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Who doesn’t like waking up to the smell of delicious waffles being cooked for breakfast or brunch? We sure do, which is why we’ve done extensive research on which waffle maker to buy, and are here to share our wisdom.
There are several different types of waffles you can make, so the best place to start would be to decide what kind of waffles you’d like to eat on the regular.
You could get a standard waffle maker or waffle iron that focuses on a single type of waffle, or spend more for one that has the option to make various types.
If you’re particular about how crisp your waffles are, then choose a waffle maker where you can set the browning level. Some have a wider variety of temperatures to choose from than others, so if you have very specific preferences, go for a waffle maker with a wider range of browning levels so you can find the optimal setting of your preference.
An important thing to consider as well is how easy the waffle maker is to clean. If you've made waffles before, you’ll know just how messy it can get, particularly if the batter overflows out of the cooking plates. Choose a waffle maker that has a good system to manage spillages or if not, is easy to clean up.
In our list of the best waffle makers below, there are waffle makers that are catered more towards waffle connoisseurs and options for those who just want the simplest way to make waffles.
Best For Crispy Waffles and Large Families
1. Breville The Smart Waffle Maker
Choose from 4 waffle types and customise your crisp level
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We’re starting our list with Breville The Smart Waffle Maker, our top choice for best waffle maker in Australia that can cook four waffles at a time, which is great for larger families, and has a variety of browning levels to choose from, making it also the best waffle maker for crispy waffles in our books.
Breville The Smart Waffle Maker has a temperature controller with 12 different crisp settings, making it very versatile when it comes to browning control. It has the widest variety of temperatures of the waffle makers on this list.
You can cater to practically all preferences in the family, from those who like light and fluffy waffles to those who like them brown and extra crispy. It even has an ‘a bit more’ option, giving you the ability to brown up your waffle just a little more without having to reset the cooking time.
You also have the option of choosing between cooking Belgian, classic, chocolate or buttermilk waffles and the machine will automatically set the optimal cooking time for your waffle of choice. You can customise this as well, which would come in handy if you’ve got your own secret waffle recipe.
This waffle maker also has even heat distribution, ensuring a consistent cook on your waffles. With its no mess moat, it is designed to prevent your batter from spilling out of the waffle maker and onto your countertop. This way, you can keep messes and cleaning to the minimum.
While Breville The Smart Waffle Maker is on the expensive side, it is quite versatile and might just be worth the splurge if you're serious about your waffles.
Best For Thick Waffles
2. Breville the No-Mess Waffle Maker
Deep cooking plates for making thicker waffles
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If you’re looking for the best waffle maker for thick waffles, Breville The No-Mess Waffle Maker might be the one. It has deep cooking plates which help you achieve those thick, fluffy waffles and even heat distribution technology to ensure your waffles are cooked evenly.
The Breville The No-Mess Waffle Maker has a handy light indicator that lets you know when the cooking plates have reached the optimum temperature, ready for your batter to be poured in. With its Thermal Pro Even Heat technology that distributes heat evenly across the cooking plates, you know you’ll have perfectly cooked thick waffles in no time.
This model comes with seven temperature settings for you to choose from to get a lighter waffle or a browner, crispier waffle. It takes the guesswork out of cooking your waffles to the right level of crisp.
Like the previous waffle maker, this one also comes with a moat that prevents drips from leaking out of the waffle maker and onto your kitchen countertop. Nobody likes a messy countertop, so this is a great feature.
3. Black+Decker Flip Waffle Maker
Rotate-and-cook design is great for Liege waffles
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The Back+Decker Flip Waffle Maker is one of the best waffle makers for Liege waffles because of the ability to flip it while cooking, ensuring that the sugar doesn’t pool on the bottom plate, and has a handle lock to ensure the dough is pressed and cooked.
As this waffle maker has deeper cooking plates for thicker waffles, the rotating design helps you get a more even cook on your waffles. The rotate-and-cook design almost makes it feel like you’re a professional, prepping waffles in a restaurant or cafe.
Given its rotating nature, the handle can be locked, preventing drips and leakages as you rotate the waffle maker. Naturally, the handle is cool-touch designed, so you don’t have to worry about burning yourself.
There’s also a useful light indicator that lets you know when you can pour your batter in.
The Back+Decker Flip Waffle Maker is a bit pricey considering that it’s not as versatile as some other options. However, if you’re main aim is to make Liege waffles, then this could be worth the investment.
4. Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker
Unique vertical design for even pouring
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The Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker is one of the best waffle makers for the home because of its unique vertical design. Its vertical design means that you can save precious space on your kitchen countertop as well as when you’re storing it.
There are also indicator lights, indicating both when the waffle maker is ready for your batter and when your waffle is ready to eat. That way you won't have to keep opening the lid to check and interrupting the cook. In terms of browning, it has five settings for you to choose from to get the preferred crisp level.
It comes with a measuring cup, which is always useful to have. One downside is that it can be a bit challenging at the start to gauge how much batter to pour in. However, with the measuring cup and the same batter recipe, you’ll easily get the hang of it in no time.
5. Cuisinart 4-slice Belgian Waffle Maker
Lets you know when your waffles are ready to eat
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The Cuisinart 4-slice Belgian Waffle Maker makes four decent-sized waffles at a time, which is great if you’re making waffles for several people as you can get more waffles out in a fraction of the time. It has cooking plates or baking plates that make Belgian waffles with those signature deep pockets, great for your sauce of choice.
There are also five settings that you can choose from to customise the level of browning on your waffle. This can be easily adjusted on the front of the waffle maker.
This waffle maker also has indicator lights that let you know when you can pour your batter in and when your waffle is ready to be taken out. This is a handy feature to have as it removes any guesswork from achieving the perfect waffles.
6. Breville Crisp Control Waffle Maker
Cook your waffles to perfection
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If you like to have complete control over how crisp and brown your waffles are, then the Breville Crisp Control Waffle Maker is a great choice. It has a wide variable temperature range that you can adjust to your liking, whether you like light and fluffy waffles or crispy and brown waffles.
It’s cooling plates are made of a durable cast aluminum which is long lasting and easy to clean. It also has light indicators that show when the waffle maker is in the midst of heating up and when it's ready for your batter.
It makes cute Scandinavian-style heart-shaped waffles which makes having waffles all the more fun. The only potential downside of this waffle maker is that it makes thinner waffles, but this is subjective, so if you love thin waffles then move this to your pros list!
Best For Chaffles
7. Dash Mini Waffle Maker
Versatile, great for whipping up chaffles in a jiffy
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The Dash Mini Waffle Maker is very versatile and is one of the best waffle makers for chaffles. It’s nonstick cooking plates and its compact design means it heats up quickly and you get chaffles that cook even faster.
It comes in a set of two - a waffle maker and a griddle, giving you even more bang for your buck. This gives you the option to cook a whole variety of things, from waffles, to chaffles, to pancakes, to eggs. That’s your whole gourmet brunch right there with just one waffle maker. It also comes with a recipe book, which will help you maximise your waffle maker and griddle to its full potential.
As it’s a mini waffle maker and griddle with plate sizes at just 4” in diameter, it means it heats up and is ready to go in just minutes. It’s easy to store and transport, which is not just great for the home but also the perfect option if you’ve got a camper van or RV. However, its size is also its downfall as that means you’ll need extra time to cook if you’re cooking for several people. Having said that, if you’ll mostly be cooking brunch for one, then the Dash Mini Waffle Maker is a fine choice.
8. Davis & Waddell Electric Non-Stick Waffle Maker
An affordable no-frills waffle maker
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The Davis & Waddell Electric Non-Stick Waffle Maker is a great choice if you’re looking for something a bit more affordable.
While it might not necessarily be as versatile as some other models, it still does a great job at making Belgian waffles. It has the requisite deep indentations for making Belgian waffles. There’s also a temperature control dial that allows you to customise how brown you want your waffles to be.
It’s made of stainless steel with aluminium nonstick coating, so you know it’s durable and should last a while. It’s nonstick coating also makes it easy to remove your waffle once it’s done and makes it easy to clean.
How to choose a waffle maker
Everyone probably has a preference on what kind of waffles they like and how they like it. The most common one is the Belgian waffle, with many waffle makers catered to that. However, there are also waffle makers that have options for making other types of waffles, if you have other preferences. Check out our list of considerations on what you might want to look out for in your next waffle maker purchase.
Type of waffles
Choose a waffle maker that’s geared towards the waffle style you like! That way, you can ensure that you get the perfect cook. Once you’ve decided on this, you can then decide on the type of waffle maker to go for. You’ve got many options to choose from like cast iron waffle makers, Belgian waffle makers, flip waffle makers or waffle stick makers, just to name a few.
For example, if you love Liege waffles, you should choose a waffle maker that can be rotated and has a heavy lid or a handle lock. This is because the sugar may pool at the bottom of the waffle maker if you can’t rotate it. Liege waffles are also made from dough instead of runnier batter, so a heavy lid or handle lock will help ensure that your waffle is pressed properly with the indentations and cooked evenly.
If you’re wanting to make gluten free waffles, you’ll need a waffle maker with a high heat setting as they tend to need to cook longer than traditional gluten waffle recipes. It’s best to choose a waffle maker that has an adjustable temperature dial.
Shape
This one also depends on the kind of waffles you’re making. If you’re into Belgian waffles, then you’ll want to look for a waffle maker with those distinctive deep grooves. If you prefer thinner waffles, then look for one with shallower cooking plates.
You can also find waffle makers that make waffles that are square, rectangle, circle or even heart-shaped.
Browning control
Some of us prefer light and fluffy waffles while others may prefer crispier and brown waffles. If you’re quite particular about this, look out for a waffle maker that has a wide temperature range that you can set to get the right level of browning on your waffles.
Size
If you’re planning on making waffles for several people, you’re going to want to go for a larger waffle maker that can make more than one waffle at a time. You don’t want to spend your whole brunch having to make waffles. If it’s just a waffle party for one, then you could go for a smaller one that can also help you save space.
Timer
If you don’t like having to watch the time while your waffles are cooking, choose a waffle maker that has a timer or a light indicator that lets you know when your waffle is done and ready to eat. If you prefer following your own specific timing, then this one isn’t an important one to consider.
Ease of cleaning and maintenance
Waffle making can get messy. Choose a waffle maker with a nonstick surface that will make cleaning a breeze. You can also find waffle makers with moats or drip trays that catches and cooks any excess batter. Some also have removable cooking plates, if you prefer to remove them for washing.
