Waffles are part of our staple breakfast and baking them requires a specific appliance: waffle makers. While you can always use a non-stick pan as an alternative to baking your batter, it won’t give you the same signature pockets that waffle makers can make. Plus, using waffle makers means less mess, fewer things to clean up, and faster preparation.

One of the best waffle makers currently ruling this category in the market is the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1. Compared to others, it has a base that elevates the waffle maker itself and allows it to be rotated. Also, both of its sides can simultaneously bake big circular waffles which makes it very ideal for big families.

Cuisinart also secured the next spot on our list with WAF-V100, a vertical waffle maker. While it looks exactly like the other model previously mentioned, it uses a spout where you can pour the batter while the unit is closed. With the position of the waffle maker, the batter automatically fills the pockets resulting in perfectly shaped waffles afterward.

The two models, however, might not fit everyone’s needs so we reviewed both of them together with 3 other models that had prevailed on our shortlist. Our SolidSmack Household Appliance and Tool Research Team tested how efficient each one was in baking waffles by taking note of whether they are capable of evenly browning the surface of the waffles or not. The reviewers also kept an eye on the features that could make things more convenient for users including temperature controls, On/Off switch, non-stick surface, removable plates, and more.

Best Waffle Makers Comparison & Rating

Waffle Makers

Features

Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 Waffle Iron, 15.5"(L) x 9.75"(W) x 9.3"(H), Stainless Steel
  • bakes 2 big waffles
  • flips 180 degrees
  • temperature level
Cuisinart WAF-V100 Waffle Iron, Single, Silver
  • automatically spreads batter
  • vertical waffle maker
  • different levels of browning
Black+Decker 3-in-1 WM2000SD 3-in-1 Waffle, Grill & Sandwich Maker, Compact Design, Black/Silver
  • 2 big cuts of waffles
  • interchangeable non-stick plates
  • waffle maker, grill, & sandwich maker
Oster Belgian Waffle Maker, Stainless Steel (CKSTWF2000)
  • temperature knob
  • deeper pockets
  • 8-inch wide circular non-stick plate
Dash Mini Maker Waffle Maker + Griddle, 2-Pack Griddle + Waffle Iron - Aqua
  • waffle maker and the griddle
  • single serving
  • 4" diameter

1. Cuisinart WAF-F20P1

Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 Waffle Iron, 15.5"(L) x 9.75"(W) x 9.3"(H), Stainless Steel
Specifications:
98% Overall

Brand

Cuisinart

Number of Waffles

2

Removable Plates

No

Temperature Control

Yes

98%
Temp & baking performance
98%
features & convenience
99%
build & quality
98%
value for money
Pros:
  • Has extra-deep 1-inch waffle pockets.
  • The 36-inches cord can be wrapped and stored under the unit.
  • Ideal for big families; bakes 2 big waffles.
  • Comes with a great set of controls and notification features.
  • The flipping action distributes the batter uniformly.
Cons:
  • The waffle plates are non-removable.
  • Consumes too much vertical space in cabinets.
Final Take:

If you have a big family to feed every morning, baking waffles using a small unit can be exhausting. Cuisinart has a good solution for that through WAF-F20P1, the best waffle maker for families. It employs a rotary feature, allowing you to bake waffles on both sides of the waffle maker. It flips 180 degrees by turning its handle while the entirety of the pan’s body is handled by the sturdy, stable base.

It also gives you sufficient options for controls. Unlike other waffle makers, it comes with a switch for turning it on and off and a dial for selecting the right brownness of your waffle. These features make WAF-F20P1 easy to use. Also, both sides have a non-stick coating, allowing the waffle to easily detach from the surface. Once it is ready to bake, there are green indicator lights on both sides that will turn on. After baking, the machine will also notify you through a 3-beep sound which is loud enough to be heard feet away.

With all these things, our team finds the model not just the best waffle maker in terms of features, but also the easiest to use. It passed our test in producing perfectly shaped waffles as the batter was well distributed along the surface, thanks to the flipping capability of its pan. Also, each number in its dial has a distinctive browning level and we love that even at the highest temperature, it didn’t burn anything.

2. Cuisinart WAF-V100

Cuisinart WAF-V100 Waffle Iron, Single, Silver
Specifications:
98% Overall

Brand

Cuisinart

Number of Waffles

1

Removable Plates

No

Temperature Control

Yes

98%
Temp & baking performance
98%
features & convenience
99%
build & quality
98%
value for money
Pros:
  • Automatically spreads the batter across the baking surface.
  • Has a dial for 5 temperature settings.
  • The waffles pop out easily.
  • Doesn’t consume too much space on the counter.
Cons:
  • Pouring too much batter can result in a waffle with an extended molded part of the spout section.
Final Take:

The best waffle makers commonly come in horizontal designs and sometimes, it can be a challenge spreading the batter all over the baking area. If you always get the imperfect shape of waffles and want to experience something different, check out Cuisinart WAF-V100.

It is almost impossible for you to go wrong when you use this vertical waffle maker. Thanks to its unique and well-thought design, the gravity itself will do the job of spreading the batter from the bottom of the plate to the top. To prevent reaching the spout and overfilling the waffle maker, there is also an included measuring scoop for the right amount of batter you need. 

The two plates seal together and we were glad that after multiple uses, we didn’t experience any leakage problem. There is also an indicator light that will alert you once the waffle maker is ready to bake and an audible beeping alert just like in WAF-F20P1. Further, it has 5 settings for different levels of browning. Each one gives distinctive shades of brown and the highest setting won’t burn your waffles. The plates are non-stick and the best part about it is that opening the waffle maker makes the waffle pop out instantly.

3. Black+Decker WM2000SD

Black+Decker 3-in-1 WM2000SD 3-in-1 Waffle, Grill & Sandwich Maker, Compact Design, Black/Silver
Specifications:
98% Overall

Brand

Black+Decker

Number of Waffles

2

Removable Plates

Yes

Temperature Control

No

97%
Temp & baking performance
97%
features & convenience
98%
build & quality
98%
value for money
Pros:
  • The grilling plates have grease run-off channels.
  • Has light indicator lights to notify you when then the appliance is ready to be used.
  • One of the best non-stick coated plates.
  • Can also work as a mini-griller or sandwich maker.
  • Saves space but can produce two big cuts of waffles.
Cons:
  • Doesn’t offer temperature controls.
Final Take:

Sometimes, we find it unnecessary to buy an appliance that can only serve a single purpose. Well, if you are one of those folks who refuse to buy a waffle maker due to that reason, we give you the Black+Decker WM2000SD.

The WM2000SD is the best waffle maker that can offer you full versatility in terms of functions. It doesn’t have the excellent controls of Cuisinart WAF-F20P1, but it offers you interchangeable non-stick plates that turn your unit into a waffle maker, grill, and sandwich maker. There are two plates for each purpose you need. They fit perfectly and can be removed without problems. Best of all, regardless of the plates you use, its fixed temperature can heat almost everything. While it took a long time cooking meat like sausages and bacon in our test, it worked really great for baking waffles within 4 minutes. It cooked waffles all the way through and the temperature was consistent. The pockets of the waffle plates are also thick and they are incredibly easy to clean. Its non-stick nature makes the waffles pop right out and there is almost no need for non-stick spray or seasoning.

4. Oster CKSTWF2000

Oster Belgian Waffle Maker, Stainless Steel (CKSTWF2000)
Specifications:
97% Overall

Brand

Oster

Number of Waffles

1

Removable Plates

No

Temperature Control

Yes

97%
Temp & baking performance
96%
features & convenience
96%
build & quality
98%
value for money
Pros:
  • Has deeper pockets than other plates.
  • Heats up fast and there is a temperature knob.
  • Perfect for Belgian waffles.
  • Can bake huge waffles evenly.
Cons:
  • The plates are not removable.
Final Take:

There is always something about having a single huge waffle that makes it more enjoyable. And if you are a fan of plate-sized waffles, Oster CKSTWF2000 is your best waffle maker for that specific demand. 

It has an 8-inch wide circular non-stick plate that produces a big waffle that can satisfy you. Using it is also as easy as other models we tested such as the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1. This is all because of the adjustable temperature control knob that gives you varying brownness for your waffles. The plate heats evenly and produces even browning across the surface of the waffle. It also heats up fast and there is a light indicator that will notify you once it’s ready to bake! The cooking plate also has deeper pockets than its rivals (more than an inch) which is perfect for those who love Belgian waffles.

5. Dash DMSW002AQ

Dash Mini Maker Waffle Maker + Griddle, 2-Pack Griddle + Waffle Iron - Aqua
Specifications:
95% Overall

Brand

Dash

Number of Waffles

1

Removable Plates

No

Temperature Control

No

95%
Temp & baking performance
94%
features & convenience
94%
build & quality
95%
value for money
Pros:
  • Comes with a griddle.
  • Both the waffle maker and the griddle only measure 4” x 6” and weigh 1 pound.
  • Perfect for single-serving preparation.
  • Heats up fast and can cook eggs quickly.
Cons:
  • Has no On/Off switch.
  • The plates can’t be removed.
Final Take:

If your counter is short of space or if you are just living alone who think a big waffle maker is an overkill for you, have a look at Dash DMSW002AQ. The diameter of the waffle maker measures 4”, so you can prepare just the exact number of waffles you need. Even better, the set provides a separate griddle which means you can cook other items while waiting for your waffle to get baked. That being said, if you enjoy your dish with some eggs or burgers, this is the best waffle maker set to have. The griddle of course can handle other items you wish to cook including pancakes, bread buns, and even hash browns.

There are no switches in both the griddle and waffle maker, so using them is instant and fool-proof. They automatically heat up once you have plugged them into the outlet. The temperature is also properly distributed across the plates so you can be sure to have perfect mini-waffles each time. They also heat up pretty fast despite their size, so you can cook another batch easily.

Best Waffle Makers - Buyer's Guide

size

First, determine the size of the waffle maker that you want to have. If you have a big family, you probably need a bigger unit so you don’t have to bake waffles again and again. On the other hand, if you just need something for yourself, models like the Dash DMSW002AQ should be fine.

style and body dimensions

Storing conventional compact waffle makers is easy since they fold easily. However, if you want something like the Cuisinart models we tested, expect to allot some space on your counter or cabinet for them.

controls

Temperature controls are not really necessary in waffle makers but it would be nice to have some. Having the option for temperature levels will allow you to select the right shade of waffle according to your preference.

ease of use

Besides the temperature controls, there are also other factors that will determine your experience in using the waffle maker. This includes the non-stick plates, removable plates, On/Off switch, audible alerts, and more.

Best Waffle Makers - FAQs

How long does it take for a waffle maker to make waffles?

It depends on the model of the waffle maker and whether there is a temperature control or not. Nonetheless, waffle makers commonly bake the mix for 4 to 6 minutes.

Should you season a waffle iron?

Most waffle makers have non-stick plates but you should still season them to assure the waffle will pop out easily.

How do you clean a waffle iron without removable plates?

You can use a blend of clean water and some drops of dishwashing liquid. Use a piece of clean cloth and dip it into the mixture and wipe the plates. For the pockets, you can use a sponge. After this, repeat the process by just using clean water.

Author

Santi Bongco is an editor at SolidSmack which is the leading site for 3D CAD, robots, cool product designs, and other technologies. For the past seven years, he taught robotics and developed innovative 3D printer ideas with his students. He also helped in developing some innovative digital ideas and products for various digital marketing businesses and big companies in Asia. Now, aside from exploring buffet restos in California, he enjoys leading groups of our in-house experts in trying some of your favorite products and electronic brands to write insightful reviews for you. PS: He loves reviewing appliances and taking them home to personally ‘try’ them.