If like me, you prefer thinner waffles there aren't a lot of choices. This iron offers many benefits, but isn't perfect. First of all, the hearts are cute, but not why I purchased the iron, especially since it's about twice as expensive as some others. I hoped the great review by Cook's Illustrated regarding its brother, the Belgian version, would apply here too, and I liked the idea of the iron being a multitasker. Who has room for an appliance that only does one thing unless you're obsessed with that one thing?Depending on the recipe used, these somewhat more delicately shaped waffles can be used as teacakes, cookies with ice cream, a 'brownie' base for a sundae or a 'toast' accompaniment for soup or a salad. Since I don't often have bread in the house and don't need a whole pan of brownies or cookies, this simpler (and much smaller batch) version appealed to me. One caution, though, DO NOT make the blueberry waffles unless you have the rest of the day to spend cleaning the thing. I don't know what possessed me to try it. It seemed like a crazy idea, but the recipe was there. . . I was wrong. Heed the warning. I suspect the same fate with the chocolate chip waffle. I've learned my lesson.I like a crisp outside to my breakfast waffle with a fluffy textured inside, and I've not been able to get quite that in spite of the claim that you can. I've experimented and have been able to get a fairly decent result with good color and pretty good crispness, but not ideal.The first thing I learned about this iron is you have to follow the directions unless you want a mess. It says to use a measuring device to pour in 1/3 cup of batter and they aren't kidding. The overflow if you're trying to use the last bit of batter to clean the bowl, is awful, and cleanup is a pain, plus the quality of the waffle suffers. I learned that it's better to throw away any leftover then try to use it up, or if you want, make a tiny waffle with the remains.The iron heats up quickly and bakes quickly, signaling the readiness of both phases with a beeper and light, and after the initial oiling (per directions) I've not had to oil it again (as it said I wouldn't) and the waffles release perfectly if you stick to the 1/3 cup program (and don't try blueberry! After that cleaning I had to reoil.).For the careful cook, the extra care won't be a problem. I'm a little more slap/dash, but will have to control myself with this device, and the quality of waffle resulting is very good, attractive and evenly cooked, but not perfect if you want a really crispy outside texture. For the price I was hoping for perfect, but am satisfied enough to keep the unit and I will enjoy the other opportunities for use where the more cookie like setting will be useful.The unit is easy to store up on end and lightweight so can be easily put up on a shelf. The cord is quite short (like about 24") so you have to be close to an outlet for use. The cord can not be wrapped around under the unit as described in spite of clips for that purpose. After many attempts to figure it out, I resorted to the directions and found the cord shown in the diagram is coming from a different place in the base than it is on my unit, so the plan they show won't work. I just stuffed it under there best I could. The outside stays cool so handling the unit is not stressful during the cooking. It's worth a bit shy of four stars for me--as in good enough to keep and it will be useful, but for the price I hoped for more.The Pros: The unit is well-made and well-designed. It does not feel like a toy and is easy to use and easy to clean. The waffles are done quickly on either setting (90 seconds or 3 minutes). The waffles are attractive and quite nice from either setting.The Cons: The unit really makes just one average-sized waffle at a time. The diameter of the waffle is quite small, about 6"/15cm, and they are quite thin, perhaps 1/2-2/3 the thickness of a standard waffle and 1/3 the thickness of Belgian waffle (about 1/3"/7mm). Cooking them is really a continuous process, with no breaks for the chef to sit down and eat. You have to attend the unit essentially constantly, either pouring in batter or taking out a completed waffle because they are so small and cook so quickly. (Depending on your point of view, a con is that it's made in China. That being said, you'd be hard-pressed to find a small kitchen electronic gadget that isn't at the moment.)General impressions: It's certainly well-constructed and works as advertised. You need to read between the lines a bit to really understand what you are getting. The amount of batter it accepts, about one generous scoop of a 2oz-capacity ladle, is the amount I would use for one pancake on a griddle. This really does mean that you have to cook continuously or make them in batches ahead before people sit down to eat. For one or two people, it would be OK. For more people or hungry children, it gets a little hard to keep up. I preferred the results from the longer time setting, which produces a less cake-like waffle closer in structure to what most people have seen from other waffle irons. If you left it in for a longer time, you would get a crispier waffle that would be really excellent for a dessert application.Would I recommend it? Well, it depends on how you want to use it. If you want to turn out waffles for your family of six on a Saturday morning, then no. This unit won't keep up. If it's for one to three people or you're looking to make waffles for a dessert, then sure, you'll get attractive and tasty results in a unit that easy to use and clean.You can buy a waffle a lot worse than this one. I certainly have!The waffle iron came in a severely beat up box, inside an outer box that was perfectly fine. It came without any paperwork - no instruction booklet or warranty paper. However, it looked new and works great. Makes Norwegian waffles with max heat setting. Going to keep it.I bought this waffle iron as a gift for my niece. She absolutely loves it. Are there anymore, NIB?????I did a lot of perusing to find a waffle maker. I received this one just today and this afternoon I made a batch.I am very impressed!Fast. Easy to use. Has an overflow moat. Clear directions in the included manual. Alert sounds to indicate completion, green light to indicate element is ready, red light to indicate it is cooking.I simply love this product and I feel it is very reasonably priced~ especially with some near $200 or more....Wonderful service by Amazon.Perfect for those that like thin waffles (not stroopwafel thin, but slightly thinner than Eggos maybe? Haven't had an Eggo in about a decade so take that comparison with a grain of salt). I'd probably prefer them to be slightly thicker, but the kids love the shape (flower when left intact, hearts when pulled apart) and will "sandwich" the leftovers for lunchtime. We've used it about 10 times so far and it's super easy to clean up, the included recipe for buttermilk waffles is great, and it stores very easily.FYI folks, this waffle maker is small. Way smaller than I was expecting. These 5 heart shaped waffles add up to about 1 1/2 waffles from my old 4 waffle rectangular waffle maker. Check the dimensions before you buy.All I can say is that this is even better than the previous waffle maker I had from Norway. I love that I don't have to worry about the time it is in the maker, it just dings to let me know when they are perfect. Which they are each time!But here is a hint - put cardamom and vanilla extract in the recipes to get an authentic waffle - the taste is better!Best present I bought myself in yearsWe make waffles once a week. This is excellent- consistent, easy to use and makes great waffles.