The Best Waffle Makers, According to the Best Experts

As far as we’re concerned, there are two types of households: those that make waffles at home and those that don’t. And we think our readers (that’s you!) fall into the former. So we decided to take a look at all the waffle makers out there, in order to find the best ones. Do you need one that flips? One with removable trays for cleaning? Does one have better nooks and crannies than another? We did the research to see which machines get the vote from other food sites and serious shoppers. Then, we gave our own thoughts at the end.

The Best Waffle Maker, According to Wirecutter

Sadly, Wirecutter‘s top pick is sold out everywhere. (We actually think it’s been discontinued.) Because waffles can’t wait, we decided to look at their Budget Pick. It’s less than $30 and testers noted that, while it feels a bit flimsy, it offers good value and churns out thin, super-crispy waffles. For thicker waffles (still at a budget price), Wirecutter suggests the KRUPS Belgian Waffle Maker.

Buy: Cuisinart WMR-CA Round Classic Waffle Maker, $29.92

The Best Waffle Maker, According to Cook’s Illustrated and Serious Eats

This waffle maker, the favorite at Cook’s Illustrated, has six settings and makes two waffles at a time. The editors like that it has indicator lights on both sides of the machine and a loud alert that sounds when the waffles are done. It’s rather large and heavy (compared to other waffle makers), but the editors say it makes the machine extra sturdy. They dinged the machine because there’s no removable drip tray, which just means you’ll have to be careful when you add your batter.

The editors at Serious Eats echo Cook’s Illustrated with the same pick as the best flip Belgian waffle maker. However, they say the drip tray is a non-issue. They say it’s easy to fill without overflowing (flipping makes sure the batter gets distributed evenly from edge to edge). Plus, they say it heats up quickly and can churn out waffle after waffle with grace and ease.

Buy: Cuisinart Double Belgian Waffle Maker, $84.99

The Bestselling Waffle Maker on Amazon

This little guy is the bestselling waffle maker on Amazon, and shoppers can’t get over how adorable (and legit!) it is. The whole thing is about the size of your hand. One hand. Obviously, if you’re making waffles for a crowd, this is not the machine for you. But if you live alone or are the only waffle-lover in the house (what’s wrong with your family?), this is for you.

Buy: Dash Mini Waffle Maker, $10

The Best Waffle Maker, According to Good Housekeeping Institute

The testers at the Good Housekeeping Institute say this machine churns out perfectly crispy waffles, batch after batch. They liked that the built-in timer beeps when the machine is preheated and when your waffles are ready. And they counted the seven browning settings and nonstick irons as nice bonus features.

Buy: All-Clad WD700162 Stainless Steel Classic Round Waffle Maker, $129.95

Kitchn’s Thoughts on the Best Waffle Maker

A few Kitchn staffers are lucky enough to have this All-Clad waffle maker and they are obsessed. (The rest of us just covet it longingly.) None of us wanted to love such an expensive waffle maker. And yet, here we are. Food Editor Meghan Splawn says it makes big waffles with deep, crispy nooks and crannies. She has an entire post in which she explains why a $200 waffle maker is totally worth it.

For what it’s worth the editors at Epicurious also picked this same model. They loved the sturdiness of the machine, the seven settings, the drip tray … and most of all, they said it made out-of-this-world waffles.

Buy: All-Clad Stainless Steel 4-Square Belgian Waffle Maker, $200 at Williams Sonoma

Do you have a waffle maker that you love? Tell us about it in the comments below.