8 Best Waffle Makers (Review) In 2021

How We Chose Our Selection Of Best Waffle Makers

When it comes to finding the best waffle makers on the market right now, we have compared a number of key features and quality to compile a well-rounded list that offers something for every taste, budget and requirement.

For us, waffles should always be golden brown and evenly cooked, so our first consideration was the cooking time and style. We compared a number of different grids, surfaces and browning settings to pick out the options that ticked all the boxes.

Our second consideration was ease of use, it goes without saying that we all want amazing waffles every time with minimum effort. That’s why we’ve taken cleaning and set up time into account.

The third and final decider for our waffle maker review was appearance, we were sure to choose waffle makers that would make a great addition to any kitchen opposed to an unsightly appliance that takes up far too much worktop space.

As always, we trawled through endless reviews to bring you a handy round-up of the most popular waffle makers available to buy right now so you can get it right the first time and end up with super scrumptious waffles minus the hassle.

Features To Look For In Waffle Makers

There are a number of features that come as standard on waffle makers, with a whole host of additional extras you might come across in your search. When choosing the appliance for you, be sure to take the following features into consideration:

The number of waffles - Of course, the size of your waffle maker depends on how many your planning to feed. If you cook up a tower of waffles every Sunday for a family of six, a mini 4-inch grid certainly isn’t a good choice for you, however, if you’re in a compact space and often cooking for just one or two people, it might be more suitable than a larger option.

Manufacturing - A number of waffle maker reviews we came across highlighted that flimsy, poorly made waffle makers don’t hold up for too long. Therefore, it will likely pay if you part with a little more cash from the offset, not only will it serve you for a lot longer, but it will likely make a more ascetically pleasing addition to your countertop. We’re all for the stainless-steel options!

Plates and grids - In an ideal world, your waffle maker of choice will come complete with non-stick, removal plates that will make the cooking and cleaning process a whole lot easier! Although the non-stick feature usually comes as standard, the removable plates don’t, so it’s worth paying a little extra for these if you don’t fancy a fiddly cleaning process.

Even cooking ability - The secret to the perfect waffle is an even cooking process – no one wants waffles and sweet treats that are burnt on the outside and raw on the inside, that’s why it’s important you opt for a slightly higher quality model to ensure even cooking capacity, trust us, it will make your life easier!

Timers and sensors - Even if you consider yourself a culinary master, nailing your waffles every time is something of art when you’re first getting to grips with your new appliance. We recommend choosing an option that comes complete with a sensor and/or audible timer so that you can keep track of your cooking without having to think about it too much.

Browning control - We understand that not everyone in your household will share a preference when it comes to the ‘ideal’ waffle. That’s why it might pay to spend a little extra to purchase a maker that comes complete with browning controls so you can keep everyone happy with made to order deliciousness.

Easy of storage - If you’re not going to use your waffle maker every day, some might argue that it’s not exactly a kitchen essential which is why you should be mindful of storage space when you take your pick of the bunch. If you have the space, by all means, splash out on a restaurant style, flipping machine, but if you’re short on space, a mini grill might be a more sensible investment for you!

Now that we’ve covered that basics, it’s about time we answered those burning questions…

Waffle Maker FAQ

Q: What types of waffle makers can I buy?

A: While you might think the world of waffles is straight forward, there is actually a vast number of types of waffle makers to consider. You can take your pick from makers of the round, ceramic, heart-shaped and iron kind to name just a few. The most common options you’ll come across in your search are square, Belgian and flip waffle makers.

• Belgian Waffle Maker - If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, this is arguably the best fit for you. As we mentioned earlier, Belgian waffles are typically a lot thicker and fluffier than regular waffles. This makes them the perfect base to layer up with totally indulgent toppings that will satisfy your sugar cravings every single time.
• Square Waffle Maker - The humble square is the most popular shape along with circles when it comes to waffles. Typically, square waffle makers that aren’t ‘Belgian’ will create thinner, regular waffles. This means this type of maker would make a good fit for chefs looking to try out slightest healthier and/or savory options.
• Flip Waffle Maker - If you like to think of yourself as a bit of a pro when it comes to making waffles and like them cooked a particular way, it’s likely that a flip style maker will be the option for you. A flip maker allows you to spread the batter evenly over the grill for quick, simple and mess-free cooking. When it comes to nailing restaurant-style waffles that come out delicious every time, this is the secret weapon.

Q: How should I clean my waffle maker?  

A: As you’ll know by now, the ease of cleaning our waffle maker is pretty important to us, so it’s only right that we share our top tips for cleaning with you. Thankfully, most of the makers on offer can be cleaned with little effort.

After each use, you should be sure to wipe down the sides and plates whilst the appliance is cooling down. If the grids are removable, you should take them off and wash them, if they are dishwasher friendly, pop them in there once in a while.

Be sure to switch your machine off before you attempt to clean it. Simply use a damp paper towel or a cloth to do so, being careful not to scratch the non-stick surface. If the batter isn’t coming off easily, use a rubber spatula to clean it, of course, if the plates are removable, you can simply soak them.

Q: Which recipes can I try out on my waffle maker?

A: We’re not debating that a classic, delicious golden waffle isn’t one of the finest sweet treats to accompany your breakfast, but nowadays, the options for what you can create using your waffle makers are endless, you just need to get a little bit creative.

The Healthy Waffle - As a lot of us make a more conscious effort to eat healthier options when we can, you might instantly rule out waffles from your diet. What if we told you that you don’t necessarily have to? If you opt for regular waffles using healthier swap outs such whole wheat flour and sugar substitutes and top with yoghurt and fruit opposed to syrup and cream, you’ll be shaving off a whole lot of calories!

Potato Waffles - If sweet waffles aren’t your thing, why not try savoury options? Some of the most popular alternatives use potatoes. Whether you create your own potato mix with added ingredients of your choice or cook hash browns in your waffle maker for breakfast with a twist, you need to give this a whirl.

Waffle Brownies - Swap your waffle mix with brownie batter to create perfect brownies that are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven.

Q: Is a waffle maker a worthwhile investment?

A: As one of America’s most loved breakfast foods, it’s no surprise to us that there are so many different choices on the market to suit all preferences and budgets. Thanks to the extensive choices, gone are the days of basic syrup topped waffles as now there are recipes and cooking options to suit the whole family, even the picky eaters. For the price, waffle makers make a great addition to any kitchen so that you can enjoy the freedom of waffles your way. If you often find yourself treating yourself to a tower of waffles at your local breakfast joint, this small investment will save you time and money whilst allowing you to customise your recipes and experiment in the kitchen, it’s no brainer really.

In the world of waffle makers, you seem to get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a budget, compact maker with the capacity to cook one or two waffles at a time on one temperature setting, you can get a decent option for less than $20. If you’re in search of a bigger waffle maker with removable grids, multiple browning sets and the capacity to cook up to four waffles in one go, you can find a great all-around appliance that will offer change from $50 dollars. If you want a restaurant-style maker with all the bells and whistles including a flipping grill, interchangeable grids and the latest technology with the appearance to match, you may have to stretch your budget just a little further if you don’t manage to pick one up in the sale.

Now that we’ve covered all bases, we’re confident that you can go out and find the best option to suit your budget, tastes, and storage space so that you can cook up a storm minus the fuss. All this talk about waffles has made us just a little bit hungry, and naturally, only one thing will satisfy this particular hunger. So, we’re off to enjoy a stack of golden goodies whilst you shop for your latest kitchen appliance. Happy cooking!