We Tested 19 Waffle Makers—Here Are Our Top Picks

Our Top Pick

Cuisinart 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker

$60 at Amazon $12 at Walmart $60 at Sur La Table

The Cuisinart 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker won our top spot after earning a nearly perfect rating in our kitchen tests. Not only did this model heat up in a snap and consistently produce a golden-brown crust with a fluffy center, but it also had zero spillage.

The waffle maker has nonstick-coated plates for smooth release, a brushed stainless steel cover that looks nice and cleans easily, and an arched handle for effortless lifting. If making waffles sounds intimidating, don't worry—this model makes the process a breeze. There are red and green lights that indicate when the plates are hot and when the waffle is fully cooked; it even makes a beeping noise in case you've stepped away. To achieve your ideal doneness, it features a turn dial with six browning settings, but we found that the medium and high settings were the most successful for toasty brown results.

The only con we noted was that it's a bit bulky; however, you can turn it on its side for easy storage. Overall, this waffle maker is great for beginners and provides consistent results for a reasonable price.

The Details: Measures 10 x 8.5 x 4.5 inches; 800 watts; 3-year warranty

Best Budget

Cuisinart Classic Waffle Maker

$30 $23 at Amazon $30 at Target $30 at Wayfair

Cuisinart wins again with its more affordable classic waffle maker as our best budget pick. For a fraction of the cost of other models, this waffle maker is easy to use and store, and gets the job done right.

Like our top pick, this budget-conscious option heats and cooks quickly and has indicator lights, so you know when to add batter and remove cooked waffles. The difference between the two devices is that this waffle maker doesn't beep when the waffle is done cooking, and the results aren't quite as praise-worthy. While the batter distributed nicely, we noted uneven browning with a darker center and pale edges. It's not necessarily a deal-breaker, especially for the low price, but it was one of the main reasons it didn't beat the more expensive model.

The waffle maker has five browning settings for customizable cooking, and the plates feature one-inch deep pockets—perfect for holding syrup. For fuss-free storage, it can stand up on countertops or in cabinets, and its cord wraps around the base for extra organization.

The Details: Measures 9.69 x 7.88 x 3.31 inches; 850 watts; 3-year warranty

Best for Groups

Crux Belgian Waffle Maker

$182 at Amazon

This 1400-watt rotating waffle maker whips up waffles at a rapid pace thanks to its double-capacity design. In fact, the manufacturer claims it can produce eight in just 10 minutes, making it an excellent choice for those preparing brunch for large crowds.

Not only did we love its fast cooking capabilities, but we also appreciated its sleek design and easy cleanup. This model's special features include a drip tray, preheating and doneness indicators, and six heat settings. It even comes with a premeasured cup, so your batter will distribute evenly and won't spill over the edge. But if you do happen to pour too much, the waffle maker's drip tray is there to catch any spills.

We noted the different number of beeps it made for when it turns on, when it's time to add batter, and when the waffle is done cooking, which is especially helpful for multitasking hosts. The resulting waffles were super even and came out beautifully from either side of the waffle maker, while the texture was crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.

The Details: Measures 15.15 x 9.44 x 8.14 inches; 1400 watts; 3-year warranty

Best for Kids

Disney Mickey Mouse Waffle Maker

$88 at Amazon $16 at Walmart View on Shopdisney.com

Your kids will think you are some sort of a magician when they see Mickey's face on their plates, but the truth is that this waffle maker is extremely quick and easy (your secret is safe with us).

The waffle maker has two sides featuring three Mickey face molds so that you can make six waffles at once. We love the double-sided design on this model because it allows you to churn out large quantities in so little time, meaning you can use it on busy weekday mornings and at sleepovers for hungry guests. The Mickey faces are about 3 inches wide, so each person will most likely eat more than one or two waffles.

During our tests, we found that the machine rotates easily, the waffles release well from the iron, and the handle stays cool. It has an on/off switch and a turn dial that can be adjusted from light to dark, depending on how brown you want the waffles to be. However, the heat settings can be inconsistent, so it might take a few tries to see which one works best.

The Details: Measures 4 x 8 x 8 inches; 1400 watts; 1-year warranty

Best Design

Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker

$60 at Amazon $12 at Walmart $60 at Macys

As the third Cuisinart model on our list, it's safe to say that this brand knows how to build quality waffle makers, and this one stands out from the rest because of its unique vertical design. It sits upright on your countertop and features a spout at the top where you'll add the batter, ensuring you won't have any spillage.

This waffle maker has a control knob with five heat settings and red and green indicator lights to let you know when it's done preheating. After you add your batter, the green light turns off and then back on when the waffle is ready to serve. One thing to note about the vertical design is that your cooked waffle will have an extra section from the batter being cooked in the spout area. We found that section was slightly less cooked than the rest of the waffle but still done enough to eat. Before your first use, make sure to season the nonstick plates.

The Details: Measures 8 x 13 x 15 inches; 800 watts; 3-year warranty

Best Mini

DASH Mini Waffle Maker - Heart

$10 at Amazon $10 at Williams Sonoma View on Bydash.com

There are many reasons to love this mini waffle maker. The price is chief among them, but its tiny size is also ideal for small-space living. Whether you are using it in a dorm, the office, or a small kitchen, the Dash Mini Waffle Maker is easy to use and store. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors and shapes, so you can choose one that suits your style. We especially love the heart shape for making waffles with a lot of love on Valentine's Day (or any day).

We recommend this waffle maker for preparing waffle sandwiches, single servings, and dessert waffles. The machine has a blue light to signal when it's done preheating, but it doesn't have browning settings or a doneness indicator. However, we found that it produced evenly cooked waffles in just three minutes after preheating for a little over two minutes. If you're looking for a no-frills, no-fuss waffle maker, this budget-conscious model is a winner.

The Details: Measures 6.4 x 5 x 2.8 inches; 350 watts; 1-year warranty

Best Splurge

Breville The Smart Waffle Pro

$220 at Sur La Table $220 at Williams Sonoma

If you're willing to invest, look no further than the Smart Waffle Pro from Breville. We were blown away by this model's amazing extra features and awarded it perfect scores for design, performance, and ease of cleaning. It's outfitted with a menu dial that lets you select from four different types of waffles (this is merely an indicator of how long something will cook by default), but the control dial can let you zero in on more precise cooking with 12 temperature settings.

While your waffle cooks, the device's smart technology can automatically adjust cooking time if it senses your waffle is baking faster or slower. You can lock the lid in place so that the batter doesn't push the lid up while it bakes and a moat around the waffle wells will catch any runover. If you open the lid to see your waffle isn't quite as brown as you'd hoped, close it and press Breville's patented "A Bit More" button for a little extra cooking.

You can buy the Smart Waffle Pro in four-slice and two-slice sizes—they both make robust 1-inch thick waffles. The PFOA-free nonstick lining makes cleanup as easy as a wipe with a warm towel.

The Details: Measures 14.9 x 12.3 x 5.1 inches; 1800 watts; 1-year warranty