The best slow cookers we tested

Best budget slow cooker: Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Portable Set and Forget Slow Cooker

Best slow cooker: Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker

Many kitchen appliances can consume a lot of counter space, so it's important to choose wisely when deciding what to buy, especially when it comes to tools that make meal prepping more efficient. The best slow cooker is certainly one such appliance, but after testing and reviewing them for several weeks, I've learned they're worthy of taking up that valuable kitchen real estate.

A slow cooker is the ultimate "set it and forget it" tool. You can prepare a week's worth of meals while you work without thinking twice, and it's also one of the most forgiving kitchen devices, getting the job done with minimal effort.

After cooking all kinds of hearty meals, I've concluded that a good slow cooker should have even heat distribution, sturdy lids to keep meals warm and, most importantly, strong reliability. To find the best slow cookers, I prepared chicken, ground meat, pasta and vegetables in the form of stews and chilis. It was a slow and delicious process, but in the end, I landed on a few standout models that'll help you prepare mouthwatering meals with minimal effort.

Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Portable Set and Forget Slow Cooker

Best budget slow cooker

Amazon

The Hamilton Beach Set and Forget is a straightforward, manual kitchen appliance with a handy built-in temperature probe. Plus, its latching gasket lid makes it great for transporting meals, all for under $100.

$70 at Hamilton Beach

$80 at Walmart $90 at Amazon

Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker

Best slow cooker

Ninja

Ninja strikes again with the spacious Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker. The 8-in-1 slow cooker is a powerhouse, with a sleek design and a range of cooking functions. One standout feature is the multifunctional ladle that's perfect for serving and stirring large heaps of food.

$170 $140 at Best Buy $170 $140 at Ninja Kitchen $170 $140 at Amazon

Best budget slow cooker: Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Portable Set and Forget Slow Cooker

Carolina Gazal/CNN Underscored

The Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Portable Set and Forget Slow Cooker is a strong option for budget shoppers. For $70, it cooked all kinds of meals just as well as far more expensive models. It has the traditional build of a slow cooker, with a reliable probe and a sturdy locking lid that was missing from many other models in my testing pool. It was easy to set up and program, featuring just three easy buttons.

This model is also programmable, featuring three settings -- Program, Manual and Probe -- and is incredibly easy to set up. All you have to do is set both the time and temperature, then go about your day while the Hamilton Beach appliance does the cooking for you. As I cooked pasta, chili and stews, the Hamilton Beach slow cooker cooked evenly and reliably, even when I left my kitchen for a few hours. The Manual mode also offers low, high and warm settings -- again, all straightforward to use.

But the real reason I loved this slow cooker was for the handy Probe mode. It monitors the internal temperature of meals and automatically switches its settings accordingly, which is great for cooking meat. The attached thermometer feeds readings to the unit through a small lid port, with temperatures shown on an LCD screen. I found this especially helpful to do temperature checks without having to remove the lid.

Carolina Gazal/CNN Underscored

I also liked the general build of this slow cooker, which resembled a large stockpot, and the secure lid truly set it apart from others in my product pool. The handy lid latches and the gasket seal kept everything tightly sealed, providing an added layer of comfort as my food simmered. I didn't have to worry about lids flying off the pot while I wasn't home either. If I wanted to transport meals to a potluck or tailgate, the secure lid also prevents spills. And the handles, though small, stayed cool during use for safe handling after cooking.

Hamilton Beach

This Hamilton Beach model also features interrupt protection, which keeps the timer running during brief power outages. Though I didn't test this aspect, I appreciated it in case I wound up in an emergency electric situation. I found it pretty easy to clean too. I just hand-washed the ceramic base with soap and water, but the lid and pot are also dishwasher-safe (I just down't own a dishwasher to do so myself).

Though there aren't as many fancy features or functions as higher-end models, I still vouch for this easy-to-use cooker. It's a practical choice for budget-conscious cooks looking for a full-featured appliance.

Best slow cooker: Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker

Carolina Gazal/CNN Underscored

As with its air fryers, coffee gadgets and even ice cream makers, Ninja's slow cooker is easy to use, affordable and not a total eyesore. I found this appliance incredibly intuitive thanks to the well-organized touchscreen and handy manual/recipe book. Unlike the Hamilton Beach budget pick, the Ninja can slow cook, sear/sauté, steam, sous vide (cooking food in a vacuum-sealed bag), braise, bake, proof and even keep food warm throughout the day.

Slow cookers are often associated with meat or soup dishes, but the Ninja slow cooker opened new, creative cooking doors for me. According to the included manual, the slow cooker can whip up things like cherry maple oatmeal, focaccia, egg frittatas and even crispy desserts. The sear function is a unique setting not often found in slow cookers, which only added to the versatility of this Ninja model during my testing.

Thanks to these settings, I could replace several cumbersome kitchen tools and appliances, such as a bread maker or even some pots and pans. The Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker truly offered the most functions out of all the slow cookers I tested. Whether you're looking to slow cook, steam, roast or sauté, the Ninja Foodi effortlessly handles it all.

Carolina Gazal/CNN Underscored

I thought the 8.5-quart cooking pot was more than roomy, making it a great appliance to have on hand ahead of large parties or for smart shoppers who like to meal prep. It was detachable too, making it easy to clean and even easier to transport whatever you cooked without worrying about it being too hot to handle.

One of its standout features is its Triple Fusion Heat technology, which cooks up to 30% faster than a conventional oven. This technology combines bottom, side and steam heating elements to deliver better cooking and ensure even, quick results without compromising flavor or texture. The barbecue chicken I slow-cooked for six hours turned out tasty and remained saucy despite the long cooking time.

Carolina Gazal/CNN Underscored

I found the unit easy to use overall, with a glass cooking lid to monitor food as it cooked. It also comes with a detachable spoon ladle that turned out to be a surprisingly helpful gadget for other cooking needs. One of its best features, however, is the included chef-curated recipe guide. With this cooker and guide, weeknight dinners and entertaining guests won't feel as intimidating. The only feature it lacks is a locking lid for safer, mess-free transport, as I found on our best budget pick, the Hamilton Beach slow cooker.

How we tested

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I cooked with a range of the most popular and well-reviewed slow cookers on the market, priced from $70 to more than $250. During my testing, I roasted and simmered all sorts of food -- vegetables, meat, pasta -- to get a read on the temperature accuracy of each model.

After hours of cooking (either automatically or manually, depending on the device), I also tested how long each cooker kept the food warm. I also wanted to ensure that the temperature didn't get under 140 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the FDA, food left at temperatures lower than that can be unsafe.

I made sure to cook all sorts of meals with a variety of textures, like chicken breast and ground beef, which can easily dry out if overcooked. I also cooked tougher vegetables like carrots alongside softer produce like yams and potatoes to see if they got mushy, as well as pasta to see how thoroughly the liquids boiled. After all that cooking, I used the following criteria to evaluate each model:

Build and design

  • Construction: What materials were the lid, pot and base made of? Was there a gasket to keep the lid in place, or did it slide around?
  • User interface: Are the controls intuitive and easy to use? Were there too many controls? If so, were they so confusing you'd have to refer back to the manual whenever you cooked?
  • Build quality: Overall, were the base, pot and lid solidly constructed? Did the lid or any of the handles get too hot, or did they stay cool to the touch, making them easy to transport?
Performance
  • Cooking functions: Can the device perform any other cooking functions in addition to slow cooking?
  • Recipe taste: What were the end results of the recipes? Were there any issues with taste or consistency?
  • Temperature accuracy: Did the slow cooker hit the desired temperatures on both low and high settings?
  • Temperature stability: Did the food stay at an ideal temperature, or did it get too hot or too cold?

Care and maintenance

  • Ease of cleaning: How easy was it to clean both the pot and the lid?
  • Dishwasher-safe: Are the pot and/or lid dishwasher-safe?
Price
  • Value: Did the cost of the cooker seem reasonable given the features offered and its overall performance?

What to look for in a slow cooker

Carolina Gazal/CNN Underscored

Quart size matters

While most slow cookers have a similar oval shape, their capacities range from 1.5 to 8 quarts or larger, so if you're a party of one or a party of 10, you have options. Additionally, if you're more adventurous in the kitchen, you can opt for the 3-in-1 functionality, including browning and sautéing. Or you can take it one step further and look at the Instant Pot multicooker I tested, which can steam, pressure cook, brown, sauté, sous vide and bake.

You may also be particular about the materials used for inserts, such as ceramic (the most common), stainless steel and aluminum with a nonstick coating.

Easy-to-read timer

The goal of a slow cooker is to cook your food while you're away; that's why they're considered a "set it and forget it" appliance. They let you meal prep in the morning, then come home from work to a meal that's ready to go. And the appliance's name says it all: You are cooking the meal slowly.

Though it's wise to understand your appliance's functions before tossing a bunch of food in and hoping for a delicious meal, there are some rules to remember. If you have one with a timer, use the suggested time for whatever you're cooking, and check to make sure it will automatically switch to a "keep warm" setting if you're not home once it finishes the cooking program or cycle.

What to expect

If it doesn't have a timer, set an alarm for yourself so you know when to turn it off or flip it manually to "keep warm." And while you're cooking, don't open the lid too often to check on the food. Allowing the heat to escape could tack on another 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time. As they say, a watched pot never boils.

Other slow cookers we tested

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Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central Multicooker

Amazon

One of the few slow cookers with a coated, protective handle on the lid, the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central Multicooker heated up perfectly cooked meals -- and then some. It also featured straightforward functions such as browning, sautéing and steaming. However, unlike the Hamilton Beach winner, it didn't feature a locking lid. It's ideal for one-pot meals thanks to its versatility.

$200 $165 at Amazon $190 $165 at Walmart $295 $175 at Target

The Cuisinart 3-in-1 cooker whipped up tasty results, from warm pasta dishes to veggie-filled stews. It had a great range of usable features, with three programmable modes -- Slow Cook, Steam and Brown/Sauté -- for everyday cooking. I thought one standout feature was the ability to brown or sauté ingredients directly in the unit before switching to Slow Cook, eliminating the need for a separate skillet.

Though the Cuisinart is technically a multicooker (because you can brown, sauté, steam and slow cook), it wasn't as full-featured as something like an Instant Pot. Nevertheless, it is optimized for slow cooking and braising, with a handy steaming rack. The 3-in-1 even allows for combination cooking, meaning you can switch between cooking modes with a single touch without having to turn the slow cooker on and off. You can brown meat or sauté vegetables directly in the pot, then switch to Slow Cook without ever having to reach for another pan. That seamless transition is especially useful for stews and roasts, where building flavor matters. Plus, like most models I tested, the Cuisinart cooker will automatically switch to the warm setting for up to eight hours.

In terms of build and design, the pot is made of aluminum with a nonstick coating. If you're concerned about that class of chemical, it's something you may want to keep in mind.

Aside from the perfectly delicious meal, the cooker's build also stood out. The handles on the base and lid were extremely helpful while maneuvering it around the kitchen. This was also one of the only cookers with handles that stayed cool to the touch. The cord on this slow cooker was among the longest we tested too, which helps if your outlet is slightly farther from your cooking space.

All-Clad 5-Quart Gourmet Plus Slow Cooker

Williams Sonoma

One of the pricier slow cookers I tested, the All-Clad Plus slow cooker had a beautiful, high-quality design with easy-grip handles and excellent functions. The 5-quart model is slightly smaller than the others I tested, so if you need a bit more space, it may be worth the investment to look elsewhere.

$300 at Williams Sonoma $350 $300 at All-Clad $300 at Target

With its stainless steel exterior, handles and rivets, and ceramic insert, this slow cooker looks top-notch, all on top of simmering perfectly warm dinners. It also offered the most programmability and one of the longest cooking times of all the models.

This slow cooker heated up quickly, reaching a safe target temperature of 190F in just under two hours and maintaining that temperature for the remaining four hours. Once switched over to the warm setting, the temperature dropped quickly, sitting around 170F for the duration of the test. This slow cooker also offers a continuous 26-hour run time and 10-hour programmable timer, both of which are longer than what's offered by many other slow cookers in my testing pool. It also comes with a handy steam basket and a rice measuring cup, which I felt was unnecessary, as with most other cookers tested. It makes sense why this cooker is pricier than others.

All-Clad's consistent and predictable temperature worked wonders. My veggie and chicken dish simmered to perfection and made for a delicious dinner. The meat was tender and pulled apart quite easily, which is all you could ever ask for in a slow cooker.

Cuisinart

Of course, no slow cooker is perfect, and while the All-Clad is a top-notch product, there were a few flaws. I'm someone who doesn't have much counter space, let alone many outlets, and the All-Clad had a very short power cord that couldn't reach the awkward outlet behind my fridge. The buttons and labels on the base are also quite small, and the handle on the lid got incredibly hot during cooking.

GreenPan Elite 8-in-1 Electric Slow Cooker

Amazon

The hefty GreenPan slow cooker can do so much more than just traditional slow cooking. It can also brown, sauté and steam your meals, making it more versatile than some other slow cookers.

$300 at GreenPan $300 at Target $300 at Williams Sonoma

Carolina Gazal/CNN Underscored

This slow cooker truly does it all. With 14 easy presets, I found the large GreenPan cooker to be one of the most versatile appliances I tested. It had settings to stir-fry, make rice and even bake delicious sweet treats, all at the touch of a button. This was one of the largest slow cookers I tested, with a wide, flat design that could be great for large parties or family meal prep.

One major selling point of all GreenPan products is that the company prides itself on creating healthy, PFAS-free nonstick cookware made with ceramic materials. This particular cooker is made with the brand's proprietary Thermolon Volt material, making it another PFAS-free nonstick option. According to GreenPan's site, this material is infused with diamonds for extra durability and powerful performance. I found it easy to hand-wash too.

One of my favorite functions of this GreenPan slow cooker was the ability to brown meat, then slow-cook a meal, all within the same pot. Though I don't have a dishwasher, it's nice to know that the cooking pot is also dishwasher-safe and can be used on the stovetop or in the oven. There's also a cord holder on the back so you can neatly store the cord without wires flopping around.

Instant Pot Pro 6-Quart Multiuse Pressure Cooker

Amazon

Voted one of our best pressure cookers, this versatile cooking tool didn't disappoint when it came to reheating meat, pasta and vegetables. However, for all things slow-cooking, I wish it had more options for browning and sautéing.

$170 $130 at Amazon $150 $130 at Target

An Instant Pot is practically a household staple at this point. It can be a helpful kitchen sidekick because it can do so much, including make perfectly cooked rice and reheat food. And you can't beat the price of the family-size appliance at just $130. However, the slow-cooker function on the Instant Pot left much to be desired. When I slow-cooked pasta on a low setting, I noticed it didn't fully cook through.

What's great, however, is that it has 10 settings and a customizable smart program to cook almost anything. The program display can be a bit overwhelming, especially compared to the Hamilton Beach budget winner, which has just a few easy buttons. And if you're looking to avoid PFAS, the stainless steel pot might be a better choice than a slow cooker with a nonstick-coated or ceramic insert.

Breville Fast Slow Go 6-Quart Pressure Cooker

Williams Sonoma

Like the Instant Pot, the Breville had more than enough preset shortcut programs, so you can use the appliance to conquer your meal prep, including slow cooking. But if slow cooking is all you're looking for, there might be too many buttons here for your liking.

$230 at Williams Sonoma

GreenPan

$250 at Amazon

This was actually one of the few slow cookers I tested that required me to read the manual before starting. It wasn't nearly as intuitive as others, but I eventually got it to cook my prepped food the way we wanted.

This multicooker is a seriously handy all-in-one appliance for the kitchen. It's built from stainless steel and packed with safety features, including a three-way system with a pressure-release valve, a safety valve and a locking pin so you don't have to worry when it's under pressure. It's powerful enough to tackle everything from slow-cooked stews to quick pressure-cooked meals, which turned out to work wonders on my pastas and soups.

The dual sensors keep an eye on your ingredients top to bottom, ensuring temperatures and pressure stay just right. The Breville also came with helpful extras, such as a 24-hour delay start, six-hour keep-warm function and hands-free steam release to "set and forget" your dishes.

Cleanup is a breeze too. The stainless steel inner pot catches condensation and spills so you don't have to scrub for hours. For anyone who wants one appliance that can do it all, this one checks nearly every box. It's on the pricier side at $250, but if you're looking for a kitchen workhorse, the Breville more than delivers.

FAQs What's the largest size for a slow cooker?

Most cookers come in 6-quart options, but you can find slow cookers with capacities of 8 quarts or more.

What kinds of settings do slow cookers have?

Simple manual slow cookers have minimal settings -- typically just high and low temperatures -- but more complex ones can be set to vary temperature over time, and can even brown and sauté, pressure cook, steam, crisp or air-fry.

What kinds of meals can you make with a slow cooker?

A slow cooker lets you cook at low temperatures for long periods, so it's perfect for soups, stews and similar one-pot meals that don't need much attention once the initial prep is done. Because the temperatures are low, you can safely leave them unattended, making them ideal for busy cooks or anyone who wants to get dinner started before heading to work in the morning.

Is there a difference between a slow cooker and a Crock-Pot?

Calling any slow cooker a Crock-Pot is like calling any tissue a Kleenex. Crock-Pot is a brand name, used for the line of slow cookers sold since the 1970s by Rival, which bought the device from the inventor Irving Naxon, who had patented the idea in 1940. These days, you can find slow cookers from brands such as Cuisinart, Instant Pot, Calphalon, Black+Decker, KitchenAid, Hamilton Beach, Breville and -- of course -- Crock-Pot.

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored's writers and editors thoroughly review all the products in our testing guides and provide complete transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team backed by extensive product-testing experience, ensuring each article is carefully edited and products are thoroughly vetted. We consult with subject matter experts as necessary and ensure we discuss the pros and cons of products.

For this article, CNN Underscored associate testing writer Carolina Gazal spent several weeks cooking and analyzing the features of various slow cookers. This entailed several rounds of cooking all sorts of treats, including pasta dishes, stews and chili. Gazal loves to get her hands on the latest kitchen crazes and has tested all types of appliances, from the best blenders to the best coffee grinders to even the best air fryers.

Gazal loves to get her hands on the latest kitchen crazes and has tested all types of appliances, from the best blenders to the best coffee grinders to even the best air fryers.

What to remember

  • Many kitchen appliances can consume a lot of counter space
  • A slow cooker is the ultimate "set it and forget it" tool
  • After cooking all kinds of hearty meals, I've concluded that a good slow cooker should have even heat distribution, sturdy lids to keep meals warm and, most importantly, strong reliability

All told

Every change in the food industry eventually reaches the same test, which is whether people keep choosing it once the novelty has worn off.