For home cooks, few things are as satisfying as arriving home to the delicious smells of a slow cooker reminding you that dinner is already done. Knowing that cleanup will be as simple and stress-free as adding the pot and lid to the dishwasher is an added bonus.
Call them Crock-Pots or slow cookers – these trusty appliances are also indispensable for potlucks, tailgates and holidays when oven space is at a premium. Plus, nothing transforms tough cuts of meat like chuck roast, brisket and short ribs into mouthwateringly tender morsels like spending hours bubbling away in a slow cooker, totally hands-off.
Your granny’s slow cooker was probably a very basic device with just high and low modes, a heavy ceramic pot insert and a stainless-steel exterior that scorched the fingertips of anyone who made the mistake of brushing against it.
But today’s lighter, more streamlined versions go beyond brisket and soups to cook foods such as rice, oats and yogurt too. They offer high-tech features such as easy-read LCD panels, digital temperature probes and displays, sous vide functions and delayed timers that can start cooking your overnight oats at 6am while you’re still snoozing. High-heat searing modes even let you get a nice, brown crust on your roast without having to dirty another pan on the stovetop.
We put this new class of slow cookers through rigorous testing to find the best models for every type of home cook. Once you have picked out the model that works best for you and your budget, check out our slow cooker primer, tips for success, guide for getting the most out of your slow cooker and defrost-and-dump recipes for totally stress-free dinners.
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At a glance
Best overall slow cooker:
GreenPan Elite 14-in-1 6-Quart Slow Cooker
Best budget slow cooker:
Hamilton Beach Advanced Temp Tracker Slow Cooker
Best-looking slow cooker:
Cuisinart 6-Quart 3-in-1 Cook Central Multicooker
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Why you should trust me
I am a veteran food writer, editor and recipe developer who has been on staff at Martha Stewart, Domino and Every Day With Rachael Ray magazines. During my time as senior digital editor at Food Network, I collaborated with the test kitchen team to pitch, sample and perfect recipes with two tasting sessions every day. I also worked as a kitchen assistant at the New School’s culinary program, took pastry classes at the French Culinary Institute and have contributed to cookbooks for Martha Stewart and Bon Appétit. For years, I have tested juicers, blenders, slow cookers and other kitchen appliances to find the best picks for home cooks.
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How I tested
I ordered samples of 10 slow cookers from a wide range of brands, priced between $60 and $300, and subjected every model to the same tests.
Because many slow cookers cook at too high of a heat, I cooked a classic pot roast recipe on the low heat setting for eight hours. Chuck roast requires low-and-slow cooking to break down the connective tissue and tenderize the meat, making it an ideal test. I recorded at every stage of cooking, checked for hot spots and monitored how consistently each model held its temperature. At the end, every batch was taste-tested to determine which cooker produced tender and flavorful beef without overcooking the vegetables.
To see how easily the slow cookers cleaned up, I added canned tomatoes to each pot, cranked up the heat and let it rip. Since scorching exterior temperatures have also historically been a common complaint with slow cookers, I used my trusty infrared temperature gun to monitor how hot the base of each appliance got.
Any model that ran too hot on the low setting, didn’t maintain an even temperature or had a base that was too warm to safely touch was knocked off the final list. I also evaluated overall design, ease of use, special features and any bonus accessories that came in the box.
When I was done with the slow cookers, I either sent them back to the brands that lent them for testing, or donated them to Community Warehouse, a Portland, Oregon-based non-profit that offers home essentials to families in need.
All prices current at the time of publication.
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Best overall slow cooker:
GreenPan Elite 14-in-1 6-Quart Slow Cooker
$239.99 at GreenPan
$239.99 at Amazon
Why we love it
Boasting 14 cooking pre-sets, a durable ceramic nonstick pot that’s safe to use with metal utensils, an easy-to-read LCD display, stay-cool silicon-covered side handles and a steamer rack for dumplings and vegetables, there is a lot to love about this top-rated slow cooker.
The searing function creates a brown crust on proteins right in the pan, and you can also saute, stir-fry, steam, simmer and even bake. The delay timer means you can program defrost-and-dump dinners to start an hour or two after you leave the house, so they’re not overcooked by the time you get home from work.
I also love that this cooker looks good enough to leave out on your countertop and that it comes in six attractive color options, including Oxford blue and sage green.
It’s a shame that … the GreenPan was the heaviest slow cooker I tested, at 14.8lbs (7kg). The $240 price tag is also a little steep – although the lifetime warranty means that if it doesn’t go the distance, you are entitled to a repair or replacement.
Capacity: 6 quarts
Dimensions: 19in L x 12.4in W x 10.9in H
Weight: 14.8lbs
Materials: Pfas-free ceramic nonstick pot
Number of cooking modes: 14 (slow cook high, slow cook medium, slow cook low, keep warm, sear, saute, stir-fry, steam, bake, soup, rice, simmer, buffet and reheat)
Warm setting: Yes
Included accessories: Stainless steel steamer rack; measuring cup
Dishwasher-safe parts: Pot and lid
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
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Best budget slow cooker:
Hamilton Beach Advanced Temp Tracker Slow Cooker
$93.95 at Home Depot
$94.99 at Hamilton Beach
Why we love it
Our best affordable slow cooker packs a lot of value into one box for just under $100 – namely a detachable temperature probe, an intuitive control panel, the ability to hold low and even temperatures and handles that clip securely in place (also making this model the best travel-friendly slow cooker I tested).
A common complaint with slow cookers is that they run too hot, overcooking food and ruining its nuanced flavor, nutrition and vibrancy. But my pick for the best-value slow cooker has advanced temperature controls that foolproof the process and minimize over- or undercooking.
Cook a whole chicken on bake mode without worrying that it will still be pink inside when you cut into it to serve dinner party guests. Use the steam mode to make perfectly al dente veggies set on top of the removable metal rack. Poach fish on the low setting. Or use the simmer mode to gently heat delicate dishes such as homemade yogurt or fondue precisely to the desired temperature.
It’s a shame that … this was the only model tested that requires you to press a button to illuminate the LCD control panel instead of it remaining lit while in use.
Capacity: 6 quarts
Dimensions: 17.5in L x 11in W x 12in x H
Weight: 12lbs
Materials: Stainless steel
Number of cooking modes: Five (slow cook, braise, simmer, fondue and yogurt)
Warm setting: No
Included accessories: Digital probe
Dishwasher-safe parts: Pot and lid
Warranty: One year
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Best-looking slow cooker:
Cuisinart 6-Quart 3-in-1 Cook Central Multicooker
$199.95 at Cuisinart
$199.95 at Amazon
Why we love it
If you’re looking for an appliance attractive enough to leave out on a countertop, consider this sleek and streamlined Cuisinart. In addition to the contemporary design, this model also set itself apart from the rest for its superior browning abilities (which is key for building flavor and texture in low-and-slow recipes including pot roast), a handy simmer mode and a steamer insert perfect for cooking up a big batch of vegetables or tamales.
The blue, backlit LCD display has clear time and temperature settings, and I found the control panel to be straightforward, easy to use and with just enough cooking modes to be versatile without being overwhelming.
Thanks to a lightweight nonstick aluminum pot and cool-touch handles on the lid and sides of the pot, this cooker was also much easier to transfer to the dinner table or fridge than models with heavy ceramic inserts. And unlike most slow cookers with stainless steel exteriors, this one won’t get hot enough to burn your fingers.
It’s a shame that … this model does not have locking handles, so it’s harder to transport to potlucks and holiday gatherings, and the warranty only lasts three years.
Capacity: 6 quarts
Dimensions: 12in L x 19in W x 9.5in H
Weight: 11lbs
Materials: Stainless steel exterior; nonstick aluminum pot
Number of cooking modes: Three (slow cook, saute and steam)
Warm setting: Yes
Included accessories: Removable steaming rack
Dishwasher-safe parts: Pot, lid and steaming rack
Warranty: Three years
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The best of the rest
Best for small spaces:
Ninja Foodi Everyday Possible Cooker Pro
$129.99 at Ninja
$129.99 at Staples
Why we love it
While slow cookers are indispensable, most options take up a lot of room on countertops and storage shelves, and the heavy pots require a lot of real estate in the fridge. That’s why I loved this lightweight model with a 13in x 13in footprint. The pot is oven-safe up to 500F (260C) – in case you want a crispy, browned top on whatever dish you are cooking up – and it’s small enough to fit in the refrigerator without hassle.
I also like that the Ninja has modes for white and brown rice, oats and pasta.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the handles don’t lock to prevent spills on this otherwise travel-friendly design.
Capacity: 6.5 quarts
Dimensions: 12.95in L x 13.31in W x 10.27in H
Weight: 7.9lbs
Materials: Stainless steel base with PFOA-free pot
Number of cooking modes: Eight (slow cook, sear/saute, braise, keep warm, white rice, brown rice, oats and pasta)
Warm setting: Yes
Included accessories: Rice spoon
Dishwasher-safe parts: Pot and lid
Warranty: One year
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Best for big crowds:
Instant Pot Superior Cooker Chef Series Slow Cooker
$99.64 at Walmart
Why we love it
Instant Pot may be famous for its pressure cookers, but the brand makes a generously sized slow cooker too. At 7.5 quarts, this round model is the largest capacity of all the options I tested, and it offers more cooking area than a 12in skillet, making it a great choice for feeding big groups or families. Plus, this affordable slow cooker is priced under $100 and it has sear/saute, steam and warm modes.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the design isn’t as attractive as many of the other slow cookers I tested, and I found its alert sounds more annoying than other options.
Capacity: 7.5 quarts
Dimensions: 15.16in L x 14.02in W x 10.24in H
Weight: 12lbs
Materials: Nonstick ceramic-coated aluminum pot
Number of cooking modes: Four (slow cook, sear/saute, steam and warm)
Warm setting: Yes
Included accessories: None
Dishwasher-safe parts: Lid
Warranty: One year
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Best for the sous-vide curious:
Crock-Pot Programmable 6-Quart Slow Cooker with Sous Vide
$85.99 at Target
$119.99 at Meijer
Why we love it
If you’re curious to try sous vide cooking at home without buying spendy, single-use gadgets, take note. You can get precise temperature control to make restaurant-quality meals at home with this simple and straightforward machine.
While many slow cookers have a minimum number of hours for certain cook modes – and many only allow you set cook times by the half-hour – this slow cooker gives you more control with the option to set cook times anywhere between five minutes and 30 hours.
It didn’t make the final cut because … I wish it had a sear function, so sous vide chicken, fish and veggies could be finished in the pot instead of getting transferred to the stove for browning.
Capacity: 6 quarts
Dimensions: 17.5in L x 11.37in W x 9.13in H
Weight: 12lbs
Materials: Stoneware pot
Number of cooking modes: Three (slow cook, sous vide and keep warm)
Warm setting: Yes
Included accessories: Temperature probe; sous vide bags
Dishwasher-safe parts: Pot and lid
Warranty: One year
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What other products did the Guardian test?
Our Place Dream Cooker (which performed well as a slow cooker in my tests but was not included on this list since it is in its own category as a pressure cooker/multicooker)
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What you need to know about slow cookers
What is the difference between a slow cooker and a Crock-Pot?
Much like how Kleenex is often used as a term for facial tissue even though it’s actually a brand of tissue, the decades-long popularity of the Crock-Pot brand means it is often used as a synonym for a slow cooker. But slow cooker is a generic term for the appliance, while Crock-Pot is a specific brand of slow cooker … meaning one is no better than the other.
What are the key factors to look for in a slow cooker?
Start by establishing your budget and how big of a capacity you need. Six quarts is the most common, but if you’re cooking for one or two people and don’t plan to cook large cuts of meat, you may want to scale down.
Consider which other features and bonus accessories you will actually use. A basic slow cooker is perfectly fine for soups, stews and braises, but upgraded models often include a warming mode for entertaining and holiday feasts; specific settings for pasta, rice and oats; steaming racks; and searing modes for meat. A temperature-tracking probe can also help ensure that meat has cooked through.
Ceramic nonstick coatings aren’t beyond health scrutiny, but they are typically more durable than standard Teflon coatings, which also contain Pfas “forever chemicals”. If you don’t want to take any chances as the scientific consensus on these materials evolves, some models still come with old-fashioned stoneware pots.
Which brand of slow cooker is the best?
I test-drove a wide range of slow cooker brands, including Black & Decker and a few models of Crock-Pots. After rigorous testing of form, function and bonus features, GreenPan’s Elite 14-in-1 6-Quart Slow Cooker nabbed the title of the best overall slow cooker, and the best budget slow cooker was Hamilton Beach’s Advanced Temp Tracker Slow Cooker.
The Foodi Everyday Possible Cooker Pro from Ninja was the best compact slow cooker, and Superior Cooker Chef Series Slow Cooker by Instant Pot was the best large-capacity slow cooker.
For the best sous vide machine, I recommend the Crock-Pot Programmable 6-Quart Slow Cooker with Sous Vide, and for the best multitasking slow cooker, I love Cuisinart’s 6-Quart 3-in-1 Cook Central Multicooker.
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Elizabeth Brownfield is a freelance journalist specializing in food and cooking, design and travel. A former New Yorker, she traded a studio apartment in Manhattan for a Craftsman in Portland, Oregon, with plenty of space for testing kitchen gadgets and appliances, suitcases and camping and hiking gear perfect for exploring the beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers and rugged coastline of the Pacific north-west.
