7 of the best waffle makers worth waking up for

Best for: Effortless, café-quality waffles at home

Topping our list is the Smart Waffle by Breville, and for good reason. With Waffle IQ technology, you can forget about watching the clock. Just pick your style and preferred browning, and let it do the rest. The “A Bit More” button even adds a little extra crispiness without restarting.

This machine has won over plenty of waffle lovers, including one reviewer on the Breville website with some serious credentials — his great-uncle helped popularise Belgian waffles. He praised the Breville waffle maker for nailing the perfect balance of crispy edges and a soft inside, saying it lived up to everything his family had taught him about waffle making.

“When I made waffles for the first time with my family’s recipe, they came out perfect in the smart waffle maker. Couldn’t be happier. Thank you.”

Key features:

• Automatically adjusts cooking time and temperature for different waffle styles
• Browning control with 12 settings for a custom crisp
• Mess-free moat catches excess batter
• Thermal Pro even heat for perfectly cooked waffles
• A Bit More button to add extra crisp without restarting
• Premium PFOA-free non-stick surface

Also available at:

• $328 (usually $389) from Amazon
• $348 from Big W
• $356.99 (usually $389) from Robins Kitchen
• $369 from Breville
• $369 from Betta

Best for: Mess-free waffle making with no spills

The Cuisinart waffle maker flips the usual waffle game on its head (literally and figuratively). Its upright design means no messy batter spills, and the built-in pour spout makes filling it easy. Just pick your shade setting, wait for the signal and enjoy golden, fluffy waffles.

“Bought this for my son as he love waffles,” wrote a five-star reviewer at Myer. “Absolutely in love with it. So easy to use and very straight forward. I did follow the recipe provided but you can just get the recipes off Google and they come out perfect either way. Highly recommend it to everyone.”

Key features:

• Vertical design saves space and prevents drips
• Five shade settings to get your waffles just right
• Batter pour spout for easy and precise filling
• Indicator lights and an audible alert signal when ready
• Non-stick plates

Also available at:

• $109.95 (usually $139) from Kitchen Warehouse
• $132 (usually $139) from Stan Cash
• $144 from Big W
• $149.95 from The Iconic

Best for: Extra thick, crispy Belgian waffles

Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside — that’s the magic of this Belgian waffle maker by Domo. With 1400 watts of power and adjustable temperature control, it cranks out thick, golden waffles in no time. The non-stick plates mean no stubborn bits left behind, just easy waffle-making whenever the craving hits.

It has over 5130 five-star reviews on Amazon, with one customer writing: “This is an excellent waffle maker. I could not wish for a better one, especially for the price. I have made lots of different varieties of waffles (gluten free, vegetable) always with an excellent outcome. Never stuck to the surface, always beautifully cooked and crispy. I strongly recommend this product.”

Key features:

• Powerful 1400-watt heating for fast cooking
• Deep baking plates for thick Belgian waffles
• Adjustable temperature settings
• LED indicator lights signal when it’s ready
• Non-stick coating for easy release

Best for: Keeping your kitchen clean while you cook

Skip the café queue and take matters into your own hands. This waffle machine keeps mess away with a built-in moat that catches runaway batter before it even hits the bench. Seven browning settings and even heat distribution mean you get waffles just the way you like them — no burnt edges and no soggy centres.

“Our No Mess Waffle Maker has already paid for itself,” said a reviewer who left five stars on the Betta website. “The kids love these homemade waffles more than the store bought waffles that have cost us a small fortune and they have way less sugar. The classic recipe is just as quick and easy to make as pancakes and there are plenty of leftovers to freeze and reheat in the toaster for a quick brekky on busy mornings.”

Key features:

• Seven browning levels
• Moat catches overflow before it makes a mess
• Even heat for perfectly cooked waffles every time
• Non-stick plates
• Ready light tells you when to pour

Also available at:

• $195 from Stan Cash
• $199 from Amazon
• $209 from Breville
• $220.15 (usually $259) from Myer
• $236 (usually $259) from Appliances Online

Best for: Fuss-free waffles with adjustable crispiness

This model from Sunbeam gets straight to the point, with no mess or fuss, just great waffles. The vertical design keeps things neat, while the five shade settings let you go as light or as crispy as you want. It also has a clever auto-detection feature which knows exactly when to start the timer. It’s a no-brainer for anyone looking for an easy, delicious breakfast.

With a 4.8-star rating from over 218 reviews at Myer, it’s a hit for all kinds of families and waffle lovers. One reviewer said: “No mess, no fuss, the kids can even cook their own.” It offers adjustable settings for both fluffy and crispy waffles, plus its upright design makes it easy to store while looking great on the counter. Users appreciate the fast cooking time and easy cleanup, with one calling it “the best waffle maker ever.” Ideal for busy mornings or weekend treats, it gives you tasty waffles with minimal effort.

Key features:

• Vertical, mess-free design
• Five shade settings, from fluffy to crispy
• Auto-detection feature starts the timer automatically
• High-contrast LCD display guides you through the process
• Non-stick coating

Also available at:

• $127 (usually $139) from Amazon
• $136.95 (usually $139) from Kitchen Warehouse
• $189 from Barbeques Galore

Best for: Quick and easy waffles on a budget

Craving the perfect waffle? The Davis & Waddell electric waffle maker makes it ridiculously easy to get that crispy outside, fluffy inside combo. Just set it, wait for the indicator light and boom – you’ve got yourself a golden brown waffle ready to go. Ideal for lazy Sundays or impressing friends at your next brunch.

Reviewers are loving its size, cooking ability and value for money. One user mentioned it’s the ideal size — just the right balance between being easy to store and big enough for satisfying waffles. Another noted that while it takes about five minutes to cook, the round waffles it makes are a great touch.

Key features:

• Single waffle cook plate
• Non-stick coating for easy cooking and cleaning
• Compact design for easy storage
• Automatic temperature control
• LED indicator light
• Aluminium construction
• 750W power for quick cooking

Also available at:

• $62.99 (usually $79.99) from House
• $79.99 from Temple & Webster

Best for: Time-poor mornings

What’s better than one handy kitchen gadget? Three in one! The Russell Hobbs Fiesta does it all, from crispy sandwiches and fluffy waffles to perfectly grilled bites. Featuring removable, non-stick plates, cleaning up after yourself is easy, and it’s built for space-saving with a sleek vertical design.

Almost 9000 shoppers gave this appliance a five-star rating on Amazon, with one reviewer saying: “This is an absolute must-have in my kitchen.
It combines a sandwich maker, waffle iron and contact grill in one device, which is super practical to save space. All functions work flawlessly — the sandwiches are perfectly grilled, the waffles are crispy and the grill is ideal for meat and vegetables. The workmanship is robust and cleaning is also very easy thanks to the non-stick coated plates.”

Key features:

• Three-in-one functionality with plates for sandwiches, waffles and grilling
• Removable non-stick plates
• Extra deep plates for thick toast, pastries and more
• Vertical design for compact storage
• Heat-insulated handle with locking function
• Non-slip feet and cable reel
• 760 watts for fast cooking