The Best Waffle Makers to Make Breakfast a Hit

If you’re looking for top-of-the-line, gourmet waffles at home for the family or a commercial waffle maker for a brunch party, look no further than the All-Clad line. If you’re wondering, the name refers to the fact that their products are all sturdily built with steel cladding, meaning this waffle iron doesn’t have the cheap material and feel that many others have. It doesn’t have a cheap price either.

And while it’s countertop footprint is not that much bigger than other 4-square waffle makers (clocking in at 15″ x 11″ x 5″), it is heavy, weighing 12 lbs. This weight may make it cumbersome to constantly stow away and take out, but it’s wide footprint might also make it difficult to keep on a countertop.

Despite these setbacks, the All-Clad delivers consistent quality, with 7 different  customizable settings depending on how crispy you prefer your waffles. The plates aren’t removable, but are nonstick, meaning just seasoning with spray before pouring in batter will ensure a quick and easy clean-up, while the drip tray will prevent your better from flooding and making a bigger mess or uneven waffle. LED lights indicate when your iron has finished preheating and when your waffles are ready to eat.

The reason we chose this as the best overall despite what may seem to be some inconvenient setbacks, is for the quality and consistency of results, while serving many diners. If you don’t envision yourself getting use of all 4 waffle plates because your household isn’t that full or it’s just for personal use, they also have a 2-Slice Compact Belgian Waffle Maker and a single, round Classic Waffle Maker if you’re not fond of belgian waffles. If you’re looking for a more personal-use waffle press or you don’t need the convenience of making many waffles at once, keep reading below.

This vertical waffle maker by National Presto will bake a thick, 7-inch waffle with extra deep pockets, perfect for holding ample amounts of syrup and toppings. If you’re curious what you gain from flipping your waffle maker, it evenly distributes the batter so you don’t have any holes or uncooked spots in the centre. It also makes for easier storage, as your waffle iron can just be tucked into your cabinet with a smaller footprint if that’s what you prefer.

With a ceramic coated plate, clean up is easy. And the reviews are near unanimous in saying that this is a goof-proof iron that gives consistent results. It has a built-in timer on the base so you can make your waffles more or less crispy.

This adorably-sized waffle maker is perfect for the dorm room, for kids or for the lone bruncher who wants something more than an Eggo waffle. With a low price-tag and wide range of colours and waffle designs available at your disposal this cute li’l waffle maker will put a smile on your face. So long as it’s been properly seasoned before use, wiping it clean is simple enough.

However, it’s very much a ‘you get what you pay for’ product. There’s no spill protection if you flood it with batter, nor is there a timer letting you know how long to keep your waffles in the press. Despite this, it’s still provides you with a servicable waffle at a quarter of the price of other models, and around half the space.

This is a pretty similar option to the Dash mini iron above in terms of the price tag and bells and whistles. The difference between this and others on the list is this makes waffle sticks, not whole waffles; the perfect snack for kids!

If you’re not fond of the deep wells or pillowy texture of a belgian waffle and prefer a thin, crispy wafer similar to an Eggo, then a classic waffle maker is for you.

This Cuisinart classic waffle maker will give you a thinner, round waffle if that’s your preference, with an additional 5 settings to adjust how crispy you want your waffle. It has two indicator lights, one for when it’s preheated and another when your waffle is done, which you’ll be surprised how many waffle irons don’t have that.

However, many users found that the exterior cladding of this waffle maker is very cheap and plasticky. Since it has mid-range pricetag, if the material is a dealbreaker for you, you may want to make a bigger investment for something with a sturdier build.

If you go camping often and want to make a top woodland breakfast, then opt for a cast iron waffle maker so you can put it directly over a fire or a gas stove. Of all the other cast iron pans, this one got the acclaim on its ease of use and sturdiness. The one consistent complaint is the iron comes in a parafin wax coating to prevent rust which users found difficult to remove. For the record, heat up the pan and then season and repeat until the wax is removed.

It makes thin waffles that take a bit of trial and error to find the optimal batter amount, timing and temperature to get your waffles perfect and ensure they won’t stick. But that’s part of the magic of analog cooking.

If you want to recreate your favourite Hong Kong desert from home, look no further than this bubble waffle pan. It’s an analog waffle maker (meaning you put it on your heat element, it doesn’t cook automatically). This model comes with a cookbook so you can try to make some of your own sweet treats.