Best waffle maker 2024: Enjoy warm, delicious waffles at any time of day

Neatly-sized, mess-free and quick to operate, getting the best waffle maker you can find will make whipping up tasty breakfast treats a doddle. Because, while breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day, nobody said it had to be the healthiest. Sometimes a tasty, syrup-soaked waffle is just what the doctor ordered, especially if it’s a special occasion.

There are a surprising number of waffle makers on the market, but choosing the right one isn’t always easy. Not all makers are made equal and some are more hassle than they’re worth. There are lots of features to consider and many models may appear very similar, which can lead to analysis paralysis. To help you sort the good from the bad, we’ve put together a handy buying guide to help find the right machine for you, as well as a list of our recommended waffle makers.

If you simply want to find out our top picks for perfect waffles, you can check our handy at-a-glance list just below.

Best waffle maker: At a glance

How to choose 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 waffles and American waffles (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, though: check the product dimensions as a larger machine normally means a larger breakfast.

How much should I spend on a waffle maker?

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.

READ NEXT: The best hand mixers for fluffy cakes and smooth batter

Is flip better than non-flip?

As a rule, a waffle maker that flips will produce a more perfectly cooked waffle because it spreads out the batter and cooks it evenly on both sides. These designs can take up more room, however, due to the large handle and drip-catcher tray.

What else should I look out for in a waffle maker?

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 waffle makers often lack these features so you’ll have to keep an eye on your waffles to make sure they don’t burn.

READ NEXT: Our pick of the best sandwich toasters

The best waffle makers to buy in 2024

1. VonShef Quad Belgian Waffle Maker: The best cheap quad-waffle maker

Price when reviewed: £28 | Check price at VonhausVonShef’s Quad Belgian Waffle Maker is perfect for anyone looking to product large batches of waffles without breaking the bank. Along with being compact, solidly put together and reasonably priced, it also heats up nice and quick, and while it doesn’t boast quite the fastest cooking times, it can make four tasty waffles at once, meaning you can knock up a whole stack of square waffles in about six minutes.

Despite the name, the waffles come out about half an inch thick, which makes them more American than Belgian style, but the taste and the fluffiness of texture are both top-notch. Plus, 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: 2mins; Cooking time: 4mins; Warranty: 2 years

2. Salter Deep Fill Waffle Maker: The best budget waffle maker

Price when reviewed: £22 | Check price at AmazonThis 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 also a range of recipes available for free on Salter’s website, for added waffle-making inspiration.

While it’s not the fastest machine on the market – expect overall cooking times of up to eight minutes – this is largely forgivable, as producing thicker, fluffier waffles will naturally take a little longer than cooking the thinner, crispier kind. One thing to note is 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.

Read our full Salter Deep Fill Waffle Maker review

Key specs – Type: Belgian; Flip: No; Size: 29 x 15 x 24cm; Weight: 2.11kg; Heating time: 3mins; Cooking time: 5mins; Warranty: N/A

3. Sage The No Mess Waffle Maker: The best waffle maker overall

Price when reviewed: £110 | Check price at SageThe most expensive waffle maker on our list but also the best, the Sage No Mess Waffle Maker is our top pick for true waffle aficionados. This waffle maker not only looks sleek and stylish but has a premium build quality, with its stainless steel body feeling incredibly sturdy. While it looks handsome on your countertop, it also has plenty of useful features, including a handle lock, which allows for compact, upright storage.

In use, the Sage No Mess Waffle Maker operates incredibly smoothly. The handle sits up and out from the main body, meaning that it doesn’t get hot during use. The appliance also lets out three audible beeps when it has reached temperature, and again when your waffles are finished cooking. The maker takes just three minutes to produce one large, four-segment waffle, with the machine’s temperature dial allowing you to customise the level of browning and crispness on the outside. Well-built and pleasant to use, this waffle maker will reliably produce nicely thick, tasty and customisable waffles for years to come.

Read of full Sage The No Mess Waffle Maker review

Key specs – Type: American; Flip: No; Size: 24 x 29 x 14.6cm; Weight: 3.2kg; Heating time: 5mins; Cooking time: 3mins; Warranty: 2 years

4. Lakeland No Mess Waffle Maker: The best waffle maker for families

Price when reviewed: £60 | Check price at LakelandA great option for families and busy households, the Lakeland No Mess Waffle Maker boasts a simple, sturdy design, a nicely speedy three minute heat-up time and the ability to make four waffles at a time. In testing, this waffle maker produced four outwardly crisp yet fluffy waffles in a matter of minutes, with its effective non-stick plates and smooth hinge operation making it a breeze to pop it open remove the waffles and start on a new batch.

Outside of producing quality waffles, this model’s key feature is its overflow channels. Two moat-like runnels sit beside the main aluminum plates, catching any excess batter which might otherwise spill out onto your countertop or gunk up the machine itself during cooking. These channels, along with the easily-wiped down non-stick plates, make the clean-up process quick and easy. If you’re looking for the simplest, most effective way to cook multiple batches of well-cooked waffles with minimal fuss, this is the option for you.

Read our full Lakeland No Mess Waffle Maker review

Key specs – Type: Belgium; Flip: No; Size: 28.5 x 31.5 x 11.5cm; Weight: 2.9kg; Heating time: 3mins; Cooking time: Variable; Warranty: 3 years

5. Global Gourmet Waffle Maker: The best single waffle maker

Price when reviewed: £27 | Check price at AmazonWhile it may not come with all the bells and whistles of a more expensive machine, the Global Gourmet is a dependable budget waffle maker that’s perfect if you just want to make a nice waffle as a treat once in a while. Moulded from stainless steel that’s coated in non-stick materials, the Global Gourmet is a pretty study waffle cooker and, at only 1.6kg, it doesn’t take up much counter space.

This waffle maker also has temperature dial to control the cooking temperature, so you can make your waffles more or less crispy, A rare feature for such a well-priced machine. Aside from that, it has a red notification light that lets you know when it’s ready to go, though there’s no automatic switch to turn off the Global Gourmet once the waffle is cooked, so be sure to keep an eye on it.

Key specs – Type: American; Flip: No; Size: 22.5 x 28.5 x 13.5cm; Weight: 1.6kg; Heating time: 2-3mins; Cooking time: 5mins; Warranty: N/A

6. Giles & Posner Bubble Waffle Maker: The best bubble waffle maker

Price when reviewed: £24 | Check price at VeryJump on the bubble waffle trend with this affordable and fun bubble waffle maker. After a four minute preheat, pour in your waffle batter and in just a few minutes you’ll have deliciously baked bubble waffles ready to be loaded with your favourite toppings.

Users recommend it for being quick and easy to use, as well as fun. The non-stick cooking plates keep cleaning to a minimum and the ready light ensures you don’t pour in your batter until it’s fully preheated. At under £25 this is a waffle maker that can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. It even comes with serving cones for that authentic street food experience.

Key specs – Type: Bubble; Flip: No; Size: 18.2 x 23.6 x 9,5cm; Weight: 1.55kg; Heating time: 4 minutes; Warranty: 1 year

Check price at Very