Crock-Pot, Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart, All-Clad or more—which ones are worth the investment.
By Editor Team | September 3, 2023
THOUGH SLOW COOKERS— commonly known as “Crock Pot”, Rival’s old trademark—were hugely widespread since the granny’s age when women started to work outside, and the popularity still drive the sales to this day. The main reasons behind this are convenience and deliciousness. These small appliances cook food slowly at a low temperature over long hours, without needing to monitor constantly. Just put everything raw in, setup properly and let it cook your tender, flavorful meal. That’s why Hamilton Beach named its famous model “Set It & Forget It”—it means literally that.
With slow heating method, they’re also nailed by people who love healthy cuisines and on a tight budget. Today, the world of slow cookers has gone wilder—newer versions are packed with dazzling features and functions, from $40 to over hundred bucks. If this makes you dizzy to choose, here we rounded up our recommended slow cookers for every kind of need.
1
Image: Cuisinart
Best All-Around
Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central, MSC-600
This Cuisinart is everything an ideal modern slow cooker should be: it cooks great, sears effectively, is easy to maneuver and looks good, granted by America’s Test Kitchen. A big appeal of this bestselling unit is its thoughtful extras—sear/sauté, steam and simmer—so you can prepare a great meal in one pot.
Performance-remarkable, it reaches a desired temperature quickly and maintains optimal simmering over long hours steadily without overcooked or burning, before kicking to Keep Warm automatically. The outcomes turn out rich, juicy and tender while still keep the texture form—nearly like cooking on the stove.
It’s easy to use, even for a beginner. There’s an unfussy control panel with a bright backlit LCD display that can be programmed up to 24 hours. A BPA-free nonstick metal insert makes it lightweight and breezy to cook and cleanup. All removable parts are dishwasher-safe. Plus, it offers a decent cookbook and a 3-year warranty.
Feature: Programmable, 24-hr timer
Insert: Nonstick aluminum, oblong
Automatic Keep Warm:Yes
Capacity: 6 qt
2
Image: Hamilton Beach
Best Value
Hamilton Beach Advanced Temp Tracker (33866)
Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget (33969) has been our terrific budget choice for years. So, after lacking of availability, we turn to the new sibling. While sharing most similarities of the 33969, the 33866 offers some awesome upgrades: a longer cooking timer, more flexible cooking options and precise temperature, and more slots for a built-in probe.
It runs hotter than our top performers, so it does great for “High” setting but just fine for “Low”. Veggies and beans come out tasty with the mushier texture, while meats are tender without overcooked. There’re some preset modes for sous vide, pouching yogurt and fondue—nifty extras for this range.
The setting is uncomplicated, with a clear interface. The latching-gasket lid makes it securer for on-the-go meals. The side handles are quite small but cool to grip. Not a peak player, but with all these capabilities, the value is unrivaled.
Feature: Programmable, 24-hr timer
Insert: Ceramic, oval
Automatic Keep Warm:Yes
Capacity: 6 qt
3
Image: GreenPan
Upgraded Pick
GreenPan Elite, 8-in-1 Programmable
This GreenPan has the same vibe of the Cuisinart Cook Central but in a somewhat more elevated edition. Like the MSC-800, it lets you sear, sauté, steam, simmer and roast in the unit and can be programed to 24 hours with an automatically Keep Warm mode. The cooking performance is expectedly excellent, equivalent to the Cuisinart, giving flavorful, fork-tender, rich-colored outcomes in nicely formed texture. A shining part, the insert is made of hard-anodized coated by Thermolon—an effective ceramic nonstick that is free from PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium, just like its famous ceramic pans—giving satisfied searing/sauteing outcomes and safer to cook.
The control panel is uncomplicated and an easy-to-understand with an LCD display. The design is temping—stylish with a variety of lovely colors. This unite is rather pricey, but you’ll get a toxin-free, strong performer that proudly fits your modern décor.
Feature: Programmable, 24-hr timer
Insert: Thermolon ceramic nonstick hard-anodized aluminum, oblong
Automatic Keep Warm:Yes
Capacity: 6 qt
4
Image: KitchenAid
Most Consistency
To best utilize the “real slow (cooking)” benefit, you need to maintain the temperature sufficiently low and consistent for long hours, and the KitchenAid can deliver. This America’s Test Kitchen’s favorite can hold a low, steady temperature exceptionally. It cooks very gently with never boils, giving more tender, juicy outcomes outstandingly—great for veggies, soups and delicate foods. There’s a 24-hour timer (even in “Low” setting) in 30-minute increments that gives you more flexible options for different recipes, with an automatically Keep Warm up to 4 hours.
The control is straightforward. The build quality is solid, though the ceramic crock is quite heavy. A drawback, it cooks more slowly the others, so you’ll need to add more cooking time to get it done, especially for chucky meats—a necessary sacrifice.
Feature: Programmable, 24-hr timer
Insert: Ceramic, oval
Automatic Keep Warm:Yes
Capacity: 6 qt
5
Image: Instant Pot
Best Multicooker
Instant Pot has long been the default pick for an all-in-one machine—and it’s still a strong pick, though this arena is more competitive now. Unlike most multicookers, the Rio is considerately designed for slow cooking. The shorter sides and a spacious cooking surface are helpful for searing, braising and accommodating a bigger batch—a whole 6-pound chicken. Also, its anti-spin stainless-steel pot with tri-ply bottom helps producing better sautés and stir-fries.
For slow cooking, the performance isn’t superlative nor disappoint. It gives steady-cooked, delicious outcomes with a chewy texture, not fork-tendered results. Elses are quite equivalent to the Duo Plus, with more customized presets.
The control panel is eminent—modern-looking and effortless to set, with a thorough display to guide you step-by-step. A quiet pressure release and lots of safety features are outstanding pluses. All-around, it’s a cost (and space)-effective choice if you need a “can do everything” unit.
Feature: Programmable, 9-in-1
Insert: 18/8 stainless-steel with a 3-ply base, round
Automatic Keep Warm:Yes
Capacity: 7.5 qt
6
Image: Hamilton Beach
Best Easy to Use
Hamilton Beach Programmable with Flexible Easy Programming (33473)
This spacious unit stands at a perfect spot of simplicity, functionality and cost. No astounding surprises, it’s a just good programmable potluck with a low learning curve. Probably, this is one of the most user-friendliest programmable cooker we’ve found. Just mix and match the desired temperature and cooking time from the options: 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours, then let it cook and shift to Warm automatically when time is up—even a beginner can cook successfully at the first use. It cooks evenly and warms up quickly, giving pleasing simmers and meat braises effortlessly, without burnt food.
Cleanup-breezy, the removable parts are dishwasher-safe. The outside does get hot while cooking but the handles are cool to touch. For more options, there’s also a sibling model (33061) with an air fry lid if you want to broil, roast and air fry sometimes.
Feature: Programmable
Insert: Ceramic, oval
Automatic Keep Warm:Yes
Capacity: 7 qt
7
Image: Calphalon
Most Stylish (& Tender)
Calphalon Digital Sauté Slow Cooker
This Calphalon is a solid proof that sometimes performance can get along with stylish design. Uniquely, though it lets to sear, sauté and brown ingredients before simmering like a unit with sear function, you need to do only on stovetops (including on induction) or the ovens, not in the machine. The ceramic-coated metal vessel is lightweight and effective like a decent nonstick pan, but its tall, narrow profile is quite unwieldly for searing chucky cuts—still, it does flawless for stews, soups and broths. The performance is solid, producing appreciably rich-flavored, tender and juicy meats and beans while holding a shape of veggies nicely within stated cooking times.
Design-fantastic, it’s made quality, easy to clean and graces on the countertop. The setting is straightforward with a clear-cut digital display. Just a snag, its round container is a bit difficult to find accessories and holds less capacity.
Feature: Programmable
Insert: PTFE-and PFOA-free nonstick aluminum, round
Automatic Keep Warm:Yes
Capacity: 5.3 qt
8
Image: Instant Pot
Best for Elevated braises & stews
Instant Pot Electric Precision Dutch Oven
This unit marries two fantastic things for slow-cooking enthusiasts together: a Dutch oven and a digital control. While the cast-iron pot produces besting sautés, deeper-browned sears and ideal simmers here, the smart programs with an automatic Keep Warm make it a super convenient device. Above from its housing, the pot can flexibly cook on the stove or in the oven to proof bread. The traditional heavy, tight-fitting lid can trap in heat and steam effectively. As such, the outcomes look and taste impressive—rich, juicy and delicious with the fork-tender texture, like a traditional oven. Another happy perk is the “carbohydrate reduce” function, letting you make excellent rice easily.
The digital controller is unfussy to set like other Instant Pots. There’re 5 presets and a manual mode, with a cooking process display. Weaknesses? With an about 20-pound weight, 9 pounds for pot solely—too heavy for some cooks.
Feature: Programmable
Insert: Enameled cast-iron, round
Automatic Keep Warm:Yes
Capacity: 6 qt
9
Image: Presto
Best for On-The-Go
If “travel-friendliness” is the priority for your potlucks, look no further than the Presto Nomad. No extra features, it’s a basic slow cooker but thoughtfully made for on-the-go duties—camping, cooking in your trailer, going on a picnic, or supplying a holiday event, without a mess. Design-practical, a cooler-style design is effective for cooking and keeping foods warm. The build is sturdy and easy to clean. A wide, rectangular nonstick metal insert is spacious and lightweight. There’re a big, swing-up handle and a storage cord, letting you carry easily and store neatly.
We love the idea of a small “white board” with a dry-erase maker and a large see-through window lid, so you can know what’s inside at glance. The price may be too much for a manual unit, but it suits you nicely if you’re regularly on the go.
Feature: Manual
Insert: Nonstick aluminum, oblong
Automatic Keep Warm:No
Capacity: 8 qt
10
Image: Ninja
The Multi-tasking Monster
Ninja MC1001 Foodi PossibleCooker PRO
The Ninja isn’t the first slow cooker with a practical built-in sear/sauté—Cuisinart and GreenPan have it—but it wins for more workable features, a huge capacity for feeding a crowd and a attractive budget. While this 8-in-1 cooker takes the place of several appliances, it can produce true “low and slow” cooking and produce pleasing flavor and texture—not all multicookers can. By simply programed, it can proof bread, steam veggies, sous vide and roast successfully, with a slight learning curve. The nonstick insert is lightweight, robust and practical like a decent nonstick pan, with oven-safe up to 500°F.
It's solidly quality and handsome. What make it outdoing the rivals is a technology that heats from the bottom, the sides and steam—giving juicier outcomes with faster and more energy-saving. A minor design flaw, a ladle clipping on the top drips all over messily.
Feature: 8-in-1 Programmable
Insert: Nonstick aluminum, oblong
Automatic Keep Warm:Yes
Capacity: 8.5 qt
11
Image: Crock-Pot
Best Manual & Budget
Crock-Pot Design to Shine (SCV700)
If all you need is a simple-but-work slow cooker for breezily making broth, chili, hearty stews or bean soups on a budget, consider this Crock-Pot. No bells and whistles, it’s like a grandma’s potluck with High, Low and Warm settings, so you’ll have to switch to Keep Warm yourself when you’re done cooking. But given this cost, it works pleasingly. It can maintain a long, steady simmering temperature without boiling—this unfortunately doesn't happen with many modern Crock-Pots. So, you’ll get delicious, tender outcomes without sloppy texture, though don’t touch our top performers.
The build feels solid but rather heavy. The size is useful for versatile jobs and feeding a party of 8-10 people. On top of that, the updated “Design to Shine” series also sell us with lovely modern colors—looking better than an under $50 price tag.
Feature: Manual
Insert: Ceramic, oval
Automatic Keep Warm:No
Capacity: 7 qt
There are a lot of nice slow cookers out there, and we don’t have room to keep them all. Here are some others you might like.
There’re so many slow cookers in the market these days that can make you dizzy to get a right one—manual, programmable, timer or with a probe. To help you make nifty choices, we recommend sticking to these guidelines:
They’re basically the same thing. Since slow cookers from “Crock-Pot” (or Crockpot) brand burst on the scene in the 1970s, people call them crockpots, instead of the generic name—the same way as "Scotch Brites" and dish sponges.
Some might insist that they do have some differences and define a “crockpot” as a slow cooker with a stoneware crock and simple manual settings, as an “old-styled Crock-Pot” one, whereas a “slow cooker” has a metal pot with digital functions. We totally disagree. Across all brands, slow cookers now have everything from basic to high-tech—Crock-Pot ever had a slow cooker controlled by Alexa (model 2139005). Just a matter of type versus a brand.
When it comes to slow cookers, the ability to maintain a desirably low temperature for a long period— “low and slow”—is the name of the game. The ideal temperature for slow cooking is somewhat debatable, but in common:
Roughly, an hour on High is about 2 to 2 ½ hours on Low. Most recipes require 8 to 10 hours on Low.
For food safety, make sure that your cooker reach 140°F or higher, since between 40 - 140°F is the “danger zone” where bacteria to grow easily in the food. Also, be careful when cooking with cold stoneware or frozen food. To raise your guard high, also see USDA’s Food Safety recommendations.