Belgian, Classic or Stovetop? The Best Waffle Maker for Brunch

A waffle maker earns its place at brunch. Thick Belgian waffles hold fruit and cream, thinner classic waffles crisp at the edges, and a waffle tossed in cinnamon sugar while it is still hot is a fair shortcut to the flavor of a churro without a pot of oil. What separates a good waffle maker from a cupboard ornament is even heat, a way to control browning, and plates that release the waffle and clean up without a fight.

This guide covers nine waffle makers from Breville, Cuisinart, All-Clad, Presto, Chefman, Dash and Lehman’s: square and round Belgian models, a classic round, two flip models, a pair with removable plates, a mini, and a cast iron iron for the stovetop. For each we list the waffle style and size, whether the plates come out, the browning settings, the ready signal, power and warranty. Where a figure is not published, we say “Not stated” rather than guess.

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Quick verdict: which waffle maker to buy

The table compares the five we would steer most cooks toward, one for each kind of kitchen. All nine are reviewed in full after it.

Five waffle makers side by side

Waffle style, plates, browning control and power for our five standout picks, as each maker, retailer or Amazon listing gives them.

Product images from Amazon. Specifications as stated by each maker, a retailer page or the Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.

Our picks for the best waffle maker

These nine run from a 4-inch mini to a double flip model, plus one cast iron iron that sits over a gas flame. Each review covers who it suits, the details that matter and one honest reason to pass on it.

How to choose a waffle maker

Waffle makers vary more than they look. These are the choices that change what comes out.

Belgian or classic

Belgian waffles are thick, about an inch on several of our picks, with deep pockets for toppings. Classic waffles are thinner and crisp further through. If you want something sturdy enough to carry fruit and cream, choose Belgian; if you want a crisp waffle for cinnamon sugar or savory toppings, choose classic, like the Breville No-Mess.

Flip or flat

A flip model, like the Cuisinart Double Flip and Presto FlipSide, turns on its base so the batter spreads to both plates evenly, which helps a tall, round Belgian waffle rise evenly. Flat models are simpler and usually make square waffles in batches of four.

Browning control and ready signals

A dial with several settings lets you match browning to the batter; the Breville Smart Waffle goes further and adjusts for batter type. A ready-to-pour light, and ideally a done signal, removes most of the guesswork. The Presto uses a timer instead of a dial, and the Dash has neither.

Removable plates

Plates that come out are the easiest to clean. The All-Clad and the Cuisinart WAF-300 have them; most others are wiped clean in place once cooled. Even when plates are dishwasher safe, hand-washing is gentler on nonstick, as Cuisinart’s own listing notes.

Overflow control

Moats and channels, on the Breville and Chefman models, catch batter that spills over. They save cleanup, especially with thin or sugary batters.

Stovetop iron or electric

A cast iron stovetop iron needs no plug and has no coating, but it needs a gas or coil burner, seasoning and attention. An electric model does the timing for you.

How we chose these nine waffle makers

We started from what a kitchen running a weekend brunch wants from a waffle maker: even browning to the edges, a clear signal when to pour and when to open, enough output to keep a table fed, and cleanup that does not take longer than the cooking. We then looked at waffle makers from identifiable brands sold on Amazon in the United States and kept only those showing as in stock when we checked.

Specifications come from the Amazon listings, from Presto’s and Dash’s own product information where the listing did not give a figure, and from US retailers for the Cuisinart WAF-300’s wattage, which we label as “retailer”. We checked every model against the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list; none of these nine appears on it. We left out the Nordic Ware stovetop Belgian waffle iron and an earlier Cuisinart Double Flip version, both of which were showing low stock, along with unbranded stovetop pans and near-identical electric models.

We have not cooked with these waffle makers for this guide, and we did not draw on outside equipment reviews, including America’s Test Kitchen, Serious Eats, Consumer Reports and Good Housekeeping; everything here comes from the makers, the listings and our kitchen’s view of what a waffle maker needs to do.

Waffles for a Mexican-style brunch

• Churro waffles: brush a hot waffle with melted butter and toss it in cinnamon sugar. For real ridged churros, see our best churro maker guide.
• Cajeta and fruit: deep Belgian pockets hold cajeta, a goat’s milk caramel, along with sliced banana or strawberries.
• Lifting and serving: a heat-resistant silicone spatula or wooden tool lifts waffles without scratching nonstick plates.
• The rest of the table: our Mexican brunch guide explains what to expect and what to order.

Waffle maker questions, answered

What is the best waffle maker for home use?

For most homes, the Breville Smart Waffle 4-Slice, for its four-waffle capacity, overflow moat and settings that adjust for batter and darkness. If you want round Belgian waffles for a group, the Cuisinart Double Flip.

Which waffle maker brand is best?

Breville stands out for control features, Cuisinart for its three-year warranty and range of designs, All-Clad for removable plates, and Presto and Dash for value. The right brand depends on whether you value control, cleanup or price.

Are waffle makers with removable plates worth it?

If you make waffles often, yes. Fixed plates have to be wiped clean in place once the unit cools; removable plates can be washed in the sink. Check the maker’s advice on dishwashers, since the heat and detergent can be hard on nonstick coatings.

Should I grease a nonstick waffle maker?

Follow the manual, since advice on oiling nonstick plates varies from maker to maker. Where oil is allowed, a pastry brush or an oil sprayer filled with your own oil gives a thin, even layer. A cast iron iron always needs oil.

What do America’s Test Kitchen and Serious Eats recommend?

We did not consult their reviews for this guide, so we cannot speak for them. Everything here comes from maker specifications, Amazon listings and retailers, read from a restaurant kitchen’s point of view.

Our final pick for weekend waffles

Buy the Breville Smart Waffle 4-Slice if you want the most control and four waffles at once. Choose the Cuisinart Double Flip for round Belgian waffles at brunch scale, the All-Clad for removable plates, the Breville No-Mess Classic for thinner crisp waffles and the Presto FlipSide on a budget. For a stovetop iron, the Lehman’s cast iron is the classic.

Want thick, even Belgian waffles? See our guide to the best rotating Belgian waffle makers.

More specific guides: the best waffle makers for families and the best heart-shaped waffle makers.

Making chaffles or single servings? See our guide to the best mini waffle makers for chaffles.

Related guide: Best pizzelle maker.

For a sweet finish beyond waffles, see our best churro maker guide, and for the rest of the meal, our Mexican brunch guide. Or let us do the cooking: see the menu or call to order.