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Buying Guide ·Appliances

Best Waffle Makers for Belgian and Classic Waffles

The deciding specification is the published waffle size and browning control range.

By the Lush Editorial Team·Researched & Compared

  • Researched & ComparedSpecs pulled from the manufacturer listing
  • Like-for-LikeSame measures across every model
  • No Paid PlacementsNobody pays to appear here

Compared five waffle makers using only manufacturer published dimensions, wattage, and features.

Our shortlist

Five products, one set of published numbers.
  1. bella Fits-Anywhere™ Flip-n-Store Non-Toxic
    Best for upright storage

    bella Fits-Anywhere™ Flip-n-Store Non-Toxic

    Flips 180 degrees and stands upright, saving counter space.

    • BELLA
    • 7
    • 3.3 lb
  2. Breville BWM520XL No-Mess Waffle Maker
    Best no-mess moat

    Breville BWM520XL No-Mess Waffle Maker

    A moat keeps batter spills under control on the countertop.

    • Breville
    • 2.3
    • 6.7 lb
  3. Cuisinart Waffle Maker
    Lightest at 1.0 lb

    Cuisinart Waffle Maker

    The lightest of the five, easy to lift and store upright.

    • Cuisinart
    • Round
    • 1 lb
  4. Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker Pro
    Best vertical design

    Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker Pro

    Vertical cooking with 5 shade settings and a specialty setting.

    • Ninja
    • 7.7 in L x 6.6 in W x 11.9 in H
    • Weight not listed
  5. KRUPS 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker: Stainless Steel
    Best four-waffle capacity

    KRUPS 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker: Stainless Steel

    Bakes four square waffles at once with 1200 watts.

    • KRUPS
    • Large
    • 9.1 lb

Side by side

Blank means the maker does not publish it.
ModelBrandSize (capacity)WeightBest for
bella Fits-Anywhere™ Flip-n-Store Non-Toxic BELLA 7 3.3 lb Best for upright storage
Breville BWM520XL No-Mess Waffle Maker Breville 2.3 6.7 lb Best no-mess moat
Cuisinart Waffle Maker Cuisinart Round 1 lb Lightest at 1.0 lb
Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker Pro Ninja 7.7 in L x 6.6 in W x 11.9 in H not published Best vertical design
KRUPS 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker: Stainless Steel KRUPS Large 9.1 lb Best four-waffle capacity

Each pick in detail

What the listing says for it, and against it.
1 Best for upright storage

bella Fits-Anywhere™ Flip-n-Store Non-Toxic

Flips 180 degrees and stands upright, saving counter space.

  • For it
  • Makes 7 inch, 1.5 inch thick Belgian waffles
  • Flips 180 degrees for even heating
  • Stands upright for compact storage
  • Ceramic nonstick coating made without PFAS, PTFE, PFOA, lead or cadmium
  • Against it
  • Depth is 3.93 inches, the smallest of the five
  • Height is 12.2 inches, the largest of the five
2 Best no-mess moat

Breville BWM520XL No-Mess Waffle Maker

A moat keeps batter spills under control on the countertop.

  • For it
  • No-mess moat keeps spills under control
  • 7 browning settings
  • PFOA-free nonstick coating
  • 900 watts
  • Against it
  • Weight is 6.7 pounds
  • Capacity is 1 classic waffle at approximately 6-5/8 by 5-5/8 inches
3 Lightest at 1.0 lb

Cuisinart Waffle Maker

The lightest of the five, easy to lift and store upright.

  • For it
  • Weighs 1.0 pound, the lightest of the five
  • 5-setting browning control
  • 1 inch deep batter pockets
  • Stands upright for storage
  • Against it
  • Bakes 1 large traditional-style waffle at a time
  • Width is 7.88 inches
4 Best vertical design

Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker Pro

Vertical cooking with 5 shade settings and a specialty setting.

  • For it
  • Vertical design
  • 5 shade settings
  • 1 inch Belgian waffles
  • Specialty setting for high sugar batters like brownie and cake mix
  • Against it
  • Weight is not published
  • Width is 6.57 inches, the smallest published width of the five
5 Best four-waffle capacity

KRUPS 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker: Stainless Steel

Bakes four square waffles at once with 1200 watts.

  • For it
  • Bakes 4 square waffles simultaneously
  • 5 adjustable browning levels
  • Removable nonstick plates
  • 1200 watts
  • Against it
  • Weight is 9.1 pounds, the heaviest of the five
  • Depth is 18.9 inches, the largest of the five

Our verdict

The BELLA Flip-n-Store makes 7 inch Belgian waffles and stores upright at 3.93 inches deep. The Breville No-Mess has a no-mess moat and 7 browning settings. The Cuisinart WMR-CAP2 is the lightest at 1.0 pound and bakes one large traditional waffle. The Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker Pro uses a vertical design with 5 shade settings and a specialty setting for high sugar batters. The KRUPS 4-Slice bakes four square waffles at once with 1200 watts and removable plates.

“Published figures only, no performance claims.”

Lush Editorial Team

What separates these five

Flip and store The BELLA flips 180 degrees and stands upright, with a published depth of 3.93 inches.
No-mess moat The Breville includes a moat that keeps batter spills under control on the countertop.
Lightest build The Cuisinart weighs 1.0 pound, the lightest of the five, and stands upright for storage.
Vertical cooking The Ninja cooks vertically with 5 shade settings and a specialty setting for high sugar batters.
Four at once The KRUPS bakes four square waffles simultaneously with 1200 watts and removable plates.

How we chose

Priorities, not a computed score. The inputs are published specifications, so we rank by what matters most and say how much.

  1. 30% Published dimensionsWidth, depth, and height decide whether a maker fits a cabinet or counter.
  2. 25% Browning controlThe number of settings determines shade range from light to dark.
  3. 20% Waffle size and capacityBelgian or classic, single or multiple, decides how many people one batch serves.
  4. 15% WattagePublished wattage is the only power figure makers state.
  5. 10% Nonstick and storageCoating claims and upright storage affect daily use and cleanup.

How the Five Compare on the Numbers

The five waffle makers differ most in published dimensions and capacity. The BELLA is 11.81 inches wide, 3.93 inches deep, and 12.2 inches tall, and it makes 7 inch Belgian waffles. The Breville is 11.0 inches wide, 9.0 inches deep, and 5.7 inches tall, and it makes one classic waffle. The Cuisinart is the smallest at 7.88 inches wide, 9.69 inches deep, and 3.31 inches tall, and it weighs 1.0 pound.

The Ninja is 6.57 inches wide, 7.72 inches deep, and 11.93 inches tall, and it does not publish a weight. The KRUPS is 9.84 inches wide, 18.9 inches deep, and 9.84 inches tall, and it weighs 9.1 pounds. Wattage is published only for the Breville at 900 watts and the KRUPS at 1200 watts. Browning settings range from 5 on the Cuisinart, Ninja, and KRUPS to 7 on the Breville.

Specification BELLA Flip-n-Store Breville No-Mess Cuisinart WMR-CAP2 Ninja Belgian Pro KRUPS 4-Slice
Width (in) 11.81 11.0 7.88 6.57 9.84
Depth (in) 3.93 9.0 9.69 7.72 18.9
Height (in) 12.2 5.7 3.31 11.93 9.84
Weight (lb) 3.3 6.7 1.0 not published 9.1
Wattage not published 900 not published not published 1200
Browning settings not published 7 5 5 5
Waffle size 7 in Belgian 6-5/8 by 5-5/8 in classic 1 large traditional 1 in Belgian 4 square Belgian
Removable plates not published not published not published not published Yes

The table does not tell you how evenly each maker heats, how long a waffle takes to cook, or how the nonstick coating holds up over time. No manufacturer publishes plate temperature, cooking time, or coating durability. The wattage figures for the Breville and KRUPS are the only power numbers available, and they do not account for plate mass or design.

Storage and Footprint

Upright and flip designs

The BELLA flips 180 degrees and stands upright, with a published depth of 3.93 inches, the smallest of the five. That depth is what makes it easy to slide into a cabinet. The Cuisinart also stands upright and is the smallest overall at 7.88 inches wide and 3.31 inches tall, and it weighs 1.0 pound. Both designs trade counter space for vertical storage.

The Ninja uses a vertical cooking design and stands 11.93 inches tall, with a width of 6.57 inches, the smallest published width of the five. Its depth is 7.72 inches. The Breville is 5.7 inches tall and 9.0 inches deep, and it does not state upright storage. The KRUPS is 18.9 inches deep, the largest of the five, and lists a cord wrap and handle lock for storage.

Counter space and cabinet fit

If cabinet height is tight, the Cuisinart at 3.31 inches tall and the Breville at 5.7 inches tall are the lowest profiles. The BELLA at 12.2 inches tall and the Ninja at 11.93 inches tall need more vertical clearance. The KRUPS at 9.84 inches tall and 18.9 inches deep needs a deep shelf or a dedicated counter spot.

Width matters for narrow shelves. The Ninja at 6.57 inches and the Cuisinart at 7.88 inches publish the two smallest widths. The BELLA at 11.81 inches and the Breville at 11.0 inches publish the two largest widths. The KRUPS at 9.84 inches sits between them. None of the five publishes a folded or stored height, so the upright figures are the only guide.

Capacity and Waffle Style

Belgian versus classic

The BELLA makes 7 inch Belgian waffles that are 1.5 inches thick. The Ninja makes 1 inch Belgian waffles. The KRUPS bakes four square Belgian waffles at once with deep pockets. The Breville makes one classic circular waffle at approximately 6-5/8 by 5-5/8 inches. The Cuisinart bakes one large traditional-style waffle with four quarters and 1 inch deep batter pockets.

Belgian style usually means deeper pockets and a thicker waffle. Classic style means a thinner, rounder waffle. The published thickness is 1.5 inches for the BELLA and 1 inch for the Ninja. The Cuisinart lists 1 inch deep batter pockets. The Breville and KRUPS do not publish a thickness figure, only the shape and count.

Batch size for households

The KRUPS is the only one of the five that bakes four waffles simultaneously, which suits a family breakfast. The BELLA, Breville, Cuisinart, and Ninja each bake one waffle at a time as published. The Breville capacity is one classic waffle, and the Cuisinart bakes one large traditional-style waffle with four quarters.

For a single serving, the Cuisinart at 1.0 pound and the Ninja at 6.57 inches wide are the easiest to handle. For a crowd, the KRUPS at 1200 watts and four waffles per batch is the only multi-waffle option among the five. The BELLA and Breville sit in between with one large waffle each.

Which One Fits Your Kitchen

Small kitchen with limited cabinet height. The Cuisinart WMR-CAP2 is 3.31 inches tall and weighs 1.0 pound, the smallest and lightest of the five. It stands upright for storage and bakes one large traditional-style waffle.

Countertop with a spill problem. The Breville No-Mess has a moat that keeps batter spills under control, plus 7 browning settings and a PFOA-free nonstick coating. It is 11.0 inches wide and 5.7 inches tall.

Narrow shelf or vertical space. The Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker Pro is 6.57 inches wide, the smallest published width of the five, and cooks vertically with 5 shade settings and a specialty setting for high sugar batters.

Family breakfasts. The KRUPS 4-Slice bakes four square waffles at once with 1200 watts, 5 browning levels, and removable nonstick plates. It is the heaviest at 9.1 pounds and publishes the largest depth at 18.9 inches.

Compact storage with Belgian waffles. The BELLA Flip-n-Store makes 7 inch Belgian waffles, flips 180 degrees, and stands upright at 3.93 inches deep. It is 12.2 inches tall, the largest published height of the five.

What We Could Not Verify

Several figures are not published by the manufacturers, so they are left out rather than estimated.

  • Cooking time per waffle is not published for any of the five models.
  • Plate temperature in degrees is not published for any of the five models.
  • Cord length is not published for any of the five models.
  • Warranty length is not published for the BELLA, Ninja, or DASH models.
  • Weight is not published for the Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker Pro.
  • Wattage is not published for the BELLA, Cuisinart, or Ninja models.

Frequently asked questions

Which waffle maker is the lightest?+

The Cuisinart WMR-CAP2 weighs 1.0 pound as published by the manufacturer, the lightest of the five. The KRUPS 4-Slice is the heaviest at 9.1 pounds. The BELLA is 3.3 pounds, the Breville is 6.7 pounds, and the Ninja does not publish a weight.

Which one makes the largest waffles?+

The BELLA makes 7 inch Belgian waffles that are 1.5 inches thick. The BLACK+DECKER makes 7.25 inch round Belgian-style waffles. The Breville makes one classic waffle at approximately 6-5/8 by 5-5/8 inches. The Ninja makes 1 inch Belgian waffles, and the Cuisinart bakes one large traditional-style waffle.

Which models have removable plates?+

The KRUPS 4-Slice is the only one of the five with removable nonstick plates as published. The BELLA, Breville, Cuisinart, and Ninja list nonstick surfaces but do not state that the plates detach. The Novalife also lists removable plates but is not among the five picks.

How many browning settings does each have?+

The Breville has 7 settings. The Cuisinart, Ninja, and KRUPS each have 5 settings. The BELLA does not publish a number of browning settings. More settings give a wider shade range from light to dark, though the manufacturer does not publish the exact temperature for each setting.

Which one stores upright?+

The BELLA flips 180 degrees and stands upright, with a published depth of 3.93 inches. The Cuisinart also stands upright for storage. The BLACK+DECKER allows vertical storage. The Breville, Ninja, and KRUPS do not state upright storage in their published features, though the KRUPS lists a cord wrap and handle lock.

What is the published wattage?+

The KRUPS is 1200 watts. The Breville is 900 watts. The BELLA, Cuisinart, Ninja, and Novalife do not publish wattage. Wattage is the only power figure makers state, and it does not directly indicate cooking speed because plate mass and design also affect heat transfer.

Specifications come from the manufacturers' own published listings. Lush Food & Drink may earn a commission if you buy through a link on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we research.