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Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic vs BLACK+DECKER WMB500 Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , , and ·Updated

Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic

$24.99 from Amazon

BLACK and DECKER

$28.95 from Amazon
Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic vs BLACK+DECKER WMB500: Short Comparison

Overall Verdict

The Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic is the waffle maker to pick if you’re looking for something to help you bake diner-style breakfast waffles. This model comes with waffle plates imprinted with a classic-style patterning (also known as “American-style”). Compared to Belgian waffles, classic-style waffles are thinner and have smaller pockets.

The portion is less, but the cooking speed is faster. In our tests, the Cuisinart WMR-CA took only 3 minutes to produce a cooked waffle.

The WMB500 is positioned as an affordable waffle maker in BLACK+DECKER’s portfolio. It cooks Belgian-style 7-inch waffles that are thicker and have wider pockets than the classic-style waffles made by the Cuisinart WMR-CA.

Aside from the difference in waffle plate patterning, they also differ in cooking performance. The Cuisinart WMR-CA did much better than the BLACK+DECKER WMB500 in our performance tests.

Design-wise, they aren't lookers, since both models are meant for the entry-level market. These waffle makers have very simple designs. Fortunately, their build quality is decent.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

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
  • 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
  • Poor performance on self-mixed recipe
  • Heating element is too strong and can easily burn waffles
  • Dim indicator lights
  • Lacks control panel
  • The stainless steel baking chamber needs regular cleaning to look its best

Key Specs

Features
Sliding browning knob, indicator lights
Premium stainless steel top cover, indicator lights
Adjustable Settings
5
None
Dimensions
L9.7 x W7.9 x H3.3 inches
L13.1 x W10 x H4.7 inches
Material
Stainless steel/plastic housing; cast iron, nonstick baking plates
Stainless steel/plastic housing; aluminum nonstick baking plates
Weight
1 pound
4 pound
Waffle diameter
6.8" (17.3 cm)
7.5" (19.1 cm)

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$29.95
$21.82
$24.99 at Amazon
$28.95 at Amazon

*You help support Shouldit's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
7.2
6.7

Self-Mixed Recipe

6.7
6.8
Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic Self-Mixed Recipe Video
The very dark brown top crust of a waffle baked for 3 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The very dark brown top crust of a waffle baked for 3 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The cross-section of a waffle baked for 3 minutes, revealing small air cavities within the waffle’s interior.
The 3-minute waffle being torn by hand down the middle to test it for consistency and texture.
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.
Heat Level
3
N/A
Cooking Time
3 minutes
5 minutes

Birch Benders Mix

7.7
6.5
Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic Birch Benders Mix Video
The golden brown bottom crust of a waffle baked in 3 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
The bottom golden crust of a waffle baked for 4 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
A cross-section of a waffle, revealing the large air cavities and air bubbles inside.
A waffle is torn down the middle to test for its consistency and texture. The core of the waffle is revealed.
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.
Heat Level
3
N/A
Cooking Time
4 minutes
7 minutes

Design

Overall Design Scoring
7.7
8.7

In the Box

The Cuisinart WMR-CA, with its stainless steel top and black plastic detailing, sitting next to its instructional manual.
The black and silver Black and Decker waffle maker WMB500 next to its instructional manual and shipping box.

Dimensions

The Cuisinart WMR-CA’s dimensions are measured with its length being 9.7 inches, height 3.3 inches, and width 7.9 inches.
The side profile of the black and silver Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker.
Length
9.7" (24.6 cm)
13.1" (33.3 cm)
Width
7.9" (20.1 cm)
10.0" (25.4 cm)
Height
3.3" (8.4 cm)
4.7" (11.9 cm)
Weight
1.0 lbs (0.5 kg)
4.0 lbs (1.8 kg)

Build Quality

8.0
9.5
The back end of the Cuisinart WMR-CA. Internal electric wiring and circuit boards can be seen through a gap.
The back end of the Cuisinart WMR-CA. Internal electric wiring and circuit boards can be seen through a gap.
Cuisinart WMR-CA Build Quality Video
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.

Waffle Plates

7.0
10
The Cuisinart WMR-CA with its lid opened, revealing the set of two black, non-stick-coated waffle plates.
The Cuisinart WMR-CA with its lid opened, revealing the set of two black, non-stick-coated waffle plates.
A close-up view of the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s waffle plate. It has classic-style patterning and is coated in black non-stick.
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
2
Grid Pattern
Classic-style
Belgian-style
Plate Area
47.78 inches
50.27 inch
Plate Length
7.8" (19.8 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Plate Width
7.8" (19.8 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Material
Cast iron
Cast aluminum
Non Stick Coating
Yes
Yes
Removable
No
No
Dishwasher Safe
No
No

Control Panel

8.0
0.0
The control panel of the Cuisinart round classic waffle maker. There’s the silver browning control knob and indicator lights.
The control panel of the Cuisinart round classic waffle maker. There’s the silver browning control knob and indicator lights.
Cuisinart WMR-CA Control Panel
Indicator Lights
Yes
Yes
Audible Alarm
No
No
Timer
No
No
Browning Control
Yes
No

Power Cord

The side profile of the Cuisinart WMR-CA waffle maker, with its power cord at the front.
The side profile of the Cuisinart WMR-CA waffle maker, with its power cord at the front.
Closed-up view of the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s power cord and its Type-A prongs.
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)
Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
Length
3.0 ft (0.9 m)
1.9 ft (0.6 m)
Cable Management
No
No

Accessories

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

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.1
9.5

Handling

9.0
10

Safety

9.6
9.9
The temperature of the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s cool-touch handle is measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 96.4°F.
The temperature of the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s cool-touch handle is measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 96.4°F.
The temperature of the top lid of the Cuisinart WMR-CA is measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 181.7°F.
The temperature of the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s base is measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 94.1°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 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
181.7°F
156.7°F
Bottom Side Temperature
94°F
104.2°F
Handle Temperature
96.4°F
111°F

Cleanability

9.5
8.0
Cuisinart WMR-CA Cleanability

Indicator Light Visibility

6.5
10
The indicator lights at the front of the Cuisinart WMR-CA, left is the red POWER light and right is the green READY light.
The sole indicator light on top of the Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker is glowing red.