5 of the best waffle makers

Weekend mornings are made for delicious breakfasts, in bed, or in the kitchen. Whether you've got a sweet or savoury tooth, why not cook up a batch of waffles? 

It's a well known fact that making waffles without owning a waffle maker is simply impossible. Enter: the waffle maker. Whether you prefer them topped with fruit and syrup or want to have them on the side of your English breakfast, a waffle maker will make the job 10 times easier, and 100 times tastier. 

What to consider when buying a waffle maker

• Cooking power: the higher the wattage, the more powerful the machine. The average range is from 1000W to 1500W. Bear in mind, the more watts needed to power the machine, the more electricity is used (if you're a waffle-aholic). 
• Non-stick surfaces: the majority of waffle makers are non-stick, which is a handy feature to have even if you do want to add your own oil anyway. It's always better to spray or drizzle oil before you add batter to ensure waffles don't get stuck to the machine, as some can be very tedious to clean. 
• Number of waffles it cooks: there's no point in spending a lot of money on a machine that ultimately only cooks one waffle, so it's useful to bear in mind the number of waffles a machine makes when deciding which one to choose. 
• Temperature control: an important feature to say the least, as some like their waffles well-done, and some not so much. It's also handy if you're doing something else while making them, and want to put them on low heat to ensure they don't burn.

VonShef's Rotating Waffle Maker truly deserves the top place on our list, not only because it has a handy rotating function to ensure your food is cooked evenly throughout, but also because it creates four waffles at once. It has a temperature control so you can decide how cooked you'd like them, and you won't have to worry about them sticking. Not a single feature is missed: there's a lock button so that once you're done rotating, you can keep your waffles upright, and a light which turns on to tell you the machine is ready for your batter. It may be bulky, but if you have the kitchen storage space, it's a handy and easy-to-use appliance to have.

A hassle-free waffle maker worth the money, Sage's Smart Waffle Maker is perfect for waffle aficionados who know their classic batter from their buttermilk. Simply input your waffle specifications, the type of batter you'll be using and your preferred waffle style, pour it in and let the machine do the rest. It not only automatically calculates cooking time to suit both your waffle style and colour, but even has a 'Bit More' button for those who like their waffles a little crispy. For those who aren't as elegant at making waffles as they wish, the machine has a non-stick moat around the sides to catch any spillages. Genius.

For those wanting to take a more traditional approach with their waffles, grab yourself one of these and put the stove on. With an average heat up time of three minutes, simply pour the batter in, close and secure with the safety latch, and then put the timer on. Clumsy chefs may have to clean the stove afterwards, but it's all part of the fun, right? Compatible with electric, gas, ceramic and halogen hobs, it may just be the simplest waffle maker, and it even cooks two at once. Wireless, the iron is also easy to clean, as you can pop the whole thing in the sink after using. Probably not the tidiest option for those who have small children who want to get in on the action, but perfect for those who know their waffles and the limits of batter. Oh, and you can control the temperature yourself by just turning down the heat on the stove! Simples.

Casting a brand new light on waffles, the Smart waffle maker creates waffle bowls (yes, you read that right) in just minutes. With a handy line inside to show how much batter you need to pour in and reduce spillages, SMART's waffle bowl is compact, and does exactly what it says on the box. It does only cook one bowl at a time, but because each bowl only takes as little as three minutes to cook, we can look past that. With endless possibilities, who says you just need to cook waffles? Pancakes, hash browns; you name it, and turn it into a bowl. 

For those who like the taste of waffles on the odd occasion, this VonShef machine is your best bet. It's budget friendly, easy to use and has a handy wrap-around cord making it easy to store when you're not using it. Able to cook four waffles at one time, it has a high cooking power; however, if you're fussy about how your waffles are cooked, you'll need to bear in mind that it has no temperature control. Perfect for families, especially those with children who like to get in on the fun, this is the best budget waffle maker in our opinion, and it's extremely simple to use.

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