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The best waffle makers aren’t mere kitchen appliances—they’re wish-granters. You know the fantasy: You awaken on a Sunday morning to the sweet scent of butter and freshly brewed coffee wafting through your home. Tiptoe to the kitchen. There’s your honey at the counter with a stack of freshly made golden waffles, still steaming from the iron. You pour on the maple syrup, dig in, and then go back for more. You stay in your pajamas all day and pretend you run your own diner.
Of course, none of that glorious waffle making happens unless you first own a waffle iron. And while the same machine may spend the other six days of the week wedged in the back of your cabinet, when that craving strikes, it better be ready. Because if you’re going to go through the motions—the ceremony!—of making homemade waffles, you should not have to endure mediocre results. If all you wanted was a waffle-shaped vehicle for syrup, you could just defrost any old frozen ones.
We rounded up 12 well-regarded waffle makers in a range of styles and price points and headed into the kitchen. Many, many batches of batter and “test bites” later, we determined our winners. Read on for our top picks; for the specifics of how we tested scroll further down the page.\
Best waffle maker overall: Presto Flipside Belgian Waffle Maker
We initially chose the Presto Flipside as the budget alternative to the All Clad waffle maker, but over longterm testing we’ve found that the Presto’s design features, overall convenience, affordability and cooking quality has made it a continual joy to use, whereas the heavy, difficult to clean All Clad has become more of a pain.
The Presto Flipside’s design is unique in the world of waffle makers. It has a plastic hinge at the bottom that anchors two folding sides, and an ergonomic plastic handle on top of its round waffle plates. Many waffle machines cook by flipping, but the Presto’s novel design is far more compact. It has a narrow profile and it can stand upright when it’s not in use, making it easy to store in a narrow cupboard alongside, say, cutting boards or sheet pans.
Yes, it is a bit more analog, but after testing several waffle makers with complex digital settings, we’ve determined that simple functionality is actually better and easier than those fancy features. While the All-Clad senses the doneness of your waffles and alerts you with a beep, the Presto asks you to take a little more ownership over your waffle’s cook time. There’s a timer on the base, which you set yourself depending on your waffle crispness preferences. We found this design pleasantly straightforward and loved that it allowed you to more easily control the doneness of your waffle without the need of rigid brownness settings. The instructions recommend a four-minute cook time, but we suggest cooking the waffles for five minutes.
Epi staffers who tasted the Presto’s waffles described them as “fluffy, but still nice and crisp along the edges,” and appreciated their deep wells, which could “hold maximum syrup and butter.” Every waffle we made with the Presto came out golden brown and evenly cooked on both sides, a rarity for inexpensive waffle makers.
And while most waffle makers with unremovable cooking plates are a nightmare, the flip design does a lot to mitigate the cleaning stress. It’s easy enough to tilt crumbs out of the Presto—attempting to do the same with the All-Clad would potentially be dangerous.
The Presto Flipside is made of comparatively cheaper materials and is undoubtedly less durable than the more expensive All-Clad, but it’s priced very reasonably. It also only makes one waffle at a time, while the All-Clad cooks waffles in batches of four. That said, if you have a small kitchen and want a single waffle machine, the Presto Flipside is perhaps the only waffle maker we tested that is simultaneously affordable, space-conscious, and actually capable of making great waffles.
The Dash made its rounds on the internet, specifically TikTok, with claims that it is a waffle maker that is both exceptionally cheap and exceptionally good. Incidentally, a friend of ours also said that the upscale restaurant he worked at used several Dash waffle makers during their brunch service. Needless to say, the reputation of the Dash preceded it.
At $13, it was by far the least expensive model we tested, and while it is not the best waffle maker, it’s perfectly serviceable. There are no bells or whistles to the Dash, just a light to let you know that the iron is heating up. Once the light turns off, the Dash is ready for batter. There’s no timer, so you will have to do a little experimenting to figure out the perfect cooking time, and there is no overflow protection, so you have to be careful with your measurements to avoid excess batter (the recipes that came with the Dash average between 3–4 tablespoons of batter as the ideal amount). Uncertainty aside, if you’re willing to put up with some trial and error, the Dash can indeed make crisp, evenly cooked waffles. The waffles are definitely mini, so you’ll have to work a little more for a full meal, but the results won’t disappoint. We tried a batch of regular buttermilk waffles, and a savory cheddar-scallion experiment as well, both of which came out wonderfully.
Yes, the Dash has the build quality reminiscent of the Juno hamburger phone, and no, it wouldn’t be good for feeding a crowd. But, it is compact, incredibly affordable, and can make waffles that are still delicious. The Dash is perfect for college students, single people, and apparently, restaurant line cooks who need to send out short-order mini waffles during a hectic Sunday brunch.
How we tested
Criteria for an ideal waffle are somewhat subjective: Some of us like our waffles crunchy on the outside but fluffy in the center, others prefer a purely crispy waffle, and still others like a blond, entirely fluffy waffle. However, some technical standards are pretty universally accepted, and those were what we focused on during our test. A good waffle iron should heat evenly and cook batter consistently from top to bottom and side to side without burnt spots or raw patches. It should allow enough steam to escape during the cooking process to produce waffles that are structurally firm and not soggy. It should also be reliable, repeating the same results batch after batch.
There are millions of recipes for waffles, but most batters fall into two distinct categories: yeast-raised (more commonly used for thicker Belgian-style waffles) and baking powder–leavened (also called “American”). There are also different styles of waffle makers—Belgian and American. Belgian waffle makers tend to have deeper pockets in the waffle plates. Our lineup of contenders included both types of machines. We tested all of the machines using this buttermilk waffle recipe.
What we looked for
Unless you lead a life of leisure (or run a bed and breakfast) chances are your waffle iron is not going to be a daily-use appliance, so ideally you shouldn’t have to allocate much kitchen real estate to store it. Since most waffle irons are pretty bulky, we paid special attention to the design—does the size of the machine need to be as big as it is or could it do the same job with less? Does it feel solidly built? Does it seem like it will hold up well to cleaning and other wear and tear?
A perfect waffle is a thing of beauty. On the other hand, a limp, floppy waffle—or a waffle with burnt patches and pale raw spots feels like a crime against breakfast. We paid close attention to consistency and even-waffling ability, subtracting points for poor or unreliable performance.
These days, lots of waffle irons have nonstick surfaces—a convenience that can greatly reduce prep (no greasing necessary!) and simplify cleanup. We kept an eye on how well the surfaces worked and if they easily released waffles after cooking.
Many classic waffle makers are equipped with nothing but an on-off light and a “ready indicator,” but now even budget-friendly models have extra features, like numbered dials to adjust the doneness, beeps or buzzers that indicate when the cook time is finished, and removable plates that can be popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Batter is messy stuff, and all those nooks and crannies in a waffle iron can be tough to get clean, so any model that made the task easier—whether it be with attachments to catch wayward drips and spills or with dishwasher-safe, removable plates—got points from us.
Other waffle makers we tested
There’s no easy way to say this: The real revelation of this test was just how mediocre most waffle irons are. But at least they were consistent in the ways in which they were mediocre! Far and away, the most common problem was one of uneven cooking, or what we like to call the two-faced effect: waffles that emerged from the iron evenly browned on one side but pale and doughy on the other. It is not a good look.
The All-Clad Belgian Waffle Iron is the Cadillac of waffle makers—a hulking, shiny, stainless-steel behemoth capable of turning out batch after batch of five-star hotel-buffet-quality waffles. Despite its steep price and mammoth size, the resulting waffle quality kept it high regard for a long time. Over the years though, through blind testing and longterm usage, we’ve found that people preferred the functionality of the Presto Flipside machine, and find the waffles to be equal in quality. Still, it’s an exemplary waffle maker.
Made of the same 18/10 stainless as All-Clad’s prized cookware, the 4-square model we tested weighs in at about 14 pounds, so lifting it will give you a nice little biceps workout to offset all that maple syrup. (A smaller, slightly less expensive 2-square model is also available; it weighs closer to 10 pounds.) That said, the exterior dimensions are not considerably larger than other 4-square models on our list. In fact, this waffle maker was smaller than some. So, though heavy, the All-Clad doesn’t seem like it would take up appreciably more storage space. Regardless, this waffle maker might make more sense for someone with a permanent spot for it on their countertop, as moving it in and out of storage is still very cumbersome.
As for extra features, there’s a small clip-on drip tray attached to the rear of the waffle maker to catch any errant drips (it really works), and a sturdy dial that allows you to adjust your browning preferences on a scale of one to seven, one being the lightest and seven being the darkest. Indicator lights and a chime let you know when your waffles are done cooking. The locking lid is solid and the handle feels comfortable in your hand. The interior heats up evenly and is generously proportioned to produce one-inch-thick waffles with deep, crisp wells. The nonstick surface requires no greasing and releases the waffles with ease, and it is available with removable plates. The version without the removable plates is an absolute nightmare to clean up, so we think it’s worth the splurge.
The Hamilton Beach was very compact and modest in price, but pretty lackluster and inconsistent in performance.
The Breville won us over with its solid body and smartly designed drip-catching moat, but it was no All-Clad—and it cost almost as much.
While the Chef’s Choice looked very promising, with a generous size, sturdy build, and dials that adjusted doneness and waffle preference (“crisp and moist” or “uniform texture”), the execution didn’t live up to the appearance.
The top-loading design this seemed like a cool riff on a classic waffle maker, but in practice the results were underwhelming and it wasn’t as pleasant to use as the Presto.
This model produced the floppiest waffles of the bunch regardless of which setting we chose.
We found that this was a little too fussy to operate, and it churned out waffles that paled in comparison to other high-end options.
This is probably as deluxe and automated as a waffle maker gets. It had precise browning controls and a spacious cooking surface, but it was also by far the bulkiest machine we tested. Also, our taste-testers found the waffle grid to be a tad too shallow; the All-Clad produced waffles that were a superior texture.
This one actually overflowed quite a bit and felt flimsily constructed.
stood out as a possible contender for our budget top pick. The build certainly isn’t as solid as the All-Clad—there’s some plastic, no 18/10 stainless here—but like the All-Clad, it is generously proportioned to yield four tall, deeply grooved Belgian-style waffles per batch and, with an adjustable dial for cook control and an audible chime that signals doneness, it doesn’t skimp on extra features. It also has nonstick and dishwasher-safe removable plates for easy cleaning. But all the features in the world can’t beat consistency, and that’s where the KRUPS 4-Slice didn’t deliver. Some batches turned out strong, but others showed signs of uneven heating or inefficient steam release. Some waffles had over-crisped spots while others were golden on the bottom but soggy and undercooked on top, as though they came from two different irons. Still, the KRUPS was a solid performer, especially given its capacity, reasonable price, and rave reviews online (it has more than 600 five-star reviews on Amazon). We feel confident recommending it as a wallet-friendly alternative to the All-Clad, though its results are not as consistently delicious as our actual budget winner, the Presto Flipside.
While we like simplified functionality for a waffle maker, the Oster was perhaps a bit too simple. It had no alarms, no timers, no browning settings, no safeguards for excess batter, or even an on button for that matter. The removable plates were a huge pro but the cooking surface lacked even heat distribution, and produced inconsistently cooked waffles.
GreenPan waffle makers are well-made, compact, counter-space conscious machines. Rare for waffle makers, they have a ceramic rather than a Teflon-based nonstick plates. However, it was perhaps a little over-engineered. The preset functions did little beyond adjust the cook time slightly and therefore seemed unnecessary, especially when there were adjustable crispness and browning controls as well. If these precise controls produced precise results, that would be one thing, but in testing we found them to be very inconsistent. While the machine is capable of producing great waffles, it took an unnecessary amount of trial and error. Waffle making doesn’t need to be this complicated.
Even though the Bistro Waffle Maker is a simpler version of GreenPan’s Elite model, it also suffered from convoluted functionality. However, this model lacked the versatile removable grids and a neat storage setup the Elite offered.
This is one of the most inexpensive flip waffle makers on the market. Our testers enjoyed the texture and grid shape this waffle maker offered, but the ready light was pretty glitchy, and the plastic body felt cheap and not long for this world.
How to clean waffle makers
In addition to taking up a lot of counter space, waffle makers can be a bit of a headache to clean up, especially if they don’t have removable plates that can go in the dishwasher. We recommend letting the machine cool down completely before cleaning and using a tooth brush to dislodge any bits from the ridges, so you can sweep them away or dump them out by tilting the machine. If the machine is too big to tip, you can use canned computer duster or one of these mini USB vacuums that food stylists love. After that, wipe any excess oil away with a paper towel.
If you are contending with more aggressive crud from burnt on cheese or chocolate, making a paste out of baking soda, dish soap, and water and applying it to the surfaces will help loosen things up before going in with the toothbrush and paper towel.
The takeaway
In the pantheon of waffle irons, the Presto Flipside is our absolute fave. It will give you crispy, fluffy Sunday morning carbs that are the perfect vehicle for a hearty layer of butter and syrup. Not only that, its compact, affordable, and easy to use, making it the perfect waffle maker for any home cook.
5 tips for using a waffle maker
Whatever waffle iron you go with, there are a few things you can do to ensure your waffles come out as tasty as possible:
Resist the urge to over-whisk your waffle batter. You want there to be a little bit of lumpiness to the texture. If you get it too smooth, it will (surprisingly) result in a chewier end product.
Those indicator lights are there for a reason! Just like an oven, you have to wait until the waffle iron is preheated to start cooking. This will ensure that the entire surface is evenly heated and ready to go. If you don’t wait, some spots on your waffle can end up more like a floppy, waffle-shaped pancake.
Just like with a pan, you’ve got to grease the surface with butter, oil, or cooking spray. If you forget this step, you’ll leave half your waffle behind when you try to pry it out of the pan. Of course, if you do have a nonstick waffle iron, you should skip the grease.
We know it’s tempting, but do not open the lid until the indicator light says the waffle is done. If you open the lid and the waffle isn’t finished, you will literally rip the waffle apart—and there’s no coming back from that.
Always use a utensil that is made out of plastic, silicone, or rubber when prying out the waffle, because metal utensils will definitely scratch your waffle maker. The best waffle makers are an investment, so you definitely want to keep them scratch-free if possible!
