A Belgian waffle maker bakes thick waffles with deep pockets for toppings. The main design choice is how the batter is spread: a flip model rotates 180 degrees after the pour, a vertical model stands upright, and a plain hinged iron stays flat. Browning control, plate coating and storage shape also differ.

The six makers below cover flip, vertical and hinged designs. Sizes, wattage and features come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these waffle makers ourselves. Coating and performance statements are the makers’ own.

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What to Look For

Feature Why it matters
Design Flip, vertical or flat hinged irons spread batter differently
Waffle size Plate diameter and thickness set the waffle you get
Browning control Shade settings or a dial let you go lighter or darker
Cleanup and storage Drip trays, nonstick plates and upright storage save effort

Specs at a Glance

Waffle maker Design and size Power Notes
Ninja BW1001 Vertical; 1 in. waffles 1000 W 5 shade settings; pour cup included; 1-year warranty
Cuisinart WAF-F30NAS 180 degree flip; round, 1 in. waffles 1000 W 5 browning settings; removable drip tray; 3-year warranty
Chefman Rotating 180 degree flip 1080 W Adjustable timer dial; drip tray; stores vertically
Oster Nonstick Hinged; 8 in. waffles Not listed Temperature control; ready light; wrap cord
bella Flip-n-Store Flip; 7 in. waffles, 1.5 in. thick 1000 W Stands upright; ceramic coating; 3.3 lb
Presto 03510 Flip; 7 in. waffles in four sections 1100 W Ceramic grid; locks upright; 1-year warranty

The 6 Best Waffle Makers

1. Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker Pro BW1001

A vertical-design maker listed at 1000 watts with five shade settings, 1 inch Belgian waffles, an audible and visual done alert, and a specialty setting for high-sugar batters such as brownie and cake mix. A precision pour cup and recipe booklet are included. It measures 7.72 by 6.57 by 11.9 inches and weighs 6.7 pounds.

Suits: a small counter footprint with shade settings. Strengths: a pour cup, a done alert and a specialty setting. Weaknesses: the heaviest here at 6.7 pounds. Skip it if you want a flip iron.

View Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker Pro, 5 Shade Settings, Black/Silver, BW1001 on Amazon

2. Cuisinart Non-Stick Flip Belgian Waffle Maker WAF-F30NAS

A round flip maker with a 180 degree rotary handle, a 1 inch Belgian plate, five browning settings, ceramic nonstick plates and ready indicators with an audio alert. A removable stainless drip tray (dishwasher safe per the listing) and a batter measuring cup are included. It is listed at 1000 watts and 4.3 pounds with a 3-year warranty.

Suits: a flip maker with a drip tray. Strengths: a 3-year warranty and five settings. Weaknesses: bakes one waffle at a time. Skip it if you need several waffles at once.

View Cuisinart Non-Stick Flip Belgian Waffle Maker, WAF-F30NAS on Amazon

3. Chefman Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker

A 180 degree rotating iron listed at 1080 watts with extra-thick nonstick plates, an adjustable browning timer dial, a locking lid and a removable drip tray. It can be stored vertically. Listed dimensions are 10 by 15.6 by 7 inches and 4 pounds, with a 1-year warranty.

Suits: a flip iron with a timer dial. Strengths: a locking lid and vertical storage. Weaknesses: a 1-year warranty. Skip it if you want a longer warranty.

View Chefman Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker, 180° Flip Iron w/ Non-Stick Plates, Adjustable Timer, Locking Lid, and Drip Plate, Space Saving Storage, Mess-Free Breakfast, Stainless Steel/Black on Amazon

4. Oster Nonstick Belgian Waffle Maker

A hinged stainless-look iron that makes 8 inch waffles with extra-deep pockets. The maker describes the ceramic nonstick finish as free of PFAS, lead and cadmium, and the listing mentions a ready light, adjustable temperature, cool-touch handles that fold for storage and a cord wrap. It measures 5.1 by 8.4 by 10.6 inches. Wattage is not listed.

Suits: a larger round waffle. Strengths: deep pockets and folding handles. Weaknesses: no wattage listed. Skip it if you want a flip design.

View Oster Nonstick Belgian Waffle Maker, Nonstick Ceramic Waffle Iron on Amazon

5. bella Fits-Anywhere Flip-n-Store Belgian Waffle Maker

A lightweight flip maker (3.3 pounds, 1000 watts) that bakes 7 inch waffles about 1.5 inches thick and stands upright to store. The maker states that its ceramic coating is made without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead or cadmium. The listing shows 230 volts, which conflicts with its US listing, so check the voltage with the seller before buying.

Suits: thick waffles and tight storage. Strengths: light weight and upright storage. Weaknesses: a conflicting voltage listing. Skip it if you want a drip tray.

View bella Fits-Anywhere™ Flip-n-Store Non-Toxic, Belgian Waffle Maker, Oatmilk on Amazon

6. Presto 03510 Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker

A flip maker listed at 1100 watts, the highest here, with a ceramic nonstick grid, 7 inch waffles in four easy-to-cut sections, cool-touch handles and a base that rotates 180 degrees and locks upright for storage. It weighs 4.9 pounds and carries a 1-year warranty. Listed dimensions are 11.25 by 11.75 by 4 inches.

Suits: quarter-cut waffles. Strengths: the highest wattage and a ceramic grid. Weaknesses: the listed height looks off for an upright unit. Skip it if you want a drip tray.

View Presto 03510 Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker on Amazon

Care and Setup

  • Let the iron cool, then wipe the plates with a damp cloth.
  • Do not use metal tools on nonstick plates.
  • Empty and wash a drip tray after each use if one is included.
  • Pour batter to the amount the manual suggests to limit overflow.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overfilling the plates.
  • Opening the lid early before the done signal.
  • Soaking an electric base in water.
  • Ignoring the listed waffle size when you plan servings.

Waffle Maker FAQ

Flip or vertical?

Both aim to spread batter evenly. Flip models rotate the iron, vertical models stand upright and take less counter space.

Do all of them have a drip tray?

No. The Cuisinart and Chefman list one. The others do not in the text we read.

The Short Version

For a vertical design, the Ninja. For a flip maker with a 3-year warranty, the Cuisinart. For a timer dial, the Chefman. For 8 inch waffles, the Oster. For thick waffles and upright storage, the bella. For quarter-cut waffles, the Presto.