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Breville the No-Mess Waffle vs Cuisinart Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker
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 #3 of 8) and scores better on crispness, settings & indicators, easy cleaning & overflow, durability & nonstick.
The biggest complaint about the Breville the No-Mess Waffle is pricey for one waffle at a time; for the Cuisinart Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker it's no beep, only a light. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Breville the No-Mess Waffle | Cuisinart Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in waffle makers | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Classic/thin | Flip |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 8% | 5% |
| Overall score | 4.5 | 3.9 |
| Even browning | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Crispness | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Settings & indicators | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Easy cleaning & overflow | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| 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
Cuisinart Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker
- No beep, only a light
Wirecutter says it offers no sound to indicate when the waffle is cooked, only a green 'ready' light, so you have to hover.
Source: Wirecutter - Overflows if you follow the manual
Wirecutter followed the manual's 1-cup batter instruction and the machine was too full to close, with batter oozing out; a scant cup (closer to the included 3/4-cup measure) worked.
Source: Wirecutter - Some owners find it flimsy
Amazon's review summary says opinions on sturdiness are mixed: some find it quite sturdy, while others describe it as flimsy and not well machined.
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 Cuisinart Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker if
Thick, fluffy Belgian waffles one at a time
Good value for the waffle quality
A long 3-year warranty
Skip it if: You want an audible done signal; You feed a crowd at once (one waffle per batch); You need a very low-profile machine
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