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BLACK+DECKER WMB500 vs CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini Side-by-Side Comparison

The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 and the Crownful 4-inch Mini waffle makers are the top picks in the budget-friendly range. Here’s our comparison.

By , , and Updated

BLACK and DECKER

CROWNFUL Mini

BLACK+DECKER WMB500 vs CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini: The Best Budget Picks

Overall Verdict

7.9
Overall Score
6.9
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)6.7
  • Design (20%)8.7
  • Ease of Use (30%)9.5
  • Performance (50%)6.3
  • Design (20%)8.8
  • Ease of Use (30%)6.6

Despite being the budget pick in BLACK+DECKER’s portfolio, the WMB500 has decent performance and build quality. The quality of the waffles, however, isn’t going to wow you. Nonetheless, if you’re not too picky and only want a simplistic waffle breakfast, the WMB500 should be more than enough.

As for the Crownful 4-inch mini waffle maker, the most distinguishing feature of this model is its lightweight and compact size. It’s about as big as a softball. As a result, this model is super popular among travelers. The Crownful can easily fit inside a backpack and make fresh waffles on the go.

The quality of the waffles was mediocre, according to our chef. But it’s to be expected from such a cheap and small waffle maker.

Pros & Cons

  • Affordable pricing
  • Decent cooking performance across both test recipes
  • Good-looking stainless steel baking chamber
  • The lid can dampen the force of a strong push, preventing the lid from accidentally snapping close to the user’s hand
  • The non-stick coating on the waffle plates works very well
  • Excellent safety rating
  • Affordable
  • Beautiful patterning on the lid
  • Excellent build quality
  • Easy to clean, thanks to the non-stick waffle plates and the smooth plastic outer shell
  • Lacks control panel
  • The stainless steel baking chamber needs regular cleaning to look its best
  • Fairly mediocre performance in our performance tests
  • Does not have a control panel
  • Low safety rating

Key Specs

Features
Premium stainless steel top cover, indicator lights
Compact size, patterned top lid, indicator lights
Adjustable Settings
None
None
Dimensions
L13.1 x W10 x H4.7 inches
L5.7 x W5.12 x H3.15 inches
Material
Stainless steel/plastic housing; aluminum nonstick baking plates
Plastic housing; aluminum nonstick baking plates
Weight
4 pound
1 pound
Waffle diameter
7.5" (19.1 cm)
4.0" (10.2 cm)

Where to Buy?

Price at publication
$21.82
$12.95

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.7
6.3

Self Recipe

6.8
7.2
BLACK+DECKER WMB500 Self-Mixed Recipe
The dark brown - golden top crust of a waffle cooked for 5 minutes.
The dark brown - golden bottom crust of a waffle cooked for 5 minutes.
The interior of a waffle cooked for 5 minutes, with prominent air cavities and bubbles inside.
The cross-section of a waffle baked in 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe, revealing the interior with small air bubbles within.
CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini Self-Mixed Recipe
The light brown top crust of a waffle baked in 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The light brown bottom crust of a waffle baked in 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The cross-section of a waffle baked in 5 minutes, revealing the interior filled with air bubbles and air cavities.
A waffle is torn down the middle by hands in order to test it for its consistency and texture. This particular waffle was baked for 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
Heat Level
N/A
N/A
Cooking Time
5 minutes
5 minutes

Birch Benders Mix

6.5
5.3
BLACK+DECKER WMB500 Birch Benders Mix
The pale gold top crust of a waffle cooked using the Birch Benders mix for 7 minutes.
The pale gold bottom crust of a waffle cooked using the Birch Benders mix for 7 minutes.
The interior of a waffle cooked for 7 minutes, with prominent air cavities and bubbles inside.
The waffle, which has been cooked for 7 minutes, is torn by hand in order to test for its consistency and texture, revealing the fluffy core inside.
CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini Birch Benders Mix
The pale gold top crust of a waffle baked for 8 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix
The pale gold bottom crust of a waffle baked for 8 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix
The cross-section of a waffle baked for 8 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix, revealing the small air bubbles and cavities within the waffle.
A waffle is torn by hand down the middle to test it for its consistency and texture. This waffle was baked for 8 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
Heat Level
N/A
N/A
Cooking Time
7 minutes
5 minutes

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.7
8.8

In The Box

The black and silver Black and Decker waffle maker WMB500 next to its instructional manual and shipping box.
The Crownful 4 inch waffle maker in the middle, with its warranty card, instruction manuals, and shipping box around it.

Dimensions

The side profile of the black and silver Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker.
A side profile of the black Crownful compact waffle maker, with the patterned top lid and the wood-tone handle in the front visible.
Length
13.1" (33.3 cm)
5.7" (14.5 cm)
Width
10.0" (25.4 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Height
4.7" (11.9 cm)
3.1" (8.0 cm)
Weight
4.0 lbs (1.8 kg)
1.0 lbs (0.5 kg)

Build Quality

9.5
10
BLACK+DECKER WMB500 Build Quality Video
A close-up at the lid hinges of the Black and Decker Belgian waffle maker WMB500.
A zoomed-up view of the lid hinges and black plastic housing of the Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker in its closed state.
CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini Build Quality
Crowful waffle maker’s lid, with the center indicator light and the patterning made up of concentric circles visible. The wood-like handle in front is inscribed with the word “Crownful”.
A zoomed-in shot of the Crownful 4 inch waffle maker’s lid hinge.
The back of the Crownful waffle maker’s lid hinge. It is currently in the closed position.
The rubber, anti-slip feet at the bottom of the Crownful mini waffle maker.

Waffle Plates

10
9.5
A close-up view of the glossy, black, Belgian-style waffle plate of the Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker.
A close-up view of the glossy, black, Belgian-style waffle plate of the Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker.
An overview of the glossy, black, Belgian-style waffle plates of the Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker.
A top-down view of one of the waffle plates of the Crownful waffle maker.
A top-down view of one of the waffle plates of the Crownful waffle maker.
A top-down view of both the Crownful’s black waffle plates.
Number of Plates
2
2
Grid Pattern
Belgian-style
Classic-style
Plate Area
50.27 inch
12.57 inch
Plate Length
8.0" (20.3 cm)
4.0" (10.2 cm)
Plate Width
8.0" (20.3 cm)
4.0" (10.2 cm)
Material
Cast aluminum
Cast aluminum
Non Stick Coating
Yes
Yes
Removable
No
No
Dishwasher Safe
No
No

Control Panel

0.0
0.0
Indicator Lights
Yes
Yes
Audible Alarm
No
No
Timer
No
No
Browning Control
No
Yes

Power Cord

The power plug of the Black and Decker WMB500 Belgian waffle maker with the Type-A prongs design clearly visible.
A zoomed-up view of the Crownful mini waffle maker’s power plug and its Type-A prongs.
Plug Style
Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
Length
1.9 ft (0.6 m)
2.6 ft (0.8 m)
Cable Management
No
No

Extra Accessory

Material
N/A
N/A
Removable
N/A
N/A
Dishwasher Safe
N/A
N/A

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.5
6.6

Handling

10
8.5

Safety

9.9
2.5
The surface temperature of the back of the Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker is being measured with a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The screen reads 156°F.
The surface temperature of the back of the Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker is being measured with a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The screen reads 156°F.
The surface temperature of the Black and Decker WMB500’s base is being measured using a thermometer in a thermal safety test. The screen reads 104.2°F.
The temperature of the Black and Decker WMB500’s handle is being measured using a thermometer in a thermal safety test. The screen reads 111°F.
The surface temperature of the Crownful waffle maker’s top lid is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The screen reads 187.9°F.
The surface temperature of the Crownful waffle maker’s top lid is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The screen reads 187.9°F.
The temperature of the Crownful’s bottom is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The screen reads 129.6°F.
The temperature of the Crownful’s front handle is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The screen reads 188.4°F.
Top Side Temperature
156.7°F
187.9°F
Bottom Side Temperature
104.2°F
129.6°F
Handle Temperature
111°F
188.4°F

Cleanability

8.0
10

Indicator Light Visibility

10
10
The sole indicator light on top of the Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker is glowing red.
The red indicator light at the center of the lid of the Crownful waffle maker, shining dimly.

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Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Matthew Lee
Matthew LeeReviewer

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.

Headshot of Lap Vo
Lap VoTest Lead

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.

Headshot of Tuyet Pham
Tuyet PhamProfessional Chef

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.

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