Years ago, someone sent me a slow cooker as a gift, but despite attending culinary school, I wasn't sure what to do with it. Now that I'm a mom who regularly cooks for four or more — and values the set-it-and-forget-it functionality — I was intrigued by the idea of testing slow cookers.
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In my research, I discovered that there are nuances to slow cookers — many have stoneware inner pots (or crocks), some have nonstick metal inner pots, some have brown/sauté settings so you can get a crust on proteins before setting them to braise, some come with steaming racks and some with temperature probes. And did you know that Crock-Pot is a brand name? Like Popsicle is to ice pop, Crock-Pot is to slow cooker.
After browsing through dozens of slow cookers, I narrowed down the testing pool to eight popular picks, including, yes, some of the best Crock-Pots. I ruled out manual models in favor of user-friendly displays with programmable timers that allow for at least four to eight hours of slow cooking, then automatically switch to a "warm" setting (at a food-safe temperature ). Because the quintessential slow cooker meal is beef stew, that's the dish I used for testing. I looked for even heating, ease of use, a variety of functions and value. My picks for the best slow cookers are real kitchen helpers that allow you to whip up a comforting meal, even if you have to leave for the office or take care of other tasks at home.
Best slow cookers of 2026
Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo
Capacity:6 quarts | Settings:Slow cook on high or low, keep warm | Weight:11.9 lbs. | Dimensions:17"D x 11.8"W x 9.8"H
When you're called upon to bring a dish to family gatherings, the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry will be your go-to solution. A locking lid with a rubber gasket ensures that food and sauce stay inside and don't spill onto the backseat of your car. And it's easy to carry thanks to the generous handles.
This stainless steel slow cooker from an iconic brand offers slow cooking at low and high temperatures for cook times up to 20 hours, plus a keep-warm setting that turns on automatically when a programmed cook time ends or can be used on its own. The stoneware crock is microwave-safe and oven-safe up to 400°F.
Why we love it:I found the control panel easy to read and foolproof to navigate. Just choose high or low for the temperature and then use the up and down arrows to set the cooking time, which counts down on a digital display. I checked a batch of beef stew periodically and found the temperature was consistently at 194°F. When I returned to the stew after eight hours on low heat, it was rich and velvety.
I can already tell that this is the kind of dependable appliance that will last for years. Maintenance is simple — wipe the outside clean with a damp cloth and wash the inner crock and lid by hand. It's the best Crock-Pot I've tested.
Minor criticisms:It doesn't have a ton of bells and whistles, but that's part of its charm. You can set it and forget it and trust that it will do what it's supposed to.
- Easy to program
- Portable with locking lid
- Automatically switches to keep-warm setting when cooking time ends
- Generous handles
- The outside of the cooker gets very hot
Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo
Capacity:6 quarts | Settings:Slow cook, steam, brown/sauté, keep warm | Weight:17.4 lbs. | Dimensions:18"D x 11"W x 10.5"H
This Cuisinart is chock-full of features: Want to steam fish or chicken and veggies? Like to brown and braise cuts of meat or chicken? This is the slow cooker for you.
Why we love it:I appreciated that you could set the brown/sauté function to 400°F. This means you don't have to use a separate skillet on the stove to sear meats (which adds depth of flavor) before braising them for eight hours. The unit comes with a steamer insert that's perfect for delicate proteins and vegetables, and doubles as a roasting rack for a whole chicken or roast.
The backlit display shows the timer on one side and the temperature on the other. The inner crock is made from nonstick-coated aluminum. It washes clean easily with warm water and a soapy sponge, but you can also put it and the lid in the dishwasher.
Minor criticisms:The larger rectangular shape of this slow cooker eats up countertop real estate, but it makes up for it with its quick-heating inner pot and excellent control panel with buttons for all of its functions.
- Lots of functions
- Large control panel that's easy to use
- Time and temperature alerts
- Pot and lid are dishwasher-safe
- Expensive
- Large footprint
Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo
Capacity:6 quarts | Settings:slow cook on low, medium, high, sear/sauté, steam, keep warm | Weight:14.77 lbs. | Dimensions:19"D x 12.14"W x 10.9"H
When you want the features of nontoxic cookware plus great design, the GreenPan Elite 14-in-1 Slow Cooker is the answer. It offers 14 functions: slow cook, sauté, steam, simmer/buffet, proof, bake, reheat and more. Like GreenPan's exceptional ceramic cookware , the inner crock is made with a PFAS- and PFOA-free ceramic coating that's also certified by the NSF, meaning it meets strict standards for public health and safety.
Why we love it:I tested the previous version of this high-end slow cooker and adored its versatility. It shepherded a batch of beef stew from browning right in the pot at 400°F to braising on low for eight hours, resulting in tender meat and vegetables with a luxurious slurry. The LCD display was easy to read and made programming a cinch. The unit comes with a steamer rack, and I appreciate that the pot and lid are dishwasher-safe.
Now on to its good looks. This sleek model comes in a variety of tasteful colors, including cream, Oxford blue, sage green, graphite, black, and clay — you will surely find one that integrates seamlessly into your kitchen decor. Just don't forget to consider the space it takes up on the counter or in a cabinet.
Minor criticisms:Its top-tier performance and sleek design will cost you over $400 (excluding sales), making it one of the most expensive slow cookers on our list.
- Lots of functions
- Generous handles
- Attractive enough to leave on the counter
- Expensive
Factors to consider when choosing a slow cooker
My time spent testing slow cookers yielded these considerations to keep in mind when you're shopping.
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Features:I value the ability to brown/sear meats directly in the unit rather than using a pan on the stovetop and then adding the meat to the slow cooker. Some people like the option of steaming fish and veggies in their slow cooker. But if you tend to use recipes that don't benefit from these features, and all you want is a timer and either a low- or high-temperature setting, you'll have many options to choose from at various price points.
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Dimensions:Limited storage space means some models may not work for you. You should consider whether or not you'll use a slow cooker often enough to keep it on the countertop or store it in a cabinet — always check the height of the model before you commit.
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Capacity:If you cook large-batch soups and stews and whole roasts or chickens, a 6-quart model should satisfy most of your needs. If you cook for two to three people, you can get away with a 4-quart model. And if you want to keep lots of food warm for a tailgate or a family gathering, some 8-quart models work nicely.
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Price:Slow cookers range in price from around $50 to over $200. A more expensive model doesn't necessarily mean it will produce better results, though. It's best to consider which features are worth having and keep an eye on sales.
How we tested slow cookers
After opening each package, I noted if there was any setup required and how easy these appliances were to program. I gave each inner crock and lid a quick wash with soap and water before cooking a classic beef stew in each one. To rank on our list, the gadgets had to excel in the following tests:
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Temperature test:A safe cooking temperature generally falls between 170°F and 280°F, according to the USDA , but in practice should hover somewhere below boiling, or 212°F, or you will overcook most proteins. Did the slow cooker meet these requirements?
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Sauté/brown test:Is there a sear/sauté function? If there is, does the pot get hot enough to properly brown meat?
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Stuck-on food test:After food cools, it can get pretty sticky and adhere to the inside of a pot. I waited for a while to wash the inner crocks to see how much work was involved in getting them clean.
Other slow cookers we tested
Crock-Pot MultiMeal Programmable Slow Cooker :I love this Crock-Pot's promise of being able to make two dishes at the same time, which might require different settings and cook times. However, this appliance does not offer a slow cook setting that goes for the traditional eight hours, only one that cooks for four hours, which was not long enough for the stew, nor for the convenience of letting a dish cook all day.
Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Slow Cooker with Temperature Probe :This and one other slow cooker from Hamilton Beach feature a temperature probe, which none of the other brands I tried have. At first, this seemed like a must for checking the cooking temperature, but you're better off buying an instant-read thermometer that you can use for many other cooking tasks. Outside of that added feature, this model has the popular high, low and keep-warm settings, and it's fairly affordable at under $100.
Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Slow Cooker with Temperature Probe & Defrost :Much like the model above, this Hamilton Beach slow cooker covers basic slow cooking tasks, has a temperature probe and will cost you less than $100. But it can also cook food from frozen, which is a feature none of the others have. If you know you'll forget to defrost the chicken breasts in the middle of a hectic week, this model might be the answer.
Instant Pot Superior Cooker 7.5 Quart Slow Cooker :I had high hopes for this large-capacity slow cooker from the popular multicooker brand because it has a sear/sauté feature. The downfall here is the metal inner pot — it's too thin and doesn't get hot enough to sear meat properly. It almost feels flimsy.
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 4-Quart Slow Cooker :This was the smallest slow cooker I tested, as the 6-quart version was unavailable. The most exciting feature on this appliance is the lid holder — it's removable, but I loved how I didn't have to clear space on the counter to set down the lid. Unfortunately, this unit cooked food at too high a temperature and therefore resulted in an overcooked, dry stew. There is also no clock to let you know how much time is left in your cooking cycle. However, it's a budget-friendly option at under $50.
What is the difference between a crock pot and a slow cooker?
Crock-Pot is a brand name many people use to refer to the generic term for a slow cooker. It's not unlike using the word Kleenex (also a brand name) when referring to facial tissues.
Slow cooker FAQs
How does a slow cooker work?
A slow cooker is an electric kitchen appliance that is designed to take the hassle out of meal prep. Instead of you having to hover over your stovetop to continuously check on your stew or pot roast, a slow cooker lets you set it and forget it. It cooks food slowly at a low and consistent temperature — typically between 170°F and 280°F — over the course of multiple hours. Steam, direct heat from the pot and a long cooking time cook your food safely .
What are the best foods to cook in a slow cooker?
You can cook a wide variety of sweet and savory meals in a slow cooker, from steel-cut oats for breakfast to your favorite stew, soup or chili recipe for lunch and dinner. Slow cookers also make tough cuts of meat tender and are a popular go-to appliance for pot roasts and braising.
Update, Nov. 14, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our pick for best nontoxic slow cooker, the GreenPan Elite 8-in-1 6-Quart Slow Cooker, has been replaced with a newer version, so we refreshed our copy to reflect this.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
