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Hamilton Beach 31401 Countertop vs Breville BOV450XL Toaster Oven Side-by-Side Comparison

Hamilton Beach 31401 vs Beville BOV450XL Toaster Oven. Two small toaster ovens with vastly different approaches, one is basic and the other is extra.

By , , and Updated

Hamilton Beach 31401

Breville BOV450XL

Hamilton Beach 31401 vs Beville BOV450XL Toaster Oven

Overall Verdict

4.6
Overall Score
6.5
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)5.1
  • Design (25%)3.6
  • Usability (25%)4.6
  • Performance (50%)6.8
  • Design (25%)6.4
  • Usability (25%)6.2

The battle between the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Toaster Oven and the Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven was as one-sided as it could be, with the latter being the winner. At around double the price, the Breville—our best-to-buy small toaster oven—simply had higher scores in every aspect.

When toasting bread and baking pizza, the Hamilton actually managed to keep up with the Breville. However, the Hamilton quickly lost all of its edges when it came to roasting a whole chicken and most of all, baking french fries where it undercooked the bird.

We attributed these weak performances to the Hamilton having only two quartz heating elements and a lower power output of 1200 W. In comparison, the Breville had four quartz heating elements and 1800 W of power.

Design-wise, the Hamilton had nothing more than a standard design. Meanwhile, the Breville had a non-stick interior coating, a slide-out crumb tray, and a control panel with many more features compared to the Hamilton. In all honesty, however, the Breville’s extra cooking functions and toggles weren’t that much more useful than the basic Hamilton.

Overall, if you want the best performances out of a small unit, go for the Breville BOV450XL. If your budget is tight, on the other hand, the Hamilton can still do the job.

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
  • Unique feature buttons
  • Non-stick interior
  • High-contrast digital display
  • Sturdy construction
  • Cool-touch door handle
  • Easy-to-clean stainless steel exterior
  • Convenient slide-out crumb tray
  • No convection fan
  • No internal lighting
  • No safety mechanism for the door
  • No interior lighting
  • No convection fan
  • Inconsistent heating elements

Key Specs

Dimensions
L14.96 x W12.2 x H8.5 inches
L15.74 x W14.17 x H8.86 inches
Weight
5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
10.0 lbs (4.5 kg)
Control Type
3 control knobs
LCD display + 1 control dial + 8 buttons
Temperature
100°F - 450°F
120°F - 450°F
Timer
1 minute - 30 minutes + stay-on
1 minute - 2 hours
Cooking Functions
3
8

Where to Buy?

Price at publication
$58.77
$154.13

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
5.1
6.8

Toast

7.7
7.8
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: Level 3; In the middle: Level 4; On the right: Level 5
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 stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart 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
4/7
Cooking Time
4m 15s
3m
Second Batch
4m 15s
2m 36s
Convection
No
No

Pizza

5.5
5.5
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
10m 30s
Convection
 No
No

Roasted Whole Chicken

1.0
6.6
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 a toaster oven on an enamel baking pan on a white background.
A whole roasted chicken using a toaster oven on an enamel baking pan on a white background.
A tray of whole toaster oven roasted chicken. The thermometer has two probes inside the chicken and displays 168°F and 171°F.
Seven pieces of a carved chicken including a carcass, two breasts, two wings, and two thighs on an enamel baking pan.
The chicken thigh is slightly pink near the bone. 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 5m
Convection
No
No

Baked French Fries

4.0
6.5
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 a toaster oven on an enamel baking pan on a white background.
Pieces of baked french fries using a toaster oven on an enamel baking pan on a white background.
A close-up of pieces of baked french fries using a toaster oven on an enamel baking pan on a white background.
Six pieces of broken-up baked french fries are stacked on top of pieces of whole fries on an enamel baking pan.
Function
Bake
Bake
Temperature
400°F
400°F.
Cooking Time
30 m
25 m
Convection
No
No

Design

Overall Design Scoring
3.6
6.4

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, 5 pieces of document, the Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven, a box, and an enamel baking pan.

Exterior

4.0
6.0
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 Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven with exterior measurements on a white background
A closed front of the Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven with exterior measurements on a white background
The front of a closed stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven has a control panel and the right has holes.
The back and left sides of the Breville BOV450XL Toaster Oven have holes. The back has a power cord and two buffers.
The top of the stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven on a grey background.
On a grey background, the bottom of the stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven has four stands and holes.
View from the top onto a slide-out crumb tray of the Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven on a grey background.
Weight
5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
10.0 lbs (4.5 kg)
Length
15.0" (38.0 cm)
15.7" (40.0 cm)
Width
12.2" (31.0 cm)
14.2" (36.0 cm)
Height
8.5" (21.6 cm)
8.9" (22.5 cm)
Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Color
Silver
Silver
Door Handle
cool-touch
cool-touch
Tray Indicators
No
Yes
Crumb Tray
Removable
Slide-out

Control Panel

The control panel of the Hamilton Beach 31401 4-Slice Toaster Oven has 3 control knobs for temperature, function, and timer.
The Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven’s control panel has an LCD, 1 cooking functions’ control dial, and 8 buttons
Type
3 control knobs
 LCD display + 1 control dial + 8 buttons
Temperature
100°F - 450°F
120°F - 450°F
Timer
1 minute - 30 minutes + stay-on
1 minute - 2 hours
Indicator Light
Yes
No
Status Bar
No
No
Light Toggle
No
No
Convection Toggle
No
No
Rotation Toggle
No
No
Automatic Preheat
No
Yes
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.

Interior

1.0
4.0
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 Breville BOV450XL ’s cooking chamber is black and has 4 quartz heating elements with guards and 2 guide rails.
The Breville BOV450XL ’s cooking chamber is black and has 4 quartz heating elements with guards and 2 guide rails.
The cooking chamber’s right wall of the Breville BOV450XL has 2 guide rails.
Heating Elements
2 quartz
4 quartz
Convection Fan
No
No
Lighting
No
No
Tray Levels
2
3
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 three-pronged plug power cord. In the background is the stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven.
Length
29.9" (76.0 cm)
40.9" (104.0 cm)
Type
2-prong plug
3-prong plug
Power
1200 W
1800 W
Rated Output
120 V ~ 60 Hz
110 V - 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 stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven on a grey background.
Length
10.9" (27.8 cm)
11.5" (29.2 cm)
Width
8.8" (22.3 cm)
10.3" (26.3 cm)
Height
0.9" (2.3 cm)
0.3" (0.7 cm)
Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes

Build Quality

5.0
8.0
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 stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven with a baking rack and a baking pan.

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 Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven with interior measurements on a white background.
Length
10.9" (27.8 cm)
11.5" (29.2 cm)
Width
9.4" (24.0 cm)
11.0" (27.9 cm)
Height
7.1" (18.0 cm)
6.7" (17.0 cm)

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
4.6
6.2

User Control

7.0
8.0

Easeof Use

3.0
4.0

Cleanability

5.0
9.0
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 back of the stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven’s glass door.
Grease on the back of the stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven’s glass door.
Brushing the upper heating element’s guards of the stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven’s glass door.
Grease and chicken skin stuck on the enamel baking pan of the stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven.
The cleaned enamel baking pan of the stainless steel Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Toaster Oven.

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Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Alan Nguyen
Alan NguyenReviewer

Alan Nguyen is a writer and product reviewer at HealthyKitchen101. His major in English language teaching taught him to present concise information. In addition to his cooking hobby, he values the practical aspects of household appliances.

Headshot of Lap Vo
Lap VoTest Lead

Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.

Headshot of Tuyet Pham
Tuyet PhamProfessional Chef

Tuyet Pham is an award-winning Saigonese chef passionate about delicious and healthful foods. At HealthyKitchen101, she develops recipes and collaborates with our Research, Testing, and Review lab to evaluate the performance of cooking appliances. Her assessments add a strong authoritative voice to our product scoring process.

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