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BLACK+DECKER WMB500 vs KRUPS Belgian Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , , and ·Updated

BLACK and DECKER

Check Price on Amazon

KRUPS Belgian

$68.48 from Amazon
BLACK+DECKER WMB500 vs KRUPS Belgian: How They Measure Up

Overall Verdict

Built to be as wallet-friendly as possible, the BLACK+DECKER WMB500 is without extra bling and doesn’t try to pass itself off as being more expensive than it is. It has a simplistic design and doesn’t come with many features.

Fortunately, it’s still able to serve up some decent waffles. In our tests, the quality wasn’t restaurant-level, but it was more than enough for breakfasts and daily meals.

The KRUPS Belgian waffle maker’s highlight is its ability to cook four 4-inch square waffles at the same time. It can do this thanks to its large waffle plates, which measure over 10 inches long.

However, despite having a visibly more premium design, the KRUPS’ cooking performance is disappointing. So far, it is the only waffle maker to fail one of our cooking tests. Even after 10 minutes, it still didn’t manage to cook the Birch Benders premade batter to completion.

So, if you dislike the BLACK+DECKER WMB500, we still recommend you choose an alternative to the KRUPS, like the DASH No-Drip Belgian.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

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
  • Solidly built from high-quality materials
  • Able to cook four waffles simultaneously
  • The waffle plates’ non-stick coating works great
  • Controls are straightforward to use
  • Easy to clean
  • Lacks control panel
  • The stainless steel baking chamber needs regular cleaning to look its best
  • Waffle’s quality is mediocre in the self-mixed recipe test
  • Failed at producing an edible waffle in the test with the Birch Benders mix
  • Power cord is too short

Key Specs

Features
Premium stainless steel top cover, indicator lights
Quartered classic-style waffle plates, removable plates, intuitive controls
Adjustable Settings
None
Six
Dimensions
L13.1 x W10 x H4.7 inches
L14.4 x W10.2 x H4.5 inches
Material
Stainless steel/plastic housing; aluminum nonstick baking plates
Stainless steel/plastic housing; aluminum nonstick baking plates
Weight
4 pound
9.1 pounds
Waffle diameter
7.5" (19.1 cm)
4.6" (11.7 cm)

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$21.82
$68.54
Check Price on Amazon
$68.48 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.7
2.8

Self-Mixed Recipe

6.8
5.5
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.
KRUPS Belgian Self-Mixed Recipe Video
KRUPS Belgian Self-Mixed RecipeThe very light gold top crust of a waffle baked for 7 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The very light gold bottom crust of a waffle baked for 7 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
A cross-section of a waffle baked for 7 minutes using our self-mixed recipe, the inside is dense with a few air cavities.
A waffle is torn up by hand to test its consistency. This waffle was baked for 7 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
Heat Level
N/A
Between 2 and 3
Cooking Time
5 minutes
7 minutes

Birch Benders Mix

6.5
0.0
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.
KRUPS Belgian Birch Benders Mix Video
The pale gop top crust of a waffle baked for 10 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
The pale gop bottom crust of a waffle baked for 10 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
A cross-section of a waffle baked for 10 minutes using the Birch Benders batter mix, showcasing its dense, irregular interior
A waffle being torn down the middle by hand to test it for its consistency. The golden interior of the waffle is revealed.
Heat Level
N/A
Maximum (5)
Cooking Time
7 minutes
10 minutes

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.7
9.9

In the Box

The black and silver Black and Decker waffle maker WMB500 next to its instructional manual and shipping box.
The KRUPS waffle maker, with its stainless steel top lid and black plastic detailing, sitting next to its instruction manual.

Dimensions

The side profile of the black and silver Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker.
The KRUPS Belgian waffle maker’s dimensions. The length is 14.4 inches, height is 4.5 inches, and width is 10.2 inches.
Length
13.1" (33.3 cm)
14.4" (36.6 cm)
Width
10.0" (25.4 cm)
10.2" (25.9 cm)
Height
4.7" (11.9 cm)
4.5" (11.4 cm)
Weight
4.0 lbs (1.8 kg)
9.1 lbs (4.1 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.
The KRUPS waffle maker's back side. Intricate black plastic detailing and metal components can be seen.
The KRUPS waffle maker's back side. Intricate black plastic detailing and metal components can be seen.
KRUPS Belgian Build Quality video

Waffle Plates

10
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.
An overview of the KRUPS Belgian waffle maker’s black, non-stick-treated waffle plates.
An overview of the KRUPS Belgian waffle maker’s black, non-stick-treated waffle plates.
A close-up shot of the KRUPS Belgian waffle maker’s waffle plate. It has Belgian-style patterning and is non-stick.
The waffle plates of the KRUPS Belgian waffle maker are removed, revealing the heating coils underneath.
KRUPS Belgian Waffle Plates video
KRUPS Belgian Waffle Plates video 1
Number of Plates
2
2
Grid Pattern
Belgian-style
Belgian-style
Plate Area
50.27 inch
102.5 inch
Plate Length
8.0" (20.3 cm)
10.0" (25.4 cm)
Plate Width
8.0" (20.3 cm)
10.3" (26.0 cm)
Material
Cast aluminum
Cast aluminum
Non Stick Coating
Yes
Yes
Removable
No
Yes
Dishwasher Safe
No
Yes

Control Panel

0.0
9.5
A close-up of the control panel of the KRUPS waffle maker. Two indicator lights and a browning control dial knob can be seen.
A close-up of the control panel of the KRUPS waffle maker. Two indicator lights and a browning control dial knob can be seen.
KRUPS Belgian Control Panel video
Indicator Lights
Yes
Yes
Audible Alarm
No
Yes
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 close-up shot of the power cord of the KRUPS Belgian waffle maker, focusing on the Type-A blade.
A close-up shot of the power cord of the KRUPS Belgian waffle maker, focusing on the Type-A blade.
The grommet at the bottom of the KRUPS. It helps the user manage the power cord when the waffle maker is put in storage.
Plug Style
Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
Length
1.9 ft (0.6 m)
2.1 ft (0.6 m)
Cable Management
No
Yes

Accessories

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

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.5
9.6

Handling

10
9.0
The KRUPS waffle maker being held in the air by its handle.
The KRUPS waffle maker being held in the air by its handle.
KRUPS Belgian Handling video

Safety

9.9
9.7
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 temperature of the top side of the KRUPS Belgian waffle maker is being measured with a thermometer. The screen reads 176.5°F.
The temperature of the top side of the KRUPS Belgian waffle maker is being measured with a thermometer. The screen reads 176.5°F.
The temperature of the KRUPS waffle maker’s frontal control panel is being measured. The thermometer’s screen reads 127.2°F.
The temperature of the handle is being measured using a thermometer in a thermal safety test. The screen reads 89.8°F.
Top Side Temperature
156.7°F
176°F
Bottom Side Temperature
104.2°F
127°F
Handle Temperature
111°F
89°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 two indicator lights of the KRUPS Belgian waffle maker: the left is the red ON light, and right is the green READY light.