At a glance
If your ideal Sunday morning involves sitting down to a proper brunch, a waffle maker is the way to go. The best waffle maker has non-stick plates, different done-ness settings, and deep plates for a thick, fluffy result. We've found the top waffle makers in Australia so, like Donkey from Shrek, you too can go to bed on Saturday night yelling, "and in the morning, I'm making waffles!"
How we picked
Waffle makers are a bit of a niche home appliance. We'd usually start by checking reviews by CHOICE, Australia's biggest consumer advocacy group, but they've only reviewed 1 waffle maker. So it was over to the real experts: Aussie consumers. To suss out the top-rated waffle makers, we checked out reviews on ProductReview.com.au. A few models stood out, but there weren't heaps of options. It was time to do some more digging.
I (Cosier writer, Elese - hello!) also have a few years of experience selling waffle makers, so I drew on my own knowledge to scope out a few more products not reviewed by ProductReview.com.au. After scouring website reviews, and comparing features and warranties, this brought me to the 6 stand-out products I think reflect the best waffle makers available in Australia.
The 6 best waffle makers in Australia
How we picked
Waffle makers are a bit of a niche home appliance. We'd usually start by checking reviews by CHOICE, Australia's biggest consumer advocacy group, but they've only reviewed 1 waffle maker. So it was over to the real experts: Aussie consumers. To suss out the top-rated waffle makers, we checked out reviews on ProductReview.com.au. A few models stood out, but there weren't heaps of options. It was time to do some more digging.
I (Cosier writer, Elese - hello!) also have a few years of experience selling waffle makers, so I drew on my own knowledge to scope out a few more products not reviewed by ProductReview.com.au. After scouring website reviews, and comparing features and warranties, this brought me to the 6 stand-out products I think reflect the best waffle makers available in Australia.
Breville Smart Waffle
If you consider yourself to be something of a waffle connoisseur, the Breville Smart Waffle is your best bet. It's one of the most loved waffle makers in Australia, scoring around 4.5 stars on ProductReview.com.au. It's also one of the only machines with an LCD screen and digital timer. The PFOA-free non-stick plates also have a catchment area to prevent leakage, and there's a button for extra browning time.
Breville has really pulled out all the stops with the Smart Waffle. This machine lives up to its clever-clogs name, with several waffle style options, including Belgian, classic, chocolate, and buttermilk. Aussies love that it gives you 12 temperature settings from light to dark too, so everyone can enjoy their waffles at the perfect doneness. For around $300, the only downside is the price.
Choose this if...
You're seriously serious about waffles.
Breville Crisp Control
If you like the sound of the Breville Smart Waffle, but aren't ready to drop $300 on a few years of brunches all at once, the Breville Crisp Control is a great alternative. It's a mid-range waffle maker at around $70, and makes Scandinavian heart-shaped waffles. We love its variable temperature setting, which allows you to make anything from soft, just-done waffles to crisp, sturdy waffles you can slather with syrup.
This machine scores around 4 stars on ProductReview.com.au. Aussies say it cooks waffles in 3-5 minutes, although a few folks caution about the heat and steam release when opening the waffle maker. A couple of reviewers also say the non-stick on their machines stopped working just outside of the 1-year warranty. Quick tip? Avoid using cooking sprays on non-stick to prolong the life of your machine.
Choose this if...
You want a reliable waffle maker at a reasonable price.
Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker
The Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker is the only waffle maker reviewed by CHOICE. At around $140, it's surprisingly well-priced for a newer machine, and aims to save on bench space with its upright design. We like that it does big, fluffy Belgian waffles, and reviewers on Amazon give it around 4.5 stars from over 1,000 reviews. You have to be careful not to overfill it, but it's a well-designed, quality machine for those who are big on brunch and short on space.
Choose this if...
You're a waffle fiend with a small kitchen.
Cuisinart 4 Slice Waffle Maker
This Cuisinart 4 Slice Waffle Maker is a classic all-American waffle maker. If I (Elese - me again) was buying a waffle maker, I’d buy this one. Its deep square plates are perfect for quintessential Belgian waffles, and it scores a full 5 stars on ProductReview.com.au. This family-sized waffle maker keeps things simple with 5 different browning options. It also has cord storage under the base to make stowing it away less painful.
The ample size of this machine means reviewers use it to cook other things, like steak or toasties, and they say each waffle is around the size of a slice of bread. This makes them quick to reheat in the toaster. Most reviewers rate the top quality non-stick surface, as well as the deep-dish waffles which slurp up syrup and sauce nicely. Aussies also say it's easy to clean. For around RRP $120, we think it's a top notch machine.
Choose this if...
Your idea of brekky heaven is a big stack of Belgian waffles.
Nordicware Waffle Maker
The Nordicware Waffle Maker is an old-school style waffle iron made from new-fangled cast aluminium, which is lighter than traditional cast iron, and easier to clean. Scoring nearly 4.5 stars from almost 1,000 Amazon reviews, this waffle maker stands out as a solid alternative to electric waffle makers. It's designed for stovetop use, and will easily slot in alongside your baking trays for storage.
This American-made waffle iron by Nordicware makes for a top tier alternative to its electric counterparts. Not only does it take up way less space, but you can take it camping, too. One Aussie reviewer also loves the overflow moat, which prevents spillage. The downsides are that you do have to treat it like non-stick, and it might take a few goes to get right. But if, like Nigella Lawson, you're a fan of Nordicware's bundt pans, you'll see great value in a sturdy waffle maker like this.
Choose this if...
You want a classic waffle iron rather than another appliance.
Kogan Waffle Maker
At just under $40, this Kogan Waffle Maker is the budget pick of the bunch. It's not reviewed by anyone except Kogan users, but they give it just over 4 stars from more than 200 reviews. With a 1-year warranty, and simple 'on' and 'ready' lights similar to a toasted sandwich maker, it isn't exactly packed with features. But that could be a bonus for some, especially if you want a simple, entry-level machine for basic waffles.
Choose this if...
You're after the simplest, cheapest waffle maker in Australia.
Important features to consider
You might think all waffle makers do the same job, but features vary wildly between machines. Here are some tips for what to look for when buying a new waffle maker.
Waffle style
If you want thick, Belgian-style breakfast waffles, go for a classic waffle maker with deep, square plates. Waffle makers that make heart-shaped waffles may produce a thinner result, as these machines are usually designed for Scandinavian-style waffles. Scandinavian waffles are heart-shaped and slightly thinner, and are traditionally eaten for afternoon tea.
Storage
When storage space is at a premium, the last thing you need is another bulky appliance. It may be useful to think about where you're going to put your new waffle maker, and to look for features like cord wraps which make machines easier to store.
Digital timer
A digital timer takes the guesswork out of waffles. Not all machines have this feature, so you'll have to look out for it specifically.
What you get if you spend more
The world of waffle makers is your er, oyster, if you have more cash to splash. Here are some things you can look forward to if you spend a little extra.
Quality
The reviews show that cheaper waffle makers tend to lose their non-stick more quickly than pricier models. While avoiding cooking sprays will help, a higher-quality non-stick coating is your best safeguard against the dreaded peel and flake.
Waffle thickness
Fantasising about thick Belgian-style waffles? You're more likely to be happy with a pricier waffle maker. Reviews show cheaper machines are more likely to have shallow plates, which makes for thinner waffles.
Variable temperature
The most basic waffle maker on our list doesn't even have an on or off button, while the most expensive has several options for waffle style and doneness. If you're fussy about your waffles, a mid-range to high-end waffle maker is the way to go. These machines tend to give you more control over the end result.
Frequently asked questions
Should I spray a waffle maker with cooking spray?
No. Despite what reviewers on ProductReview.com.au say, it's never a good idea to spray a non-stick surface with cooking spray. Over time, aerosol cooking sprays leave a build-up of residue, which impacts the non-stickiness of your cooking surface, and may even stop it from working.
This makes it harder over time to remove your precious waffles from the machine. You'll get a much crisper result by brushing your non-stick waffle maker with butter or oil, and by making sure there's enough fat in your waffle batter.
Can I use pancake mix in my waffle maker?
Yes! If you want to save yourself some time, you can use ready-made pancake mix to make waffles. To help stop the batter burning and your waffles sticking, just add 2 tablespoons of oil to every 1 cup of pancake mix.
Should I get a waffle maker with removable plates?
The benefit of a waffle maker with removable plates is that you can take them out and wash them separately, saving you from wiping a sponge round the fiddly little squares of your machine. We only found one waffle maker with removable plates for sale in Australia, and poor reviews meant it didn't make the cut.
In saying that, other reviews show there are several easy-to-clean waffle makers for sale in Australia. You can make clean-up easy by taking care of your waffle maker so that the non-stick continues to work over time. This means cleaning it according to manufacturer instructions, and resisting the temptation to use metal utensils and cooking sprays.
