We Tested Every Slow Cooker We Could Get Our Hands On—These 9 Are the Ones Worth Buying

Of all the slow cookers we tested, Magnifique’s Claypot Multicooker stands out for its versatility, earning its spot as our favorite all-in-one cooker. You can move this model from the countertop to the oven as it functions as both a programmable slow cooker and a Dutch oven.

Health writer Raki Swanson was impressed by how evenly it cooked across very different recipes, from pulled BBQ chicken in slow-cook mode to apple crisp in the oven. “There was no burning of anything and no sticking — my mind is still blown over this,” she says.

Cleanup was equally impressive. “This was a breeeeeeze to clean,” says Swanson. After intentionally leaving baked-on barbecue chicken in the pot for two days, she found she could “just use a paper towel to clean it… no kidding!” According to the manufacturer, the lining uses a “natural clay glaze” that has been independently tested and confirmed to be free of harmful substances.

The Magnifique also comes with thoughtful extras — a cork mat, lid holder, and spatula — and its design and pretty color options make it feel more like cookware than a countertop tool. Swanson says the setup was straightforward, but notes she had to take a minute to read the instruction manual to understand how to use all the functions.

If you’re looking for one appliance that can replace multiple pieces of cookware (and look good doing it), the Magnifique Claypot Multicooker is worth your counter space. “I got rid of my other five crock pots that were old, didn’t clean well, and weren’t as versatile as this one — because of this beauty,” says Swanson.

If your kitchen counter is cramped, the Brentwood SC-115W Slow Cooker is a space-saving hero. It’s small enough to tuck into a cabinet but strong enough to handle small recipes, tasty dips, or side dishes. Of all the models we tested, this one offered the best mix of compact size, affordability, and performance.

Swanson used this 1.5-quart cooker to make a three-ingredient sausage cheese dip and came away impressed. “Sooooo delish and sooooo simple,” she says. “It cooked evenly and there was no burning or sticking.”

“This cooker rinsed out like a dream,” Swanson says regarding ease of clean-up. “All I did was soak it in some hot water for about three minutes, and the crusty cheese from the dip just wiped off — like it was nothing.” The lid and exterior clean just as easily.
With just one front dial, there’s no programming or digital setup, ideal for anyone who wants a straightforward, no-frills appliance that gets hot fast. “I had it on high and this thing gets high,” Swanson adds.

Because of its size, this model is best for singles or smaller families. Swanson also notes that she wished it came in more colors, but this is a minor inconvenience given its high functionality and compact design.

For apartment dwellers, RV owners, or anyone short on counter space, the Brentwood SC-115W is a perfect solution. “Right now, I’m sort of kicking myself as to why I haven’t owned one before,” Swanson says. 

Not every slow cooker needs bells and whistles to earn its spot on your counter. The Elite Gourmet MST-275XS proves that simple and affordable can still mean dependable and delicious. This small but mighty oval slow cooker delivers the even, consistent results we expect from pricier models.

Swanson admits she underestimated this little cooker until she made a family-style pizza pasta with uncooked noodles. “I didn’t need to mix this dish once while it was cooking for four hours,” she said. “There was no burning and absolutely NO sticking on the sides or the bottom.”

Swanson also praises the clean-up process. “I literally just sprayed off the contents with my faucet, and it was clean,” she says. Setup was equally effortless: “Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeezy,” she says. “Take it out of the packaging, fill it with food, and then plug it in and go.”

With a 2-quart oval stoneware insert, this model can handle stews, pastas, dips, and even small cuts of meat. “This small cooker really shocked me,” Raki says. “I thought smaller cookers were just for dips or warming things up, but this one actually cooks. It does the same work that a larger slow cooker could do.”
Priced under $20, it’s also one of the lowest-cost models we tested. “Yes, yes, and yes — I would purchase this with my own money,” Swanson says. “It’s affordable, cooks evenly, and is so darn cute.”

If sustainability is a priority in your kitchen, the GreenLife 6-Quart Ceramic Slow Cooker is an easy choice. It features a PFAS- and PFOA-free ceramic nonstick coating derived from sand.

I tested this model by making two go-to recipes: a classic chili and slow-cooked chicken thighs. Both cooked evenly, with no burning or sticking. I didn’t notice any hot spots or uneven heat, even after hours of cooking.

One of my favorite features was its lightweight design. The pot is designed to be stove-top safe, which means I can brown my chicken or sauté aromatics directly in the same pot before slow cooking — fewer dishes to clean is a major plus in my book. I put the pot directly on the stovetop, then moved it over to the cooker to set and forget.

There’s minimal setup, and the digital interface is intuitive, with just four buttons (mode, delay timer, keep warm, and on/off) plus a simple knob to adjust time. It’s also aesthetically pleasing with multiple color options. I was cautious about the type of cleaning tools I used, since it's nonstick and I didn’t want to scratch the coating, but it’s also dishwasher safe.

When I first turned it on, I noticed a faint new-product smell that faded with time, but it’s worth noting for those sensitive to odors. With how easy this is to clean and how lightweight it is, this slow cooker could easily be a regular go-to in my kitchen.

When you’re living on your own for the first time or in a dorm where counter space is minimal, the Crockpot SCR151-NP is exactly the kind of no-fuss appliance that makes life easier. It’s affordable and the ultimate “set it and forget it” slow cooker for small spaces and tight budgets.

“I made a slow-cooked pork belly — Filipino adobo,” writer Ysolt Usigan says, noting that it wasn’t the best recipe fit for a slow cooker, but was still impressed. “My meat was cooked quite evenly. I didn’t notice any burning or sticking,” she says.

“I was able to put the pot and lid (not the base) into my dishwasher,” says Usigan about clean-up. “You can also easily rinse it in the sink.” The entire setup process takes seconds. “It’s so intuitive that there are no controls at all — you just plug it in. There’s not even an on/off button.”

Because of its size, it’s not a great fit for family dinners, but Usigan sees plenty of uses. “It’s…perfect for a college student who doesn’t have a lot of space but needs to reheat leftovers or mom’s home-cooking without a microwave.”

The simplicity that makes this model appealing for beginners also limits its versatility. There’s no way to adjust the temperature, so recipes requiring precise heat settings aren’t ideal here. But for college students, the Crockpot SCR151-NP offers simplicity and convenience at a price that’s hard to beat. “It’s perfect for an amateur cook or a young person living alone for the first time,” says Usigan. It may be basic, but that’s exactly the point.

Family dinners don’t have to cost a fortune or take up your whole evening. The Thyme & Table 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker proves that you can get a sleek, reliable, family-size appliance without the premium price tag. This slow cooker combines even heating, easy cleanup, and just enough digital functionality to simplify busy weeknights. 

“I prepared a butter chicken recipe that’s basically chicken in a savory gravy, and it came out evenly cooked with no burning or sticking,” says Usigan, adding that setup and clean-up were quick and easy. “You just lift the pot out of the base and rinse that and the lid. You can also put it in the dishwasher, but it’s rather bulky, so it might take up space.”

While this cooker nails the basics, Usigan notes that the controls have a little learning curve. It also lacks a sauté function, which means you’ll need a separate pan if your recipe calls for browning meat or thickening sauces. “For my butter chicken, I had to brown the chicken in a pan and then transfer the liquid to another pot to thicken it up,” she notes.

Despite those hiccups, this slow cooker is an excellent value for families. “It’s almost as good as my higher-end slow cooker,” Usigan says. “It functions well, looks great on the counter, and is large enough to cook a meal for a family of four.” 

The Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker 6-Quart Slow Cooker is the definition of “set it and forget it.” It has a built-in temperature probe that lets you cook your meal to an exact temperature and then hold it there until you’re ready to eat. Of all the models I tested, this one was my favorite. The combination of reliability and the temperature-tracking mode makes it an ideal pick for busy weeknights or long workdays. 

I tested this model with two recipes: a Sweet Shredded Chicken and Short Ribs. Both cooked evenly with no burning or sticking, and the ribs came out perfectly tender, falling off the bone without drying out. I used the temp mode for the ribs, setting it to 200°F and then using the “hold” function to keep the temperature steady until dinner. 

Even though this was the heaviest of the slow cookers I tested, it felt solid and high-quality. Setup was quick and the controls are intuitive once you get the hang of them: a start/select knob for toggling between temperature settings (high, medium, low) and dedicated buttons for warming or activating the temperature probe. I did have to read through the instructions a bit more to understand how to use the temp mode, but it still didn't take much time.

Cleanup was also straightforward. The crock is dishwasher-safe, but handwashing is easy too. The Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker 6-Quart is intuitive enough for everyday use but precise enough to avoid overcooking. For busy families, multitaskers, or anyone who wants true hands-off cooking, it’s a solid, dependable choice.

The Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is a classic workhorse that earns our pick for Best Large-Capacity Slow Cooker because it handles family-sized meals (and then some) without breaking the budget. If you regularly cook for a family or want to batch-cook freezer meals, this Crock-Pot gets the job done.

Everyday Health editor and writer Katie Tuttle tested this slow cooker with a Mississippi pot roast, salsa chicken, and chicken tortilla soup. “The heating element does its job well; I didn’t notice any hot spots or sticking,” she says. Cleanup was straightforward, too: “The ceramic crock is removable, so you can soak it in the sink and give it a good scrubbing if necessary. Sometimes items do get stuck — par for the course — but nothing especially challenging to remove.”

Setting up this model is as straightforward as it gets. “It’s ridiculously simple — you basically plug it in and boom, done,” Katie says. At eight quarts, it’s large enough for big-batch recipes — soups, chili, pot roasts — or for feeding a crowd at potlucks.

Tuttle wishes the lid had clips for transport, especially for potlucks. It’s also a bulky appliance, so counter space is worth considering. Still, those minor drawbacks don’t detract from its value. “It’s a perfect, classic Crock-Pot,” Tuttle says. “The kind of appliance you’d get for your wedding, and it’d still be trucking along 15 years later.”

The Multi-Function Cooker by Lotus earns our Best for Sous Vide and Multi-Function Cooking superlative because it’s more than a slow cooker — it’s a multifunctional, premium kitchen tool. This kitchen appliance can replace multiple gadgets, and can do everything from slow cooking and searing to sous vide, rice cooking, and sautéing.

Writer Ysolt Usigan tested this model by making Irish beef stew. “My stew was cooked perfectly! There was no burning or sticking,” she says. “When I seared my meat before starting the slow cook process, it browned the meat so well.”

Heat performance also impressed her. “The heat consistency was perfect. It was steady heat throughout,” Usigan says, though she notes it takes a few minutes to warm up, especially when using the sear setting.

Despite its advanced functions, the Lotus remains intuitive to operate. “The instructions were very easy to figure out,” Usigan says. She also appreciates the built-in timer and automatic shutoff, ideal for days when multitasking or stepping away is unavoidable.

The Lotus is an investment — but one that Usigan says pays off. “It’s so versatile, which means I can get rid of my rice cooker,” she says. “I also love that I can sear and sauté in it, so it saves me from washing another pot or pan.”

For anyone who values durability, multifunctionality, and precise temperature control, the Lotus is a win. “It's so much more than a slow cooker. It's also really easy to use and quite trustworthy,” says Usigan. “It's worth the splurge if you plan to use it for multiple things and replace existing small appliances in your pantry to save you space.”