3 Top Waffle Makers (and How to Keep a Waffle Maker Clean)

With a waffle maker, whipping up a fresh batch of delicious treats is easy, fast, and convenient. Yet, with so many makes and models to choose from, how do you pick the best waffle maker?

In addition, you can use some models to make quesadillas, omelets, and countless other dishes. Taking into account ease of use, appearance, and more, here’s a closer look at a carefully considered list of three of today’s top waffle makers.

The Breville Smart Waffle Pro is a versatile option and ranked as the best overall waffle maker.

Breville manufacturers a variety of waffle makers boasting among the best non-stick coatings on the market. The Smart Waffle Pro continues to attract praise from dedicated waffle lovers like top food writer and recipe developer Daniel Shumski. Shumski, the author of Will It Waffle?, recently placed the Smart Waffle Pro among his favorite waffle irons in a piece for Wirecutter.

Features include intelligent automation that dials in cooking times to perfectly suit Belgian, classic, chocolate and various other styles of waffle. There’s also a handy browning control that perfectly crisps up waffles to an individual’s liking from light to dark with a dozen different settings.

The Breville Smart Waffle Pro costs $199.95 from retailers.

Next, and at just $59.95, is the Cuisinart 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker. Although this waffle iron costs significantly less than the previous option, Cuisinart’s offering can produce similarly delicious waffles, albeit with less of the tech afforded to buyers of the far costlier Breville alternative.

While it’s not the cheapest waffle iron out there by any means, it performs well ahead of more basic entry-level models. It’s also nicely put together and looks the part, finished in stainless steel with a chrome-plated handle. The Cuisinart 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker is fully adjustable, and an indicator light suggests when waffles should be cooked to perfection.

Waffles are a perfect snack or treat, and mini irons like the Nostalgia MyMini Personal Electric Waffle Maker are a great way to quickly whip up a single waffle in minutes.

The ultra-compact MyMini Personal Electric Waffle Maker makes tasty five-inch waffles and heats up in as little as 60 seconds. While it won’t win any awards for versatility, it serves its purpose exceptionally well. Best of all, the MyMini Personal Electric Waffle Maker from Nostalgia costs just $19.99.

Its pale turquoise finish also adds a cute splash of color to what’s a generally bland line-up of primarily black, white, and silver waffle makers from other kitchen appliance manufacturers.

Careful cleaning is arguably the best way to extend the life of any waffle iron. Thankfully, the latest waffle makers are easier to clean than ever. In many cases, it’s as straightforward as following just a few simple steps.

Once a waffle maker has cooled down, use a paper towel to wipe away any crumbs or soak up any oil on the plates. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe all of the cooking surfaces.

More often than not, this is all the cleaning that’s required, especially where a waffle iron has a good quality non-stick coating.

If a waffle maker has removable plates, these can be taken off for a deeper clean. This process invariably makes the cleaning process easier. However, even with the plates removed, don’t be tempted to use harsh detergents. Doing this can damage a waffle iron’s non-stick surfaces.

You can soak the plates in warm, slightly soapy water. Afterward, remember to let them dry completely before fitting them back to the machine and putting the waffle iron away.

Remember to also clean off any drips from around the side of a waffle iron. You should also wipe the cord. This will help keep it in the best shape, hopefully safeguarding against the potential for damage in the future.

Similarly, don’t forget to lightly oil the cooking surfaces before each use. A light coating of oil prevents unnecessary sticking and, crucially, makes cleaning a machine’s plates easier.

To keep your waffle iron in the best shape, consider purchasing a waffle maker warranty from Upsie. Upsie’s warranties protect against mechanical issues, manufacturing defects, and more.

Furthermore, Upsie offers comprehensive waffle iron warranties that cost up to 70% less than coverage sold by other retailers and warranty providers. For example, a waffle iron warranty costs as little as $4.99 for two years of coverage. In addition, Upsie’s warranties have no deductible and include access to fast, local repairs.