12 Best Waffle Makers for a Better Breakfast in 2025

News.com.au

22-04-2025

There's a reason why breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, and as Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation says, 'Why would anyone ever eat anything besides breakfast food?'
Sure, you could opt for something nutritious to start your day, but for a morning treat, a stack of waffles just can't be beaten.
Unlike making a crepe or pancake, to whip up irresistibly fluffy and golden waffles you really do need a waffle maker.
So if you want to surprise mum on Mother's Day with breakfast in bed (or need to give a few hints to the kids), now is the time to buy one.
There are multiple waffle makers on the market, but our favourite is the Smart Waffle by Breville. This is the ultimate high tech appliance with all the bells and whistles you could imagine, and it makes delicious waffles for everyone in the family, with 12 browning presets and six waffle settings.
We also love the Duraprès Fill N' Flip, which works as a classic waffle maker, or you can make mouth-watering stuffed waffles. The Breville Crisp Control is another great option to cater for all tastebuds, including those who like them soft and fluffy and others who want a crunch.
To help you pick the perfect waffle maker, we've tested some of the best on the market and curated our favourites. Read on to find one to suit you and your kitchen.
OUR TOP PICKS
Best waffle makers
What You Need To Know
Topping our list is one of the most advanced appliances you can have in your kitchen: the Smart Waffle by Breville. Using Waffle iQ technology, it automatically determines how long it needs to cook based on the waffle type and browning settings you choose, and it will give you a countdown on the LCD screen.
You can set your waffle machine to 12 browning levels and choose to make a classic, Belgian, chocolate or buttermilk waffle, or customise your own recipe. This gives you 60 waffle combinations.
It is surrounded by a No Mess Moat so if any batter spills over it won't cover your countertop. Plus, the thermal pro heating evenly heats the plates so the sides of your waffles won't be overcooked and the middle won't be raw.
Like most Breville appliances, it is also built with an 'A Bit More' button, so you can brown it that extra bit longer without having to restart the machine.
Boasting an average 4.8-star rating on Amazon, plenty of shoppers think this Breville waffle maker is more than worth the price.
'So in love with this machine. Makes really great waffles and clean up is super easy,' raves one shopper. They went on to say, 'I was hesitant at first to buy because of the price tag but I feel like it was worth the investment. You can also use it for other things – not just waffles – in order to get the most use of the appliance.'
'Heats up quickly, releases the waffles without a single spot of sticking.'
Duraprès Fill N' Flip Waffle Maker. Picture: Rosalyn Fannin/checkout
shop now at the good guys
Tried and Tested by Rosalyn Fannin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I'm normally a pancake person – they're simple, quick, filling and you don't need a special machine to make one. But after trying the Duraprès Fill N' Flip, I don't think I'll be going back.
This compact waffle maker does double duty, cooking both a regular waffle and stuffed waffle. Making the traditional waffle was easy enough – just fill the well, close the lid, flip, serve when finished and it's job done. But I was surprised how easy it is to make stuffed waffles.
It's pretty much the same process, except for placing the 'waffle ring' on top of the bottom plate. I filled the bottom well with the usual amount, dolloped some Nutella and then covered it with more batter. The end result was AMAZING!
I also tried a savoury ham and cheese stuffed waffle as a lunchtime treat, and it delivered. The waffle was cooked to perfection, and the cheese was ooey, gooey and delicious. I'm all set for my next batch of waffles, as the maker comes with a recipe for original waffles, red velvet waffles and pizza waffles!
It did take a little bit of trial and error. I found that flipping the maker straight away rather than letting it cook initially on the first side resulted in them being a bit lopsided. Greasing the top plate with butter was also a bit tricky at first. But once you get the hang of it and you follow your recipe, you'll make your new favourite meal in no time.
My only real criticism is the lack of a timer. There is a light indicator on both sides, but there's no indication when it's time to flip or when it's finished cooking. The manual recommends using a separate kitchen timer, so having one on the machine would have made life a bit easier.
Nevertheless, this waffle maker served up some amazingly delicious plain and stuffed waffles. And while it can easily fit in my kitchen cabinets, I think the Fill N' Flip will take up permanent residency on the countertop.
21% OFF
What You Need To Know
Producing five traditional heart-shaped Scandinavian waffles, the Crisp Control by Breville is the perfect appliance to suit everyone's tastebuds.
The variable temperature controls let you choose from multiple darkness settings – there are 25 levels. So if you prefer your waffles crispy but someone else likes them fluffy and another is somewhere in the middle, everyone is catered for.
It also gives you some leeway to experiment with different waffle recipes and textures to find which setting satisfies your sweet tooth and what works best for savoury meals.
Tried and Tested by Kara Byers, eCommerce Content Lead
We're a family of waffle lovers, but because we all like them cooked differently - and have limited space in our kitchen - buying a waffle maker always felt just a bit too hard. Until this nifty little number caught my eye - lovely looking, compact, PFOA-free and with a variety of cook settings - ideal for our needs.
As with all appliances, there's a knack to it. You definitely need to preheat it before use (trust me, don't wing it), make sure you pour the batter right in the middle so it spreads evenly and, don't believe what you read on cook time - I found 3.5 minutes on dark cooked a medium crisp waffle (not the 21/2 to 3 as stated in the instruction manual).
It heats up fast, never sticks, makes super cute heart-shaped waffles and is so easy to clean.
When the box arrived from Amazon, my three year old daughter and my partner were both equally excited to see it, their reactions made me excited to use it and it's not waned once since then.
I have never eaten so many - perfect - waffles in my life. I love using this low-tox appliance and my family absolutely love eating the waffles it makes too. Yum.
Best vertical waffle makers
What You Need To Know
Sunbeam has earned their reputation in the kitchen appliance world as reliable, easy to use and selling at a decent price point. The Shade Select Vertical Waffle Maker ticks all these boxes.
It sits upright on your bench, where you pour the batter into its funnel-like spout. Prior to cooking, you can choose from five browning or 'shade' options.
Once full, the auto-detection feature will start counting down the timer and display on the LCD screen how long is left until the waffle is fully cooked and ready to eat.
Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, news.com.au checkout Senior Shopping Writer
I've always been a little hesitant to purchase a waffle maker since they tend to look messy, bulky and a batter explosion waiting to happen, but this Sunbeam waffle maker has changed my mind.
I absolutely love how the funnel makes it so much easier to pour compared to making pancakes in a pan, especially when you can adjust the fluffiness and crispiness with a simple twist of the knob. The timer is also a nice, convenient touch.
Plus, it just looks fantastic on the kitchen bench and doesn't take up much space.
What You Need To Know
This Cuisinart smart waffle maker is a fan favourite appliance, with 4.5-star ratings at both The Good Guys and Myer. This is thanks to its no-spill spout for easy clean-up, audible alerts after cooking and its three year manufacturer's warranty.
Included with the machine is a measuring scoop to get the perfect amount of waffle batter each time and a recipe book, so you can make a wide range of waffles to suit everyone. These include recipes for those who are gluten free, or options for those wanting to try something a little different, like polenta and chive waffles and buckwheat waffles.
Tried and Tested by Julia Tanevski, taste.com.au Social and Content Producer
This waffle maker makes it so much easier to fill the machine with the perfect amount of batter every time, minus the mess!
If you're like us and have family members with different waffle-cooking preferences (we're on team ultra-crispy here), the five different browning settings allow you to choose exactly how well done you would like your waffles to be cooked.
And it sits vertically, meaning it's awesome for easy storage in our appliance-cluttered kitchen.
What You Need To Know
Big enough to feed the whole family, this Cuisinart Waffle Maker can make four thick Belgian waffles in one go.
It's super simple to use thanks to the light indicator. It turns green when preheated and ready to cook, then red when it's cooking and then back to green when it's time to serve. You can also choose from five browning settings via the control knob under the light.
While cooking, the locking system keeps the lid closed and in position to prevent any leaks and spills. When you've finished, it's easy to store as the power cord wraps around the maker and it can stand upright.
Averaging a 4.9-star rating at Kitchen Warehouse, many cooking aficionados can't get enough.
One Amazon shopper said 'I'm so impressed that I've jumped online, two days after purchase, just to tell everyone that this Cuisinart 4 capacity waffle maker is perfect,' adding 'every single waffle has turned out great.'
Another called it a 'Brilliant waffle maker. 4 super thick, Belgian style waffles in minutes! Even baking, crisp control scale, stores upright to reduce cupboard space. Simply perfect!'
Best mini waffle maker
JJYP Mini Waffle Maker
JJYP Mini Waffle Maker. Picture: Cindy Du/checkout
Tried and Tested by Cindy Du, news.com.au checkout eCommerce Producer
If you have the urge to indulge in a waffle but don't want to spend a fortune on a waffle maker, then this is the one for you.
It's super easy to set up, made from non-stick material, and foolproof to use – I'm no chef, and while my waffles didn't exactly come out café-worthy, they still tasted amazing. I loved that I could make healthier versions too, from sugar-free to blueberry, and really customise them to my taste.
Just keep in mind, it only makes one waffle at a time, so it's not the best option for bigger families or those who host often. And for me, I sometimes had to cycle the waffle through twice (2-5mins) to get that crispy, golden finish I was after.
That said, I still managed to whip up a cute little stack of waffles. Plus, it barely takes up any benchspace, a huge bonus.
Because it's basically just a hotplate, I even cooked an omelette shaped like a waffle, which of course is just a fun shape to eat.
To be completely honest, this isn't the most top-quality waffle maker on the market, but for around $25, it's a great little buy if you don't want to spend big and you're just after something to satisfy the occasional (or daily) waffle craving.
Best waffle maker for families
What You Need To Know
The Cuisinart Waffle Dippers machine is a great option for making breakfast, brunch, dessert, birthday party treats or a sweet snack.
It makes six crispy waffle sticks that you and your kids can dip into your favourite sauces and toppings for the ultimate sugar rush. There are five browning settings to suit everyone's preferred taste and texture, along with red and green indicator lights so you know when it's ready to cook and serve.
Topping it off is its two year warranty, which is just the icing on the cake.
'I love this product,' raves one Myer shopper. 'All you need to do is pour in the batter, close the lid and wait for the green light to flash, and you've made some delicious waffles!'
Another customer called it a 'cute little waffle maker is easy to use and clean. And it's great for making snacks!'
Best easy-to-clean waffle maker
Breville the No-mess Waffle, $169 (down from $259) at Amazon Australia
SAVE $90
Breville the No-mess Waffle
Breville the No-mess Waffle. Picture: Amazon Australia
$169 AT AMAZON AU
Other ways to buy:
$199 AT BING LEE
$207.20 AT MYER
$209 at breville
What You Need To Know
This no mess waffle maker by Breville is surrounded by a moat to prevent your batter from overflowing onto your kitchen counters. It also cooks the batter that's split over so you can nibble on these little bits of waffle.
There are seven browning settings to customise the crispiness of your waffles, including 'light and fluffy' or 'golden and crispy.' The light indicator lets you know when it's ready to cook, and it will cook waffles evenly every time using the thermal pro heated plates.
This machine has received plenty of rave reviews online. One Amazon reviewer enjoyed its functionality, saying, 'We LOVE the little drip tray (moat) that runs around the outside of the cook surface … no messy batter dribbling down the outside of the machine. Used the batter recipe in the owner's manual and it made 8 LARGE waffles.'
Another said they experimented with the different browning settings and made their perfect waffle, saying 'this waffle iron is the best we've ever used by a mile.
'Heats up and cooks quickly and evenly, and the spill over rim is really useful. Have had no issues with sticking, and though the plates are not removable, it is easy to clean. It's a bit pricey, but if you're into waffles, it's worth it.'
Best multipurpose waffle maker
Healthy Choice 3-in-1 Sandwich, Panini and Waffle Maker, $59.95 (down from $79.95) at Amazon Australia
25% OFF
Healthy Choice 3-in-1 Durable Sandwich, Panini and Waffle Maker
Healthy Choice 3-in-1 Sandwich, Panini and Waffle Maker. Picture: Amazon Australia
$59.95 AT AMAZON AU
Other ways to buy:
$79.15 AT WOOLWORTHS
$79.95 AT MYER
What You Need To Know
You can pretty much make all your meals for the day using the versatile Healthy Choice waffle maker. It is one of the most useful kitchen appliances available, with the ability to cook waffles, sandwiches and paninis when switching between the removable plates.
The light indicator lets you know when it's ready for your batter and when it's finished cooking, plus the cool to touch handles lock the lid in place for more even cooking. It's flat design also makes storage easy.
Tried and Tested by Marina Karris, Senior Content and Social Video Producer for taste.com.au
This clever space-saving appliance has three interchangeable plates, so you can swap between the sandwich, waffle and grilling functions, then clean with ease. Not only can it whip up jumbo jaffles and crispy waffles, but it can also grill a juicy steak!
Simply switch between the three large removable plates depending on what you're cooking. Once you're done, detach the non-stick cooking plates and wash in warm, soapy water. Gone are the days of awkwardly angling the sponge into the waffle/jaffle maker's nooks and crannies to fish out those year-old breadcrumbs.
Best novelty waffle maker
KITment Heart Mini Waffle Maker, $20.39 at Amazon Australia
KITment Heart Mini Waffle Maker
KITment Heart Mini Waffle Maker. Picture: Amazon Australia
$20.39 at amazon au
What You Need To Know
This little machine loves you just as much as you love waffles, by cooking one heart-shaped waffle for you to enjoy.
It is extremely compact and lightweight, so it's super easy to store. Or you can pack it to take along on your next caravan trip or when you're staying at an Airbnb during a holiday and want to share the waffle love.
Most of the five-star reviewers on Amazon love it's smaller size and think it's the best feature.
'Certainly IS a small waffle maker! About the size of an adult woman's palm, but that is fine and all you need if single with not much storage space,' says one shopper. Another added it 'Makes great waffles and is tiny (which is what I wanted) it's about the size of a Big Mac. Highly recommend.'
Best waffle iron
Nordic Ware Cast Aluminium Stovetop Belgian Waffler, $115.83 on Amazon Australia
Nordic Ware Cast Aluminium Stovetop Belgian Waffler
Nordic Ware Cast Aluminium Stovetop Belgian Waffler. Picture: Amazon Australia
$115.83 AT AMAZON AU
What You Need To Know
Designed to cook directly on the stovetop, the Nordic Ware cast aluminium waffle iron is the ideal waffle maker if you're looking to go old school.
Instead of fiddling with cords and settings, you just pour in your batter, hold it above the stove, occasionally turn it to cook both sides and it's ready to eat.
One Amazon shopper says it 'Works like a charm,' and loves that fact that it 'Doesn't need a cable. Easy to clean and can take it camping!'
A second says, 'I bought this couple of weeks ago and I haven't stopped making waffles ever since.
'Weekly waffle making has turned into 3-4 times … ever since this arrived. Makes crispy waffles so easy to cook and remove, easy to clean and store. Best money ever spent.'
How we choose our products
Multiple cookware and kitchen appliance brands make their own waffle makers. To curate our roundup, our team of experienced writers tried and tested a wide selection of them and gave our honest reviews.
We also spent hours reading reviews, ratings and articles from everyday Aussies to see what they thought of their appliances, and weighed up if they are worth the investment based on their size, capacity, settings, functions, how many waffles they can make at a time and price point.
What to consider before buying a waffle maker
Size: Most waffle makers can take up a decent amount of space on your kitchen counter or inside your cabinets. They can also be heavy and bulky. Always check the dimensions and weight of the waffle maker before you buy to make sure it is suitable for your kitchen.
Waffle type: You can cook waffles in several ways with many different recipes and types to choose from, including Belgian waffles, stuffed waffles, thick waffles or thin waffles. However, the type of waffle you make will also come down to the capabilities of the machine. See what types of waffles your maker can cook up and its settings.
Plates: Some more versatile waffle makers have the ability to remove the waffle wells and add other plates to cook different meals. These removable plates also make for easy cleaning. Check if the plates can be removed or if your maker can only be used for waffles.
Number of waffles: If you are feeding the family, you'll need a lot of batter and a maker that's up to the challenge. Look for waffle makers that can cook multiple waffles at once to increase efficiency. If you're just cooking for yourself or a couple of people, a mini waffle maker should be sufficient.
Settings and features: While a regular waffle maker will have some basic power settings and perhaps a light indicator, more advanced models will come with a multitude of settings and features. Check to see what features are included, like darkness and temperature settings to make crispy waffles, a steam vent for fluffy waffles and sound alerts to prevent overcooking and leave you with evenly cooked waffles.
Power: When making multiple waffles at a time (and why wouldn't you?), you need a maker with enough power to cook them fast and thoroughly. Look for waffle makers that have a higher wattage of around 1000 to 1500 watts to get the job done faster.
Clean-up: Making waffles can get messy, and it's worse when they stick to the plates and bits of waffle are left to burn. Make sure it has a non-stick coating to help lift your waffles from the plates. It's also a great idea to buy a maker that has a moat-like feature to prevent the batter overflowing onto your kitchen counter.
Price: A basic waffle maker can cost around the $50 mark, but if you're after all the high tech features and settings, you'll need to spend a few hundred dollars. Weigh up whether all the additional features are worth the added cost or if you're willing to spend less to get a slightly lower quality maker.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AMERICAN STYLE WAFFLES AND BELGIAN WAFFLES?
American style waffles and Belgian waffles are two of the most common waffle types, and while they have subtle differences between recipes, they typically have different textures, shapes and thicknesses.
Traditional waffles are thin and crispy. Similar to pancakes, they are made with baking powder and taste sweet even before you add your toppings and condiments. Their pockets are not particularly deep, which means your syrup will likely pool in and around the waffle. You'll normally find them on a breakfast menu served with maple syrup.
On the other hand, Belgian waffles share the same crispy exterior, but are thick and fluffy on the inside. This is created by using yeast in the recipe rather than baking powder. If you want to make them extra fluffy, you can add some whipped egg whites as well. The pockets are deeper to fit more toppings like fruit and whipped cream, and are often eaten as a dessert rather than at breakfast time.
HOW DO YOU MAKE WAFFLE BATTER?
A basic waffle batter contains all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, a pinch of salt and some vanilla extract.
Whisk your wet and dry ingredients into separate bowls and then stir them together until combined. Leave the batter to sit and thicken for about five minutes. Pour the batter into the waffle maker, close the lid and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.
When ready, serve with your favourite condiments, like syrup, butter, fruit or chocolate sauce.
If you want to make Belgian waffles, just replace the flour with active dry yeast, use warm milk instead of chilled and let it rise in the fridge overnight rather than resting for a few minutes.
IS IT BETTER TO MAKE YOUR OWN WAFFLE BATTER OR USE A STORE BOUGHT MIX?
There is no right or wrong answer to this and it all comes down to personal preference.
You're in complete control of everything that goes into your own batter. You can choose your ideal flavours and textures and use fresh ingredients to avoid preservatives and additives. You'll also be able to tailor it to your diet, using gluten-free or dairy-free products. The downside is the time it takes to whip up, needing to stock up on all of the ingredients beforehand and there's often more to clean up.
Store bought waffle mix is super simple and quick. Most just need some water added and a bit of a mix or stir and it's ready to go. And each time you use it, you'll get the same delicious result. However, many of these mixes use preservatives and additives rather than fresh and natural ingredients. They are also harder to tweak to suit your preferred taste and texture.
WHICH TYPE OF WAFFLE MAKER IS BEST?
There are a few different types of waffle machines on the market to choose from, each with their own pros and cons that can make them more or less suitable to your kitchen and cooking needs.
Classic waffle makers:
Produces thin, American style waffles
The waffles are usually round or square
Are usually smaller and more compact
Belgian waffle makers:
Makes larger and thicker waffles with an airy texture
Are bigger and take up more space in your kitchen
Can take longer to cook due to the thickness
Vertical waffle makers:
Are less likely to leak or overflow
Thinner design allows for easy storage
Usually only produces Belgian style waffles
Interchangeable and removable plate waffle makers:
A versatile kitchen appliance to cook multiple types of food
Often easier to clean
Not specifically designed for waffles, so may not produce the most consistent results
CAN YOU BUY A ROTATING WAFFLE MAKER?
While rotating or flip waffle makers are still very popular overseas, it is harder to get your hands on one in Australia. This is mainly because most manufacturers internationally make 110 volt waffle machines, whereas Australian appliances use 240V.
There has been a recent resurgence in rotating waffle makers after Meghan Markle used a Cuisinart WAF-F30 Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker on her lifestyle and cooking show With Love, Meghan. It is available on Amazon US, but you will need to pay for shipping and buy an adaptor to use it.
The Duraprès Fill N' Flip is one of the best quality flippable waffle maker you can buy in Australia, and is a great alternative, as we found in our tests.
CAN YOU COOK WAFFLES ON A STOVE?
The short answer is no. Unless your frying pan has waffles plates or wells, you'll be making pancakes instead.
Stovetop waffles makers do exist in the form of a waffle iron. They are not as popular as regular waffle makers and requires a lot more effort. You need to hold the iron over the stove and manually flip it over so it cooks evenly on both sides.
WHAT ARE THE BEST CONDIMENTS TO EAT WITH WAFFLES?
There are no rules to what you can put on your waffles and what tastes the best – it all comes down to what you enjoy most.
If you're looking for some inspiration, here are some of the most popular sweet toppings and condiments to use:
Maple syrup
Butter
Whipped cream
Ice cream
Honey
Lemon juice and sugar
Fresh fruit, including banana, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries
Fruit compote or jam
Chocolate sauce or Nutella
If you're less of a sweet tooth and are after something more savoury, you can try some of these:
Bacon and eggs
Avocado
Fried chicken
Cheese
Cream cheese
Smoke salmon
Sautéed mushrooms
Grilled tomatoes
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Rosalyn Fannin Shopping Writer
Rosalyn has been working as a shopping writer and producer since 2022, and joined the team in November 2024. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Media from The University of Notre Dame in 2020. She is an expert in helping buyers get the best bang for their buck and make quality investments, covering a wide range of products - from appliances and tech to fashion and beauty. Her previous media experience includes over three years writing for 9Product Reviews and at Nine Entertainment as well as interning at 2GB and Seven Network. In her downtime, Rosalyn plays The Sims, watches netball and spends time with her nephews, niece and cats.