The 6 Best Slow Cookers We Tested for Entertaining and Easy Weeknight Meals
We roasted 20 pounds of pork and conducted a blind taste test to find the best models for your kitchen
People / Dera Burreson
When the weather calls for soups, chilis, and braised meats, there’s a way to make them that doesn’t require hours bent over a stove constantly stirring a pot. The best slow cookers can create rich flavor with relatively little work, making them as great for Monday night meals as they are for entertaining on the weekends.
Experts Say“What I love most is how incredibly tender the meats and vegetables become, along with the way flavors beautifully meld together during the slow cooking process.” —Sarah Olson, recipe developer and creator of The Magical Slow Cooker
To find the best slow cookers, we tested eight different models over 64 hours to determine winning options for beginners, advanced cooks, and everyone in between. Each expert tester made the same pulled pork recipe, and the test concluded with a blind taste test to unveil those that produced the tastiest results. Keep reading for the best slow cookers for every budget and kitchen need.Best Overall: Cuisinart 3-In-1 Cook Central 6-Quart Multi-Cooker
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Star Qualities
Made one of the best-tasting pork dishes
Has a cool-to-the-touch glass lid
Backlit screen with easy-to-use buttons
Unique pour spout feature
Red Flags
Higher-priced option
No rubber ring around the lid to seal steam in
Our top pick for the best slow cooker goes to the Cuisinart Cook Central for its delicious results and intuitive functionality. In our blind taste test, one tester wrote that the pork produced by this model was “a clear winner,” citing it was the “most tender and succulent” of the bunch. It’s also a versatile model, with settings like brown and saute for one-pot cooking, plus an included steaming rack.We found that the backlit LCD screen was quick to master, with one-touch time adjustments and temperature settings. Its base also stayed cooler than most of the models we tested, and the handles stayed cool enough during testing to not require the use of pot holders. A corner pour spout made measuring out the pot’s liquid safer, too. Additionally, the nonstick aluminum insert of this six-quart cooker was easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.However, for its higher price, we were disappointed it didn’t have a rubber seal on the lid to ensure steam wouldn’t escape — and while those handles didn’t retain heat, they also felt a bit flimsy.Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 18 x 11 x 10.5 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Colors: Silver | Features: Clip-tight glass lid with cool-touch handle, steaming rack, backlit LCD screenBest Budget: Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with MyTime Technology
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Star Qualities
Easy-to-use control panel
Reliably cooked food in allotted times
Automatically switches to warm mode when done cooking
Red Flags
No locking lid
Water collected in lid and handles during washing
This affordable Crock-Pot makes our list for its straightforward interface and reliable output: It’s simple to use and produces great results. The control panel offers one-touch options for things like food type and amount, and it’s easy to schedule a meal ahead of time (although users will have to set the clock upon starting).The six-quart insert fits a good amount of food, and we found that it cooked pork to a tender and juicy finish, with no scorching at the bottom. It also automatically goes to warm mode when it’s done cooking, which means no babysitting is required.This stainless steel option has no locking lid, no pour spout, and a base that gets moderately hot during cooking. And while cleaning was relatively straightforward, a small depression around the bottom has the potential to collect water. Still, for the affordable price, it’s a reliable pick we stand by.Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 14.6 x 9.7 x 14.3 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Colors: Silver | Features: Customized settings, MyTime technology, manual cook option, digital control screen, dishwasher-safe stoneware
Experts Say“Using a slow cooker during the workweek means you can enjoy a delicious dinner with minimal effort when you return home. I love choosing meals that need no major side dish, like a hearty pot roast dinner or a comforting bowl of Zuppa Toscana. When you walk in the door, you only need to dish it up and pair it with some warm dinner rolls!” —Sarah Olson
Best Value: Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Lid Lock
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Star Qualities
Meat came out tender
Has handy pour spout
Has large handles that tightly clip shut
Automatically turns to warm setting when done cooking
Red Flags
Some wear and tear after use
Rubber seal makes it hard to clean
This slow cooker is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive option on our list, but its added features, like a locking lid and a temperature probe, make it the best value. The digital screen and the turn dial simplify its interface, and the probe allows users to easily check on food’s doneness. It also has a pour spout and a keep-warm option.During our tests, we found that the pulled pork had an “excellent flavor” that one tester found “so good, that I ate the entire sandwich.” It’s a nice model for a potluck, too, thanks to the locking lid and the glass top for guests to peek inside.Cleaning this cooker takes some elbow grease due to a rubber seal that needed extra attention. Its biggest disappointment was found after cooking: There was a small crack inside the base and some chipped paint on the handle.Material: Stoneware | Dimensions: 12 x 17 x 11.87 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Colors: 3 | Features: Integrated temperature probe, clip-tight glass lid, multiple cooking settingsBest Multifunctional: Ninja MC1101 6.5-Quart Foodi Everyday Possible Cooker Pro
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Star Qualities
Small countertop footprint, but deeper vertical pot will benefit larger families
Easiest unit to clean during testing
Has eight unique settings
Intuitive control panel
Red Flags
Base and handles get extremely hot
No pour spout
The pulled pork made in the Ninja Foodi had complex flavors that were a hit with testers — the meat tasted braised and the onions were caramelized. But for those who want to think beyond slow cooking, there are several additional settings, including the ability to cook both pasta and rice. It even has a cast iron insert that’s oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. We really liked the design of this cooker, with a deep pot, soft-touch buttons that don’t show fingerprint marks, and a compact square base. It was also easy to clean with warm water and light scrubbing. Its biggest drawback is that some of the inner lining is exposed from the base, so there’s a small area that will get incredibly hot during cooking. Its handles also got very hot. But the design, price, and versatility make this a solid pick.Material: Stainless steel, cast iron | Dimensions: 12.8 x 8.19 x 14.06 inches | Capacity: 6.5 quarts | Color: Midnight blue | Features: Removable oven-safe cast iron insert, rice and pasta cooking settings, included rice spoon, oven-safe glass lidMost Versatile: Instant Pot Electric Precision Dutch Oven
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Star Qualities
Cast iron insert is oven-safe and easy to clean
Included silicone accessories are convenient for serving
Customizable temperature settings
Red Flags
Very heavy
Control panel takes some time to master
Testers really enjoyed the pulled pork made with this Instant Pot Dutch Oven, with a consensus that it had the most barbecue flavor “by far.” And because the insert is cast iron, it can brown, braise, and sear food nicely — plus it’s stovetop- and oven-safe.The touch panel took some time to master, but it does have some nice features like temperature control to help cook food more precisely. We found that it was also easy to clean, with some parts being dishwasher-safe, although it can be cleaned just as well in the sink.Its biggest drawback is its weight. At 21 pounds, it’s the heaviest option on our list, and that weight makes it hard to transport, pour out liquid, or move around. It also gets incredibly hot, but it does come with included silicone pads and handles.Material: Cast iron | Dimensions: 11.4 x 10 x 11.2 inches | Colors: 3 | Capacity: 6 quarts | Features: Lid with self-braising grid underside, included silicone pad and handles, removable oven-safe cast iron insert, precise temperature control
Pro Tip“The slow cooker is an excellent choice for entertaining! Not only does it keep appetizers warm throughout the party, but it also produces delicious, comforting dishes that guests love. —Sarah Olson
Related: The 9 Best Dutch Ovens of 2024, Tested by PEOPLE
Best Investment: GreenPan Elite 6-Quart Slow Cooker
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Star Qualities
Produced delicious food that notably retained flavor
Base and handles stayed cool during cook time
Various cooking features like steam and saute
Sleek retro design
Red Flags
Expensive
No pour spout
Internal silicone handles got very hot while cooking
The high-quality materials of this GreenPan slow cooker make it worth the investment. During testing, the diamond-infused nonstick ceramic insert required no scrubbing to clean thoroughly. It’s also safe to use with metal utensils and is dishwasher-safe for added convenience. The sleek stainless steel exterior comes in aesthetic colorways, and it has two sets of handles: metal ones on the base and silicone ones by the lid. The extra-large LCD screen and one-touch buttons are convenient, with unique presets like steam, simmer, reheat, and saute. But perhaps most importantly, it produced delicious pulled pork that showcased the flavors of the Dr. Pepper and barbecue sauce we added during testing. We did find that the silicone handles got extremely hot during cooking, even though the base and its handles stayed cool. And while this gripe may be small, we want to note it has a surprisingly short power cord. Material: Ceramic, stainless steel | Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 12 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Colors: 6 | Features: Backlit LCD screen, one-touch presets, in-pot browning, metal utensil safeOther Slow Cookers We Tried Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker: This ceramic slow cooker got high marks for its aesthetic. With gold accents, several unique colorways, and an included lid holder, it’s great for entertaining. Both proteins and vegetables were also cooked through in the allotted time. However, it didn’t make our list for a few other reasons: The results weren’t super flavorful, the lid doesn’t lock, and we found the control panel to be a bit tricky to navigate.Crock-Pot Programmable 6-Quart Slow Cooker with Sous Vide: A nice-looking slow cooker that produced delicious-tasting pork, this Crock-Pot also had many nice-to-have features like a temperature probe and the ability to sous vide. However, these added features raised the price to around $120, so those who don’t want to try their hand at the fancier features might not want to pay the higher amount. Between that and the fact that it got incredibly hot during cooking, it just missed our list.
People / Dera Burreson
What to Know About Slow CookersMaterialWhen selecting a slow cooker, the most important factor is the material used to construct the cooking pot.The most common insert is aluminum, especially for models without an abundance of different cook options. Aluminum is a good heat conductor and is relatively lightweight, so it’s a great option for slow cookers you want to tote to a party or potluck. It also won’t corrode over time and is a durable material.Ceramic, like the one in the GreenPan Elite Slow Cooker, is great for more versatile cookers, as it maintains its heat while also allowing for a nice sear. It’s likely to last a long time, although it has to feature a nonstick coating to prevent scratching. Considered a more eco-friendly and natural material, it’s also dishwasher-safe.Cast iron, like the one in the Instant Pot Electric Dutch Oven, is ideal for a more complex flavor. It can be used on the stovetop and in the oven for additional braising or browning. However, it’s a heavy material, so it might not be the best for transport.SettingsEven the most affordable slow cookers will have a few basic settings. These can include temperature modes like low, medium, and high that determine how quickly a protein will cook (ie: low and slow or at a faster rate). Another basic setting is a timer, which will usually be programmable in increments of 15 or 30 minutes. And a keep-warm option will ensure food stays hot without cooking it more.For the more advanced models, there is an abundance of settings that will satisfy more advanced cooks or those looking for an easy one-pot meal. For instance, one-touch settings will have preset temperatures for different proteins like pork or beef. Cooking settings can vary, especially if you’re buying a multifunctional option like the Ninja Foodi Everyday Possible Cooker Pro. This can be something like a simple saute function, which allows you to brown or sear proteins or vegetables for an added depth of flavor, but it can also include things like braising or reheating.Ease of CleaningAll slow cookers have an electric component to them, so the base will need to be wiped down with a damp cloth to get rid of stains. The insert, however, can be cleaned depending on its material. Cast iron is traditionally wiped down or scraped clean rather than submerged in water, while ceramic or aluminum can often be cleaned in a dishwasher. Lids made of glass are also likely dishwasher-safe, too. Depending on what you’re cooking, more elbow grease might be required, like if you’re using the insert to sear meat, for instance.
People / Dera Burreson
Behind the ScenesOur experienced team of testers tried out eight slow cookers for a total of 64 hours of cooking and cleaning. Each tester made the same pulled pork recipe in their slow cooker, and at the end, we conducted a blind taste test to ensure the most accurate testimonials. Our testers also graded each slow cooker on the following attributes:Design: Testers gave marks on the general design of the slow cooker, including how tight the lid fit, the control panel, its size and weight, and the heaviness and sturdiness of the handles and the base. Marks were also given to how easy it was to pour liquid out of the base. Performance: Observations were made about pork tenderness, how long the pork took to cook, if any scorching was observed, and how flavorful the meat was.Ease of Cleaning: We also scored the slow cookers on how they came out after cleaning and if any parts were dishwasher-safe.After calculating our scores for each criteria, our top pick was the Cuisinart Cook Central 3-in-1 Multi-Cooker — it made delicious pork, was easy to transport, and had some nice features, too.
People / Dera Burreson
Why Trust PEOPLE?Alida Nugent is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE who has also written for publications like Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network, HGTV, and more. When covering the best slow cookers, she reviewed the testing data provided by the PEOPLE Tested team to determine the best way to present the findings to a wider audience. She also did some considerable research on slow cookers and spoke to recipe developer Sarah Olson for her insights on integrating this handy kitchen appliance into your everyday cooking routines.
Our Expert PanelSarah Olson is an Oregon-based recipe developer and creator of The Magical Slow Cooker where she shares her favorite slow cooker recipes.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
Related: You Only Need 3 Kitchen Knives — These Are the Best Chef's, Paring, and Santoku Knives We Tested
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