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Mueller 4 Slice vs Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4 Slices Toaster Oven Side-by-Side Comparison

Mueller 4-Slice vs Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4 Slices Toaster Oven. Two toaster ovens not only similar in size but also in score. Who is the winner?

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Mueller 4 Slice

Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4 Slice

Mueller 4 Slice vs Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4 Slices Toaster Oven

Overall Verdict

6.1
Overall Score
5.8
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)7.0
  • Design (25%)5.3
  • Usability (25%)5.2
  • Performance (50%)6.3
  • Design (25%)5.1
  • Usability (25%)5.5

The Mueller 4-Slice and the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4 Slices are toaster ovens not only similar in size but also in score. In the end, the Mueller edges out just every so slightly, but not just because it’s cheaper.

Both toaster ovens have similar exterior scores but each has its own unique feature. The Mueller has an detachable crumb tray for easy cleaning and while the Hamilton has a roll-top door for easy maneuvering.

However, the Hamilton’s door isn’t firmly hinged so it can slam shut creating some inconvenience. Both units have a similarly sturdy build, so this resulted in a lower build quality as well as overall design score for the Hamilton.

Similar to many other small models, these two only have 2 quartz heating elements, no convection, and no internal lighting. They also only have standard control dials so no note-worthy convenient features. The only reason the Hamilton was able to score slightly higher in terms of usability was that its baking rack has supports below to rest the baking pan.

What separated the Mueller from other small-sized units and made us choose it as our best-value small toaster oven was its performance. Its scores in toasting bread, baking pizza, and roasting whole chicken are all high, especially for a small toaster oven.

The Hamilton’s scores are not bad either, just not as high as the Mueller’s. However, both scored really low in baking fries due to them not having a high power output and convection.

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
  • Lightweight and small size
  • Durable alloy steel casing
  • Cool-touch door handle
  • Simple control knobs
  • Stay-on feature
  • Quartz heating elements with safeguards
  • Energy-saving
  • 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 W11.61 x H8.86 inches
L15.75 x W11.93 x H8.39 inches
Weight
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
6.9 lbs (3.1 kg)
Control Type
3 control knobs
2 control knobs
Temperature
150°F - 450°F
200°F - 450°F
Timer
1 minute - 30 minutes + stay-on
1 minute - 30 minutes + stay-on
Cooking Functions
4
Not available

Where to Buy?

Price at publication
$64.55
$53.49

*You help support HealthyKitchen101's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
7.0
6.3

Toast

7.5
6.7
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven Toast Test
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 Mueller MT-175 4-Slice 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.
Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4 Slices Toaster Oven Toast Test
Hamilton Beach easy reach 4 slices toaster Toast 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 31344DA 4-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
⅓ to Dark
Medium
Cooking Time
4m
5m
Second Batch
4m
5m
Convection
No
No

Pizza

7.6
6.6
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven Pizza Test
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven PizzaA 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 cheese, meat, onions, and green bell peppers on top baked using a toaster oven.
Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4 Slices Toaster Oven Pizza Test
Hamilton Beach easy reach 4 slices toaster PizzaA 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 cheese, meat, onions, and green bell peppers on top baked using a toaster oven.
Function
Toast
Bake
Temperature
450°F
450°F
Cooking Time
9m
6m
Convection
No
No

Roasted Whole Chicken

7.0
6.6
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven Whole Roasted Chicken Test
A whole roasted chicken using the Mueller MT-175 Toaster Oven backside up on a silver baking pan on a white background.
A whole roasted chicken using the Mueller MT-175 Toaster Oven belly up 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 185°F and 192°F.
Eight pieces of a carved chicken including two carcass halves, two breasts, two wings, and two thighs on a baking pan.
Two hands pulling apart a roasted chicken thigh. In the white background is the rest of the roasted chicken on a baking pan.
Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4 Slices Toaster Oven Whole Roasted Chicken Test
Hamilton Beach easy reach 4 slices toaster Oven Whole Roasted ChickenA whole roasted chicken using the Hamilton Beach 31344DA backside up on an oven rack and baking pan on a white background.
A whole roasted chicken using the Hamilton Beach 31344DA belly up on an oven 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 displays 174°F and 183°F.
Eight pieces of a carved chicken including two carcass halves, two breasts, two wings, and two thighs on a baking pan.
Two hands pulling apart a roasted chicken thigh. In the white background is the rest of the roasted chicken on a baking pan.
Function
Toast
Bake
Temperature
350°F
350°F
Cooking Time
1h 20m
1h 20m
Convection
No
No

Baked French Fries

3.6
3.6
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven Baked French Fries Test
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven Baked French FriesPieces of baked french fries using the Mueller MT-175 Toaster Oven on a grooved silver baking pan on a white background.
A close-up of pieces of baked french fries using the Mueller MT-175 Toaster Oven on a baking pan on a white background.
Ten pieces of broken-up baked french fries are stacked on top of pieces of whole fries on a grooved silver baking pan.
Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4 Slices Toaster Oven Baked French Fries Test
Pieces of baked french fries using the Hamilton Beach 31344DA Toaster Oven on a silver baking pan on a white background.
A close-up of pieces of baked french fries using the Hamilton Beach 31344DA on a silver baking pan on a white background.
Eight pieces of broken-up baked french fries are stacked on top of pieces of whole fries on a silver baking pan.
Function
Toast
Bake
Temperature
400°F
400°F
Cooking Time
27 m
26m
Convection
No
No

Design

Overall Design Scoring
5.3
5.1

In The Box

A box, the Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Toaster Oven, a recipe booklet, a baking pan, an oven rack, a user manual, and a brochure.
A box, the Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Toaster Oven, a user manual, an oven rack, and a baking pan.

Exterior

5.0
5.0
A closed front of the stainless steel Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Toaster Oven with exterior measurements on a white background.
A closed front of the stainless steel Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Toaster Oven with exterior measurements on a white background.
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven ExteriorThe front of a closed stainless steel Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Toaster Oven has a control panel and the right has holes.
The back and left sides of the Instant Omni Plus 18L have air ventilation holes. The back has a power cord and two buffers.
The top, front, and right sides of the Black+Decker TO1760SS 4-Slice Natural Convection Toaster Oven on a white background.
On a white background, the bottom of the Mueller MT-175 Toaster Oven has a detachable crumb tray, four stands, and holes.
The detached crumb tray of the stainless steel Black+Decker TO1760SS 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven on a white background.
A closed front of the Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Roll Top Toaster Oven with exterior measurements on a white background.
A closed front of the Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Roll Top Toaster Oven with exterior measurements on a white background.
Hamilton Beach easy reach 4 slices toaster Oven ExteriorThe front of a closed Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Easy Reach Toaster Oven has a control panel and the right has holes.
The back of the Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Toaster Oven has a power cord, two buffers, and holes.
The top, front, and right sides of the Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Toaster Oven on a white background.
On a white background, the bottom of the Hamilton Beach 31344DA has four stands, holes, and carrying handles on the sides.
Weight
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
6.9 lbs (3.1 kg)
Length
15.0" (38.0 cm)
15.8" (40.0 cm)
Width
11.6" (29.5 cm)
11.9" (30.3 cm)
Height
8.9" (22.5 cm)
8.4" (21.3 cm)
Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Color
Gray
Silver
Door Handle
Cool-touch
Cool-touch
Tray Indicators
No
No
Crumb Tray
Detachable
Removable

Control Panel

The control panel of the Black+Decker TO1760SS 4-Slice Toaster Oven has 3 control knobs for temperature, function, and timer.
The control panel of the Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Roll Top Toaster Oven has 2 control knobs for temperature and timer.
Type
3 control knobs
2 control knobs
Temperature
150°F - 450°F
200°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 dial of the Black+Decker TO1760SS 4-Slice Toaster Oven has 3 cooking functions including Bake, Broil, and Toast.
The control panel of the Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Roll Top Toaster Oven has 2 control knobs for temperature and timer.

Interior

1.0
2.0
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven InteriorThe Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Toaster Oven’s cooking chamber has 2 quartz heating elements with guards and 2 guide rails.
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven InteriorThe Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Toaster Oven’s cooking chamber has 2 quartz heating elements with guards and 2 guide rails.
The Mueller MT-175 Oven has 1 bottom heating element with a guard and 2 guide rails on its right cooking chamber wall.
Hamilton Beach easy reach 4 slices toaster Oven InteriorThe Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Toaster Oven’s cooking chamber has 2 quartz heating elements with guars and 2 guide rails.
Hamilton Beach easy reach 4 slices toaster Oven InteriorThe Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Toaster Oven’s cooking chamber has 2 quartz heating elements with guars and 2 guide rails.
The Hamilton Beach 31344DA has 1 bottom heating element with a guard and 2 guide rails on its right cooking chamber wall.
The opened roll top door and upper heating element with a guard of the silver Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Toaster Oven.
Heating Elements
2 quartz
2 quartz
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 stainless steel Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven.
A two-pronged plug power cord. In the background is the Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Toaster Oven.
Length
30.7" (78.0 cm)
34.6" (88.0 cm)
Type
2-prong plug
2-prong plug
Power
1100 W
1200
Rated Output
120 V ~ 60 Hz
120

Accessories

A stainless steel baking rack of the Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven on a white background.
A stainless steel baking rack of the Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Easy Reach Roll Top Toaster Oven on a white background.
Length
10.5" (26.7 cm)
11.0" (27.9 cm)
Width
8.8" (22.4 cm)
9.3" (23.5 cm)
Height
0.5" (1.3 cm)
1.0" (2.5 cm)
Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Yes

Build Quality

8.0
7.0
The front of an opened stainless steel Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven with an oven rack and baking pan.
The front of an opened Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Toaster Oven with a removable crumb tray, baking pan, and oven rack.

Capacity

An opened front of the stainless steel Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Toaster Oven with interior measurements on a white background.
An opened front of the Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Roll Top Toaster Oven with interior measurements on a white background.
Length
10.6" (27.0 cm)
11.0" (27.9 cm)
Width
9.8" (25.0 cm)
9.84
Height
7.5" (19.0 cm)
7.5" (19.0 cm)

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
5.2
5.5

User Control

6.0
6.0

Easeof Use

4.0
5.0

Cleanability

7.0
6.0
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven CleanabilityPermanent stains on the left cooking chamber’s ceiling and the upper heating element’s guard of the Mueller MT-175 Oven.
Mueller 4 Slice Toaster Oven CleanabilityPermanent stains on the left cooking chamber’s ceiling and the upper heating element’s guard of the Mueller MT-175 Oven.
Permanent stains on the right cooking chamber’s ceiling and the upper heating element’s guard of the Mueller MT-175 Oven.
The cleaned grooved silver baking pan of the stainless steel Mueller MT-175 4-Slice Countertop Toaster Oven.
Permanent stains on the Hamilton Beach 31344DA’s upper heating element guard, cooking chamber’s ceiling, and casing’s top.
Permanent stains on the Hamilton Beach 31344DA’s upper heating element guard, cooking chamber’s ceiling, and casing’s top.
The cleaned baking pan of the silver Hamilton Beach 31344DA 4-Slice Easy Reach with Roll Top Door 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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