Sign In

Our recommendations are made independently. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links.

Hamilton Beach 31401 Countertop vs Hamilton Beach 31127D Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , , and ·Updated

Hamilton Beach 31401

$54.99 from Amazon

Hamilton Beach 31127D

$84.99 from Amazon
Hamilton Beach 31401 vs Hamilton Beach 31127D Toaster Oven

Overall Verdict

The Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Toaster Oven had lower scores than the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Toaster Oven. The reasons, however, weren’t simply just because the former is smaller and cheaper than the latter.

Performance-wise, the 31127D had higher scores in almost all of our tests, including baking pizza, roasting a whole chicken, and baking french fries. This was probably because the oven had more heating elements and a higher power draw than the 31401.

The only exception was the Toast test for an interesting reason. Normally, analog toaster ovens tend to score lower in the second batch of toast due to not having an automatic time reduction feature. However, the 31401 having only two quartz heating elements and a lower power draw prevented it from getting too hot, burning the second batch, and receiving a lower score.

Both toaster ovens were quite similar in terms of design and usability features. However, the 31401 didn’t have as high build quality as the 31127D shown in its thinner stainless steel casing and slightly flimsy knobs.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Lightweight and small size
  • Easy-to-clean stainless steel exterior
  • Cool-touch door handle
  • Simple control knobs
  • Stay-on feature
  • Quartz heating elements have safeguards
  • Energy-saving
  • Easy-to-clean stainless steel exterior
  • Roll-top door
  • Cool-touch door handle
  • Simple control knobs
  • Stay-on feature
  • Spacious interior
  • No convection fan
  • No internal lighting
  • No safety mechanism for the door
  • No convection fan
  • No internal lighting
  • No safety mechanism for the door

Key Specs

Dimensions
L14.96 x W12.2 x H8.5 inches
L18.5 x W15.56 x H9.41 inches
Weight
5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
Control Type
3 control knobs
3 control knobs
Temperature
100°F - 450°F
100°F - 450°F
Timer
1 minute - 30 minutes + stay-on
1 minute - 30 minutes + stay-on
Cooking Functions
3
3

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$58.77
$76.70
$54.99 at Amazon
$84.99 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
5.1
6.7

Toast

7.7
7.3
From left to right, 24 pieces of toast for the top and bottom of three toast levels including lighter, medium, and darker.
On the left: 2m 30s; In the middle: 4m 15s; On the right: 5m 55s
From left to right, 24 pieces of toast for the top and bottom of three toast levels including lighter, medium, and darker.
The top and bottom of the best four pieces of toast from the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Capacity Countertop Toaster Oven.
On the left are the top and bottom of four pieces of toast from the first batch, and on the right are from the second batch.
From left to right, 24 pieces of toast for the top and bottom of three toast levels including lighter, medium, and darker.
On the left: 1m 55s; In the middle: 3m 30s; On the right: 4m 15s
From left to right, 24 pieces of toast for the top and bottom of three toast levels including lighter, medium, and darker.
The top and bottom of the best four pieces of toast from the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Toaster Oven.
On the left are the top and bottom of four pieces of toast from the first batch, and on the right are from the second batch.
Function
Toast
Toast
Number of Slices
4
4
Toast Level
Medium
3/4 to Medium
Cooking Time
4m 15s
3m 30s
Second Batch
4m 15s
3m 30s
Convection
No
No

Pizza

5.5
6.6
A toaster oven baked 9-inch thick-crust meat pizza with cheese, onions, and green bell peppers on top inside a baking pan.
A toaster oven baked 9-inch thick-crust meat pizza with cheese, onions, and green bell peppers on top inside a baking pan.
The cross surface of a slice of toast oven baked 9-inch thick-crust meat pizza with cheese, onions, and green bell peppers.
Two hands break apart a slice of pizza with melty cheese, meat, and green bell peppers on top baked using a toaster oven.
A toaster oven baked 9-inch thick-crust meat pizza with cheese, onions, and green bell peppers on top inside a baking pan.
A toaster oven baked 9-inch thick-crust meat pizza with cheese, onions, and green bell peppers on top inside a baking pan.
Two slices of oven baked 9-inch thick-crust meat pizza with cheese, onions, and green bell peppers on top of one another.
Two hands break apart a slice of pizza with melty cheese, meat, and green bell peppers on top baked using a toaster oven.
Function
Bake
Bake
Temperature
 450°F
450°F
Cooking Time
10m 30s
9m 10s
Convection
 No
No

Whole Roasted Chicken

1.0
6.3
A whole roasted chicken using the Hamilton Beach 31401 Toaster Oven on a baking rack and baking pan on a white background.
A whole roasted chicken using the Hamilton Beach 31401 Toaster Oven on a baking rack and baking pan on a white background.
A tray of whole toaster oven roasted chicken. The thermometer has two probes inside the chicken and both display 176°F.
Seven pieces of a carved chicken including a carcass, two breasts, two wings, and two thighs on a silver baking pan.
The chicken thigh meat is still pink. In the white background is the rest of the roasted chicken on a baking pan.
A whole roasted chicken using the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Toaster Oven on a silver baking pan on a white background.
A whole roasted chicken using the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Toaster Oven on a silver baking pan on a white background.
A tray of whole toaster oven roasted chicken. The thermometer has two probes inside the chicken and displays 165°F and 176°F.
Seven pieces of a carved chicken including a carcass, two breasts, two wings, and two thighs on a silver baking pan.
The pink spots near the bone of the chicken. In the white background is the rest of the roasted chicken on a baking pan.
Function
Rotisserie
Bake
Temperature
350°F
350°F
Cooking Time
1h 30m
1h
Convection
No
No

Baked French Fries

4.0
5.1
Pieces of baked french fries using the Hamilton Beach 31401 Toaster Oven on a silver baking pan on a white background.
Pieces of baked french fries using the Hamilton Beach 31401 Toaster Oven on a silver baking pan on a white background.
A close-up of pieces of baked french fries using the Hamilton Beach 31401 Oven on a silver baking pan on a white background.
Six pieces of broken-up baked french fries are stacked on top of pieces of whole fries on a silver baking pan.
Pieces of baked french fries using the Hamilton Beach 31127D Toaster Oven on a silver baking pan on a white background.
Pieces of baked french fries using the Hamilton Beach 31127D Toaster Oven on a silver baking pan on a white background.
A close-up of pieces of baked french fries using the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Toaster Oven on a silver baking pan.
Eight pieces of broken-up baked french fries are stacked on top of pieces of whole fries on a silver baking pan.
Function
Bake
Bake
Temperature
400°F
400°F.
Cooking Time
30 m
27m 15s
Convection
No
No

Design

Overall Design Scoring
3.6
5.2

In the Box

An oven rack, a user manual, the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Capacity Countertop Toaster Oven, a box, and a baking pan.
An oven rack, a user manual, the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Toaster Oven, a box, and a baking pan.

Exterior

4.0
7.0
A closed front of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven with exterior measurements on a white background.
A closed front of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven with exterior measurements on a white background.
The front of a closed Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven has a control panel and the right has holes.
The back and left sides of the Hamilton Beach 31401 have air ventilation holes. The back has a power cord and one buffer.
The top of the stainless steel Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Capacity Countertop Toaster Oven on a grey background.
On a grey background, the bottom of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven has four stands and holes.
A closed front of the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Roll Top Toaster Oven with exterior measurements on a white background.
A closed front of the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Roll Top Toaster Oven with exterior measurements on a white background.
The front of an opened Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Roll Top Toaster Oven has a control panel and the right side has holes.
The back and left sides of the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Toaster Oven have holes. The back has a power cord and a buffer.
The top of the stainless steel Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Door Toaster Oven on a grey background.
On a grey background, the bottom of the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Toaster Oven has four stands and holes.
Weight
5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
Length
15.0" (38.0 cm)
18.5" (47.0 cm)
Width
12.2" (31.0 cm)
14.6" (37.0 cm)
Height
8.5" (21.6 cm)
9.4" (24.0 cm)
Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Color
Silver
Silver
Door Handle
cool-touch
cool-touch
Tray Indicators
No
No
Crumb Tray
Removable
Removable

Control Panel

The control panel of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Toaster Oven has 3 control knobs for temperature, function, and timer.
The control panel of the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Toaster Oven has 3 control knobs for temperature, function, and timer.
Type
3 control knobs
3 control knobs
Temperature
100°F - 450°F
100°F - 450°F
Timer
1 minute - 30 minutes + stay-on
1 minute - 30 minutes + stay-on
Indicator Light
Yes
Yes
Status Bar
No
No
Light Toggle
No
No
Convection Toggle
No
No
Rotation Toggle
No
No
Automatic Preheat
No
No
Audio Cues
No
No

Cooking Functions

The function knob of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Toaster Oven has 3 cooking functions including Broil, Toast, and Bake.
The function knob of the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Toaster Oven has 3 cooking functions including Bake, Broil, and Toast.

Interior

1.0
1.0
The Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Toaster Oven’s cooking chamber has 2 quartz heating elements with guards and 2 guide rails.
The Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Toaster Oven’s cooking chamber has 2 quartz heating elements with guards and 2 guide rails.
The bottom quartz heating element with guard and 2 rails on the left wall of the Hamilton Beach 31401’s cooking chamber.
The Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Roll Top Toaster Oven’s cooking chamber has 4 nichrome heating elements and 2 guide rails.
Heating Elements
2 quartz
4 nichrome
Convection Fan
No
No
Lighting
No
No
Tray Levels
2
2
Rotisserie
No
No
Safety Hook
No
No

Power Cord

A two-pronged plug power cord. In the background is the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Capacity Countertop Toaster Oven.
A two-pronged plug power cord. In the background is the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Door Toaster Oven.
Length
29.9" (76.0 cm)
35.0" (88.9 cm)
Type
2-prong plug
2-prong plug
Power
1200 W
1400 W
Rated Output
120 V ~ 60 Hz
120 V ~ 60 Hz

Accessories

A stainless steel baking rack of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Capacity Countertop Toaster Oven on a grey background.
A stainless steel baking rack of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Capacity Countertop Toaster Oven on a grey background.
Some burnt bits on the stainless steel baking rack of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Toaster Oven on a grey background.
A stainless steel baking rack of the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Toaster Oven on a grey background.
Length
10.9" (27.8 cm)
13.0" (33.0 cm)
Width
8.8" (22.3 cm)
11.9" (30.2 cm)
Height
0.9" (2.3 cm)
1.0" (2.5 cm)
Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes

Build Quality

5.0
7.0
The front of an opened Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Toaster Oven with a silver baking pan and a stainless steel oven rack.
The front of an opened Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Toaster Oven with a removable crumb tray, baking pan, and oven rack.

Capacity

An opened front of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven with interior measurements on a white background.
An opened front of the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Roll Top Toaster Oven with interior measurements on a white background.
Length
10.9" (27.8 cm)
13.0" (33.0 cm)
Width
9.4" (24.0 cm)
12.2" (31.0 cm)
Height
7.1" (18.0 cm)
7.7" (19.5 cm)

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
4.6
6.4

User Control

7.0
6.0

Ease of Use

3.0
6.0

Cleanability

5.0
8.0
Caramelized bits on the upper heating element’s guard and stains on the cooking chamber ceiling of the Hamilton Beach 31401.
Caramelized bits on the upper heating element’s guard and stains on the cooking chamber ceiling of the Hamilton Beach 31401.
Washing the cooking chamber of the stainless steel Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven with dish soap.
Grease and chicken skin stuck to the silver baking pan of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Capacity Countertop Toaster Oven.
Brushing the stained silver baking pan of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Toaster Oven with a bowl of baking soda and water.
Grease on the glass door of a closed stainless steel Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Door Toaster Oven.
Grease on the glass door of a closed stainless steel Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Door Toaster Oven.
Grease on the left wall of the stainless steel Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Toaster Oven’s cooking chamber.
Caramelized meat juice and grease on the silver baking pan of the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Toaster Oven.
The cleaned silver baking pan of the Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Toaster Oven with some discoloration.