Presto Flipside Belgian vs BLACK+DECKER WMB500 Side-by-Side Comparison
Wondering what to pick between the Presto Flipside Belgian and the BLACK+DECKER WMB500 waffle maker? Here’s our side-by-side comparison.
Specifications
Design
Our first impression of the Presto 03510 waffle maker was that it’s a luxurious waffle maker. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, many deficiencies were revealed. Its overall build quality isn’t very good, having many dents and gaps on various parts of its bodywork. This gave us the impression that its manufacture was done hastily.
The waffle plates were very well-built, but the non-stick finish could be further improved. During our cooking tests, we had to deal with several sticky waffles.
Lastly, the control panel itself does not have a browning control knob which some people may find slightly disappointing. But it’s not rare for waffle makers in this price range to lack a control function, like the BLACK+DECKER WMD200B or the DASH No-Drip.
The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 has a simplistic, blocky design—typical of an entry-level waffle maker. It looks quite similar to the Cuisinart WMR-CA, which is in the same price range.
However, its stainless steel baking chamber adds a shiny touch to the otherwise mundane look, making for a visually pleasing aesthetic overall.
Despite its low price point, the construction quality is great. The only downside is the noticeable absence of a control panel. Rather than buttons or the like, an indicator light at the top alerts you when your waffle is ready to eat.
Usability Comparison
The Presto waffle maker is easy to use overall. You may initially feel slightly unfamiliar with its flipping function, but you'll get a grip on it in only a few minutes.
Safety is handled very well in the Presto waffle maker. We measured the surface temperatures of parts that the user regularly has to touch, such as the handle.
None of these parts get dangerously hot — they're uncomfortably warm at best.
It doesn't perform too impressively in our cleanability tests because its plastic exterior tends to grip dried batter.
It’s simple to start with the BLACK+DECKER WMB500, mostly because it doesn’t have a control panel. Most of BLACK+DECKER’s budget-friendly offerings don’t have a control panel (case in point, the BLACK+DECKER Double waffle maker.)
All you need to do is plug it in and wait for the power light to go off, signaling that it's ready for use. Pour in your batter, wait for the waffle to cook, then lift the lid and extract your waffle.
The waffle maker did excellently in both fields regarding cleanability and safety.
Performance Test
In our self-mixed recipe test, the Presto’s performance was lackluster at best. The waffles were disappointing, with a blackened, charred coloring and little to no flavor or texture.
The Presto performed much better with the new Birch Benders waffle mix in later test rounds. The coloration was great, and our chef judged the resulting waffles as being tasty. But it’s not perfect: the texture was deemed as needing improvement.
The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 displayed impressive cooking performance across both test recipes. The resulting waffles weren't restaurant-level quality, but certainly more than enough for a healthy homemade breakfast. It’ll be an ideal choice for families who simply need a reliably good option for breakfast.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Unique ‘flip-side’ design
- Far more compact than other flip waffle makers
- Includes a timer with an audible alarm
- The safety rating is high
- 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
- Mediocre cooking performance with a tendency to char the waffle
- Poor build quality
- Certain spots on the waffle maker are difficult to clean
- Lacks control panel
- The stainless steel baking chamber needs regular cleaning to look its best
Conclusion
The Presto Flipside Belgian waffle maker is a mid-range model. Meanwhile, the WMB500 is positioned as the entry-level model in BLACK+DECKER’s portfolio.
But putting aside the pricing, the Presto Flipside Belgian waffle maker comes with many additional features that the BLACK+DECKER WMB500 doesn’t have. These features, such as the flippable baking chamber and the built-in timer, may convince you to pay the extra.
The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 has a basic design that reflects its price. Its performance, according to our test data, is also unremarkable. While it can make waffles with decent enough quality to serve as breakfasts, it’s not restaurant-level.
So, between these two, it will come down to whether you think all of the extra features of the Presto Flipside Belgian waffle maker are worth the money or not.
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.
