“Everyone should have a slow cooker,” says Sandy Wolner, RD and test kitchens director at Pampered Chef. “It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it tool that is easy to use. With a little planning, you can come home to super tender roasts, flavorful soups, and more. Plus, they’re easy to clean.” If you’re looking to invest in a slow cooker, this list has plenty of options to keep meal planning simple, affordable, and virtually mess-free. To come up with this list of the best slow cookers, we researched the category, considering factors such as capacity, weight, functions, and special features to inform our product recommendations. We also tapped industry expert Sandy Wolner, RD, who, with two decades of experience in recipe development and product testing, knows her way around a slow cooker. Based on our research, we selected the All-Clad Deluxe Slow Cooker with Cast-Aluminum Insert as the overall best slow cooker because it earned high marks on ease of use, has a 20-hour timer, and is lightweight and dishwasher safe. Here are the best slow cookers.
Non-stick insert that is light and easy to maneuver20-hour timerDishwasher safe
Keep in Mind:
Takes up considerable amount of counter spaceAluminum base can become discolored in dishwasherLid handle gets very hot
Designed to cook low and slow for up to 20 hours, this model holds up to 7 quarts of food—making it convenient for larger meals—and offers decent surface space to ensure even cooking. The lightweight aluminum insert heats up quickly and can also be used on a stovetop. The lid, made of stainless steel, retains heat and moisture to maintain your food’s flavors and texture. The slow cooker also features built-in handles that make it easy to take your slow cooker from countertop to tabletop, doubling as a serving dish. With the All-Clad Deluxe Slow Cooker, you get several different cooking modes: high/low, browning, steaming, and rice cooking. There’s also a convenient keep-warm function that automatically kicks in when your food is done cooking, keeping it warm for up to six hours. This ensures a hot meal will be ready to serve whenever you are ready to eat. We also like that it has additional browning, steaming, and rice cooking functions, which allows for more flexibility in your meal planning. When ready to clean, simply rinse off the aluminum insert and stainless steel lid and place it in the dishwasher. Keep in mind that this slow cooker is on the larger side and takes up a lot of countertop space. If you have a small kitchen, you might consider storing it away when not in use or purchasing a smaller option altogether. Because of the stainless steel construction, the lid handle on this slow cooker can also get pretty hot. You’ll want to put on oven mitts before handling. Price at time of publish: $280 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 11.5 x 10.5 inches | Capacity: 7 quarts | Weight: 18 pounds | Functions/Modes: High, low, keep warm, browning, steaming, and rice cooking | Shape: Oval | Care: Dishwasher safe insert and lid
Easily removable insert for serving foodOutside of the slow cooker never gets too hot, reducing the risk of getting burnedVibrant floral design
Keep in Mind:
No hole in lid to vent steamOn the fragile side, can chip and dent easily
This lightweight, easy-to-use appliance features three settings—high, low, and keep warm—and a 6-quart oval stoneware insert that’s ideal for handling large cuts of meat. Cook up to 6 pounds of chicken or a 4-pound roast for up to seven people. The tempered glass lid conveniently clips into place for mess-free travel to tailgates and potlucks, while the exterior body is outfitted with oversized, full-grip handles that also make it easy to transport. Both the stoneware pot and lid are simple to remove and place in the dishwasher although you’ll want to be careful when handling since the slow cooker can chip and dent if bumped or dropped. In true Pioneer Woman fashion, this slow cooker also features a fun, floral design that will surely make this slow cooker a conversation piece at your holiday dinner table—or simply add a fun pop of color to your kitchen countertop. Price at time of publish: $30 Product Details: Dimensions: 15.25 x 9.25 x 15.38 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Weight: 15.5 pounds | Functions/Modes: High, low, keep warm | Shape: Oval | Care: Dishwasher safe insert and lid
Six cooking functions, including sear/saute, sous vide, and rice cookingUp to 24 hours of continuous heating Professional grade construction
Keep in Mind:
Very heavyExpensive
Like your standard slow cooker, you can make soups, stews, chilis, and more on its low, medium, and high settings. It also features flexible programming that lets you tailor the cooking process to fit your precise needs, whether you want to cook your meal at an exact temperature or you want to serve dinner at a specific time. In addition, this versatile kitchen tool can sear and sauté chicken, vegetables, and cuts of steak; sous vide fish filets, and cook rice. All your cooking settings, including cooking durations and temperature feedback, are conveniently displayed on an easy-to-read LCD panel. The removable insert is made of thick, triple-ply stainless steel that can be used on just about any cooking surface, including the stove and oven. It’s also dishwasher safe and features large handles for easy removal from its base. We also love that this slow cooker comes with several accessories, including removable sous vide rack and temperature probe to help ensure precise cooking every time. While this slow cooker is pricey, we chose it as the best slow cooker worth splurging on if you’re looking for an appliance that has multiple functions, is easy to care for, and comes with multiple accessories. Price at time of publish: $700 Product Details: Dimensions: 17 x 14.5 x 11 inches | Capacity: 7 quarts | Weight: 22 pounds | Functions/Modes: Manual, meal timer, program, rice, saute/sear, and sous vide | Shape: Rectangular | Care: Dishwasher safe insert and lid
Large size for cooking for groupsTop lid is ventedEasy to clean
Keep in Mind:
Cooks very hotLocking lid is difficult to clasp
At 15.7 pounds, this extra-large slow cooker is surprisingly lightweight and can be easily moved from countertop to tabletop thanks to thoughtfully designed full-grip handles. The clip-tight lid was also designed to prevent spills on the way to a potluck or tailgate, although some find it a bit difficult to latch. You’ll want to double-check its closures before transporting a full slow cooker. Keep in mind that this slow cooker runs quite hot, so you may need to adjust the time and temperature for certain recipes or if you’re cooking smaller quantities. Price at time of publish: $90 Product Details: Dimensions: 12.5 x 15.75 x 11.5 inches | Capacity: 10 quarts | Weight: 15.7 pounds | Functions/Modes: High, low, warm | Shape: Oval | Care: Dishwasher safe insert and lid
Cool-touch handles for easy meal transport Single dial makes it user friendly
Keep in Mind:
Limited capacity and settingsLid can have fit issues
With a capacity of 1.5 quarts, this handy kitchen appliance makes it possible to whip up anything you’d make in a full-size slow cooker on a smaller scale, including fork-tender roasts and poultry as well as delicious dips and fondue. It features three basic functions—high, low, and keep-warm settings—so you never have to worry about coming home to a cold meal. The clear tempered glass lid and removable stoneware insert are dishwasher safe. The stainless steel exterior heating base is also easy to clean; simply wipe it down with a damp cloth to maintain its pristine appearance. Weighing just 8 pounds, this mini slow cooker is a breeze to transport. The cool-touch handles and knob are also designed to protect hands from getting burned. This makes the Elite Gourmet Slow Cooker ideal for potlucks, tailgates, and RV camping trips. It’s also a great option for apartment dwellers, measuring less than 10 inches from all dimensions, and taking up minimal countertop space. Price at time of publish: $20 Product Details: Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.8 x 6 inches | Capacity: 1.5 quarts | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Functions/Modes: High, low, warm | Shape: Round | Care: Dishwasher safe insert and lid
Cooking probe makes it great for cooking meatsPower interrupt protection keeps the slow cooker on during a brief power outage Temperature probe ensures accurate cooking
Keep in Mind:
Lid can be difficult to secure into place, allowing heat to escapeLights on the control panel are dim, which can make display difficult to read
Not only does it tackle a range of recipes as good as any slow cooker, you get the choice of three different automatic cooking settings, which means getting dinner on the table on busy weeknights can’t get any easier. What you make and how you make it are completely up to you. Three smart settings—probe, program, manual—let you cook foods at specific temperatures for a set number of hours on high, low, or warm for up to 14 hours. Use the program setting to “set and forget,” manual when you want to to control the temperature and duration of your meal, and probe when cooking large cuts of meat to temperature. The included thermometer probe displays the exact internal cooking temperature of your meal to prevent under and overcooking your food. The 6-quart oval crock, which is dishwasher safe, is the perfect size for a 6-pound chicken or 4-pound roast. The clip-locked, secure lid also makes this slow cooker easy to travel with. We also love the power interrupt protection feature. This means that your slow cooker won’t be interrupted by a sudden loss of power. In the event of a momentary power interruption of 5 seconds or less, the slow cooker will remember its programmed heat and time settings and continue cooking. We do wish that the lights on the control panel were a bit brighter to make them easier to read, however. Price at time of publish: $80 Product Details: Dimensions: 17.7 x 12.6 x 12.2 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Weight: 15.32 pounds | Functions/Modes: Probe, program, and manual | Shape: Oval | Care: Dishwasher safe insert and lid
Removable insert is oven and microwave safe Strong locking lidConvenient when cooking for large groups
Keep in Mind:
Keep-warm setting has to be manually selected after cookingHandle on top is small and uncomfortable to hold
The stoneware insert can hold up to 6 quarts of food, enough to feed a group of about seven people. And, because the insert is removable, it doubles as a serving dish, which eliminates the need for extra dishwashing. The lid has one of the most secure-fitting and effective locking mechanisms on our list, creating a tight seal to prevent leaks or spills when traveling to parties, picnics, potlucks, tailgates, and more. We also love the oversized handles on the warming base because it makes this slow cooker that much easier to maneuver, not to mention it’s also lightweight at just under 13 pounds. While the Crock-Pot Cook and Carry comes with a keep warm feature, we do wish it was automatic like some of the other picks on this list. We also wish it had a bigger lid handle. Price at time of publish: $65 Product Details: Dimensions: 15.2 x 15.2 x 9.9 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Weight: 12.92 lbs | Functions/Modes: High, low, and warming | Shape: Oval | Care: Dishwasher safe insert and lid
Combination pressure/slow cooker 14 pre-programmed settings Durable, stainless steel construction
Keep in Mind:
ExpensiveLid handle can get too hot to the touchSilicone gasket around the glass lid can absorb food smells
The removable insert has a 6-quart capacity, making it perfect for meal prepping or cooking for a crowd. It also earns bonus points for being dishwasher safe. If you aren’t used to it, pressure cooking can be intimidating, so we appreciate that this multi-use cooker was designed with a three-way safety system that incorporates a pressure release valve, a pressure safety valve, and a locking pin. It’s also outfitted with hands-free, automatic steam release settings for extra safety. Do keep in mind that the handle can get hot to the touch though. When it comes to aesthetics, this Breville Fast Slow Go doesn’t disappoint. This cooker offers solid construction and a sleek stainless steel body that is easy to clean (simply wipe it down with a damp cloth after use) and will look great on any kitchen countertop. Price at time of publish: $200 Product Details: Dimensions: 12.5 x 13.5 x 13 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Weight: 14.7 pounds | Functions/Modes: Soup, stock, meat, stew, sauté, legumes, rice/grains, risotto, yogurt, reduce and sous vide | Shape: Round | Care: Dishwasher-safe cooking bowl, hand-wash lid
Built-in scaleCompanion app with recipes and cooking calculator
Keep in Mind:
Requires time to set up and sync to phoneBulky
WIth over 300 built-in cooking presets, you can simply tell your Smart Cooker what you want to make, and it will tell you the exact time and temperature settings to cook it to perfection. Save your favorite presets for one-touch cooking later. Another thing to love about this Chef iQ multi-cooker is its built-in scale, which lets you measure the ingredients you pour in with accuracy—no need for extra measuring cups and spoons. We also really like the companion app, which gives you access to over 600 guided cooking recipes and culinary how-to videos. You can also control and monitor your smart cooker straight from the app. The only downside: This smart cooker has a bit of a learning curve, so plan on pairing it to your smartphone and then perusing the app to become familiar with all its features. Price at time of publish: $180 Product Details: Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 13 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Weight: 10.4 lbs | Functions/Modes: Slow cook, pressure cook, sear/saute, steam, ferment, keep warm | Shape: Oval | Care: Dishwasher-safe lid
Multi-purpose vessel and heating basePortability
Keep in Mind:
No handlesNon-stick coating can peel over time
This model was our pick for the best slow cooker for portability thanks to its compact and lightweight construction (it weighs just over 6 pounds) and the included insulated travel tote that you can use to cover and take your meals from one house to the next. The West Bend 87905 slow cooker is perfect for potlucks, tailgates, RV travel, and camping trips. Price at time of publish: $51 Product Details: Dimensions: 9.25 x 12.5 x 9.5 inches | Capacity: 5 quarts | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Functions/Modes: Slow cook and griddle | Shape: Square | Care: Dishwasher safe vessel and lid
What to Know About Slow Cookers Before Shopping
Capacity
Slow cookers are available in a variety of different sizes, but the average capacity is 6 to 7 quarts. While smaller or larger options can be convenient for traveling or feeding a crowd, Wolner says most recipes online are developed for 6-quart slow cookers. “If you get a different size, you’ll need to scale the recipe up or down.”
Shape
Slow cookers come in three basic shapes: round, oval, and square. Round slow cookers, though usually smaller in capacity, are great for making soups, stews and chilis. Oval and square slow cookers usually have more surface area, making them great for foods like chicken, pork chops, and casseroles. These shapes also cook slightly faster than round slow cookers.
Lid Type
Whether you go square, oval, or round with your slow cooker, you’ll want to look for an option with a locking lid whenever possible. This will ensure your food cooks evenly and will prevent spills. Vented lids are also ideal to release excess heat and steam.
Functions/Modes
Apart from the basic high/low settings, many slow cookers come with additional cooking functions that can help you save time or give you more flexibility in your cooking. Here are a two that Wolner suggests looking out for:
Your Questions, Answered
Are slow cookers safe to use?
In short, yes. “Slow cookers are designed to cook food at safe temperatures, generally between 170 and 280 °F,” Wolner says. ”Still, you should always take the same precautions with slow cookers as you would with any other appliance. Also make sure to defrost your meat before you slow cook it. If you don’t, you increase the risk that it won’t reach safe temperatures.”
What can you make in a slow cooker?
Slow cookers are extremely versatile, allowing you to make a wide variety of appetizers, main dishes—even breakfast—and desserts. “I love to make oatmeal in my slow cooker,” Wolner says. “It comes out super creamy, and you can set it at night to wake up to an amazing breakfast.” Dinners are a go-to for slow cookers because they are hands-off, and the extra time it takes to cook helps develop an even deeper and more delicious flavor than traditional cooking methods. “Soups, stews, roasts, chicken dishes, pork carnitas, and chili are some of my favorites,” Wolner says. “I even put my mashed potatoes in the slow cooker on Thanksgiving so they keep warm and don’t take up space in the oven or on the stovetop.”She also suggests using the slow cooker for making dips and fondue. “This is great for parties where you don’t have to worry about keeping them hot for everyone to enjoy,” she says.
How long do slow cookers take to cook a meal?
It depends on the recipe, but Wolner says there’s a typical range of 1.5 hours on high to eight to 12 hours on low. “If you’re cooking proteins, fish would cook on the shortest time frame all the way to a thicker beef roast, which would cook on the higher cooking time.”
Who We Are
This article was written by Adria Greenhauff, who has been writing about food and lifestyle topics for over a decade. To come up with this list of the best slow cookers, she interviewed Sandy Wolner, RD and test kitchens director at Pampered Chef.
