Whether you're planning a juicy roast for dinner or making a vat of dip for an upcoming potluck, a slow cooker is a must-have. The best slow cookers cook evenly and thoroughly, with easy-to-use designs and programmable settings. They're also portable, to serve straight from the vessel.
We made our favorite recipes in over a dozen models to choose the best slow cookers for every type of home cook.
Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches kitchen products.
Our top picks for slow cookers
Best overall: Cuisinart Cook Central Multi-Cooker - See at Amazon
Best large: Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO Multi-Cooker - See at Amazon
Best budget: Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker - See at Amazon
Best multifunctional: Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker - See at Amazon
Best small: Bella 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker - See at Amazon
Best overall
The Cuisinart Multi-Cooker performed well in our tests, including producing a delicious chili and pot roast.
What we like
What we don't like
It's so good, even experts recommend it. The Cuisinart Cook Central Multi-Cooker (model MSC-600) did a great job at every task, and it's what Anna Vocino, author of the "Eat Happy" cookbook, recommended in our interview as one of the best slow cookers.
It heats consistently. It is one of only three cookers that didn't just boil water on high heat and maintained a simmer. On low heat, the cooker reached 197 degrees Fahrenheit and stayed there for the final 6 hours of the 12-hour cook.
It produced delicious results. The chili and roast we made in the Cuisinart were tender, moist, and delicious. The browning function works similarly to others in this guide: cooking burgers revealed that the center of the pot was hotter than the periphery, as is the case with all of the crock pots that brown.
It's user-friendly, but lacks a locking lid. Using the $160 Cuisinart Cook Central is intuitive. I didn't need the user manual to get started, and the buttons were clear to read. I liked that the handles remained cool, and the light weight makes it easy to carry. However, it lacks a locking lid, which could lead to spills during transport.
It takes up a lot of room in the dishwasher. While the lid and pot are dishwasher-safe, the pot requires significant space in your dishwasher. I preferred washing it by hand, as the nonstick surface effortlessly releases debris.
Best large
If you have a large family or regularly bring food to gatherings, the sizable Ninja Foodi PRO Multi-Cooker is a versatile choice that heats quickly and consistently.
What we like
What we don't like
This is a hefty slow cooker. At 8.5 quarts, the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO Multi-Cooker was the biggest slow cooker we tested. It produced a moist, tender roast, gave burgers a good crust, and maintained a consistent temperature in our low-heat water test.
It heats quickly and stays there. During the high-heat test, the water temperature shot up to boiling within 2 hours and stayed there for the remainder of the test. Remember, though, this is a large-capacity unit that needs the extra heating power to cook large batches of food. The higher high-heat temps were an asset when making a pot roast.
It's easy to use and clean. The dial lets you seamlessly choose from the eight preset modes, and clear up and down arrows make setting the time and temp simple. The pot isn't dishwasher-safe, but the nonstick coating facilitates effortless hand-washing.
Two downsides — there's no locking lid and our chili was undercooked. For its size, the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO is surprisingly light. I just wished the lid locked in place. I also found that it undercooked the chili — the vegetables and beans were too firm.
Best budget
With its portable design and superior performance in making succulent meats, the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker is an outstanding budget option.
What we like
What we don't like
This slow cooker is just a spacious as our other picks — but costs much less. The Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker is a reliable model for under $100. Its six-quart capacity is the perfect size for family dinners or potlucks, yet it's much more affordable than similar options on our list.
It cooks perfectly. It excelled during testing, perfectly cooking meat, vegetables, and dips. The beef was remarkably tender and juicy, and the fingerling potatoes were soft but not mushy. My buffalo chicken dip came out warm and thoroughly cooked, though the edges heated quicker than the center.
A built-in temperature probe ensures consistent temperature tracking. I used a separate meat thermometer to monitor my food's temperature and found that the built-in probe was very accurate, differing from the meat thermometer by only a few degrees. This feature is especially handy for ensuring meat reaches the correct internal temperature. We previously recommended an older, slightly cheaper Hamilton Beach slow cooker, but this newer version has an easier-to-read digital display that shows cook time, current temperature, and target temperature in a single view.
But it's not perfect. Using the slow cook and hold temperature functions, this slow cooker can braise, sous vide, simmer, and make yogurt. It lacks features found in other models, though, like brown, saute, and steam. Its locking lid makes for easy transport, but at 13.1 pounds empty, it's a hefty slow cooker. Still, this is the best slow cooker you can buy for under $100.
Best multi-functional
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and air fryer all in one, making it one of the most useful and economical small appliances I've tested.
What we like
What we don't like
The Instant Pot Duo is an all-around powerhouse. In my experience, multi-functional electric pressure cookers don't slow cook as well as dedicated slow cookers. However, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker does a good enough job and has so many functions that it can replace several kitchen appliances; that's why you can find it in our guides to the best pressure cookers and best air fryers.
It browned and slow-cooked well, but struggled with the roast. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp excelled at browning burgers, producing a nice crust that was nearly uniform. It also did a good job of slow-cooking vegetables and beans. However, the roast was a little tough, and I needed a knife to cut it. I recommend increasing the cooking times when you use the Duo Crisp for slow cooking.
The temperatures run high. Regarding temperature maintenance during slow cooking, the Instant Pot wasn't great: it had the highest temperatures in our low-heat testing and brought the water to a boil in high-heat testing. To its credit, the unit maintained consistent temperatures.
Using and washing it is a breeze. If you are new to Instant Pots, you might be intimidated by the Duo Crisp, with its 18-button interface and separate lid for air frying. Fortunately, the slow cook button and the time and temp adjustments are clearly labeled. Clean-up is a snap — compared to other slow cookers, this model takes up relatively little dishwasher space.
It's lightweight and easily portable. Lastly, the Duo Crisp is easy to transport since it weighs less than 13 pounds and the lid twists on, though our budget pick has a more secure lid lock.
Best small
Bella's 1.5-quart slow cooker is the perfect size for one to two people. It's easy to use and costs under $20.
What we like
What we don't like
Bella's mini slow cooker is best for small portions. While slow cookers are usually associated with entire roasts and huge vats of chili, sometimes something a little smaller will suffice. If you're cooking for one or making a pot of dip for a party, the Bella 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker is especially handy.
It's tiny, affordable, and perfect for cooking for one to two people. It's intuitive and simple to use — the front features a dial that toggles between off, low, and high, and the light indicates whether it's on or off. Depending on your appetite, the 1.5-quart capacity can fit enough food for one to two people. The low-profile design doesn't take up much cabinet space, either.
It's prone to overcooking. It performed relatively well in the cooking tests, though its size did result in a few cooking quirks. Since it's so small, I found it ran hot when compared to other slow cookers. My meat cooked quickly and was a little dry, and the fingerling potatoes were a bit overcooked. I struggled to fit an entire chicken breast inside for my buffalo chicken dip recipe, and had to cut it up to before putting it in.
It has a simple design. I wish it had a locking lid, especially since it's the perfect size for bringing small portions of dips to potlucks and parties. It's also not programmable, so you won't be able to set a specific temperature. Bella does offer programmable six-quart slow cookers, though. Regardless, if you're cooking small portions or don't have a ton of space, it's a great option.
Our top picks, compared
| Our pick | Winner | Get this if you want | Capacity |
| Best overall | Cuisinart Cook Central Multi-Cooker | A slow cooker with consistent heating and even cooking | 6 quarts |
| Best large | Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker Pro Multi-Cooker | A massive slow cooker for large portions | 8.5 quarts |
| Best budget | Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker | A simple, affordable slow cooker | 6 quarts |
| Best multifunctional | Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker | A slow cooker that's also a pressure cooker and air fryer | 6 quarts |
| Best small | Bella 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker | A small, budget-friendly slow cooker to cook for one to two people | 1.5 quarts |
What to look for in a slow cooker
Capacity: Look for a slow cooker that is at least 6 quarts, which is the standard size for most recipes. The classic oval shape is perfect for accommodating roasts and longer items.
Simple display: You don't want to reference the user manual every time you use your slow cooker, so look for an easy-to-understand display with a countdown timer. All of the cookers in our guide fit the bill.
Maintaining temperature: Wild temperature swings will negatively impact your meal. For consistent results, look for a slow cooker that maintains heat levels once it gets up to temp. Our top pick is a great example of this.
Portable: If you plan on taking your crockpot to gatherings, we strongly recommend a lightweight model featuring a locking lid and large, easy-to-grip handles that stay cool. Large rubber bands or bungee cords can secure the lid if your slow cooker doesn't lock.
Extra features: If you are in and out of your house often and may not be home when your slow cooker finishes cooking, look for a model that keeps the food warm once the cooking is done. All of the units in our guide do this. A clear lid is also a common feature for seeing how your meal is coming along without removing the lid, while temperature probes are nice to monitor food temps.
How we test slow cookers
Our testing methodology
Ease of use: I set up each slow cooker without looking at the instructions to see how intuitive the process was. I noted if it took significant trial and error to program it.
Slow cooking: I made vegan chili (7 hours on low heat) and a classic pot roast (6 hours on high) in each slow cooker. I sampled each and rated the texture and moistness of the vegetables, beans, and meat. Crockpots that produced tender but not mushy ingredients were rated higher.
Browning: I browned burgers in the models with a browning or searing function. I noted how evenly they browned and how nice the crust was. They all struggled to heat evenly, but they were good enough for my needs.
Consistent heat: I put 4 quarts of water in the crockpots and ran them for 6 hours on high heat and 12 hours on low. Every hour, I measured the temperature in several spots. If the cooker brought the water to a boil, it lost points. It gained points if it didn't have hot spots and kept the water at a consistent temperature.
Cleaning: If the pots and lids were dishwasher-safe, I washed them in the dishwasher at least once to see how much space they needed and if the dishwasher got the job done. I also washed them by hand. The classic ceramic crock material and stainless steel were the hardest to clean by hand.
Portability: I weighed the cookers and noted if they have a lid that locks in place. If you plan on attending potlucks or delivering meals to people, I strongly recommend choosing a unit with a locking lid.
Capacity: I measured how much water each pot could hold. These are the capacity measurements referenced throughout the guide.
Meet the expert behind the guide
James Brains, former senior reporter: I've tested dozens of kitchen appliances, including the best slow cookers. I put each pick through a series of rigorous tests and used them long-term to get a feel for their cooking.
Slow cooker FAQs
Which is better, a Crock-Pot or slow cooker?
"Slow cooker and crockpot are the same. Crock-Pot is just a brand name," said Olson. "A slow cooker slow cooks the food without any fuss. A pressure cooker (often called Instant Pot) is a sealed vessel that uses pressure to cook food faster."
I have tested the slow cooking function of 11 pressure cookers and 13 slow cookers, and overall, slow cookers do a much better job of slow cooking. Both Olson and Vocino agreed. "The Instant Pot doesn't get quite as hot as it needs to be for slow cooking," said Olson.
Can you put frozen meat in a slow cooker?
"You can," said Vocino, but "it's better if things thaw first." The reason, she explained, is that slow cookers break down the tough muscles of meat to make them tender. When you start from frozen, it takes longer and may cook unevenly.
How do you care for a slow cooker?
Cleaning and care for the best slow cookers will vary from model to model, so your best bet is to check your user manual. Most, but not all, slow cooker pots and lids are dishwasher-safe. To wash by hand, use warm soapy water and a soft sponge or cloth. Clean the parts that come in contact with food after each use.
Is a round or oval slow cooker better?
It depends on what you plan to cook. Oval slow cookers are popular because they better accommodate long cuts of meat, like a roast or ribs. If you rarely prepare meat, you might prefer the deeper, round slow cookers, which are better for stews and soups.
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