8 Best Waffle Makers

I’ve spent the last month making an unreasonable number of waffles. My family is sick of them, but my mission was clear: find the best waffle makers you can actually buy in 2026. I tested everything from high-end machines that cost a fortune to tiny ones that fit in a drawer.

A great waffle is a thing of beauty. It’s crispy on the outside, fluffy and steamy on the inside. A bad waffle is just a sad, floppy pancake with pockets of disappointment. And the difference almost always comes down to the machine.

 

 

Best All-Around Waffle Makers

All-Clad WD900 Classic Round

If you just want a fantastic, no-fuss waffle maker that will last forever, this is it. The All-Clad is built like a tank with a polished stainless steel exterior. It feels solid, from the handle to the base, and it looks great on the counter.

It has seven browning settings, and I found number five to be the sweet spot for golden-brown perfection. An indicator light and an audible beep tell you when it’s ready and when your waffle is done, so you don’t have to guess. Every single waffle I made released perfectly from the nonstick plates.

This isn’t a true Belgian waffle maker; it makes thinner, classic-style round waffles. But for pure performance and build quality, it’s the one I’d recommend to most people. It’s not cheap, but it’s the last one you’ll likely need to buy.

 

 

Breville the Smart Waffle Pro 4-Slice

Okay, if you’re serious about your waffles, the Breville Smart Waffle Pro is an absolute beast. It makes four deep-pocket Belgian waffles at once, and it does it with incredible precision. The “Waffle IQ” feature automatically calculates the cooking time based on your batter and desired brownness.

What I loved most was the “A Bit More” button. If your waffle isn’t quite brown enough, you just press it for a little extra time without resetting the whole cycle. It also has a wraparound moat to catch any overflow, which is genius and saved me a lot of cleanup.

It’s big, heavy, and expensive. This is not for someone who makes waffles twice a year. But if weekend brunch is a major event at your house, this machine delivers professional-level results every time.

 

 

Best Waffle Makers for Families and Small Kitchens

Cuisinart WAF-F30 Double Belgian Waffle Maker

Making waffles for a crowd can be a slow process. The Cuisinart double waffle maker solves that by cooking two deep-pocket Belgian waffles at the same time. You just pour batter in one side, flip it, and pour into the other.

Each side has its own browning control knob, which is great if one person likes their waffles pale and another likes them dark. It heats up fast and cooks evenly. My kids loved being able to get their waffles at the same time without fighting over the first one.

The rotating design means it has a pretty big footprint, so you’ll need dedicated counter or pantry space. But for feeding a family quickly, it’s unbeatable.

 

 

Calphalon IntelliCrisp Vertical Waffle Maker

If you’re short on space, most waffle makers are a pain to store. The Calphalon IntelliCrisp is designed to be stored vertically, taking up way less room in your cabinet. It’s a smart design that I wish more companies would copy.

You pour the batter into a spout on top, which feels a little weird at first, but it works surprisingly well to prevent leaks. The ceramic nonstick plates produced evenly cooked waffles that were perfectly crisp. It also has a timer that counts down, which is a nice touch.

This is a solid Belgian waffle maker for anyone with a small kitchen. It makes one waffle at a time, but it does it well and doesn’t hog all your storage space.

 

 

Best Budget and Specialty Waffle Makers

Dash Mini Waffle Maker

Sometimes you just want a small waffle without a big production. The Dash is tiny, simple, and costs less than a fancy coffee. It makes a single 4-inch waffle, perfect for kids, a quick breakfast, or making chaffles.

There are no settings. You plug it in, a light tells you when it’s hot, you add batter, and you cook. It takes a little practice to get the timing right, but once you do, it pumps out surprisingly decent little waffles. And it comes in a bunch of fun colors.

Don’t expect a perfect, deep-pocket Belgian waffle from this. But for the price and the size, it’s a fantastic little gadget to have around.

 

 

Presto FlipSide 03512

For getting that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside texture, a flip waffle maker is the way to go. The Presto FlipSide is a classic for a reason. The 180-degree flip ensures the batter spreads evenly for consistent cooking on both sides.

This machine creates one big, 7-inch round Belgian waffle with deep pockets that are perfect for holding syrup. It has a simple countdown timer and a sturdy feel. The vertical storage position with locking handles is also a big plus for saving space.

It’s a single-purpose tool, but it does that one thing exceptionally well. If crispiness is your top priority, the FlipSide is an affordable and reliable choice.

 

 

GreenPan Premiere Ceramic Waffle Pro

For those avoiding traditional nonstick coatings, GreenPan brings its PFAS-free ceramic nonstick to a waffle maker. I was skeptical about how well it would release, but I didn’t have a single waffle stick. The plates are fantastic and super easy to wipe clean.

The machine itself is well-built with an LCD display and controls for shade, texture (crispy or fluffy), and batter type. It makes two square Belgian-style waffles at a time. The heat was even, and the results were consistently good.

It is on the pricier side, but if a non-toxic cooking surface is important to you, the GreenPan is the best ceramic option I’ve tested. It performs just as well as its traditional counterparts.

 

 

KRUPS GQ502D Adjustable Belgian Waffle Maker

Cleaning is the worst part of making waffles. The KRUPS model solves this with dishwasher-safe removable plates. After cooking, you just pop two buttons, and the heavy-duty waffle plates come right out. This feature alone makes it a winner for me.

It makes four good-sized Belgian waffles and has five browning levels. The beep that alerts you when it’s done is loud enough to hear from another room, which is helpful. Waffles came out crisp and evenly cooked.

The machine is a bit bulky, but if you hate scrubbing dried batter out of tiny crevices, the convenience of removable plates is absolutely worth it.

 

 

What to Look For in a Waffle Maker

I tested all these machines by making at least three batches of waffles in each one. I used a standard buttermilk batter and a boxed mix to see how they handled different consistencies. I timed how long they took to heat up and how long they took to cook on a medium setting.

When you’re shopping, think about what kind of waffle you like. A true Belgian waffle maker has deep, 1-inch (or more) pockets, perfect for holding pools of syrup and butter. Classic waffle makers create a thinner, crispier result with smaller pockets.

Look for useful features like indicator lights or beeps that tell you when the waffle is done. Adjustable browning control is a must for getting your waffle exactly how you like it. And if you hate cleaning, seriously consider a model with removable plates. It makes all the difference.