It’s best to think about your needs and budget before you go shopping for the best waffle iron. Our list of waffle iron reviews will help you to pick the right model.
If you have a large family, you may want to look at a multi-slice waffle iron. However, before you buy a large waffle iron, think about whether it will fit on your kitchen counter. If you’re really short of space, consider a more compact model or stick to a stovetop waffle iron.
Some attributes of a good waffle iron:
• Easy removal of waffles
• Removable grids that are easy to clean
• Indicator lights and beeps let you know about the status
• The exterior remains cool to touch
• Allows precise temperature adjustments
• Even, consistent heating across the entire surface
• Designed to make the desired type of waffle. A good waffle iron will typically either have shallow pockets for making American-style waffles or deep pockets for making Belgian-style waffles.
We will start our review with a comparison of the 10 best waffle makers of 2017. Good luck with your search!
Waffle Iron Comparison
| Image | Product Name | Dimensions | Shape | Ratings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Proctor Silex 26070 Belgian Waffle iron | 9 x 5.5 x 12in | Round | 8.9 / 10 | Check Price |
 | BLACK+DECKER WMB500 Belgian Waffle iron | 13 x 10 x 4.5in | Round | 8.0 / 10 | Check Price |
 | Chef's Choice 840B WafflePro Express Waffle iron | 12 x 12.8 x 5.5in | Round | 7.9 / 10 | Check Price |
 | Hamilton Beach 26030 Flip Belgian Waffle iron | 9.9 x 14.9 x 9in | Round | 8.9 / 10 | Check Price |
 | Cuisinart WMR-C Classic Round Waffle iron | 8 x 10 x 4.25in | Round | 8.4 / 10 | Check Price |
 | Oster CKSTWFBF10 Belgian Flip Waffle iron | 5.8 x 14.3 x 10.4in | Round | 8.8 / 10 | Check Price |
 | ** RECOMMENDED ** Presto 03510 FlipSide Belgian Waffle iron | 12 x 12 x 3in | Round | 9.2 / 10 | Check Price |
 | KitchenAid KPWB100OB Pro Line Waffle Baker | 17 x 13 x 12in | Round | 8.4 / 10 | Check Price |
 | Waring WMK600 Double Belgian Waffle iron | 15.5 x 9.8 x 9.3in | Round | 9.2 / 10 | Check Price |
 | All-Clad 99011GT Stainless Steel Belgian Waffle iron | 11.5 x 12 x 6in | Square | 9.2 / 10 | Check Price |
Proctor Silex 26070 Belgian Waffle iron
The Proctor Silex 26070 will help you to make tasty Belgian waffles quickly and easily. It has deep grooves that will make your waffles fluffy.
It features power and preheat indicator lights, nonstick waffle plates that are easy to clean and compact upright storage. The primary material used is plastic, and it has a white and purple finish.
BLACK+DECKER WMB500 Belgian Waffle iron
The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 can bake tasty 7¼-inch-diameter Belgian waffles that are divided into four sections. Indicator lights let you know when it is preheated and ready to accept the batter and when the waffle is cooked.
It features a chrome housing, nonstick grids, stay-cool black synthetic handles, a cord that wraps around the hinge and compact upright storage.
Chef’s Choice 840B WafflePro Express Waffle iron
The Chef’s Choice 840B is an advanced waffle iron with a unique floating top plate. Its unique baking system allows you to choose the perfect color, texture, and flavor. This heavy-duty, professional unit features indicator lights and a beeper that let you know about the status.
It features an overflow channel that’s easy to clean, a non-stick deep channel griddle and instant temperature recovery for nonstop baking.
Hamilton Beach 26030 Flip Belgian Waffle iron
The Hamilton Beach 26030 will help you to make fluffy Belgian waffles with ease. It has nonstick grids with deep pockets for holding syrup and butter.
Indicator lights let you know when you need to add the batter. The removable grids and drip tray make cleaning easy.
Cuisinart WMR-C Classic Round Waffle Iron
The Cuisinart WMR-C Classic is just what you need to make a large, yummy waffle for your family. Its heavy lid doesn’t allow waffles to rise as they bake, providing even browning.
Indicator lights show you when it is ready to bake and when your waffles are cooked. Five browning settings allow you to make waffles the way you like them and nonstick plates allow easy cleaning.
Oster CKSTWFBF10 Belgian Flip Waffle Iron
The Oster CKSTWFBF10 has a sleek space-saving design and makes it easy for you to cook a delicious breakfast for your family. It features an innovative flip operation, deep nonstick plates, and indicator lights.
It also provides an adjustable temperature control, a cool-touch handle, a removable drip tray and a one-touch release handle for vertical storage.
Presto 03510 FlipSide Belgian Waffle Iron
You can use the Presto 03510 to make scrumptious extra-thick Belgian waffles within minutes. A unique rotating design allows you to flip it 180 degrees to spread the batter evenly, producing waffles that are tender on the inside and crisp on the outside.
It has an extra-thick nonstick grid that makes a waffle with a diameter of 7 inches with four sections.
KitchenAid KPWB100OB Pro Line Waffle Baker
The KitchenAid KPWB100OB can help you to make a delicious waffle brunch for your family. The rotating baking unit has two sets of separate plates that will allow you to bake two perfect Belgian waffles at a time.
It also has several convenient features like a digital countdown timer, a preheat indicator, an overbake indicator, and automatic shutoff.
Waring WMK600 Double Belgian Waffle Iron
The Waring WMK600 features a thermostat/browning control and can make two big Belgian waffles at a time. The waffles bake evenly on both sides thanks to its unique rotating feature.
One-inch deep pockets ensure that there’s lots of space for the toppings needed to make delicious desserts and brunches. LED indicator lights and beeps let you know about the status, making it easy to use.
All-Clad 99011GT Stainless Steel Belgian Waffle Iron
The All-Clad 99011GT can bake two square Belgian waffles at a time. Advanced heating technology ensures consistent baking and browning and the steam release system prevents the buildup of condensation.
Indicator lights and audible beeps let you know about the status, making this waffle iron easy to use. It features a polished stainless steel finish, a non-stick cooking surface, a locking lid, integrated cord storage and a removable drip tray.
Waffle Iron Buying Guide
Today, waffles are more than a breakfast treat. They can be taken for dinner, as a dessert or even as an after-school snack. To some people, Sunday waffles are a tradition. Whatever category you are in, waffles are perfect for everyone.
Previously, waffle irons were hard to clean, bulky and unreliable but today, they are smaller and they make scrumptious waffle after waffle. However, choosing the right one for you can be quite a difficult task. If you are looking to buy the best waffle iron, check out the following guide for the features to consider.
Consider the types of waffles
When choosing a waffle iron, the first thing that you should decide on is the type of waffles you would like to be making. Most waffle irons have specific origins and each has its own distinct flavor and texture. Some of the common types of waffles served are:
1. American waffles
American waffles are made from a batter that is leavened with baking powder. The honeycomb squares on the grids of American waffles are smaller and more numerous than for other types of waffles making them perfect for holding gravy or syrup. Since the batter used to make American waffles is quite plain, these waffles are versatile and are not only served for breakfast but also as a base for dishes such as stew and waffles, chili and chicken. America waffles are made in different shapes.
2. Brussel waffles
Brussels waffles are made using a batter that contain yeast or egg white for leavening which gives them a fluffy texture. This type of waffles is ideal when served as dessert with whipped cream, fruits, ice cream or even powdered sugar. They are crispy, with deep and large pockets and they are usually rectangular in shape with straight and finished edges.
3. Liege Waffles
Liege waffles are denser and sweeter to Belgian and Brussels waffles. This type of waffles are made with yeast dough and pearl sugar is added on the outside towards the cooking process creating a caramelized sugar coating that gives them a distinct sweet flavor. Liege waffles do not get soggy when served with ice cream or fruit. Another defining feature of this type waffles is that they have unfinished and irregular edges.
Besides the type of waffles, other features to consider include?
The number of waffles
Large families should invest in waffle makers that can produce several waffles at once. Otherwise, the process of making waffles for everyone will be too long. Some waffle irons have grids that can produce several waffles and you just need to cut out after cooking while others have compartments for two waffles. They can be cooked at the same time which significantly reduces the time it takes to cook many waffles.
Grill Surface
A major concern when buying and using a waffle iron is cleaning the mess later. Traditional waffle irons were extremely difficult to clean. Fortunately, today, most models have nonstick grill surfaces that ease the cleaning process. The nonstick surface also makes it easy to slide the waffles out. You do not need to pry them off the machine which will damage them. However, a small amount of cooking spray, butter or oil should still be used to prevent sticking.
Indicator Lights
To make waffles with a waffle iron that does not have indicator lights involves a lot of guesswork. You have to stand close and watch all the signs like excessive steam to determine if the waffle is ready or not. Using a waffle iron with indicator lights is much easier. The lights go on when the waffle is heated thoroughly and another light will indicate that the waffle is ready. Some waffle irons also beep when the waffle needs to be flipped or when it is ready.
Thermostats
The best waffle iron should have an internal thermostat to ensure great results. An adjustable thermostat is even better as you can dictate how hot the waffle iron gets. Also, if you prefer soft and light colored waffles or dark colored and crispy, purchasing a waffle iron with an adjustable thermostat will help you make your waffles just the way you like them.
The type of batter used also calls for different temperature. Therefore, this feature makes a waffle iron more useful and versatile.
Insulation
The modern waffle irons are insulated to prevent them from becoming too hot to touch. This feature is especially useful in a household with children. However, there is still quite a number that do not have insulation. Therefore, be sure to check if the waffle iron you intend to purchase is insulated.
Color
Although the color of a waffle iron has nothing to do with how it functions, it still matters as most people prefer kitchen appliances that coordinate well with one another. Fortunately, modern waffle iron is available in many stylish colors the popular once being stainless steel, black, white and red.
A stainless steel waffle iron coordinates better with most interior design schemes and appliances.
Drip Trays
As nice as a nonstick grill surface is, it cannot prevent the batter from dripping out of the waffle iron. Though some waffle irons are marketed as being mess free or drip free, the reality is different.
The best way to reduce the risk of ending up with batter spattered all over the kitchen is buying a waffle iron with an inbuilt drip tray. Though they are not foolproof, they significantly reduce the mess in your kitchen when making waffles.
Digital models
Most waffle irons have analog control which is more than sufficient in most cases. But some waffle irons also have digital controls such as a timer that displays the countdown when the waffles are cooking. With this feature, you can determine how much longer it will be until the waffle is ready.
Multipurpose Models
Some waffle irons can perform multiple tasks. Besides making waffles, you can also use them to make waffle cones. Some models can even be used as grills and to cook things such as sausage, eggs and bacon.
Though such waffle irons cost more than simple ones which can only perform a single duty, if you cook waffle frequently, you will certainly appreciate the versatility that these waffle irons offer.