Breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day, but nobody said it had to be the healthiest. Waffles are a delicious treat – and while they may not be as good for you as a bowl of muesli, the right recipe can make them a savoury and nutritious feast.
There are a surprising number of waffle makers on the market, however, and choosing the right one isn’t easy. There are lots of features to consider, and many models may appear very similar, which can lead to analysis paralysis. Here’s our handy guide to finding the right machine for you, to turn your waffle house into a waffle home.
How to buy the best waffle maker for you
Before you get stuck into specifications and prices, consider what type of waffle you want to make. There are two basic styles of waffle: Belgian and American (sometimes called “classic”). The Belgian-style waffle is thicker than its American counterpart, with a fluffier, more absorbent texture and deeper syrup traps. The American waffle tends to be thinner, denser, crispier, and not quite as permeable to syrup.
What features should I look for in a waffle maker?
Whichever sort of waffle you want to make, a Teflon coating is a must, to ensure that your waffles don’t get stuck to the cooking plates. This would ruin your breakfast and drag out the cleaning process – which is why we’ve only included non-stick models in our list.
Another thing to consider is the shape. Some waffle makers produce squares, while some make rectangular waffles, and others circular. Most models produce a single waffle at a time, but if you have a large family or frequently entertain guests then it makes sense to go for a machine that makes two or more waffles at a time. Single machines can produce quite generously-sized waffles, however: check the product dimensions, as a larger machine normally means a larger breakfast.
How much should I spend?
You can get a good waffle maker for £30 or less – but upmarket models may cost closer to £50, and you’ll pay a steep £149 for the feature-packed Sage by Heston Blumenthal Smart Waffle Maker. Cheaper options tend to have fewer customisation options and can be less efficient in terms of heating and cooking time. They may be less well made too. Spend a little more and you can fine-tune your waffle browning, and also receive both visual and audible alerts to inform you that the cooking is done.
Is flip better than non-flip?
As a rule, a waffle maker that flips will produce a more perfectly cooked waffle, as it spreads out the batter and cooks it evenly on both sides. These designs can take up more room however, because of the large handle and drip-catcher tray.
What else should I look out for?
Check the overall cooking time (the time it takes the waffle maker to heat up and cook the batter), as some machines are much faster than others. Look out for ease of cleaning too: many waffle makers have removable plates that can be placed in the dishwasher, while some have to be scrubbed clean.
A final thing to consider is notifications. waffle makers don’t just turn off like a toaster; you might need to look out for a light, or listen out for a sound to tell you that your breakfast is cooked. Cheaper machines often lack these features, so you’ll have to keep an eye on your waffles to make sure they don’t burn.
The best waffle makers to buy in 2018
1. Salter Deep Fill Waffle Maker: Best-value double-waffle maker
Price when reviewed:£25 | Buy now from Amazon
This low-cost machine makes two thick, square Belgian waffles at a time. And we mean thick: its non-stick cooking plates produce waffles that are, according to the manufacturer, up to three times the thickness of regular waffles. There’s a useful recipe booklet thrown in too, for added inspiration.
It’s not the fastest machine on the market, however – expect overall cooking times of up to eight minutes. And note that there’s no light or sound to let you know when your waffles are fully cooked, so you’ll have to set a timer, or go by sight and smell.
Key specs – Type: Belgian; Flip: No; Size: 29 x 15 x 24cm; Weight: 2.11kg; Heating time: 3 min; Cooking time: 5min; Warranty: N/A
2. Sage by Heston Blumenthal Smart Waffle Maker: Most versatile waffle maker
Price when reviewed:£159 | Buy now from Amazon
This luxury waffle maker is certainly expensive, but its sophisticated array of features might prove irresistible to waffle fanatics. It reflects TV chef Heston Blumenthal’s flair for creativity, with four main cooking modes to suit different batter types and further adjustments for each. You can even create your own custom waffle setting – and the ideal cooking time will be automatically calculated.
It’s an unusually heavy machine, but it’s sturdy too, and makes a stylish addition to the kitchen. In all, it’s the golden syrup standard of waffle makers – and in our view the waffles it produces are better than you’ll get in most restaurants.
Key specs – Type: Multiple (Belgian, American and more); Flip: No; Size: 29 x 14 x 30cm; Weight: 6kg; Heating time: 3 min; Cooking time: 3-5 min (dependent on settings); Warranty: 1 year
3. Cuisinart WMR-CA Round Classic Waffle Maker: Best budget waffle maker
Price when reviewed:£23 | Buy now from Cuisinart
This waffle maker is not only cheap – it’s also the lightest and most compact of our top picks. That means it won’t dominate your worktop, and can be easily packed away into a cupboard when not in use. And the waffles it produces are a match for much pricier machines, making it a firm favourite of discerning breakfasters.
Overall cooking time is just a touch slower than Oster Flip, but like that machine the WMR-CA has convenient “ready to cook” and “ready to eat” indicator lights – and it cooks waffles impressively evenly without needing a flip. The only catch is that it appears to be sold out in the UK at present (surely a good sign?), so you might have to factor in international shipping costs.
Key specs – Type: American; Flip: No; Size: 21 x 27 x 10cm; Weight: 1.75kg; Heating time: 3min; Cooking time: 3 min; Warranty: N/A
4. VonShef Quad Belgian Waffle Maker: Best for families
Price when reviewed:£30 | Buy now from Amazon
VonShef’s Quad Belgian Waffle Maker is perfect for those with multiple hungry mouths to feed. It heats up quickly, and while it doesn’t boast quite the fastest cooking times, it makes four waffles at once, so you can knock up a whole stack of square waffles in about six minutes.
Despite the name, the waffles themselves come out about half an inch thick, which makes them more American than Belgian, but the taste and the fluffiness of texture are both top notch. And an unusually generous two-year warranty gives reassurance that this machine will keep cranking out waffles for a long time to come.
Key specs – Type: Belgian; Flip: No; Size: 32 x 24 x 10cm; Weight: 2.2kg; Heating time: 2 min; Cooking time: 4 min; Warranty: 2 years
5. Cuisinart WAF-300 Belgian Waffle Maker: Best multi-purpose waffle maker
Price when reviewed:£53 | Buy now from Amazon.com
If you’re looking for a do-everything waffle maker, this is the one to choose. All right, it can’t bring you breakfast in bed, but it does double up as a griddle, so in addition to making four waffles at once, it can also cook pancakes, eggs, and even sausage patties – so you can whip up an entire cooked breakfast without needing to touch the stove.
It also has removable cooking plates for an easy clean-up job, six heat settings and an audible alert when cooking is done, so you can go about your morning routine without having to worry about burning your waffles. Unsurprisingly, though, it’s more expensive than more straightforward waffle makers, and heat-up and cooking times are on the slow side.
Key specs – Type: Belgian; Flip: No; Size: 24.5 x 31 x 16cm; Weight: 3.73kg; Heating time: 4 min; Cooking time: 5 min; Warranty: N/A
