Sign In

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

CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini vs Hamilton Beach 26031 Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , , and ·Updated

CROWNFUL Mini

Check Price on CROWNFUL(+2 more)

Hamilton Beach 26031

$64.99 from Amazon
CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini vs Hamilton Beach 26031

Overall Verdict

The Crownful 4-inch Mini waffle maker is the ideal pick if you’re looking for a small snack-making machine. The palm-sized, 4-inch waffles that it makes are perfect for this purpose. Besides being a great snack machine, the Crownful 4-inch Mini may also prove to be a brilliant traveling companion if you travel often. Its compact size lets you easily fit it in your luggage, allowing you to bake fresh waffles anywhere.

On the other hand, the Hamilton Beach 26031 is a full-size Belgian waffle maker that’s meant to stay solely in the kitchen. With a luxurious stainless steel housing, this model will definitely accentuate the aesthetic of your kitchen.

Performance-wise, both waffle makers did decently well in our cooking tests. The Hamilton Beach 26031, in particular, was one of the candidates for our picks of the best waffle makers in 2023.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Affordable
  • Beautiful patterning on the lid
  • Excellent build quality
  • Easy to clean, thanks to the non-stick waffle plates and the smooth plastic outer shell
  • Luxurious aesthetic by incorporating premium materials (stainless steel and ceramic)
  • Does a great job in all of our performance tests
  • Removable and washable waffle plates
  • Easy to clean thanks to the included drip tray
  • Fairly mediocre performance in our performance tests
  • Does not have a control panel
  • Low safety rating
  • The spin-lock mechanism at the handle is finicky

Key Specs

Features
Compact size, patterned top lid, indicator lights
Rotating baking chamber, removable ceramic waffle plates, indicator lights
Adjustable Settings
None
None
Dimensions
L5.7 x W5.12 x H3.15 inches
L16.5 x W8 x H8.7 inches
Material
Plastic housing; aluminum nonstick baking plates
Stainless steel/plastic housing; ceramic nonstick baking plates
Weight
1 pound
3.1 lbs (1.4 kg)
Waffle diameter
4.0" (10.2 cm)
7.0" (17.8 cm)

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$12.95
$57.79
Check Price on CROWNFULCheck Price on AmazonCheck Price on Walmart
$64.99 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
6.3
7.0

Self-Mixed Recipe

7.2
6.8
CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini Self-Mixed Recipe
The light brown top crust of a waffle baked in 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The light brown bottom crust of a waffle baked in 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The cross-section of a waffle baked in 5 minutes, revealing the interior filled with air bubbles and air cavities.
A waffle is torn down the middle by hands in order to test it for its consistency and texture. This particular waffle was baked for 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
Hamilton Beach 26031 Self-Made Recipe Video
The dark brown top of a waffle cooked by the Hamilton Beach 26031 waffle maker in 5 minutes.
The mottled, dark brown bottom of a waffle cooked by the Hamilton Beach 26031 waffle maker in 5 minutes.
The interior of the 5-minute waffle cooked by the Hamilton Beach 26031 is shown, revealing large air cavities.
The waffle made by the Hamilton Beach 26031 in 5-minute is torn up by hands to test for consistency and texture.
Heat Level
N/A
Between 1 and 2
Cooking Time
5 minutes
5 minutes

Birch Benders Mix

5.3
7.1
CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini Birch Benders Mix
The pale gold top crust of a waffle baked for 8 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix
The pale gold bottom crust of a waffle baked for 8 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix
The cross-section of a waffle baked for 8 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix, revealing the small air bubbles and cavities within the waffle.
A waffle is torn by hand down the middle to test it for its consistency and texture. This waffle was baked for 8 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
Hamilton Beach 26031 Birch Benders Mix Video
The light gold top of a waffle cooked by the Hamilton Beach 26031 waffle maker in 6 minutes using the Birch Benders mix.
The light gold bottom of a waffle cooked by the Hamilton Beach 26031 waffle maker in 6 minutes using the Birch Benders mix.
A close-up of the interior of the waffle cooked by the Hamilton Beach 26031 in 6 minutes, filled with air bubbles and small cavities.
The 6-minute waffle of the Hamilton Beach 26031 is torn in half by hands to test for the consistency and texture.
Heat Level
N/A
Between 1 and 2
Cooking Time
5 minutes
5 minutes

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.8
9.7

In the Box

The Crownful 4 inch waffle maker in the middle, with its warranty card, instruction manuals, and shipping box around it.
The Hamilton Beach Flip Belgian waffle maker (26031) is on a table next to the included drip tray and the user manual.

Dimensions

A side profile of the black Crownful compact waffle maker, with the patterned top lid and the wood-tone handle in the front visible.
The Hamilton Beach 26031 on a table with measured dimensions marked next to it, the length is displayed as 16.5 inches, width is 8 inches, and height is 8.7 inches.
The Hamilton Beach 26031 on a table with measured dimensions marked next to it, the length is displayed as 16.5 inches, width is 8 inches, and height is 8.7 inches.
Hamilton Beach 26031 Dimension Video
Length
5.7" (14.5 cm)
16.5" (41.9 cm)
Width
5.1" (13.0 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Height
3.1" (8.0 cm)
8.7" (22.1 cm)
Weight
1.0 lbs (0.5 kg)
3.1 lbs (1.4 kg)

Build Quality

10
9.5
CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini Build Quality
Crowful waffle maker’s lid, with the center indicator light and the patterning made up of concentric circles visible. The wood-like handle in front is inscribed with the word “Crownful”.
A zoomed-in shot of the Crownful 4 inch waffle maker’s lid hinge.
The back of the Crownful waffle maker’s lid hinge. It is currently in the closed position.
The rubber, anti-slip feet at the bottom of the Crownful mini waffle maker.
A close-up shot of the Hamilton Beach Belgian waffle maker (26031) control panel section made from black plastic, with the browning control knob and the indicator lights in focus.

Waffle Plates

9.5
10
A top-down view of one of the waffle plates of the Crownful waffle maker.
A top-down view of one of the waffle plates of the Crownful waffle maker.
A top-down view of both the Crownful’s black waffle plates.
An overview of the bronze-colored, Belgian-style waffle plates of the Hamilton Beach Flip waffle maker 26031.
An overview of the bronze-colored, Belgian-style waffle plates of the Hamilton Beach Flip waffle maker 26031.
A close-up of the bronze-color, Belgian-style waffle plate of the Hamilton Beach flip Belgian waffle maker 26031.
A close-up of the yellow waffle plate release latch on the top handle of the Hamilton Beach waffle maker with removable plates 26031.
The gray, metallic heating elements of the Hamilton Beach 26031 is revealed after the ceramic, bronze-colored waffle plates are taken off.
Number of Plates
2
2
Grid Pattern
Classic-style
Belgian-style
Plate Area
12.57 inch
50.27 inch
Plate Length
4.0" (10.2 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Plate Width
4.0" (10.2 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Material
Cast aluminum
Cast aluminum
Non Stick Coating
Yes
Yes
Removable
No
Yes
Dishwasher Safe
No
Yes

Control Panel

0.0
10
Close-up of Hamilton Beach 26031 control panel: browning dial and indicator lights with clear white markings on the side to inform you of their functions.
Close-up of Hamilton Beach 26031 control panel: browning dial and indicator lights with clear white markings on the side to inform you of their functions.
Hamilton Beach 26031 Control Panel video
Indicator Lights
Yes
Yes
Audible Alarm
No
No
Timer
No
No
Browning Control
Yes
Yes

Power Cord

A zoomed-up view of the Crownful mini waffle maker’s power plug and its Type-A prongs.
A close-up of the power cord of the Hamilton Beach 26031 waffle maker, focused on the prongs of the plug.
Plug Style
Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
Length
2.6 ft (0.8 m)
2.2 ft (0.7 m)
Cable Management
No
No

Accessories

The removable black plastic drip tray of the Hamilton Beach 26031.
Material
N/A
Plastic
Removable
N/A
Yes
Dishwasher Safe
N/A
Yes

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
6.6
9.7

Handling

8.5
9.5

Safety

2.5
10
The surface temperature of the Crownful waffle maker’s top lid is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The screen reads 187.9°F.
The surface temperature of the Crownful waffle maker’s top lid is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The screen reads 187.9°F.
The temperature of the Crownful’s bottom is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The screen reads 129.6°F.
The temperature of the Crownful’s front handle is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The screen reads 188.4°F.
The temperature on the control panel of the Hamilton Beach 26031 is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The display reads 142.3°F.
The temperature on the control panel of the Hamilton Beach 26031 is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The display reads 142.3°F.
The temperature on the cool-touch handle of the Hamilton Beach 26031 is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The display reads 90.3°F.
The temperature on the Hamilton Beach 26031’s base is being measured using a thermometer during a thermal safety test. The display reads 88.3°F.
Top Side Temperature
187.9°F
 142°F
Bottom Side Temperature
129.6°F
90°F
Handle Temperature
188.4°F
 88°F

Cleanability

10
9.5
Hamilton Beach 26031 Cleanability

Indicator Light Visibility

10
9.0
The red indicator light at the center of the lid of the Crownful waffle maker, shining dimly.
A close-up of the lit-up indicator lights of the Hamilton Beach 26031. Both the green READY light and the red POWER light are on.
A close-up of the lit-up indicator lights of the Hamilton Beach 26031. Both the green READY light and the red POWER light are on.
A view of the green READY light at the back of the Hamilton Beach 26031 when it’s flipped over.