CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini vs Hamilton Beach 26031 Side-by-Side Comparison
Between the Crownful 4-inch Mini and the more premium Hamilton Beach 26031 waffle maker, which one to get? This data-driven comparison can help you choose!
Specifications
Design
The Crownful is visually striking compared to other mini-sized waffle makers in our database. Featuring a raised circular pattern on the lid and finished off with a light wooden handle, its aesthetic is the most remarkable part. The build quality is decent for the price point. A pair of solid hinges on the lid and the waffle plates are coated with a layer of functional non-stick coating.
Our only complaint is that, like many other mini-sized waffle makers, the Crownful lacks a control panel.
The Hamilton Beach 26031 boasts a sleek, luxurious design crafted from stainless steel. We’re quite impressed with the build quality of the ceramic waffle plates. The smooth coating and solid feel of the plates in hand leave no doubt that Hamilton Beach has paid close attention to its construction.
We also liked the control panel. It’s highly intuitive and easy to use, consisting of a single dial for controlling the browning level and two indicator lights.
Usability Comparison
The lack of a control panel doesn’t mean the Crownful is hard to use. The opposite, in fact. Plug it in, wait for the signal light to go off, and pour your batter. Getting the perfect browning level can be tricky, but you’ll get the feel of it after some time using the waffle maker.
Cleaning up is a breeze due to its non-stick coating plates. Like most mini waffle makers we’ve tested, safety is an issue since the entire waffle maker heats up after a few cooking sessions.
The Hamilton Beach 26031 has been given a high ease of use score thanks to the simple controls and effortless operation.
Our trials revealed that the lid and flipping mechanism worked wonders. Safety tests also showed that the Hamilton Beach 26031 is generally safe for most people to use — no excessive hot spots or structural flaws.
To make things even better, the waffle maker already included a drip tray and removable plates, making it a breeze to clean.
Performance Test
In our cooking tests with the self-mixed recipe, the Crownful CF-WM01 waffle maker managed to achieve brilliant results across all three scoring criteria: color, texture, and taste. The waffles weren’t gourmet-grade, but they can still make for great breakfast treats for families and individuals.
However, in our test with the Birch Benders mix, the waffle maker notably failed the color test by producing a very pale, undercooked-looking waffle.
The Hamilton Beach 26031 did excellently in all of our cooking test sessions. The texture and taste of the waffles were impressive, according to our chef. However, the coloration of the waffles could still be improved. Most of the waffles we made had dark colorings, which wasn’t ideal.
Overall Scores
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
Conclusion
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.
Behind the Comparison
Matthew Lee is a writer and editor for HealthyKitchen101. With over 8 years working for various outlets and agencies, specializing in tech review and other subjects of note, such as current affairs.
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.
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.
