Buying guide for best slow cookers
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There are few things I value in the kitchen more than convenience, but I still resisted buying a slow cooker for years. That's because I was convinced that the only thing they were really good for was turning cheap, tough cuts of meat into something worth eating. Besides chicken, I don't eat much meat, so a slow cooker didn't seem like an appliance I needed taking up space on my counter.
It turns out I couldn't have been more wrong.
Since I got my slow cooker as a holiday gift one year (mothers really do know best!), I've made everything in it from delicious weeknight chicken pasta dishes, to hearty soups for winter evenings, to creamy dips for game day. I even make the richest, most decadent hot chocolate in it every Christmas with sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, milk, vanilla and a bag of chocolate chips that the entire family raves about.
Versatility isn't a slow cooker's only benefit, though. It's the pinnacle of low-maintenance cooking because you only have to place the ingredients inside, turn it on and let it cook. No stovetop or oven required. That means you can set it up before you leave the house in the morning and come home to a delicious home-cooked meal.
The best slow cookers offer a consistent temperature through many hours of cooking. The warm setting must keep your food warm without letting it continue to cook. You'll want a capacity that accommodates your family's needs, a removable inner pot that’s easy to clean and durable construction that will provide many years of use. Some slow cookers have programmable features that might be of interest, too. Before buying a slow cooker, it helps to take an in-depth look at your choices so you’re sure to get the right one.
At BestReviews, we've researched and evaluated dozens of slow cookers to find the best models. Our top pick, the Bella Savor 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker, stands out for its programmable presets and other easy-to-use features.
Editors’ picks
Bella Savor 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Editors’ Favorite
Dimensions: 11.82" D x 16.16" W x 14.18" H | Capacity: 6 qt | Weight: 10.58 lb | Settings: Warm, low, high, timer
The Bella Savor 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker offers plenty of convenient features that make getting dinner on the table for your family much easier. It has a 6-quart capacity, so it’s large enough to fit a whole roast chicken. That means you can make large batches of your favorite soups, stews and chilis, making it perfect for families or meal prepping for smaller households.
The slow cooker has low and high temperature settings, plus a warming function to keep your food at temperature until you’re ready to eat. It also features a programmable timer, so you can choose from 4-, 6-, 8- and 10-hour cooking cycles, depending on what you’re cooking.
Cooking in the Bella Savor is safe, too. Its stay-cool handles help prevent burns as you check on your food, while the nonskid feet keep it stable on the counter to prevent spills and splatters. The inner pot’s ceramic nonstick coating also helps food release easily for faster cleanup, but it doesn’t contain any PFAS, PTFE, PFOA, lead or cadmium, so it’s nontoxic and won’t leach any chemicals into your food.
Bella 6-Quart Manual Slow Cooker
Great Value
Dimensions: 11.82" D x 16.16" W x 14.18" H | Capacity: 6 qt | Weight: 10.58 lb | Settings: Low, medium, high
The Bella 6-Quart Manual Slow Cooker may not have all the bells and whistles as pricier slow cookers, but it still lets you prepare your favorite soups, stews and casseroles with minimal effort. It offers three temperature settings — low, medium and high — so you can cook a wide range of recipes with perfect results every time.
The slow cooker has a clear glass lid, so you can keep an eye on your food without removing it. That means you don’t have to worry about heat escaping just to check on your food. The lid is also shatter-resistant, so you can travel with your food to potlucks, tailgates and other events.
Its 6-quart capacity can hold up to 24 cups of liquid or food, making it perfect for families of four to six. Its stoneware inner pot is dishwasher-safe, too, making cleanup just as easy as cooking.
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker
Best for Families
Dimensions: 16.9" D x 11.8" W x 10.4" H | Capacity: 7 qt | Weight: 7.7 lb | Settings: High, low, warm
The Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker may not have a lot of extra features, but you may not mind. Made by Crock-Pot, it’s a spacious model with controls that are necessary for preparing foods to perfection. Not only is it easy to use and clean, but it’s also easy to afford thanks to the budget-friendly price.
You can cook up to 7 quarts of food in this Crock-Pot slow cooker. The capacity makes it ideal for preparing food for large households. High and low settings allow you to cook most dishes perfectly, while the warm function heats your food for an extended period of time. The simple dial control is almost effortless to operate, which appeals to those who like basic, functional small appliances.
The oval design of this slow cooker allows it to fit nicely on a countertop or in a cabinet. It only weighs 7.7 pounds so you can easily move it from place to place. Another reason to consider this value-priced slow cooker is the removable stoneware insert. In addition to being oven-safe to 400 degrees, it’s also dishwasher-safe for quick cleanup after meals are served. A combination of features and value make it one of the best slow cookers available.
Hamilton Beach Extra-Large Stay or Go Slow Cooker
For Extra-Large Slow Cooker
Dimensions: 12.5" D x 15.75" W x 11.5" H | Capacity: 10 qt | Weight: 15.66 lb | Settings: Warm, low, high
If you have a large family or regularly cook for big gatherings, the Hamilton Beach Extra-Large Stay or Go Slow Cooker is the perfect addition to your kitchen counter. Its 10-quart capacity lets you prepare enough food for up to 12 people and even fits a 10-pound turkey or a 12-pound roast.
Despite its size, this slow cooker is travel-friendly, too. It has clips to keep its lid in place, so you don’t have to worry about your favorite stew spilling all over your car in transit. It also features easy-to-grip handles that make it safe and easy to carry it from place to place.
The Hamilton Beach Extra-Large Stay or Go offers three heat settings, so you can cook your food on low or high heat and use the warm setting to keep your food at temperature until it’s time to eat. Operation is straightforward, too, with simple dial controls that let you choose your settings.
Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker
Best for Precision Cooking
Dimensions: 12" D x 16" W x 12" H | Capacity: 6 qt | Weight: 13.05 lb | Settings: Low, medium, high, keep warm, hold temp, timer
With its integrated temperature probe, the Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker makes it easy to cook your favorite slow recipes to the perfect temperature. It tracks your food’s temperature as it cooks to ensure that your poultry, pork or beef is safe to eat while reducing the risk of overcooking. It also has a Hold Temperature function, which lets you cook sous vide, poach, simmer and braise, plus make yogurt or fondue.
The slow cooker offers low, medium and high temperature options that you can use with or without the temperature probe. With the probe in place, it automatically switches to Keep Warm or holds it at a specific temperature, so you can be sure your food is ready to eat when you are.
Its generous 6-quart capacity is large enough for families and groups of four to six and allows it to fit a 6-pound chicken or a 4-pound roast. You’ll also love using it for busy weeknight meals because it’s so easy to clean — the stoneware crock and glass lid are both dishwasher-safe, so no scrubbing is necessary.
Ninja PossibleCooker PLUS 8.5-Quart 12-in-1 Multicooker
Best Cooker for Replacing Appliances
Dimensions: 18" D x 12.64" W x 10.59" H | Capacity: 8.5 qt | Weight: 14.87 lb | Settings: Slow cook, sear/sauté, keep warm, sous vide, braise, proof
If you want a slow cooker that can do more in your kitchen, the Ninja PossibleCooker PLUS 8.5-Quart 12-in-1 Multicooker may be just what you’re looking for. While it has a dedicated slow cooker function, it can actually replace 12 appliances on your countertop. It offers six cooking functions, including slow cook, sear/saute, keep warm, sous vide, braise and proof. It’s particularly convenient for slow cooker recipes that call for searing or browning meat before slow cooking because you can just do it all in one pot.
The PossibleCooker PLUS’s versatility doesn’t end there, though. Its removable cooking pot is also oven-safe up to 500 degrees. That means you can finish recipes in your oven for a deliciously crispy, browned top. The cooker even comes with a multiuse utensil that can work as a ladle and a pasta fork.
You’ll also love this slow cooker’s size if you have a large family or like to entertain. Its 8.5-quart capacity is large enough to make chili for up to 20 people or 9 pounds of spaghetti. You can also prepare enough pulled pork or chicken for up to 30 sliders, so you can easily cook for a crowd.
Crock-Pot Design Series 7-Quart
Best Slow Cooker with a Locking Lid
Dimensions: 10.47" D x 15.2" W x 15.2" H | Capacity: 7 qt | Weight: 14.17 lb | Settings: Keep warm, low, high, timer
If the way your countertop appliances look matters nearly as much as how they perform, the Crock-Pot Design Series 7-Quart may be the perfect slow cooker for your kitchen. It features a modern vintage aesthetic and comes in attractive, muted shades like sage green and dusty blue, so you won’t mind it sitting out on your counter.
It also has a user-friendly digital display that easily tracks your food’s cook time and makes it easy to monitor the progress from across the room. The built-in, programmable timer lets you choose a cook time between 30 minutes and 20 hours, so you can prepare a wide range of recipes.
It’s also one of the most travel-friendly slow cookers on our list. It has a locking lid that creates a tight seal, keeping your food from spilling or leaking on the way to the potluck. Its extra-large handles make lifting and carrying it easier, too, so you can take it nearly anywhere.
Crock-Pot 2-Quart Classic Slow Cooker
Best for Dips & Small Sides
Dimensions: 7.4" D x 8.9" W x 9" H | Capacity: 2 qt | Weight: 4 lb | Settings: High, low, warm
If you usually cook for just one to two people and have limited counter space, the Crock-Pot 2-Quart Classic Slow Cooker is a perfect option for your kitchen. It has a 2-quart capacity that can prepare meals for two to three people, side dishes or dips. It also has a compact design, measuring less than 9 inches wide and taking up little counter space.
Despite its size, it offers many of the same features as larger slow cookers. You can choose from three manual heat settings: warm, low and high. The warm setting lets you keep your food at serving temperature after cooking, so it’s still warm when you’re ready to eat. All the settings are controlled by a user-friendly dial, too, letting you make adjustments quickly and easily.
The slow cooker’s stoneware pot is removable and oven-safe up to 400 degrees, so you can finish your dishes in the oven. The pot and lid are also dishwasher-safe, so cleanup is a breeze.
Greenlife Healthy Cook Duo Slow Cooker
Best PFAS-Free Slow Cooker
Dimensions: 15.28" D x 11.1" W x 10.04" H | Capacity: 6 qt | Weight: 9.23 lb | Settings: Low, medium, high, keep warm, timer
The Greenlife Healthy Cook Duo Slow Cooker has a large 6-quart pot that can fit a 6-pound chicken or a 4-pound roast, making it big enough to serve seven or more people. But what really stands out is its ceramic nonstick interior. It releases food with minimal scrubbing for easy cleanup, but it doesn’t contain any PFAS, PFOA, lead, cadmium or any of the other toxins that are often found in traditional nonstick coatings.
This slow cooker also has an extremely user-friendly design. It has simple touch controls to power it on, choose the temperature mode, activate the delay timer and activate the keep-warm setting. The timer lets you choose a cook time between 30 minutes and 20 hours, while the keep warm feature ensures your food stays at temperature for up to four hours.
Like many slow cookers, the Greenlife Healthy Cook Duo’s pot is removable and oven- and dishwasher-safe. However, it is also safe for use on your stovetop, so you can sear your meat before you begin slow cooking.
Presto 8-Quart Nomad Traveling Slow Cooker
Best Slow Cooker for Potlucks & Travel
Dimensions: 12.5" D x 15.75" W x 8.75" H | Capacity: 8 qt | Weight: 9.61 lb | Settings: Low, high, warm
The Presto 8-Quart Nomad Traveling Slow Cooker can make bringing your favorite slow-cooker recipes to potlucks, tailgates and other parties much easier. It has a locking, leakproof lid that forms a super-tight seal to prevent spills during transit. It also features a stay-cool exterior and a swing-up, locking handle for more comfortable carrying.
With an 8-quart pot, the Nomad is also large enough to cook for a crowd. It can easily serve 10 or more people and works especially well for buffet-style foods like soups, pulled pork, stew and chili. It even has a dry-erase board on its front, so you can label the food to let your guests know exactly what’s inside.
Cleanup is super easy with the Nomad, too. The removable porcelain-enameled pot is dishwasher-safe, so you don’t have to worry about scrubbing it clean. The slow cooker’s lid requires hand-washing, but it’s also removable, making it easier to reach all its nooks and crannies.
How we tested slow cookers
In the BestReviews test kitchen, we put our slow cookers through a 12-hour test regimen.
Each model was loaded with the ingredients for a savory pot roast with orange.
As the meat cooked, we assessed four performance categories: temperature, finished dish, “keep warm” function, and mobility. We then chose the top cookers.
“Keep Warm” function
A slow cooker must be able to keep finished food warm without overcooking it.
The ideal temperature range for keeping foods warm is between 135°F and 155°F.
We tested each unit's temperature at the one- and two-hour mark after the machine switched (automatically or manually) to “Keep Warm" to see if it adhered to our ideal.
Temperature: accuracy and constancy
Slow cookers prepare foods by braising them. Braising is the slow, low-temp method of applying heat to break down tough meat fibers and weaken vegetable cell structures.
The ideal result: moist meat and soft vegetables.
A slow cooker’s temperature shouldn’t rise above approximately 180°F. Otherwise, the outside layer of meat will overcook to the point of stringy, tasteless dryness, and the inner portion will not have cooked long enough to attain its ideal creamy softness.
Slow cooker wattage
We obtained temperature readings at the following intervals: one hour, two hours, four hours, six hours, and nine hours from the start.
We noted the pace at which each product heated up and what temperature it stayed at during the cooking portion of the test.
Finished dish: taste and appearance
After the test period, we checked the meat and other ingredients for the desired fork tenderness.
Each cut of beef was considered done at an internal temperature between 155°F and 170°F.
Where different parts of the cut registered at different temps, we tested for doneness by pulling apart meat fibers with a fork.
We assessed the appearance of each pot roast by looking at the color of the beef, outside and in, and the condition of the accompanying ingredients.
Perfectly braised beef is dark on the outside and pink on the inside.
The taste of each finished dish was rated based on mouthfeel, texture, and whether the dish presented a pleasing combination of flavors.
Mobility
Once a dish is prepared in a slow cooker, the unit is often moved to another location for serving, such as a table or buffet.
We tested each unit for handle sturdiness, housing temperature, lid integrity, and whether liquids were prone to leak from the insert when moved.
Other features
We also considered other features and functions. For example, some models include the ability to brown, sear, or sauté food before slow cooking.
What to look for when buying a slow cooker
Capacity
Slow cookers range in size from 1 1/2 to 8 1/2 quarts. Choose the right size to fit your household.
- In general, if you’re cooking for one to three people, a 4-quart model works well.
- For a household of four, opt for a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker.
- If you routinely cook for larger groups, look for a slow cooker with at least a 6-quart capacity.
Shape
Most slow cookers are round or oval in shape. Both shapes work well, but the best option for your kitchen depends on what meals you like to prepare most often.
If you usually cook stews, soups, or beans, both round and oval slow cookers would suit your recipes. However, if you mainly use your slow cooker to prepare whole chickens, ribs, brisket, or other large cuts of meat, an oval shape would likely be the better option.
Lid
It’s important to keep the lid on a slow cooker when you’re preparing a meal. A clear glass lid is best because it allows you to check the progress of your food without actually removing it.
EXPERT CONSULTANT
Currently Executive Chef at Bon Appétit Management Company, Steve began his tenure with Bon Appétit as Chef de Partie. He has over 10 years of experience, including tenures at two- and three-Michelin star restaurants. Steve is passionate about all things cooking – products, supply chain, management, menu design, and budgeting.
Steve
Executive Chef
Insert material
A slow cooker’s insert is the removable pot that you mix your ingredients in.
Most inserts are made of ceramic or porcelain, but some slow cookers have a metal cooking pot.
These materials all conduct heat well, though ceramic and porcelain are usually easier to clean.
Handles
The exterior of a slow cooker often gets hot while in use, but you want to make sure that the handles never do.
Look for a model with large handles that stay cool and are sturdy so you can easily move the slow cooker to serve dinner.
Controls
Some slow cookers feature only a manual dial or knob control that allows you to set the appliance to low, medium, or high. Manual slow cookers aren’t equipped with timers, so you must keep an eye on your meal and turn the cooker off when necessary.
Other slow cookers are equipped with programmable controls. Not only can you set a digital slow cooker to low, medium, or high heat settings, you can also set a digital timer so the slow cooker turns off at a specific time. These slow cookers usually have a keep warm setting as well, so your food won’t be cold if you get home after it has stopped cooking.
Extra settings
Depending on how you plan to use your slow cooker, you may want to choose a model equipped with other cooking settings, such as those for browning, sautéing, roasting, or steaming.
Slow cookers with these extra settings are usually more costly, but if you’re making a more involved dish, they can save you from having to clean multiple pots and pans at the end of the night.
How much should you spend on a slow cooker?
Slow cookers are available at a variety of price points.
In general, you can expect to pay anywhere between $15 and $150, depending on the size of the cooker and its features.
- For a basic, mechanical slow cooker, expect to pay $15 to $40.
- For a higher-end, programmable slow cooker, you’ll likely pay between $50 and $150.
Tips and tricks for using your slow cooker
- Preheat your slow cooker before adding ingredients. Giving it 20 minutes or so to warm up before you toss in your ingredients can make a big difference in the finished product.
- Don’t overcrowd the pot. Fill it half or two-thirds full.
- Don’t lift the lid off your slow cooker to check on your meal. The heat will escape and slow down the cooking time. Only check on your meal in the last half-hour or so of cooking.
FAQ
Q. Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on while I’m out of the house?
A. Most slow cookers are designed to be safe when left on and unattended on the counter. To be cautious, though, check that nothing is touching your slow cooker before you leave.
Q. What features make a slow cooker easier to clean?
A. Most slow cooker inserts are removable to make cleaning easy. However, for the easiest cleaning, opt for a model with a dishwasher-safe insert.
Q. Can I take a slow cooker on the go?
A. You can prepare a meal in a slow cooker and then bring it with you to a potluck dinner so it stays warm. Look for a model with a locking lid so you can be sure it’s sealed completely. A retractable cord can also make a slow cooker more portable.
Our expertise
Jennifer Blair, a writer and product tester, has covered kitchen, home and lifestyle products for BestReviews since 2017. She has written over 100 articles on household appliances, such as toasters, vacuum sealers, air fryers, vacuum cleaners and more.
Jennifer Manfrin has been writing for BestReviews for nearly a decade. She specializes in pets, fitness, home and gardening. She has written shopping guides on everything from blenders, to infrared saunas, to treadmills.
