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BLACK+DECKER WMB500 vs Nostalgia MWF5AQ Side-by-Side Comparison

Matthew Lee
Reviewer
Nguyen Ntk
Visual Specialist
Updated
Tested Using Methodology v1.1
Updated Mar 25, 2023
Tested Using Methodology v1.1
Updated May 27, 2023
The black and silver Black and Decker waffle maker WMB500 next to its instructional manual and shipping box.
The Nostalgia MWF5AQ mini waffle maker next to its instruction manual and shipping box.

Our Verdict

7.9
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    6.7/10
  • Design (20%)
    8.7/10
  • Ease of Use (30%)
    9.5/10
6.7
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    6.3/10
  • Design (20%)
    8.4/10
  • Ease of Use (30%)
    6.3/10

The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 and the Nostalgia MWF5AQ are in the same price range. However, they differ in size, performance, and their intended uses.

The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 is an entry-level, full-size Belgian waffle maker. Though its scores in our performance tests weren’t excellent, it was still acceptable. If you seek a simple waffle maker to handle breakfasts, the WMB500 will do the job well.

On the other hand, the Nostalgia MWF5AQ is a mini waffle maker. It cooks waffles that are only 4 inches across. The whole unit is compact enough to fit in the palm. That makes it a great choice for travelers who want a compact waffle maker to bring with them on their trips. Alternatively, if you want to cook small snacks to eat throughout the day, the Nostalgia MWF5AQ should also make for a good buy.

In the end, it should boil down to the kind of waffle you want to eat. Is it a normal Belgian waffle you want? Or do you want a small, bite-sized waffle?

Once you have answered that question, you will know which one to get!

Great for Family Breakfasts

Black and Decker Belgian Waffle Maker’s Performance

Nostalgia Mini Waffle Maker’s Performance: Great, As Far As Mini Waffle Makers Go
6.7
Performance Scores
  • Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.8/10
  • Birch Benders Mix (50%)6.5/10
6.3
Performance Scores
  • Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.8/10
  • Birch Benders Mix (50%)5.9/10
6.8

Self-Mixed Recipe

6.8
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.
Color: 7
35% * 7 = 2.5
Texture: 5.5
25% * 5.5 = 1.4
Taste: 7.5
40% * 7.5 = 3.0
  • Heat Level: N/A
  • Cooking Time: 5 minutes

The coloration was decent despite the waffle’s wells looking slightly burnt, and some spots on the crust looked undercooked. It received only a passable grade due to having a low aeration rate. Fortunately, it picked up the slack with its tastiness.

Color (7) — 35%

  • Color tone: Very dark brown - Light brown (both)
  • Color distribution: Even

The crust has a very delectable light gold tone around the perimeter and on the raised lines of the waffle pattern. Inside the deep wells, the color has a darker brown color.

The color distribution is great for the waffle. Both sides have relatively similar color tones and gradients.

Texture (5.5) — 25%

  • Texture: Mediocre
  • Aeration level: Medium; air bubbles have begun filling the interior of the waffle. However, their sizes were small and their numbers were few

The concentration of air bubbles within the waffle’s core was way less than ideal. Most of the bubbles were concentrated near the crust, leaving the core dense with un-aerated batter. The result is a rather chewy waffle.

Taste (7.5) — 40%

  • Flavor: Sweet with a buttery aftertaste
  • Mouthfeel: Slightly mushy

The waffle tastes great, according to our chef. The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 was able to unlock the potential of the batter, releasing its sweetness and buttery aftertaste. But the mouthfeel was less than ideal due to the dense interior of the waffle. Its chewy texture ruined the tasting experience.

Nostalgia MWF5AQ Self-Mixed Recipe Video
The light brown top crust of a waffle baked for 6 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The light brown bottom crust of a waffle baked for 6 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
A cross-section of a waffle baked for 6 minutes. The interior is filled with air bubbles and cavities.
The waffle is torn down the middle by hand to test it for its consistency, revealing the spongy inner core.
Color: 6.5
35% * 6.5 = 2.3
Texture: 6
25% * 6 = 1.5
Taste: 7.5
40% * 7.5 = 3.0
  • Heat Level: N/A
  • Cooking Time: 6 minutes

The crust’s coloration was decent, with an appealing light brown color throughout. Within the wells were some dark brown burnt spots. They weren’t charred, but they still introduced a slight bitterness to the waffle. The texture was soft and fluffy, thanks to a high aeration rate. And taste-wise, our chef rated it as flavorful but held back from giving it a higher score due to the bitterness from the burnt spots.

Color (35%) — 6.5/10

  • Color tone: Light brown (Both)
  • Color distribution: Even

On the whole, the waffle had good coloration. The outer crust was light brown, with most of the darker spots concentrated inside the wells. Though it had a slightly mottled appearance, we still considered the waffle’s coloration to be uniform.

Texture (25%) - 6/10

  • Texture: Good
  • Aeration level: High - air bubbles were plentiful and well-sized within the waffle

The interior of the waffle was fully developed and aerated, resulting in a soft, fluffy core. Large air bubbles and pockets could be seen throughout the waffle’s interior.

Taste (40%) - 7.5/10

  • Flavor: Rich and sweet, slightly bitter
  • Mouthfeel: Soft and fluffy

Our chef described it as having a rich, sweet taste. Although the burnt spots on the crust introduced a slight bitterness to the waffle’s flavor profile, it was still delicious. Hence, the waffle received a good score in this section.

6.5

Birch Benders Mix

5.9
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.
Color: 7
35% * 7 = 2.5
Texture: 6
25% * 6 = 1.5
Taste: 6.5
40% * 6.5 = 2.6
  • Heat Level: N/A
  • Cooking Time: 7 minutes

The waffle has beautiful coloration thanks to its dark golden brown crust. In terms of texture and taste, the waffle was mediocre. It was mushy and chewy inside, and the waffle was a bit too bland. Nonetheless, the waffle should still be good if you're not picky and want a simple, classic breakfast waffle. This waffle maker certainly won't be able to make anything gourmet!

Color (7) — 35%

  • Color tone: Very dark brown - Light brown (both)
  • Color distribution: Even

The waffle looked great to the eyes. The crust had a beautiful light gold color on both sides of the waffle. Inside the wells, the coloring was slightly darker, but not by much. None of the wells were charred.

Texture (6) — 25%

  • Texture: Mediocre
  • Aeration level: Medium; air bubbles have begun filling the interior of the waffle. However, their sizes were small and their numbers were few

The aeration level was low. Very few air bubbles or pockets exist within the waffle, resulting in a very crumbly and mealy texture.

Taste (6.5) — 40%

  • Flavor: Sweet with a buttery aftertaste
  • Mouthfeel: Slightly mushy

Flavor-wise, the waffle was mediocre. The sweetness was there, and so was the signature salty taste of the Birch Benders mix. However, our chef assessed that the waffle's flavors didn’t seem fully developed. It’s still a bit too bland, possibly due to the underdeveloped core of the waffle.

Nostalgia MWF5AQ 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.
A cross-section of a waffle baked for 8 minutes, revealing the interior filled with air bubbles and air cavities.
A waffle, baked for 8 minutes, being torn down the middle by hand to test its consistency, revealing the fluffy interior.
Color: 5
35% * 5 = 1.8
Texture: 7
25% * 7 = 1.8
Taste: 6
40% * 6 = 2.4
  • Heat Level: N/A
  • Cooking Time: 8 minutes

Though the pale coloration of the waffle didn't look great, the texture and taste were decent. It was soft and pliant with a taste that—while not gourmet—was good enough for breakfasts and light snacks.

Color (35%) — 5/10

  • Color tone: Pale gold (Both)
  • Color distribution: Even

The crust had a very light gold tone, with the pockets being slightly darker. Because the color was too light with the same tone as undercooked batter, we didn’t rate the waffle highly in this section.

Texture (25%) - 7/10

  • Texture: Soft, but overly moist and mushy
  • Aeration level: Medium

The overall texture was acceptable but certainly could have been better. We found several air bubbles throughout the cake's core when cutting the waffle open. They were small and had inconsistent distribution, resulting in a soft but spongy waffle.

Taste (40%) - 6/10

  • Flavor: Sweet and slightly savory
  • Mouthfeel: Soft, but mushy in certain spots

Our chef rated the Nostalgia’s performance in this test as “Good.” The full flavor of the Birch Benders mix was extracted: we got a sweet, slightly salty taste profile in this waffle. But where it fell short was in the mouthfeel. Though it was indeed soft, its mushiness affected the overall experience greatly.

Black & Decker Belgian Waffle Maker’s Design

Nostalgia MyMini Waffle Maker’s Design: Doesn’t Feel Cheap!
8.7
design Scores
  • Build Quality (60%)9.5/10
  • Waffle Plates (30%)10/10
  • Control Panel (10%)0/10
8.4
design Scores
  • Build Quality (60%)9.0/10
  • Waffle Plates (30%)10/10
  • Control Panel (10%)0/10

What’s in the Box of the Black & Decker Waffle Maker

In The Box
The black and silver Black and Decker waffle maker WMB500 next to its instructional manual and shipping box.
  • BLACK+DECKER WMB500
  • Instruction manual

The waffle maker itself and an instruction manual are the box’s only content.

The blue-colored Nostalgia Mini waffle maker MWF5AQ next to its instruction manuals and shipping box.
  • Nostalgia MWF5AQ MyMini waffle maker
  • Instruction manuals

Dimensions

Nostalgia My Mini Waffle Maker’s Dimensions & Weight
The side profile of the black and silver Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker.
  • Length:
    13.1" (33.3 cm)
  • Width:
    10.0" (25.4 cm)
  • Height:
    4.7" (11.9 cm)
  • Weight:
    4.0 lbs (1.8 kg)

The WMB500 has roughly the same dimensions as your average Belgian waffle maker. At 4 pounds, it’s not much heavier, as well.

But the special part is that BLACK+DECKER has used a smart trick to make it more compact and easier to store for the user. The rear of the machine is flat so that you can stand the waffle maker up vertically, making storage easier.

The side profile of the Nostalgia My Mini waffle maker’s plastic exterior. The top lid is cyan blue and the bottom is black.
  • Length:
    6.8" (17.1 cm)
  • Width:
    6.5" (16.5 cm)
  • Height:
    3.5" (8.9 cm)
  • Weight:
    1.3 lbs (0.6 kg)

True to its name, the Nostalgia MWF5AQ has a lightweight and compact design. The waffle maker weighs 1.25 pounds and is small enough to fit in one’s palm. Consequently, Nostalgia has focused a lot on travelers and hikers in their marketing for the MWF5AQ as they may enjoy having a waffle maker that is small enough to fit in their backpacks or luggage.

9.5

Build Quality

9.0
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.

The BLACK+DECKER WMB500’s baking chamber is made from stainless steel. While the metallic shine improves its look somewhat, we noticed that the metal is highly prone to fingerprints and smudges. So, to maintain the look, you must scrub down the waffle maker daily.

Except for the baking chamber, every other part of the waffle maker is made from plastic. That includes the handle, the back foot, and the lid hinges. All the components are well-built, and we didn’t find any obvious flaws during our inspection.

 Nostalgia MWF5AQ Mini Build Quality
A close-up shot of the hinges of the Nostalgia MWF5AQ’s lid.
The back end of the Nostalgia Mini waffle maker (MWF5AQ). A section of the lid hinges can be seen, along with the power cord.
The bottom side of the Nostalgia MWF5AQ, with the two anti-slip feet in the foreground and wide back foot in the background.

The Nostalgia waffle maker has a solid build quality for the price. Although its plastic construction makes it look and feel quite cheap, every part is built and finished well. The coloring on the lid is vibrant, the lid hinges are solid and don’t wobble, and we didn’t find any significant design or build-related issues.

10

Waffle Plates

10
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.
  • Number of Plates:
    2
  • Grid Pattern:
    Belgian-style
  • Plate Area:
    50.27 inch2
  • Plate Length:
    8.0" (20.3 cm)
  • Plate Width:
    8.0" (20.3 cm)
  • Material:
    Cast aluminum
  • Non Stick Coating:
    Yes
  • Removable:
    No
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    No

The thing that stood out most to us was the coating on the plates of the WMB500. While most models we have tested have a matte, rough non-stick coating, the ones found on the WMB500’s plates are glossy and smooth. Unfortunately, BLACK+DECKER doesn’t disclose the formula of non-stick it uses for the WMB500. 

But while we can’t tell for certain what the coating is made of, we know that it works very well. We have never once had to deal with a sticky waffle during our performance tests.

An overview of the Nostalgia MWF5AQ’s black, non-stick waffle plates.
An overview of the Nostalgia MWF5AQ’s black, non-stick waffle plates.
A close-up shot of one of the Nostalgia MWF5AQ’s black, non-stick waffle plates.
  • Number of Plates:
    2
  • Grid Pattern:
    Classic-style
  • Plate Area:
    15.9 inches2
  • Plate Length:
    4.5" (11.4 cm)
  • Plate Width:
    4.5" (11.4 cm)
  • Material:
    Die-cast aluminum
  • Non Stick Coating:
    Yes
  • Removable:
    No
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    No

The waffle plates are Belgian-style and are coated with a layer of non-stick. Nostalgia didn’t disclose the chemical composition of the non-stick layer. Nevertheless, throughout our performance tests, the coating held up well. We have never had to deal with a sticky waffle.

0.0

Control Panel

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

The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 doesn’t have any control feature except an indicator light at the top.

  • Indicator Lights:
    Yes
  • Audible Alarm:
    No
  • Timer:
    No
  • Browning Control:
    No

The Nostalgia MWF5AQ has a single indicator light at the top. It does not have any additional control features.

Black and Decker Belgian Waffle Maker’s Power Cord

Nostalgia MyMini Waffle Maker’s Power Cord
The power plug of the Black and Decker WMB500 Belgian waffle maker with the Type-A prongs design clearly visible.
  • Plug Style:
    Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
  • Length:
    1.9 ft (0.6 m)
  • Cable Management:
    No

The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 comes with a power cord measuring about 23 inches long. It’s quite short, so having an extension cord close at hand.

There is no “official” cable management feature on the waffle maker. You can wrap the cord around the back foot of the machine, but only while it’s staying flat. However, the cord will prevent the waffle maker from standing upright and makes it even more problematic to put into storage. A solution we have found is to simply wrap the cord around the baking chamber.

The power cord of the Nostalgia mini waffle maker, which has the Type A plug.
  • Plug Style:
    Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
  • Length:
    8.2" (20.8 cm)
  • Cable Management:
    Yes

The power cord only measures around 8 inches long. As such, you will most likely need an extension cord.

N/A

Accessories

N/A
  • Material:
    N/A
  • Removable:
    N/A
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    N/A

The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 doesn’t come with any extra accessory.

  • Material:
    N/A
  • Removable:
    N/A
  • Dishwasher Safe:
    N/A

The Nostalgia waffle maker does not come with any accessories.

Ease of Use

Black & Decker Waffle Maker’s Review

Nostalgia Mini Waffle Maker Review: Ease of Use
9.5
usability Scores
  • Handling (25%)10/10
  • Safety (40%)9.9/10
  • Cleanability (25%)8.0/10
  • Indicator Light Visibility (10%)10/10
6.3
usability Scores
  • Handling (25%)7.5/10
  • Safety (40%)2.5/10
  • Cleanability (25%)9.5/10
  • Indicator Light Visibility (10%)10/10
10

Handling

7.5

The handling experience of the WMB500 is easy. The lid doesn’t wobble when lifted, like many other models we have tested in this price range.

Notably, when the lid is pushed all the way back, the hinges have a slight dampening force. It can protect you from a recoiling lid when you’re in a hurry and accidentally use too much force to open it.

Working with the Nostalgia waffle maker is easy. Since the waffle maker has no control feature, most people won’t need to read the instruction manuals before getting started.

The lid can be opened and closed smoothly, and the hinges are solid enough that the top doesn’t jiggle or sway too much from side to side.

Like most mini waffle makers, its small size means the surfaces on the unit heat up to dangerous temperatures after a while. So, oven mitts are a must for handling the waffle maker.

9.9

Safety

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.
  • Top Side Temperature:
    156.7°F
  • Bottom Side Temperature:
    104.2°F
  • Handle Temperature:
    111°F

The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 did excellently in this respect, achieving a near-perfect score. Measuring temperatures at three critical points on the waffle maker—the top side, the bottom, and the handle—the figures are all within acceptable limits.

At the top, above the back foot, and near the indicator light, we measured a temperature of 156.7°F.

The bottom is where most people will hold onto when they need to pick up the waffle maker. Here, we measured a cool temperature of 104.2°F, which is merely warm.

The handle’s temperature was warm, but not uncomfortably so at 111°F.

The temperature of the Nostalgia MWF5AQ’s top lid is being measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 169.9°F.
The temperature of the Nostalgia MWF5AQ’s top lid is being measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 169.9°F.
The temperature of the Nostalgia MWF5AQ’s base is being measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 127.9°F.
The temperature of the Nostalgia MWF5AQ’s handle is being measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 149.2°F.
  • Top Side Temperature:
    169.9°F
  • Bottom Side Temperature:
    127.9°F
  • Handle Temperature:
    149.2°F

Due to its small size, the waffle maker’s surfaces heat up quickly. So, every surface—from top to bottom—got dangerously hot.

We also noticed the Nostalgia having the same problem as other mini-size waffle makers: hot steam. After a cooking session, a hot plume of steam wafts upward from the plates when you open the lid. The flash of pain can be startling if you’re unprepared and may cause you to drop the lid, potentially damaging the waffle plates.

As such, you should always wear oven mitts while operating this waffle maker (Nostalgia included this point in the safety section in the user’s manual).

At the top of the lid, the temperature measured around 170°F.

8.0

Cleanability

9.5

Cleaning up after a cooking session is fast and easy. Spilled batter can be quickly scraped off from the exterior of the machine. And since the non-stick coating already works pretty well, we only had to pick stray crumbs and pieces of debris off the plates from time to time.

The stainless steel baking chamber is the real issue in this part. As we said earlier, it’s prone to smudges and fingerprints. You will need to clean it regularly if you want to maintain a pristine look for it. Else, it’s going to lose its luster in a week or two and look very worn.

Excess batter pouring out from within the baking chamber of the Nostalgia MWF5AQ.

The non-stick plates help a lot with the clean-up afterward. Since the batter and the waffle didn’t stick to the plates, we only had to wipe lightly with a cloth to remove the debris and residues.

But because it’s so small, there were waffle spills from time to time. But thanks to the outer shell of the waffle maker being made from smooth plastic, which doesn’t grip onto batter tightly, they can be cleaned with just a cloth and mild detergent.

10

Indicator Light Visibility

10
The sole indicator light on top of the Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker is glowing red.

The light is decently bright and is visible even under studio lighting.

The red indicator light at the top of the Nostalgia’s lid. It is shining dimly in the harsh studio light.

The waffle maker’s sole indicator light is bright. We could observe it easily from afar as well as under harsh studio lighting.