Waffles – whether the Belgian version or their American cousins – are often seen as a treat to enjoy on a holiday, bought fresh from a food stall or in a restaurant.
But with a waffle making machine, it’s easier than you might think to indulge at home.
Whether you like your waffles fresh from a Belgian waffle iron and dripping in syrup or a savoury version hot from a round waffle maker, a handy waffle machine makes quick work of what might seem like a complicated breakfast, lunch or even dinner.
If you’re on the hunt for the best Belgian waffle maker, we’re here to help.
We set off on a search for the best waffle iron and have rounded up our favourites here – along with a guide on what to look for when making your selection.
See Our Best Waffle Makers
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Best For Low Budgets
2Salter EK2249 Deep Fill Waffle Maker
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Best For Higher Budgets
3Breville DuraCeramic Waffle Maker
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Best Overall
5Russell Hobbs RU-24540 Waffle Maker
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Buy On AO1. Sage No-Mess Waffle Maker
- Seven different settings let you decide how much to brown the waffle
- Ready light shows when the machine is ready for you to pour the batter
- No-mess moat collects any spills as the batter expands during cooking
- Easy to clean
This waffle maker says it’s ‘no-mess’ and we found it lived up to the name! It’s easy to use, simply turn it on and wait for the ready light and a beep to signal that it is up to temperature.
You then pour in the batter and secure the lid. There are seven different settings depending whether you want the waffle to be very pale or a golden brown, and there’s another beep at the end of your chosen time.
Any spillage drips into a special moat rather than dripping down the sides of the machine and onto your work surface. It reliably produces tasty and fluffy round waffles thanks to even heat distribution across the plates.
The plates aren’t removable for cleaning, but it’s easy to wipe them clean after use.
This machine isn’t the cheapest out there, but is great quality and very convenient.
Specifications
Pros
- Heat is distributed evenly across the plates
- Compact design and stands on its end for easy storage
- Beeps at the end of your chosen cooking time
- From a manufacturer of good quality products
Cons
- Plates are not removable
- Some people might prefer thicker waffles than this machine produces
2. Salter EK2249 Deep Fill Waffle Maker
- Easy to use
- Makes two waffles at a time
- Deep fill cooking plates
- Ready indicator light
If you’re catering to big appetites or have a family to feed, this Salter waffle maker might be the ideal choice.
The deep fill cooking plates result in a thick waffle, and this machine can cook two at a time.
Using it couldn’t be easier – just wait for the indicator light to show that the plates are up to temperature, pour in the batter and shut the lid.
What you see is what you get with this model, so it doesn’t offer as many controls – for example you can’t set the temperature or the browning time.
But it’s easy enough to lift the cool touch handle and check on progress yourself.
The plates aren’t removable and you’re likely to get some spillage during cooking, so you should be prepared to have some clean-up to deal with after each use.
Overall, it’s a solid product at a reasonable price.
Specifications
Pros
- Cool touch handles
- Non-stick plates
- Selection of recipes included
- Locking catch
Cons
- No temperature or browning control
- Difficult to clean when batter spills
3. Breville DuraCeramic Waffle Maker
- Heats up quickly
- DuraCeramic coating is scratch resistant and easy to clean
- Enclosed plate system prevents leakage
- Clip system allows waffles to rise whilst they’re cooking
Breville was the first brand to introduce the toasted sandwich maker, so it’s no surprise that they offer a waffle maker, too.
The machine looks sleek, in a compact design which can stand upright for storage and the cord wrapped tidily around the base.
Operation is simple, you just need to let the plates warm and when the indicator light shows they are ready, pour the batter in.
There’s no temperature control so you’ll need to keep an eye on the cooking, but we like the clip which allows the batter to rise as it cooks.
The plates have a DuraCeramic coating which are scratch resistant and they are also removable for easy cleaning (there are release buttons on the side of the machine).
Specifications
Pros
- Plates can be removed for cleaning
- Indicator light shows when the plates are at the right temperature
- Easy to store upright and cord wraps around the base
- Cooks two waffles at a time
Cons
- No temperature control
- Some users report that this machine can trip their electricity switches
4. Cuisinart WAF1U Waffle Maker
- Fast heat-up
- Powerful machine for quicker cooking and even browning
- Removable plates are easy to clean
- Supplied with a recipe book
Cuisinart is a well-regarded kitchen electricals brand and this waffle maker looks good and feels sturdy. It can make two square waffles at a time and a handy recipe book is supplied to get you started.
The plates warm up comparatively quickly and as it’s a powerful (1000W) machine, the cooking is quick and waffles brown evenly.
An indicator light tells you when the plates are up to temperature and ready for use.
The plates are removable for easy cleaning, and there’s also a channel around the edge to catch any spills that might otherwise create a mess to clean later.
The control is simply on or off, and we would’ve liked to see temperature control and perhaps a timer, but it’s still both an effective and attractive waffle maker.
Specifications
Pros
- Commercial grade stainless steel housing
- Plates are designed to catch any excess mixture
- Easy to store
- Reputable kitchenware brand
Cons
- No temperature control - only on or off
- No timer
5. Russell Hobbs RU-24540 Waffle Maker
- Multi-purpose appliance for toasted sandwiches, paninis and waffles
- Removable plates have an easy clean, non-stick coating
- Temperature ready indicator light
- Non-slip feet
If countertop and storage space is at a premium in your kitchen, or if you are catering to a range of tastes, this 3-in-1 appliance could be a great choice for you.
This one machine is able to produce toasted sandwiches, paninis and make waffles, thanks to the three different sets of removable plates which can all sit within the same housing.
It’s simple to switch the plates over depending on what you want to make, and the fact the plates are removable also makes them easy to clean.
The temperature indicator light lets you know when the machine is ready to use, and once you’ve added the waffle batter or sandwich you simply clip shut the thermo-insulated handle and let it get to work.
There’s no temperature control and it does take a while to cook waffles, but the versatility of this appliance was a winner for us.
Specifications
Pros
- Thermo-insulated handle
- Overhead safety protection
- Easy to change the plates for different uses
- Compact for easy storage and has a cord tidy
Cons
- Can take a while to cook waffles
- No temperature control
Waffle Maker Buying Guide
Cooking Time
The beauty of the best waffle maker is that your waffle batter is being cooked by heated plates on two sides at the same time, cooking it evenly all over.
Exactly how long it will take to cook waffles can depend on a number of factors, including the operating temperature and the power of the appliance.
The type of waffle batter you’re using can also affect the cooking time, as well as you prefer a light golden colour or a deeper brown.
Some waffle makers have a temperature control allowing you to adjust the cooking temperature, whilst others are simply off or on.
When you first purchase a waffle maker you may need to experiment with how long to cook waffles to suit your taste, but five minutes would usually be the minimum.
Belgian Waffles VS American Waffles
You might have seen waffles referred to as Belgian waffles or American waffles, and wondered whether these are the same.
Both types are very similar, and made from a batter made with the same ingredients.
However, a Belgian waffle often has yeast or baking powder which has the effect of making it lighter and fluffier.
An American waffle doesn’t have this raising agent, and is more likely to contain sugar.
A Belgian waffle typically has deeper pockets (the parts that appear sunken) than the American version.
This helps to hold any sauces or syrups you want to add.
Size
You’ll notice that waffle makers tend to produce square or round waffles.
Round waffle irons will usually cook one waffle at a time, whilst many square waffle irons can cook two side by side.
If you’re catering for several people, or a family, you might prefer the square options to reduce the amount of waiting time.
If you want to produce a larger number of small waffles at a time, you could look for a mini waffle maker.
Materials
Waffle makers tend to have a similar design, which is similar to a toasted sandwich maker. The maker is formed of two halves, attached on one side.
The top half is lifted to pour batter into the plate which sits inside the bottom half. The top is then put back in place, and often secured with a clip whilst the batter cooks.
The housing of a waffle maker is usually made of a durable and easy-to-clean material such as stainless steel.
Features
As with many kitchen appliances, there are a number of extra features you can look out for which can make it easier to use or give improved results. Here are some of the features you might find most useful:
Removable Plates
The plates within the waffle maker need cleaning between uses.
The cleaning process is far simpler and more thorough if the plates can be removed, so they can be washed in the same way as a saucepan or a baking tray.
Plates are usually fixed in place with simple clips that make it easy to remove and replace them for cleaning.
Non Stick
As with other cookware, a non-stick coating helps to ensure that batter does not stick to the cooking surface.
This helps the waffle come away from the plate cleanly, and also makes it easier to clean the plates after use.
A good non-stick coating can last for many washes without being damaged.
Drip Tray
Waffle batter can expand as it cooks.
This means that batter can leak out from the cooking area and make a mess of the machine to clean up later.
Best waffle makers have a drip tray, which is usually a channel around the edge of the plate that traps any leaked batter and makes it easier to clean up after use.
Indicator Lights
A waffle maker needs to be warmed up before batter is added, just the same as you would preheat an oven before cooking a meal.
The indicator light on the waffle maker will come on when the plates are at the required temperature.
Cleaning Waffle Makers
If your waffle maker does not have removable plates, you can clean the machine between uses by wiping the plates with a wet cloth.
The housing can also be wiped clean. This should remove any stuck-on batter or the small amount of grease that will naturally transfer onto the plates as the batter cooks.
For appliances with removable plates the clean-up operation is much more straightforward. You can unclip the plates and wash them up in the sink.
Some removable plates may be suitable for cleaning in the dish washer, but it’s best to check the instructions for your waffle maker as some may warn that using a dishwasher could damage the non-stick coating.
Pricing Range
The price of a waffle maker can vary according to the features and the brand, though a high price tag is not always a guarantee of performance or longevity.
At the cheaper end of the range you can find waffle makers from a reputable manufacturer from as little as £20, or sometimes even less.
The price can go up to £50 and above for higher-end brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
It usually takes a few minutes to warm a waffle maker to the required temperature, so you may want to turn the machine on to heat up whilst you make your waffle batter.
You will find many batter recipes online, depending whether you want to make a sweet or savoury waffle. It’s even possible to make vegan or gluten-free waffles if you wish.
Prepare the waffle batter according to the recipe. When the indicator light comes on to show that the waffle maker is ready to use, lift the top and pour some of the batter into the bottom plate, remembering that the batter will expand a little as it cooks so you don’t want to overfill it.
Replace the top part of the maker and if there’s a clip on the handle, secure this in place whilst the waffle cooks.
If your maker has temperature control you could select your cooking temperature, otherwise leave your waffle for at least 5 minutes and then check on progress to see whether it’s cooked or needs to be left for longer.
When the waffle is cooked you should be able to lift it cleanly away from the plate.
Our Verdict
We have some great waffle maker reviews and a buying guide that will make it easy to cook waffles any time.
If you want to enjoy waffles as an occasional treat and don’t want to spend too much on an appliance, the Salter EK2249 Deep Fill Waffle Maker offers a low-cost option.
It’s very easy to use, and comes with a few recipes included to get you started straight away.
At the more premium end of the market we liked the Breville DuraCeramic Waffle Maker as our Top of the Range pick.
It’s easy to use and clean, with removable plates. We particularly liked the clip system that allows waffles to rise as they cook.
It can be hard to find space in your kitchen for lots of different appliances, so for that reason our Best Value choice is the Russell Hobbs 3-in-1 Sandwich/Panini and Waffle Maker.
It combines three functions in one and all for a reasonable price, making it a handy appliance to have on hand whatever kind of snack you’re craving.
