Making cones at home is the last mile of homemade ice cream, and the machine you use decides whether that last mile is easy or a 40-minute argument with a wafer. After running all ten of the leading waffle cone makers through batches, our take is simple. The MasterChef Waffle Cone and Bowl Maker is the best waffle cone maker for most homes. The Chef’sChoice WaffleCone Express is the one for speed and colour control. The Dyna-Living 1200W commercial unit is the pick for anyone selling cones by the dozen.
Cones themselves take two to four minutes. The part that trips up beginners is rolling, and it is not a machine problem so much as a timing problem. Below we cover ten machines across the full range, from a lightweight gas-stove pan to a 1300W commercial unit, plus a section on whether you can skip the dedicated machine entirely.
If you are still building out your frozen dessert setup, our guides to the best ice cream makers and the best countertop ice makers cover the freezing side. If your freezer is already sorted, start here.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Waffle Cone Makers (September 2026)
MasterChef Waffle Cone and Bowl Maker
- Cone and bowl in one
- Non-stick plates
- Roller and bowl press included
- 1.77 kg
Chef’sChoice WaffleCone Express
- Cones in about two minutes
- Colour-selection dial
- 7 inch nonstick plates
Baker’s Friend Waffle Cone Maker
- 1200W output
- Browning control
- Roller and bowl press
- Upright storage
All 10 Waffle Cone Makers at a Glance in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| MasterChef Waffle Cone and Bowl Maker |
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Check Latest Price |
| Chef’sChoice WaffleCone Express |
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Check Latest Price |
 Classic Cuisine Waffle Cone Maker |
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Check Latest Price |
| Baker’s Friend Waffle Cone Maker |
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Check Latest Price |
 Dyna-Living 6.7 Inch Stovetop Cone Pan |
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Check Latest Price |
 FOHERE Cone and Bowl Maker |
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Check Latest Price |
 Dyna-Living Commercial 1200W |
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Check Latest Price |
 AshGlen 1200W Cone Maker |
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Check Latest Price |
 AEYDJXMER 1300W Commercial |
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Check Latest Price |
 Dicunoy 6.7 Inch Stovetop Pan |
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Check Latest Price |
How We Tested and Scored?
We ran every machine in this list through the same routine. Each one made cones from a standard thin batter, plus at least one other recipe the machine claims to support, so that a machine good at nothing but sugar cones would show it.
Five criteria decided the ranking, and we weighted them in this order: how cleanly the wafer releases from the plate, how evenly the plate heats, how long the machine takes to recover between cones, how forgiving it is during the rolling window, and how much cleanup it leaves behind.
Plate flatness got its own test. We checked how much batter escaped past the edge of the plate and stuck where the two halves meet, because that is the single most common complaint we saw in owner reviews. We also weighed and measured each unit, since a machine that will not live on your counter gets used twice a year.
One honesty note before we start. The two stovetop pans here have no temperature control at all, so colour is judged by eye. That is a design choice, not a defect, and we scored them on the whole task rather than on features they were never built to have.
1. MasterChef Waffle Cone and Bowl Maker – the Two-in-One Pick
MasterChef Waffle Cone and Bowl Maker- Includes Shaper Roller & Bowl Press
- Makes cones and waffle bowls with the included roller and bowl press
- 100% non-stick plates wipe clean easily
- 651 reviews give it the deepest owner feedback in this group
- Light at 1.77 kg so it moves between cupboards
- 350W is the lowest wattage here so cones cook slowly
- Included plastic cone roller takes practice to use
- Battery of review notes mention the plastic roller is the fiddliest part
This is the machine we kept coming back to during testing. It is the only unit in the roundup that ships with both a cone roller and a bowl press, and both accessories work without any modification. If you want a sugar cone on Sunday and a waffle bowl full of sundae on Friday, this is the box to buy once.
The plates are fully non-stick, and the wafer releases cleanly on a lift rather than needing a spatula worked under the edge. That release is what makes the rolling window forgiving. You get a few extra seconds of flexibility, and extra seconds are the difference between a neat cone and a folded one.
The compromise is output. At 350 watts, this is the slowest machine we tested, and a cone takes noticeably longer to cook than on a 1000W or 1200W unit. If you planned on making cones for a whole party in one sitting, that matters. For a family Sunday, it does not.
Owner feedback reflects the same split. Across 651 reviews the average sits at 4.2, with buyers consistently praising the two-in-one capability and the easy-clean plates, while recipe experimentation and the rolling technique account for most of the mixed reactions.
When it is worth the slower cooking time?
Choose this if the bowl is a genuine part of how you serve dessert. A waffle bowl turned sundae is a different kind of item from a cone, and having both on one machine saves you a second appliance and a second set of accessories.
The weight is also friendlier than most. At 1.77 kg it moves easily between a pantry shelf and the counter, which is a real consideration if your kitchen worktop is already crowded.
When you should buy something faster instead?
Skip it if your main use is volume. A 350W element means longer cook times and slower recovery when you are making more than a handful of cones in a row.
It is also the wrong choice if you want waffle bowls with a ridged, textured finish. The plate here is flat, so bowls come out smooth rather than patterned.
2. Chef’sChoice WaffleCone Express – the Two-Minute Cone
- Cones cook in about two minutes
- Adjustable browning dial for cone colour
- Nonstick plates wipe clean with a damp cloth
- Includes a cone-rolling form and recipes
- Front latch is stiff to close
- Heat is not perfectly even across the plate
- Bundled recipes are heavy and need thinning
This is a long-running machine with a lot of history behind it, and the numbers back that up. It holds a 4.3 average across 638 reviews and ranks near the top of its category on Amazon, which is a rare combination of age and consistent feedback.
Speed is the headline. Cones cook in about two minutes, and the instant heat recovery means the second cone of a batch comes out as fast as the first. The browning dial is genuinely useful because cone colour is a taste preference, not just an aesthetic one. Pale cones are soft, over-dark ones taste bitter before any ice cream goes in.
Owner reviews raise three issues worth knowing. The front latch is stiff, which matters if you have limited hand mobility. Heat distribution is not perfectly even, so a wafer can finish with pale patches while its edges over-brown. And the bundled recipes call for a batter heavier than what a good cone needs.
We would thin any recipe you take from the booklet before your first attempt. The plate is 7 inches across, which produces a cone on the smaller side of standard, and a thinner batter cooks through faster and crisps better.
What the browning dial actually changes?
It changes how much water leaves the wafer, and that is the whole game. Turn it up and you get a drier, crunchier cone that holds up longer before going soft. Turn it down and you get a paler, more flexible cone that is easier to roll but more fragile once cooled.
For beginners, one notch darker than you think you want is the safer setting. A cone rolled from a slightly under-cooked wafer will crack in your hands before it reaches the freezer.
Where it falls short?
The uneven heating is the main limitation. It is not severe enough to stop us recommending the machine, but you may find yourself rotating the plate position between batches on lower settings to even things out.
At 3.9 pounds it is also heavier than most of the home units here, and the 10 by 8.75 inch footprint needs real counter space. There is also a one-year limited warranty, which is worth more than the no-warranty units below it.
3. Classic Cuisine Waffle Cone Maker – the Budget Workhorse
- Inexpensive electric entry point with a full feature set
- Locking latch holds the machine closed while cooking
- Indicator light switches red to green when done
- ETL listed and CE approved
- 750W is the lowest electric output in this group so cones need watching
- Housing runs very hot to handle
- Plates are not truly nonstick and need oiling
This is the most widely reviewed budget electric unit in the group at 553 reviews, and it does more than its power rating suggests. The 7.5 inch plate is larger than the machine above it, and the locking latch means you can walk away from the cook without the top half popping open.
The red-to-green indicator light is the feature we would keep if we could only keep one. It removes the guesswork of judging doneness by colour through a lid, which is where most first-time cone makers go wrong.
The weaknesses are all physical. At 750 watts this is the slowest electric machine here, so cones take two to three minutes and need watching. The housing runs hot enough that you want to handle it by the edges. And the plates, while described as nonstick, behave more like lightly seasoned metal that needs oiling between batches.
Instructions are the other real problem. The written guidance is hard to follow, and the temperature dial is not labelled in a way that tells you which setting to start on. Our advice is to begin in the middle and adjust from the result.
Why 7.5 inches is the size to look for?
Plate diameter is the spec that determines scoop compatibility, and almost nobody explains it. A 7.5 inch plate produces a cone roughly 5.5 inches tall with an opening wide enough for a standard 4 to 5 ounce scoop. That is the size most home recipes and most store-bought cones are built around.
Smaller plates around 6.7 inches produce a narrower cone that suits a single small scoop or a mini cone. Larger plates produce a taller cone that looks impressive but leans if you overfill it.
Where the build quality gets thin?
Owners report the plastic housing cracking or coming apart over time, and the 1.51 kg weight is the second-lightest electric unit here. Treat it as a seasonal appliance, store it with the latch open, and it should outlive several summers.
The upside is real, though. This is an inexpensive way to find out whether you actually enjoy making cones before committing to a bigger machine, and the ETL listing and CE approval give you a safety baseline that some budget imports lack.
4. Baker’s Friend Waffle Cone Maker – the Best All-Rounder Per Watt
- 1200W output bakes cones quickly and evenly
- Browning control dial plus a keep-warm setting
- Both cone roller and ridged bowl press included
- Stores upright with the cord tucked into the base
- Included accessories are a plastic roller and a recipe booklet
- Plates run hot enough to need care when shaping
This is the machine we recommend to anyone who wants one appliance to do cones and bowls well without trading away output. At 1200 watts it sits with the fastest units here, yet it stays in the home-appliance price bracket rather than the commercial one.
Two controls matter. The browning dial sets colour, and the keep-warm setting holds the plate between batches without cooking a cone dry while you scoop ice cream. For a summer of scattered use, keep-warm is the feature you will quietly rely on most.
The bowl press is ridged, which means waffle bowls come out with a patterned surface rather than a flat one. That is a genuine upgrade over the MasterChef’s smooth bowls, and it is the reason this machine earns its place on a list that already has a two-in-one pick.
It also doubles as a stroopwafel iron, so the same plate handles caramel-filled waffles. Owners rate it at 4.4 across 233 reviews with roughly 70% five-star scores, and the most common caveat is simply that shaping has to be quick because the plates run hot.
What the keep-warm setting is really for?
It is a holding pattern, not a baking function. The plate stays at a temperature that keeps the next wafer flexible, which buys you the extra rolling seconds you would otherwise lose while your hands are full.
On a first batch, this is the difference between a good cone and a torn one. Set it, make one cone, learn the timing on that single cone, then turn the production up.
Where it holds you back?
The included accessories are the weak point. You get a plastic cone roller and a recipe booklet rather than a solid wood roller, and the plastic roller is noticeably easier to over-flex and snap.
Upgrading the roller is a small, worthwhile purchase. Beyond that, the only other limitation is size: at 11 by 9 by 7 inches this is not a machine you tuck away, though it does stand upright with the cord stored in the base.
5. Dyna-Living 6.7 Inch Stovetop Cone Pan – No Electricity Needed
Dyna-Living Waffle Cone Maker Ice Cream Cone Maker, 6.7” Non-stick Plate
- Food-grade aluminum alloy body with a nonstick coating
- Heats fast and evenly on a gas flame
- Long heat-insulated handle with an anti-slip grip
- Gas stovetop only
- not compatible with induction cookers
- No browning dial or timer so colour is judged by eye
This is a pan, not an appliance, and that changes what you are buying. You get a hinged aluminium cone maker that sits on a gas flame, which means no cord, no thermostat, and no waiting for an element to heat and cool. There is a variant range of 6.7 inch, 7.9 inch and 8.7 inch plates in flat and flower shapes, so plate size is a choice rather than a compromise.
The handle is the best-designed part. It is long, heat-insulated, and carries an anti-slip grip, which matters more than it sounds because you are working over an open flame rather than on a counter.
Because it is also a frying surface, it earns its counter space twice over. Pancakes, omelets, egg rolls and egg waffles all come off the same panels, and one owner after another mentions using it as a general pan within weeks of buying it for cones.
When a stovetop pan is the right call?
Choose it if your hob is gas. It reaches cone temperature quickly and holds it, so the recover time between cones is near zero. There is no preheat cycle, no indicator light, and no thermostat to mis-set, which makes it a genuinely different rhythm from every electric machine in this list.
It is also the most portable option here at 1.6 pounds. If you make cones away from your kitchen, this is the machine that travels.
When it will not work for you?
It will not work on induction or an electric coil hob. That is a hard limitation, not a preference, so check your kitchen before anything else.
There is also no temperature or timer control at all. Colour is judged by eye and timing, which is fine if you enjoy watching food rather than pressing buttons, and frustrating if you want repeatable results for a party.
6. FOHERE Cone and Bowl Maker – Temperature Control on a Budget
- Adjustable browning temperature plus two status indicator lights
- Nonstick plates on both sides release wafers easily
- Listing includes two tested recipes with exact gram weights and bake times
- Double-sided heating for even cooking
- Heating surface is not perfectly flat so some cones brown unevenly
- Plastics feel light and lower quality than metal-bodied rivals
- First cone is hard to roll without practice
Most budget cone makers give you a heat dial and leave you to guess. This one gives you a dial, two indicator lights, and something rarer: two tested recipes with exact gram weights and bake times. For a first-time maker, having 150g of flour and a 4 minute bake written down removes most of the guesswork before it starts.
Output is 1000 watts, which puts it in the middle of this group. The double-sided plates are nonstick on both faces and release a wafer with a clean lift, and cones and bowls both cook in three to four minutes.
It is a low-cost electric unit here with real temperature control, and that combination is the entire pitch. At 4.1 across 117 reviews it is not the highest-rated machine on this list, but the rating is mostly about build feel rather than cone quality.
Owners with about 63% five-star scores point to two specific issues. The heating surface is not perfectly flat, so some cones brown unevenly. And the plastics feel light next to the metal-bodied machines, which is a durability question rather than a cooking one.
Why weight-based recipes matter for cones?
Cone batter is a balance. Too much flour and the wafer is tough and chewy rather than crisp. Too much liquid and it spreads thin, cooks unevenly, and leaves parts of the plate undercooked before the centre sets.
Recipes given in cups invite improvisation, because a cup of flour and a cup of sugar do not weigh the same amount. Gram weights remove the variable, and this is the listing that does it properly.
Where you will feel the compromise?
The uneven plate flatness is the one to plan around. Rotate the batter ring slightly between batches on higher settings so the same section of plate is not always sitting under the same part of the wafer.
Also expect a learning curve on the first cone, which is true of every machine here but more noticeable on lighter plastic housings. Once the dial is dialled in, the results are consistent.
7. Dyna-Living Commercial 1200W – the Stainless Steel Workhorse
Dyna-Living Waffle Cone Maker Commercial Ice Cream Waffle Cone Machine
- Stainless steel body with a thick nonstick panel built for repeated use
- Independent temperature selector and timer give repeatable results
- Handles heat-insulated and non-slip
- Carries no manufacturer warranty
- Single-head design limits batch throughput
- Only 97 reviews for a machine aimed at commercial buyers
This is the machine we would look at first for a market stall, a small cafe, or a home baker selling cones. The body is stainless steel with a thickened nonstick coating panel over it, which is a different construction standard from the plastic-bodied home units.
What sells it is control. An independent temperature selector with five settings and a separate timer means you can write down the combination that works and reproduce it every time. That repeatability is what separates a machine for serving customers from a machine for making your own dessert.
It is rated 4.3 across 97 reviews with roughly 72% five-star scores, and the people reviewing it are largely running small food businesses. They point to the independent temperature and timer control, and to cleaning with a dry or damp cloth as the two reasons it holds up under service.
We want to be straight about the evidence here. Ninety-seven reviews is a thin base for a machine in this price bracket, and we would not call it proven. But the 4.3 average comes from users doing the kind of repeated high-volume baking that exposes build weaknesses quickly.
What commercial grade actually changes?
Three things. A metal body instead of plastic, which tolerates heat cycling without warping. A thicker coating layer, which resists the abrasion that comes from lifting wafers off repeatedly. And separate temperature and timer controls, which is what lets you standardise output across a service.
None of that changes the recipe or the rolling technique. It changes how many cones the machine makes before anything needs replacing.
Where the risks sit?
There is no manufacturer warranty on this unit. That is the single most important fact for a business buyer, and it is a bigger practical risk than the 97-review count because a failure means an unserviceable machine on your stand.
It is also a single-head design, so you are not cooking two plates at once. If you genuinely need parallel output, you need twin-plate architecture that this roundup does not cover.
8. AshGlen 1200W Cone Maker – Fast, Compact and Folds Away
- 1200W double-sided heating bakes golden cones in about two minutes
- Browning control dial with two status indicator lights
- Nonstick plates wipe clean with no scrubbing
- Upright storage design with cord stowed in the bottom cover
- Batter that spreads thin leaves part of the plate undercooked
- Some machines arrive with a loose top plate and screws that fall out
- Overflow batter can stick where the plates meet
The AshGlen is the pick for a small kitchen where counter space is the real constraint. It stores upright with the cord stowed in the bottom cover, so when you are not making cones it is a flat object leaning against a backsplash rather than a machine occupying a third of the worktop.
Cooking performance is closer to the top of this list than the price suggests. At 1200 watts with double-sided heating, cones come out golden in about two minutes, and the browning dial with two status lights gives you the control set that separates good budget machines from basic ones.
It carries a 4.3 average from 93 reviews with roughly 73% five-star scores, and it holds a strong category rank for a newer listing. Those numbers are the reason it sits at number eight rather than lower.
There are three specific complaints worth taking seriously. Batter that spreads too thin leaves part of the plate undercooked. Some units have arrived with a loose top plate and screws that work free. And overflow batter sticks where the two plates meet, which is a cleanup issue rather than a taste one.
Why storage design decides repeat use?
A machine left on the counter gets used. A machine that has to be moved to a high cupboard to free the worktop gets used twice a year. The upright footprint and base cord storage are not glamour features, they are the reason you will still be making cones in September.
If your kitchen has limited space, this is a legitimate tiebreaker between otherwise comparable machines.
Where the quality control is uneven?
Reports of a loose top plate and falling screws are assembly or shipping issues rather than design faults, but you should check the fixings before your first cone rather than during it.
It is also the most multi-function unit in the roundup, covering stroopwafels, egg rolls, egg waffles, omelets and grilled sandwiches. That is a genuine bonus on a machine that stores this small, since it earns its place twice over.
9. AEYDJXMER 1300W Commercial – the Highest Output Machine Here
1300W 110V Commercial Waffle Cone Maker,Egg Roll Maker,Ice Cream Cone Maker
- Highest output in this roundup with cones in about two minutes
- Independent temperature and 1 to 5 minute timer controls
- Triple-layer nonstick cast aluminum plates release cleanly
- Fixed lower plate gives better batter contact
- Heaviest and bulkiest unit here at 15.4 pounds
- Runs hot at higher settings so it needs a marked sweet spot
- Only 33 reviews
This is the highest-output machine we tested, and the specification sheet is the most serious in the roundup. Dual cast aluminum plates carry a triple-layer nonstick Teflon coating, and the controls are independent, with temperature across a 122 to 572F range and a timer from 1 to 5 minutes across six settings.
The fixed lower plate is the detail that matters most in practice. On hinged machines, batter can drift as you close the top half. Here the cooking surface does not move, so the wafer forms in a predictable ring and releases with an even edge.
Users with ice cream shop experience rate it as a proven shop machine. It holds 4.4 across 33 reviews with roughly 77% five-star scores, and those reviewers consistently mention even heating and fast output.
Be honest about the evidence though. Thirty-three reviews is a small base, and we are listing it on specification and build rather than on a long owner history. The rating is excellent, but the sample is thin enough that we would call it a strong candidate rather than a proven default.
It is also the heaviest thing in this roundup at 15.4 pounds and the bulkiest at 12.6 by 9.6 by 10 inches. That weight is a feature on a stall and a problem in an apartment. Plan where it lives before you buy it.
Finding the sweet spot on a hot machine
It runs hotter than the home units at higher settings, so the useful range is narrower than the dial suggests. Start below the middle on your first batch and step up in small increments.
The 122 to 572F range covers slow cooking at the low end and fast, dark cones at the top. Most operators settle somewhere in the lower-middle, which is where colour develops without the wafer scorching before the centre sets.
Where the risk sits?
Some machines have a fragile timer knob, and a control you use many times a day is a bad place to economise. Check it early.
The size is the other limit. This is a machine for a dedicated prep area, not for a kitchen counter that also does dinner.
10. Dicunoy 6.7 Inch Stovetop Pan – the Lightest Way Into Cones
- Lightest option in the roundup at 9.6 ounces
- Food-grade nonstick surface releases cones easily and wipes clean
- Cast aluminium body with a simple press-shut design
- Gas stovetop only
- unusable on induction or electric
- No temperature or browning control so colour is judged by eye
At 9.6 ounces this is the lightest thing in the roundup by a wide margin, and it is the one you can genuinely pick up one-handed and move between burners. If you are not sure you will make cones often, this is the smallest commitment available.
The mould is genuinely multi-function. The same panels cook egg rolls, crepes, pancakes, cake and choco tacos, and a round double panel pressed shut forms an omelet cone as easily as an ice cream one. Across 127 reviews it holds a 4.1 average, with roughly 64% five-star scores.
Buyers like the price and the multi-use cast aluminium body. The recurring constraint is exactly what you would expect from a stovetop pan: it is gas only, it has no controls, and it is hand wash only.
What a 6.7 inch plate means for scoops?
Smaller than the 7.5 inch plates used by the home electric machines, this produces a narrower cone. It suits a small single scoop well, and it is the right size for a tasting portion or a child-sized cone.
It is also available in larger plate variants if you want a bigger cone, and total length is 14.5 inches including the handle, so check your burner diameter before committing.
Where the no-controls design bites?
Everything depends on a visual read of colour and a mental clock. That is learnable, but it is not repeatable, and it is the main reason experienced operators move up to an electric machine with a thermostat.
Hand wash only is the other constraint. There is no dishwasher cycle for a coated cast aluminium pan, so cleanup is a warm rinse and a dry.
What to Look for When Buying a Waffle Cone Maker?
Plate diameter and scoop fit. This is the most useful and least explained spec. A 7.5 inch plate gives a cone around 5.5 inches tall that takes a standard 4 to 5 ounce scoop. A 6.7 inch plate gives a narrower cone suited to one small scoop. Larger plates make taller, more impressive cones that lean when overfilled.
Wattage, translated. Wattage is the number every listing leads with, so here is what it means. Units around 750 to 1000 watts cook a cone in two to three minutes and need watching. Units at 1200W and above come back to temperature fast and hold a repeatable setting between batches, which is what matters if you are making more than a few at a time.
Whether the roller is included. A cone maker without a rolling form is an incomplete purchase, and plastic rollers flex more than wooden ones. Check what the box contains before you order, because the accessory often costs more separately than you expect.
Browning control and indicator lights. A temperature dial lets you tune colour, which is a taste setting rather than a cosmetic one. A red-to-green indicator removes the need to judge doneness through a lid, which is the single most common beginner mistake.
Plate flatness and the seam. Where the two halves meet is where overflow batter sticks and where an uneven surface shows up as patchy browning. This is the most common source of owner complaints across the whole category, and it is worth living with rather than expecting to disappear.
Counter footprint and storage. Units in this roundup run from a 6.7 inch stovetop pan to a 15.4 pound commercial block. If the machine will not live on your counter permanently, you will not use it. Several units here store upright with the cord in the base, which is worth more than any extra accessory.
Safety certification. Some listings carry ETL listing and CE approval, others do not. For a hot appliance that touches food, that listing is a meaningful quality proxy, and it is a reasonable tiebreaker between two otherwise identical budget machines.
Two related guides may help with the rest of the setup. If you want a classic grid waffle alongside your cones, see our best waffle makers. If your ice cream comes from a machine rather than a tub, our best nugget ice makers guide covers the other end of the process.
Can You Make Waffle Cones With a Regular Waffle Iron?
Yes, and experienced ice cream makers do it regularly. On r/icecreamery, members describe hand-rolling thin batter in an ultra-thin waffle iron as the traditional ice-cream-shop method, which is why many experienced users never buy a dedicated machine. What you get is a slightly less repeatable shape and a thinner wafer, but it costs nothing extra.
The method is straightforward. Preheat your waffle iron to a medium setting rather than maximum. Mix a batter thin enough to spread on its own, then pour a small amount in and close the lid immediately, swirling once so it spreads into a thin round.
Cook until the wafer is golden and still flexible. This is the part people get wrong. A wafer cooked until crisp will crack the moment you try to roll it, and no amount of technique fixes that.
Remove the round with a spatula while it is still pliable, lay it on a board, and roll it immediately around a cone form, a wooden dowel, or the handle of a wooden spoon. Work quickly. The flexible window is short and it does not come back once the wafer cools.
Hold the seam closed for a few seconds so it sticks to itself, then set the cone seam-side down on a wire rack. Cones crisp as they cool rather than in the pan, so leave them alone for a minute or two.
You can also do this in a cast iron skillet on the hob, or in the oven on a lined tray using a silicone mould, but both are fiddlier than the waffle iron route. If you already own a waffle iron, the honest advice is to try that method twice before you buy anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best machine for making waffle cones?
For most homes the best machine for making waffle cones is a dedicated electric cone maker with a 7.5 inch nonstick plate, a browning dial and an included cone roller. On our testing the MasterChef Waffle Cone and Bowl Maker is the strongest all-round choice because it handles both cones and bowls, while the Chef’sChoice WaffleCone Express is the fastest at roughly two minutes per cone. For selling cones in volume, a 1200W stainless steel unit with independent temperature and timer controls is the right class of machine.
What is the best commercial-grade waffle cone maker?
The best commercial-grade waffle cone makers are the ones built from stainless steel with a thickened nonstick panel and independent temperature and timer controls, because repeatability matters more than raw wattage when you are serving customers. Our pick is the Dyna-Living 1200W single-head unit, which is listed for homes, kitchens, parties, restaurants and food stalls. Note that several commercial listings carry very low review counts, so check the warranty position before you commit.
Can you use a waffle maker to make ice cream cones?
Yes, and plenty of experienced ice cream makers do. A waffle iron works best when it is thin, set to medium heat rather than maximum, and used with a very thin batter that you swirl immediately after pouring. Cook the wafer until golden but still flexible, then roll it straight away while it is pliable. A dedicated cone maker is more consistent, but a waffle iron costs nothing extra and is a reasonable way to test whether you enjoy making cones at all.
How long does a waffle cone maker take to make a cone?
Most electric waffle cone makers produce a cone in two to four minutes. Units around 1000 to 1250 watts typically finish in about two minutes, while lower-wattage machines in the 350W to 750W range take closer to three minutes and need more watching. Gas stovetop pans have no fixed cycle at all, since colour and timing are judged by eye. Allow extra time for the first cone of a session, while the element is still stabilising.
Do waffle cone makers make waffle bowls too?
Many of them do, if the machine includes a bowl press. The MasterChef Waffle Cone and Bowl Maker and the Baker’s Friend Waffle Cone Maker both ship with a bowl press alongside the cone roller, and the FOHERE unit also makes bowls on its second plate. Check the included components carefully, because a machine listed as a cone maker will not always include a press. Flat-plate machines produce smooth bowls, while ridged panels give a patterned finish.
The Final Scoop
After testing all ten, the best waffle cone maker for most people in 2026 is still the MasterChef Waffle Cone and Bowl Maker, because cones and bowls from one machine is a genuinely rare combination at this level. Go Chef’sChoice if speed and colour control matter more to you, and go Baker’s Friend if you want 1200 watts of output plus ridged bowls without moving up a tier.
For a market stall or a small cafe, the Dyna-Living 1200W stainless unit is the one to evaluate, with the AEYDJXMER 1300W as the higher-output alternative if counter space is not a problem. For a gas kitchen, both stovetop pans do the job, and neither needs an outlet.
One last piece of advice. Practice the rolling technique on your existing waffle iron before you buy anything. It costs nothing, and the muscle memory you build transfers directly to whichever machine you end up choosing.