needed a longer reheat period. Frequently Asked Questions Why do some waffle makers flip? Some waffle makers flip to ensure that the batter spreads evenly throughout the waffle maker. This also allows the waffles to cook much faster and contributes to a nice crisp, golden-brown exterior and fluffy-soft center. How should I clean a waffle maker? Most waffle makers have removable cooking plates that you can hand wash in the sink or place in the dishwasher if the manufacturer states it's safe. Know the material you're working with, though. Using too much soap on a waffle maker with a cast-iron surface can dry it out and strip its oils. If the plates on your waffle maker aren't removable, use a damp washcloth or paper towel to wipe off residue and finish with a dry paper towel. For really stubborn messes, pour oil inside the machine and let it sit for about five minutes before wiping it off. Clean exterior messes with a damp washcloth or paper towel. Are vertical waffle makers better? Vertical waffle makers have many benefits, including taking up less counter space than horizontal waffle makers, which tend to be bigger, bulkier, and more difficult to store. Vertical waffle makers are arguably more user-friendly, as spouts prevent spilling and overfilling. You can even tell if this kind is filled by checking if it's close to the peak, which also means hassle-free cleanup. Whether you should opt for a horizontal or vertical waffle maker, however, depends on personal preference. Our Expertise Lauren Musni is a Food & Wine contributor who holds a journalism degree from Rutgers University and a culinary arts degree from the Culinary Institute of America. For this article, she used our test results and personal experience working in restaurants to determine the best waffle makers on the market. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit