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Presto Flipside Belgian vs Hamilton Beach 26031 Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , , and ·Updated

Presto Flipside

$59.99 from Amazon

Hamilton Beach 26031

$64.99 from Amazon
Presto Flipside Belgian vs Hamilton Beach 26031: Closely-Matched Value

Overall Verdict

Both the Presto Flipside Belgian and the Hamilton Beach 26031 are mid-range models. So, they come with features cheaper waffle makers don't have.

For example, both have flippable baking chambers, but how they do it differs. The Hamilton Beach 26031 rotates on an axis. Meanwhile, the Presto Flipside will require you to "flip" the baking chamber 180° from one side to the other using the handle.

The Hamilton Beach 26031 has a full control panel with a browning control dial - the Presto doesn't. Instead, it comes with a timer for you to time the cooking process.

In terms of performance, though, the Hamilton Beach 26031 is the better of the two. The Presto has the unfortunate tendency to overcook its waffles. During our tests, most of its waffles sported a noticeably dark, almost burnt appearance.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Unique ‘flip-side’ design
  • Far more compact than other flip waffle makers
  • Includes a timer with an audible alarm
  • The safety rating is high
  • 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
  • Mediocre cooking performance with a tendency to char the waffle
  • Poor build quality
  • Certain spots on the waffle maker are difficult to clean
  • The spin-lock mechanism at the handle is finicky

Key Specs

Features
Flippable baking chamber, built-in timer, indicator light
Rotating baking chamber, removable ceramic waffle plates, indicator lights
Adjustable Settings
N/A
None
Dimensions
L12 x W11 x H4.4 inches (in horizontal configuration)
L16.5 x W8 x H8.7 inches
Material
Stainless steel/plastic housing; ceramic nonstick baking plates
Stainless steel/plastic housing; ceramic nonstick baking plates
Weight
4.9 pounds
3.1 lbs (1.4 kg)
Waffle diameter
7.0" (17.8 cm)
7.0" (17.8 cm)

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$50.14
$57.79
$59.99 at Amazon
$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
6.5
7.0

Self-Mixed Recipe

6.0
6.8
Presto Flipside Belgian Self-Mixed Recipe video
A waffle baked for 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe, with black charring inside its pockets.
A waffle baked for 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe, with black charring inside its pockets.
A cross-section of a waffle baked for 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe. The inside is dense with a few air bubbles.
A waffle baked for 5 minutes using our self-mixed recipe is torn by hand down the middle, revealing the waffle’s interior.
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

7.0
7.1
Presto Flipside Belgian Birch Benders Mix video
The light brown top crust of a waffle baked for 6 minutes 30 seconds using batter made from Birch Benders mix.
The light brown bottom crust of a waffle baked for 6 minutes 30 seconds using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
The cross-section of a waffle baked for 6 minutes 30 seconds, revealing its dense core with tiny air bubbles.
A waffle being torn down the middle by hand to test its consistency and texture, revealing its golden interior.
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
6 minutes 30 seconds
5 minutes

Design

Overall Design Scoring
6.6
9.7

In The Box

The Presto Belgian waffle maker with black-and-red plastic detailing and glossy metallic body next to its instruction manual.
The Hamilton Beach Flip Belgian waffle maker (26031) is on a table next to the included drip tray and the user manual.

Dimensions & Weight

The Presto waffle maker’s dimensions in vertical form. Length is 11 inches, height is 11.5 inches, and width is 4.5 inches.
The Presto waffle maker’s dimensions in vertical form. Length is 11 inches, height is 11.5 inches, and width is 4.5 inches.
The Presto waffle maker’s dimensions in horizontal form. Length is 12 inches, height is 4.4 inches, and width is 11 inches.
Presto Flipside Belgian Waffle Maker Dimensions Video
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
12.0" (30.5 cm)
16.5" (41.9 cm)
Width
11.0" (27.9 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Height
4.4" (11.2 cm)
8.7" (22.1 cm)
Weight
4.9 lbs (2.2 kg)
3.1 lbs (1.4 kg)

Build Quality

6.0
9.5
A close-up of the gashes on the black plastic detailing of the Presto Flipside Belgian waffle maker.
A close-up of the gashes on the black plastic detailing of the Presto Flipside Belgian waffle maker.
Zoomed-in shot of a gap in the black plastic joint that connects the waffle maker’s baking chamber with the base.
Close-up shot of the red plastic retainer that keeps the baking chamber of the Presto waffle maker aloft when stored upright.
Presto Flipside Belgian Waffle Maker Build Quality video
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

8.0
10
An overview of the Presto Flipside waffle maker’s gray, Belgian-style waffle plates.
An overview of the Presto Flipside waffle maker’s gray, Belgian-style waffle plates.
A close-up shot of one of the gray ceramic waffle plates of the Presto Flip Side waffle maker.
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
Belgian-style
Belgian-style
Plate Area
44.18 inch
50.27 inch
Plate Length
7.5" (19.1 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Plate Width
7.5" (19.1 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)
Material
Ceramic
Cast aluminum
Non Stick Coating
Yes
Yes
Removable
No
Yes
Dishwasher Safe
No
Yes

Control Panel

6.0
10
A close-up shot of the timer to the side of the Presto waffle maker’s base. A button and speaker holes are visible.
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
Yes
No
Timer
Yes
No
Browning Control
No
Yes

Power Cord

The 36.5-inch long power cord of the Presto waffle maker. The Type-A plug is clearly shown.
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
3.0 ft (0.9 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
9.2
9.7

Handling

9.5
9.5
Presto Flipside Belgian Waffle Maker Handling video
A large gap in-between the two-piece handles of the Presto waffle maker when it’s stored in its vertical configuration.
The Presto 03510 Ceramic Flipside Belgian waffle maker’s handle being held in one hand by a product tester.
The entire Presto waffle maker is held in the air by the handle with one hand of a product tester.

Safety

9.8
10
The temperature of a plastic foot of the Presto waffle maker is being measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 167.9°F.
The temperature of a plastic foot of the Presto waffle maker is being measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 167.9°F.
The temperature of the Presto waffle maker’s base is being measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 95.4°F.
The temperature of the Presto waffle maker’s handle is being measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 94.9°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
167°F
 142°F
Bottom Side Temperature
95°F
90°F
Handle Temperature
94°F
 88°F

Cleanability

7.5
9.5
Close-up on the gunks accumulated on the inner part of the black plastic handle of the Presto Belgian waffle maker.
Hamilton Beach 26031 Cleanability

Indicator Light Visibility

10
9.0
The red indicator light located on the base of the Presto Flipside Belgian waffle maker.
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.