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If you’re a waffle lover, you might only get to enjoy them occasionally when visiting your favourite restaurant. Imagine transforming your breakfast and dessert options by investing in a home waffle maker. You’ll be able to make your own as often as you like! Most importantly, you can cook them just the way you want.
How We Compared Waffle Makers
To find the right waffle makers, we considered multiple factors, including:
- Type of Waffles
- Shape
- Quantity
- Settings
- Surface Temperature
- Ease of Cleaning
Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews, and comparing features to come up with this list.
Waffle Maker Reviews
Global Gourmet GG09 (Editor’s Choice)
Our editor’s choice is a well-designed waffle maker with settings that are particularly easy to understand. Just set the desired temperature with the adjustable control knob and wait for the indicator light to tell you it’s ready to cook.
The Global Gourmet GG09 has deep non-stick stainless steel plates designed to produce round waffles. The finished product is marked into quarters, making it easy to divide up and serve.
The maker comes with a clearly laid-out recipe guide to simplify life for newer waffle chefs. There are several different batter formulas to try, along with numerous tasty topping suggestions. When it’s time to put it away, the included cable wrapper is a neat touch that means storage is tidy and straightforward.
Pros:
- Deep waffle plates with non-stick coating
- Clear “ready to cook” temperature light
- Adjustable temperature control
- Built-in cable wrapper for neat storage
- Includes an excellent recipe guide
Cons:
- The plates may be a bit deep for lovers of thin waffles
- It might be tricky to clean
Breville VST072 (Luxury Choice)
This waffle maker has to be one of the best looking out there. The attractive textured stainless steel finish looks like a professional appliance and will fit comfortably in practically any kitchen.
Breville has made things as straightforward as possible when it’s time to cook. Simply plug the maker in and wait about two minutes for it to reach cooking temperature. Clear indicator lights make it easy to know when you’re ready to pour the mixture.
The plates are sufficient for two square waffles, and they’re fully enclosed to prevent spillage during cooking. When you’re done making tasty treats, you just need to press the easy-release button to remove the trays for cleaning. They have the DuraCeramic coating, which the manufacturer says is four times more durable than traditional non-stick materials. Finally, this maker has been cleverly designed to be stored vertically with the cord neatly wrapped, so it takes less space in your cupboard.
Pros:
- Clear indicator lights
- Fully enclosed trays to prevent leakage
- Plates are easy to remove for cleaning
- DuraCeramic non-stick coating for extended lifetime
- Designed to be stored vertically in a cupboard to take less space
Cons:
- The temperature may not be adjustable
- It could only make two waffles at a time
Salter EK2249 (Best Value)
If you’re looking for a simple-to-use waffle maker for occasional use, then our best value choice could be just what you need. This model has the essential features and can make two square waffles at a time in trays which the manufacturer says are three times deeper than ordinary units.
The Salter EK2249 is as easy to operate as they come. You just plug the appliance in and wait for the light to turn green. Once you’ve poured your batter and closed the lid, this waffle maker automatically controls the temperature as your waffles cook.
You don’t need to worry about burning yourself when your waffles are done, as the handles on this maker have a cool-touch design. After you’ve enjoyed your meal and it’s time to tidy up, you shouldn’t need to resort to scrubbing as the plates have a non-stick coating. Finally, if you’re new to waffle cooking and need some guidance, the manufacturer includes a link to download a complete recipe guide. They’ve chosen not to print it to save paper, which nowadays deserves some extra green points.
Pros:
- Cool-touch handles
- Deep plates for thick waffles
- Automatically controls the temperature while cooking
- Non-stick coating to make cleaning simple
- Downloadable recipe guide
Cons:
- The plates could be tough to clean
- It may take longer to cook the waffle completely
Salter EK2143 (Best for Versatility)
If you’re interested in preparing other food, then this appliance is the right choice. This product not only makes terrific waffles, but it can also cook paninis and make toasted sandwiches thanks to its included interchangeable plates.
The Salter EK2143 has the space to make waffles three times deeper than regular or handle paninis up to 25cm thick. Even your toasties can be 60% larger, so you can make them with incredibly full fillings. When the easy-to-understand light changes to green, you can let the cooker take care of itself thanks to the automatic temperature control that prevents overheating.
Cleaning this multifunction waffle maker is simple, as the plates are fully removable. They’re coated with a non-stick layer to prevent food from sticking.
Pros:
- Extra versatility thanks to included panini and toasted sandwich plates
- Automatic temperature control to prevent overheating
- Removable cooking plates to make cleaning easier
- Extra-wide design to allow for thick waffles or paninis
- Simple to understand indicator lights
Cons:
- The temperature may not be adjustable
- The non-stick coating may not be as durable as expected
Netta Round Waffle Maker (Best for Ease of Use)
Breakfast is often a meal made in a hurry, and this waffle maker provides a simple yet efficient design that delivers your food without complications. You only need to configure the temperature dial to the required setting, wait for the ‘ready to cook’ light to come on, pour your mixture and close the lid for about five minutes.
The Netta maker produces delicious round waffles marked into quarters, ready to cut. The deep-fill plates allow for thick waffles that are sure to delight for breakfast or dessert.
Cleaning up is always the least enjoyable part of cooking, but thankfully this model has non-stick coated plates that you should find pretty easy to remove any leftover debris from. Once everything has cooled down, and you’re ready to pack away, you can use the neat cable tidy built into the base. This helps to keep everything together and take up as little space as possible in your cupboard.
Pros:
- Simple yet functional design
- Adjustable temperature control
- Deep-fill plates for thick waffles
- Non-stick coating
- Built-in cable storage
Cons:
- It may take longer to reach its cooking temperature
- The lid may not have a latch
Quest 35969 (Best Design)
If you’ve ever tasted waffles that may not be evenly cooked from top to bottom, then this option is a perfect choice. This appliance solves the problem of waffles being cooked unevenly by having a rotation function that ensures the food is perfectly finished on both sides.
Operation is nice and straightforward, with a clear temperature adjuster and “ready to go” indicator lamps. Once you’ve poured your waffle mix into the Quest 35969 and closed the lid, you just need to wait a few minutes. You can then use the heat-resistant handle to flip the cooker over and produce beautiful, evenly cooked round waffles.
This product’s clever design extends to simple yet practical features, such as the four non-slip feet that ensure that the cooker stays in place on any kitchen surface. The cooking plates are non-stick coated and are simple to clean once you’ve finished enjoying your beautifully cooked waffles.
Pros:
- Rotating design for even cooking
- Heat-resistant handle
- Adjustable temperature control
- Easy to clean plates
- Non-slip feet
Cons:
- The handle might need to be put in the receiver before rotating
- It might be messier than non-rotating designs
Global Gourmet GG020 (Best Compact)
Our final waffle maker is a highly functional unit that produces two delicious square waffles at a time. Thanks to the 1000W rating, this product can cook them quicker and more evenly than other lower-powered machines might manage.
The Global Gourmet GG020 is very simple to use. All you need to do is plug the maker in with the lid closed and wait until the indicator light shows that this appliance has reached the ideal temperature. There’s nothing more to it.
Non-stick cooking plates help make the product easy to clean once you’ve finished cooking. There’s also a built-in cord storage wrap in the base. The product can even be stored on its end, meaning space in your cupboard is saved.
Pros:
- Powerful 1000W element
- Simple to use
- Clear “ready to cook” indicator
- Built-in power cord wrap
- It can be stored on its end to take up less space
Cons:
- The cooking plates may be harder to clean
- Some users may need oil spray to prevent the waffle mix from sticking
How to Choose a Waffle Maker
Home waffle makers come in a wide variety of different designs. The right one for you will depend on your personal preferences and the size of your family, amongst other factors. It can be challenging to know which to pick, so our buyer’s guide is here to make choosing the right waffle maker as simple as possible.
Type of Waffles
Most makers are dedicated to producing one specific type of waffle. You may prefer thick, fluffy Belgian waffles that are famous for their soft centre and crisp exterior. Alternatively, you might favour classic American-style waffles that are thinner and uniformly crispy throughout. Ensure the maker you pick can cook your waffles how you and your family like them.
Shape
Different machines also produce waffles in different shapes. Usually, we’re talking about choosing between round or square waffles. In reality, there’s only a visual difference, although you may have a preference, and you can argue that a round-shaped one maximises the deliciousness on a plate.
Quantity
Manufacturers offer machines designed to produce just one waffle at a time, which is ideal if you’re the only fan in your household. However, if you’re going to cook for more than one person or a family, it’s more convenient to go for a maker that cooks multiple waffles at a time, so no one has to wait.
Settings
Check out the control settings that the maker you are considering comes with. Basic models may only have a simple on/off switch. Others have built-in adjustable temperature controls that you can use to cook your waffles to your specific tastes.
Surface Temperature
As it cooks, the waffle maker generates a lot of heat, which can be potentially dangerous in your kitchen, especially if you have children or pets. Accidental contact with a hot maker could cause nasty burns, so it’s worth checking how hot the outside of the machine gets. Some devices have insulated casings or handles, and it’s well worth assessing these for your particular usage.
Ease of Cleaning
Finally, the maker will need cleaning once you’ve enjoyed your tasty meal. Most devices have a non-stick surface that stops the batter from getting burnt on. However, the quality and effectiveness can vary between different designs. Additionally, not all trays can be removed and cleaned in a dishwasher. You should also check out the drip tray size that collects excess batter and stops messy spillages.
Summary
The Global Gourmet GG09 receives our Editor’s Choice award for best waffle maker thanks to its ease of use and practical features. The indicator lights are clear to read and tell you when the unit is ready to cook. The temperature control knob lets you tune this maker to cook your waffles precisely how you like them. The cooking plates have a non-stick coating, so they’re easy to clean. There’s even an excellent recipe guide taking you through different waffle mixes and giving imaginative topping suggestions.
Daniel is an experienced writer and freelance scuba instructor based on the shores of Egypt’s Red Sea. When not spending time underwater, he can usually be found biking and hiking in his desert surroundings before getting in front of the laptop. Dan enjoys researching and writing high-quality content, particularly on subjects related to health and fitness.