Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 Double vs Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic Side-by-Side Comparison
It’s a tough comparison: the high-end Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 and the low-end Cuisinart WMR-CA. If you’re wondering which one to pick, this article will help!
Specifications
Design
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.
Thanks to its mostly-metal construction, the design of this waffle maker is undeniably solid and aesthetically pleasing. However, certain parts have been crafted from silver-painted plastic rather than actual metal.
While the waffle plates are effective and the control panel is easy to use, there are still a few minor issues that prevent them from getting a perfect overall score.
Usability Comparison
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.
Handling the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 is a breeze with its easy-to-use locking system and smooth rotating mechanism. The handy indicator lights are bright enough to help you monitor the cooking process, even under harsh lighting or far away.
Despite its excellence, this device isn't completely perfect. One shortcoming is its lack of a POWER light that would give an extra safety warning. Additionally, it can be tough to clean after each use.
Performance Test
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.
This waffle maker gets a passing score. It wasn’t restaurant-quality by any means, and there were plenty of flaws in terms of coloration and texture. Nonetheless, the WAF-F20P1 still produced a decent waffle in our self-mixed recipe test.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Affordable
- Did a great job in our test with Birch Benders mix
- Fast cooking time
- Compact and lightweight design makes it easy to store
- Strong cooking performance across all tests
- Beautiful, durable stainless steel design
- Comprehensive control panel with audible alarm
- Intuitive lid locking mechanism
- Comes with a batter measuring cup
- Poor performance on self-mixed recipe
- Heating element is too strong and can easily burn waffles
- Dim indicator lights
- Mediocre performance with self-mixed recipe
- Heavy and bulky
- Certain parts are made of plastic
- Lacks a POWER indicator light
- Difficult to clean due to the lack of a drip tray
Conclusion
The Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 is a Belgian-style waffle maker, while the Cuisinart WMR-CA can only make thin, classic-style waffles. Having read this, some people may already know which one they prefer better.
Performance is far better with the WAF-F20P1, which received a high overall score in our performance tests. The coloration, texture, and taste of the waffles that came off the WAF-F20P1’s irons were all great. Comparatively, the WMR-CA performed far more modestly.
But the kicker here is that the WAF-F20P1 can cook two waffles simultaneously, thanks to its double-sided design. Meanwhile, the WMR-CA can only cook one at a time. If you need to cook large batches of waffles regularly, the WAF-F20P1 will be a more sensible purchase.
But being a high-end machine, the WAF-F20P1 may not fit the budget of many. That’s where the Cuisinart WMR-CA comes in as the more affordable option out of the two.
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.
