The Best Waffle Makers for 2026: Cuisinart, Breville, All-Clad and More
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
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A great waffle is crisp outside, tender inside and deep enough in its pockets to hold syrup. Getting there depends on the machine: plates that run hot and recover quickly, room for steam to escape, and a way to spread batter to the edges without overflow.
We built this guide from three test kitchens. Serious Eats tested 21 waffle makers with boxed mix, a steam-leavened buttermilk batter and, for finalists, a yeasted batter, and measured plate temperatures with an infrared thermometer. Good Housekeeping’s Kitchen & Cooking Lab has tested more than 45 waffle makers and made more than 450 batches over a decade. The Spruce Eats tested 19 models with yeasted and non-yeasted batters. We haven’t tested these ourselves.
Quick answer: for thick Belgian waffles, Serious Eats’ long-time favorite is the Cuisinart WAF-F4 Double Flip. For crisp, thinner American-style waffles without the mess, the Breville No-Mess is Good Housekeeping’s best overall and Serious Eats’ American-style pick. For big brunches, the All-Clad 4-Square makes four at a time.
Our picks at a glance
| Waffle maker | Style | Capacity | Who recommends it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart WAF-F4 Double Flip | Belgian, flip | 2 round | Serious Eats: best Belgian | Fluffy Belgian waffles, fast |
| Breville No-Mess | American | 1 round | Good Housekeeping: best overall; Serious Eats: best American-style | Crisp waffles, no drips |
| All-Clad 4-Square Digital Gourmet | Belgian, square | 4 square | Serious Eats: best smart; GH: best large | Families and brunch hosts |
| Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4-Slice | Belgian, square | 4 square | Serious Eats: excellent smart pick | Custom settings |
| Black+Decker Double Flip | Belgian, flip | 2 round | Serious Eats: great Belgian value | Flip results for less |
| Cuisinart WAF-200 4-Slice Belgian | Belgian, square | 4 square | The Spruce Eats: best overall | Simple, easy-clean batches |
| Krups 4-Slice Belgian | Belgian, square | 4 square | Serious Eats: best budget | Removable plates |
| Chefman Anti-Overflow Belgian | Belgian | 1 round | Good Housekeeping: best value | Mess-free on a budget |
| Ninja NeverStick PRO Belgian | Belgian, vertical | 1 | Good Housekeeping: best space-saving | Small kitchens |
| Dash Mini | Mini | 1 (4-inch) | Serious Eats and GH: best mini | Kids, dorms, travel |
Prices change often; check the current price before you buy.
How we chose
We prioritized models that won or placed in more than one test, then weighed waffle quality (browning, crispness and fluffiness), speed and recovery between batches, mess control, useful settings and alerts, cleanup and storage. Where labs disagreed or only one tested a model, we say so.
What the testers learned
Belgian vs. American. Serious Eats explains that Belgian waffles are thicker thanks to deeper grids and are often yeasted, while American waffles are thinner and more cake-like, leavened with baking powder.
Flipping helps thick batter. Thicker batters don’t spread on their own; rotating machines like the Cuisinart Double Flip push batter to the edges for even, photo-ready waffles.
Steam is the secret. Serious Eats found that non-yeasted batters rely on steam to get fluffy, so machines that trap steam make dense, soggy waffles.
Heavier plates recover faster. Machines with heftier plates held heat between batches, so you can serve a crowd faster.
Moats prevent messes. Both Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping loved overflow trenches; the Breville’s was so deep Serious Eats couldn’t make it drip even when overfilling on purpose.
The best waffle makers
1. Cuisinart WAF-F4 Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker: best Belgian waffle maker
Best for: lovers of tall, fluffy Belgian waffles.
Serious Eats has recommended it since 2018 and says it still reigns supreme: divinely fluffy waffles, two at a time, with batter flowing to the edges when flipped. Waffles were consistently done in about three minutes, one batch in 2:54. The plates aren’t removable, so cleaning means working into the crevices, and it’s bulky to store.
Pros
- Two waffles at once
- Fast cook and reheat
- Even edge-to-edge results
Cons
- Fixed plates
- Bulky
2. Breville No-Mess Waffle Maker: best American-style
Best for: crisp, diner-style waffles with zero cleanup.
Good Housekeeping’s best overall produced evenly browned waffles with seven darkness levels, three loud ready beeps, a lid lock and cord storage; the moat did an excellent job of stopping overflow. Its preheat was one of the longest in GH’s test, which contributed to even cooking. Serious Eats agrees: thin and crispy but never brittle waffles, under-two-minute reheat, and a trench that never dripped.
Pros
- Deep overflow moat
- Even browning
- Lid lock, cord storage
Cons
- One waffle at a time
- Slightly bulky
3. All-Clad 4-Square Digital Gourmet Waffle Maker: best for crowds
Best for: families and brunch hosts.
Serious Eats says it consistently turned out some of the best waffles in its tests. At 1,600 watts it was the steamiest of the bunch, giving crispy, fluffy batches, though running it alongside another machine tripped a breaker. Good Housekeeping picked it as best large, praising six cook settings, seven shades and removable plates that make cleanup easy, but noting homemade waffles stuck more than boxed and the ready beep was too quiet. It’s over $300.
Pros
- Four waffles at once
- Removable plates
- Excellent results
Cons
- Expensive
- Quiet alerts
- Power-hungry
4. Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4-Slice: best smart alternative
Best for: tech lovers who want presets.
Serious Eats found it hard to choose between this and the All-Clad. It has specialty settings including buttermilk and chocolate, a strong front steam vent, a lock, a deep trench and an “A Bit More” button, and at 1,800 watts it was the most powerful on Serious Eats’ list. The plates aren’t removable, and it’s one of the priciest models.
Pros
- Powerful, steamy
- Smart presets
- Deep trench
Cons
- Fixed plates
- Expensive
5. Black+Decker Double Flip Waffle Maker: best Belgian value
Best for: flip-style results for much less.
Serious Eats says it looks and acts like the Cuisinart Double Flip, making two round Belgian waffles with remarkably even color, crisp outsides and pillowy insides, for about a third of the price. It has a plastic exterior, lower wattage and no browning control.
Pros
- Even browning
- Two at once
- Affordable
Cons
- No shade settings
- Less sturdy
6. Cuisinart WAF-200 4-Slice Belgian: best simple four-slice
Best for: everyday family breakfasts.
The Spruce Eats’ top pick after testing 19 models is simple to use, easy to clean and makes beautiful quartered waffles quickly. The Spruce Eats’ budget pick is the Cuisinart Classic Round, which Serious Eats also calls its best no-frills Cuisinart, with excellent nonstick release and browning settings.
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Four waffles per batch
Cons
- Fewer features than smart models
7. Krups 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker: best budget four-slice
Best for: removable plates under $100.
Serious Eats likens its square waffles to a famous diner chain’s: thin but chewy. Removable plates, cord storage and locking handles are unusual at this price. Plates heated less consistently than premium models, batches took about seven to eight minutes, and it feels cheaper.
Pros
- Removable plates
- Four at once
- Cord storage
Cons
- Slow
- Less even heat
8. Chefman Anti-Overflow Belgian: best value
Best for: mess-free waffles on a budget.
Good Housekeeping’s value pick brings the Breville’s best feature, an overflow channel, at a lower price. Waffles were moist and well browned, though crispness needed higher settings. Testers praised the nonstick surface, and it has a latch and cord wrap.
Pros
- Overflow channel
- Indicator light
- Affordable
Cons
- Longer cook for crispness
9. Ninja NeverStick PRO Belgian: best space-saver
Best for: small kitchens.
Good Housekeeping’s vertical pick takes batter through the top with an included spouted cup, uses less counter space and produced crisp, fluffy waffles that didn’t stick. There’s a learning curve: underfill and you get holes, overfill and you get a “handle.” Five shade settings worked as expected.
Pros
- Small footprint
- Didn’t stick
Cons
- Filling takes practice
Also worth knowing
For tiny kitchens and kids, both Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping like the Dash Mini (about 4-inch waffles; Serious Eats notes its 420 watts won’t make deeply burnished waffles). For a stovetop option, Serious Eats recommends the responsive cast-aluminum Nordic Ware Stovetop Belgian Waffler and its heart-shaped Sweetheart Waffler. Good Housekeeping also likes the Presto FlipSide, which stores upright.
How to choose a waffle maker
- Style: choose Belgian (deep pockets) or American (thinner, crisper). Some households want both.
- Capacity: single round machines suit couples; four-square models make brunch for a crowd faster.
- Mess control: look for a moat or trench, or a flip design with a good seal.
- Controls: Serious Eats recommends five or more darkness settings and loud, hard-to-miss ready alerts.
- Plates: heavier plates recover heat faster; removable plates make cleaning easier but aren’t essential.
- Power: high-wattage machines cook fast but can trip a breaker if they share a circuit with another big appliance.
Tips for better waffles
Preheat fully, measure batter instead of eyeballing it, and don’t open the lid early. Skip cooking spray on nonstick plates: Serious Eats says it builds up into gunk that ruins the nonstick surface. To free a stuck waffle, use chopsticks or a silicone spatula, never metal. Keep finished waffles crisp on a rack in a low oven, and set out toppings with coffee from our best drip coffee makers or juice from our best juicers picks.
FAQ
Is a waffle maker the same as a waffle iron?
Yes. Serious Eats notes the term comes from the cast iron plates older machines used.
Which is better, a flip or a non-flip waffle maker?
Flip machines spread thick Belgian and yeasted batters more evenly; non-flip machines with moats work well for thinner American batter.
Do I need cooking spray?
Not on nonstick plates; it builds up over time. A light brush of oil on uncoated stovetop irons is different.
How do I clean a waffle maker?
Let it cool, wipe the plates with a damp cloth or soft brush, and wash removable plates according to the manual.
The bottom line
For Belgian waffles, the Cuisinart Double Flip is the proven favorite, with the Black+Decker Double Flip as the bargain. For crisp American waffles and no cleanup, buy the Breville No-Mess. If you host brunch, the All-Clad 4-Square is worth the splurge.
