Black and Decker WMD200B Double vs Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic Side-by-Side Comparison
Though the BLACK+DECKER WMD200B and the Cuisinart WMR-CA are in the same price range, they’re different in more ways than one. Here’s our detailed analysis.
Specifications
Design
The BLACK+DECKER WMD200B is an incredibly well-crafted machine for an entry-level product. Though it is made mostly from plastic, the waffle maker doesn’t look cheap. It’s not hard to imagine it as a mid-range or even a high-end model.
The non-stick waffle plates are coated with non-stick, which works well during our performance tests. This model's only downside is that it doesn’t come with a control panel.
The Cuisinart WMR-CA offers a great design and build quality, boasting a glossy metal top lid. The waffle plates are coated with a layer of Teflon non-stick, which has proven itself to work quite effectively during our cooking tests. We’ve never had to deal with sticky waffles or batter residues throughout the review phase.
Although simplistic, its control panel is very simple to use.
Usability Comparison
The BLACK+DECKER WMD200B is very easy to use overall. It can be operated with just one hand, from lifting the lid to flipping it.
We also rate the cleanability of this waffle maker highly. Besides the non-stick waffle plates, which reduce batter residues, the add-on drip tray can help protect your countertop from any excess batter that spills out from the baking chamber.
It does get tricky, though, when you have to clean the tiny nooks and crannies of the waffle maker. Some parts are so small that it’s impossible to reach in and scrub out the dried batter residues.
Unlike its easy-to-use control panel, the control panel of the WMR-CA can be difficult to deal with for some people due to the dim indicator lights. They can be very hard to see under bright lighting.
The Cuisinart WMR-CA did decently well during safety tests. Most of the surfaces on the waffle maker are cool to the touch, even after several cooking sessions.
Performance Test
Our head chef labeled the waffles made by the WMD200B as “decently tasty.” Unfortunately, the coloration and texture of the waffle could still use some improvements.
Our test unit has a recurrent issue with undercooking one side of its waffles, lending to each waffle having an uneven coloring and a mushier texture on the undercooked side.
The WMR-CA mostly fell short of expectations, struggling to produce anything but unsatisfyingly burnt and flavorless waffles in our tests with the self-mixed waffle recipe. Its performance ratings were thankfully redeemed in later tests with pre-mixed Birch Benders mix, where it pulled out all the stops and amazed us with surprisingly tasty results.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Capable of cooking two waffles at once with the double-sided design
- Acceptable performance across all two tests
- Solid build quality for the price
- Plug-and-play design makes it very easy to use
- Great cleanability thanks to the included drip tray
- Affordable
- Did a great job in our test with Birch Benders mix
- Fast cooking time
- Compact and lightweight design makes it easy to store
- Bulky and heavy
- Tends to undercook the bottom of the waffle
- Lacks a control panel
- Poor performance on self-mixed recipe
- Heating element is too strong and can easily burn waffles
- Dim indicator lights
Conclusion
The Black and Decker WMD200B Double waffle maker and the Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic are considered “budget” in their respective category.
The WMD200B is a budget double-sided waffle maker and the ability to cook two waffles at once can be a game-changer for large families.
In contrast, the WMR-CA can only cook waffles one at a time. However, it compensates for having a breakneck cooking speed. In our tests, the WMR-CA only needed 2 minutes to serve a waffle of decent quality. In the time it takes for the WMD200B to cook two waffles (5 minutes and 30 seconds), the WMR-CA should also be able to produce two.
The WMR-CA’s high cooking speed has more or less neutralized the design advantage of the WMD200B’s double-sided design. Plus, because the WMD200B does not come with a temperature control dial, it is less flexible than the Cuisinart WMR-CA.
If you must pick between either, the Cuisinart WMR-CA constitutes a more value purchase.
Behind the Comparison
Matthew Lee is a writer and editor for HealthyKitchen101. With over 8 years working for various outlets and agencies, specializing in tech review and other subjects of note, such as current affairs.
Tuyet Pham is an award-winning Saigonese chef passionate about delicious and healthful foods. At HealthyKitchen101, she develops recipes and collaborates with our Research, Testing, and Review lab to evaluate the performance of cooking appliances. Her assessments add a strong authoritative voice to our product scoring process.
Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.
