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

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Oster Belgian

$26.04 from Amazon

BLACK and DECKER

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Oster Belgian vs BLACK+DECKER WMB500: How Do They Stack Up Against One Another?

Overall Verdict

The Oster Belgian waffle maker and the BLACK+DECKER WMB500 are considered “affordable” models. On the market, they’re priced similarly (with the WMB500 being slightly pricier.)

In this case, we highly recommend spending some extra on the BLACK+DECKER WMB500.

Our performance tests have put the WMB500 at a much higher ranking than the Oster Belgian waffle maker. While the quality of the waffles it made wasn’t gourmet, the WMB500 was still able to produce some tasty waffles suitable for breakfasts and light snacking.

The Oster Belgian waffle maker has very unstable heating elements, causing the waffle to cook unevenly. One side can have a brown, cooked tone, while the other is still lightly colored and undercooked.

For this reason alone, you should pick the BLACK+DECKER WMB500.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Affordable
  • Performs decently in our test with Birch Benders mix
  • Fairly compact design makes for easier storage
  • Responsive temperature control dial
  • 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
  • Unremarkable performance in our test with our self-mixed waffle batter
  • Bad build quality
  • Exposed electronics could be safety hazards
  • Very dim indicator lights
  • Lacks control panel
  • The stainless steel baking chamber needs regular cleaning to look its best

Key Specs

Features
Belgian-style waffle plates, tactile browning control, indicator lights
Premium stainless steel top cover, indicator lights
Adjustable Settings
Variable
None
Dimensions
L10 x W8 x H4 inches
L13.1 x W10 x H4.7 inches
Material
Metal/plastic housing; die-cast aluminum nonstick baking plates
Stainless steel/plastic housing; aluminum nonstick baking plates
Weight
3.2 lbs (1.5 kg)
4 pound
Waffle diameter
7.0" (17.8 cm)
7.5" (19.1 cm)

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$21.74
$21.82
$26.04 at Amazon
Check Price on Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.0
6.7

Self-Mixed Recipe

5.2
6.8
Oster Belgian Self-Mixed Recipe
The very dark brown-dark gold top crust of a waffle baked for 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The very dark brown-dark gold bottom crust of a waffle baked for 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
A cross-section of a waffle baked for 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe. The interior is dense with few air bubbles.
A waffle, baked for 5 minutes, is torn by hands to test for its consistency. The interior of the waffle is revealed.
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
Max
N/A
Cooking Time
5 minutes
5 minutes

Birch Benders Mix

6.8
6.5
Oster Belgian Birch Benders Mix Video
The very light gold-dark brown top crust of a waffle baked for 3 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
The very light gold-dark brown bottom crust of a waffle baked for 3 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
The interior of a waffle baked for 3 minutes using a Birch Benders batter mix. Small air cavities can be seen within.
A waffle, baked for 3 minutes using our Birch Benders batter mix, is torn down the middle by hands. The interior can be seen.
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
Max
N/A
Cooking Time
3 minutes
7 minutes

Design

Overall Design Scoring
6.2
8.7

In the Box

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

Dimensions

The physical dimensions of the Oster Belgian waffle maker. The length is 10 inches, height 4 inches, and width 8 inches.
The side profile of the black and silver Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker.
Length
10.0" (25.4 cm)
13.1" (33.3 cm)
Width
8.0" (20.3 cm)
10.0" (25.4 cm)
Height
4.0" (10.2 cm)
4.7" (11.9 cm)
Weight
3.2 lbs (1.5 kg)
4.0 lbs (1.8 kg)

Build Quality

4.5
9.5
The side profile of the Oster CKSTWF2000 Belgian waffle maker. The stainless steel lid is blemished from daily use.
The side profile of the Oster CKSTWF2000 Belgian waffle maker. The stainless steel lid is blemished from daily use.
Oster Waffle Maker Build Quality Video
The back side of the Oster Belgian waffle maker. The power cables can be in-between the gaps created by the plastic hinges.
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

8.5
10
An overview of the waffle plates of the Oster waffle maker. It’s made from cast aluminum and has Belgian-style patterning.
An overview of the waffle plates of the Oster waffle maker. It’s made from cast aluminum and has Belgian-style patterning.
A close-up of the black, cast aluminum waffle plate of the Oster waffle maker.
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
Belgian-style
Belgian-style
Plate Area
7.8 inch
50.27 inch
Plate Length
7.1" (18.0 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Plate Width
7.1" (18.0 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Material
Die-cast aluminum
Cast aluminum
Non Stick Coating
Yes
Yes
Removable
No
No
Dishwasher Safe
No
No

Control Panel

9.0
0.0
The control panel of the Oster CKSTWF2000 Belgian waffle maker. There’s the browning control knob and the indicator lights.
Indicator Lights
Yes
Yes
Audible Alarm
No
No
Timer
No
No
Browning Control
Yes
No

Power Cord

The power cord of the Oster Belgian waffle maker.
The power cord of the Oster Belgian waffle maker.
The Type A plug attachment of the Oster Belgian waffle maker’s power cord.
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
2.3 ft (0.7 m)
1.9 ft (0.6 m)
Cable Management
Yes
No

Accessories

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

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
5.0
9.5

Handling

6.5
10

Safety

1.7
9.9
The temperature of the base of the Oster waffle maker is measured with a thermometer. The screen reads 143.4°F.
The temperature of the base of the Oster waffle maker is measured with a thermometer. The screen reads 143.4°F.
The temperature of the front handle of the Oster waffle maker is measured with a thermometer. The screen reads 189°F.
The temperature of the control panel of the Oster waffle maker is measured with a thermometer. The screen reads 176.9°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
176°F
156.7°F
Bottom Side Temperature
143°F
104.2°F
Handle Temperature
189°F
111°F

Cleanability

9.0
8.0
Excess batter spilling out from the waffle plates of the Oster waffle maker.

Indicator Light Visibility

4.5
10
The indicator lights of the Oster waffle maker. To the left is the red POWER light, and the right is the green READY light.
The sole indicator light on top of the Black and Decker WMB500 waffle maker is glowing red.