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Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic vs Hamilton Beach 26031 Side-by-Side Comparison

This article can show you the differences between the mid-range Hamilton Beach 26031 or the more budget-friendly Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic.

By , , and Updated

Hamilton Beach 26031

Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic

Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic vs Hamilton Beach 26031

Overall Verdict

8.3
Overall Score
7.9
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)6.9
  • Design (20%)9.7
  • Ease of Use (30%)9.7
  • Performance (50%)7.2
  • Design (20%)7.7
  • Ease of Use (30%)9.1

The most crucial difference between the Hamilton Beach 26031 and the Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic is that they make two different kinds of waffles.

The Hamilton Beach has a larger and deeper set of waffle plates that can serve you Belgian-style waffles. In contrast, the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s waffle plates are far smaller and shallower, producing a thinner waffle that’s usually called “classic-style.”

However, due to its larger size, the Hamilton Beach also took a long time to cook. In our self-made recipe test, the Hamilton Beach 26031 took 5 minutes to finish cooking. Meanwhile, the Cuisinart WMR-CA only needed 2 minutes.

Overall, if you need a budget and simple classic-style waffle maker that does the job, the Cuisinart WMR-CA is a good choice. But if you have the budget for an excellent Belgian-style waffle maker, consider the Hamilton Beach 26031.

Pros & Cons

  • 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
  • Affordable
  • Did a great job in our test with Birch Benders mix
  • Fast cooking time
  • Compact and lightweight design makes it easy to store
  • The spin-lock mechanism at the handle is finicky
  • Poor performance on self-mixed recipe
  • Heating element is too strong and can easily burn waffles
  • Dim indicator lights

Key Specs

Features
Rotating baking chamber, removable ceramic waffle plates, indicator lights
Sliding browning knob, indicator lights
Adjustable Settings
None
5
Dimensions
L16.5 x W8 x H8.7 inches
L9.7 x W7.9 x H3.3 inches
Material
Stainless steel/plastic housing; ceramic nonstick baking plates
Stainless steel/plastic housing; cast iron, nonstick baking plates
Weight
3.1 lbs (1.4 kg)
1 pound
Waffle diameter
7.0" (17.8 cm)
6.8" (17.3 cm)

Where to Buy?

Price at publication
$57.79
$29.95

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.9
7.2

Self Recipe

6.8
6.7
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.
Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic Self-Mixed Recipe Video
The very dark brown top crust of a waffle baked for 3 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The very dark brown top crust of a waffle baked for 3 minutes using our self-mixed recipe.
The cross-section of a waffle baked for 3 minutes, revealing small air cavities within the waffle’s interior.
The 3-minute waffle being torn by hand down the middle to test it for consistency and texture.
Heat Level
Between 1 and 2
3
Cooking Time
5 minutes
3 minutes

Birch Benders Mix

7.1
7.7
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.
Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic Birch Benders Mix Video
The golden brown bottom crust of a waffle baked in 3 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
The bottom golden crust of a waffle baked for 4 minutes using a batter made from the Birch Benders mix.
A cross-section of a waffle, revealing the large air cavities and air bubbles inside.
A waffle is torn down the middle to test for its consistency and texture. The core of the waffle is revealed.
Heat Level
Between 1 and 2
3
Cooking Time
5 minutes
4 minutes

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.7
7.7

In The Box

The Hamilton Beach Flip Belgian waffle maker (26031) is on a table next to the included drip tray and the user manual.
The Cuisinart WMR-CA, with its stainless steel top and black plastic detailing, sitting next to its instructional manual.

Dimensions

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
The Cuisinart WMR-CA’s dimensions are measured with its length being 9.7 inches, height 3.3 inches, and width 7.9 inches.
Length
16.5" (41.9 cm)
9.7" (24.6 cm)
Width
8.0" (20.3 cm)
7.9" (20.1 cm)
Height
8.7" (22.1 cm)
3.3" (8.4 cm)
Weight
3.1 lbs (1.4 kg)
1.0 lbs (0.5 kg)

Build Quality

9.5
8.0
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.
The back end of the Cuisinart WMR-CA. Internal electric wiring and circuit boards can be seen through a gap.
The back end of the Cuisinart WMR-CA. Internal electric wiring and circuit boards can be seen through a gap.
Cuisinart WMR-CA Build Quality Video

Waffle Plates

10
7.0
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.
The Cuisinart WMR-CA with its lid opened, revealing the set of two black, non-stick-coated waffle plates.
The Cuisinart WMR-CA with its lid opened, revealing the set of two black, non-stick-coated waffle plates.
A close-up view of the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s waffle plate. It has classic-style patterning and is coated in black non-stick.
Number of Plates
2
2
Grid Pattern
Belgian-style
Classic-style
Plate Area
50.27 inch
47.78 inches
Plate Length
8.0" (20.3 cm)
7.8" (19.8 cm)
Plate Width
8.0" (20.3 cm)
7.8" (19.8 cm)
Material
Cast aluminum
Cast iron
Non Stick Coating
Yes
Yes
Removable
Yes
No
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
No

Control Panel

10
8.0
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
The control panel of the Cuisinart round classic waffle maker. There’s the silver browning control knob and indicator lights.
The control panel of the Cuisinart round classic waffle maker. There’s the silver browning control knob and indicator lights.
Cuisinart WMR-CA Control Panel
Indicator Lights
Yes
Yes
Audible Alarm
No
No
Timer
No
No
Browning Control
Yes
Yes

Power Cord

A close-up of the power cord of the Hamilton Beach 26031 waffle maker, focused on the prongs of the plug.
The side profile of the Cuisinart WMR-CA waffle maker, with its power cord at the front.
The side profile of the Cuisinart WMR-CA waffle maker, with its power cord at the front.
Closed-up view of the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s power cord and its Type-A prongs.
Plug Style
Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
Length
2.2 ft (0.7 m)
3.0 ft (0.9 m)
Cable Management
No
No

Extra Accessory

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

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.7
9.1

Handling

9.5
9.0

Safety

10
9.6
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.
The temperature of the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s cool-touch handle is measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 96.4°F.
The temperature of the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s cool-touch handle is measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 96.4°F.
The temperature of the top lid of the Cuisinart WMR-CA is measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 181.7°F.
The temperature of the Cuisinart WMR-CA’s base is measured using a thermometer. The screen reads 94.1°F.
Top Side Temperature
 142°F
181.7°F
Bottom Side Temperature
90°F
94°F
Handle Temperature
 88°F
96.4°F

Cleanability

9.5
9.5
Hamilton Beach 26031 Cleanability
Cuisinart WMR-CA Cleanability

Indicator Light Visibility

9.0
6.5
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.
The indicator lights at the front of the Cuisinart WMR-CA, left is the red POWER light and right is the green READY light.

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Behind the Comparison

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Matthew LeeReviewer

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.

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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.

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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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