What could be better than fresh, homemade waffles for breakfast?! They’re SUPER easy to make, and kids eat them up like dessert. We make Belgian Waffles almost every weekend at our house, and it’s one of our favorite and tastiest traditions. The only thing you need to make them at home is batter and one of the best waffle makers!
Because I make waffles so often, I’ve tried out a few different brands and have plenty of suggestions for the best waffle makers so you can make your next brunch drool-worthy. Whether you like them mini or SUPER fluffy, these waffle makers will be a winner at your house!
My Top Picks
- What’s in My Kitchen: Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker with Pancake Plates – $81.58 at Amazon
- Best Splurge: Breville The Smart Waffle Pro 4 Slice – $276 at Amazon
- Best Mini Waffle Maker: Dash Mini Waffle Maker – $9.99 at Amazon
- Best Belgian Waffle Maker: Cuisinart Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker – $119.95 at Walmart
Reviews of The Best Waffle Makers
1. What’s in My Kitchen: Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker with Pancake Plates
This is the waffle maker that I use the most! I love how this Cuisinart option makes four Belgian waffles at a time, so I can get breakfast on the table fast. It makes a LOT, trust me! It’s easy to use and makes perfectly square Chocolate Chip Waffles and Pumpkin Waffles that look SO good served up with a big drizzle of maple syrup. YUM!
Another reason I love this waffle maker? It can also work as a pancake maker! Just swap out the easy-to-remove waffle plates and click in the pancake plates to make four fluffy pancakes at a time. When you’re done making breakfast, just be sure to wait for the plates to cool and then toss them in the dishwasher for the easiest cleanup ever.
The Specs:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 8.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 6.3″ D x 9.65″ W x 6.3″ H
- Browning control settings: 5
The Pros:
- Makes four waffles at once
- Easy to clean
- Easy to use
The Cons:
- None
What Others are Saying:
The Strategist called this Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker the best Belgian-style option, and it has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from more than 10,000 reviewers.
Buy the Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker with Pancake Plates:
2. Best Splurge: Breville The Smart Waffle Pro 4 Slice
If you’re willing to spend a little more, I also like this Breville waffle maker and think it’s worth the splurge! It makes four square waffles at once, and it even lets you choose how crisp and brown you want them with 12 different heat settings—that’s way more than most other waffle irons! But even if you like your waffles on the soft, fluffy side, they’re still easy to get out of the iron, thanks to its nonstick plates.
Also, if you’re worried about adding a little too much batter and dealing with a mess, you’ll be relieved that this has an easy-to-clean moat that catches all of the dripping batter from my Brown Butter Banana Waffles.
The Specs:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 15.25 pounds
- Dimensions: 8.82″ D x 15.75″ W x 18.5″ H
- Browning control settings: 12
The Pros:
- Makes four waffles at once
- Heat settings allow you to customize crispness
- Easy to clean
- Catches excess batter with moat
The Cons:
- Heavy
What Others are Saying:
Forbes, Wirecutter, and CNN Underscored, all named the Breville Smart Waffle Pro as the best upgrade waffle maker.
Buy the Breville The Smart Waffle Pro 4 Slice:
3. Best Mini Waffle Maker: Dash Mini Waffle Maker
Mini waffles are such a cute treat! This Dash mini waffle maker comes in tons of different colors and even some fun shapes, like hearts, pumpkins, or bunnies, that make them festive for holidays and special occasions. I LOVE it for single servings or for making snacks for my kids! You don’t have control over the temperature for this one, but you can expect golden-brown waffles every time you use it.
My kids even use this to cook eggs! All you need to do is scramble them up, add some milk, cheese, seasonings, or whatever you like, and pour it on the iron like you normally would for puffy, crispy eggs in a fun design!
The Specs:
- Material: Metal
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- Dimensions: 5″ D x 6.4″ W x 2.8″ H
- Browning control settings: None
The Pros:
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Easy to store
The Cons:
- No browning settings
What Others are Saying:
This has more than 239,000 reviews on Amazon with a 4.7-star rating, and it’s named the best mini waffle maker by The Strategist, Good Housekeeping, and Wirecutter.
Buy the Dash Mini Waffle Maker:
4. Best Belgian Waffle Maker: Cuisinart Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker
This is what I use to make Belgian waffles! It makes two thick Belgian waffles at once. Because the whole pan flips over, the waffles cook perfectly, with just the right amount of crispness on the outside. I like using it to make round Lemon Poppy Seed Waffles or Blueberry Sour Cream Waffles, so it works for non-Belgian waffles, too!
And if you have any excess batter overflowing, it’ll all drip onto a stainless steel plate below that’s easy to wipe down. Also, the waffle maker is sturdy enough that you can flip the pans with one hand without worrying about the iron sliding on your counter or tipping over.
The Specs:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 1 pound
- Dimensions: 8.35″ D x 15.11″ W x 19.79″ H
- Browning control settings: 5
The Pros:
- Makes two waffles at once
- Distributes heat well
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
The Cons:
- Bulky design
What Others are Saying:
Forbes and CNN Underscored both named the Cuisinart Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker the best overall waffle maker.
Buy the Cuisinart Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker:
Other Waffle Makers to Consider
Oster Belgian Waffle Maker
If you’re looking for an affordable option (that’s not mini!), this Oster waffle maker does the trick. It makes one big Belgian waffle that’ll fill up your plate, and you can adjust the temperature on a sliding scale to make the waffle crisper. I think this is great for anyone who wants a full-size waffle maker but isn’t ready to commit to a larger, pricier model. The Oster Belgian Waffle Maker is available at Amazon for $24.99.
StarBlue Hong Kong Egg Waffle Maker
StarBlue’s bubble waffle maker is such a fun way to add a little flare to your breakfast routine! It’s a different shape than most waffles, with a flat cake and big bubbles rather than a fluffy cake with deep pockets for syrup. This feels fancy and fun for special occasions or serving a crowd, but it might not be for everyone! The StarBlue Hong Kong Egg Waffle Maker is available at Amazon for $42.99.
Ninja NeverStick PRO Belgian Waffle Maker
This Ninja waffle maker might be the most unique one I’ve seen, so it’s worth calling out. It has a vertical design, so you pour your batter into the top and let the batter fill the waffle iron vertically (kind of nice if you often spill over the edges of the waffle iron!). Plus, its vertical design makes it a little easier to store without taking up much space. The Ninja NeverStick PRO Belgian Waffle Maker is available at Amazon for $69.99.
All-Clad Stainless Steel Belgian Waffle Maker
The All-Clad waffle maker is another great Belgian-style one, and it comes in two- or four-slice options. It’s pricey, though, and if you’re going to splurge, I recommend going with the Breville that I own and love. The All-Clad Stainless Steel Belgian Waffle Maker is available at William Sonoma for $279.95.
Why You Can Trust Me
Hi! I’m Maria, and I’m a big fan of breakfast—especially if it involves a sweet treat like waffles. So, it should come as no surprise that I’ve made a ton of waffle recipes, from pumpkin to lemon poppyseed to brown butter banana. They’re delicious, filling, and, to top it all off, easy to make!
Of course, the only tricky thing about making this breakfast is that you can’t do it without a waffle maker, which is why I’ll want to help you find the best one for your kitchen. I’ve tried a handful of the best waffle makers, and all the waffle makers I recommend come from using them for years. For the other ones that I considered but have yet to try, I read different positive reviews on editorial sites and looked at high ratings and tons of reviews on retailers like Amazon.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Waffle Maker
What to Consider Before Buying a Waffle Maker
Before you buy a waffle maker, I recommend thinking about these things!
Budget: This is a kitchen gadget that comes at a ton of different price points. If you make waffles a lot and you’re willing to spend hundreds for a really nice waffle maker, you can totally do that. But if this is just a fun tool you’ll break out once a year, finding one that fits within a lower budget is equally doable.
Waffle style: If you want to make Belgian waffles that have deep pockets for syrup, butter, or jams to pool into, you’ll need a specifically shaped waffle. If it doesn’t matter to you, that’s fine too! There are round or square waffle makers, but some come in fun shapes, like hearts or bunnies, if you want!
Browning control: If you really want to make sure your waffles are crispy on the outside, you need to get a waffle maker with multiple browning control settings. Aside from the mini waffle maker, all of the ones on this list have the option to adjust the temperature, but the one with the most settings (12) is the Breville, so that’s the option to choose if you’re very particular about the texture.
How Do You Make Waffles with Pancake Mix?
If you’re using a pancake mix, it will often have instructions for turning the batter into one you can make waffles with (it usually involves adding a little more oil, but follow the recipe you’re using!). From there, you can add it to your waffle maker for an entirely different breakfast.
How Do You Clean a Waffle Maker?
First, make sure you unplug your waffle maker! Most waffle makers will have instructions for cleaning, but in general, your best bet is to use water, dish soap, and a wet cloth or sponge to wipe down the iron and clean around its grooves. If the batter is really caked onto it, you can use a clean toothbrush to gently swipe at the residue. Once you’re done washing it down, use a clean towel to dry it or let it air dry before storing it.
How Do You Make Belgian Waffles?
First, you’ll want to buy a Belgian waffle maker with a deep, large grid pattern that can make thick waffles. The grid pattern matters because you want deep squares that’ll hold syrup, berries, butter, whipped cream, or whatever toppings you love! From there, I recommend following my Belgian waffle recipe to make them from scratch at home.
Can You Make Waffle Cones in a Waffle Maker?
I’ve never made waffle cones for ice cream using my waffle maker, and I’ve read conflicting thoughts on whether it’s possible. Either way, you’ll definitely need additional tools, like a funnel, to help you form the cone shape, and you’ll probably need a recipe designed to create the thin batter you need for a cone!
The Best Waffle Recipes
I have no shortage of ideas when it comes to making waffles at home! You can pair your treat with hearty, protein-packed foods like yogurt for a breakfast that’ll stick with you a little longer, or go the dessert route by adding some chocolate chips. Really, you can’t go wrong with any of my waffle recipes!
- Belgian Waffles
- Blueberry Yogurt Waffles
- Chocolate Chip Waffles
- Lemon Poppy Seed Waffles
- Brown Butter Banana Waffles
- Pumpkin Waffles
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
