The Best Waffle Makers In 2022
Danila.Ge/Shutterstock By Helena Nichols/April 14, 2022 8:09 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. There’s no better way to start a day than with a fresh, hot, crispy waffle. They can be made sweet by adding syrup and whipped cream, savory by pairing with eggs or chicken, or a combination of the two. The nooks and crannies of these “pancakes with abs” means they hold delicious sauces and syrups, providing a burst of flavor with every bite. They are truly the perfect breakfast food. As “Parks and Rec’s” Leslie Knope reminds us, the three most important things in life are waffles, friends, and work. So we all want to make sure we’re honoring our waffles and ensuring they’re the best they can be when we endeavor to make them at home.
To make life easy for all the waffle aficionados out there, we’ve compiled an extensive list of the best waffle makers of 2022. Whether you’re a waffle making novice looking for a starter maker or a seasoned waffle cook looking for an upgrade, we have a waffle iron that will fit your needs.
How we selected our products
Siti Mutmainah/Shutterstock
To find the best waffle irons of 2022, we combed through dozens of reports and even more individual consumer reviews for different waffle makers. We wanted to ensure that each waffle maker selected was sturdy, and that the owners didn’t just like them, they loved them. Especially for the best overall waffle maker, we wanted to identify an ideal piece of equipment … the last waffle iron you would ever want or need to buy.
We also took into consideration the price of the waffle maker, as well as the features offered for that price. We looked at the size and servings each waffle iron makes, and how automated the machine is. For example, does the waffle maker come with a timer that beeps when the iron is fully heated or when your waffle is done? Does it have lights to indicate these things, or are you just left to trial and error? We also took into account the ease of cleaning the waffle iron. This can be notoriously difficult with all those nooks and crannies, especially considering that most waffle makers have fixed plates that can’t be removed for cleaning. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we looked at the quality of the waffle it produced. No one wants a soggy, floppy waffle. We chose waffle irons known for producing consistently beautiful, crispy, golden brown deliciousness every time.
Best splurge waffle maker
Breville
Our top pick for the best splurge is another Breville waffle maker. The company is known for their luxury, high-quality products, so it’s no wonder their waffle makers are topping the charts. The Breville Smart Waffle Pro is designed to give you the perfect waffle every time. Unlike other waffle irons where you merely adjust the heat, the Breville Smart Waffle Pro allows you to pick the kind of waffle you’re making (for instance, buttermilk, Liege, or Belgian), then it automatically adjusts the heat and cook time based on your selections and other variables, such as the moisture in the batter. The LCD screen displays the cook time so you always know how much time you have before your waffles are ready. Additionally, just like the Breville No Mess, there is a generous overflow moat which cooks the excess batter, making clean up a breeze.
All these features would be useless if it didn’t produce good waffles. Luckily, the Breville scores amazingly well with Williams Sonoma customer reviews, most of whom rave about the quality of waffles the appliance produces. With two-waffle and four-waffle options available, you can choose the size that works best for your situation. This waffle maker is well worth the splurge. Purchase the Breville Smart Waffle Pro from Williams Sonoma starting at $219.95.
The Best Waffle Makers In 2022
Danila.Ge/Shutterstock
By Helena Nichols/April 14, 2022 8:09 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. There’s no better way to start a day than with a fresh, hot, crispy waffle. They can be made sweet by adding syrup and whipped cream, savory by pairing with eggs or chicken, or a combination of the two. The nooks and crannies of these “pancakes with abs” means they hold delicious sauces and syrups, providing a burst of flavor with every bite. They are truly the perfect breakfast food. As “Parks and Rec’s” Leslie Knope reminds us, the three most important things in life are waffles, friends, and work. So we all want to make sure we’re honoring our waffles and ensuring they’re the best they can be when we endeavor to make them at home.
To make life easy for all the waffle aficionados out there, we’ve compiled an extensive list of the best waffle makers of 2022. Whether you’re a waffle making novice looking for a starter maker or a seasoned waffle cook looking for an upgrade, we have a waffle iron that will fit your needs.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
To make life easy for all the waffle aficionados out there, we’ve compiled an extensive list of the best waffle makers of 2022. Whether you’re a waffle making novice looking for a starter maker or a seasoned waffle cook looking for an upgrade, we have a waffle iron that will fit your needs.
How we selected our products
Siti Mutmainah/Shutterstock
To find the best waffle irons of 2022, we combed through dozens of reports and even more individual consumer reviews for different waffle makers. We wanted to ensure that each waffle maker selected was sturdy, and that the owners didn’t just like them, they loved them. Especially for the best overall waffle maker, we wanted to identify an ideal piece of equipment … the last waffle iron you would ever want or need to buy.
We also took into consideration the price of the waffle maker, as well as the features offered for that price. We looked at the size and servings each waffle iron makes, and how automated the machine is. For example, does the waffle maker come with a timer that beeps when the iron is fully heated or when your waffle is done? Does it have lights to indicate these things, or are you just left to trial and error? We also took into account the ease of cleaning the waffle iron. This can be notoriously difficult with all those nooks and crannies, especially considering that most waffle makers have fixed plates that can’t be removed for cleaning. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we looked at the quality of the waffle it produced. No one wants a soggy, floppy waffle. We chose waffle irons known for producing consistently beautiful, crispy, golden brown deliciousness every time.
We also took into consideration the price of the waffle maker, as well as the features offered for that price. We looked at the size and servings each waffle iron makes, and how automated the machine is. For example, does the waffle maker come with a timer that beeps when the iron is fully heated or when your waffle is done? Does it have lights to indicate these things, or are you just left to trial and error? We also took into account the ease of cleaning the waffle iron. This can be notoriously difficult with all those nooks and crannies, especially considering that most waffle makers have fixed plates that can’t be removed for cleaning.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we looked at the quality of the waffle it produced. No one wants a soggy, floppy waffle. We chose waffle irons known for producing consistently beautiful, crispy, golden brown deliciousness every time.
Best overall waffle maker
Ultimately, though, we chose the Breville No Mess Waffle Maker as our best overall. While both options produce a delicious waffle, Breville uses die-cast thermal plates to achieve a perfectly cooked waffle. The waffle iron also lives up to its ’no mess’ name, featuring a generous spill moat to catch any batter before it spills onto your countertop. Finally, the Breville iron offers a locking mechanism on the lid to avoid accidents. It certainly isn’t the cheapest waffle iron, but for the money you’re guaranteed a perfect waffle every time.
Best budget waffle maker
The Cuisinart Round Waffle Maker is a no-frills appliance ideal for those who are new to waffle making and might not want to commit to a fancier one. It has a simple light indicator to let you know when the maker is fully warmed up and, unlike other budget options, offers five heat settings and a predominantly metal base.
Best splurge waffle maker
Breville
Our top pick for the best splurge is another Breville waffle maker. The company is known for their luxury, high-quality products, so it’s no wonder their waffle makers are topping the charts. The Breville Smart Waffle Pro is designed to give you the perfect waffle every time. Unlike other waffle irons where you merely adjust the heat, the Breville Smart Waffle Pro allows you to pick the kind of waffle you’re making (for instance, buttermilk, Liege, or Belgian), then it automatically adjusts the heat and cook time based on your selections and other variables, such as the moisture in the batter. The LCD screen displays the cook time so you always know how much time you have before your waffles are ready. Additionally, just like the Breville No Mess, there is a generous overflow moat which cooks the excess batter, making clean up a breeze.
All these features would be useless if it didn’t produce good waffles. Luckily, the Breville scores amazingly well with Williams Sonoma customer reviews, most of whom rave about the quality of waffles the appliance produces. With two-waffle and four-waffle options available, you can choose the size that works best for your situation. This waffle maker is well worth the splurge. Purchase the Breville Smart Waffle Pro from Williams Sonoma starting at $219.95.
The Breville Smart Waffle Pro is designed to give you the perfect waffle every time. Unlike other waffle irons where you merely adjust the heat, the Breville Smart Waffle Pro allows you to pick the kind of waffle you’re making (for instance, buttermilk, Liege, or Belgian), then it automatically adjusts the heat and cook time based on your selections and other variables, such as the moisture in the batter. The LCD screen displays the cook time so you always know how much time you have before your waffles are ready. Additionally, just like the Breville No Mess, there is a generous overflow moat which cooks the excess batter, making clean up a breeze.
All these features would be useless if it didn’t produce good waffles. Luckily, the Breville scores amazingly well with Williams Sonoma customer reviews, most of whom rave about the quality of waffles the appliance produces. With two-waffle and four-waffle options available, you can choose the size that works best for your situation. This waffle maker is well worth the splurge.
Purchase the Breville Smart Waffle Pro from Williams Sonoma starting at $219.95.
Best single serve waffle maker
Best waffle maker for families
This waffle iron makes four square waffles at the same time and offers a sturdy metal base that gives it durability. Despite this metal base, it’s still lighter than most comparable machines and is a simple square shape, making storage easier. As an added bonus, interchangeable plates for pancakes come with it, making it more versatile than other waffle makers. The plates from the waffle maker are all removable and machine washable, making clean up time a breeze.
Best waffle maker with removable plates
The KRUPS Belgian Waffle Maker is the best choice for those who are looking for the convenience of a removable-plate waffle maker. The plates in the KRUPS are both removable and machine washable, making cleanup easy. As an added bonus, the waffle machine makes four square waffles at a time. The temperature of the machine is also adjustable.
Best flipping waffle maker
Best stovetop waffle maker
Despite being a “stovetop” waffle iron, the Rome Industries iron can really be used to cook on or in any heat source, such as the grill or the oven. Unfortunately, competitors such as the NordicWare Cast Aluminum Waffle Iron, can’t stand up to the heat. The NordicWare aluminum base, as well as its protective plastic handle, are the very things that mean it can’t survive in a high-heat oven or on a grill, whereas the Rome Industries Old Fashioned Waffle Cast Iron can really take a beating. Reviewers rave about the Rome Industries iron’s durability when camping. The cast iron holds heat well and provides a consistent heat to cook the waffle. It should be noted, though, that while its competitors utilize non-stick coatings, the Rome Industries iron will need to be properly seasoned to build up its non-stick surface.
Best kid-friendly waffle maker
According to commenters, the waffles the iron makes are perfectly good and the kids like them. For under $50, that’s noteworthy.
What makes the Waffle Wow’s Building Bricks Waffle Maker such a good, kid-friendly waffle maker? For starters, the waffle maker is easy to use, almost to a fault. There are no buttons on the machine; it’s simply plug and go. The exterior of the waffle maker is made of white plastic and has a whimsical building brick design. This means that when your kids inevitably insist on “helping” you make breakfast, they can’t mess up any settings and likely won’t be able to burn themselves.
The real attraction, though, is the waffle shapes. The waffles the Waffle Wow Building Brick Waffle Maker produces are shaped like, well, building bricks. They are perfect for kids (or the young at heart) to build with and entertain themselves in the morning. Even if they aren’t being used for building, the waffles are a perfect size to act as a handheld waffle stick, making an easy meal with no cutting of waffles necessary.
Best for Liège waffles
The Liège waffle is a whole different creature than the batter-based kind most American waffle irons are built to accommodate. Liège waffles, named after the Belgian city of Liège, are a type of Belgian waffle. Some might even go so far as to argue the “better kind,” made from a yeast-risen dough and containing pearl sugar, all of which makes a denser, richly-flavored waffle with a crispy, caramelized sugar outside. They are perfection, but to get a waffle maker that can truly stand up to the test of making them properly, you have to go straight to the source.
Belgian company Croquade makes a Belgian Waffle Maker that’s up to the challenge. The maker comes with interchangeable waffle irons, one for what they call US-style waffles, and one set of waffle irons built specifically to handle Liège waffles. It has 8 heat settings, and the device itself flips 180 degrees, giving it a good, even cook. There is no “doneness” indicator on this machine, so it requires the cook to be vigilant during the cooking process, but it makes up for this extra effort by having removable plates that are machine washable. Purchase the Croquade Belgian Waffle Maker from their website starting at $239.94.
Belgian company Croquade makes a Belgian Waffle Maker that’s up to the challenge. The maker comes with interchangeable waffle irons, one for what they call US-style waffles, and one set of waffle irons built specifically to handle Liège waffles. It has 8 heat settings, and the device itself flips 180 degrees, giving it a good, even cook.
There is no “doneness” indicator on this machine, so it requires the cook to be vigilant during the cooking process, but it makes up for this extra effort by having removable plates that are machine washable.
Purchase the Croquade Belgian Waffle Maker from their website starting at $239.94.
