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We Tested The Best Slow Cookers For Hands-off Meals
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I tested 14 slow cookers to find the best for every budget and use.Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach; Business Insider
Picture yourself returning home after a long day to find dinner perfectly cooked and waiting for you — a tender roast surrounded by potatoes and carrots, filling your home with an inviting aroma. That's the magic of a quality slow cooker. Simply add your ingredients in the morning, and a delicious meal awaits by evening.
After testing 14 models with various recipes and consulting industry experts, I've identified the best slow cookers. The Cuisinart Cook Central Mult-Cooker emerged as our top pick, delivering excellent cooking results, hassle-free operation, and consistent temperatures. For budget-conscious home cooks, the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker provides impressive portability and cooking performance at a lower price point. However, it requires more effort to clean and lacks a browning feature.
Learn more about how 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-capacity: Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO Multi-Cooker - See at Amazon
Best budget: Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker - See at Amazon
Best splurge: Wolf Gourmet Programmable Multi Cooker - See at Amazon
Best multifunctional: Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker - See at Amazon
Best electric Dutch oven: Instant Electric Round Dutch Oven - See at Amazon
Best overall
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 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.
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 crockpots that brown.
The Cuisinart Cook Central Multi-Cooker does a good job of slow cooking by maintaining consistent temperatures without getting too hot.James Brains/Business Insider
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 in transport.
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-capacity
At 9 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. However, the chili was undercooked: the vegetables and beans were too firm.
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.
The roomy Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO is great for serving large groups.James Brains/Business Insider
Fortunately, the $130 Ninja Multi-Cooker is 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.
For its size, the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO is surprisingly light. I just wished the lid locked in place.
Best budget
The Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker delivers reliable performance for home cooks, though with a few notable quirks. During testing, this unit excelled at meat preparation, producing exceptionally tender beef that practically fell apart at the touch of a fork. The moisture retention was impressive — the meat remained succulent even without gravy.
Yet, the cooker tends to run slightly hot, as evidenced by our temperature tests: the high setting brought water to a rolling boil. This high heat likely contributes to the somewhat mushy texture we observed in both beans and vegetables. That said, the Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker maintains steady temperatures on the low setting, hovering around 200 degrees, which is perfect for longer cooking sessions.
The Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker performed well for its budget price.James Brains/Business Insider
The appliance's practical features deserve mention. The lightweight design and locking lid make it ideal for family gatherings or potluck dinners. While both the crock and lid are dishwasher-safe, the crock's large size demands significant dishwasher space. Hand washing can be challenging, as food sticks stubbornly to the crock's surface.
Overall, the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget is the best budget slow cooker, especially for those who prioritize convenient portability and tender meats. However, you may need to adjust cooking times to prevent vegetables from becoming too soft.
Best splurge
At $700, the Wolf Gourmet Programmable Multi Cooker is double the price of the other cookers we tested, but it performed the best in the slow cooking tests. The chili was perfect, with the vegetables and beans not mushy or hard. The roast was juicy and tender, easily coming apart with a fork.
The browning performance wasn't as impressive, though the Wolf Gourmet produced a nice crust. Like the other units we tested, the heat was highest in the center. However, the more significant issue was that the browned bits stuck to the stainless steel, and even a trip through the dishwasher didn't remove them.
The Wolf Gourmet Multi Cooker is $700, but it does an outstanding job of slow cooking. Plus, it browns and does sous vide cooking.James Brains/Business Insider
The temperature readings were nearly identical in the low-heat and high-heat tests, so this is more like a one-temperature unit. In both instances, the temperature shot up quickly and remained consistent at a light simmer for the rest of the test.
Since it can also sous vide and cook rice, the Wolf Gourmet Multi Cooker is more complicated than most slow cookers, but I still found it intuitive. The biggest design flaw is that the cooker is heavy and has no locking lid, making it difficult to transport.
Best multifunctional
In my experience, multi-functional electric pressure cookers don't slow cook as well as dedicated slow cookers. However, the $150 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, best sous vide machines, and best air fryers.
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 Instant Pot Duo Crisp takes longer to slow cooker than a dedicated slow cooker, but when you plan accordingly, the results are delicious.James Brains/Business Insider
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.
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.
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.
Read our full Instant Pot Duo Crisp review.
Best electric Dutch oven
An electric Dutch oven offers all of the benefits of the best Dutch ovens, without the need for an oven or stovetop. I like the Instant Electric Round Dutch Oven because it did a great job of getting up to and maintaining a consistent temperature. This translated to excellent chili and a good roast, though the meat wasn't as tender as I would have liked.
The meat might have turned out more tender if the cooker had a traditional "high" setting. However, there's just one temperature, which was between the average low-heat and high-heat temperatures in our tests.
When browning, the Electric Dutch Oven produced a nice burger crust, though you could faintly see that the unit's center was hotter than the edges.James Brains/Business Insider
Using the Instant Dutch Oven is pretty simple with the light-up buttons. While you can put the pot and lid in the dishwasher, it's not recommended. Washing by hand was easy enough as the enameled cast iron releases burned bits easily. The pot is oven- and stovetop-safe, so you can use it like any Dutch oven.
The Instant is hefty, and the lid doesn't lock in place, so you may want to look elsewhere if you plan on transporting your meals.
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. The Instant Electric Dutch Oven is the only model in our guide that isn't oval, but we had no problem fitting a roast.
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 nice feature for seeing how your meal is coming along without removing the lid.
How we test slow cookers
Though I did brown a large chuck roast in the Instant Electric Round Dutch Oven, oval pots are better for large cuts of meat, including ribs.James Brains/Business Insider
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.
Slow cooker FAQs
The Cuisinart, Instant Pot, and Crock-Pot all slow cook. The Instant Pot is the only cooker in this photo that also pressure cooks.James Brains/Business Insider
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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