Dash Mini Waffle Maker

A waffle iron about the size of a paperback, 6.3 by 4.8 inches and just over a pound, that turns out one 4-inch waffle at a time. It looks like a toy, and that’s a big part of the charm when it comes out of the wrapping paper.

It’s a real 350-watt appliance, though. The plates are nonstick, it heats quickly, and an indicator light tells you when it’s ready, so there’s no guessing. Dash includes a recipe booklet, and the little iron handles more than batter: hash browns, cornbread and other snacks go in the same way. It’s small enough to live in a dorm room, an RV or the back of a cabinet without anyone noticing it’s there.

This is the oddly useful pick of the bunch, the kind of gift that gets used instead of regifted. It suits a college student, someone in a first apartment, a parent making small breakfasts for kids, or the coworker who brings in weird snacks. It also comes in several colors, so it can match a kitchen.

The catch: one 4-inch waffle at a time is slow going for a crowd. Breakfast for four means standing at the counter for a while, so it’s best for small households and snack-sized portions, not big family brunches.