Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker review

Is the Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker worth buying? 

Topped with berries and maple syrup, drizzled with chocolate or slathered with gravy, waffles are always exciting. The Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker produces four small waffles at once, so there's less waiting and everyone's happy. 

Dash claims its waffle maker produces no mess, thanks to its drip channels, and is easy to clean with its nonstick surfaces. It also says that it heats quickly and cooks evenly.

The only way to find out was to put the Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker to the test. If you're wondering whether this waffle maker is worth buying, now's your chance to find out. 

Testing the Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker

It's only by using items regularly that you notice any sticking points, as well as benefits that you might not have noticed at first try. That's why the BestReviews Testing Lab uses products in real-world conditions over an extended period of time. It has a group of testers who use products in their own homes. For this article, the tester made a variety of waffles to see how this appliance performed. 

What is the Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker?

It's a waffle maker that produces four mini 4-inch waffles at once. It also has drip channels that prevent mess by capturing excess batter and turning them into waffle sticks. It comes in two color choices: graphite or aqua. 

See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best mini waffle makers.

Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker price and where to buy

The Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker is available at Amazon. It costs around $50 at full price, but you can often find it for $35-$40. 

How to use the Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker

The first thing to do once you unpack your waffle maker is to clean and dry the plates. After that, it's ready to use. It's simple to operate: you just plug it into a power outlet and wait for it to heat up. There aren't any controls or temperature settings, which makes life easier if you aren't too worried about finessing the results. 

Once it's heated up, you just pour batter into the molds, close the lid and cook until they've reached your desired level of crispiness. 

Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker benefits

Drip channels

Perhaps the most notable feature of this waffle maker is its no-mess drip channels. If you overfill the molds, any excess batter is squeezed out into the channels, leaving your waffles even without batter dripping over the side. 

These channels work well; they're not just a gimmick. Not only does this mean less mess and perfectly formed waffles, you also get little waffle sticks to eat as an added bonus. These sticks aren't quite as cooked as the waffles themselves, but they still taste good and are safe to eat. This isn't a feature commonly found in other waffle makers. Even high-end options, such as Breville waffle makers, don't have drip channels. 

Heats quickly

Dash's mini waffle maker doesn't take long to heat up. It takes longer to mix up waffle batter than it does for this appliance to heat. This is good news when you're making waffles for impatient guests or hungry kids. The indicator light switches from red to green once it preheats, so you'll know when it's time to get started. 

Nonstick

This waffle maker has effective nonstick plates, making it easy to lift waffles out once they're done. It's frustrating to go to the effort of making waffles, only to find you can't get them off the plates, so it's a feature most users appreciate. While the majority of waffle makers have nonstick plates, it's still good to know that they work effectively, as this isn't always the case. 

Waffle size

The 4-inch waffles are a great size. While this is classed as a mini waffle, it's not excessively small, so you might only need one or two per person. This is a fairly standard size for mini waffles. However, most mini waffle makers only make one to two waffles at a time, whereas this one makes four at once. When you're making waffles for a crowd, you'll really appreciate this extra capacity. 

Long power cord

The power cord measures 31 inches long, which is a convenient length for use in most kitchens. It's long enough that you don't have to position it right next to an outlet, but it's not so long that the excess is always getting in the way. 

Ease of use

This waffle maker is extremely easy to use. There aren't any temperature settings or other controls to worry about, so you just close the lid and wait. This is similar to others at this price point, though you can find some more expensive ones with additional controls. 

Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker drawbacks

Non-removable plates

The plates don't come out, so cleanup can be tough if any parts get waffle stuck to them. Many other affordable waffle makers have fixed plates, but higher-end models often have removable ones for easier cleaning. 

No temperature controls

While the lack of temperature controls makes them easy to use, it also means you have to constantly watch your waffles to see when they reach your desired level of crispness. 

Can cook unevenly

While individual waffles cook evenly, the waffles in the front two molds take longer to cook than the ones in the back two molds. This seems to happen because the handle doesn't lock in place, so as the batter expands, the lid lifts slightly, cooling down the front of the waffle maker, furthest from the hinge. 

You can solve this problem by putting something heavy on the lid, but it's a bit of a pain. It's an issue with most waffle makers that don't have locking lids. 

Should you get the Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker?

If you want to churn out multiple mini waffles at once, the Dash Mini Multi Waffle Maker is an excellent choice. It produces yummy results at an affordable price, with no mess, just like Dash claims. It's also reliably nonstick and heats up quickly. Where it falls down is its inability to produce consistently even results. However, there are potential workarounds for this. All told, it's a decent option.