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Breville the No-Mess Waffle vs Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4 Slice
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Breville the No-Mess Waffle ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on easy cleaning & overflow, durability & nonstick. Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4 Slice wins on crispness, settings & indicators.
The biggest complaint about the Breville the No-Mess Waffle is pricey for one waffle at a time; for the Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4 Slice it's waffles get stuck. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Breville the No-Mess Waffle | Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4 Slice | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in waffle makers | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Classic/thin | Belgian |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 8% | 5% |
| Overall score | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Even browning | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Crispness | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Settings & indicators | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Easy cleaning & overflow | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Durability & nonstick | 4.0 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $40 · $$ $40–120 · $$$ over $120. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Breville the No-Mess Waffle
- Pricey for one waffle at a time
Amazon's review summary says value for money is mixed, with some owners saying it isn't worth the price. It costs $169.95 at Breville and makes one waffle per batch.
- Waffles stick for some owners
Amazon's summary says nonstick experiences are mixed: some say waffles come off easily, others find them difficult to remove.
- Bulky, slow preheat
Serious Eats' only con is that it's a bit bulky (the moat enlarges the footprint). Good Housekeeping says it had one of the longest preheat times.
Source: Serious Eats, Good Housekeeping
Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4 Slice
- Waffles get stuck
Wirecutter often had to pry waffles out, leaving misshapen waffles and crumbs; it blames the deep bottom grid. Amazon's summary says some owners find cooked waffles impossible to remove.
- Expensive with a 1-year warranty
Wirecutter calls the 1-year limited warranty not especially generous for such a costly machine; Serious Eats says it's one of the most expensive it tested.
Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats - Big and heavy
Wirecutter says it weighs 15.3 pounds and a staffer found it too cumbersome for a small kitchen. Amazon owners are mixed on its size.
Who should pick which
Pick the Breville the No-Mess Waffle if
Thin, crispy diner-style waffles
Messy or kid cooks (deep overflow moat)
Clear beeps and 7 browning levels
Skip it if: You want thick Belgian waffles; You need several waffles at once; You're price-sensitive
Pick the Breville Smart Waffle Pro 4 Slice if
Big families and brunch hosts
Fine-tuning browning (12 levels)
A countdown timer and loud beep
Skip it if: You hate prying out stuck waffles; You have a small kitchen (15 lb); You want removable plates or a long warranty
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