Best Waffle Makers, According to Professional Chefs

Whether you’re looking to cook waffles at home, at a restaurant, or anywhere else suitable for cooking (and equipped with an electrical outlet), a waffle maker can help. “The benefits of owning a waffle maker are quite simple, especially if you are someone who enjoys waffles often,” says Chef Andrew Thompson, Chef de Cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida. “Having a personal appliance is more convenient, allowing one to make waffles whenever they please. It is also quicker and allows for a larger production in a shorter amount of time.”

In addition to Thompson, I tapped Yohann Le Bescond, Executive Pastry Chef at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, Ann Ziata, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education, Jason Walter, executive sous chef at the New Orleans Marriott, and private chef and content creator Karen Rosenbloom of Karen’s Cooking to find the best waffle makers on the market taking features, size, and weight into consideration.

Our top picks for the best waffle makers

How we selected the best waffle makers

Expert advice

I selected the best waffle makers after chatting with professional chefs currently working across the United States. During our conversations, I asked them about what shoppers should consider when considering waffle makers to purchase regarding weight, size, and features. I also inquired about their waffle maker recommendations, some of which I included on this list.

Design

Since most of the experts I spoke with noted how flip waffle makers tend to help people make more evenly-cooked waffles, most of my picks (give or take a few) are flip waffle makers.

Easy to clean

Owning a waffle maker that is easy to clean makes for an increasingly pleasant cooking experience. That said, I selected some waffle makers that have removable plates (some of which are dishwasher-safe) and others that reviewers note do not require lots of effort to wipe away excess batter.

Cooking settings

Since not everyone prefers their waffles cooked the same way, waffle makers that offer various shade settings were a priority when compiling my list. That said, many of the picks I selected offer a browning setting with between five and seven shades.

Care and maintenance

Caring for and maintaining a waffle maker is important as you’re going to want the investment you make in your new kitchen gadget to be worthwhile. Although cleaning is a routine part of keeping your waffle maker sanitary and in good condition, “the most important part of maintenance in regards to waffle makers is to avoid moisture,” advises Rosenbloom. “Be sure to dry your waffle maker very well after washing.”

What to consider when buying waffle makers

Weight

When buying the best waffle makers, it’s important to note that “the heavier weight usually indicates a better plate for the iron—your iron will also be a better quality and will not need to be replaced too often,” explains Le Bescond. Just make sure that you’re able to comfortably carry and move around the waffle maker you purchase—the last thing you want is to sustain an injury while cooking for yourself or others. That said, just because a waffle maker may weigh less doesn’t mean that its plate is necessarily inferior.

Size

Size is an essential consideration to take into account, especially if your space is limited or your countertop doesn’t have much available real estate to house another kitchen appliance. (It’s also good advice if you’re also in the market for other small appliances, like blenders, air fryers, and toasters.) Although Walter explains that miniature waffle makers may be favorable in that they can be easily stored and are minimally invasive when it comes to countertop space, purchasing a small waffle maker may not be the most efficient for some people. “Single, mini waffle irons [like the DASH Mini Waffle Maker] are very cute, but remember that it takes about five minutes to cook one waffle,” says Ziata. “If you are cooking for three or more people, you’ll want something standard size or larger [like the Cuisinart WAF-B50 Breakfast Express Waffle Maker].”

You’ll notice that many waffle makers on the market vary concerning their cooking area, with four inches on the smaller end and seven inches on the larger end. Neither side of the waffle maker size spectrum is necessarily better or worse than the other, as everyone’s cooking needs, space constraints, and preferences are different—it’s just a matter of knowing what you’re looking for (and what your kitchen can successfully store) before hitting the “buy now” button.

Features

Not all waffle makers are created equally with their features. With that in mind, it’s best practice to create a list of non-negotiable factors you’d like your waffle maker to have. Ziata recommends looking for waffle makers with strong plates that can flip (if your budget permits). Additionally, “having controls for heat and time is a nice luxury, too, but is not always necessary,” says Le Bescond. Many of the best waffle makers also have dials or knobs that can be adjusted to alter the darkness of the waffles made. If the waffle maker you select comes with any additional features like dosing cups or timers, that’s even better, so you won’t have to purchase them separately.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How should one clean a waffle maker?

When it comes to how often you should clean a waffle maker, Le Bescond recommends cleaning it after each use—once your gadget has cooled down and it has been unplugged from its electrical source. “Use a damp towel and wipe out all remaining outside baked elements,” instructs Le Bescond. “For the inside, spray a bit of pan spray, let it set to soften the remaining food, and wipe down with a damp towel as well.”

If your waffle maker has removable plates, Ziata advises taking them out and thoroughly washing them with soap and water. However, if your waffle maker doesn’t have removable plates and you experience difficulty removing excess batter, she recommends pouring a combination of baking soda and vinegar over the batter and letting it sit for a couple of minutes before wiping.

Which brand of waffle maker is best?

There’s no one right answer as to which brand of waffle maker is best, as this is a subjective question. However, if you’re looking for waffle maker brands that offer good value and are recommended by experts, Le Bescond recommends waffle makers from Cuisinart and Black+Decker and Ziata recommends Breville.

Why are flip waffle makers better?

According to Ziata, flip waffle makers are better because of their cooking mechanism in that they ensure the batter is completely and identically spread on the bottom and top parts of waffles which is not always the case when using non-flip waffle makers.

What is the difference between a Belgian waffle and a regular waffle?

There are a couple of key differences between a Belgian waffle and a regular waffle. “A Belgian waffle is thick with deep, wide squares and is made with batter traditionally leavened with yeast,” explains Ziata. “An American waffle is made from a thicker, baking soda-leavened batter and cooked in an iron with flatter, smaller squares.”